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T-Mobile G2x review
It's only been a few weeks since the Optimus 2X crossed the desk of our European review bureau as the first known dual-core smartphone in the universe. Now LG's wunderkind has made its way across the pond and landed on US soil to be reborn as the G2x on T-Mobile. While the hardware remains the same elegant Tegra 2-infused slab of glass, metal and plastic, the software has been liberated from the shackles of LG's UI customizations into a serving of vanilla Froyo -- the exact same approach T-Mobile took when it introduced the Desire Z as the G2 without HTC's custom Sense skin last fall. Unlike previous G-series phones, the G2x ditches the physical keyboard for a 4-inch WVGA display with HDMI output and an 8 megapixel camera with 1080p video capture. Beyond the transition from messaging-centric device to multimedia powerhouse, what else is different about the hardware? Is plain Android a vast improvement over the lackluster software that shipped on the Optimus 2X? How does the G2x fare against T-Mobile's current flagship, the Samsung Galaxy S 4G? Find out in our full review after the break. %Gallery-121708%
Google Voice app now supports iPad and iPod touch, brings Click2Call
So, how exactly does a voice app work on devices without any cellular ties? Glad you asked! Google has just updated the iOS Google Voice app to include support for the iPod touch and iPad, but neither of them can make cellular calls directly. Instead, you can use the app to initiate GVoice calls with a nearby phone. The process is known as Click2Call -- users simply click any 'Call' button within the app and then choose which of their phones they want to ring. It's probably more time consuming than just grabbing your phone from the start, but hey, there it is. In other news, the app now disables text forwarding when you enable Push Notifications (to avoid double alerts), and there's a new Do Not Disturb option in the Settings tab for those who'd prefer to disconnect. Hit the iTunes link below to get your download on, and let us know how things shake out in comments.
T-Mobile G2 WiFi calling and tethering update begins rolling out today?
Get ready G2 owners because it looks like an OTA update will begin distribution on November 3rd (yes, that's today) to flip the switch on WiFi tethering and T-Mobile's WiFi Calling for Android feature. The anticipated update lets G2 owners make voices calls and send SMS messages from WiFi networks without a femtocell thus conserving their monthly contractual network allotments -- something that could prove very beneficial at home. It also includes WiFi hotspot tethering (a native part of the Android 2.2 Froyo OS) although T-Mobile won't have data plans ready at the same time. In other words, enjoy your free WiFi tethering while it lasts.
BlackBerry Bold 9780 finally official, hitting T-Mobile on November 17th for $130
After what feels like an eternity of leaks, RIM has finally (finally!) come forward with the first BlackBerry Bold to ship with BlackBerry 6. The Bold 9780 looks exactly as we expected it to (meaning not too far from the 9700 design tree), boasting an optical trackpad, QWERTY keyboard, a WebKit-based browser and a five megapixel camera. You'll also get inbuilt 3G / WiFi, and at least on the T-Mob version, UMA / WiFi calling. Geotagging your images is a breeze courtesy of the integrated GPS module, and RIM's also tossing in 512MB of Flash memory as well as a microSD slot. We're told to expect it from "various carriers around the world beginning in November," with T-Mobile USA confirming that its version will hit on the 17th of next month for $129.99 on a two-year contract.
T-Mobile won't confirm the G2 OTA update, says it's working to deliver WiFi calling and tethering 'in the future'
We're still not sure what's up with the few reports of G2s receiving OTA updates that add WiFi calling and native hotspot support, but T-Mobile isn't fessing up to them just yet. In a statement issued to Phone Scoop, T-Mobile said that these features "are not currently supported" on the handset, although T-Mobile thankfully added that it "knows these features are important to consumers and we're working to deliver them to G2 users in the future." It's hard to tell if that means an update is just minutes away from widespread distribution, or if we've still got weeks or months to wait for these features. Familiar story?
T-Mobile G2 getting an OTA update to add WiFi calling and tethering?
It almost sounds too good to be true, but apparently some G2s are getting an official (if stealthy) OTA update from T-Mobile that adds the inexplicably withheld Android 2.2 native internet tethering back into the phone, along with the UMA WiFi calling T-Mobile plans to offer on all of its forthcoming Android handsets. What's not to love? Well, so far our G2 hasn't been offered the update, which is, like, totally unfair. Also, if you've been messing around with a "soft root" on your G2, you'll probably want to hold off for now. Still, if this is legit and meant for the masses it's a pretty major score for current and prospective G2 owners: WiFi calling is basically a beautiful dream short of a desirable handset, and of course tethering is becoming a requirement in this Android-age.
T-Mobile finally brings Android into the WiFi calling game
Eschewing the femtocells that most of its competitors have embraced, T-Mobile USA has long touted WiFi calling as the answer for augmenting its cellular network -- problem is, they've generally done a poor job of rolling it out to a wide variety of handsets. Notably absent from the compatibility list so far, Android is finally being welcomed to the club today -- as rumored -- with the recently-announced myTouch and Motorola Defy among the first models to nab the feature. Though availability on currently-sold phones hasn't been announced, T-Mobile does say that WiFi calling is "anticipated to be available on a growing selection of T-Mobile's Android-powered smartphones in the coming months," so we'll go on record hoping we see a few upgrades in the works (G2, we're looking straight at you). Follow the break for the carrier's full press release.
T-Mobile to bundle Wi-Fi Calling app with future Android devices?
Yesterday, we saw that LG's Optimus One might ship with WiFi calling, and that's all well and good, but a new leak suggests the Optimus was just the tip of a UMA iceberg to come. The above picture is one of several allegedly leaked training slides obtained by TmoNews, highlighting a dedicated "Wi-Fi Calling" app that may come pre-installed on upcoming Android devices, one of which just might be that new T-Mobile G2. Before you raid your piggybank in hopes of free VoIP calls, however, know that this app-ified brand of WiFi calling isn't necessarily the seamless switching solution we've wanted all along; that little yellow "limitations" tab reportedly explains that as soon as you leave the WiFi radius, you effectively drop your call.
LG Optimus One headed to T-Mobile with 3G hotspot and WiFi calls?
If the allegedly leaked slide immediately above is the real deal, it looks like the LG Optimus One is destined for T-Mobile, and it's going to get some serious use out of that 802.11 b/g WiFi radio. We knew the quad-band GSM handset was going to have a shot of Froyo on top of some fairly middling specs, but here's an unexpected treat: the Android handset just might be the first Android device with UMA support. If you've already forgotten what that particular acronym means, we don't blame you, as Unlicensed Mobile Access hasn't held the spotlight since the days of HotSpot@Home, but suffice it to say the tech uses a WiFi access point to make free VoIP calls, no cell signal (or minutes) required. It'd be easy to point to this move as a nefarious T-Mobile plot to free up cellular bandwidth a la the femtocell, except it apparently also works the other way, too -- the Optimus One will allegedly let you share that HSDPA 7.2 Mbps connection over WiFi with your thirsty laptop.
T-Mobile bringing its UMA services to businesses via BlackBerry
Until now, T-Mobile's HotSpot @Home WiFi calling service had strictly been a consumer venture -- but now, it's time to rope the suits in on the fun. Many of the handsets currently in T-Mobile's HotSpot @Home stable aren't exactly prime workplace material, but a few -- T-Mobile's WiFi-enabled BlackBerrys, to be specific -- fit in rather nicely, and it seems that the BlackBerry line is exactly what the carrier will be using to position the service. There'll be a flat rate that applies to get unlimited calling over WiFi (just like consumers pay) , and considering that businessfolk are probably the last remaining niche of ultra-heavy voice users, this could be a power play for T-Mobile that wins over a few of those lucrative corporate accounts. [Via Phone Scoop]
Skype to FCC: open up those cellular networks, please
It's painfully obvious just how tight cellular providers have control over how their networks are used, which features are enabled, and what handsets are locked, but Skype is hoping to chip away a bit more at the mighty provider stranglehold by suggesting that wireless networks be made to carry Skype calls. In a recent petition to the FCC, Skype is purportedly "asking regulators to force cellphone carriers to loosen their controls on what kinds of hardware and software can be connected to their networks," essentially paving the way for free calls to be made over costly connections. Skype is asking that the so-called Carterfone rules (circa 1968) be applied to the wireless industry, which basically "allowed consumers to hook any device up to the phone network, so long as it did not harm the network." Unsurprisingly, carriers are less than enthralled about the notion, and a cellular trade group has already reacted by calling Skype's proposal one that "completely disregards consumer benefits provided by a competitive marketplace," which is certainly nominated for laughable statement of the year. As of now, no other companies are putting their collective necks out to join Skype's agenda, but hopefully it won't remain solo for too much longer.[Via ArsTechnica]
