ev-do
Latest
HTC Snap comes to Alltel for $79.99
Alltel customers -- totally legit ones who've been left out of the Verizon integration -- have a few things going for them, not the least of which is a one-year contract policy that applies across the lineup. That means you can get a Tour for the same two bills you'd pay on Sprint or Verizon but with only half the time commitment, but now, it also means you can get an HTC Snap (generic version pictured above) for just $80. Considering it's the same form factor with international roaming capability that the Tour offers, that might be $120 worth saving if you're not married to BlackBerry OS and you're willing to give WinMo a fair shake. That's not so crazy of an idea, is it? [Via Phone Scoop]
Verizon beefs up global modem line with UMW190
Verizon's really starting to buy into this global 3G data thing, offering modems that do EV-DO domestically and HSPA abroad; problem is, ZTE's AD3700 that's on the market currently is... shall we say, a little too "in-your-face" for some folks. For those individuals, we might recommend the more buttoned-up UMW190 from PCD, which offers triband HSPA to go along with the EV-DO Rev. A that you'll enjoy domestically. Those with pockets deep enough to withstand the heavy-hitting roaming bills can grab the UMW190 now online (later this month in stores) for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate.
Move over, Sholes: Verizon getting Android-powered 'Desire' from HTC?
A good, hard look at Verizon's WinMo strategy tells you that the company isn't loyal to a single brand when it comes to mobile platforms (and why should it be?), so we can't say we're terribly surprised to see a leaked inventory doc suggesting HTC wants in on Big Red's Android action. All of the Verizon-focused Android talk as of late has focused on Motorola's Sholes -- but as Android goes, HTC's still the Goliath to Moto's David, so it would make a lot of sense that we're seeing some action out of Taiwan here, especially in light of the fact that we've got the CDMA-flavored Hero coming up for Sprint. The screenshot leads us to believe that the model will be called "Desire" (now that we hear it, we're surprised Samsung hasn't snapped that up already) with a model number of 6200, sourced through the shadowy industry middlemen over at PCD. Beyond that, though, your guess is as good as ours.
Sprint follows T-Mobile's lead, wants $350 for HTC Touch Pro2
We figured the suits over at T-Mobile USA were on some of that good stuff when they slapped an almost comical $350 (on contract) price tag on HTC's Touch Pro2, but evidently said "stuff" has made its way into the halls of Overland Park as well. After months of watching evidence mount, Sprint has finally come clean and admitted that HTC's EV-DO Rev. A-equipped superphone is coming to its network, and with it will come access to Sprint TV as well as NFL Mobile Live and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile apps. The smartphone will go on sale September 8th, though you'll have to pony up $349.99 (after a $100 mail-in rebate) in order to secure one on a two-year contract. We're all about that 3.6-inch WVGA tilting screen, but with Palm's Pre selling on this very network for a full $150 less, we're thinking this one won't appeal to many outside of the WinMo faithful.
Gene Munster: iPhone on multiple U.S. carriers in 2010
Gene Munster, the Piper Jaffrey senior research analyst who usually hits the nail on the head when it comes to Apple forecasts, thinks that Apple will move to multiple U.S. carriers within the next year. He believe that this will happen next summer, which has been the time when Apple has introduced new models of the iPhone.Munster noted that having multiple carriers in a market has helped Apple to achieve greater success in terms of market penetration. He pointed to France as an example; originally, Apple inked an exclusive arrangement with Orange. When it moved to a multi-carrier deal, Apple's market share in France jumped to about the 40 percent range. In the U.S., the iPhone's market share is only in the mid-teens.Many industry pundits expect the next iPhone carrier to be Verizon, since they are beginning a transition to a new, iPhone-compatible 4G network (LTE) in the next year. This would make the transition rather simple for Apple, since they wouldn't have to design an EV-DO iPhone, but instead just use the current hardware design.Update: Per TUAW reader Ben C., the Verizon 4G transition is not expected to be completed until 2013. In addition, a CDMA-based iPhone would need to be deployed for Verizon. Thanks for the correction and explanation.[via LoopInsight]
Motorola W766 'Entice' ramping up for Verizon?
Seems like it was just yesterday that the W755 launched, doesn't it? Actually, no it doesn't -- it was a good fifteen months ago -- so it makes sense that Verizon would have a replacement all queued up and ready to go. The W766 has apparently graduated to the point of coolness where it's worthy of an actual name, getting the "Entice" title and featuring a 2.2-inch primary display, 2 megapixel cam, microSD support up to 8GB, and touch-sensitive music controls (just like the phone it's replacing). If you want it... well, the good news is that retailers are apparently already starting to take stock, but the bad news is that they're under strict orders to hold off on breaking 'em open until they've run out of W755s. So who's going to take one for the team and buy those up, huh?
China Telecom talking to Palm for the Pre?
Nabbing a contract with a carrier pushing into nine-figure subscriber count territory would go a long way toward helping any manufacturer's woes, so it's reasonable to believe that Palm would be shopping its latest wares around the streets of Hong Kong and Beijng where China's big three carriers are headquartered. Intriguingly, the Financial Times has just casually mentioned in a somewhat-unrelated piece that "China Telecom is planning to offer the Palm to its subscribers," a perfect fit considering that rival Unicom is poised to launch the iPhone and Telecom runs CDMA with nascent EV-DO coverage in the works. The Pre already knows a thing or two about CDMA networks from its Sprint and Bell launches, of course, so they've already got that base covered -- beyond that brief FT mention, though, we've got nothing, so it's hard to say when this might be hitting retail.
Video: Palm Pre jumps the border, now shipping on Bell
Right on schedule, the Palm Pre has started shipping to Bell Mobility customers. The Bell exclusive marks the first international launch of Palm's little savior and to celebrate, we've got commercials -- a pair of knee-slappers featuring real live Canadians. And you thought that the mirror on the back of the Pre was only for the ladies.
HTC Touch Pro2 looking good for September 8 launch on Sprint
Aiming a cameraphone at a computer monitor conveniently displaying names, dates, and prices of upcoming products always seems to end in sweet, sweet leakage, doesn't it? New shots over at SprintUsers are showing some low-end noise in the mix like an orange Rumor 2 and a pair of Sammies apparently too lowly to get actual names, but the real news has to be that the long-awaited Touch Pro2 (Sprint should know better than to question HTC's wisdom in nixing the space between "Pro" and "2" here) looks finalized for a September 8 launch. We wouldn't freak out at the $599.99 retail price, necessarily -- bear in mind that's a totally unsubsidized, rebate-free price that few customers will actually be paying. Interestingly, the screencap is accompanied by a PDF identified as an internal "Quick Reference Brief" for the Touch Pro2; part of the doc includes a comparison chart that pits the phone against AT&T's LG Monaco and HTC Warhawk along with Verizon's Omnia II, all phones that have yet to be released. Wondering where they'd get the lowdown on unannounced competitive hardware? Us, it turns out -- zoom in on the chart for a good look at a super low-res Engadget logo watermarked across the Warhawk. You're most welcome, Sprint -- buy us a drink sometime and we're square. [Via wmpoweruser.com]
Sprint's HTC Hero getting Best Buy presale on September 13?
Alright, look, we seriously have enough evidence here on our desk to put Sprint away for life convince even the most jaded naysayer that Sprint's got a Hero on the way. It's happening, end of story -- but when, where, and how much? We don't have the complete picture yet beyond suggestions of an October window, but we've just been tipped off here that Best Buy Mobile locations will be taking $50 deposits for the phone starting on September 13 with an SKU of 9510013. Whether the phone will be popular enough to warrant relieving yourself of $50 a month (or more) ahead of time is unclear -- especially with the InstinctQ in the pipe -- but at least it looks like you'll have the option. [Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Verizon preps Samsung Rogue and Intensity for September 8 launches
With names like "Rogue" and "Intensity," we're totally picturing these phones breaking out of their tethers in Verizon stores, wreaking havoc, pickpocketing customers, and stealing identities during credit checks -- but in reality, we've just got a couple of unassuming QWERTY sliders in the mix here. Starting with the lower of the two, the Intensity keeps things simple by leaving out 3G and sticking with a 1.3 megapixel camera, so we're thinking this slots in right underneath the Rival as far as Big Red's text-heavy wares go. Moving up, the Rogue is looking to put the Glyde out to pasture with a 3.1-inch WVGA AMOLED display, 3 megapixel cam with autofocus, HTML browser, and naturally, TouchWiz. Both units hit streets on September 8; you'll pay $199.99 with a $100 rebate on a new two-year agreement for the pricey Rogue, while the more pocketbook-friendly Intensity runs $79.99 on contract with a $50 rebate.
Cricket, MetroPCS launch Samsung Messager II
Seemingly unconvinced that enough people had said "hey, you spelled 'messenger' wrong" after the first model, archrival regionals Cricket and MetroPCS have both launched Samsung's Messager II with a 2 megapixel camera, EV-DO, and a pair of keypads: one slide-out QWERTY, one numeric permanently affixed up front. Admittedly, the name is no stranger than the "Vice" brand adopted by the phone's twin sister up in Canada, but isn't it kind of ironic that a phone with a full QWERTY keyboard be given a name that nearly everyone thinks is a typo? Find this sucker now on MetroPCS for $149 and Cricket for a hair under $200. [Via Phone Scoop]
Motorola A3300c coming to China Telecom with WinMo, 3G?
It's apparently still not 1,000 percent official, but that A3300 we spied not long ago from Motorola is looking a lot more real now that we've got pictures that look like they've been taken with something remotely resembling pro photography gear. sina.com.cn is reporting that the full-touch WinMo phone has sprouted a "c" on the end of its name, a shout-out to the CDMA radio it's packing as it prepares for a launch on China Telecom's EV-DO-based 3G network. Other goodies on board include a 5 megapixel cam, WiFi, AGPS, and a WQVGA display -- and no, unless you're in China, you probably can't have it since Moto's all about Android now. [Via motorolazine.biz]
Alltel picks up BlackBerry Tour, Samsung Glint
That shot of an Alltel-branded Tour in the wild turned out to be stone-cold legit seeing how the regional carrier (what's left of it following the Verizon acquisition, anyhow) is now offering the phone for $200 -- the same price you'll find on Sprint or Verizon. That's cool and all, but we know the real reason you're reading this is that they've also launched the Samsung Glint, a low-cost flip with a VGA cam, stereo Bluetooth, and availability in both pink and blue. Both devices are available now, though we've yet to see 'em show up on the carrier's site so you might want to make some phone calls before running down to the store. [Via Phone Scoop]
HTC Hero earns FCC approval with CDMA, Sprint launch rumors more solid than ever
We know of precisely two types of radios going into Heros (or would that be Heroes?) right now: the 900 / 2100MHz 3G for global use that everyone's using so far, and an 850 / 1900 version for North America that the FCC's had the pleasure of using. Well, you know how FCC labs work -- they get to play with all the toys before anyone else does -- and now they're checking out another version of HTC's latest and greatest Android device with CDMA / EV-DO. This lends near-infinite credibility to the buzz that Sprint's signed up to launch the phone this fall, presumably around the same time it drops the InstinctQ from Samsung, at which point it'll have both the QWERTY and full-touch Android angles covered. Options are good, are they not?
Samsung's SCH-W830 is like a window to your soul, if your soul is a circular dot-matrix display
If you spell happiness T-W-E-L-V-E M-E-G-A-P-I-X-E-L-S, you're looking in the wrong place. Samsung's SCH-W830 -- along with its SPH-W8300 and SPH-W8350 cousins for other networks -- finds inner peace through the simplicity and beauty of a scintillating light show set around an ultra-low res display. You've only got two megapixels to work with around back, but seriously, who has time to snap pictures when you're being dazzled by a seemingly endless array of colored lights? Between that and the spring-loaded opening mechanism, this is a flip fit for the fiddler / fidgeter in all of us, and it's available now on South Korea's LGT, SKT, and KTF. [Via mobile-review]
Verizon's HTC Whitestone garners FCC approval
HTC's making some serious moves in North America at the moment -- not to say that's necessarily anything new -- and the Touch Diamond2 and Pro2 are both getting love from every angle. That's a good thing, we figure -- and the parade of high-end Windows Mobile hardware continues with the Whitestone, a presumed Diamond2 variant with a 3.6-inch WVGA display and 5 megapixel cam. Test documents confirm that it's CDMA / EV-DO, though we're not seeing any evidence of GSM; that doesn't necessarily mean it's not there since the FCC doesn't care to test non-US bands, but we definitely expected to see a full report on EDGE 850 / 1900. Now that the approval's in, Verizon, it's your move -- let's get the ball rolling, shall we?
Samsung InstinctQ for Sprint pictured: imagine a G1, but better
Going off mere clues, hypotheses and shreds of evidence, we've been trying to wrap our brains around the InstinctQ for a while now -- and finally we've got a picture that firms everything up: it's definitely an Android-powered landscape QWERTY slider for Sprint. We know the Hero's in the pipeline, too, so between these two, Sprint could be poised to catch up to T-Mobile in a big, big way (as far as Android goes, anyhow) this fall. We think we're digging the touch-sensitive Home, Menu, and Back buttons, and the expansive keyboard looks plenty usable. The screen isn't looking quite as vibrant as its autobahn-driving European cousin, the Galaxy -- but we'll wait on passing final judgment until it's in our hands, of course. Any chance that's happening soon? [Thanks, Justin]
Palm Eos coming in October, or next year, or some other time, or never
Two months post-launch, the Pre remains the only official game in town for webOS, but we all know how Palm rolls -- there are unquestionably other phones in the pipeline, and they're going to be available on a variety of carriers. By all accounts, the so-called Eos (or Pixie, if internal codenames are more your thing) for AT&T is going to be the next model to come out of the chute, and now that we've all gotten bored with our Pres, the world seems to be turning its attention to more pressing matters like a release date. To that point, we're dealing with two ends of the spectrum right now: at one extreme, Digital Daily cites a Morgan Joseph analysts as saying he believes the Eos will hit AT&T at some point beyond the holidays, thanks in part to the $99 iPhone's continued strength. On the other end, the Chinese language Commercial Times out of Taiwan says an HSPA-powered version of the Eos will rock a 2.6-inch display and start volume deliveries from ODM Compal to Palm in October of this year with a CDMA variant following on in the first quarter of next year. Ultimately, both reports have the reassuring solidity of Jell-O -- so what have we learned? The Eos (or whatever it's called) will ship when it ships. Read - Analyst likes Eos launch next year Read - GSM Eos in October, CDMA version Q1 '10?
New lease on life: 3GPP2 publishes CDMA2000 1X Advanced spec
All the next-gen focus seems to be on HSPA+, WiMAX, and LTE these days, but make no mistake, CDMA's alive and well -- and even for the world's present-day CDMA carriers planning to migrate to LTE, legacy cells will be critical assets for years (if not decades) to come. To that end, the CDMA Development Group has announced that the 3GPP2 has published official specifications for CDMA2000 1X Advanced, which bundles a whole bunch of tweaks and enhancements geared toward significantly increasing voice capacity on 1X airwaves (up to four times current capacity, theoretically). This'll give LTE carriers a technology path that should easily carry CDMA through the end of its life without oversaturation, and as an added bonus, it frees up space for more EV-DO spectrum. Perhaps more interestingly, the CDG is talking up simultaneous 1X Voice and EV-DO data -- SVDO -- which should finally close a big gap that EV-DO suffers against its UMTS / HSPA counterparts and deliver on a promise originally intended to be delivered by Qualcomm's EV-DV tech back in the day. 1X Advanced upgrades are expected to be available to carriers in the second half of 2010, and SVDO is anticipated to hit around the same time. [Via Phone Scoop]
