Google To Distribute Nexus Phones from Multiple Vendors
Google is set to significantly shake up its Nexus device program. According to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal, Google plans to give multiple handset makers access to new versions of Android and sell those handsets directly to consumers. Historically, Google has partnered with one hardware manufacturer at a time to create its Nexus devices. Offering the Nexus — or pure Android — experience to more than one OEM at a time represents a big change. Google recently resurrected direct-to-consumer sales of Nexus devices through the Google Play store. The Journal’s sources didn’t say which manufacturers might be first up in the new scheme, but said the devices would be ready by Thanksgiving.
Verizon to Kill Grandfathered Unlimited Plans
Verizon Wireless CFO Fran Shammo said that the company plans to move all 3G customers with grandfathered unlimited data plans to its new shared data plans when they become available. Verizon will introduce its shared data plans later this summer, though pricing has yet to be discussed. Shammo said that as 3G customers with $30 monthly unlimited plans upgrade to 4G plans, they will have to sign up for the shared data plans. Verizon hopes this will help boost the adoption of multiple devices. “If I can add as many devices as I want, that is more efficient from a family perspective and a small business perspective,” said Shammo. AT&T is also preparing to launch shared data plans later this year.
T-Mobile to Eliminate 900 Jobs, But Create 550 New Ones
T-Mobile USA today indicated that though it expects to layoff 900 employees during its planned restructuring, the company will hire approximately 550 new employees in other areas of the business. The bulk of the new hires will be added to a facility in the Puget Sound area, and T-Mobile says it is going to fill these positions as rapidly as it can. T-Mobile is encouraging employees facing a job loss to apply for any openings within the company that suit their qualifications. T-Mobile also clarified that the layoffs expected this week do not involve technicians in engineering, customer service representatives in its 17 call centers, or front-line retail employees in corporate-owned T-Mobile stores. T-Mobile expects the net number of jobs eliminated through this process to be about 350, which is in addition to approximately 1,000 jobs already slated for elimination.
Sprint Now Supports Carrier Billing in Google Play
Google today announced that Sprint supports carrier billing for all purchases in the Google Play Store. This means Sprint customers can now purchase digital goods — including music, movies, and books — in the Google Play Store and have the purchases added to their Sprint bill. Previously, only apps were supported.
Samsung Ousts Nokia as World’s Largest Phone Supplier
Samsung sold 86.6 million cellphones during the first three months of 2012, surpassing the 83.2 million handsets sold by Nokia in the same period. This puts Samsung ahead of Nokia as the world’s top supplier of mobile phones, a title Nokia has owned for more than a decade. The numbers, which come from Gartner, mark a significant change in the mobile industry. Nokia has long been the world’s foremost supplier of cell phones as a whole and smartphones as a sub-category. Both segments now belong to Samsung, which has been propelled to the top by the success of its Android-based smartphones. Gartner’s numbers say that Samsung owns 20.7% of the global cellphone market, and Nokia now owns 19.8%.
Mobilicity launches Nokia Lumia 710 smartphone
Nokia Lumia 710, Nokia Lumia, Lumia 710
Mobilicity today introduced the Nokia Lumia 710 smartphone to its line-up of popular name-brand devices, enabling Windows phone users, for the first time, to lower their wireless costs through Mobilicity’s unlimited talk, text and data service. The Nokia Lumia 710 is built on the Windows Phone 7.5 Mango operating system, combining a 3.5″ touch screen and 5MP camera featuring HD video recording with powerful social connectivity and access to thousands of cool apps. It is available at Mobilicity for the no-contract price of $249.99. Today’s announcement is poised to be welcome news to Canadian Windows Phone enthusiasts looking to take advantage of the unlimited carrier’s affordable service plans. Mobilicity recently added 35% more value into its ultra-affordable, unlimited talk, text and data service plans, including free minutes of voice roaming onto several of the new offerings. The new features were added into the plans without price increases. In comparison, other new entrants increased their wireless rates as of late; while the nation’s Big 3 carriers have long been known for charging among the highest rates in the developed world.
CIBC and Rogers Unveil the Future of Mobile Payments in Canada
CIBC Rogers Mobile Payment
CIBC and Rogers Communications today announced an agreement to launch Canada’s first joint mobile payment solution, allowing Canadians to pay with their CIBC credit card at the checkout counter using their Rogers “Near Field communications” (NFC) enabled smartphone. Beginning later this year, customers will be able to use this payment capability at merchants acrossCanadawhere contactless credit card payments are accepted.
$1,000,000 Floyd Mayweather iPhone Collection
Floyd Mayweather iPhone Collection
The $1,000,0000 Money Floyd Mayweather iPhone collection, an absolute must accessory for him, his Money team and sister company Goldenboy promotions. Only a very Limited amount will be produced, 10 Gold and 10 Platinum. Each iPhone is worth approx. $25,000.00 comes with a UK Assay office hallmark and numbered 1-10. 20% of sale price will go towards Floyds foundation which supports communities and has the following mission statement; The Floyd Mayweather Jr Foundation mission is to empower and encourage community alliances, impact youth leadership and strengthen family foundations through community development, entrepreneurial-ism and education resulting in a healthier community. The Solid Gold and Platinum iPhones designed by Goldgenie will go on sale once dates are confirmed by Floyd Mayweather and company. Keep checking our blog and website for release dates.
Huawei E5331 Value MiFi – coming soon to Three
Huawei E586 MiFi, Three MiFi, HSPA+ broadband, E586, the Huawei E5331 Value MiFi
Three, the provider of the award-winning ‘Huawei E586 MiFi’, is launching a new value model MiFi that will offer wireless internet access with the same high speed HSPA+ broadband technology at a lower price point. Offering the same great functionality as the E586, the Huawei E5331 Value MiFi allows people to connect up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices, including tablets, laptops and handheld gaming consoles, to the internet while on-the-go. Fast and secure, the pocket-sized Value MiFi is simple to use with just one button and an LED screen displaying key information including signal strength and battery life.
Key features:
- LED screen with clear icon display
- One button connection
- Up to 21.1 Mbps technical standard Download (HSPA+)
- Up to 5.76 Mbps technical standard Uplink (HSUPA)
- 4.5 hours battery life
LG Optimus Elite Makes its Way to Virgin Mobile USA on May 15
LG Optimus Elite
Virgin Mobile USA answers to A Higher Calling once again, announcing with LG Mobile the availability today of LG Optimus Elite in Titan Silver for $149.99. The device operates on Virgin Mobile’s industry-leading, no-contract Beyond Talk plans with unlimited data and messaging starting at $35 a month. Stylish and slim, LG Optimus Elite comes with Google Wallet and is now available at virginmobileusa.com and major retailers nationwide. A successor to the popular LG Optimus V, this highly customizable full-featured smartphone keeps customers organized with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and other key features, including a 3.5-inch HVGA screen, 800MHz processor, 5MP autofocus rear-facing camera and camcorder with flash, and a virtual QWERTY keyboard.
Coming soon to Three – HTC Desire C
HTC Desire C
Today Three announces that the HTC Desire C will be coming soon to the network. With Beats Audio technology, the HTC Desire C is perfectly suited to music lovers who want a stylish, feature-packed smartphone at an affordable price. In addition to the rich studio-quality sound, the HTC Desire C runs Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and has access to thousands of apps, games, music and movies through Google Play, letting people can keep connected, informed and entertained on the go.
LG’s New Optimus UI 3.0 Adds New Features and Functions While Being Unobtrusive and Simple
LG Optimus UI 3, Android Ice Cream Sandwich device, Optimus UI 3
LG Electronics (LG) is introducing a new User Interface (UI) for its newest Android Ice Cream Sandwich devices, aptly named Optimus UI 3.0. Optimus UI 3.0 brings with it an array of enhanced key features, including Quick Memo and unique unlock functions, among other new features and functions aimed at improving LG smartphone experience. Optimus UI 3.0 is designed with convenience and speed in mind. A powerful memo function called Quick Memo enables users to jot notes on the screen using a finger. Quick Memo in Optimus UI 3.0 allows users to share their thoughts through social networks, text messages and e-mails more conveniently than ever before.
KYOCERA Introduces URBANO PROGRESSO, World’s First Smartphone to Transmit Clear Voice Reception via Vibration of Display Screen
KYOCERA URBANO PROGRESSO
Kyocera Corporation today announced the release of the URBANO PROGRESSO, the world’s first smartphone to be equipped with Smart Sonic Receiver technology which transmits clear voice quality to the user directly through vibrations in the handset’s display screen — a technology co-developed by Kyocera and KDDI Corporation, based on Kyocera’s proprietary advanced ceramic technology. The new model is part of Kyocera’s DIGNO-branded smartphone series, complete with various features including a stylish and sophisticated design using a metallic shell; 4.0-inch OLED “Luminous Display”; compatibility with WiMAX high-speed Internet service; and connection with up to eight devices via Wi-Fi tethering. Available in three color variations, the new phone is part of KDDI Corporation’s new handset lineup announced on May 15.
NTT DOCOMO Unveils 19 New Mobile Devices
NTT DOCOMO, DOCOMO Xi, DOCOMO Crossy, LTE mobile, Raku Raku Pake hodai, DOCOMO tablet, Mobile Wi-Fi router L-04D, Kids’ PHONE HW-01D, F-09D ANTEPRIMA, AQUOS PHONE st SH-07D, Optimus it L-05D, MEDIAS X N-07D, ALAXY S III SC-06D, AQUOS PHONE ZETA SH-09D, Xperia GX SO-04D, ARROWS X F-10D, ELUGA Live P-08D, Raku-Raku Smartphone F-12D
NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today its 2012 summer lineup of 19 models for launch in or after June, including 16 smartphones, a tablet and a mobile phone for children as well as a mobile Wi-Fi router, many of which will be compatible with DOCOMO’s Xi (read “Crossy”) LTE mobile service. DOCOMO’s new smartphone and tablet lineup, which covers an exceptionally broad range of specifications, is designed to satisfy diverse needs at a time when smart devices are becoming an increasingly essential and ubiquitous part of daily life. For the first time, for example, the Raku-Raku PHONE series of simplified models offers a touch-screen smartphone that mimics the sensation of pressing actual keys. Users less experienced in touch screen operations are expected to welcome the familiar feel of this newest model in DOCOMO’s series of easy-to-see, easy-to-hear and easy-to-use mobile devices. Also for the first time, users of this phone may subscribe to the “Raku-Raku Pake-hodai” flat-rate packet service.
Motorola Mobility Releases Latest Enhancements to its KreaTV Operating System for IPTV & Hybrid Set-tops
Motorola KreaTV version 4.4
Motorola Mobility in Sweden, continues to drive the future of TV by enabling enjoyable, simple and intuitive entertainment experiences. To address the challenges faced by IPTV service providers looking to be more agile in the market with enhanced functionality and improved user experiences, Motorola Mobility has just released the latest version of its ultimate open operating system for IP set-tops – Motorola KreaTV version 4.4. KreaTV’s flexibility enables service providers to easily add new functionality and services, allowing the system to grow according to network operator business needs and upcoming customer demands. At the same time, the hardware abstraction layer simplifies integration with specific hardware, making it easier to upgrade to new hardware in the future. Motorola’s approach to reducing time to deployment of new features has driven the popularity of KreaTV amongst IPTV software developers and the KreaTV ecosystem is a key contributor to Motorola’s leadership position in the global IPTV set-top market.
