World / Mobile Communication
Verizon settles ETF class action suit for $21 million
12.07.2008 23:13
engadgetmobile.com
It's a far cry from the $1 billion potential pay-out we heard about initially, but it looks like Verizon will still be forking over a hefty chunk of cash as a result of that class action lawsuit over early termination fees -- $21 million, to be exact. Verizon still isn't about to admit to any wrong doing, however, with its spokesman saying simply that the suit "was a distraction," and that "this was a quick way to resolve it." As Dow Jones points out, the resolution of suits like these could well put a renewed focus on FCC Chairman Kevin Martin's efforts to curtail carriers' ability to charge ETF fees, which he hopes will eventually be governed by some national rules.[Via Phone Scoop]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Americans using mobile internet the most, RAZR family most responsible
12.07.2008 19:12
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Culture, Studies, Misc Who says we Americans don't love our mobile internet? We don't like paying through the nose for it, but there's no denying we heart it profusely. According to new research from Nielson, around 15.6% of US wireless subscribers utilize mobile internet on their handset, while the UK ganked the silver medallion at 12.9% and Italy the bronze at 11.9%. Out of the 16 countries studied by the firm, America ranked number one in terms of usage, and oddly enough, Motorola's RAZR / RAZR2 were found as the top devices (10%) for accessing the mobile web. For those curious, Apple's iPhone came in second with 4%, while RIM's BlackBerry 8100 and 8800 series claimed 2% each. Even if you're usually not the numbers type, we'd say it's worth your while to give these a peek -- pretty interesting stuff, from a nerd's point of view. [Warning: PDF read link][Via modoNews]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
iPhone 3G and firmware 2.0: the day after
12.07.2008 16:12
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Handsets, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS, Apple So many of you are probably still in your jammies, reveling in the afterglow of yesterday's purchase, repeatedly opening Maps on your glossy new iPhone 3G and watching in exaggerated wonderment as your location is determined with frightening speed and accuracy. Others might be standing in a line snaking hundreds of bodies long into your friendly local Apple Store, reading this post from the comfort of your Motorola RAZR V3 and realizing that these are some of the last moments you'll be using a physical keypad. Still others are bemused by the fuss -- but whatever your stance on the phone, it's pretty hard to ignore the buzz that's floating around in the aftermath of day zero. Here are some of the goings-on we're tracking: The masses of humanity continue to collect. Massive stock shortages don't seem to be an issue (yet), but patience is not a virtue we hold dear to our hearts, so we really can't blame these people. Some buyers are reporting a yellow tint to their screens -- probably not enough to notice without another unit side-by-side for comparison, but real nonetheless. Of course, the first iPhone suffered from the occasional crappy backlight, bum touchscreen, or negative black, so we wouldn't be surprised if a few lame displays made it out of the factory floor for this model as well; we're following up with Apple on this and we should have more for you later today. We took the iPhone 3G on a decent drive around New York, and found its tracking to be impeccable. In a situation where we might have veered off the path following Google Maps directions, the blue blip kept us right on track. Despite what you've read (we're looking at you, Mr. Pogue), we see no technical reason that the aGPS can't provide turn-by-turn directions, provided there's software to take advantage of it. There are some complaints floating around about 3G reception, but it's been just fine on our review units around the world so far. How's it treating you out in [your location here]? iphone-dev has a video up of BootNeuter going about its business on a first-gen iPhone that's been upgraded to firmware 2.0, and the process is looking as slick and painless as ever. Unlockers who haven't shelled out for the 3G, commence your salivating. MobileMe seems like it's up for the moment, but don't breathe too hard lest you bring the whole thing down again. Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Palm's electric blue Centro in the flesh
12.07.2008 15:17
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Handsets, Palm, ATT, Palm OS, GSM, EDGE Yeah, sure, it's just a dummy, but the live model will look the same -- albeit with a slightly more functional display, hopefully. Our contact tells us AT&T stores will have these bad boys ready to sell on Monday at the freshly-dropped price. Click on for the spellbinding backside![Thanks, Kal]Continue reading Palm's electric blue Centro in the fleshPermalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Nokia offering 96 N96 handsets in limited edition packaging
12.07.2008 13:13
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Handsets, Nokia, Symbian, GSM, HSDPA, UMTS, HSUPA Nokia's latest promotion isn't the most enthralling we've ever seen, but two aspects in particular stand out. First, those fortunate enough to be able to drop €759 ($1,206) on an N96 will be helping the WWF project to save the red pandas in Nepal. Secondly, the Face The Task website designed to highlight the limited edition kit is worth viewing for kicks alone. From what we can gather, 96 well-packaged N96 mobiles will be made available at the aforesaid price, but nothing about the device itself will be special. You will, however, receive a limited edition ash tree box in a raw silk bag along with an 8GB microSD card. Worth it? That's up to you.[Via TheNokiaBlog]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Limited Edition LG Decoy is predictably uninspiring
12.07.2008 10:14
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Handsets, LG, Verizon Wireless, EV-DO, CDMA Nary a month after launching on Verizon Wireless, LG's Decoy is apparently ready for a limited edition makeover. Yeah, we're a bit miffed at why this handset -- of all devices -- deserves a LE model, but we digress. Reportedly, the new iteration will simply include a Bluetooth desktop charger with integrated speaker, and it'll run $20 more on a 2-year contract than the vanilla $179 model. Way to make yourself feel special, Decoy.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
Truphone Internet mobile call service available on the iPhone
12.07.2008 08:11
computerbusinessreview.com
Truphone has announced a low-cost Internet telephone call service on the Apple iPhone in the UK. The service will enable iPhone users to make international calls over the Internet instead of the GSM.
World
Mobile Communication
Sunrise offers pay-per-hour HSPA access in Switzerland
12.07.2008 05:22
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: HSDPA, Misc, HSUPARemember those days when you'd beg your mom to hop online and watch GamePro.com load for 15 minutes in order to read the latest reviews, only to be shut down by pops who refused to pay $.50 per minute to be on the world wide web? Thankfully, Sunrise's latest mobile broadband plans aren't that bad, but each precious hour of surfing over HSPA will set you back 3 Swiss francs (or $2.97). On the upside, there's no commitment attached to the USB modem, and there aren't any data usage caps either, so who knows, maybe this deal will float your boat after all.[Thanks, Jay]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
World
Mobile Phones
FCC Fridays
12.07.2008 00:17
engadgetmobile.com
Filed under: Features We here at Engadget Mobile tend to spend a lot of way too much time poring over the latest FCC filings, be it on the net or directly on the ol' Federal Communications Commission's site. Since we couldn't possibly (want to) cover all the stuff that goes down there, we've gathered up all the raw info you may want (but probably don't need). Enjoy!PhonesRead - Ezze Mobile M4ERead - ZTE C306Read - Samsung SCH-W550Read - Samsung SCH-W560Read - Panasonic VS84PeripheralsRead - ZTE MF626Read - Samsung WEP250Read - Huawei E216Read - Huawei E3735Read - Nokia HS-121WRead - Option Globetrotter GE0421Permalink | Email this | Comments
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