uscellular
Latest
Mobile Miscellany: week of May 14th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, Verizon Wireless brought its LTE service to 28 new markets and expanded its reach in 11 additional areas. We also saw Straight Talk introduce the Samsung Galaxy Proclaim, and it appears that Rogers will soon offer the HTC One S. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of May 14th, 2012.
U.S. Cellular adds Samsung mobile hotspot to its 4G LTE lineup, because three's company
And then there were three. U.S. Cellular's picking up the pace where its next-gen offerings are concerned, adding yet another device to that lonely LTE product portfolio. Starting today, Samsung's SCH-LC11 mobile hotspot will be available on the regional carrier's site with some sweet, limited time promotional pricing in tow: a mere $50 for subscribers residing in one of the operator's designated 4G coverage areas. For everyone else hunkered down in plain 'ol 3G territory, it'll ring in at $200 -- that's after a $50 mail-in rebate and required two-year contract. So, if you're a fan of deals and like to keep your plethora of portable gadgetry always connected, hit up the source link below and get to ordering.
iPhone waltzes into top spot of US phone satisfaction index, small carriers trump the giants
We know almost too well how smartphones perform in US market share; what we don't usually see is how happy customers are once the shrink wrap's off. Going by a newly-expanded American Customer Satisfaction Index, it's the iPhone that most scratches the itch at a score of 83. Despite having just been added, Apple was noticeably ahead of a three-way tie between HTC, LG and Nokia at 75. You might not want to look if you're a freshly-minted RIM executive: the BlackBerry made its freshman debut on the charts at the bottom, or 69. Big carriers have their own reasons to wince, too, knowing that smaller carriers like US Cellular and TracFone scored higher on the happiness meter than incumbents hiking service fees. While there's definitely some wiggle room for your own experience to have been better or worse, if you were an iPhone owner on a regional carrier in the past few months, you were statistically the most likely to be on Cloud Nine.
Mobile Miscellany: week of May 7th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, Sprint reassured us with optimism for Windows Phone 8, and T-Mobile's CEO found a new partner to continue the fight against Verizon's AWS acquisition. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of May 7th, 2012.
Samsung Galaxy S III US sign-up page goes live
So enthused with the Galaxy S III that you want to know exactly when in the summer Americans can buy one? You can follow us, of course, but Samsung has you covered with a sign-up page that will take your vitals with promises that you'll "get the latest on the Next Galaxy." We wouldn't read too much into seeing AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and others in the list of carriers to choose from, though. Samsung has run identical sign-up campaigns in the US before, and it focused the initial Galaxy S II launch on three major carriers rather than carpet bombing every network at once. [Thanks, Michael]
US Cellular, Alltel Wireless team up to launch 'U Prepaid' service in Walmart stores
Good ol' Wally isn't a stranger when it comes to offering prepaid wireless goods within its shops, and now the retail giant's about to add yet another service to that carrier-packed inventory. Starting next month, US Cellular -- in partnership with Alltel Wireless -- will begin rolling out a new contract-free package dubbed "U Prepaid," which, naturally, is set to be backed by both of the aforementioned carrier's networks. The fresh U Prepaid deal will be making its way into "nearly" 500 Walmart stores across 18 US states, though there's no mention of which ones specifically. That being said, US Cellular and Alltel did announce the four devices coming at launch, including Samsung's Repp and Chrone along with the LG Attune / Exchange and Saber. In any case, now you know where to go if those recently announced plans from AT&T and Verizon aren't keeping a smile on your face.
US Cellular ships first LTE smartphone: Samsung Galaxy S Aviator
Welp, that didn't take long. Just weeks after US Cellular's first LTE device hit the shops (yeah, the Galaxy Tab 10.1), in flies the carrier's first 4G LTE smartphone. It's the Samsung Galaxy S Aviator -- otherwise known as the Droid Charge -- taking the crown, shipping today with a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus touchpanel, front-facing camera, Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread), an eight-megapixel rear-facing camera, an HDMI output and access to Google Play (despite the deceased 'Market' logo shown on the press imagery above). The bulk of you will be asked to pony up $199.99 on a two-year contract (and after a $100 mail-in rebate), but "select" LTE cities will be selling it for $100 less; as for LTE service, we're told that portions of Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin are being served now, while coverage is expected to expand to Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia in the latter half of the year.
Engadget's smartphone buyer's guide: spring 2012 edition
Springtime is here. It's a season of renewal, and similarly, an ideal time to replace your aging phone with one that you'll adore. With this in mind, we give you Engadget's smartphone buyer's guide -- your one-stop resource for selecting the best handset that fits your desires and budget. This time around, we're doing things a bit differently. In addition to naming the top phones for each provider, you'll now find more comparisons across carriers. This should help you find the best possible handset -- regardless of network -- if you're willing to make the switch. Also, you'll no longer see limited-time offers as our budget picks -- they'll still get a mention, but now, only phones that commonly retail below $80 will qualify for this coveted spot. Naturally, new smartphones are always coming onto the market, so before you make your final selection, be sure to consult our reviews hub for the very latest recommendations. With that in mind, read on as we round up the best smartphones of the season.
US Cellular's first LTE device ships, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 claims the honor
Just under two months after being officially unveiled, US Cellular's first LTE device is now shipping. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it's a tablet taking the first journey out on the carrier's 4G superhighway, with Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 on sale today online and in stores for... well, entirely too much. Despite being nearly a year old, USCC's Tab 10.1 will sell for a staggering $499.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate, though customers residing in one of its LTE markets will be able to grab it for a Benjamin less. Oh, and did we mention that a two-year agreement (with data plan) is still required? Yeah. Pardon us while we fire up the gravedigger -- we've seen this one before.
Samsung Galaxy S II announced for US Cellular: 'coming soon' for $230
We already had a strong hunch that it was coming to US Cellular, thanks to the FCC, but now it's official: Samsung's iconic Galaxy S II is finally making its way to the regional carrier in the coming weeks for $230 on a two-year contract and after a $100 mail-in rebate. This version of the GSII offers the same 1.2GHz dual-core Exynos CPU found in the original version, as well as a 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display. Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), an eight megapixel rear camera and 16GB internal storage are also confirmed, though we think it's highly likely this unit will feature the same specs as the rest of the series. Sadly, the device lacks support on USCC's brand new LTE network, so brace yourself for 3G speeds if you plan to pick one of these up. Check out the full press release below for all the details released so far, and we'll keep you posted as soon as we hear an official release date or any other deep dark secrets.
Mobile Miscellany: week of February 13th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This week, we bring you announcements of LTE expansion from AT&T, US Cellular and Verizon, along with news of three Samsung smartphones that received WiFi certification -- each are thought to be high-end devices and bound for US carriers. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride. Let's explore the "best of the rest" for this week of February 13th, 2012.
Mobile Miscellany: week of February 6th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This week, we've learned that T-Mobile is offering some of its best phones free after rebate (today only), and we've also spotted a new power management feature that seems destined for BlackBerry 7.1 OS. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride. Let's explore the "best of the rest" for this week of February 6th, 2012.
US Cellular intros first LTE devices: the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 4G and Galaxy S Aviator 4G
US Cellular's had its LTE network in the oven for quite some time, and we knew it was going to be showing up sometime next month. The missing part of the equation, however, was which devices would ring in the celebration. The carrier finally answered the mystery question: the first tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 4G, will be the inaugural device and is expected to arrive in March, while the Galaxy S Aviator 4G should be gracing store shelves sometime in April. We don't expect to see any surprises with the Galaxy Tab, but the Aviator definitely has us curious. At first glance, it appears to be the same design as the Droid Charge, and will offer a 4.3-inch WVGA Super AMOLED Plus display, run on Android 2.3.6 and come with a 8MP rear camera, front-facing cam and HDMI port. We're hoping to get more specs for your enjoyment, but enjoy the press release in the meantime.
Samsung Galaxy S II for US Cellular clears FCC, lacks LTE
The Samsung R760 has been tossed around as the likely model number of US Cellular's upcoming Galaxy S II, and it's just cleared one more hurdle: the FCC. While this doesn't guarantee that the carrier will indeed get its own flavor of the GSII anytime soon, it's just another piece of evidence to consider. For anyone hopeful that this could've become the Skyrocket or Galaxy S II LTE, we're shooting down your dream -- the FCC docs don't indicate the presence of LTE, which means this will not be the mysterious smartphone slated to launch in April.
Samsung SCH-R930 clears FCC with LTE bands, appears destined for US Cellular
Just yesterday, US Cellular let it be known on Twitter that its first LTE smartphone would arrive in April. Now, we've a rather strong indication that the device in question will be from Samsung, known internally as the SCH-R930. Previously outed by Pocketnow in September as a US Cellular device, the handset has just made its way through the FCC -- and yes, it has LTE support in tow. While the Belief Network currently lacks a top-tier Samsung smartphone, the model number indicates we may be looking at a clone of the clone of the Galaxy Indulge. Here's hoping for something a bit less stale.
US Cellular reassures us of LTE plans: first tablet by March, smartphone by April
Last we heard, LTE was supposed to land on US Cellular last November, but months passed with nary a peep on the carrier's progress. Finally, a little ray of light shone from its official Twitter account as it confirmed today that high-speed mobile broadband is still on the radar, but its deployment was simply pushed back to the end of March, when we'll see the first LTE-capable tablet arrive. For those craving to have the service on something a little smaller, the company also told us to expect the first smartphone in April. And we have a pretty good idea of where: brief jaunt to US Cellular's website offers a few 4G coverage maps in select parts of Iowa, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Maine, Texas and North Carolina. We'll give US Cellular a mulligan this time -- let's just make sure it doesn't happen again, shall we?
US Cellular launches the Huawei Ascend II next week, costs you nothing (after rebate)
Coming next week to a US Cellular website near you... we give you the Huawei Ascend II. The carrier's first Huawei device is no stranger on American soil, having spent a good five months on Cricket's lineup. While the handset was available for $180 with no contract on Cricket, US Cellular is offering it for free with a two-year commitment -- after a $100 mail-in rebate. Perhaps it's not as likely to induce salivation as we were hoping, but it may still be a temptation for a few smartphone fans on a budget that don't mind a contract. The Android 2.3 device, complete with a 3.5-inch HVGA display, 5MP camera and 600MHz CPU, is available online next week and will be offered in stores in early January.
Mobile Miscellany: week of December 12, 2011
This week was packed with news on the mobile front, so it was easy to miss a few stories here and there. Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of wireless for the week of December 12, 2011:
Refresh Roundup: week of December 5, 2011
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging to get updated. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery from the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
US Cellular doesn't want iPhone without LTE
Even though Sprint signed its life away to carry the iPhone, not all carriers are that eager. According to a report from Fierce Wireless, US Cellular is not interested in the iPhone, at least not until it has LTE. Speaking at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference, Ted Carlson, CEO of US Cellular's parent company TDS, said, "The iPhone for us would need to be at the cutting edge of where we're going, and then there might be an opportunity to consider it." Like other wireless carriers, regional carrier US Cellular is updating its 3G network to 4G LTE. Because its network is small, the carrier will blanket 25 percent of its subscribers in 4G by the end of this year and another 25 percent by the end of 2012. It hopes to cover all its subscribers across 26 states within three years. US Cellular will sell its first 4G handset and tablet early next year and may pick up the iPhone if it shipped with LTE. According to Carlson, bringing LTE and quality 4G handsets to its customers is US Cellular's top priority. If Carlson is sincere, then selling the iPhone should fit in perfectly with that goal. [Via AllThingsD]
