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US Cellular getting ready to launch Home Phone service
Keen to capitalize on the ever-growing segment of landline cutters, US Cellular appears to be launching a home phone service similar to the Home Connect offerings by Verizon and Sprint. According to information we've received, all you have to do is plug in a regular cordless or corded phone into the provided base station and voilà -- you'll be able to make calls via US Cellular's wireless network instead. You'll get unlimited voice calls for only $19.99 a month, which also includes voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, three-way calling and that all-important E911 service. Of course, as it's voice-only, you won't get data or text messaging as part of the plan. The PCD-made base station seen above has a model name of FT2260 and boasts dual-band support (800/1900 MHz CDMA), a QSC6055 chipset, two phone jacks and a USB port for diagnostics purposes. Also included in the package are a charger, an antenna and a 1500 mAh NiMH battery that promises up to two hours of talk or 36 hours of standby time. We're not sure when exactly this'll roll out, but from the looks of it, we won't have to wait long for yet another alternative to ye olde POTS. [Thanks, Anonymous]
PCD Bigstream iPod / iPhone dongle revealed, looking to one-up AirPlay next month
And now, there's a name. The iDevice streaming adapter that we spotted a couple of months ago finally has a proper affiliation, with the PCD Bigstream being quasi-revealed today as the run-up to CES continues. Fundamentally, it's pretty simple -- just plug a nub into the 30-pin Dock Connector of your iPod, iPhone or iPad, and then connect the tent-like transceiver to your television. Once connected, users will purportedly be able to beam "Netflix, Direct TV NFL Sunday Ticket To-Go, and iTunes content, among other apps," directly to their set sans cabling. It's difficult to tell if PCD has actually landed licensing agreements with these media portals (or if it's just really, really good at circumventing DRM), but all should be revealed at the 2011 edition of CES next month. The system relies on a 5.8GHz wireless RF link to distribute signals, and as you can tell, it's entirely more flexible than AirPlay -- a protocol that can only stream video from Apple's own iPod and YouTube applications. Curiously enough, the first version will only support 480p transmissions, though a 1080p model should hit shelves later in 2011. Here's hoping we'll get a good look at how exactly it performs in Vegas.
PCD's $99 wireless streaming adapter will beam iOS or older-gen iPod nano content onto your TV
In case you've got some fundamental issue with Apple's upcoming AirPlay, or just a fifth-gen iPod nano you're unwilling to part with, here's a handy little adapter for you. Produced by Cywee and likely to be sold for around $99 by PCD in the US, this RF streamer plugs straight into your iDevice's dock connector and then beams video, pictures, games and the like over to its nearby base station, which in turn hooks up to your television by a set of RGB cables. Any app that utilizes Apple's video output API is a candidate for having its visuals sent over, though resolution is unfortunately capped at 480p and you'll need line of sight at a distance of no more than 15 feet for everything to work correctly. Just to make sure we're all appropriately underwhelmed by its current product, Cywee promises an 802.11n WiFi variant that'll handle 1080p and output via HDMI for next year. Great, we'll just wait for that one, why don't we?
Sprint rolls out 4G-only U1901 USB modem
It seems a little early in the game to be going to WiMAX-only gear when dual-mode EV-DO / WiMAX modems are readily available -- but if you're feeling confident that your town's 4G rollout is rock-solid, you might want to take a crack at Sprint's new U1901 USB stick. Interestingly, it's got an accessory docking cradle (not included) with an external antenna to boost reception a bit if you're in shaky coverage, so you might be able to pull a signal with this setup in places where you otherwise wouldn't -- but still, not having EV-DO as a cushy fallback would take some stones. It's available now for $49.99 on contract; follow the break for Sprint's press release.
US Cellular rolls out 'low-maintenance' CDM8635 flip
When the term "low-maintenance" appears in the first sentence of a phone's press release, you can pretty much guess what it's all about. Sure enough, the CDM8635 being offered through well-established industry middleman PCD to US Cellular keeps things simple with a 1.3 megapixel camera, 2.2-inch color and 1.5-inch monochrome displays on the inside and exterior, respectively, dedicated shortcut keys for top phone functions, and voice-activated dialing; we don't have pricing details just yet, but we can assume it'll be dirt-cheap on contract. Look for it to hit USCC's online store some time today -- and in the meantime, follow the break for PCD's press release.
Verizon's HTC Ozone, Touch Pro2 blessed with official Windows Mobile 6.5 updates
Remember that leaked Ozone ROM from a couple weeks back? Yeah, well, it's back -- and this time it's being offered in a very official way. PCD -- the middleman between Verizon and HTC -- is offering Windows Mobile 6.5-imbued builds for both the Ozone as well as the Touch Pro2, bringing it up to spec with AT&T's Tilt2 which launched with 6.5 out of the gate (thanks in no small part to its late availability). Both updates are posted on PCD's site, so go grab 'em while the grabbing's good. [Thanks, Brian]
Verizon's Razzle does the twist for us
We checked out Verizon's most unusual Razzle sourced from PCD at CTIA this week, and put simply, we're pretty sure there's a reason that this form factor is among the rarest. Twisting the bottom half of the phone to choose between QWERTY and a speaker with music controls just doesn't make a lot of sense unless you're constantly using the phone to play music that you want everyone around you to be able to hear -- and that's assuming you're okay with the sound quality and volume compromises you've got to make with a loudspeaker of this size. What really caught us off guard was the fact that the phone is bent about 15 degrees in the middle only in QWERTY mode; when you switch over to the speaker, it straightens out, though we're not sure what the use case logic behind that is. Anyhow, if you're just looking to own the weirdest phone on the block, the Razzle might just fit the bill -- and at least it won't break the bank. %Gallery-74992%
Verizon Razzle starts twisting on October 6
Call it a cool idea, call it ridiculous, call it a one-off novelty -- whatever the case, Verizon's unique Razzle will be hitting stores next week. The PCD-sourced handset is Verizon's branded version of the TXT8030 and features a totally unique twisting bottom half with stereo speakers and music controls on one side and a full QWERTY keyboard on the other. This is a truly low-end handset on account of its 1.3 megapixel camera and forgettable 2.2-inch display, but on the plus side, it's got microSD expansion and GPS -- and there's the nice little bit about the price, too, which comes in at $69.99 on contract. It'll be available to order from Verizon's web store starting the 6th, while brick-and-mortar locations pick it up "later this month."
Verizon's Razzle gives them the old razzle-dazzle
Verizon's on a bizarre form factor kick lately, having just released the Nokia Twist -- and now we've got this strange little sucker, supposedly coming to market as the "Razzle." Astute observers will note that the Razzle is basically Verizon's branded version of the PCD TXT8030 first seen back at CTIA in April of this year, offering a 1.3 megapixel camera, VZ Navigator compatibility, and -- here's the big one -- a lower half that swivels 180 degrees to choose between a full QWERTY keyboard and stereo speakers. Interestingly, an older leaked roadmap misidentified this as an HTC product -- but the "Blitz 2" branding definitely makes sense considering both the Razzle and the Blitz are clearly geared toward a younger, funkier audience. PhoneArena says we can expect this one next month for "under $60," so this is one CDMA oddity that hopefully won't break the bank.
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.
Cricket's TXTM8 is as cute as its name
Looking for something maybe just a little less flashy than Motorola's Hint on Cricket? They've got your back now thanks to the inclusion of the TXTM8 -- pronounced "text mate," we think -- sourced from middleman / distributor / purveyor of fine goods PCD. There's not much to the phone other than its cute little shell and a sliding full QWERTY keyboard, but it does pack a 1.3 megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth support, and AWS CDMA (as all Cricket handsets do these days). Interested parties can inquire with the carrier for one of these now, running $139.99 contract-free after discount.[Via Phone Scoop]
Verizon's Exilim C721 pictured once again, still not official
We'd totally expected the long-rumored C721 to bow at CTIA last week (come to think of it, those guys had a pretty weak show all told), but alas, we're still waiting for some sort of confirmation that the thing even exists. The 5 megapixel cameraphone -- which gets blessed with Casio's Exilim branding on account of its relatively serious shooting power -- has now popped up over at BuyWirelessNow under the PCD heading, suggesting that the company will be brokering the deal between Casio and Verizon for the new model as it has done in the past. It's a slightly clearer picture of the phone than we've managed to see in the past, but seriously, it's just five megapixels, guys -- let's get this one out before eight becomes the norm, yeah? [Via Phone Arena]
PCD tempts with its twisting TXT8030
PCD's showed a fun twist at CTIA with the admittedly awkward looking TXT8030 by designing the handset's lower section to rotate with business up front and party in the back -- yeah, like a mullet. One one side is a QWERTY pad and on the other speakers and the music controls. We also hear the display is a 2.2-inch number, memory is expandable via microSD, it packs a 1.3 megapixel shooter, and the tale of the tape registers 4.5 inches long by 2.4 inches wide, and about a half an inch thick. No thoughts on pricing or availability, but this CDMA twistset may show up somewhere someday.
AT&T suspends Quickfire sales amid 'performance' problems
It's funny that AT&T would leave the low-cost Quickfire hanging out to dry for this long before pulling it from shelves, but then again, the exact same thing happened with the Glyde over on Verizon a few months back, so we're not surprised. It seems the carrier's would-be Sidekick killer "is not meeting AT&T's minimum performance expectations" -- whatever that means -- and sales reps have been asked to pull all three colors from sale immediately. Customers demanding exchanges are to be offered substitutions, so for the short term, it looks like there may not be a good way to get your Quickfire fix from AT&T directly -- only question is, how long will it be out of commission, and will it matter with a sequel already in the works? Follow the break for the full email![Thanks, anonymous tipster]
PCD's swively TXT8020 is Pantech born and raised
Remember how we noted an uncanny resemblance between PCD's TXT8010 -- better known as the Verizon Blitz -- and the TXT8020 revealed at CES this year? Turns out there's a great reason for the similarity: they're both made by Pantech. We've been sent this nifty little graphic showing one of those EV-DO-enabled TXT8020s bearing Pantech branding, and while we still don't know what carriers plan on carrying this sucker, Verizon sure does seem like the perfect fit, doesn't it? More on this bad boy soon, hopefully.[Thanks, Jeremy]
PCD says new AT&T Quickfire, T-Mobile Sidekicks coming this year
We guess PCD's deal is that they just don't care about the traditional secrecy surrounding product pipelines. The company -- which does nothing more than run interference between carriers and second-tier manufacturers -- chronically leaks its own gear with booth graphics at trade shows, and now they've casually mentioned that there'll be a "couple" new Sidekicks coming to T-Mobile in 2009. It's about time that Danger and Sharp got together to make one of these things with 3G and / or WiFi, so that'd be cool. Also name-dropped is a new version of the Quickfire for AT&T, which seems a bit odd considering the first version just launched and already features 3G, a big touchscreen, and full QWERTY, so it's a bit unclear what they could bring to the table here. Next year, PCD expects to offer some WinMo- and Linux-based stuff (as always) and roll out some of the first devices packing LTE. PCD, we still don't entirely understand your raison d'être, but if you can seriously give us some LTE gear early next year, you've sold us.[Via Hiptop3]
PCD shows off pair of texters at CES
PCD has this amazing ability at each and every trade show it attends to show off unreleased gear on giant banners attached to its booth. It's always been unclear to us whether this is intentional or whether they're just trying to stretch their hard-earned dollars by buying a single booth design at the beginning of the year that can last them a full twelve months, but either way, who are we to argue? This time around, the PCD oracle has revealed a couple of trick QWERTY dumphones, the TXT8020 and TXT8021. Looks like these'll succeed the TXT8010 -- which Verizon customers know better as the Blitz -- though it's unclear whether Verizon (or anyone else) intends to actually pick 'em up. Not bad looking for what they are. Follow the break for a better-than-real-life video of the banner!
AT&T Quickfire launching November 10
One of the more interesting devices to hit AT&T's lineup in recent memory -- the PCD-sourced Quickfire -- is getting ready to hit in the next few days, making good on a promise to deliver the 3G Sidekick killer in November. Of course, it remains to be seen whether the Quickfire really is a Sidekick killer, but we'll all have an opportunity to find out come November 10 when it launches in three colors for $99 on contract. If you're feeling crazy enough to bypass the commitment, you can pick one up without signing your life away for $299, which still isn't that bad considering that you're getting a touchscreen, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and HSDPA.[Thanks, Kal]
AT&T goes wild with texting, announces four QWERTY phones
If you're into that whole SMS craze and you're on AT&T, you're in luck -- four times over. The carrier's gone ahead and announced not one, not two, but four QWERTY-equipped dumphones today, including a dual slider and a Pantech being billed as "the world's thinnest device with a full QWERTY keypad."First up, the Pantech Matrix is available now in your choice of blue or green, with red being added on Thursday, October 16. It slides two ways -- a conventional vertical slide to reveal a numeric keypad, and a second side slider for the full QWERTY action. It's got 3G, AT&T Navigation, Video Share support, and a 1.3-megapixel cam, running $79.99 on contract with rebate. Next, the Samsung Propel apes the i620's industrial design -- but make no mistake, there's no Windows Mobile to be found here. It also does 3G and features the full host of AT&T services, packs a 1.3-megapixel cam, and will run the same $79.99 as the Matrix when it hits in late October in blue, green, red, and white with red accents. Next, the Pantech Slate is pretty appropriately named -- if its claim of being the thinnest QWERTY device in the world ends up holding water, anyway. It'll be available in late October alongside the Propel for $49.99 on contract with a 1.3-megapixel camera, but there's no high-speed data to be found in this sucker. Finally, the long-rumored Quickfire -- you may know it better as the Knick -- will come in November bearing AT&T branding and a Sidekick-esque style that'll likely appeal to the young'uns among us. It's got a touchscreen in addition to a slide-out QWERTY deal, a 1.3-megapixel camera (notice a trend here?), and 3G in your choice of orange, lime, and silver for $99.99 after you've inked up the dotted line.
UTStarcom's Knick gets renamed AT&T Quickfire for launch
Well, that mystery didn't take very long to solve. Remember that UTStarcom / PCD-sourced Knick that was getting shown around at some Radio Shack shindig not long ago? It's still very real and very much on the launch docket for AT&T -- but it's now the carrier-branded "Quickfire". Of course, PCD has never been a company to slap its own name on a handset being offered by a network, so the move makes a ton of sense. Right now it's tentatively scheduled to hit stores late this month for $99.99 on a two-year deal in silver, orange, and green, and it looks like it'll support AGPS for those rare instances when you're, say, driving instead of texting.[Thanks, Kal]
