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T-Mobile postpones Sprint 3G shutdown to March 31st, 2022
T-Mobile has delayed the shutdown of Sprint's 3G network to March 31st, 2022 as 'partners' hold the transition back.
Old Amazon Kindle devices will soon lose 3G access
Amazon has sent out emails to owners with old Kindles, telling them that previous-generation devices will soon lose internet access.
Dish accuses T-Mobile of anti-competitive behavior over Sprint CDMA shutdown
In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, Dish has accused T-Mobile of becoming precisely the type of incumbent player it spent years trying to fight.
Verizon puts 3G shutdown plans on hold indefinitely
Verizon (owner of Engadget's parent company, Verizon Media) isn’t shutting down its 3G network anytime soon. Kevin King, the carrier’s spokesperson, told Light Reading that Verizon’s “3G network is operational” and that it doesn’t “have a plan to shut it down at this time.”
Verizon stops activating 3G phones
Verizon is no longer activating phones that aren't 4G LTE-capable. Recently, a few readers told Droid Life that Verizon had declined their requests to activate 3G devices, and the carrier has now confirmed that this will be the policy going forward. "For several years we've been been publicly saying that our 3G CDMA network will remain available through the end of 2019. Virtually all traffic on our network is on our 4G LTE network," Verizon told Engadget. "To facilitate a smooth transition to 4G LTE-capable products and services, we are no longer allowing devices that are not 4G LTE-capable to be activated on our network."
Razer Phone leak suggests it's made for the gamer faithful
We knew that Razer was working on a high-end gaming smartphone, but a leak from one of its partners shows just how powerful it might be. According to a (since deleted) page from a UK mobile plan reseller called 3G, the Razer Phone will have a 5.7-inch, 120Hz IGZO display, Dolby Atmos sound with dual front speakers and amps, a dual 12- and 13-megapixel wide angle/zoom camera, 4,000mAh battery and 8GB of RAM. Adding credibility to the leak is the fact that 3G is a retail partner with UK operator Three, which recently announced an "exciting global strategic alliance" with Razer.
Nokia remakes its remade 3310 with... 3G
As companies continue to pull open our wallets through the nefarious magic known as nostalgia, Nokia is back with another attempt to syphon some more disposable income from millennials and... whichever generation came before them. The re-reheated Nokia 3310 3G has, yes, 3G, which upgrades the 2.5G of the relaunched dumbphone, but still trails the LTE (4G) speeds we're used to. (Not that technical specs matter if you're interested in buying one.) It'll arrive with new Azure and Charcoal color options -- and silver buttons -- but that's pretty much the only other things that have notably changed.
Track Bluesmart's latest luggage anywhere in the world
Connected luggage sets are easy to find these days, but Bluesmart stands out: as one of the first out of the gate, it has experience its rivals lack. You'll be glad to hear, then, that the company is back for another round. It's crowdfunding Series 2 luggage that builds on the existing formula with some features that, at first blush, appear to be genuinely practical. Both the 22-inch Cabin carry-on bag and 29-inch Check suitcase include a combination of 3G cellular and GPS that lets you track your luggage anywhere in the world (with cellular reception, at least) for free. If your luggage goes to Bhutan instead of Boston, you'll know it.
Google India debuts offline YouTube app, public WiFi expansion
At an event in New Delhi, India, Google laid out plans to better serve users in the country. These efforts broadly focus on two areas: data usage and language support.
Pebble adds Alexa's voice controls to its upcoming Core wearable
Pebble announced its 3G-enabled Core device just last week, and even though the gadget won't ship until 2017, the company is already adding features. Amazon's Alexa virtual assistant will be available on the wearable exercise accessory, bringing voice controls to the iPod Shuffle-esque device. With the Core, Alexa can still handle tasks like playing music, reading news headlines, shopping on Amazon, ordering food, controlling smart home tech and more. In terms of more Pebble-specific chores, the virtual assistant can read your Pebble Health summary to keep you up to speed on your daily stats.
Samsung Gear S2 Classic with 3G reaches US carriers
You don't have to settle for plain Jane looks just to get a cellular-equipped Samsung Gear S2 in the US. Both AT&T and Verizon have started taking pre-orders for a 3G version of the Gear S2 Classic, which should you keep you online while preserving that traditional watch look. On AT&T, it'll cost you $17.50 per month on a 20-month installment plan ($350 total) when the smartwatch arrives on March 11th; you can also use NumberSync to make sure you get calls from your regular phone number. At Verizon, you're paying either $400 up front or $350 if you sign a 2-year deal. Neither option is cheap (especially when this doesn't include the monthly data plan), but they may be your best choice if you want a fairly posh wearable that stays online when your Galaxy S stays home.
Samsung's Gear S2 smartwatch with 3G will cost you $50 more
If you've been itchin' to get your hands on the cellular version of Samsung's Tizen smartwatch and its fancy rotating bezel, you'll soon be in luck. Both T-Mobile and Verizon announced pricing and availability for the Gear S2 with 3G today. On T-Mobile, you can add the wearable to your plan for $5/month while the watch itself will set you back $360 or $15 on a monthly payment plan. There isn't a pre-order option, but it'll hit the Big Magenta's stores and website on November 15th. Verizon will also require you to pay an extra $5 a month to add the Gear S2 to your account, but it's offering the gadget for $350 or $300 if you opt for a two-year contract. You're able to pre-order from Verizon, starting today, before it goes on sale November 6th. T-Mobile and Verizon will both carry dark grey and silver models, so you'll have two color options to choose from should you decide to splurge for one. AT&T is expected to announce availability for the Gear S2 as well, but hasn't revealed those details just yet.
LG's 2nd Watch Urbane is the first Android Wear device with LTE
Tonight LG took the wraps off of the new V10 phone and its latest smartwatch, the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition. Like the first model, it has a circular display but one-ups its predecessor by arriving as the first device to combine Android Wear with a built-in cellular connection for calls and data, so you can leave your phone at home -- something even the upgraded Apple Watch can't do. LG already had a webOS-powered Watch Urbane LTE that could go it alone, while Samsung's Gear S ran Tizen. Packing Android Wear means this watch should have more apps ready for internet-connected use even when your phone and WiFi are out of range. Behind its 1.38-inch 480x480 res P-OLED display there's a 570mAh battery that LG claims can still last through the day with the help of a Power Saving Mode. There's no word on price or exact release date yet, but it's coming to the US and Korea first.
Microsoft prevails over an 8-year-old attempt to block its phone sales
Remember the heady days of August 2007, when the iPhone had barely reached store shelves and the Nokia N95 was all the rage? The US International Trade Commission sure does. After reviewing an 8-year-long case, the ITC has ruled that Nokia's phones (now Microsoft's) don't infringe on InterDigital patents covering 3G cellular technology. The decision eliminates the possibility of an import ban that would have prevented Microsoft from selling many of its phones in the US, including modern day Lumias. Things very nearly didn't go the company's way -- a judge had ruled in April that Microsoft was using InterDigital's patents, which would have forced the folks in Redmond to pay up.
Mozilla launches Firefox OS phones in Morocco and Senegal
Firefox OS might be in a distant fourth place (or further?) here domestically, but Mozilla sees plenty of value for it in emerging countries. Specifically? Senegal and Madagascar in Africa, where it recently partnered with French telecom Orange to launch the KLIF. And no, you aren't wrong, it's neither a flip-phone or a slider. Nor is it transparent. A Mozilla blog post says that the main idea with this 3G smartphone is to get more people online in places where they previously couldn't. It's the web outfit following through on a promise it made back at Mobile World Congress in Spain, and the Middle East is where we'll see the initiative pop up next.
Vodafone's revamped mobile contracts come with 4G as standard
Vodafone is introducing a host of new monthly plans today with 4G connectivity as standard. The change affects its range of 12 and 24 month contracts, now called "bundles," and mirrors the stance taken by other networks such as EE and Three. In short, customers want faster speeds, and now that 4G-enabled devices are cheaper and more prevalent, it makes sense for Vodafone to offer its full network capabilities to everyone.
UK government wants to bring 3G and 4G coverage to London Tubes
In the future, you might be able to tweet, read your emails and stream music on the London Underground without using Virgin Media's WiFi service. As part of new proposals to boost the capital's economy, the UK government has revealed its desire to bring 3G and 4G connectivity to the entire Tube network. Nothing is confirmed just yet -- it's merely talking with Transport for London (TfL) about how such a move could be funded -- and neither has it detailed how it would be implemented. The current WiFi network is inconsistent and doesn't stretch between stops; decent 3G and 4G connectivity would help to keep you online. In the meantime, the UK government has promised to extend WiFi to all subterranean sections of the Tube by the end of the next Parliament. Not a lofty goal given 150 stations are already supported, but a welcome one nonetheless.
Verizon gets ready to shut down its 3G networks as LTE takes over
Verizon may not be releasing its first LTE-only phones until 2016, but it's already preparing for the day when its legacy CDMA and EV-DO networks ride into the sunset. Wireless tracker Milan Milanovic has discovered that the carrier is now using LTE data in Cleveland and Manhattan on 1,900MHz frequencies that were previously reserved for EV-DO (3G) service. Don't expect more bandwidth in your neck of the woods just yet, though. Verizon tells GigaOM that this is just a test -- it's not yet ready to make an official transition.
Ofcom's first 4G survey shows that speed isn't everything
All of Britain's major mobile networks have been offering 4G for a while now, but because all have their own infrastructure, speeds and coverage can vary wildly. Each carrier is quick to boast their own statistics, but thanks to Ofcom's first ever 4G research report (which tested networks in five of the biggest UK cities) we're finally able to separate fact from fiction. EE and O2 took first and second place in the all-important average download speed test, reaching 18.4Mbps and 15.6Mbps respectively, while Three claimed victory for the time needed to load a simple webpage. The carrier, which was originally a 3G-only operator and the last to offer its customers 4G connectivity, also took the gold medal for latency, which is crucial for video calls and apps that require fast response times.
