Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[China greenlights Apple's third-gen iPad for 3G use, China Unicom smiles knowingly]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/30/china-greenlights-apple-third-gen-ipad-for-3g-use/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/30/china-greenlights-apple-third-gen-ipad-for-3g-use/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/30/china-greenlights-apple-third-gen-ipad-for-3g-use/#comments Image

Apple's current iPad is already cleared for China in WiFi trim, but those of us who've wanted to roam through Kunming on care-free 3G haven't had any officially approved choices. That's ending soon, as the Chinese government just gave the cellular version (A1430) the all-clear. Like in most parts of the world, Apple's slate won't use LTE given the lack of any established network in the area; HSPA's as good as it will get. The clearance is slightly odd given that the State Administration for Industry and Commerce is leaning in Proview's direction when it comes to iPad trademark ownership. With the iPad still legally available in the country, though, it's safe to say that official 3G iPad carrier China Unicom is happy to prepare for a rush of customers who want to buy a cellular iPad without using the zipline delivery method.

China greenlights Apple's third-gen iPad for 3G use, China Unicom smiles knowingly originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3ga 1430A1430appleapple ipadAppleIpadapprovalcellularchinachina unicomChinaUnicomchinesehspaipadproviewregulatorytablettablet pctablet pcsTabletPcTabletPcstabletsWed, 30 May 2012 15:41:00 EST<![CDATA[ASUS Transformer Pad TF300TL hits the FCC with AT&T-friendly LTE]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/24/asus-transformer-pad-tf300tl-hits-the-fcc/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/24/asus-transformer-pad-tf300tl-hits-the-fcc/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/24/asus-transformer-pad-tf300tl-hits-the-fcc/#comments ImageASUS isn't known for offering its tablets to North American carriers with 3G or 4G; an FCC filing for a cellular-capable Transformer Pad TF300 could be a clue at a break in the WiFi-only trend. Along with the usual wireless, a TF300TL variant of the Android 4.0 slate has stopped by the agency with the 850MHz and 1,900MHz frequencies needed for HSPA 3G as well as, best of all, 700MHz and 1,700MHz support for LTE-based 4G. All four are what we'd look for in an AT&T-oriented tablet, so don't be surprised if Ma Bell carries a 4G Transformer Pad before long. All but the 700MHz band would be handy for Canadian networks as well. There's no surefire evidence of when the tablet might make a more formal appearance, nor hints of whether or not it will keep the quad-core Tegra 3, although the slight spin on the regular TF300 formula could keep the wait short.

ASUS Transformer Pad TF300TL hits the FCC with AT&T-friendly LTE originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 May 2012 20:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1700mhz1900mhz4g4g lte4gLte700mhz850mhzAdvanced Wireless ServicesAdvancedWirelessServicesandroidandroid 4.0android 4.0 ice cream sandwichAndroid4.0Android4.0IceCreamSandwichapprovalasusattawsbellbell mobilityBellMobilitycarriercellularfccfilinghspahspa plushspa+HspaPlusice cream sandwichIceCreamSandwichltemobilepostmininvidiaquad corequad-coreQuadCorerogerstablettablet pctablet pcsTabletPcTabletPcstabletstegrategra 3Tegra3telustf300tf300ttf300tltransformer padtransformer pad tf300TransformerPadTransformerPadTf300Thu, 24 May 2012 20:51:00 EST<![CDATA[MetroPCS and T-Mobile want Dish to give up half of its wireless spectrum, worry about AT&T and Verizon swooping in]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/metropcs-and-t-mobile-want-dish-to-give-up-half-of-its-spectrum/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/metropcs-and-t-mobile-want-dish-to-give-up-half-of-its-spectrum/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/metropcs-and-t-mobile-want-dish-to-give-up-half-of-its-spectrum/#comments Image

Dish Network might not start up its LTE-based 4G network until as late as 2016, but that hasn't stopped MetroPCS and T-Mobile from jointly telling the FCC that the would-be carrier needs to make some concessions for small carriers to rest easy. Both of the complaints have a common proposal that would see Dish give up 20MHz of its 40MHz space in the 2GHz range to prevent the satellite giant from using its abundant airwaves as part of a cash grab: MetroPCS and T-Mobile are worried Dish will just try for a "windfall" and sell the spectrum it doesn't need to AT&T or Verizon. While it's not asking for a sell-off, the Rural Cellular Association is still jittery about concentrations of power and wants the FCC to make Dish hit certain build-out targets, offer roaming at wholesale rates and require FCC approval for any roaming deal that would go to Big Blue or Big Red. The big carriers' advocacy group, the CTIA, is unsurprisingly against build-out demands as "unduly burdensome." FCC officials have been silent by comparison, although the agency has encouraged spreading spectrum around and proposed its own expansion requirements. You'll likely see smartphones with 2GHz frequencies at some point in the future -- it's just a matter of whether Dish or someone else slaps its logo on top.

MetroPCS and T-Mobile want Dish to give up half of its wireless spectrum, worry about AT&T and Verizon swooping in originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 01:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2 GHz2GhzATTcellphonecellphonescellularCellular Telecommunication Industry Associationcellular telecommunications industry associationCellularTelecommunicationIndustryAssociationCellularTelecommunicationsIndustryAssociationCTIADishdish networkDishNetworkFCCfilingFrequenciesfrequencyMetroPCSmobilepostminircaregulationregulationsrural cellular associationRuralCellularAssociationspectrumT-MobileVerizonWireless SpectrumWirelessSpectrumTue, 22 May 2012 01:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple's iPad WiFi + 4G renamed 'iPad WiFi + Cellular' across many of its stores]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/12/apple-new-ipad-wifi-4g-now-ipad-cellular/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/12/apple-new-ipad-wifi-4g-now-ipad-cellular/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/12/apple-new-ipad-wifi-4g-now-ipad-cellular/#comments Image

Remember Apple's new iPad WiFi + 4G? Well, forget that moniker, as this variant of the company's latest slate has been quietly re-dubbed as the iPad WiFi + Cellular. As noticed by 9to5Mac, the change occurred within the last "24-48 hours" across many of Apple's region-specific webstores (update: and retail locations), including (but not limited to) those for the US, UK, Australia, Canada and various countries in Asia. If you'll recall, in many regions the best you'll get out of the slate is HSPA-connectivity, even though it's also equipped for LTE -- something that Apple itself had considered good enough to market it as 4G despite offering refunds to customers in Australia who (like many others) couldn't officially partake in its LTE. Interestingly, 9to5Mac also notes that a similar change hasn't made its way over to the iPad 2, which still has its cellular-equipped variant named, iPad 2 WiFi + 3G. We've reached out to Apple for comment, but the meantime, feel free to hit up the source links below for more insight.

Apple's iPad WiFi + 4G renamed 'iPad WiFi + Cellular' across many of its stores originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 May 2012 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gappleapple incapple ipadAppleIncAppleIpadcellularcupertinofaux gFauxGHSPAinternationalipadipad wifi + 4gIpadWifi+4gname changeNameChangenew ipadNewIpadtelstravideowebstoreSat, 12 May 2012 17:25:00 EST<![CDATA[802.11-2012 WiFi freshens up spec with 3.7GHz bands, mesh networking]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/07/ieee-802-11-2012-wifi-standard-published/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/07/ieee-802-11-2012-wifi-standard-published/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/07/ieee-802-11-2012-wifi-standard-published/#comments 802.11 abgnxywtfbbq

It's hard to believe that 802.11 WiFi has only had three major revisions since it was started up 15 years ago. The IEEE must be equally surprised, as it's introducing a new 802.11-2012 standard that unites 10 technologies from various amended WiFi versions under one big tent. Among the picks are new support for 3.65 and 3.7GHz bands, to avoid clashing with 2.4GHz or 5GHz networks, as well as better support for direct linking, faster cellular hand-offs, in-car networks, roaming and mesh networking. You can pay $5 to have a peek at the 2012 WiFi spec today, although we'd brace for a significant wait before smartphones and routers ship with the new 802.11 format -- we know how long it can take for a WiFi standard to become a practical reality.

Continue reading 802.11-2012 WiFi freshens up spec with 3.7GHz bands, mesh networking

802.11-2012 WiFi freshens up spec with 3.7GHz bands, mesh networking originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 17:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>802.11802.11 WiFi802.11WificellularCTIA 2012ctia wireless 2012Ctia2012CtiaWireless2012ieeeieee 802.11Ieee802.11specificationspecificationsstandardstandardswi-fiwifiwirelessMon, 07 May 2012 17:12:00 EST<![CDATA[China Times: HTC wants to develop its own processors for low-end phones]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/23/htc-st-ericsson-processor/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/23/htc-st-ericsson-processor/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/23/htc-st-ericsson-processor/#comments China Times: HTC wants to develop its own processors for low-end phones

Encroaching into the semiconductor business might not seem the most obvious move for a phone manufacturer that's trying to unify its efforts. Nevertheless, China Times reports that HTC has signed a "memorandum of cooperation" with ST-Ericsson to co-develop a new dedicated chip for low-end handsets coming out next year. Since ST-Ericsson is a fabless chip designer, HTC won't risk getting silicon between its fingernails. Instead, if this agreement is what it seems, the Taiwanese manufacturer may simply want more direct control over its supply chains and to reduce its current reliance on ready-made designs from Qualcomm or NVIDIA. After all, it can't be easy for HTC's new CFO, looking on while others gobble up those margins.

China Times: HTC wants to develop its own processors for low-end phones originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 05:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbudgetcellphonecellphonescellularchina timesChinaTimeschipchip designChipDesignhandsethtclow-endmemorandum of cooperationMemorandumOfCooperationmobilemobilepostcrossprocessorrumorsemiconductorst-ericssonSupply ChainSupplyChainMon, 23 Apr 2012 05:03:00 EST<![CDATA[New research brings better wireless to remote locations, 80 percent faster GoT downloads]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/23/multi-hop-wireless-network-research/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/23/multi-hop-wireless-network-research/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/23/multi-hop-wireless-network-research/#comments Image

Not getting the bandwidth you need, Heidi? Then maybe the folks at North Carolina State University can help. They've figured out a way to boost multi-hop networks, where data is forwarded across two or more nodes (hops) in order to reach far-flung users. Networks like this can often get bogged down by interference between neighboring nodes. But by using algorithms to automatically modulate the power of each link, the NC State scientists have managed to jump efficiency by up to 80 percent. This has the effect of not only increasing speed, but also saving juice if the systems are battery powered -- like those used by the US Army, which sponsored the research. After all, just because you're away from the throne doesn't mean you have to be out of the game.

New research brings better wireless to remote locations, 80 percent faster GoT downloads originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 03:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ad hoc WiFiAdHocWificellularcellular networksCellularNetworksisolatedmulti-hopNC State universityNcStateUniversitynetworknetworksnodenodesNorth Caroline State UniversityNorthCarolineStateUniversityremoteUS ArmyUsArmywifiwireless datawireless networksWirelessDataWirelessNetworksMon, 23 Apr 2012 03:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Republic Wireless opening up reservation system next week in advance of summer beta program]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/13/republic-wireless-opening-up-reservation-system-next-week-in-adv/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/13/republic-wireless-opening-up-reservation-system-next-week-in-adv/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/13/republic-wireless-opening-up-reservation-system-next-week-in-adv/#comments ImageWe've already known that Republic Wireless was planning to reopen the beta program for its hybrid WiFi / cellular service this summer, and the company has now finally detailed exactly how that beta will take place. For starters, it'll only be open to those who have already signed up to the company's email list or tried to place an order when that option was available last November, but that's still not a guarantee to get in. Starting next week, those folks will receive an email with details on how to take part in the company's online reservation system, after which you'll then have a week to claim a spot in one of the beta waves that will be rolling out over the course of the summer. Still no word on that new handset that was also promised for April, but you can find all the details on the beta program at the link below.

[Thanks, Andy]

Republic Wireless opening up reservation system next week in advance of summer beta program originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betacarriercellularhybridmobilepostcrossrepublic wirelessRepublicWirelessreservationvoipwifiFri, 13 Apr 2012 23:04:00 EST<![CDATA[BlackBerry PlayBook with '4G' out and about, wants to know where you put its SIM]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/06/blackberry-playbook-with-4g-out-and-about-wants-to-know-where/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/06/blackberry-playbook-with-4g-out-and-about-wants-to-know-where/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/06/blackberry-playbook-with-4g-out-and-about-wants-to-know-where/#comments ImageBlackberry PlayBook with '4G' out and about, wants to know where you put its SIMJim Balsillie might be on the outs, but it looks like his once boastful pet-project -- a BlackBerry PlayBook with integrated cellular wireless -- is finally coming to fruition. Per CrackBerry's forums comes the above snap of the Canadian slate donning a SIM card slot, nary a month after we first spotted the company's HSPA+ and LTE tablets pass through the FCC. That also lines up nicely with a previously leaked roadmap, promising a summer arrival. Will the mythical 4G-wielding PlayBook ever make it to market? Or like its WiMax brother, will it never be given the chance? While you ponder that, more pics await at the source.

Update: A few more photos have surfaced on the CrackBerry forums, showing what appears to be native BBM on the device.

BlackBerry PlayBook with '4G' out and about, wants to know where you put its SIM originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 01:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gblackberry playbookBlackberryPlaybookcellularhspahspa+leakLTEplaybook 4gPlaybook4gprototyperimrumorwirelessFri, 06 Apr 2012 01:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Republic Wireless to open next beta of hybrid VOIP service this summer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/21/republic-wireless-beta/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/21/republic-wireless-beta/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/21/republic-wireless-beta/#comments Republic Wireless to open next beta in JuneThe $19 all-you-can-eat smartphone service that seemed great, then not-so-great, then great again is about to re-open public beta testing. We're told that the first phase of the beta is "going very well", to the point where Republic Wireless feels it can "skip the baby steps" and offer its hybrid VOIP/cellular goodies to another batch of experimental folks starting in June. The provider also promises a new handset as early as April, a smoother transition between WiFi and cellular calling (on Sprint's frequencies) in May, and a full-on public launch at some point in the undeclared or undecided future. Not ready to abandon your Big Cell provider just yet? Then Republic Wireless makes one more promise: a way for customers with other carriers to save money on their bills even before they make the leap. Consider us intrigued!

[Thanks, Ryan]

Republic Wireless to open next beta of hybrid VOIP service this summer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-you-can-eatbetacarriercellcellularhybridmobileoperatorpublic betaPublicBetarepublic wirelessRepublicWirelesssmartphonesprintunlimitedvoipwifiwifi callingWifiCallingWed, 21 Mar 2012 07:59:00 EST<![CDATA[FCC seeks to streamline licensing requirements for 800MHz band]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/fcc-seeks-to-streamline-800mhz-band/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/fcc-seeks-to-streamline-800mhz-band/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/fcc-seeks-to-streamline-800mhz-band/#comments FCC seeks to streamline licensing requirements for 800MHz bandA new proposal set forth by the FCC would modify the Commission's licensing requirements of the 800MHz band by replacing its current site-based model with more contemporary geographic guidelines. Commissioners argue the change is needed, as site-based rules were originally established to consider the propagation of analog signals -- now obsolete by anyone's standards. The move would bring the licensing requirements of the 800MHz spectrum to parity with the 700MHz, AWS and PCS bands and reduce a boatload of paperwork along the way by eliminating current data collection requirements. The proposal would also create a new, two-stage auction process for the unlicensed areas, based on the new geographic approach. The FCC is now seeking public comment, and its PR can be found after the break.

[Tower photo via Shutterstock]

Continue reading FCC seeks to streamline licensing requirements for 800MHz band

FCC seeks to streamline licensing requirements for 800MHz band originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>800mhzauctionauctionscellularfccmobilepostcrossproposalproposalsrulerulesspectrumwirelessWed, 15 Feb 2012 19:03:00 EST<![CDATA[A lesson in simplicity: securing a 'no landline' home with LifeShield and Dropcam]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/securing-a-no-landline-home-lifeshield-dropcam-hd/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/securing-a-no-landline-home-lifeshield-dropcam-hd/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/securing-a-no-landline-home-lifeshield-dropcam-hd/#comments Think of this as an IRL, but longer. Recently, I bumped my head so severely that I would up buying a new abode, and for whatever reason, the insurance company mandated that I have a "monitored fire and burglary system" installed (that's UL-certified monitoring, by the way). Not too surprising when you consider their viewpoint in the deal, and honestly, I needed someone to push me into getting one, anyway. Being a grown-up, resting easier, protecting one's investment -- you know, those types of things. So, here I was, an inexperienced homeowner in dire need of a security system, with nary a place to turn. Well, except the internet. After days upon days of sifting through options and garnering advice from every corner of every related message board this side of http, I decided to phone up a couple of companies an in effort to try a hybrid (or perhaps hodgepodge) approach to keeping an eye on things. Click on through if you're interested in hearing how my time with LifeShield and the Dropcam HD turned out.

Continue reading A lesson in simplicity: securing a 'no landline' home with LifeShield and Dropcam

A lesson in simplicity: securing a 'no landline' home with LifeShield and Dropcam originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellulardropcamdropcam hdDropcamHdgsmhands-onhome securityHomeSecurityimpressionslandlinelifeshieldsecuritysecurity camerasecurity systemSecurityCameraSecuritySystemwebcamMon, 09 Jan 2012 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[China Telecom eyes network expansion in France, Germany and US]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/04/china-telecom-network-expansion-france-germany-us/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/04/china-telecom-network-expansion-france-germany-us/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/04/china-telecom-network-expansion-france-germany-us/#commentsThe world's largest CDMA mobile operator, China Telecom, is looking to further expand its network footprint in Europe. With wireless assets already secured in the UK, Bloomberg reports that France and Germany may be next on the communication giant's proverbial hit-list. CT hopes to win the wireless business of jet-setters and Chinese citizens living outside of The People's Republic with competitive international roaming rates and its familiar brand. A separate report states that the company's interest is not confined to the Euro Zone and China Telecom may try and bring its services to the US sometime in 2012. Something tells us AT&T won't make a play to buy 'em, though.

China Telecom eyes network expansion in France, Germany and US originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CDMACellularChinaChina TelecomChina Telecommunications CorpChinaTelecomChinaTelecommunicationsCorpexpansionGlobalGlobal RoamingGlobalRoamingmobilepostminiNetworkolympicsRoamingTelecomTelecommunicationsUKUnited KingdomUnited StatesUnitedKingdomUnitedStatesUSWed, 04 Jan 2012 23:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Rambus, Broadcom sign licensing deal, agree to share toys]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/23/rambus-broadcom-sign-licensing-deal-agree-to-share-toys/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/23/rambus-broadcom-sign-licensing-deal-agree-to-share-toys/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/23/rambus-broadcom-sign-licensing-deal-agree-to-share-toys/#comments It never hurts to stop arguing, hug it out and agree on a patent licensing deal. Today, Rambus -- which filed a complaint against Broadcom with the International Trade Commission in 2010 -- signed a licensing deal that resolved those claims. In the statement, Rambus said it will license its patent for integrated circuits used in chips made by Broadcom. The company didn't disclose any financial details related to the deal or which technology would be part of the agreement. However, given that Broadcom's known for its wireless networking chips often found in WiFi, Bluetooth and cellular-capable devices, it seems likely to be in the wireless realm. In other news, Rambus and Broadcom have added each other as Xbox Live friends and gotten to level 36 in Modern Warfare 3 co-op gameplay.

Rambus, Broadcom sign licensing deal, agree to share toys originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 02:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BluetoothBroadcomcellularcircuitsintegratedintegrated circuitsIntegratedCircuitsInternational Trade CommissionInternationalTradeCommissionlicensingmobilepostminipatentpatent licensingPatentLicensingRambusWiFiFri, 23 Dec 2011 02:28:00 EST<![CDATA[New York City braces for Tuesday's arrival of mobile service on subway platforms]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/23/new-york-city-braces-for-tuesdays-arrival-of-mobile-service-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/23/new-york-city-braces-for-tuesdays-arrival-of-mobile-service-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/23/new-york-city-braces-for-tuesdays-arrival-of-mobile-service-on/#comments It's hardly a natural disaster, but the landscape of Manhattan is about to change once again with the arrival of cellular signal to a handful of the borough's subway platforms. Both AT&T and T-Mobile are taking part in the pilot program, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority expects the service to begin rolling on Tuesday at several stations along the 14th Street corridor, including A, C, E, F, L and M, along with stops 1, 2 and 3. The 23rd Street line will also see part of the action, as coverage is expected for the C and E stations. Of course, straphangers are unlikely to receive signal once on-board the trains, as the tunnels themselves aren't included in this rollout. Currently, the MTA expects all 277 underground platforms to be equipped for mobile chatter by 2016. Transit Wireless, the company responsible for the expansion, is said to be in talks with Sprint and Verizon for a similar introduction, although its customers must be content to listen in on the conversations other commuters for the time being.

[Image from SeanPavonePhoto/Shutterstock]

New York City braces for Tuesday's arrival of mobile service on subway platforms originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attcellularMetropolitan Transit AuthorityMetropolitanTransitAuthoritymobile phonemobile phonesMobilePhoneMobilePhonesmobilepostcrossmtanew yorknew york cityNewYorkNewYorkCitysprintsubwaysubwayst-mobiletmobiletransit wirelessTransitWirelessverizonFri, 23 Sep 2011 01:06:00 EST<![CDATA[US Cellular announces intent to switch to tiered data, LTE still on track for November]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/09/us-cellular-announces-intent-to-switch-to-tiered-data-lte-still/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/09/us-cellular-announces-intent-to-switch-to-tiered-data-lte-still/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/09/us-cellular-announces-intent-to-switch-to-tiered-data-lte-still/#commentsOh, how the mighty fall one by one. US Cellular, in its Q2 earnings call, stunned the mobile world by announcing that it expects to follow the lead of Verizon and AT&T by moving to a tiered data pricing structure within the next two to three quarters. No details were given on pricing or data limits, though it's quite possible the particulars are getting fleshed out as we speak. The regional carrier also indicated that its 4G rollout is still on track for November, with one LTE-compatible smartphone scheduled to launch at roughly the same time. Is it a coincidence that the new data pricing scheme would become effective within a similar timeframe? Hard to say, but we're continuously reminded on all fronts that the era of all-you-can-eat data is quickly coming to a depressing close; it looks like we won the battle for faster mobile broadband, but it didn't come without a fair amount of bloodshed.

US Cellular announces intent to switch to tiered data, LTE still on track for November originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 01:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gcellulardataearningsearnings callEarningsCallinternetlimited dataLimitedDataltemobilesmartphonetiered dataTieredDataunlimited dataUnlimitedDataus cellus cellularUsCellUsCellularTue, 09 Aug 2011 01:22:00 EST<![CDATA[US Cellular Q2 results bring higher revenue, despite small customer loss]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/08/us-cellular-q2-results-bring-higher-revenue-despite-small-custo/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/08/us-cellular-q2-results-bring-higher-revenue-despite-small-custo/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/08/us-cellular-q2-results-bring-higher-revenue-despite-small-custo/#comments

With the upcoming introduction of its LTE network and vast fall smartphone lineup, US Cellular's a regional carrier with a lot to look forward to. But its efforts over the second quarter, paired with the hopes of a bright future ahead, weren't enough to keep a few thousand customers from parting ways. While most of the reported figures were quite pleasant year-over-year -- service revenues bumped up three percent to $1 billion, percentage of smartphones sold skyrocketed to nearly 40 percent, ARPU increased to $51.84, and total operating income shot up a whole 61 percent -- the company also experienced a loss of 58,000 customers over the course of three months. The carrier doesn't seem too worried about this particular figure, however, as it stated its excitement about the launch of its 4G service later this year. Will the bleak and cold winter become warm and toasty because of a blazing-hot network? We're eager to find out. Hit the source link for the full quarterly earnings.

Continue reading US Cellular Q2 results bring higher revenue, despite small customer loss

US Cellular Q2 results bring higher revenue, despite small customer loss originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4GactivationscellularLTEnetworkQ2quarterquarterlyquarterly earningsQuarterlyEarningsrevenuesmartphonesUS CellularUsCellularMon, 08 Aug 2011 08:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Verizon lights LTE in 19 new locales today]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/verizon-lights-lte-in-19-new-locales-today/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/verizon-lights-lte-in-19-new-locales-today/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/verizon-lights-lte-in-19-new-locales-today/#comments We had a good feeling that June 16th would be remembered for new thrills. In addition to America's first roller coaster opening at Coney Island in 1884, Verizon and T-Mobile are blanketing large swaths of users in 4G waves today. For Big Red's part, it's lighting up the 700 MHz spectrum in 19 metropolitan areas, including: Fresno, Sacramento, Spokane, Boise, Salt Lake City, Dayton, Grand Rapids, Milwaukee and Hartford, and expanding coverage in San Francisco and Detroit. If you're disappointed that your city wasn't mentioned, hit the break for the full list -- there's ten more cities in the PR. As for progress, Verizon claims its LTE coverage extends to 74 locales as of today, which puts the company halfway toward its goal of 147 cities by year's end. Not a bad use for Block C purchases, eh?

Continue reading Verizon lights LTE in 19 new locales today

Verizon lights LTE in 19 new locales today originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 23:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4g700 MHz700MhzcellularcoverageexpansionltemobilenetworkT-MobileTMobileverizonverizon lteverizon wirelessVerizonLteVerizonWirelessvzwThu, 16 Jun 2011 23:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Cellphones are dangerous / not dangerous: the WHO changes its mind]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/31/cellphones-are-dangerous-not-dangerous-the-who-changes-its-mind/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/31/cellphones-are-dangerous-not-dangerous-the-who-changes-its-mind/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/31/cellphones-are-dangerous-not-dangerous-the-who-changes-its-mind/#commentsTo say that experts generally don't agree about whether cellphone radiation can fry your brain is an understatement of massive proportions, but amazingly enough, the World Health Organization has come to a pseudo-conclusion. A group of 31 scientists from 14 countries working in the org's International Agency for Research on Cancer says that -- based on a survey of the literature -- those electromagnetic fields are as likely to be potentially carcinogenic as 266 other worrisome substances, including DDT pesticide and the exhaust from your automobile. Mind you, the WHO isn't saying that cellphones cause cancer, as today's decision is merely the latest call for more research, but the fact that respected scientists even claim that a correlation should be considered will probably be enough to stir the pot.

Continue reading Cellphones are dangerous / not dangerous: the WHO changes its mind

Cellphones are dangerous / not dangerous: the WHO changes its mind originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 May 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancercancerouscellularcellular radiationCellularRadiationdangerdangeroushazardhazardousnot dangerousNotDangerousradiationWHOworld health organizationWorldHealthOrganizationTue, 31 May 2011 13:59:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC Merge makes an official landing at US Cellular May 31 for $250]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/26/htc-merge-makes-an-official-landing-at-us-cellular-may-31-for-2/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/26/htc-merge-makes-an-official-landing-at-us-cellular-may-31-for-2/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/26/htc-merge-makes-an-official-landing-at-us-cellular-may-31-for-2/#comments
If we could bet on phone launches the same way we put money down on horse races or slot machines, we'd lose our shirts on the HTC Merge. Like a ghost, this elusive Android smartphone has an innate ability to pop up from out of nowhere and disappear just as quickly. Over the last few months we've seen this repeated multiple times on both Verizon's and US Cellular's ends -- until yesterday, that is, when the latter finally ended its part of the charade by announcing a launch date. Taking on Facebook, the regional carrier officially committed the Merge to a May 31st launch, selling for $250 with contract before $100 rebate. Oddly, the date won't matter much since store reps have the go-ahead to sell it as soon as it's in stock (according to the screenshot below), and the Facebook post reveals that shipments should begin arriving as early as today. If you've been wanting a Merge and are up to the task, we invite you -- nay, we challenge you -- to go to your local store this morning and see if your rep got the memo.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading HTC Merge makes an official landing at US Cellular May 31 for $250

HTC Merge makes an official landing at US Cellular May 31 for $250 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 01:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid 2.2Android2.2cellularfacebookfroyogooglehtchtc mergehtc senseHtcMergeHtcSensemergemobileofficialsensesense uiSenseUius cellus cellularUsCellUsCellularverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessvzwThu, 26 May 2011 01:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Cox ditches 3G network infrastructure, sticks with airwaves borrowed from Sprint]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/cox-ditches-3g-network-infrastructure-sticks-with-airwaves-borr/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/cox-ditches-3g-network-infrastructure-sticks-with-airwaves-borr/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/25/cox-ditches-3g-network-infrastructure-sticks-with-airwaves-borr/#commentsCox Communications had some grand designs on the cellular market, but they're not panning out quite as the company planned -- FierceWireless reports that though Cox already poured cash into rolling out 3G equipment, it's going to scrap the whole thing, in favor of continuing to pay Sprint for borrowed airtime. Cellular service in the original three launch markets will reportedly continue, though a quick peek at Cox's website shows the current phone selection is getting a bit stagnant. While we've yet to hear any particular reasons why Cox would want to stick it out as an MVNO, we imagine that mandatory roaming agreements make it a tad easier to offer those "Unbelievably Fair" contracts. There's also the possibility that with all the 4G fervor, Cox has decided there's no point in moving forward with CDMA equipment when LTE is ripe for the picking -- and when Cox has $304 million worth of 700MHz spectrum waiting for such a network.

[Thanks, Phil]

Cox ditches 3G network infrastructure, sticks with airwaves borrowed from Sprint originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 May 2011 08:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3GcancelcancelledCDMAcellularCoxCox CommunicationsCoxCommunicationskillkilledMVNOnetworkSprintWed, 25 May 2011 08:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Mr. Blurrycam outs Sony Ericsson's future Android-powered Cyber-shot?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/13/mr-blurrycam-outs-sony-ericssons-future-android-powered-cyber/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/13/mr-blurrycam-outs-sony-ericssons-future-android-powered-cyber/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/13/mr-blurrycam-outs-sony-ericssons-future-android-powered-cyber/#comments Yes, the blurrycam snapshot you're now squinting at is purported to be Sony Ericsson's resurrection of its Cyber-shot phone -- yet unlike prior endeavors, this shooter is rumored to be fueled by Android. Beyond the touchscreen interface, however, there's scant few details to go on -- other than prior rumblings that Sony is developing a camera with 3G connectivity. Frankly, we love a great lens, but when apps, messaging and voice get added to the equation, it becomes utterly delightful. Needless to say, this leak arrives in a lovely twist of irony as one of the blurriest outings we've seen in recent memory. We're just hoping Mr. Blurrycam wasn't fumbling with a Google-powered Carl Zeiss when going sans-tripod in front of this one.

[Thanks, Uncle Lala]

Mr. Blurrycam outs Sony Ericsson's future Android-powered Cyber-shot? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 May 2011 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3GandroidblurrycamcameraCameraPhonecamerascarl zeissCarlZeisscellularcyber-shotcybershotgooglemobilerumorrumorsSONYSonyEricssontouchscreenFri, 13 May 2011 13:56:00 EST<![CDATA[T-Mobile and Orange get cozy, go shopping together]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/22/t-mobile-and-orange-get-cozy-go-shopping-together/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/22/t-mobile-and-orange-get-cozy-go-shopping-together/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/22/t-mobile-and-orange-get-cozy-go-shopping-together/#comments Following a good lean in their office chairs, decision-makers from Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom have made good on their February announcement to explore network sharing strategies, revealing they will combine their purchasing in a 50 / 50 joint venture. Buyers from Bonn and Paris will now collaborate on the procurement of consumer devices, network equipment, service platforms and IT infrastructure, with the companies expecting to save €1.3 billion from their efforts. They foresee this coordination creating more effective relations with suppliers, and benefiting customers through harmonized technology across networks. While the deal still needs regulatory approval, this isn't the first time the operators have gotten friendly, having previously merged T-Mobile and Orange in the UK. There's nothing like cooperation to get an edge on the competition, right? Get the full PR after the break.

Continue reading T-Mobile and Orange get cozy, go shopping together

T-Mobile and Orange get cozy, go shopping together originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 06:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellcellularDeutsche TelekomDeutscheTelekomeuropefranceFrance TelecomFranceTelecomgermanyJoint VentureJointVenturemobilenetworkNetwork technologyNetworkTechnologyorangeT-MobileTMobileFri, 22 Apr 2011 06:02:00 EST<![CDATA[T-Mobile cancels Even More Plus unlimited plan on eve of launch?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/13/t-mobile-cancels-even-more-plus-unlimited-plan-on-eve-of-launch/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/13/t-mobile-cancels-even-more-plus-unlimited-plan-on-eve-of-launch/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/13/t-mobile-cancels-even-more-plus-unlimited-plan-on-eve-of-launch/#comments Just when we thought T-Mobile was about to rock the world by offering bring-your-own-phone customers an insanely cheap unlimited plan, we're hearing that the company has strangled the $60 unlimited version of Even More Plus in the crib -- TmoNews snagged a supposed internal communique that claims the plan was canceled at the last minute. We just reached out to T-Mobile ourselves, however, and were told the reality is nothing of the sort:
T-Mobile did not officially announce any rate plans yesterday, and the company doesn't comment on rumors or speculation. Today, T-Mobile officially announced a new, single-line unlimited plan that is available starting today for just $79.99 per month, with an Even More plan and a two-year contract.
In other words, T-Mobile says it never sent out the previous press release (also originally obtained by TmoNews) at all. We're not sure who's telling the truth here, but either way, one thing's for certain -- there still won't be an $60 unlimited Even More Plus plan starting tomorrow morning. You're more than welcome to dry your tears with the $80 on-contract plan right now, though. PR after the break.

Continue reading T-Mobile cancels Even More Plus unlimited plan on eve of launch?

T-Mobile cancels Even More Plus unlimited plan on eve of launch? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellularcontractcontroversyEven Moreeven more plusEvenMoreEvenMorePlusoff-contract priceOff-contractPriceplanplansT-MobileT-Mobile USAT-mobileUsaTMobileunlimitedWed, 13 Apr 2011 17:55:00 EST<![CDATA[RootMetrics launches Cell Phone Coverage Map, uses crowd-sourcing to test networks' lofty claims]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/12/rootmetrics-launches-cell-phone-coverage-map-uses-crowd-sourcin/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/12/rootmetrics-launches-cell-phone-coverage-map-uses-crowd-sourcin/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/12/rootmetrics-launches-cell-phone-coverage-map-uses-crowd-sourcin/#comments When dealing in Soviet relations, President Reagan impressed upon a generation the mantra, "Trust, but verify." Decades later, this skeptical method is being applied to mobile carriers thanks to RootMetrics' Cell Phone Coverage Map, a crowd-sourced application aiming to provide reliable, verified information on network availability and performance. The app, now available to iPhone and Android users, provides a convenient way to determine which provider has the best signal in your area, and also happens to be great for spite, if you felt a coverage map wasn't telling the full truth. Yes, let's get it out of the way right now -- Root collects your stats and then sells it to the networks -- though given the purpose of the service, we're inclined to let criticism pass on this one. If you're undeterred by that caveat, hop on the bandwagon and share your results for the benefit of all (even if your battery doesn't thank you).

RootMetrics launches Cell Phone Coverage Map, uses crowd-sourcing to test networks' lofty claims originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappappscellcell networksCellNetworkscellularcellular networksCellularNetworkscoveragecoverage appcoverage mapcoverage mapsCoverageAppCoverageMapCoverageMapscrowd sourcingcrowdsourcingIOSiphonemobilenetwork coverageNetworkCoverageroot metricsRootMetricsTue, 12 Apr 2011 09:55:00 EST<![CDATA[London scraps plans for cellular coverage on the tube, bums Huawei out]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/01/london-scraps-plans-for-cellular-coverage-on-the-tube-bums-huaw/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/01/london-scraps-plans-for-cellular-coverage-on-the-tube-bums-huaw/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/01/london-scraps-plans-for-cellular-coverage-on-the-tube-bums-huaw/#comments Technical complexity and financial naiveté have meant that London's ambitious plans to cover its underground train network with cellular signal by the 2012 Olympics are hitting the scrapheap. In spite of Huawei's most generous offer to provide £50 million ($81m) of equipment for the project for free, the London Mayor's wish that UK mobile operators be the ones to foot the installation bill -- without a penny coming out of public coffers -- has unsurprisingly found little favor. Compounded with the logistical hellride of trying to get everything up and running by next summer, that's now led to a mutual agreement among all parties concerned to abandon the project. Mind you, the plans to get WiFi up at 120 stations in time for the Olympics are still on track, so at least we'll be able to pull down some data before diving into those dark, damp tunnels.

London scraps plans for cellular coverage on the tube, bums Huawei out originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012abandonedboris johnsonBorisJohnsonbudgetcellularconnectivitycoveragefundingfuturehuaweiinternetlondonmobile internetMobileInternetnetworknetworkingolympicsplansroadmapscrappedshelvedtransporttransport for londontransportationTransportForLondontubeundergroundwirelessFri, 01 Apr 2011 15:47:00 EST<![CDATA[FCC proposing data roaming rules, not interested in commonizing carriers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/26/fcc-looking-at-data-roaming-rules-not-interested-in-commonizing/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/26/fcc-looking-at-data-roaming-rules-not-interested-in-commonizing/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/26/fcc-looking-at-data-roaming-rules-not-interested-in-commonizing/#commentsFCC chairman Julius Genachowski briefly mentioned data roaming at CTIA last week, but now he's telling Congress that action is inbound, to ensure rural carriers don't get left behind the rest of the cellular industry. You see, in 2007 the Commission mandated cheap roaming agreements for voice and messaging services to let regional carriers compete, but cellular data is what's important now and those existing agreements won't protect the Tiny Tims of telecom in a world of VoLTE anyhow. So, as he explains in a letter sent to members of the Senate and House, the chairman has come up with a set of rules, which will "incent potential roaming partners to come to the bargaining table to negotiate private commercial deals."

"The draft order under consideration eschews a common carriage approach and leaves mobile service providers free to negotiate and determine, on a customer-by-customer basis, the commercially reasonable terms of data roaming agreements," reads another letter. Needless to say, we're looking forward to hearing how the FCC will encourage competition while still letting the big boys negotiate from their multi-billion-dollar spectrum holding positions.

FCC proposing data roaming rules, not interested in commonizing carriers originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 Mar 2011 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellularcellulosic ethanolCellulosicEthanoldatadata roamingDataRoamingFCCincentiveJulius GenachowskiJuliusGenachowskiregulationroamingrulerulemakingrulesVoIPVoLTEwirelesswireless dataWirelessDataSat, 26 Mar 2011 19:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony working on a Cyber-shot camera with 3G cellular connectivity?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/10/sony-working-on-a-cyber-shot-camera-with-3g-cellular-connectivit/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/10/sony-working-on-a-cyber-shot-camera-with-3g-cellular-connectivit/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/10/sony-working-on-a-cyber-shot-camera-with-3g-cellular-connectivit/#comments If the warm, soothing waves of IEEE 802.11 are beaming down on your location, there are certainly several ways to send pictures directly from your camera to the cloud, but Sony's reportedly prototyping a camera that won't need a single bar of WiFi to get your upload on. Our friends at gdgt cite anonymous sources that say Sony's got a camera with a built-in 3G modem in the works, and we're not talking about a cameraphone. While Sony's cellphone CMOS sensors may have improved, gdgt says the prototype unit will probably be a dedicated point-and-shoot, though the publication says their moles aren't sure it's actually coming to market. If it does, though, here's hoping it comes with some Whispernet so we don't have to foot a monthly or (perish the thought) per-picture bill!

Sony working on a Cyber-shot camera with 3G cellular connectivity? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3Gcameracamerascellularcyber-shotcybershotdatapoint and shootPointAndShootrumorrumorsSonywirelesswireless dataWirelessDataThu, 10 Mar 2011 20:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubiquisys unveils Attocell: personal femtocell designed to work internationally, make dreams come true]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/26/ubiquisys-unveils-attocell-personal-femtocell-designed-to-work/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/26/ubiquisys-unveils-attocell-personal-femtocell-designed-to-work/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/26/ubiquisys-unveils-attocell-personal-femtocell-designed-to-work/#commentsIt's definitely one of the first things we thought of trying with AT&T's 3G MicroCell back in 2009, but our dreams were quickly dashed after finding that said device was hard-wired to only operate when receiving a GPS lock within the United States of America. Thankfully, it looks as if at least a few engineers at Ubiquisys are riding our same train of thought, and come Mobile World Congress, it'll be debuting the device of our dreams. The Attocell is described as a personal femtocell for use with 3G smartphones, and best of all, it's designed for use internationally. In essence, this would allow a smartphone from one country to use their international web connection to tunnel a cell call through -- presumably free of charge -- and definitely bypassing those nasty roaming fees that are incurred when ringing through an overseas cellular network. The company admits that it has been tested with the iPhone, BlackBerry handsets, a few Nokia phones and a gaggle of Android handsets, and we're guessing that Windows Phone 7 and webOS users won't have any issues, either.

The idea is fairly simple: connect the Attocell to your laptop via USB, which provides power and an internet connection. From there, it'll analyze the IP address and radio environment to determine which country it is in, and sets its 3G radio power accordingly to below the licensed level. In some countries its range will be just five millimeters, in other countries, it could cover a whole room. For those in the former, you'll need to place your phone atop the dongle and use a Bluetooth headset to make a call, but hey, it's still better than paying AT&T two arms and the vast majority of a leg just to phone home from wherever you may be. Crazier still, Ubiquisys thinks that the device's low power output -- coupled with its ability to "continuously monitor its radio environment to ensure that there is zero impact on existing mobile networks" -- will make the Attocell exempt from regulatory controls and the requirement for type approval. Here's hoping it flies through just as the company hopes, and we'll be hitting the floor in Barcelona to pry out a price point, release date any carrier deals they've managed to land.

Ubiquisys unveils Attocell: personal femtocell designed to work internationally, make dreams come true originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3gattocellcellularconnectivityfemtocellgoogleMobile World CongressMobileWorldCongressmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011personal femtocellPersonalFemtocellportable femtocellPortableFemtocellrange boosterrange extenderRangeBoosterRangeExtenderwirelesswwanWed, 26 Jan 2011 10:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Nikkei: PSP2 will have 3G cellular data, OLED touchscreen]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/23/nikkei-psp2-to-have-3g-cellular-data-oled-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/23/nikkei-psp2-to-have-3g-cellular-data-oled-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/23/nikkei-psp2-to-have-3g-cellular-data-oled-touchscreen/#comments We're only four days away from a supposed January 27th unveiling, but apparently there are still more juicy PSP2 rumors left to dole out -- Japan's often-reliable Nikkei newspaper reports that the handheld machine will sport a crisp OLED touchscreen and 3G data from NTT DoCoMo when it arrives later this year, with the latter enabling multiplayer action and even full video and game downloads over the Japanese cellular network. What's more, the paper confirms that the screen will be physically larger and powered by some potent new silicon. So, how will Sony differentiate this PSP2 from the PlayStation Phone and tempt you to buy both? The game system won't make calls.

Note: In case you're not familiar, the image above is a relatively ancient reader mockup, and likely not representative of the final product. It is pretty sexy, though.

Nikkei: PSP2 will have 3G cellular data, OLED touchscreen originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3Gcellularcellular dataCellularDataDoCoMogamingNTTntt docomoNttDocomoOLEDPlayStationplaystation portableplaystation portable 2PlaystationPortablePlaystationPortable2PSPPSP2SonytouchscreenSun, 23 Jan 2011 14:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Humans wearing radios could form massive wireless networks of the future]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/03/humans-wearing-radios-could-form-massive-wireless-networks-of-th/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/03/humans-wearing-radios-could-form-massive-wireless-networks-of-th/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/03/humans-wearing-radios-could-form-massive-wireless-networks-of-th/#comments
Researchers at Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, are studying how to create an infrastructure out of human beings interconnected by wearing sensors, gateways and radios, resulting in a "body-to-body" network. Because human beings are so easy to come by, the networks could potentially be massive as well as high in bandwidth. The team is now studying how human bodies and movement can affect radio signals, and the general operations of body area networks, which aren't new. Concurrent research is being done at Carnegie Mellon to study how thousands of sensors can communicate with each other effectively. Long term, actual functioning body-to-body wireless networks could render cellular base stations unnecessary in heavily populated areas. Of course, that's all well into the future, but hit up the source for more details.

Humans wearing radios could form massive wireless networks of the future originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banbelfastbody area networkbody to body networksBodyAreaNetworkBodyToBodyNetworkscarnegie mellonCarnegieMelloncellularirelandmobilenetworkspittsburghqueens universityQueensUniversitywirelessWed, 03 Nov 2010 13:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Verizon to debut LTE in 38 cities, 'half a dozen' 4G smartphones and tablets in 1H 2011]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/verizon-to-debut-lte-in-38-cities-half-a-dozen-4g-smartphones/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/verizon-to-debut-lte-in-38-cities-half-a-dozen-4g-smartphones/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/verizon-to-debut-lte-in-38-cities-half-a-dozen-4g-smartphones/#comments We're live from CTIA 2010 in San Francisco, where newly-appointed Verizon president and COO Lowell McAdam has taken the stage. He's been on the job just five days now, but he's already got a nice spot of news: Verizon will have LTE connections in 38 markets as soon as they flip the switch -- up from the 30 football cities announced earlier this month. More exciting, a host of LTE devices are on the way, too: "Come CES at January, and we will show half-a-dozen smartphones and tablets from the top OEMs in the world that will be available in the first half of the year," said McAdam. 8 to 12 megabits per second, here we come. See the full tentative 4G coverage map with a list of confirmed cities in our gallery below.

Gallery: Verizon's 4G LTE launch coverage map

Verizon to debut LTE in 38 cities, 'half a dozen' 4G smartphones and tablets in 1H 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 13:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4Gbreaking newsBreakingNewscellularcoveragecoverage mapCoverageMapCTIACTIA 2010Ctia2010Lowell McAdamLowellMcadamLTEsmartphonetabletVerizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessVZWwirelessWed, 06 Oct 2010 13:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Hacker intercepts phone calls with homebuilt $1,500 IMSI catcher, claims GSM is beyond repair]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/31/hacker-intercepts-phone-calls-with-homebuilt-1-500-imsi-catcher/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/31/hacker-intercepts-phone-calls-with-homebuilt-1-500-imsi-catcher/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/31/hacker-intercepts-phone-calls-with-homebuilt-1-500-imsi-catcher/#comments In 2009, Chris Paget showed the world the vulnerabilities of RFID by downloading the contents of US passports from the safety of his automobile. This year, he's doing the same for mobile phones. Demonstrating at DefCon 2010, the white hat hacker fooled 17 nearby GSM phones into believing his $1,500 kit (including a laptop and two RF antennas) was a legitimate cell phone base station, and proceeded to intercept and record audience calls. "As far as your cell phones are concerned, I'm now indistinguishable from AT&T," he told the crowd. The purpose of the demonstration was highlight a major flaw in the 2G GSM system, which directs phones to connect to the tower with the strongest signal regardless of origin -- in this case, Paget's phony tower.

The hacker did caveat that his system could only intercept outbound calls, and that caller ID could tip off the owner of a handset to what's what, but he says professional IMSI catchers used by law enforcement don't suffer from such flaws and amateur parity would only be a matter of time. "GSM is broken," Paget said, "The primary solution is to turn it off altogether." That's a tall order for a world still very dependent on the technology for mobile connectivity, but we suppose AT&T and T-Mobile could show the way. Then again, we imagine much of that same world is still using WEP and WPA1 to "secure" their WiFi.

Hacker intercepts phone calls with homebuilt $1,500 IMSI catcher, claims GSM is beyond repair originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 22:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2Gcell towerCellTowercellularChris PagetChrisPagetdefconDEFCON 2010Defcon2010eavesdropeavesdroppingGSMhackhackerhackinghacksIMSIIMSI CatcherImsiCatchersecuritysnifferwirelessSat, 31 Jul 2010 22:28:00 EST<![CDATA[New agreement integrates satellite / cellular technology in mobile chip]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/22/new-agreement-integrates-satellite-cellular-technology-in-mobi/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/22/new-agreement-integrates-satellite-cellular-technology-in-mobi/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/22/new-agreement-integrates-satellite-cellular-technology-in-mobi/#comments
SkyTerra's Mobile Satellite Ventures, ICO Global Communications and Qualcomm have jointly announced today a partnership that could have far-reaching implications in the mobile realm. In short, the trio has agreed to "integrate satellite and cellular communication technology in select multi-mode mobile baseband chips," which will essentially enable handsets to have "ubiquitous mobile communications coverage from anywhere in North America, including areas where traditional cellular service is currently unavailable or unreliable." The release proclaims that this hookup will lead to satellite connectivity being in mass-market devices, but only time will tell how long it takes for compatible handsets to get adopted by carriers. Unfortunately, we do know it won't happen prior to 2010, as that's the planned ship date for the newfangled chips. Thanks for the heads-up, guys -- but oh, how the tease hurts us.

[Via PhoneScoop]

Update: Images provided are of Mobile Satellite Ventures' design concepts.

Gallery: New agreement integrates satellite / cellular technology in mobile chip

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New agreement integrates satellite / cellular technology in mobile chip originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SkyTerra's Mobile Satellite Ventures, ICO Global Communications and Qualcomm have jointly announced today a partnership that could have far-reaching implications in the mobile realm. In short, the trio has agreed to "integrate satellite and cellular communication technology in select multi-mode mobile baseband chips," which will essentially enable handsets to have "ubiquitous mobile communications coverage from anywhere in North America, including areas where traditional cellular service is currently unavailable or unreliable." The release proclaims that this hookup will lead to satellite connectivity being in mass-market devices, but only time will tell how long it takes for compatible handsets to get adopted by carriers. Unfortunately, we do know it won't happen prior to 2010, as that's the planned ship date for the newfangled chips. Thanks for the heads-up, guys -- but oh, how the tease hurts us.

[Via PhoneScoop]

Update: Images provided are of Mobile Satellite Ventures' design concepts.

Gallery: New agreement integrates satellite / cellular technology in mobile chip

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New agreement integrates satellite / cellular technology in mobile chip originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agreementbasebandcellularglobalICO GlobalIcoGlobalpartnershipQualcommsat phonesatellitesatellite phoneSatellitePhoneSatPhoneskyTerraMon, 22 Sep 2008 14:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Analog cellular networks, R.I.P.: 1983 - 2008]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/18/analog-cellular-networks-r-i-p-1983-2008/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/18/analog-cellular-networks-r-i-p-1983-2008/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/18/analog-cellular-networks-r-i-p-1983-2008/#comments
Marking the end of a remarkable era in cellular technology, the FCC is officially letting American carriers decommission their legacy analog networks as of today, February 18, 2008. Few of us still own a phone based on AMPS -- Advanced Mobile Phone System, ironically, despite the fact that there's been nothing "advanced" about it for many years -- but we owe the very existence of the world's modern wireless infrastructure to the introduction and overwhelming success of the Bell Labs-developed technology. So successful was AMPS, in fact, that it eventually covered virtually 100 percent of the continental United States, a statistic CDMA and GSM have only recently begun to approach.

Continue reading Analog cellular networks, R.I.P.: 1983 - 2008

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Analog cellular networks, R.I.P.: 1983 - 2008 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alltelampsanalogattcarriercarrierscellphonecellulardecommissionfccphoneshut offshutdownShutOffverizonMon, 18 Feb 2008 07:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Analog cellular networks, R.I.P.: 1983 - 2008]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/18/analog-cellular-networks-r-i-p-1983-2008/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/18/analog-cellular-networks-r-i-p-1983-2008/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/18/analog-cellular-networks-r-i-p-1983-2008/#comments
Marking the end of a remarkable era in cellular technology, the FCC is officially letting American carriers decommission their legacy analog networks as of today, February 18, 2008. Few of us still own a phone based on AMPS -- Advanced Mobile Phone System, ironically, despite the fact that there's been nothing "advanced" about it for many years -- but we owe the very existence of the world's modern wireless infrastructure to the introduction and overwhelming success of the Bell Labs-developed technology. So successful was AMPS, in fact, that it eventually covered virtually 100 percent of the continental United States, a statistic CDMA and GSM have only recently begun to approach.

Continue reading Analog cellular networks, R.I.P.: 1983 - 2008

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Analog cellular networks, R.I.P.: 1983 - 2008 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mystery solved, modu is of course, a modular cellular handset -- the answer was in the name the whole time, clever. The fun begins with the idea that the actual handset can be slipped into "modu jackets" which let users completely change the look of their handset without having to replace it -- we see the potential for way too much glittery gem-encrusted foolishness here. The other half of the deal is slapping the modu into different modu-enabled consumer electronics, or "modu mates" -- think car stereos, photo frames, DAPs, and whatever else you can dream up. If we were betting types, we think modu is on to something pretty interesting here, and it seems with likes of Blaupunkt, Universal Music, and SanDisk already onboard, the Q4 launch might prove to be something special. We don't have any pics showing detail or any technical specs handy just now, but rest assured, we're going to be all over them at Mobile World Congress for more info.

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Modu mystery unravelled, look ma, a modular handset originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellularmodumodularmodumobileThu, 07 Feb 2008 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Modu mystery unravelled, look ma, a modular handset]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/07/modu-mystery-unravelled-look-ma-a-modular-handset/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/07/modu-mystery-unravelled-look-ma-a-modular-handset/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/07/modu-mystery-unravelled-look-ma-a-modular-handset/#comments
Mystery solved, modu is of course, a modular cellular handset -- the answer was in the name the whole time, clever. The fun begins with the idea that the actual handset can be slipped into "modu jackets" which let users completely change the look of their handset without having to replace it -- we see the potential for way too much glittery gem-encrusted foolishness here. The other half of the deal is slapping the modu into different modu-enabled consumer electronics, or "modu mates" -- think car stereos, photo frames, DAPs, and whatever else you can dream up. If we were betting types, we think modu is on to something pretty interesting here, and it seems with likes of Blaupunkt, Universal Music, and SanDisk already onboard, the Q4 launch might prove to be something special. We don't have any pics showing detail or any technical specs handy just now, but rest assured, we're going to be all over them at Mobile World Congress for more info.

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Modu mystery unravelled, look ma, a modular handset originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellularmobilemodumodularmodumobileThu, 07 Feb 2008 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[The 4G war: has WiMAX won, or will Verizon choose LTE?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/29/the-4g-war-has-wimax-won-or-will-verizon-choose-lte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/29/the-4g-war-has-wimax-won-or-will-verizon-choose-lte/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/29/the-4g-war-has-wimax-won-or-will-verizon-choose-lte/#commentsIn a wrap-up of the state of 4G networks over at BusinessWeek, the battle between the three competing 4G network standards -- WIMAX, Long Term Evolution (LTE), and Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) -- is appraised, with WIMAX clearly edging out its other rivals. This could be a two horse race before long if Verizon chooses to back GSM's successor LTE over CDMA's sequel, UMB. That would leave Qualcomm without one of its most significant backers for CDMA's spiritual sibling, although it'll do just fine thanks to the multiple 4G patents it holds. Ultimately though, in all of this space there's very little discussion about what the consumer wants: do we really need two or three different standards that probably won't inter-operate, leaving us back at the square we've always been at? Frankly, for all the benefits that 4G is purported to bring, we'd like something a little more imaginative than the usual bickering amongst the big shots.

Update: Although it didn't come from VZW, last month Vodafone's chairman Arun Sarin made it clear that Verizon will go for LTE. Bad news for UMB!

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The 4G war: has WiMAX won, or will Verizon choose LTE? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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