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Hack enables gpsOne on CDMA HTC Titan variants
The clever souls at PhoneNews seem to have cobbled together info from dcd's posts at XDA-Developers and other places on how to get gpsOne -- this technology uses both satellite and your provider's network to determine location -- up and running on CDMA HTC Titan sets. Once your handset -- including PPC-6800, XV6800, Mogul, P4000, and likely others -- is tweaked, applications like TomTom, Google Maps, and other GPS tools will be available for your navigational enjoyment. This hack will require that you unlock your handset, update the device's software, and then update the baseband radio firmware to get at the goods. Instructions and all the files you'll need -- software updates are listed for Alltel, Sprint, Verizon, Bell, and Telus -- are available by hitting the read link. Of course, this'll likely blow your warranty away, so fiddlers beware and if you're even a little concerned, it may be patience will pay off as a provider update could bring this in the future.Update: Fixed credit for the work, thanks everybody for clarifying
Bell Mobility lets loose white HTC Touch, Verizon next?
The color's been ready for the taking for some time now, but it looks like Bell Mobility is the first to actually offer a pearly white HTC Touch in North America, slightly edging out Verizon, which still haven't gotten official with its less-than-secret offering. Somewhat interestingly, as the:::unwired points out, is that Bell makes no mention of a GPS feature on their Touch, although that apparently is included on Verizon's version (at least last we heard). Otherwise, the device is the same Touch that's proven to be so popular, with it running on Windows Mobile 6 Professional and boasting support for Bell's EV-DO network. Those willing to sign a three-year contract with Bell can get one right now for a mere $100, or you can drop a full $400 if you want to stay uncommitted.
Jeff Bell talks HD DVD, 360 pricing and more
Microsoft's own Jeff Bell (better known by the X3F moniker Mr. "Harry Potter dies") sat down for a quick chit-chat session with the 1UP crew during the final days of CES to discuss all things Xbox 360. And after grilling him about his forum outburst a while back, 1UP was able to get tiny hints to where the 360 is headed. Specifically, Bell is questioned about Microsoft's support of HD DVD and if it were to fail, would Microsoft release a Blu-ray peripheral for the 360. Bell danced around the question a bit, but didn't rule out the possibly of such a peripheral being developed saying that "you never say never". Bell also touched on the topic of Xbox 360 hardware pricing, further re-iterating Microsoft's commitment to cost reduction and passing the hardware savings onto their customers saying that "we're prepared to be competitive on value for our consumers". And we can't complain about that.Click your way to 1UP to read the complete Jeff Bell interview to see what Bell thinks about the Nintendo Wii, where Mass Effect is headed, what his most anticipated games of '08 are (hint: no Gears of War 2 mention) and read why Jeeps and Xbox 360s are similar. You know, if it isn't already obvious enough.
Bell Canada intros 6141 HD satellite receiver
Hey, you Canucks up there. If you've been scouting a totally new HD satellite receiver, today's your lucky day. Bell Canada is loosing its "next-generation" 6141 HD receiver on the market, and while not too many specifics are mentioned, we do know that it'll boast an HDMI output, access to interactive television (iTV) / Caller ID, an Ethernet port and a USB 2.0 connector "for future applications and hardware" (external storage, perhaps?). If all that's good enough for you, you can reportedly acquire one now for $299 or rent one for $10 per month.
For the fans, some Okami swag
As we all sit up straight and proper in anticipation for Capcom's port of Okami for the Wii, the folks at the official Capcom blog have decided to snap up some pictures of random things about their offices. Too bad they don't travel around the entire office, because then we wouldn't get so few pictures of so few things. Hit up past the break to see the other side of the fan, as well as a piece of swag from another Capcom game.
Bell Canada's HTC Touch launch and unlimited internet for $7 is a go
Seems the rumor we heard last week about Bell's HTC Touch launch and unlimited surfin' and mail for $7 are true. Judging by the loveliness pictured above, we'll go out on a limb to say that today's HTC Touch launch by Bell Canada is most definitely gonna start a frenzy up north. Though our prices last week were a bit wonky, it appears the Touch will only set you back $150 on a 3 year stint, or $400 off contract and not the $250 and $450 we'd quoted. Nice handset only made better by a great price and mind boggling -- at least, in Canada -- wireless web deal. Hop on over to Bell's site to enjoy the finer details.[Thanks, RileyFreeman]
Bell picks up LG Shine, if you can really call it that
'Round here, we think of a slider when you tell us so-and-so is launching the LG Shine, but Bell apparently has something a little different in mind. Canadians can now pick up the metal-clad Shine flip (again -- Bell's name, not ours) for a cool $130 CAD (about $134) on a three-year contract, offering the same EV-DO data, 2 megapixel cam, A2DP, and funky sideways external display as its VX8700 cousin on Verizon. For Bell's sake, we hope they don't go launching a Shine slider down the road -- 'cause what the heck are you going to call that then? Hmm?[Via Mobile In Canada]
Bell brings unlimited data to Canada
Bell Mobility of Canada has announced that customers can sign up for its new unlimited data plans for $75 CAD (about $74) per month. The service is only available with wireless modems, so tethering is a negative. The data speeds are right up there with those in the States and is delivered via EV-DO Rev. A courtesy of Bell. Customers can choose between three different modems: the Sierra Wireless AC595, the Novatel U720, and the Novatel P720. Seeing how it used to cost $100 for 1GB of data, the boys and girls at Bell seem to be getting the bigger picture.[Via Boy Genius Report]
Bell reels in HTC 5800
Canada and the US regionals are now officially pwning Sprint and Verizon on this one. Bell becomes the latest carrier to offer the Windows Mobile 2006-based QWERTY slider -- Libra -- as the HTC 5800, offering EV-DO, a 2 megapixel cam, stereo Bluetooth, tethering capability, and microSD expansion. Come on Verizon, we're getting impatient! Grab it now north of the border for a nice, round $149.95 CAD (about $141) on a three-year agreement.[Via cell phones etc.]
Bell Canada releases HTC 6800
Bell Canada has finally shipped HTC's beastiest, beast as the HTC 6800. This is, of course, the same goods shipped by both Sprint (branded as Mogul), Telus (as P4000), and the oft-promised Verizon VX6800, but unlike Telus, it rocks WIndows Mobile 6, not 5. This'll go out the door from a Bell shop for as little as CAN $199 -- that is, if you're crazy enough to commit for 3 years -- with a minimum monthly package purchase. This is hands-down Bell's best Pocket PC offering, so if you've been dawdling and contemplating stepping up to Windows Mobile, now's the time.[Thanks, rockdamic]
Will Bell Canada buyout lead to a GSM conversion?
Now that BCE's $51.7 billion buyout looks solid with the potential victory going to the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, we can finally issue a collective sigh or relief. Bell is likely going to stay Bell, no merger with Telus looms on the Horizon, and all is well and good in Canadian CDMA-land. Or is it? The Financial Post is reporting on some Analyst's predictions that will see Bell shift from CDMA to GSM. We see these types of rumors surface now and again, and while Bell likely salivates at Rogers Wireless' annual $450 million GSM roaming revenue, the cost of said conversion would be out of the park. Of course, this is all fantasy 'til we here something official but we definitely aren't counting chickens around here.
Telus backs out: BCE Inc. and Telus won't unite
Round two for big Telco mergers seems set to have fallen off the rails in Canada -- round one saw Rogers Wireless merge with Microcell Communications (Fido). While bigger can sometimes be better, in the wireless world lack of competition can hurt and Canadian users may have just ended up with bigger bills, the same service, and fewer choices. Of course, said merger would have involved both wireless and wireline services of the two giants, but the wireless parts alone would have seen a combined subscriber list 10.9 million names long. Apparently BCE Inc. was in such a hurry to get this done that the time pressures are what gave Telus cold feet. Of course, a group led by Cerberus Capital Management and the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (BCE's biggest shareholder) are still in the running, so expect an update as soon as the dust settles.
Bell Canada jumps on BlackBerry 8830 bandwagon
Somehow Bell Canada missed the boat yesterday when Sprint and Verizon announced the BlackBerry 8830 (or we missed it) but we have it today, and Bell should have it this summer. Sporting the same features as we mentioned in a small pile of lead up articles, Bell customers will now have the luxury of wandering the world while staying connected to mail from home. Nothing is up on the site yet as far as pricing and plans go, but they will definitely appear between now and release day X.
Bell Canada for sale
So, is Bell Canada ready for a buyout? Yep. Bell Canada's corporate baby daddy, BCE Inc., has announced that it's in talks with four companies -- three Canadian and one US -- to sell out in a deal that could ultimately fetch as much as $40 CDN (about $35) for a company that's currently trading in the $38.50 CDN range. Of course, this all runs counter to the firm denials Bell was issuing just a couple weeks back (no surprise there). Current indications are that none of the firms involved in buyout discussions are already in the wireless carrier biz, so our hopes (read: fears) of a US-Canadian supercarrier are, at least for the moment, dashed.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Is Bell Canada ready for a buyout?
Whoa -- Bell Canada is looking for a buyout partner? The larger-than-life private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Company is rumored to be possibly looking at taking the Canadian telecom into a buyout situation. Most likely, Bell Canada wold go private and be taken off the public market completely (at least for the time being). Although current Canadian regulations may make it difficult for KKR to get its equity mitts on Bell Canada (and its wireless arm, Bell Mobility), KKR may be talking to the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan -- since that entity holds a 5% stake in Bell Canada at the moment. The number? How about $30 billion -- that is how much the deal would be roughly worth to a buyout firm. Bell Canada responded by officially stating that "there are no ongoing discussions being held with any private equity investor...and there are no plans to pursue such discussions." [Thanks, Kevin]
Bell Canada rolls out Motorola Q Music Edition
What's a surefire way to revive a smartphone when it starts to get a little long in the tooth? Why, pull a Nokia: bundle it with some relevant accessories and rebrand it as a "Music Edition," of course! To be perfectly clear, this here Q is the same old Q we know and love; Bell's simply given it a new face by throwing in a 2GB miniSD card, stereo 'phones, and a $25 (CDN, we're assuming) gift card redeemable through the MSN Music Store. Get it by signing up for a three-year contract on a voice / data combo plan -- if you dare -- for $130.[Thanks, Terry]
Switchers, rejoice: Canada gets WNP today
Let's be honest: even if you like your carrier, being married to it sucks. Whether you're staring down the business end of a three-year contract (Canadian carriers, we're looking squarely at you), your company is engaged in some sort of business relationship with a particular carrier, or you can't take your beloved phone number with you -- whatever the reason may be, getting locked in instills a feeling of dread and unease that we'd personally rather be without. Contracts and business deals may be here to stay, but for our friends north of the border, your government has finally solved that whole number conundrum. As of today, carriers doing business in metropolitan areas are required to support wireless number portability (WNP, as the kids are calling it these days), opening the floodgates from Rogers to Telus, Telus to Bell, Bell to Fido, and so on. We're not sure what carrier(s) stand to benefit the most from the move, but if you've been waiting for today with bated breath, let us know all about your move in comments![Via Scott Robinson]
Canada on verge of number portability
Americans have been enjoying number portability for a while now (though not without its fair share of hiccups), but some surprising names make the list of countries that haven't yet taken the plunge; Japan, for example, just flipped the switch for fickle customers this month. It appears that next up will be our neighbors to the North, with Fido noting on their website that all major Canadian carriers will be allowing number transfers in "all metropolitan areas" no later than March 14 of next year. Regional carriers will still be on the hook to allow outbound transfers by the same date, but are given a reprieve until next September to get the inbound side working. Any Canadian readers out there anxious to make the switch? Tell us all those heart-wrenching stories in comments![Thanks, Frank]
Bell Canada gets some Moto Q action
Telus may have already had the Motorola Q for a couple of months now, but it's no longer the only carrier in Canada to offer the EV-DO smartphone, with Bell now jumping in to give them a little competition. Bell's deal looks to be a tad less attractive than Telus' though -- the Q will cost you the same $249 with a three-year contract, but you'll need to get a minimum $60 data plan, as opposed to just $45 with Telus. Unfortunately, not all Bell customers can get their hands on one right away, with folks in B.C. and Alberta having to wait until October 16th to get theirs, while customers in Ontario and Quebec can get their QWERTY kicks right now.[Via Smartphone Thoughts]
Sona's video player for BlackBerry powers "bbTV"
Last time we checked in with SonaMobile, their video player was in beta and it was looking a bit, well, beta-like -- download times were hurting, video quality left a lot to be desired, and content selection was limited at best. Well, times are a-changin', and it looks like these guys are just about ready to flip the switch for Canadian BlackBerry users on Rogers, Bell, and Telus. So what's changed? For starters, Sona's claiming faster download times and reduced storage requirements thanks to an improved compression scheme, though you're still looking at a 3-5 minute download for a 1-2 minute clip. The commercial launch has also been renamed "bbTV," offering news, sports, and financial content from Canada's Global National, and they've added an archive feature for reminiscing about last week's... uh, news, sports, and finances. No word on launch plans outside Canada, though users are claiming it's easy enough to fool Sona's site into letting anyone download the goods; the only question is whether you want to put up with some pretty painful download times to watch exclusively Canadian content.
