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Sprint is shutting down Virgin Mobile ahead of planned T-Mobile merger
Sprint is getting ready for its planned T-Mobile merger by axing one of its prepaid brands. The telecom is shutting down Virgin Mobile service and will transfer all customers to Boost Mobile starting the week of February 2nd. You'll keep your phone and number in "most instances," and will move to a "comparable or better" plan at no additional charge. Your mobile broadband device won't carry over, though, and you'll have to change your payment options if you rely on either PayPal or 45/90-day top-ups.
UK plans to ban sales of locked mobile phones
The UK's communications regulator is proposing a rule to ban carriers from selling phones that are tied to their networks. O2, Sky, Three, Virgin Mobile and some smaller carriers already offer unlocked phones, but Ofcom wants the likes of BT Mobile/EE, Tesco Mobile and Vodafone to do the same. It's also seeking better clarity for customers about whether their handset is locked.
iPhone 5c, 5s launch on Virgin Mobile for $100 off
If you've been waiting to grab the newest iPhone 5c and 5s, you may want to think about getting one now -- from Virgin Mobile. That's because the carrier is offering the unlocked 16 GB models of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c for US$100 less than Apple's normal retail price, notes AppleInsider. The 16 GB iPhone 5s normally costs $650 unlocked from Apple, but customers can snap it up for only $550 at Virgin Mobile. Likewise, the 16 GB iPhone 5c normally costs $550 unlocked from Apple, but it's currently $450 at Virgin Mobile. The new iPhones went on sale for the first time at Virgin Mobile yesterday. There's no word from the company if the prices on these 16 GB iPhones are an introductory price or the standard price -- but either way, they're a great deal.
iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c on tap for Virgin Mobile starting October 1
The iPhone 5s and 5c are flying off the retail shelves, and soon they'll be expanding their reach. Yesterday we reported that smaller regional carriers would start selling the new iPhones on October 1. Today Virgin Mobile has announced it will get in on the action starting October 1 as well, via two posts on Twitter. iPhone 5s is coming to Virgin Mobile on 10/1. http://t.co/xXVf5YAy8h pic.twitter.com/hVXsZcRKm8 - Virgin Mobile USA (@virginmobileusa) September 27, 2013 iPhone 5c is coming to Virgin Mobile on 10/1. http://t.co/xXVf5YAy8h pic.twitter.com/EQZyndcdLj - Virgin Mobile USA (@virginmobileusa) September 27, 2013 While the expansion of the iPhone 5s and 5c to other carriers is good news for Apple, it is sure to put even further strain on the already tight supply of the popular handsets.
Daily Update for June 21, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
iPhone 5 to land on Virgin Mobile on June 28
Virgin Mobile announced today that it will begin offering the iPhone 5 to subscribers starting on June 28. Subscribers will be able to buy the device at the Virgin Mobile website, at Radio Shack and at Virgin Mobile stores. The iPhone 5 will be available on Virgin Mobile's Beyond Talk plan which offers users unlimited data and messaging for just US$35 a month. Even better, customers who sign up for Auto Pay will receive a $5 discount every month. According to Virgin Mobile's press release (below), only the 16 GB iPhone 5 will be available online at Virgin Mobile dealers. That being the case, if you're looking for an iPhone with more storage, you'll have to hop online to order the device. The 16 GB iPhone will go for $549.99 while the 32 GB and 64 GB models will retail for $649.99 and $749.99 respectively. Lastly, interested consumers should be aware that the Beyond Talk plan offers unthrottled 3G and 4G data with a 2.5 GB/month cap. Once a user uses up his 2.5 GB allotment, data speeds go down to a paltry 256Kbps for the remainder of the monthly billing cycle. Show full PR text Virgin Mobile USA will launch the iPhone 5 on Friday, 6/28/12 on its Beyond Talk plans, with unlimited 3G/4G LTE data and messaging* starting at $35 per month but customers can also receive a $5 per-month plan discount when they register and sign up for automatic monthly payments ["Auto Pay"] with a credit card, debit card or PayPal account, making the iPhone 5 available on Virgin Mobile for as low as $30 per month**. The 16GB iPhone 5, available in Black and White, will be available at www.virginmobileusa.com, at participating Virgin Mobile dealers, and at RadioShack, our exclusive national retail distributor, for $549.99 [excluding taxes]. The 32GB and 64GB, also in Black and White, will be available online only for $649.99 and $749.99, respectively. *All plans include 2.5GB/month of 3G/4G full speed data. **Requires registration for automatic monthly payments and Virgin Mobile Service is subject to Terms of Service found at virginmobileUSA.com.
Sprint allows its prepaid carrier partners to de-brand Android phones, rid devices of bloatware
In a move that could only be viewed as a step in the right direction, Sprint has just made a major move in the battle against bloatware. Its newly-unveiled Custom Branded Device Program is being introduced just as prepaid carriers are beginning to see something of a resurgence. In a nutshell, the initiative enables its MVNO partners (carriers like Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile) to customize white-label Android phones. In case you needed to hear it another way, it'll give those partners the ability to "completely de-brand devices from Sprint." Of course, this opens the door for said partners to litter these phones with their own software, but it also provides an option to see phones in a manner that Americans rarely see unless they opt for pricier global (and unlocked) models. Sprint is hoping that the program will allow its MVNO partners -- carriers who sell phones under their own brand but actually rely on Sprint's network for service -- to "have greater, and potentially quicker, access to a large selection of completely de-branded marquee Android handsets out of Sprint and Boost Mobile device inventory with volume pricing included." Presently, Sprint has three devices available for this program -- LG Optimus G, LG Mach and Sprint Flash -- but additional devices are expected to be added by the month's end. Perhaps most interestingly, we reported back in July of 2011 that Sprint was making a "conscious decision to scale back bloatware on smartphones." Here's hoping that decision is soon realized.
Virgin and Boost add LTE handsets to their pre-paid rosters
Just because you don't have a contract tying you down doesn't mean you don't deserve LTE speeds, right? Boost and Virgin Mobile will be getting their very own 4G handsets, with help from Sprint's network. You can pick up Samsung's Galaxy Victory 4G LTE over on Virgin's site, starting today for $300 a pop (with more retailers getting in on the action in the middle of next month). Over on Boost, they've got HTC's One SV and the four-inch Boost Force, both dropping on March 7th. Those handsets will run you $300 and $200, respectively.
Virgin Mobile UK becomes latest Euro carrier to offer Google's Nexus 4
Some say that it's "better late than never," and, as of right now, this may very well be a good thing for Virgin Mobile UK users looking to snag one of those chart-topping Nexus 4s. A mere few months after the LG-made handset was first announced, Virgin Mobile is set to join other carriers across the pond in offering Google's sleek flagship. What's more, the Nexus 4 can be had at no cost upfront, so long as interested UKers choose from one of Virgin Mobile's qualified 24-month tariffs. Meanwhile, those of us in the States without a Nexus 4 will have to keep on waiting, as Google Play (and T-Mobile) still appear to be having trouble keeping up with demand.
Canadian Bell and Virgin Mobile will unlock iPhones for $75
According to documents obtained by Mobile Syrup, Bell and Virgin are now unlocking all versions of the iPhone for eligible customers. The policy allegedly went into effect on November 26 and requires you to pay US$75 to the carrier for the unlock. According to Mobile Syrup, customers must also own the iPhone outright, must not be on contract and must be a post-paid customer on Virgin Mobile or Bell Mobility. The unlock procedure requires you to call Bell's Credit & Prevention department or Virgin Care. If you are a Virgin Mobile or Bell customer and can't unlock now, then you might want to wait for a few months as the leaked document suggests these eligibility guidelines will be expanded in 2013.
Mobile data gets even more piecemeal with 24-hour offerings from Virgin Mobile
Sure, you can already buy Virgin Mobile's Broadband2Go on a monthly basis, but what about when you want that data on a daily basis? For instance, what if you're Johnny Lee Miller in the hit '90s film Hackers? Exactly. Good thing, then, that Virgin Mobile is now offering a 24-hour daily plan for its Broadband2Go service, charging just $5 per day. Unfortunately, if you're only able to find 3G service, that broadband is limited to just 200MB of data -- those who can find 4G get unlimited data access (and much faster access to boot). Currently, Virgin's Broadband2Go is only offered via a proprietary ($70) USB stick or a proprietary ($120) mifi device, so don't think you're getting off too cheaply. It is, however, available right now.
Mobile Miscellany: week of October 22nd, 2012
If you didn't get enough in mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This past week, T-Mobile announced the price and release date for the Optimus L9, carriers were announced in Canada for the ATIV S Windows Phone and ZTE released a low-priced Android smartphone for Virgin Mobile in the UK. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of October 22nd, 2012.
Engadget's smartphone buyer's guide: fall 2012 edition
Shopping for a smartphone can be an exciting and arduous experience. Along with the promise of something new and fantastic, it brings the fear of commitment, and even worse, the prospect of saddling yourself to a lousy device for two years. Fortunately for you, Engadget spends tons of time playing with the latest gear and we're constantly on the lookout for what's coming next. If you're wanting to take the pain out of shopping for a smartphone, you've come to the right place. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Engadget's smartphone buyer's guide: your one-stop resource to finding the best and most exciting handsets on the market today. Before you dive in, however, we've introduced a few changes to the buyer's guide, so take a minute to prepare yourself for what's in store. First and foremost, you'll now find alternate selections to supplement our top picks. This should already be familiar to many of you, which is the same format we use for our seasonal gift guides. The next one is a biggie: we've dropped the QWERTY selection. By and large, manufacturers and carriers alike have shifted their focus away from keyboard-equipped smartphones, and you'll rarely find more than one option on any given carrier. That said, if you still insist on the tactile experience, you'll always find everything you need to know in our reviews. Finally, whenever possible, you'll now find prices from Amazon Wireless, which allows us to provide you with more compelling budget selections and highlight the substantial savings that you can score by circumventing the carriers. It's not like they need your charity, anyway. If you're curious to see how it all unfolded -- and we know you are -- join us after the break, where we round up the very best smartphones of the season.
Mobile Miscellany: week of October 8th, 2012
If you didn't get enough in mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This past week, Samsung confirmed its Canadian release date for the Galaxy Note II, Alcatel took the wraps off of its first Windows Phone and it was revealed that T-Mobile will no longer openly market the iPhone in conjunction with its BYOD value plans. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of October 8th, 2012.
Samsung Galaxy Camera swings past the FCC with AT&T-capable 3G
Samsung made much ado of the Galaxy Camera coming in both 3G and 4G versions, but it wasn't clear just which carriers would let us upload photos when away from WiFi. The FCC might have just given out a big clue with approval filings for two 3G editions. As it's been tested for US clearance, the Android point-and-shoot in its EK-GC100 and EK-KC100 guises has support for HSPA-based 3G on the 850MHz and 1,900MHz bands used by AT&T and larger Canadian carriers -- a possible hint of Big Blue's ongoing connected devices push, but not a very promising discovery for most T-Mobile users or any CDMA customers. Before anyone bemoans the absences of LTE or support for more American networks, however, we'd note that this is just one filing and might not represent the totality of Samsung's US plans, if we're indeed looking at one or more US-bound examples. We'll keep an eye out ahead of the Galaxy Camera's international launch in October to see if there's anything more in the FCC's cards.
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 reportedly headed to Virgin Mobile in Canada
Since being unveiled a long, long time ago, the Galaxy Ace 2 has seen its younger S III brother grab all the praising headlines -- oh, and we can say the same about its other bodacious, note-friendly sibling. Still, we have a feeling some Canadian Virgin Mobile customers would welcome one of Sammy's lesser-specced family members with open arms hands. Well, according to MobileSyrup, the Ace 2 is exactly what folks using the prepaid carrier can expect come this holiday season, making the trip across the Atlantic with a rumored contract-free price tag of somewhere between $200 to $250. To give you a quick refresh, this Gingerbread handset boasts a 3.8-inch, WVGA display, a humble dual-core, 800MHz CPU alongside 768MB of RAM, 4GB of built-in storage and a decent 1,500mAh battery. We should be hearing more detailed info in the coming weeks, but while we wait for that, you could always revise our hands-on meeting with the Ace 2.
Mobile Miscellany: week of September 3rd, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, AT&T revealed grand plans for LTE expansion that'll continue through the end of the year and the Galaxy Reverb for Virgin Mobile officially went up for preorder. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of September 3rd, 2012.
Virgin Media unveils quartet of new SIM Only plans for data-focused Brits
It was only in June that we saw Virgin Media shaking up its regular mobile plans for UK residents. The carrier is back for another round, this time to serve the SIM Only customers who thrive on unlocked phones. Four plans starting from £12 ($19) a month all provide unlimited data and text messaging for bring-your-own-phone subscribers, with voice as the only real separating factor: the thriftiest callers get 150 minutes per month, while higher £15, £17 and £25 ($24, $27 and $40) tiers ramp up to a respective 250, 1,200 and 2,500 minutes for chattier customers. The chief gotcha is a lack of bundled landline calling for all but the priciest plan, although existing Virgin Media subscribers can knock an extra £5 off of that rate. If you're the sort who can't bear the thought of a contract, Virgin now has you better covered.
Kyocera Rise arrives on Virgin Mobile with ICS, 3.5-inch display and slide-out QWERTY keys
Just as we'd heard, today's the day that budget-minded (and not-so-shy) Kyocera Rise hits the Virgin Mobile USA shelves. Available now for a mere $100 -- without any contracts, of course -- this 3.5-inch, Ice Cream Sandwich device boasts some pretty run-of-the-mill features, including an HVGA, 480 x 320 LCD, a single-core, 1GHz Snapdragon CPU, 2GB of built-in storage which can be expanded to 32GB via microSD and, as you can see above, a full-on, slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Naturally, Virgin Mobile's betting on folks to bundle the cheap handset with one of its unlimited data plans -- not to mention Kyocera's handset is yet another addition to the prepaid carrier's rising smartphone lineup. Those interested can give the Rise a better look down below, where a nice gallery filled with charming press shots awaits. %Gallery-164061%
Virgin Mobile reveals Samsung Galaxy Reverb for $250, available for pre-order August 29th (update: first week of September)
In addition to the new Samsung smartphones for Boost Mobile, Sprint's other subsidiary, Virgin Mobile has also made a reveal for this fall with the Galaxy Reverb. Like its cousins, the phone offers Android 4.0, which is complemented by a 1.4GHz CPU, a 5-megapixel camera and a 4-inch touchscreen. Virgin Mobile's latest is set to hit stores in September for $250, but you can claim your place in line through the pre-order process, which is set to kick off on August 29th. We've already managed to grab some hands-on pics of the Galaxy Reverb, so if you're curious to see what's in store, be sure to hit up the gallery below. %Gallery-163183% Update: We just got word from Sprint that the date for pre-orders has been moved to the first week of September, and the Reverb will go on sale a couple weeks later.
