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Samsung Code coming to US Cellular, "Jack" inexplicably missing from name
We've just sorta become accustomed to seeing the term "Jack" show up somewhere in the name of any North American Samsung running Windows Mobile that looks like this, so "Code" is a refreshing change of pace. The midrange portrait QWERTY smartphone just popped with no fanfare over on US Cellular's site, revealing a 2 megapixel camera, WinMo 6.1 Standard, EV-DO Rev. 0, and a QVGA display. Coincidentally, this sucker got FCC approval as the SCH-i220 just a few days ago, so these guys are probably lining up to get it to market shortly.[Via MobileBurn]
Samsung Gloss comes to US Cellular
Look familiar? Yep, this is US Cellular's version of the Cleo, a fun little clamshell that does battle with LG's Lotus by offering a full QWERTY keyboard in a stubby clamshell layout. Don't expect much feature-wise -- it's got a 176 x 144 display, for instance -- but you've still got a music player with stereo Bluetooth support and microSD expansion, a 1.3 megapixel camera, and of course, that text-tastic QWERTY pad. Look for it the carrier's stores in your choice of black and pink; we don't have pricing information, but we suspect it won't break the bank on contract.
US Cellular's battery swap program puts a new charge in your handset, for free
Ever dreamt of keeping a phone so long that the original battery went kaput? And, during that same dream, did your loving, compassionate carrier decide to bless you with a second battery for free? No need to keep dozing, as regional operator US Cellular has decided to show up the big boys by introducing its Battery Swap program. Launching tomorrow, the initiative enables customers to come into any US Cellular store and "change out a dead or dying battery for a fully-charged one, for free." Needless to say, the firm is pretty stoked about being the only wireless carrier in America to offer such a service, though you should know that only phones which have been purchased within the last 18 months are eligible. Sounds fair enough to us -- so, when's everyone else jumping on this bandwagon? Bueller...?[Thanks, Kristofer]
HTC Touch Pro comes to US Cellular
It's pretty hard to get excited about a device introduction when its successor has already been announced -- but alas, the original Touch Pro is still a pretty awesome phone, and we're sure it'll do pretty well for US Cellular. The regional has caught up with Sprint and Verizon in launching HTC's VGA display-equipped landscape QWERTY slider, bringing a 3.2 megapixel cam, 288MB of RAM and 512MB of ROM (meeting Sprint's specs and exceeding Verizon's), WiFi, and all the TouchFLO 3D you can handle for $249.95 on contract after mail-in rebate. Just avoid casting envious gazes toward the Pro2 over in the GSM realm, and you'll be all set.[Via MobileBurn]
LG Banter comes to US Cellular
Quick: what has two keypads, changeable covers, and an LG logo plastered on it? The Banter, of course, which is shaping up to be a favorite for regional carriers everywhere. The low-cast text-centric device features both numeric and sliding QWERTY keypads (as anyone who scooped it up on Alltel already knows), a 1.3 megapixel camera, and microSD support up to 16GB; what it won't have is EV-DO -- but with a screen that small, users probably aren't going to care too much. Grab it now for $49.95 on two-year contract after rebate.
LG Wine now available on US Cellular for $29.95 on contract
You'll never catch us recommending that one engage in the precarious act of drunk dialing, but those scouting a phone to appropriately showcase their adoration for fine adult beverages can finally do so on US Cellular. Starting today, the LG Wine (UX280) is available in two hues from the carrier, and both are running just $29.95 after applicable rebates and a 2-year contract. What's the off contract price, you ask? $179.95 with no strings attached. [Via phoneArena]
Samsung's SCH-r470 TwoStep now official on US Cellular
We had an inkling that Samsung's SCH-r470 was headed for US Cellular, and without getting all melodramatic, we'll just inform you that it is. The surprisingly stylish flip phone, more enjoyably called the TwoStep, features a 1.3 megapixel camera, a multimedia player, stereo speakers, a microSD card, Bluetooth, Burnt Orange / Red / Purple hues and a battery good for up to three hours of talk time. Anxious to get your mind around prices and specs? Tough luck.
Samsung's R470 looks destined for US Cellular
If we have to pick between a flip CDMA dumbphone and, say, a Touch Pro, we're going to take the Touch Pro ten times out of ten -- but as flip CDMA dumbphones go, this thing really isn't half bad looking at all. The Samsung R470 just passed FCC muster this week, and as Phone Scoop astutely notes, the manual's mention of "easyedge" indicates that the dazzlingly orange clamshell will likely see duty on US Cellular. We're looking at fairly comprehensive external controls -- likely with a music slant -- along with Bluetooth and microSD expansion, but strangely, we can't find any mention of EV-DO in the test docs. Seems kinda strange for a phone in this category, doesn't it?[Via Phone Scoop]
LG Rhythm officially beats on US Cellular
You knew it was coming, and now the day your heart has been waiting for has finally arrived. Effective immediately, LG's Rhythm is available to US Cellular customers, offering up a 1-inch circular touchscreen and "one of the most advanced music systems available in mobile phones today (oh, really?)." To be fair, the player does include DSP and an audio equalizer tuned by Mark Levinson, and the FM transmitter / 3.5-millimeter headphone jack exudes seriousness about audio. You'll also find a microSD card slot, 2-inch main LCD, a 1.3-megapixel camera / camcorder and Bluetooth 2.0; subscribers can snatch this slider up in black or pink (a USCC exclusive, mind you) for $79.95 after rebates and contractual obligations.
US Cellular getting LG Rhythm: think Chocolate with a cyclops eye (updated)
We've learned that mega-regional US Cellular has its sights set on an LG slider apparently dubbed the UX585 "Rhythm" for a mid-November launch, featuring a 1.3-megapixel camera, FM transmitter a la Nokia N78 and LG Muziq, and an honest-to-goodness mechanical wheel -- a key feature for a phone touting a music slant. The theme doesn't stop there, though: the Rhythm is also said to benefit from tweaking by Mark Levinson's loving ears, a QVGA display, and something being called a "Touch Music Hot Key," a trick-looking circular touchscreen in the middle of the wheel. Yeah, these guys might be a little behind the Chocolate curve here, but at least they're coming out swinging. Look for it to run $129.95 featuring a $50 rebate for customers signing up for a data plan for at least three months.[Thanks, USCCGuy]Updated: Turns out Alltel snuck this out onto the market just this week in black and white as the AX585, and seeing how they're spelling it "Rhythm," we're updating the spelling for US Cellular's version, too (let's be honest -- "Rythm" would be an incredibly annoying trademarkable spelling for that word). Alltel's charging $119.99 on contract after rebates for the pleasure. Thanks, Jer!
US Cellular getting the Samsung F480-like "Delve"?
Seems like everyone wants a piece of Samsung's touch action these days, and US Cellular might be chalked up to get in on it next with this puppy, the so-called "Delve" (best they could come up with? really?). The candybar -- which seems to cop a good deal from its older F480 brother -- is said to feature a 3-inch display, navigation, full HTML browser, stereo Bluetooth, a "second generation TouchWiz interface," and a 2-megapixel cam. It's no Omnia, but we'll take what we can get -- and the rumor is that we'll be able to get what we can come November.
HTC Touch coming to US Cellular
Not only is good ol' US Cellular just now getting around to releasing the over year-old HTC Touch as its successor starts to hit the market, but it'll be doing so in a most unusual of colors: green. Oh, and it's not wasabi green, either -- more like a calming shade of forest, hunter, or myrtle. We don't know exactly when this sucker's going to hit, but dummies (pictured) are starting to show up in stores, so we suppose it won't be long.[Thanks, uscc agent]Update: Okay, so apparently the launch units are actually black, but does this dummy not look totally green? Probably just as well, since we can't think of anyone who'd take a forest green Touch over a black one.
LG Glimmer, Motorola Q9c dummies show up at US Cellular
Hold tight, Alltel -- your US exclusivity on one of your hottest models is just about ready to expire. US Cellular shops are starting to stock up on dummies of the rather lovely LG Glimmer touchscreen slider, and though no official launch date has been announced, we'd imagine it won't be too much longer. Also in the package are a couple colors of Motorola Q9c dummies (including that crazy green one), so yeah, good times. Don't spend all that hard-earned cash in one place, now, y'hear?[Thanks, Scott]%Gallery-24149%
Major wireless carriers all slapped with text-messaging class-action lawsuit
Text messaging rates have always been a little ridiculous, but a new class-action suit filed in Mississippi alleges that virtually every wireless carrier you can think of is basically cheating you by charging you for received texts and not allowing you to turn the service off. The suit names AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, Alltel, US Cellular, Cellular South, and Virgin Mobile (surprisingly, T-Mobile didn't make the cut), and says that members of the class are entitled to relief for the unauthorized charges, wrongful collection, and unjust enrichment. Of course, this will all likely end in a useless settlement that nets subscribers like three extra text messages and a 20 percent discount on an "approved accessory," while the plaintiff's law firm banks millions, but we'll see how things go.
House bill proposes ban on in-flight cellphone use
This could -- at least temporarily -- put an end the nightmarish scenario involving you, lack of sleep, and some freakish chatty Cathy plopped next to you by the airline. Lead co-sponsor Rep. Peter DeFazio, hopes the "Hang Up" -- madly clever name here -- bill will stop Airlines from finding yet another avenue to gouge you and maintaining peace and harmony by banning any in-flight calling. Of course, the door will remain wide open for SMS, mail, IM, and other types of electronic conversation, but we're hoping Skype and friends are on the muzzle list, too.
Motorola's shockingly lime Q9c in the flesh
The great unasked question, "what would a buttoned-up, business smartphone look like in the same color as this pie I'm eating?" has finally been answered, thanks to the good folks at Motorola. This here Q9c is destined for Alltel and US Cellular, and we have to admit, it's actually pretty attractive. Could we actually see ourselves sliding one in our pocket? Eh, that might be going a bit far, but we think they'll manage to push a few of these suckers off shelves.%Gallery-19594%
Lime green Motorola Q9c headed to Alltel, US Cellular
Don't you dare say green wasn't already in style, as in all actuality, it's US Cellular and Alltel following the crowd yet again. As the run-up to CTIA 2008 continues, the aforesaid outfits have both announced that a lime green variant of the Motorola Q9c will soon be on their shelves. Aside from that, prospective customers can also snap up the WinMo 6-powered Q9c in licorice, and of course, they'll find a 1.3-megapixel camera, 2.4-inch display and 128MB of onboard memory. As for pricing, you can call Alltel's version your own for $99.99 on contract, and while US Cellular is being mum on the subject, both providers will have 'em available "this summer."[Via CNET]Read - Alltel's announcementRead - US Cellular's announcement
Everyone else sued over picture caller ID
A four-pack of carriers is getting sued over the infringement of three 2007 patents that appear to center around the concept of picture caller ID -- but here's the best part, it's actually a different dude from a different company than the one that sued Apple. US Cellular, T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile, and Helio are all named in the suit, suggesting that either the remainder of major US carriers have already licensed the technology, or this so-called Intellect Wireless just has a very bizarre way of choosing its defendants. So here's our question: what picture caller ID technology was patented by some random company in 2007 that these guys could possibly be violating?
Unlimited, regional style: US Cellular intros $99 plan
We're still getting over the shock of three of the four nationals suddenly flipping the switch on sub-$100 unlimited plans within hours of each other, but oh, by the way, the onslaught isn't over just yet. Sprint aside, there are still plenty of regionals that don't offer unlimited plans -- along with some that do -- so we expect we're going to see a few more announcements in the coming weeks (or days, considering the pace at which these events have been unfolding thus far). Next to take the podium is US Cellular, revealing a (you guessed it) $99 all-you-can-eat calling plan that will be available to new and existing customers alike, albeit for a limited time. Data and messaging will still require add-on packages to the tune of $25 if you're craving both unlimited bytes and texts, but it still works out to be a decent deal in light of what its primary competitors are offering -- if you exclude Helio, anyway. No word on when exactly folks will be able to sign up for the plan, but US Cellular says details will be posted to its site "soon."[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Regionals pick up a couple yawnfest Samsungs
Contain yourselves, folks, this is a civilized society! Please, just remain calm and calmly file into the MetroPCS or US Cellular store to pick up one of these two gems, the r300 flip and the r610 slider from Samsung. Neither one is likely to turn any heads, but the prices are right; the $129 (on contract, naturally) r620 does EV-DO with a 1.3 megapixel cam plus A2DP and microSD expansion, while the lower-end 1xRTT r300 gets flashy with a red exterior but keeps a tight lid on the cash outlay with a $109 asking price. Get 'em both now.[Via Phone Scoop]Read - Samsung r300 for MetroPCSRead - Samsung r610 for US Cellular
