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Nokia Lumia 720 starts shipping, costs £300 prepaid at O2 UK
Nokia courted fashionistas back at Mobile World Congress with the Lumia 720, and it's ready to embrace them more fully now that the slim Windows Phone is rolling out to its first countries. We've already seen it launch in Australia and the UK, where it's available for free when subscribing to relatively frugal postpaid plans of either $29 AUD (on Virgin Mobile Australia) or £22 (on O2 UK); Brits can also spend £300 at O2 to use the phone on a pay-as-you-go basis. Other countries will get their units in short order, including Italy next week (for €349 off-contract) and Russia. As a reminder, it's not coming to the US in an official capacity: while the mid-tier device made a visit to the FCC, the absence of LTE largely precludes American carrier deals. Some of us will have to gaze on the Lumia 720 from afar as a result, but many of those craving the most stylish of Nokia smartphones can get some satisfaction very shortly.
AT&T Wireless Home Phone goes prepaid, emulates landlines on demand
We can't say that most attempts to replicate the landline experience with a wireless link have panned out -- Verizon Hub, anyone? AT&T is wagering that it can overcome some of that hesitance with new prepaid tiers for Wireless Home Phone. Those who plug their wired phones into the $100 cellular hub can now pay only for those times they want pseudo-traditional service, whether it's $20 per month for unlimited US-wide calls or $15 for 1,000 minutes of international long distance. It's hard to make a case for the new Wireless Home Phone option when many of us already have cellphones, but we can see its uses: think snowbirds or apartment dwellers who want a cheap, traditional phone option that will follow them around for a few months at a time. If you haven't (or can't) cut the cord entirely, AT&T may have the next best thing.
Ting gets serious: Samsung Galaxy S IV, HTC One and LTE devices incoming
Yearning for a contract-free option for cellular service? Ting's certainly a compelling one, but to date, the limited device options have kept it from becoming a standout alternative. That, however, is about to change. The MVNO -- which leans on Sprint's network here in the US -- has just announced plans to sell contract-free Galaxy S IV "for around the full unlocked price" as soon as it can. Specifically, you'll see it hit the Ting device page as a pre-order in around six to eight weeks. If that's a little large for your blood, HTC's drop-dead gorgeous One will also be making its way over, with pre-orders to start in around 30 days. Inching ever smaller, the Galaxy S III Mini will join the carrier's lineup about the time the GS IV does, though there's no mention of pricing there. As for other nuggets? Ting's expecting to offer up its first LTE device for pre-order "within six weeks," and yes, it's still working on a way to support Apple's iPhone as well as the entire range of Windows Phone 8 products.
Solavei starts carrying nano-SIMs for iPhone 5 nomads
Those who want to use an unlocked iPhone 5 in the US beyond AT&T have had relatively few places to go for an exodus, T-Mobile and Straight Talk usually being the two carriers on the short list. It's time to add a third: Solavei is now carrying nano-SIMs for its T-Mobile-based virtual network. There's not much mystery to what's involved after that, since you're still getting the singular, all-unlimited $49 plan and no guarantee of 3G when even T-Mobile's own spectrum refarming is still young. If you can live with those potential caveats for the sake of network and contract independence, Solavei is waiting.
Huawei Ascend W1 hits the FCC, may give Net10 a taste of Windows Phone 8
Let's face it: neither TracFone nor its Net10 badge are known for adventurous phone selections, let alone dipping into Windows Phone 8 devices. Color us surprised when Huawei's Ascend W1 not only surfaces at the FCC -- the phone maker said it planned a US launch -- but is explicitly labeled as coming to a TracFone brand, most likely the smartphone-friendly Net10. There's no shocks at support for the budget carrier's HSPA frequencies, then. While FCC filings don't clue us in as to prices or ship dates, the choice of network suggests the Ascend W1 won't cost much off-contract when it crosses the ocean.
T-Mobile launches prepaid GoSmart Mobile service starting at $30 a month, promises 'FreeDUM'
It's nothing we didn't see coming toward the end of last year, but T-Mobile's finally ready to make its GoSmart Mobile prepaid service officially official. As outlined during its trials, the service is offering up plans starting at $30 a month for unlimited talk and text. An extra $5 a month'll get you unlimited talk, text and web, and if you jump up to a full $45 a month, you can add 3G to the list. T-Mob's promising a service free of hidden fees and caps, or as the company puts it "No DUM caps. No DUM overages " -- you know, "FreeDUM in wireless," as it were. The GoSmart Mobile SIM kit will run you $8. More info can be found in the press release after the break.
Samsung Galaxy Discover coming to the US through Net10 and Straight Talk
Just weeks ago, Samsung slipped the entry-level Galaxy Discover into Canadian shops, with no word on whether or not it would ever cross the border. It has -- or rather, it will. The company has listed the Galaxy Discover as coming to the US through contract-free carriers Net10 and Straight Talk. Hardware-wise, the US version is the familiar starter smartphone with a 3.5-inch HVGA screen, an 800MHz processor and a 3-megapixel camera. The American model touts a slightly curvier frame, however. Its real stand-out remains the removal of TouchWiz in favor of pure Android 4.0; while not unique, it's still a rare break for a company that likes its custom UI layers. We don't have ship dates or prices when the phone hasn't yet been announced or listed for either network, but we'd venture that it will be one of the cheaper prepaid options when it arrives stateside.
Verizon to offer new 3G-only prepaid plans beginning today
Verizon's got a new set of prepaid plans for smartphone users that are hoping to keep costs down. The monthly plans, which appear to be restricted to a small number of phones unable to access Big Red's LTE network, both offer unlimited talk and text; on the data side, the $60 plan grants you 500MB while $70 bumps that ceiling up to 2GB. Head below to the sources to get all the necessary info.
HTC One SV goes on sale at Cricket with a slight price drop
Cricket gave us a pleasant surprise when it committed to carrying the cheap-yet-cheerful HTC One SV this month, and it's making good on that promise today. The Android 4.0-touting smartphone is on sale now for a lower than expected $330 contract-free, albeit only for those shopping online. It's not the most powerful device on the network, but it also strikes a balance between bargain pricing and speed: buyers get LTE, rapid-fire photography and a modern dual-core processor without having to splurge on a flagship like the Galaxy S III. Hit the source link if the middle road sounds like the best road.
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.
iPhone 5 comes to Walmart's prepaid Straight Talk plans Jan. 11
Giga-retailer Walmart made waves this holiday season by offering the iPhone 5 for well below its suggested retail price. Now it's going to start offering Apple's top-of-the-line smartphone unlocked and on prepaid Straight Talk plans beginning January 11. The iPhone 5 will cost US$649 in a 16 GB configuration -- or the same price of the phone from Apple, unlocked. Walmart will also sell an unlocked iPhone 4 8 GB for $449. Customers will be able to use either phone on a Straight Talk unlimited voice, text and data plan for $45 per month, with unlimited international calling added in a $60 per month plan. To coincide with the deal's rollout, Walmart will offer customers an option to pay for their handset on a promotional $25 per month financing plan. All prices will be good online and in retail stores. [Via Engadget]
iPhone 5 coming to Walmart's Straight Talk prepaid plans January 11th
Customers have been able to enjoy the iPhone experience on Walmart's Straight Talk "BYOD" phone plans for quite some time now, but the prepaid provider will begin directly selling the iPhone 5 -- as well as the iPhone 4 -- on January 11th. The iPhone 5 will be offered in 16GB and will be sold for $649, while the iPhone 4 will come with 8GB storage and go for $449. If you don't want to pay the entire cost up front, you can take advantage of Walmart's monthly installment-financing plans for $25. For more specifics, head below the break to get the full press release.
T-Mobile Monthly4G plans may get an unlimited data tier on January 9th
The perpetual gotcha for T-Mobile's Monthly4G prepaid service has been the absence of truly unlimited data -- you could have one advantage or the other, but not both. TmoNews understands that this either/or choice is fading away after spotting what looks to be leaked promo material. Come January 9th, the carrier is reportedly replacing its 5GB Monthly4G tier with an unlimited alternative. The same $70 should net the previous unlimited talk and text, but skip the pesky throttling for very frequent users. As long as customers have good coverage, it's hard to see a downside for them if this proves real; next week can't come soon enough.
Boost Mobile to start throttling data speeds in late January
Boost Mobile announced today that starting on or around January 20th it will begin throttling data speeds for its "Monthly Unlimited" customers who exceed 2.5GB of data use. Once this threshold is broken, the company will reduce users' download speeds to a snail-like 256kbps until they enter a new billing cycle. Earlier this year, Boost's sister carrier Virgin started throttling its customers under identical terms. Both companies operate on Sprint's network which currently offers "true" unlimited data to its postpaid subscribers. Boost claims that this change will affect a small percentage of its customers, but perhaps it should consider adopting a new campaign slogan when these changes go live. How about "Restricted: It's the new unlimited"?
Cricket and MetroPCS now offering financing on select smartphones
Taking a very "un-carrier" approach, Cricket and MetroPCS recently introduced financing programs that allow prepaid customers to purchase high-end smartphones with a reduced upfront cost. Cricket has partnered with Progressive Finance to cover the cost of its devices, while Metro is using Billfloat as its lending option. Keeping things unconventional, these new programs do not use credit checks and instead only require that customers have a valid checking account. Cricket customers whose purchase exceeds $200 can apply for financing at retail stores and authorized dealers. The program covers up to 90 percent of the premium with the upfront charges being the remaining balance and the first month of service. Loans are amortized for up to nine months, with interest waived on accounts paid off within the first 90 days of financing.
T-Mobile confirms trials for GoSmart Mobile prepaid, may take it US-wide in 2013
Despite T-Mobile USA being very comfortable with prepaid service, it hasn't jumped in with both feet like its potential partner MetroPCS or its arch-rival Sprint. The company has just confirmed to FierceWireless that it's not waiting for a merger to experiment further; it's currently trialing GoSmart Mobile, a prepaid-only network that uses data speed, not caps, as the incentive to jump to higher tiers. Paying $30 per month offers unlimited calling and texting with no internet access whatsoever, while $35 a month includes unlimited 2G data and $45 upgrades to 3G. While that's not as good a deal for data as Virgin Mobile, it's better for those who truly prefer unlimited voice. The carrier hasn't said how it would balance the new service with its MetroPCS, but it has some time to sort this out when any possible nationwide launch won't take place until 2013.
Skype launches prepaid cards in UK: Available in over 1,400 stores, credit starts from £10
Skype has unveiled a series of prepaid cards for the UK, offering users without a credit card the ability to top-up their accounts starting from £10. A second £20 card will also be available in UK retailers including Asda, Currys, PC World, Sainsburys and bookseller WHSmith, with both denominations redeemable globally through the Microsoft company's online portal. While Mexico got there first, we've been told that more countries can expect their own currency-specific cards later this year. You'll be able to use the prepaid credit to pay for Skype subscriptions, including unlimited world calling bundles starting from £8.49 per month -- all in time for that incoming Windows Phone 8 app.
ZTE Engage for Cricket hands-on
MobileCon 2012 hasn't exactly been the mecca for new products, but that scenario is ideal for giving prepaid carriers like Cricket some time in the trade show spotlight. The company showed off its latest creation from ZTE, the Engage. Despite its stellar name, don't expect the device to pull a Picard and launch you into the mobile equivalent of warp factor nine, but it's nothing that will come as a surprise to Cricket users: already available for the non-contractual price of $250, you're getting a handset that runs a stock version of Ice Cream Sandwich and offers a 1.4GHz single-core Snapdragon S2 processor, Muve Music, a 4-inch WVGA (800x480) display, 1,900mAh battery, 8MP rear camera and VGA front-facing cam, Bluetooth 2.1 and microSD slot (with a 4GB Muve Music-branded card included). Its 13mm thickness may seem to be a little too much for most, and at 5.4 ounces (153g), its weight comes in on the heavier end of the spectrum for its particular form factor and overall size. Not a spec-buster by any stretch of the imagination, but prepaid users may find it to be worthy of the price tag. Head below to see a few more shots of the Engage.
AT&T to offer new $65 GoPhone monthly plan starting October 7th
Shared data's not for everyone, which is why AT&T's continuing to augment its prepaid offerings with additional GoPhone options. Announced today, the carrier's new $65 monthly plan is geared specifically towards smartphone users, combining unlimited talk and text with a 1GB allotment of data. And in tandem with this new package, the operator's also releasing the Fusion 2: a white-labeled Android device that's slated to retail for $99 -- no contract strings attached. Both are set to launch this October 7th, so if you're commitment-averse and in need of a new device, this could be the plan for you. Hit up the break for the full presser.
Minecraft XBLA hits 4m mark, PC prepaid cards now in stores
Minecraft is over the 4 million mark for Xbox Live Arcade sales. 4J Studios revealed the figure on Twitter, showing the game that smashed XBLA records is still shifting like crazy. 5 million before 2013 looks well within reach (you heard it here first*).Meanwhile, Mojang today announced that the PC version is now available in physical stores via prepaid cards. The cards cost the same $26.95 amount at which Minecraft is priced online, and can be found at Best Buy, Target, and Walmart stores nationwide.*you probably didn't