Mobile Miscellany: week of April 8th, 2013
If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week, we were treated to a peek at the Lumia 928 in white, Canada's upstart carriers made waves, BlackBerry users got a new free calling option and the Lumia 520 spread its wings to more carriers in the UK. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of April 8th, 2013.
Nokia Lumia 928 turns a whiter shade of pale
It wasn't but a week ago that @evleaks introduced the Lumia 928 to the world, which took a bow in formal black attire. More recently, we were treated to another look at the forthcoming Windows Phone for Verizon -- this time adorned in more saintly garb. Aside from the prominent speaker grille, the latest leak suggests that a secondary, noise-canceling microphone will accompany the Lumia 928, which comes in addition to the LED and xenon flash setup that we previously spotted. Fingers crossed that more colorful options show their lovely faces. [@evleaks (Unwired View)]
Viber delivers VoIP calling for BlackBerry
Check one off the list for Viber. Just as promised, it's delivered a free VoIP solution to BlackBerry users in the form of its version 4.2 beta release. Like Android and iOS, BlackBerry owners will find the ability to place free calls over 3G and WiFi connections, but curiously, only users of BlackBerry 5 OS and 7 OS can partake in the fun at this time -- something the app's developers chalk up to technical limitations in BlackBerry 6 OS. As for you Z10 owners, fear not: support for BlackBerry 10 is on the drawing board, and may appear in the final release of Viber 2.4. Sadly, the situation for BlackBerry 6 OS users is a bit more up in the air, but you might chalk it up as another reason to upgrade your device. Lemons, meet lemonade. [The Next Web]
Lumia 520 arrives at Vodafone and Orange in UK
Just last week, Nokia's most inexpensive Windows Phone to date hit both Carphone Warehouse and O2 in the UK, but now the Lumia 520 is back for round two with arrivals at Vodafone and Orange. At Vodafone, you'll find the smartphone in black and white options, where it retails for £155 outright -- for those paying attention, this is a £35 premium over what you'll pay at O2. Meanwhile, Orange carries only the black model, but its online inventory is currently bone dry. Needless to say, you may have better luck at a storefront. [Vodafone, Orange]
Intex Aqua Wonder will go quad-core in India
Just two short months ago, we were introduced to an attractively priced smartphone within India known as the Intex Aqua Wonder. Now, the phone's hitting a speed bump of the very best kind, as a quad-core variant of the Aqua Wonder is in the pipeline with an upgraded 2MP front-facing camera. Other aspects of the device will remain the same, which includes a 4.5-inch qHD IPS display, an 8-megapixel AF camera with dual-LED flash, dual-SIM functionality and Android 4.1.2. Sadly, the phone's RAM still weighs in at 512MB. [FoneArena]
Wind, Mobilicity and Public Mobile withdraw from CWTA in protest
The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association received a hell of a shock this week, as three of its newest members, Wind Mobile, Mobilicity and Public Mobile, withdrew from the group due to a perceived lack of representation. The upstarts cited a "long-standing, mounting frustration with the CWTA's consistent bias in favor of Rogers, Bell and TELUS," which they framed as "directly contrary to the interests of new entrant wireless carriers." As further evidence that the organizations don't see eye-to-eye, the CWTA then issued a press release where it rejected the accusations and insisted that the group "has always and will continue to work on behalf of all of its members." Guess it all depends on who you believe. [MobileSyrup]
Other random tidbits
AT&T has announced the availability of a $10 add-on for its GoPhone service known as Mexico Plus, which brings 1,000 voice minutes for calls to landlines and mobile numbers in Mexico -- quite possibly in response to a similar move from Boost Mobile. [AT&T]
The well-specced and affordable LG Optimus L9 has hit shelves of Wind Mobile in Canada for the very reasonable price of $299 outright. [MobileSyrup]
The BlackBerry Z10 is now available for $99.95 and up at Quebec's regional carrier, Videotron. [CrackBerry]
T-Mobile has revealed that the Lumia 521 will arrive in stores during the month of May. Unfortunately, Ms. Magenta's yet to reveal what she has in mind for pricing. [T-Mobile]
Samsung has announced that its newly announced miniature smartphone, the Galaxy Pocket Neo, will hit the UK during the middle of next month. [Android Central]
Dual-SIM versions of the LG Optimus L7II and Optimus L3II are now available for purchase within India for ₹18,650 ($340) and ₹8,800 ($160), respectively. [FoneArena]
The simplistic Nokia 105 candybar phone is now available in India for ₹1,249 ($23). [Nokia Conversations]
AT&T blessed 12 regions with new (or expanded) LTE coverage, and also revealed a list of 77 cities that are on deck to receive LTE signal this summer. [Engadget]
Telus and Bell have each activated LTE networks in Regina and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Not to leave out those in Newfoundland, Bell's LTE network also now extends to Conception Bay. [MobileSyrup]
Three has announced LTE service for Dublin, Ireland, which is set to arrive in August. [Thanks, Shekhar] [Three]
Must-read mobile stories
DOJ identifies lower frequency spectrum as key to wireless competition
Verizon upgrade eligibility extends to a full two years, New Every Two credits expire April 15th
Samsung Galaxy Mega is official and comes in 6.3- and 5.8-inch sizes
Sony Xperia ZL review: a giant phone in a surprisingly compact frame
HTC pays price for One delays, reports worst quarterly profit so far in Q1 2013
