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MetroPCS finally prepping Android smartphone with LTE from Samsung?
LTE's great... but only if it's got phones and modems that can take advantage of it. Though MetroPCS beat Verizon to become the first American carrier to launch the technology, it's been scraping by so far with nothing other than the Samsung Craft, a middling dumbphone without the chops to attract the powerusers that would normally want to be involved with a 4G network anyway. Looks like that's finally about to change, though, because BGR's scored a shot of a so-called SCH-R910 -- also from Samsung -- that's running Android 2.2. It'll allegedly have backward compatibility with MetroPCS' CDMA network (naturally) along with a 1GHz Hummingbird core and 5 megapixel camera -- not a blockbuster by any stretch, but still on a whole new plane than the Craft. Rumor has it we'll see this before the end of March for somewhere between $330 and $400 contract-free; question is, will it beat Big Red's first LTE phones to market?
MetroPCS tweaks LTE plans: $40 gets you unlimited talk, text, and web*
Ah, there always has to be fine print, doesn't there? Don't get us wrong -- $40 for unlimited talk and text alone is still a pretty fantastic deal in the scheme of things -- but in tweaking its LTE service plans today, MetroPCS has made the data situation just a little confusing. Technically, the $40 plan also includes unlimited web access plus YouTube... but at the $50 price point, you get 1GB of "additional data access" for features that aren't covered under MetroPCS' definition of "web browsing." You also get turn-by-turn navigation, international text messaging, access to corporate email accounts (another arbitrary distinction that we'd kind of like to see go away), and audio / video features through the carrier's MetroSTUDIO service. At $60, you get unlimited access to MetroSTUDIO including 18 channels of on-demand video content. MetroPCS' lowest-cost LTE offering had previously been $55, so it's a step in the right direction -- but pro-net neutrality? Yeah, not so much. Follow the break for the press release.
MetroPCS brings its LTE network to Boston, Sacramento, and New York City
Regional carrier MetroPCS is ticking three more checkboxes today as it keeps pushing its ongoing LTE network rollout, and they're big ones: on top of Sacramento, they've added Boston and none other than New York City. That makes the carrier second to launch LTE in the Big Apple -- Verizon's already there -- but you can't take away from the fact that MetroPCS beat the big guys with their first live commercial markets by several months. As for hardware, it's the same as usual: the Samsung Craft dumbphone is your only option, which means that if you're looking to blaze on your notebook with a next-gen USB stick, you're still going to have to head to Verizon anyway. Follow the break for the full press release.
MetroPCS follows Cricket's lead, launches Huawei's Ascend budget Android phone
Huawei's really starting to make a splash in the American smartphone market, breaking into the Big Four with the launch of the T-Mobile Comet not long ago -- but it's the budget regionals where these guys might have a chance to dominate. MetroPCS has taken a cue from archrival Cricket in launching Huawei's Ascend today, offering a 3.5-inch HVGA display, 3.2 megapixel camera, and microSD memory expansion to 16GB atop Android 2.1. The $179 they're asking seems a bit steep for the specs until you remember that MetroPCS offers its hardware contract-free -- and it'll save you a dime or two over the carrier's name-brand Android offering, the Optimus M from LG. It's available today; follow the break for the full press release.
Smartphone buyer's guide: the best phones for AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and more!
It's true, picking a smartphone is incredibly difficult these days. Gone is the time when your options were limited and your choices simply between the lesser-of-evils. The market has exploded, and the decision-making process of finding the best device for your cash can be one of the most daunting tasks you'll ever undertake. Android, iOS, webOS, and Windows Phone are all better than they've ever been before, carrier lineups are bigger, and even choosing a plan can be a daunting process if you don't know what you're looking for. But hey, don't let the stress of deciding between a Droid X and a Droid Incredible put a damper on the excitement of getting a truly awesome gadget -- we've got your back! We've broken the choices down into two groups for each major carrier in the US after the break -- the top pick when money is no object, and the thriftier budget choice. We've also included our top selections for some of the smaller carriers throughout the US, and our ultimate pick if cost and carrier don't stand in your way. In putting together the list, we were shocked to see just how many Android devices made it, but that's a testament to the openness of the platform (and voracious consumer adoption of smartphones). 2011 is going to be a crazy year, but if you're in the market right now, the options are amazing -- so read on to see our picks.
Samsung's SCH-LC11 CDMA / LTE mobile hotspot gets FCC approval, probably Verizon bound
We've heard rumors that Novatel is working on an LTE-enabled version of its MiFi for Verizon, likely for launch early next year -- but you've got to figure that a few other manufacturers would like a slice of that sweet, juicy 4G pie, right? We just noticed this so-called SCH-LC11 from Samsung has garnered FCC approval, offering CDMA / EV-DO compatibility alongside 700MHz LTE stuffed into some sort of WiFi-enabled mobile router, which would be perfect for Big Red's new network... but then again, it'd also be perfect for MetroPCS' LTE airwaves. MetroPCS has yet to launch any data-centric LTE products, but it's got a good relationship with Samsung -- its only LTE device right now is the Samsung Craft, in fact -- so we could definitely imagine the little guys trying to beat Verizon to the punch with a sexy, pocketable 4G hotspot to do battle with Sprint's Overdrive. One way or another, this is hitting an American carrier... and the sooner, the better. Update: Okay, we can rule out MetroPCS -- the device is approved for CDMA on 850 / 1900MHz, not AWS, which is what MetroPCS uses. Verizon, here we come.
MetroPCS takes LTE live in San Francisco
Hey, it's not just Verizon making waves in the LTE arena today: MetroPCS -- which gets to lay claim to having the first commercial LTE network in the US -- has flipped the switch on its next-gen network in San Francisco, offering the same Samsung Craft handset that it's been selling in its other LTE markets so far for $299 (expensive for a dumbphone, absolutely, but you get it contract-free) with plans running $55 to $60 a month depending on whether you want access to the carrier's video-on-demand service. We're still holding out for a USB stick ourselves -- or at least an honest-to-goodness smartphone -- and now that Verizon's live, that might just force MetroPCS' hand. Follow the break for the press release.
LG Optimus M coming to MetroPCS this week for $230 contract-free
Well, LG, well played: what Samsung managed to do with the Galaxy S series, you've now basically managed to do with your Optimus One. This time around, it's MetroPCS taking the bait with the Android 2.2-powered Optimus M, a refreshingly differently-styled take on the formula with essentially the same specs underneath: 3.2-inch HVGA display, 3.2 megapixel camera, and so on. Notably, this becomes the very first Android phone to launch on MetroPCS -- the first of many, we suspect -- for $229 with a $50 service plan that includes unlimited talk, text, and web without a contract. Look for it to launch this Wednesday, November 24th.
Samsung Contour slides (or flips, rather) onto MetroPCS
What do 49 contract-free dollars buy you these days? The answer would be this, the just-introduced Contour from Samsung for MetroPCS. Needless to say, you can't expect much in the way of smartphone operating systems here -- but you do get Bluetooth, a VGA cam, speakerphone, and voice command capability. The 2-inch primary display clocks in at 160 x 120 resolution paired up with a 1.07-inch external; not much, but the meager specs translate to a standby time that can reach a claimed 200 hours. As long as you like red, the Contour's available for you to buy right now.
MetroPCS' new Metro USA service features nationwide coverage, LTE comes to Philly and LA
MetroPCS' march toward a full LTE overlay continues today on news that it's expanding its nascent (and still tiny) next-gen network to Philadelphia and Los Angeles, two huge markets that should do a good job of stress testing what the network is capable of. As with its existing LTE markets, the only device available is the Samsung Craft, a landscape QWERTY slider dumbphone that offers access to the carrier's video-on-demand library on a 3.3-inch AMOLED display for $299 (no contract, mind you) after a $50 rebate. The move brings MetroPCS' launch total to five markets, with plans to expand to another nine in the coming months. On a related note, the carrier has also introduced its so-called Metro USA service, essentially a brand name for nationwide coverage -- MetroPCS claims over 90 percent of the population, which ain't bad. Though it won't go into details, they're saying that the coverage has been reached through a combination of "both network expansion and roaming agreements" and that customers can expect a mix of 1xRTT and EV-DO (2G and 3G data, that is) as they move around. Follow the break for both press releases.
Samsung Messager III launches on MetroPCS
Is the Messager Touch just a little too... well, touchy for you? Well, Samsung's not abandoning the Messager line's roots, releasing the Messager III on MetroPCS today with a 2.4-inch QVGA display, 1.3 megapixel camera, four-row slide-out landscape QWERTY keyboard, stereo Bluetooth, threaded messaging, and microSD expansion up to 16GB for the included music player. The phone bears an uncanny resemblance to the Restore for Sprint, albeit with some minor keypad tweaks, a different color scheme, and a de-emphasized environmental message. It'll be available today for a to-be-revealed price. Update: We've heard from MetroPCS that the Messager III is actually scheduled for launch on November 8th and it'll run $119 contract-free. If you ran out to the store already only to be shot down, our apologies!
MetroPCS goes live with LTE in Detroit
Verizon has yet to go live with its 4G network in even a single market, but regional carrier MetroPCS is now on its third -- and yes, it's still the only company in the country with any commercial LTE presence whatsoever. Having already taken Vegas and Dallas to the promised land, Detroit is the latest city to sup on the sweet, sweet nectar that only a next-generation network can provide; unfortunately, MetroPCS has yet to deliver any smartphones or modems capable of taking advantage of it, but that's another story for another time. For now, the only device available is the Samsung Craft, a dumbphone with a heart of gold that offers a landscape QWERTY keyboard and access to MetroPCS' 4G-friendly video on demand service for an extra $5 a month. We'd love to see a mobile hotspot or two, of course -- but seeing how young the network is, we imagine these guys would still like to start out slow with the Craft and work their way up to the big guns.
MetroPCS turns attention away from unlimited momentarily, launches Walmart-exclusive bucket plans
A quick check of MetroPCS' site reminds us what these guys are all about -- unlimited voice, data, and messaging for less than you'd pay with any of the big guys -- but it looks like they might be exploring a shift in strategy with a handful of new prepaid packages that have launched exclusively through Walmart stores. For $20 you can get 500 minutes and 500MB of data, while moving up to $30 gets you 1,000 minutes and just 100MB of data -- both plans include unlimited messaging -- while a third plan for just $10 nets 200 voice minutes and unlimited incoming texts. Unsurprisingly, the packages aren't available with either MetroPCS' smartphones nor with the Craft, its just-launched LTE handset -- but considering how modern phones of both the smart and not-so-smart variety are emphasizing data and text features over voice, we wouldn't be surprised to see the regionals start to experiment more and more with interesting buckets.
Samsung Freeform II freestyles its way onto MetroPCS
Don't expect any improvements in the 1.3 megapixel camera, but the reworked Freeform II from Samsung has at least one thing going for it over the model it replaces: a QVGA display. It seems hard to believe, but ye olde Freeform clocked in at just 220 x 176, so 320 x 240 is certainly a welcome improvement. You've also got nav capability thanks to its built-in GPS, stereo Bluetooth, a media player, and microSD expansion up to 16GB -- and we've got to admit, that QWERTY keyboard doesn't look half bad. It's not showing up on MetroPCS' site just yet, but seeing how Samsung tells us that it's available "now," we'd expect it to show up shortly enough.
MetroPCS fires up another LTE market: Dallas / Fort Worth, Texas
Look out, WiMAX -- LTE is blazing a path, and it's one that leads directly to the market you're aiming for. Shortly after launching its first commercial LTE market in Sin City, MetroPCS has just lit up its second in the Dallas / Fort Worth area of Texas. Monthly plans start at $55 per month (including all taxes and fees), and as with customers in Vegas, DFW users will also be looking at the dual-mode Samsung Craft ($299 in contract-free form) in order to take advantage. The carrier has reiterated that it hopes to launch even more LTE markets "later this year and in early 2011," which means that your 3G phone is getting more antediluvian by the minute.
MetroPCS launches LTE network in Las Vegas, Samsung Craft along for the ride
MetroPCS was quite serious when it said it wanted to have commercial LTE up and running in 2010 -- and indeed, it has made good on its word today with an official launch in Vegas. Of course, you need hardware to go along with a new network, and that's not much of a surprise either: the long-discussed Samsung Craft becomes not just MetroPCS' first 4G handset, but the first LTE phone to launch commercially anywhere in the world. It's not a smartphone, but it's got a 3.3-inch AMOLED display, 3.2 megapixel camera, and a full QWERTY slide. Interestingly, MetroPCS is not offering tethering (or any modems) at this time, which means the only way you're going to be able to enjoy those blazing speeds is on the handset itself. The carrier is offering basic unlimited service for $55 for a month, while another $5 will net you unlimited on-demand video streaming from 14 networks. The Craft, meanwhile, runs $299 contract-free -- and since it's dual-mode, it'll work just fine on MetroPCS' CDMA network once you leave the blackjack tables. Follow the break for Samsung's press release.
ZTE intros Agent for MetroPCS -- and yes, Uno is built-in
When our favorite feature of a phone is that Uno is included in firmware, that should give you a pretty good idea of the kind of device we're talking about -- but regardless, the fact that the ZTE Agent sells for $69 commitment-free from MetroPCS makes it notable, we suppose. The candybar features a 1.3 megapixel cam with video capture, stereo Bluetooth support and a 3.5mm headphone jack (which means you've got a music player on board, naturally), microSD expansion, and a 2.4-inch QVGA display. It's available now, which means that if you're close to a MetroPCS store, you're mere minutes away from delivering a brutal Wild Draw Four on your unsuspecting opponents.
Samsung: MetroPCS launching LTE service next month
What now, Verizon? We kid, we kid -- regional player MetroPCS' bid to become the first American carrier to launch a commercial LTE network won't likely have much bearing on the competitive landscape, but that doesn't make it any less impressive. We'd already known on the record that the company was on track for a launch before the end of 2010, but Samsung -- which is producing MetroPCS' inaugural 4G handset, the Craft -- is now saying on no uncertain terms that they're ready to flip the switch in the service's first two commercial markets, Dallas and Las Vegas, next month. Interestingly, MetroPCS won't confirm Samsung's statement, so we suspect Sammy just blew the lid off this thing before MetroPCS was ready. Whoops! Service pricing -- and device availability beyond the Craft -- both remain to be seen.
Samsung Craft LTE phone spied enroute to MetroPCS?
These shots actually surfaced a few days ago buried in the depths of HowardForums, but given what we know of Samsung's R900 Craft thus far -- particularly the fact that it'll be a non-smartphone -- we have no reason to doubt that we're looking at a prototype of it here. What makes the Craft most notable is that it's slated to be MetroPCS' first LTE-capable handset (and one of the first LTE handsets anywhere in the world) for its shiny new 4G network, and it looks like we can expect full sliding QWERTY along with the typical TouchWiz UI elements. We'd like to hate on this thing for not running Android or Windows Phone 7, but hey -- it's almost certainly going to be the first LTE phone to hit these shores, so we're willing to cut it just an ounce of slack this once. The carrier's first LTE markets are lighting up later this year, so we expect to see this with a whole lot less Blurrycam before too long.
Samsung Craft to be MetroPCS' first LTE handset, Dallas-Ft. Worth added as a launch market
When we think "craft," we think of airplanes, boats, and perhaps the occasional needlepoint project -- but all kidding aside, we've definitely heard worst names than "Craft" for a major phone launch, so we've got nothing to complain about here. Regional carrier MetroPCS has announced on its latest earnings call that its first LTE phone -- the FCC-approved R900 from Samsung -- will come to market as the Craft at a price in the same range as its current smartphone lineup which includes the Code for $250 and the BlackBerry Curve 8530 for $280. These guys are still on target to launch in Vegas this year, but it now looks like they'll be adding Dallas-Ft. Worth into the mix as it moves to complete its 4G build-out early next year. It's a seriously aggressive timeline for a carrier traditionally known for cheap voice and text, not blazing data -- but hey, who are we to complain?
