Engadget Mobile http://www.engadgetmobile.com Engadget Mobile http://www.engadgetmobile.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget Mobile http://www.engadgetmobile.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Cellphone-only households on the rise, landlines crying a river]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/15/cellphone-only-households-on-the-rise-landlines-crying-a-river/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/15/cellphone-only-households-on-the-rise-landlines-crying-a-river/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/15/cellphone-only-households-on-the-rise-landlines-crying-a-river/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Hold everything -- did you have any idea surging cellphone use was putting a damper on landline utilization? Oh, right, common knowledge. Anywho, a recent study conducted here in America found that three in ten households actually relied solely or primarily on their mobile to communicate. In the latter half of 2007, it was discovered that 16-percent of domiciles didn't even have a landline, while 13-percent had one but took all (or nearly all) of their calls via cell. Just to put things in perspective, only 5-percent of US homes were cellphone-only in 2004, while 1.082-percent had not yet surrendered their can-and-string. If you're one of those number lovers, hold your head up high and hit the read link for lots more data about this totally engrossing topic.

[Image courtesy of Preston LNO]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphonecellphone onlyCellphoneOnlydatahouseholdhouseholdslandlineresearchstudysurveyThu, 15 May 2008 10:31:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T's 3G comes out on top in speed tests, will only get faster in 2009]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/15/atandts-3g-comes-out-on-top-in-speed-tests-will-only-get-faster/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/15/atandts-3g-comes-out-on-top-in-speed-tests-will-only-get-faster/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/15/atandts-3g-comes-out-on-top-in-speed-tests-will-only-get-faster/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,


The folks over at Computerworld just ran the current 3G providers in America through their paces, only to discover that AT&T came out on top in almost every category. Well, it appears the monolithic telco plans to keep its edge (er...) on the competition -- by upping its HSPA service to a whopping 20Mbps come 2009. Our main man Ralph de la Vega said that the process wouldn't require a major overhaul to the provider's infrastructure, and that they're already working on punching up the current 3.6Mbps speeds to 7.2Mbps "in the labs." Apparently, this won't stall plans for forthcoming 4G / 700MHz / LTE service from the company -- it'll just be icing on the cake.

Read - Which 3G network is the best?
Read - AT&T plans 20-megabit 3G by 2009
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3g4g700mhzatthspalteralph de la vegaRalphDeLaVegaspeed testsSpeedTestsThu, 15 May 2008 10:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony Ericsson patent applications reveal wireless digital camera plans]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/13/sony-ericsson-patent-applications-reveal-wireless-digital-camer/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/13/sony-ericsson-patent-applications-reveal-wireless-digital-camer/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/13/sony-ericsson-patent-applications-reveal-wireless-digital-camer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It looks like your future digital camera could have considerably more wireless options than built-in WiFi or an Eye-Fi card, at least if Sony Ericsson has its way. As Unwired View reports, the company has filed a number patent applications that detail its plans to add various wireless connectivity options to digital cameras, including GSM, CDMA, and WiMAX, in addition to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. That would apparently come both in the form of wireless cards built into the cameras themselves, and in the form of wireless adapters or docks that would attach to the camera, with some dedicated flash memory also thrown in for storing settings for Flickr and the like. Of course, there's no indication as to when we can expect to see such cameras and, as Unwired View points out, the idea itself may not be the most patentable, but you can sign us up for any connectivity option that doesn't involve a tangled mess of cords in our gadget bag.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital cameraDigitalCamerapatentpatent applicationPatentApplicationsony ericssonSonyEricssonwireless digital cameraWirelessDigitalCameraTue, 13 May 2008 12:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Sprint affiliate gets litigious to block Clearwire WiMAX deal]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/12/sprint-affiliate-gets-litigious-to-block-clearwire-wimax-deal/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/12/sprint-affiliate-gets-litigious-to-block-clearwire-wimax-deal/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/12/sprint-affiliate-gets-litigious-to-block-clearwire-wimax-deal/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sprint affiliate iPCS has butted heads with its parent company in the past, and it looks like it's causing a bit of a ruckus once again, this time over Sprint's deal with Clearwire to form a new WiMAX-focused company. As the AP reports, iPCS (which has 640,600 subscribers in seven states) thinks that new service would compete with it in the markets it operates in, and therefore violate the exclusivity agreement Sprint signed in 1999. To put a halt to that possibility, iPCS has filed suit in the Cook County Circuit Court in Illinois to block the deal, adding that it "intends to fully and aggressively protect and defend its exclusivity rights." Not surprisingly, Sprint saw this one coming, and it asked a Delaware Chancery Court to rule last week that the Clearwire deal didn't violate its arrangement with iPCS, although there doesn't appear to be any further word on that front just yet.

[Via Phone Scoop]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clearwireipcslawsuitsprintwimaxMon, 12 May 2008 16:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Best Buy dumps $2.1 billion into Carphone Warehouse]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/12/best-buy-dumps-2-1-billion-into-carphone-warehouse/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/12/best-buy-dumps-2-1-billion-into-carphone-warehouse/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/12/best-buy-dumps-2-1-billion-into-carphone-warehouse/#commentsFiled under:

Best Buy and Carphone Warehouse have already gotten cozy west of the Atlantic to collaborate on Best Buy's Mobile locations, so what's the next logical move? Collaborating on the east side, that's what, to the tune of $2.1 billion. The money will buy Best Buy a solid half of Carphone's retail business, giving the combined company enough horsepower (theoretically, anyway) to take on other retailers across Europe; existing stores will retain the Carphone Warehouse name, but new, larger stores to be opened in 2009 and beyond will be branded Best Buy. Carphone looks to use that nice little cash infusion to make fresh investments in landline and broadband operations -- but with both landline and wireless business struggling from market saturation and a downtick in the economy, how long is this all going to take to turn into black ink?

[Via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best buyBestBuycarphone warehouseCarphoneWarehouseMon, 12 May 2008 03:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft increases focus on Fone+ cellphone project for the poor]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/08/microsoft-increases-focus-on-fone-cellphone-project-for-the-poo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/08/microsoft-increases-focus-on-fone-cellphone-project-for-the-poo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/08/microsoft-increases-focus-on-fone-cellphone-project-for-the-poo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Microsoft has been touting its Fone+ project for a little while now, but it looks like the company is starting to step up its efforts a bit further, with the new head of Microsoft's Unlimited Potential Group, Craig Mundie, reportedly leading the charge to increase the focus on the project aimed at bringing cellphones to the poor. This isn't a case of simply handing out as many barebones handsets as possible, however. Instead, Microsoft wants to use the cellphones (which are described as a "low-to-mid-end smartphone") as an alternative to computers like the OLPC, an idea the company has been tossing around since before the Fone+ project even had a name. To make things a bit more practical, the cellphones would be paired with a dock that hooks up to TV, resulting in a system that Mundie says is "a lot cheaper than having to buy a whole separate computer." Unfortunately, while it is upping its efforts, Microsoft apparently still isn't ready to provide any sort of timeline about when we can expect to see an actual product, and Mundie adds that the company continues to "explore and look at both phone-up models and PC-down models" to make computing more accessible to the poor.

[Via Phone Scoop
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fonemicrosoftmicrosoft unlimited potentialMicrosoftUnlimitedPotentialunlimited potentialUnlimitedPotentialThu, 08 May 2008 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T WiFi access now listed as "included" with iPhone]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/08/atandt-wifi-access-now-listed-as-included-with-iphone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/08/atandt-wifi-access-now-listed-as-included-with-iphone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/08/atandt-wifi-access-now-listed-as-included-with-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


We're not exactly sure what was going on with that whole on-again / off-again love affair with iPhones having gratis access to AT&T WiFi hotspots, but we're content with letting bygones be bygones. On the slightly tweaked iPhone "Plans" page, the carrier now lists "Access to AT&T WiFi hotspots" as an included feature along with call forwarding, 3-way calling and Caller ID. Sure, it's not a bona fide press release, but same difference, right?

[Via MacRumors]

Update: Oh, ha, it's gone again. We have a feeling it'll be back soon enough though.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessappleatthotspotinternetiphonestarbuckswifiThu, 08 May 2008 08:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Epoda promises to deliver water-proof EP2501 watch phone]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/05/epoda-promises-to-deliver-water-proof-ep2501-watch-phone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/05/epoda-promises-to-deliver-water-proof-ep2501-watch-phone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/05/epoda-promises-to-deliver-water-proof-ep2501-watch-phone/#commentsFiled under: , ,

While that lone image above doesn't exactly inspire much confidence of its actual existence, China's Epoda is apparently now looking for partners to help distribute its EP2501 water-proof watch phone, which supposedly packs more features than your average, non-wearable cellphone. That includes Windows CE 6.0 for an OS, quad band 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900Mhz connectivity, a 2-megapixel camera, a 1.4-inch display, the usual PMP functions, 1GB of memory, and "support" for WiFi and Bluetooth (it's not clear if that means it's built-in or not, although dongles would pose a bit of a problem). Of course, there's no word on price or availability, but those interested in doing business with Epoda can contact 'em at the link below for more details.

[Via PMP Today]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ep2501epodawatch phoneWatchPhoneMon, 05 May 2008 16:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Sprint "seriously considering" spinning off Nextel]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/05/sprint-seriously-considering-spinning-off-nextel/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/05/sprint-seriously-considering-spinning-off-nextel/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/05/sprint-seriously-considering-spinning-off-nextel/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We'd take this with half a tablespoon of salt for now, but The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Sprint-Nextel Corp. is "seriously considering spinning off or selling its ailing Nextel unit." That's according to undisclosed people "familiar with the situation," though Sprint did decline to comment on whether it actually was considering a sale of Nextel. Also of note, Cyren Call is reportedly attempting to "assemble a consortium of investors to acquire Nextel as part of its plans to create a nationwide wireless network for public safety communications," and while it can't be confirmed, we are hearing that Sprint is "contemplating other possible buyers such as private equity firms." Still, these same sources made clear that "no deal was imminent and that Sprint was preoccupied for the moment with other matters." It's no secret that the firm would be way more attractive to suitors (read: Deutsche Telekom) if the flagging Nextel division was detached from the deal, but we guess we'll have to wait and see how it all plays out. [Warning: read link requires subscription]

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in, image courtesy of Flickr]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsDeutsche TelekomDeutscheTelekomnextelspinoffsprintsprint nextelsprint-nextelSprintNextelMon, 05 May 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[T-Mobile clears everything up: 3G rollout (with data) is on in NYC]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/05/t-mobile-clears-everything-up-3g-rollout-with-data-is-on/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/05/t-mobile-clears-everything-up-3g-rollout-with-data-is-on/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/05/t-mobile-clears-everything-up-3g-rollout-with-data-is-on/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Great news, T-Mobile USA fans -- the roller coaster ride is finally over. After we thought T-Mobile's 3G network was but moments away from launching, we soon found that data may be left out. Oddly enough, a few reports hailing from the Big Apple claimed that data actually was included. At long last, the carrier is coming clean and announcing its official 3G rollout in the States. Unfortunately, the UMTS / HSDPA network is initially launching in New York City alone, but the good news is that data will be included and the operator expects the high-speed data network to "be available in cities where a majority of its subscribers currently use data services" by the year's end. Yeah, it's safe to celebrate now, we promise it's not a(nother) false alarm. Full release posted after the jump.

Continue reading T-Mobile clears everything up: 3G rollout (with data) is on in NYC

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3gdatahsdpanew yorkNewYorknyofficialrolloutt-mobileumtsMon, 05 May 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Continental Airlines expands paperless boarding in US]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/05/continental-airlines-expands-paperless-boarding-in-us/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/05/continental-airlines-expands-paperless-boarding-in-us/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/05/continental-airlines-expands-paperless-boarding-in-us/#commentsFiled under:

Handset addicts traveling domestically through Houston's Intercontinental Airport have likely utilized the paperless boarding option if hopping on a Continental flight, and apparently the initiative is going over so well that the aforesaid airline and the TSA are expanding it to three more venues. As of now, passengers traveling within the US can enjoy the same luxury at Boston's Logan International Airport and Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C; later this month, the program should slide into Newark International Airport in New Jersey. As expected, only folks traveling alone can take advantage, as the airline feels that pulling up passes for an entire group would actually slow the flow of boarding. There's been no word given on future expansion plans, but at this rate, we wouldn't be shocked to see it hit even more airports in the not-too-distant future.

[Via WBZTV]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airlineairplaneairportboardingboarding passBoardingPassbostoncellphone boardingCellphoneBoardingContinental AirlinesContinentalAirlinesflighthoustonloganpaperlesstexastsawashington dcWashingtonDcMon, 05 May 2008 11:24:00 EST<![CDATA[German companies developing scented text messages]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/03/german-companies-developing-scented-text-messages/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/03/german-companies-developing-scented-text-messages/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/03/german-companies-developing-scented-text-messages/#commentsFiled under:

Virtually every smell-based tech that's come through the pipe has fizzled out in one way or another, but that checkered past isn't stopping Germany's ConVisual from partnering with the Institute of Sensory Analysis and Marketing on scent-delivery chips for cell phones. The partnership has been running for eight years and just received a patent on the tech, and the goal now is to start building the chips into phone within the next two years. The chip is initially supposed to have 100 different smells on it, and ConVisual says bad smells are a possibility as users will be able to reject certain messages. That's certainly interesting, but we've got to say, we're not all that keen on the idea of people having even more ways to emit odors -- we'll stick with the non-smelly cellys, thanks much.

[Via EE TImes]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>convisualInstitute of Sensory Analysis and MarketingInstituteOfSensoryAnalysisAndMarketingscentsmellsmell phoneSmellPhoneSat, 03 May 2008 10:48:00 EST<![CDATA[FCC looking into 911 calls from inactive handsets]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/29/fcc-looking-into-911-calls-from-inactive-handsets/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/29/fcc-looking-into-911-calls-from-inactive-handsets/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/29/fcc-looking-into-911-calls-from-inactive-handsets/#commentsFiled under:


Asshats, jerkfaces, and garden-variety idiots have finally stirred the sleeping giant -- and though the FCC doesn't exactly have a sterling reputation of coming down hard on offenders, we can only hope something good happens here. All cellphones, tied to active accounts or otherwise, are required by law to be able to place calls to emergency services; by and large, that's a sound policy and something that's probably saved dozens of lives over the years. Sadly, though, folks have seen fit to abuse that capability, in some cases utterly overwhelming call centers and taking away service from others who genuinely need it. A number of states have banded together and formally asked the FCC to do something about it, and this is where it gets a little messy. Does the commish repeal the clause requiring access to 911? Sounds like the wrong move, but without any sort of account linkage, prank calls from inactive handsets are difficult at best to stop, simply because they can't be traced. There doesn't seem to be any guidance yet from the feds on exactly what action they may take -- and with an issue this tricky, we don't really expect action any time soon.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>911emergencyfccTue, 29 Apr 2008 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[China Mobile, Softbank and Vodafone to collaborate on mobile internet services]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/27/china-mobile-softbank-and-vodafone-to-collaborate-on-mobile-int/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/27/china-mobile-softbank-and-vodafone-to-collaborate-on-mobile-int/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/27/china-mobile-softbank-and-vodafone-to-collaborate-on-mobile-int/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Simmer down, we're not talking about yet another homegrown 3G standard from China here. Oh no -- Vodafone, Softbank and China Mobile are teaming up to establish a Joint Innovation Lab (JIL) that will "promote the development of new mobile technologies, applications and services." More specifically, the trio is aiming to accelerate the "commercial deployment of mobile internet services" such as mobile widgets. For starters, the initiative hopes to conjure up a platform for said widgets that can leverage the unique capabilities of mobile operators, and it's most certainly keeping the door to the party wide open for anyone who wants to get in on the action. As expected, we're not clearly told what to expect from this little tie-up, but we'll be keeping an ear to ground for any developments.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinachina mobileChinaMobilecollaborationinternetJILjoin innovation labJoinInnovationLabmobile broadbandmobile internetMobileBroadbandMobileInternetpartnerpartnershipsoftbankVodafoneSun, 27 Apr 2008 16:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Sprint discontinuing Voice Command on July 1st]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/27/sprint-discontinuing-voice-command-on-july-1st/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/27/sprint-discontinuing-voice-command-on-july-1st/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/27/sprint-discontinuing-voice-command-on-july-1st/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Sprint's not going out of its way to make a big fuss about it, but its long-standing Voice Command service will soon be no more. The service, which allowed Sprint-Nextel phones to dial two buttons and then give voice commands to place calls, will be discontinued on July 1st, 2008, meaning that all your server-based contacts will soon be inaccessible. Aside from removing the VC fee from your monthly bill, Sprint's advising users to download and print their contact lists, and better still, it's encouraging users to rely on handset-based voice-activated dialing (or pick up a new phone if their current one can't pass muster). So long, Voice Command -- we can't imagine too many folks actually missing you.

[Via Phone Scoop]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>address bookAddressBookcontactskillkilledkillingripsprintvoice commandVoiceCommandSun, 27 Apr 2008 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[School cellphone ban upheld by New York court]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/26/school-cellphone-ban-upheld-by-new-york-court/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/26/school-cellphone-ban-upheld-by-new-york-court/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/26/school-cellphone-ban-upheld-by-new-york-court/#commentsFiled under: ,


Ruh roh kiddos, looks like you'll still be asked to hand over your cellie before checking into first period in New York. Based on a recent decision handed down by a NY court, the controversial ban on cellphones on school property will continue to remain in effect, much to the chagrin of paranoid parents and text-happy students. The report made mention that the complaints over taking away kids' "lifelines" in school were not justifiable, and it restated just how many incidents had been reported where mobiles were used for harassment on school grounds. As expected, livid parents aren't likely to accept the results and get on with things, with the NY Daily News reporting that said folks may take the issue "to the state's highest court."

[Via CNET, image courtesy of MSNBC]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bancellphone banCellphoneBancourtlegalnew yorkNewYorknySat, 26 Apr 2008 20:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Cellular South wants you so bad, it'll pay your early termination fee]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/26/cellular-south-wants-you-so-bad-itll-pay-your-early-terminatio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/26/cellular-south-wants-you-so-bad-itll-pay-your-early-terminatio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/26/cellular-south-wants-you-so-bad-itll-pay-your-early-terminatio/#commentsFiled under:


Cellular South, which is headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi and provides service to around 5 million folks in its home state, coastal Alabama, the Florida panhandle and portions of Memphis, really wants your business. So much so, in fact, that it's willing to pay your early termination fee that'll undoubtedly bite you in the wallet as you attempt to port your number over from your current carrier. Of course, there are some strings attached: it will only pay up to $200, and that cash will be applied as credits towards your bill rather than bills towards your pocket. Still, the premise alone here is extraordinarily fantastic, and we'll go ahead and wish that more mainstream carriers would get the notion that they too should adopt such a consumer-friendly policy (and fast).

[Via Phone Scoop]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellular southCellularSouthcustomer serviceCustomerServiceearly termination feeearly termination feesEarlyTerminationFeeEarlyTerminationFeesetffeesSat, 26 Apr 2008 16:22:00 EST<![CDATA[NextWave looking to pawn off cache of US spectrum]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/25/nextwave-looking-to-pawn-off-cache-of-us-spectrum/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/25/nextwave-looking-to-pawn-off-cache-of-us-spectrum/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/25/nextwave-looking-to-pawn-off-cache-of-us-spectrum/#commentsFiled under:

Thought that the 700MHz auction was the last chance for an all-new US carrier to emerge? Think again. Turns out that NextWave, the company behind the TDtv mobile television standard among other things, has itself a nice little collection of US spectrum that it claims covers something on the order of 251 million Americans -- and it's retaining professional help to shop the package around. These airwaves are split across the 1.7 / 2.1GHz (AWS), 2.3GHz, and 2.5GHz bandwidths, leaving with the potential buyer with a fragmented, albeit wide-reaching swath of EF that could theoretically see another player hop in the ring to offer voice, data, or both -- subject to the FCC's approval of any sale, of course.

[Via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fccnextwavespectrumFri, 25 Apr 2008 19:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Mexican attaché attempts to make off with White House BlackBerrys]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/25/mexican-attache-attempts-to-make-off-with-white-house-blackberry/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/25/mexican-attache-attempts-to-make-off-with-white-house-blackberry/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/25/mexican-attache-attempts-to-make-off-with-white-house-blackberry/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


We're a bit frightened by the fact that high-ranking political officials are told to leave their BlackBerrys outside in an unguarded basket during high-level meetings (really, it's "common practice"), but nevertheless, one chap who tried to take advantage of the situation didn't quite make it out undiscovered. During a recent political meetup in New Orleans, a Mexican press attaché managed to slip a half dozen or so BlackBerrys into his pocket before darting to the airport with visions of black market markups in his head. Before he could exit the country, however, Secret Service had tracked him down after catching him via surveillance footage. As it stands, the responsible individual has been fired from his post, but there's been no word on whether the US will take any further actions. Reevaluating the whole "leaving them out in the open" practice may be a good start -- just sayin'.

[Via The Boy Genius Report]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberrylarcenyMexicopoliticalpoliticsstealstealingtheftthiefwhite houseWhiteHouseFri, 25 Apr 2008 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Limited edition Renault Sandero to boast Nokia branding, N95]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/limited-edition-renault-sandero-to-boast-nokia-branding-n95/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/limited-edition-renault-sandero-to-boast-nokia-branding-n95/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/limited-edition-renault-sandero-to-boast-nokia-branding-n95/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Nothing shows your complete and unwavering devotion to a handset maker like buying an ultra-rare vehicle with its logos on there, wouldn't you agree? Those vigorously nodding up and down (well, those vigorously nodding up and down in Brazil) can get set to grab a limited edition Renault Sandero, which will come "fully equipped with Nokia's navigation system and [undisclosed] car add-ons." The super-special Sandero will come stocked with an N95 and cost around €17,650 ($27,693), but you'd better hurry, as only 1,000 of these niche motorcars are being built. It's like Nokia heard your cries for letting the chance to nab one of those co-branded Twingos slip through your too-busy-texting thumbs or something.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brazillimited editionLimitedEditionmarketingN95nokiapartnerpartnershipRenaultsanderoThu, 24 Apr 2008 21:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Qualcomm rakes in more quarterly cash than it did a year ago]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/qualcomm-rakes-in-more-quarterly-cash-than-it-did-a-year-ago/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/qualcomm-rakes-in-more-quarterly-cash-than-it-did-a-year-ago/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/qualcomm-rakes-in-more-quarterly-cash-than-it-did-a-year-ago/#commentsFiled under:

The royalty, lawsuit, and chipset machine better known as Qualcomm has gone public with its digits for the second quarter of fiscal 2008, and to sum things up, it's all looking pretty rosy. At $2.61 billion, revenue was up a solid 17 percent year over year -- up 7 from the previous quarter -- and income totaled $766 million, up 6 percent year over year. That works out to 47 cents worth of diluted earnings per share, a 9 percent improvement over the same period a year ago. The MediaFLO division still isn't in the black, though, with its Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives parent reporting a loss of 2 cents per share and $76 million worth of operating expenses in the quarter, "primarily related" to the mobile TV unit. Guess there's probably a little pressure for the AT&T launch to go smoothly, swiftly, and profitably, eh? [Warning: PDF link]

[Via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsprofitqualcommrevenueThu, 24 Apr 2008 12:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Comcast hires former O2 CTO, possibly starting wireless division]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/23/comcast-hires-former-o2-cto-possibly-starting-a-wireless-divisi/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/23/comcast-hires-former-o2-cto-possibly-starting-a-wireless-divisi/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/23/comcast-hires-former-o2-cto-possibly-starting-a-wireless-divisi/#commentsFiled under: ,

We're not exactly willing to sign up for even more punishment at the hands of Comcast, but all you masochists in the crowd should take note: GigaOm is reporting that the cable giant is "serious" about offering wireless services and has hired former Telefonica O2 Europe CTO Dave Williams to make it happen. It's not clear what type of wireless is being considered, but it's a good bet Sprint will be involved somehow: Comcast is still in that goofy partnership with Sprint called Pivot that hasn't gone anywhere, the two companies are rumored to be talking about a nationwide WiMAX network, and GigaOm thinks there's a chance it could up and buy the struggling carrier outright. That would be quite a move, but it's all just speculation for now -- we'll let you know if we hear anything solid.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comcastdave williamsDaveWilliamspivotsprintwimaxWed, 23 Apr 2008 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[RIM snatching up employees offed from Nokia's Bochum facility?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/22/rim-snatching-up-employees-offed-from-nokias-bochum-facility/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/22/rim-snatching-up-employees-offed-from-nokias-bochum-facility/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/22/rim-snatching-up-employees-offed-from-nokias-bochum-facility/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Never mind Nokia's arguments that Bochum is too expensive of a location to make phones, because RIM wholeheartedly disagrees. Sort of, anyway. Although there's no indication that the Canadian firm is going to start producing handsets in the downtrodden German town, it apparently did see Nokia's move as a fabulous opportunity to hire on a whole boatload of fresh talent and has decided to open an R&D facility there. It seems that RIM had already been shopping around Europe for a place to set up camp, and the Bochum layoffs came at just the right time to catch its attention. A Nokia board member says that RIM is indeed in Bochum, but is "talking to engineers, not workers," whatever that means; we thought engineers were workers, but this probably simply confirms that RIM's facility won't be a factory.

[Via IntoMobile]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bochumgermanynokiarimTue, 22 Apr 2008 11:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Proposed law seeks more FTC oversight of carriers]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/21/proposed-law-seeks-more-ftc-oversight-of-carriers/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/21/proposed-law-seeks-more-ftc-oversight-of-carriers/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/21/proposed-law-seeks-more-ftc-oversight-of-carriers/#commentsFiled under:

Proposed legislation currently making its way around the hallowed halls of Congress would put an end to the common carrier exemption, a shifty little clause of the FTC Act that essentially bails telecom carriers out from under Federal Trade Commission jurisdiction. In lay terms, that means carriers can engage in all manner of anticompetitive behavior and deceptive advertising and there's really not a heck of a lot the FTC can do about it. Carriers are currently reviewing the bill -- they're not really commenting on it in depth at this point -- but something tells us that by the time they get to the last spellbinding page, they're going to have an objection or two that necessitates the disposal of some lobby money. Then again, this isn't the first time congressmen have attempted to nix the common carrier exemption (an action the FTC fully supports, naturally), so there's certainly no guarantee it'll make it through to law this time, either.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>common carrier exemptionCommonCarrierExemptionfederal trade commissionFederalTradeCommissionftcftc actFtcActMon, 21 Apr 2008 18:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Air France in-flight calling tests begin: not so great]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/18/air-france-in-flight-calling-tests-begin-not-so-great/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/18/air-france-in-flight-calling-tests-begin-not-so-great/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/18/air-france-in-flight-calling-tests-begin-not-so-great/#commentsFiled under:

That Air France in-flight calling trial is now well underway, and it looks like there's still some kinks left to iron out. The New York Times hitched a ride on a recent flight featuring tests of the system, and found that things weren't quite working up to snuff: voice quality was said to be like "talking to a small robot," only six passengers could get a signal at a time, Blackberry email didn't work, and calls placed from the ground to cell phones in the air went straight to voicemail. That's a pretty long list for a system that's been talked about for a couple years now -- let's hope OnAir manages to clear up some of these glitches before angry passengers revolt over not only having to listen to other people's conversations, but also their screaming over bad connections.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air franceAirFrancein flightin flight callingin-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingInFlightInFlightCallingon airOnAirpicocellFri, 18 Apr 2008 19:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung aiming for water-powered cellphones by 2010]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/18/samsung-aiming-for-water-powered-cellphones-by-2010/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/18/samsung-aiming-for-water-powered-cellphones-by-2010/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/18/samsung-aiming-for-water-powered-cellphones-by-2010/#commentsFiled under: ,


We've seen quite a few prototype fuel-cell powered mobile devices, but Samsung's upping the ante by predicting that we'll all be running our phones on water by 2010. The company says it's developed a method to generate hydrogen by exposing water to metal, but the details are a little shaky -- we're guessing it's similar to the system used in the HydroPak generator, but it's hard to tell. Still, we've got no reason to doubt Samsung's engineers, who say the system currently provides about 10 hours of use, or about five days of average cell usage, and will eventually allow users to simply top off and go. That's every traveler's dream -- let's get this to market, Sammy.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fuel cellFuelCellhydrogenwaterwater powerwater poweredWaterPowerWaterPoweredFri, 18 Apr 2008 18:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Robber holds up bank, doesn't bother to get off his cellphone]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/17/robber-holds-up-bank-doesnt-bother-to-get-off-his-cellpho/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/17/robber-holds-up-bank-doesnt-bother-to-get-off-his-cellpho/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/17/robber-holds-up-bank-doesnt-bother-to-get-off-his-cellpho/#commentsFiled under: ,


Make no mistake, we've seen some fairly boneheaded moves made by technologically-illiterate bank robbers, but the latest case involves a fellow who was quite the opposite of that. Yes, the 20 to 25 year male who decided to hold up an Alabama bank the day before his taxes were due actually did the deed without hanging up his cellphone. And there's surveillance footage to prove it. Quite honestly, we can't imagine what the conversation here would've been like, but at least he made the most of whatever minutes he had remaining as a free man, right?

[Via textually]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankbank robberbank robberyBankRobberBankRobberycrimecriminaldumbpolicerobberystupidtheftthiefweirdThu, 17 Apr 2008 06:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinese 3G still two years away from widescale availability?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/16/chinese-3g-still-two-years-away-from-widescale-availability/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/16/chinese-3g-still-two-years-away-from-widescale-availability/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/16/chinese-3g-still-two-years-away-from-widescale-availability/#commentsFiled under:

Despite ongoing trials and a groundswell of government and carrier optimism that the system would be ready in time for the Olympics this summer, at least one analyst is thinking that retail availability of China's homegrown 3G TD-SCDMA standard (and the equipment to take advantage of it) is still years away. The logic's pretty simple: historically, GSM trials have tended to last 12 to 18 months, and there's really no reason that the TD-SCDMA players would be able to effectively and reliably get it done any faster. Plus, network build-outs and handset developments take plenty of time, so they've got some work ahead of 'em. The outspoken analyst, working for Ernst & Young's global telecommunications group in Beijing, also thinks that China might end up awarding licenses for WCDMA (the underpinnings of UMTS) and CDMA2000 at the same time that TD-SCDMA licenses are handed out -- which begs the question, why'd they go through this whole rigmarole of developing their own standard to begin with?

[Via Slashphone]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3gchinatd-scdmaWed, 16 Apr 2008 18:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Republican lawmakers say Google "gamed" 700Mhz auction]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/16/republican-lawmakers-say-google-gamed-700mhz-auction/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/16/republican-lawmakers-say-google-gamed-700mhz-auction/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/16/republican-lawmakers-say-google-gamed-700mhz-auction/#commentsFiled under: ,

Google's plan in the 700MHz auction drama was never much of a secret: it was always assumed that the search giant would bid enough to trigger the open-access provisions, but wasn't really interested in winning, and sure enough, the company confirmed that strategy when the bidding wrapped up. Of course, news travels slow in our nation's capital, and word of Google's dastardly plan to make sure the FCC's open-access rules were triggered is apparently shocking news to a handful of Republicans, who characterized it as "gaming the system," and asked FCC chairman Kevin Martin if the agency had been "duped." Newsflash to Reps. Fred Upton (R-Mich), Cliff Stearns (R-Fla) and John Shimkus (R-Ill): the FCC, Google, and Verizon argued about this for months and analysts had a field day, remember? And then Verizon gave up the lawsuits, went crazy on the open tip, and won the auction anyway. Of course, if Verizon hadn't won, Google would have had to make good on that $4.6B bid, which isn't exactly chump change. So, who gamed what? If anything, the FCC's coffers got a little fatter than they would have otherwise, and we're pretty certain consumers will benefit from open-access, so, uh, you guys want to stop wrecking the party now? Cool.

[Thanks, Scott]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>700mhz700mhz auction700mhzAuctioncliff stearnsCliffStearnsfccfcc auctionFccAuctionfred uptonFredUptongooglejohn shimkusJohnShimkusWed, 16 Apr 2008 16:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Quad-band watch phone rolls on Windows CE 5.0]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/15/quad-band-watch-phone-rolls-on-windows-ce-5-0/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/15/quad-band-watch-phone-rolls-on-windows-ce-5-0/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/15/quad-band-watch-phone-rolls-on-windows-ce-5-0/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Ready for some honesty? We can think of a good handful of timepieces that we'd buy before we dropped $629.95 on this catastrophe, but for folks with pants too slim and hands too full to carry around a separate cellphone, we suppose it's a so-so alternative. The EGP-WP98 claims to be the first quad-band GSM watch phone to come with Windows CE 5.0 installed, and while it's supposed to tout a SIM card slot, water-resistance, a 266MHz CPU and a 1.45-inch display with handwriting recognition (for real?), that little line informing us that specifications are "subject to change without notice" makes us a touch leery. Nevertheless, you can also expect (though you may not get) a 1.3-megapixel camera, WiFi, a T-Flash expansion slot, multimedia player and built-in Bluetooth. According to one particular e-tailer, it'll be ready to ship on April 25th -- whether or not anyone's fat-fingered enough to push an order through, however, remains to be seen.

[Via UnwiredView]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EGP-WP98timepiecewatchwatch phoneWatchPhonewindows cewindows mobileWindowsCeWindowsMobilewinmowristwatchTue, 15 Apr 2008 18:41:00 EST<![CDATA[LocaModa lets cellphones interact with jukeboxes]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/12/locamoda-lets-cellphones-interact-with-jukebox/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/12/locamoda-lets-cellphones-interact-with-jukebox/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/12/locamoda-lets-cellphones-interact-with-jukebox/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Trust us, this isn't the first time LocaModa's dabbled in the cellphone-controlled gadgetry game, but it's never been more friendly than it's being with the Social Jukebox. The aforesaid company has teamed up with TouchTunes in order to give patrons the ability to interact with flat-panels on TouchTunes jukeboxes. On-screen applications will include information about the song currently playing, elusive "user generated content" and even "patron photos" from their social networking profiles (scary?). For those completely absorbed in this stuff, you can even keep tabs on the interactions via data feeds from your favorite network. Twitter fights over which song ushers the drinking crowd out in a bar 1,500 miles away? What is the world coming to?

[Via textually, image courtesy of LocaModa]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jukeboxLocaModamusicsocial jukeboxsocial networkingSocialJukeboxSocialNetworkingtouchtunesSat, 12 Apr 2008 10:56:00 EST<![CDATA[FCC gives national SMS alert system stamp of approval]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/10/fcc-gives-national-sms-alert-system-stamp-of-approval/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/10/fcc-gives-national-sms-alert-system-stamp-of-approval/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/10/fcc-gives-national-sms-alert-system-stamp-of-approval/#commentsFiled under: ,

As expected, the FCC today approved plans to roll out a nationwide SMS-based alert system, which is now all but certain to be adopted by all four national carries, and no doubt most regional carriers as well. As CNN reports, under the new plan, the FCC will appoint a federal agency tasked with creating the messages, which will in turn be passed on to participating carriers (which will have ten months to comply with the system once the agency is named). Those messages will be limited to one of three categories of emergencies, including disasters like a terrorist attack, ongoing threats like hurricanes or earthquakes, or child abductions or amber alerts. Also as we had heard before, individuals will be able to opt out of the system if they so desire, and carriers will be required to provide distinct vibration and audio alert options for people with disabilities.

[Thanks, Ron]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fccsmssms alertsSmsAlertsThu, 10 Apr 2008 15:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Bizarre campaign texts parents to check for lice in kids' hair]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/10/bizarre-campaign-texts-parents-to-check-for-lice-in-kids-hair/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/10/bizarre-campaign-texts-parents-to-check-for-lice-in-kids-hair/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/10/bizarre-campaign-texts-parents-to-check-for-lice-in-kids-hair/#commentsFiled under:

If you thought sending a SMS in order to gain entry into a public bathroom was on the weird side, get a load of this. An outlandish campaign sparked up in the UK has been sending out weekly text messages to parents in order to remind them of the need to check for head lice on their youngsters. Cleverly coined Beat the Bugs, the program led to the discovery of six cases of lice, and when polling participants at the end of the term, the majority stated that they felt more aware about treatment / prevention and that they were now checking their kids' heads at least once per week. We can hear it now: "C'mon Jimmy, time for me to look through your locks for any critters!" "Ah, bugger."

[Via Switched, image courtesy of Interior Health]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alertalertsBeat the BugsBeatTheBugsfunnylicesmssms alertsSmsAlertstexttext messagetext messagingtextingTextMessageTextMessagingukweirdThu, 10 Apr 2008 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[David Dorman appointed as Motorola non-executive Chairman]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/09/david-dorman-appointed-as-motorola-non-executive-chairman/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/09/david-dorman-appointed-as-motorola-non-executive-chairman/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/09/david-dorman-appointed-as-motorola-non-executive-chairman/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We won't say that Motorola's on the up and up, but just after ridding itself of that pending litigation between it and Carl Icahn comes word that a fresh face will be succeeding Ed Zander as non-executive Chairman of the Board. David Dorman, former chairman and CEO of AT&T, has been selected by Moto's Board of Directors to take over Zander's chairman seat after he retires on May 5th. According to Greg Brown, president and CEO of the company, he feels that Dorman is "ideally suited to serve as Motorola's chairman," and he made known his excitement about working with Dave as it "moves forward with its plan to create two independent publicly traded companies and improve the performance of the Mobile Devices business." Good luck in there, Mr. Dorman.

[Image courtesy of USA Today]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attceoDavid DormanDavidDormaned zanderEdZanderleaderleadershipmanangementmotomotorolaWed, 09 Apr 2008 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Van Der Led's WM2 cellphone is Slayer approved]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/09/van-der-leds-wm2-cellphone-is-slayer-approved/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/09/van-der-leds-wm2-cellphone-is-slayer-approved/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/09/van-der-leds-wm2-cellphone-is-slayer-approved/#commentsFiled under:


Can it be? Why... why yes, a watch with integrated cellphone we might (might!) actually wear. The Van Der Led WM2 is a quad-band GSM watch with itty bitty 1.3-inch, 260k color touchscreen display, stereo Bluetooth, up to 240-hours of standby or 300-minutes talk, and 1GB of storage for a few of your MP3 or MP4 files. Better yet, from a distance, those uber geeky keys on the numeric pad look just like the glittering wrist studs capable of mesmerizing Death Metal, she-groupies backstage. Yours for €300 (about $471 US Rubbles) starting Monday. Actual product pressed to flesh in the Engadget gallery.

[Thanks, Gydo W.]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mw2van der ledVanDerLedwatchWed, 09 Apr 2008 07:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Carl Icahn and Motorola bury the hatchet]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/07/carl-icahn-and-motorola-bury-the-hatchet/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/07/carl-icahn-and-motorola-bury-the-hatchet/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/07/carl-icahn-and-motorola-bury-the-hatchet/#commentsFiled under: ,

Good news coming from the Motorola camp? Say it ain't so! The long-standing feud between the flagging company and investor Carl Icahn has finally come to an end, and lo and behold, the pending litigation between the two has even been dismissed. Apparently the two parties managed to agree that (effective immediately) Keith Meister, a managing director of the Icahn investment funds and principal executive officer of Icahn Enterprises would be "appointed to serve on the [firm's board of directors]," and William R. Hambrecht, founder, chairman and CEO of WR Hambrecht + Co. and co-founder of Hambrecht & Quist, would be "nominated for election" during the 2008 annual shareholders meeting. Heck, Moto's even soliciting Mr. Icahn's input in dealing with the hopeful separation of businesses -- but then again, it would probably take advice from just about anyone given the current state of affairs.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessCarl IcahnCarlIcahncourtindustrylegalmotomotorolaMon, 07 Apr 2008 10:51:00 EST<![CDATA[European Commission gives approval to in-flight calling over Europe]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/07/european-commission-gives-approval-to-in-flight-calling-in-europ/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/07/european-commission-gives-approval-to-in-flight-calling-in-europ/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/07/european-commission-gives-approval-to-in-flight-calling-in-europ/#commentsFiled under:

Not even a week after hearing that Air France was forging ahead with an in-flight calling trial, the European Commission has now voiced its approval of using mobiles on planes in European airspace. After six months of deliberating, the decision was finally made to give airlines the choice of offering up services in order for guests to dial loved ones at 3,000-meters or more. The EU telecoms commissioner, Viviane Reding, went on to warn operators to "keep the cost of calls made on planes at a reasonable level," and of course, not all is clear just yet. For starters, the European Aviation Safety Agency still needs to green-light the whole ordeal by approving any hardware that would be used, and we won't be seeing any 3G action up high just yet. Still, at least one less hurdle stands in the way of you phoning home from over Europe (and simultaneously making enemies out of all your neighbors trying to get a few decent minutes of shuteye).
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airplaneEUeuropeEuropean CommissionEuropeanCommissionflightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingofcomonairpico cellpico cellsPicoCellPicoCellsplanetrialMon, 07 Apr 2008 08:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Verizon announces 700MHz LTE plans -- can you wait 3 years?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/04/verizon-announces-700mhz-lte-plans-can-you-wait-3-years/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/04/verizon-announces-700mhz-lte-plans-can-you-wait-3-years/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/04/verizon-announces-700mhz-lte-plans-can-you-wait-3-years/#commentsFiled under: ,


Verizon just announced its plans for the open-access "C block" and other chunks of the 700MHz spectrum it purchased from the FCC for almost $10B. As expected, it's going to provide high speed, 4G services in the form of LTE in the newly acquired spectrum. Of course, the 2010 launch is the same target stated by AT&T. Verizon also claims to have increased its spectrum inventory by about 60%. Before and after auction coverage shots over at Engadget.
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>700mhzbreaking newsBreakingNewsfcclteverizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessvzwFri, 04 Apr 2008 08:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Ericsson unveils M700 LTE platform for mobile devices]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/03/ericsson-unveils-m700-lte-platform-for-mobile-devices/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/03/ericsson-unveils-m700-lte-platform-for-mobile-devices/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/03/ericsson-unveils-m700-lte-platform-for-mobile-devices/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The same week that Nokia Siemens Networks unveiled its LTE solution for North America comes a little nugget from Ericsson: the M700. Hailed as the "world's first commercially available LTE-capable platform," it promises peak data transmissions of 100Mbps down and 50Mbps up, which will undoubtedly be the next best thing since sliced bread. Reportedly, initial devices based on the unit will be ExpressCards, USB modems, etc., and of course, it supports bandwidths between 1.4 and 20MHz and the oh-so-exciting 700MHz bands. Unfortunately, a commercial release isn't set to happen until 2009 -- with products "based on the platform" not scheduled until 2010 -- but to its credit, samples of ASICs will be ready to roll sometime this year.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>700mhzEricssonLTElte platformLtePlatformM700platformThu, 03 Apr 2008 18:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Splashpower can't wirelessly recharge bank account, declares bankruptcy]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/03/splashpower-cant-wirelessly-recharge-back-account-declares-ban/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/03/splashpower-cant-wirelessly-recharge-back-account-declares-ban/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/03/splashpower-cant-wirelessly-recharge-back-account-declares-ban/#commentsFiled under:

We're never going to give up the dream of wireless charging, but it looks like the high costs of developing the technology plus the battle to build it into portable devices has claimed early wireless pioneer Splashpower. We've been following the company since 2004, but we never really saw any commercial-ready products emerge from its labs, while companies like WildCharge and eCoupled have managed to at least produce demo-quality gear. Here's hoping an interested investor picks up what's left of the R&D and runs with it.

[Thanks, John]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>splashpowerwireless chargingWirelessChargingThu, 03 Apr 2008 17:40:00 EST