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Verizon is giving Unlimited customers 12 months of Disney+ for free
Verizon (Engadget's parent company) is offering 12 months of Disney+ to all of its new and existing 4G LTE and 5G Unlimited wireless customers. New Verizon Fios Home Internet and 5G Home Internet customers will get 12 months of the new streaming service too. The offer begins November 12th, the same day Disney+ launches.
The latest TicWatch Pro includes 4G LTE to free you from your phone
Mobvoi's second generation TicWatch Pro is available today, and the company hopes it will free you from your phone. The Wear OS-powered TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE offers wireless connectivity, so you can receive voice calls and app notifications, send and receive texts and use popular messaging apps. You can also hit an SOS button that will dial 911, and it will automatically sync your data with the cloud -- all without tethering you to another device.
Study claims AT&T's fake 5G is slower than other carrier's regular 4G
AT&T has been accused of slapping a 5G label on top of what is effectively still a 4G LTE network, and now there appears to be some evidence to support that theory. According to a study conducted by OpenSignal, AT&T's so-called 5G E network offers similar speeds to LTE and actually clocked in just a tick slower than enhanced 4G services from Verizon and T-Mobile.
CES 2015: AT&T announces 4G LTE Modio Smartcase for Wi-Fi iPads
So, you bought a Wi-Fi-only iPad or iPad mini, and now you're regretting the fact that you can't work or play while away from Wi-Fi networks. Regrets, begone! At CES 2015, AT&T today announced the new Modio Smartcase, which is essentially an iPad case with a built-in 4G LTE hotspot. The case will eventually be available for all models of the iPad Air and iPad mini, and has some other perks in addition to the 4G LTE connection. There's a built-in 4,600 mAh battery pack to keep the device going for up to 10 hours, and a microSD card slot that can be used to offload up to 32 GB of files off of your iPad. The AT&T Modio Data application will work to let you do the file transfers, as well as monitor your data usage and connection. AT&T customers with a Mobile Share plan can add the Modio Smartcase-equipped iPad to their plan. Currently, the AT&T website shows the Modio Smartcase for iPad mini as "coming soon," but no availability dates or pricing have been set for the other models.
Boost Mobile has a limited-time deal on unlimited LTE data for $35
Remember when you had the option to get unlimited data for $30 on most carriers? Yeah, us too, and we won't hide our envy for those who are grandfathered in. To alleviate some of these troubles, Boost Mobile is kicking off a temporary offer on an all-you-can-have plan, giving folks who sign up for service by March 31st a chance to have unlimited access to voice, text and LTE data for $35 per month. There are a few caveats, however: The deal will only be valid for the first six months of service, after which you'll have to pay the regular monthly fee of $50, and data is set to be throttled once you reach the 2.5GB threshold. If that still sounds good, then head over to Boost's site (or a brick-and-mortar store) to take advantage of the promo before it's too late.
AT&T expanding LTE coverage to 50 more markets by year-end
AT&T plans to make even more iPhone 5, iPad and iPad mini owners happy by the end of 2013, with today's announcement that 4G LTE service will be rolled out to 50 additional markets in the US before New Year's Day. AT&T's 4G LTE network currently covers 370 markets with 225 million potential customers. By the end of the year, that coverage will expand to more than 400 markets and 270 million people. While we won't list all 50 markets here, the top 10 seen here are an indication of the type of locations that will be gaining speedy wireless internet service.
AT&T expands 4G LTE coverage to 8 new markets
Today AT&T announced eight new 4G LTE markets as part of its continuing push to roll out the service across the country. The move brings the company's reported coverage zones for the service to 336 regions in the USA. Residents of Greenville, Ala., Troy, Ala., Madera-Chowchilla, Calif., Merced, Calif., Vallejo-Vacaville, Calif., New London County, Conn., Sussex County, Del. and Columbia, Mo., can all look forward to the new service. Provided they have AT&T, of course. The company's goal is to have 400 4G LTE areas activated by the end of 2013, bringing the speedy network to an anticipated 270 million customers.
AT&T rolls out expanded 4G LTE coverage to 16 US markets
AT&T customers scattered around the US have something to be happy about today -- 4G LTE coverage was just switched on several market areas. The company announced that the following markets can now access the 4G LTE network with their iPhone 5s, LTE-compatible iPads or iPad minis and other compatible smartphones: Asheville, N.C. Casa Grande, Ariz. Culpepper, Va. Dover, Del. Fredericksburg, Va. Goldsboro, N.C. Leonardtown, Md. Linglestown, Pa. Longview, Wash. Ocean City, Md. Port Townsend-North Whidbey Island-Camano Island, Wash. Prince Frederick and Calvert County, Md. Roanoke, Va. Salem, Ore. Schenectady, N.Y. Shelton, Wash. AT&T plans to extend LTE to a total of 79 new markets by the start of summer, which is just a scant three weeks away. LTE is up to 10 times faster than the company's 3G data network, and TUAW editor Dave Caolo is anxiously awaiting its arrival on Cape Cod so he can rely less on slow WiFi service when he's having his car worked on. Soon, Dave, soon...
Apple reportedly testing carriers on LTE performance
Apple's stance on 4G LTE is rather well-known already, and the company's embrace of the technology was dependent on several factors, ranging from network speed to battery life. Now, Telecoms reports that not only is Cupertino strict about what carriers have access to the new iPhone 5, but wireless companies must undergo Apple's own 4G testing and approval process before being allowed to promote the iPhone 5 as an LTE device. Telecoms learned of the previously unreported testing protocols from Swisscom, Switzerland's Bern-based telecommunications giant. "Apple only enables 4G access after testing their device on an operator's live network," a Swisscom spokesperson told Telecoms. Swisscom just enabled its own LTE offering a few days ago, but can't officially offer the iPhone 5 as an LTE device without passing Apple's test. In a press release, Swisscom noted that the iPhone 5 will gain LTE compatibility on its network "in due course."
Sprint announces 4G LTE for 9 new cities
While Verizon and AT&T are busy locking horns in the battle over network supremacy, Sprint is doing its best to keep up. PC Magazine reports the third-largest wireless carrier revealed today that it has begun work on its 4G LTE network in nine new cities. The new markets include: Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn. Oakland/Fremont/Hayward, Calif. Key West, Fla. Fort Smith, Ark. Michigan City/La Porte, Ind. Bloomington, Ind. Eau Claire, Wis. Arrdmore, Okla. McAllen/Edinburg/Mission, Texas Sprint debuted its 4G LTE service in July and plans to have 125 cities on its LTE grid within "the coming months." No more specific dates are being offered by the company at this time. This number is well behind AT&T and Verizon, with the latter promising to have its entire 3G network converted by mid-2013. On Thursday, Verizon is flipping the switch on LTE coverage for more than 20 cities, including much of Missouri and large chunks of Wyoming and Arizona.
Using iPhone 5 on the UK's EE 4G LTE network
TUAW readers in the UK now have a fast new LTE network to connect to with their iPhone 5s and other devices that work with the technology. EE, a new company made up of "equal parts T-Mobile and Orange" according to our sister site Engadget, turned on its new 4G LTE network in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and parts of Southampton. Engadget's Mat Smith took his iPhone 5 for a spin on the network and found a lot to like. EE plans to expand the network to five more cities before the calendar flips to 2013. Smith noted that the network didn't work inside a home in central London early on in the deployment, but that things improved -- not only for the 4G LTE network, but for 3G as well. So, how were the network speeds? Pretty good. In a simple test, Smith took two iPhone 5s -- one with a 3G SIM and one with a 4G SIM installed -- and set both phones to download Rovio's Bad Piggies app. The app weighs in at 41 MB, and the 4G iPhone was able to download it in just 22 seconds. For the 3G iPhone 5, that same download took just under two minutes. Download speeds averaged about 26 Mbps in LTE zones. The post points out that UK users should choose at least the 2 GB data plan, and that the plans are definitely not cheap. However, it's worth a look for iPhone 5 users with a need for speed.
Bluegrass Cellular starts rolling out 4G LTE network with a bit of help from Verizon
LTE. LTE. More LTE. That's what's currently roaming the minds of wireless carriers in the US of A, and while Verizon, AT&T and Sprint are at the forefront of it all, smaller networks are also looking to get a piece of the "real 4G" pie. The latest one to flip its own Long Term Evolution switch is Kentucky-based Bluegrass Cellular, which was accomplished in large part thanks to Verizon's LTE in Rural America program and is a culmination of an agreement inked back in 2010. With the initial rollout phase, Bluegrass Cellular's expected to cover more than 348,000 folks in cities such as Bowling Green, Glasgow, Radcliff, Bardstown and Elizabethtown, offering subscribers in these areas speeds of around 12Mbps down and 5Mbps up. Naturally, Bluegrass plans on bringing LTE to more of its covered markets, with the outfit noting that it "will continue to expand 4G LTE to additional areas in 2013."
Sony Xperia TL review: the company's second US flagship is much improved, but still imperfect
As Sony's second stab at the US mobile market, the Xperia TL arrives with a major corporate synergistic push: a 007 movie franchise tie-in. But an awkward distinction as the official Bond phone and a smattering of pre-loaded "Skyfall" multimedia content alone won't drive consumer adoption; the specs and pricing will. Following in the footsteps of the company's first stateside flagship, the Ion, this AT&T 4G LTE exclusive is priced aggressively at $99 on two-year contract, packing a 4.6-inch HD Reality display (1,280 x 720) powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine, a dual-core Snapdragon S4 clocked at 1.5GHz, 16GB of storage (expandable up to 32GB via microSD), 1GB RAM, NFC, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, as well as an integrated 1,850mAh battery. With Ice Cream Sandwich running the show and a planned upgrade to Jelly Bean in the works, it has all the makings of a current-gen high-end offering. So will the Xperia TL help Sony build much-needed buzz for its mobile division here in the states? Can a sub-$100 price tag effectively lure consumers away from the bigger, faster and flashier Android phones AT&T has to offer? Or is this mainly one for Sony loyalists? Find out after the break as we put the TL through its paces.%Gallery-169692%
Best Buy listing reminds us that the LG Spectrum 2 is still on its way to Verizon
A few months back an anonymous tipster gave us a candid look at the Verizon-bound LG Spectrum 2, but after a couple more sightings here and there, the trail eventually went cold and Big Red's unannounced smartphone fled back into seclusion. However, a recent website posting by Best Buy has brought this mobile Sasquatch out of hiding and back into the mainstream media. While this listing is mostly a refresh confirming our source's shared specs, it notes the Spectrum 2's unsubsidized price as $650. Now, before you would-be buyers start directing your browser to the retailer's webpage in hopes of making a quick purchase, it should be noted that the device is listed as "sold out online." Still, we can't help but notice the pictured device's homescreen carries a date of November 3rd, which could be a nod to when the Spectrum 2 might officially show up on store shelves.
New Apple iPad mini, 4th-generation iPad reach the FCC
Apple's iPad mini and 4th-generation iPad didn't arrive alone. In the company's time-honored tradition, it has timed the FCC filings for both devices to show up alongside the products themselves. Each iOS tablet has been approved in both singular WiFi and dual cellular editions: the iPad mini has appeared as the WiFi-only A1432 as well as the A1454 and A1455 for worldwide HSPA+, EV-DO and LTE coverage, while the full-size iPad has been cleared in directly paralleled A1458, A1459 and A1460 versions. Not surprisingly, the frequency range matches that of the iPhone 5 and suggests that we're dealing with the same Qualcomm MDM9615 chip. We'll know more once the two iPads are in our hands and those of teardown artists, but for now you can explore Apple's regulatory gymnastics in full at the source links.
EE details UK 4G pricing: Unlimited calls, texts and 500MB of data starts at £36
We've seen the speeds, we know the handsets and now we know how much it'll cost you to be among the first to try 4G in the UK. EE has outlined its contract and handset pricing from October 30th, with all of the bundles including unlimited calls and texts. Yep, the new carrier is breaking it down by data, with its entry-level 500MB bundle starting at £36 for 24 months. You'll have to make an initial payment for most handsets, although the Ascend P1 will be free from the 1GB bundle upwards. Data allowances go up to 8GB for £56 per month, although users can add even more, with an extra 50MB costing £3, or up to 4GB for £20. Now, if you're looking to get Apple's latest on 4G, it'll set you back at least £20 on the highest data plan. Already got your LTE-ready iPhone 5? Then you'll have to wait until 9th November, when the network will start offering SIM-only 12-month plans priced from £21. The 4G network will also offer its phones on 12 month contracts for an additional £10 on top of the prices shown above. EE will let users who bought comparable non-4G versions in the last six months (like the One X or Galaxy S III) to exchange their devices for a one-off payment of £100. Alongside the all these pricing details, the Orange/ T-Mobile team-up also spilled the beans on some service features for its new customers -- and we've got it all covered after the break, including a quick hands-on with its Film store service.
Sprint lights up new LTE markets in Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Kansas and Texas
As Sprint continues to play an epic game of LTE catch up, the Now Network has officially flipped the 'on' switch for its 4G customers in the Chicago suburbs of: Addison, Bolingbrook, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, Kankakee, Rockford, Joliet, Naperville, Palatine and Plainfield. Further expanding its not-so-mainstream LTE footprint are Gary, Indiana; Wichita Falls, Texas; New Bedford and Fall River, Massachusetts; and Hutchinson and McPherson, Kansas, too. While these aren't exactly the big markets that many were hoping for, it's good to see that America's third largest carrier is expanding its next-gen coverage for the less populous parts of the country. As for you big city folks patiently waiting for Hesse and company to call your number, rest assured that you haven't been forgotten. We're just hoping that Softbank's latest investment doesn't encounter any additional delays during its LTE rollout, because delays are for the birds.
HTC Droid Incredible X possibly spotted with Verizon badging intact (Update: DLX is short for 'Deluxe')
It's about time. The HTC DLX has most often been rumored carrying a Verizon-style 6435LVW or Droid Incredible X name, and yet it was unveiled first in Japan as the J Butterfly; we really needed the photos just now surfacing at Android Central to remind us that the 5-inch, 1080p gigantophone could still come to Big Red. While nothing's confirmed yet, the black-with-red-trim design and all too prominent Verizon labeling make a convincing case for the DLX's ultimate US destination. A helpfully provided phone profile screen might be more interesting to some, as it hints that we might get the same quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro, 2GB of RAM and 8-megapixel rear camera as in the J Butterfly -- Verizon won't pull a Droid Incredible 4G LTE and tone down the hardware, if this is true. Without any more details, we're still left wondering just how soon Verizon could commit to launching the smartphone. There's no guarantees that Verizon will follow KDDI's schedule and ship in early December. Update: We've been wondering whether the odd name was meant to be short for Droid Incredible X, i.e. "DIX" instead of "DLX," but our friend @evleaks on Twitter just showed us a list of device PIDs that mentions the latter. @evleaks also suggests that DLX might be short for the codename "Deluxe" for the international variant, just as "ENRC2" was short for "Endeavor C2" (One X+). Update 2: It turns out the J Butterfly has the codename "Deluxe J" in its bootloader menu, so there you have it. Thanks again, @evleaks!
UK carriers form alliance to speed up 800MHz LTE rollout, let us enjoy our Freeview TV
Isn't it better when we work together? British carriers think so. EE, O2, Three and Vodafone have officially created a non-exclusive joint venture, Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited, that should speed up the deployment of 800MHz LTE by keeping Freeview over-the-air TV signals clear of interference while the partners bring their low-frequency 4G online. Previously, the networks were bound to form an equivalent company called MitCo that wouldn't have been active until after the 800MHz auction, preventing companies from getting their wireless houses in order until they'd already made a commitment. There's also a competitive angle involved to go with the cooperative work, as you might imagine: with EE's 1,800MHz LTE poised to go live on October 30th, choosing infighting over assistance would only help widen the frontrunner's lead. Whether DMSL represents altruism or pragmatism, we'll appreciate knowing that the hurdles to a catch-up in UK 4G will be more those of the technical reality than the usual political maneuvering.
Next-gen Casio G'zOne makes it to the FCC, reveals LTE and NFC support
The last Casio G'zOne handheld to come our way was the Commando, a military-grade device that marked the company's first foray into Android smartphones. Now it seems there's another one in the works, at least if a recent FCC filing is any indication. The Casio C811 looks to be a successor to the aforementioned Commando, with its G'zOne branding and features like WiFi and GSM world phone capabilities. Notably, the FCC document reveals the phone has Verizon-flavored LTE plus NFC support, both of which lead us to believe it'll likely be a mid- to high-end handset. Not much else is divulged from perusing the filing, but we're sure that whatever the C811 turns out to be, it'll be just as tough and durable as the rest of Casio's G'zOne offerings.
