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MetroPCS to start using T-Mobile's network and GSM handsets June 12th
And so it begins. With T-Mobile recently closing the deal to acquire MetroPCS, it was only a matter of time before we'd see more commingling. PhoneArena's uncovered yesterday that MetroPCS is about start using T-Mobile's network and GSM handsets. Two phones which are currently available on T-Mobile -- the recently launched Samsung Galaxy Exhibit (a Galaxy S III mini clone) and the LG Optimus L9 -- are making their way to MetroPCS, complete with GSM / EDGE and AWS-capable UMTS / HSPA+ radios (no LTE). Pricing for these devices is still unknown, but the company's expected to begin selling plans on T-Mobile's network as soon a June 12th. In addition, a service called BYOP (Bring Your Own Phone) will allow customers to bring their own GSM handsets to MetroPCS (excluding BlackBerry models). It's unclear if eligible devices have to be unlocked and / or T-Mobile branded but we'll find out soon enough. So there you have it -- the start of a perfect honeymoon.
LG touts 15 million Optimus L Series phones sold like so many refrigerators
As stylish as it can be, LG's Optimus L Series is very appliance-like, the smartphone line that gets the job done versus the more luxuriant Optimus G. It's almost no surprise, then, that LG's sales rate has accelerated to the volume we'd expect from an air conditioner or fridge: just two months after the L Series hit 10 million in sales since launch, it's already at 15 million. That's no doubt heartening to LG, especially with the L Series II right around the corner. We doubt Samsung will break into cold sweats, though. When the Galaxy S III alone moved twice as many units by November of last year, LG still has some catching up to do in 2013.
T-Mobile confirms $70 contract-free plan with unlimited data, offers $200 Optimus L9 as a lure
It was increasingly probable T-Mobile would expand its truly unlimited data to no-contract plans, and it's using CES to get a little more attention now that it's official. Starting January 9th, Monthly4G fans can pay $70 a month to get throttling-free internet access as well as unfettered calling and voice. They just need to have bought a supporting device outright to qualify. T-Mobile knows that might not be enough for those used to subsidized device prices: to sweeten the pot, it's cutting the off-contract price of an LG Optimus L9 to $200 for the foreseeable future. Although we'd naturally opt for slightly more powerful hardware, we could easily see more than a few converts when both the plan and the phone cost that much less than usual.
LG's 84-inch 4K ultra high definition TV goes on sale in the US next month for $19,999
LG said it would release its 84-inch 4K (3,840 x 2,160, or four times the resolution of your current HDTV) UHDTV outside Korea this month and the company confirmed shipments would be on the way during an event at CEDIA 2012 before also announcing an MSRP of $19,999. According to LG the first units will begin shipping this month, with limited availability through the usual high-end sources slated for October. Just as we'd heard, the 84LM9600 includes LG's passive glasses Cinema 3D technology plus all the Smart TV, WiDi, dual-core L9 processor, 2.2 channel speakers and Magic Remote bells and whistles it can muster. Of course, even $20k currently doesn't buy a large selection of publicly available 4K content, although LG was displaying the unit with standard 1080p content to demonstrate its "Resolution Upscaler Plus" capabilities. The 1080p video we watched was sharp and clear on the big LED backlit set, although there was a bit of glare from the lights in the room -- not atypical for demo setups that aren't exactly like most living rooms. In just a few weeks well-heeled consumers will be able to choose between this and the slightly pricier Sony 84-inch 4K TV, with more competition on the way soon. Also an option: a decently equipped 2013 Ford Focus. Check the press release after the break for all the details, we'll be checking Mark Cuban's couch cushions for spare change. %Gallery-164651%
LG Optimus L9 hands-on (video)
Thought LG didn't have any more to add to the L-Style series to offer the world? Behold the L9. Announced yesterday, the device made an appearance on the IFA show room floor this week, boasting a big and bright 4.7-inch IPS display that makes its brethren look downright shrimpy by comparison. In spite of the display size, the phone feels light, with an 8.9-millimeter profile. It's important to note here that, in spite of being the king of the L-Series, it's still part of a budget lineup, and as such, the phone's body feels a bit plasticky, and the textured rear had a bit of trouble staying snapped in place in the two models (black and white) that we played with. Specwise, we're talking a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM inside, 4GB of storage (expandable via a microSD slot) and a 2,150mAh battery. The handset's rocking Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.4, to be precise). The handset's got a fairly nice bezel, with the front-facing camera on the top and a home button on the bottom, flanked by illuminating back and menu touch buttons. A larger, 5MP camera is located on the rear of the device, above the flash. Vodafone has the handset priced at €50.90 subsidized and €340 unsubsidized. Peep a video of the handset, after the break.%Gallery-163849%
Motorola's SLVR L9 brings the multimedia
Motorola just busted out their new SLVR L9 handset in Barcelona. The latest SLVR ditches the laser etched keypad and brings a focus on multimedia with an integrated FM radio with RDS support, A2DP stereo Bluetooth, and support for MP3/AAC/AAC+/AAC+ enhanced/ AMR/ WAV ringtones and music. It also comes packin' a 2 megapixel camera with MPEG-4 video capture and Moto's CrystalTalk technology said to enhance conversations in noisy environments. No word on whether this is a tri-band or quad-band SLVR, only that it sports GPRS/EDGE class 10 data. It also features microSD and MegaSIM expansion and up to 400 minutes of talk time and 350 hours of standby time. Ready sometime in Q2... somewhere in the world. More images after the break.
