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[Virgin Mobile: okay, yeah, we're talking to SK Telecom]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/14/virgin-mobile-okay-yeah-were-talking-to-sk-telecom/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/14/virgin-mobile-okay-yeah-were-talking-to-sk-telecom/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/14/virgin-mobile-okay-yeah-were-talking-to-sk-telecom/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Looks like Virgin Mobile USA and Helio parent SK Telecom didn't bother to get their stories straight before turning to the press over recent rumors that they've been talking marriage. Right on the heels of an SKT statement that talks of a Virgin Mobile takeover were "groundless," Virgin Mobile has come out with a super-brief statement saying something quite to the contrary -- that the two are, in fact, in "preliminary discussions" over "possible strategic opportunities." That's about as vague and unhelpful as it gets -- a level of vagueness that's really only saved for situations where something big is about to go down, actually. The MVNO goes on to say that it's gonna stay mum on the subject at this point unless "a definitive agreement is reached," but at least we know they're chatting.

[Via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>heliosk telecomSkTelecomvirgin mobileVirginMobileWed, 14 May 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SK Telecom says talk of Virgin Mobile takeover of Helio is "groundless"]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/12/sk-telecom-says-talk-of-virgin-mobile-takeover-of-helio-is-grou/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/12/sk-telecom-says-talk-of-virgin-mobile-takeover-of-helio-is-grou/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/12/sk-telecom-says-talk-of-virgin-mobile-takeover-of-helio-is-grou/#commentsFiled under: ,

Well, it looks like the struggling Helio may not be falling under the Virgin Mobile umbrella quite just yet, with the MVNO's parent company, SK Telecom, now calling such speculation ""groundless." An SK Telecom spokesperson further added that it was not in "any sort of talks" with Virgin and that it remains "committed" to Helio, although the company did seemingly leave the door open somewhat by saying it is "actively seeking opportunities" to expand its service in the U.S. Muddling the situation a bit further, Reuters reported on Friday that the two companies were in fact in "early talks" about a deal, although the source behind that story was apparently unable to confirm whether the deal was actually a merger or a purchase, or one of a number of "other possibilities."
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>heliomvnosk telecomSkTelecomvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileMon, 12 May 2008 15:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile's first quarter earnings: down, but good times supposedly ahead]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/11/virgin-mobiles-first-quarter-earnings-down-but-good-times-sup/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/11/virgin-mobiles-first-quarter-earnings-down-but-good-times-sup/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/11/virgin-mobiles-first-quarter-earnings-down-but-good-times-sup/#commentsFiled under: ,

Virgin Mobile's warnings of a bleak quarter were pretty dead-on, with a mere 17,772 net adds coming on board during the three-month time frame ending March 31 -- not quite the blockbuster 309,721 reported in the same period a year ago. Similarly, revenue and income both took a dive, supposedly in part due to a big marketing push focused on the MVNO's new pricing plans. If there's a silver lining on the dark, rumbling cloud, though, it's that the CEO believes they'll start to see some positive growth again in the third quarter after a weak second (for his sake, we hope he's right). Also notable was a mention that although the company had no strategic partnerships, alliances, or investments to announce, it was definitely open to "non-organic growth" in the form of another MVNO or "capability." Wonder what he may have been talking about there?

[Via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsearnings callEarningsCallrevenuevirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileSun, 11 May 2008 12:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile looking to merge with Helio?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/08/virgin-mobile-looking-to-merge-with-helio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/08/virgin-mobile-looking-to-merge-with-helio/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/08/virgin-mobile-looking-to-merge-with-helio/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Times haven't been so great at Helio, but it looks like the troubled MVNO could be snapped up by Virgin Mobile. mocoNews did a little digging after Virgin's recent Q1 conference call, and says that the two companies are currently in merger talks. Since both companies use Sprint's network, the tech would be compatible, and the deal would give SK Telecom a way to keep Helio going as it tries to gain a foothold in the US market. Nothing's set in stone yet and the two companies aren't talking, but we'll definitely keep an eye on this one.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsmergemergerThu, 08 May 2008 14:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung Slash slider coming soon to Virgin Mobile]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/01/samsung-slash-slider-coming-soon-to-virgin-mobile/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/01/samsung-slash-slider-coming-soon-to-virgin-mobile/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/01/samsung-slash-slider-coming-soon-to-virgin-mobile/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Look out, Virgin Mobile subscribers -- Samsung's sliding you one more handset option with its forthcoming Slash. Posted now on the carrier's own website, said mobile packs integrated Bluetooth, a color display, voice dialing, web access and a talk time of 3.5-hours. Additionally, it tips the scales at just 3-ounces and measures 3.8- x 1.8- x 0.7-inches. Unfortunately, we're still waiting on the real details (you know, resolution, price, release date, whether it works in subarctic temperatures, etc.), but feel free to keep a close eye on the read link as its inevitable launch date draws near.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluetoothsamsungslashslidervirgin mobileVirginMobilevmm310Thu, 01 May 2008 11:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorola RAZR 2 V9m in the mix for Virgin Mobile Canada]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/motorola-razr-2-v9m-in-the-mix-for-virgin-mobile-canada/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/motorola-razr-2-v9m-in-the-mix-for-virgin-mobile-canada/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/motorola-razr-2-v9m-in-the-mix-for-virgin-mobile-canada/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


In case you hadn't noticed, Virgin Mobile rocks an ever-so-slightly higher end lineup north of the border than it does in the US, and to that end, it's just released the RAZR 2 V9m. We all know the drill here by now: 2 inch external QVGA display with music controls, 2.2 inch internal QVGA display, stereo Bluetooth, EV-DO, microSD expansion, and a 2 megapixel camera, all of which are ready to sit just above the KRZR in Virgin's stable. Grab it now for $149 CAD (about $147) on a three-year deal.

[Via Mobile In Canada]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadaclamshellflipmotomotorolarazrrazr 2Razr2v9mvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileThu, 24 Apr 2008 03:29:00 EST<![CDATA[House bill proposes ban on in-flight cellphone use]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/17/house-bill-proposes-in-flight-cellphone-use/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/17/house-bill-proposes-in-flight-cellphone-use/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/17/house-bill-proposes-in-flight-cellphone-use/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This could -- at least temporarily -- put an end the nightmarish scenario involving you, lack of sleep, and some freakish chatty Cathy plopped next to you by the airline. Lead co-sponsor Rep. Peter DeFazio, hopes the "Hang Up" -- madly clever name here -- bill will stop Airlines from finding yet another avenue to gouge you and maintaining peace and harmony by banning any in-flight calling. Of course, the door will remain wide open for SMS, mail, IM, and other types of electronic conversation, but we're hoping Skype and friends are on the muzzle list, too.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airlineairlinesbillcallingHang UpHangUpin-flightThu, 17 Apr 2008 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile retools prepaid and monthly plans, still no contracts]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/24/virgin-mobile-retools-prepaid-and-monthly-plans-still-no-contra/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/24/virgin-mobile-retools-prepaid-and-monthly-plans-still-no-contra/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/24/virgin-mobile-retools-prepaid-and-monthly-plans-still-no-contra/#commentsFiled under: ,


MVNO Virgin Mobile is taking a rather unusual approach to advertising its new plan features and pricing structures unveiled today, pointing out that they provide "smarter choices in a tough economy." For monthly plans, those "smarter choices" include unlimited nights and weekends starting at 7pm (well, we suppose weekends start at 12am, but you get what we mean) and unlimited messaging for a reasonable $10 monthly. Prepaid plans, meanwhile, are now offering the capability to "roll forward" up to 5,000 unused minutes when the account is re-upped within 30 days. Minute packs are now available in $20, $30, and $50 increments equaling 200, 400, and 1,000 minutes, respectively, knocking the per-minute price down to 5 cents at the highest level. The new goodies are all available immediately.

[Via Phone Scoop and MobileTechNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contractplanplansvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileMon, 24 Mar 2008 19:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile Flare: not bad for 30 bucks]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/15/virgin-mobile-flare-not-bad-for-30-bucks/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/15/virgin-mobile-flare-not-bad-for-30-bucks/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/15/virgin-mobile-flare-not-bad-for-30-bucks/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Virgin Mobile's slowly (and we do mean slowly) moving into the 21st century with its ultra-cheap prepaid offerings; in the past they've frequently foregone features most of us consider standard like Bluetooth and external displays in an effort to keep the sticker shock to a minimum, but thanks to the wonders of modern technology, Virgin's getting close to being able to offer a circa-2008 feature set in 2008. Here we have the Flare courtesy of LG, a glossy lil' flip that serves up a color screen out front, Bluetooth, speakerphone, and mobile web access for a penny shy of $30 -- contract-free. The FCC filing (it's the LX175) reveals a lack of EV-DO, but seriously, what do you expect for the price?

[Thanks, Eric C.]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clamshellflarefliplgvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileSat, 15 Mar 2008 18:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile turns Spitzer scandal into marketing gold]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/14/virgin-mobile-turns-spitzer-scandal-into-marketing-gold/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/14/virgin-mobile-turns-spitzer-scandal-into-marketing-gold/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/14/virgin-mobile-turns-spitzer-scandal-into-marketing-gold/#commentsFiled under: ,


Poor, poor client number 9, Eliot Spitzer. Having suffered a humiliating week in the US press, corporate Canada is now taking its shot at the disgraced New York governor. That's the actual print ad which Virgin Mobile will run in Toronto newspapers this week with the following subtext:

"At Virgin Mobile, you're more than just a number. When you call us we'll treat you like a person, not a client. Whether you're #9 or #900, you'll get hooked up with somebody who'll finally treat you just how you want to be treated."

Let's just see if Spitzer swallows the jab, or comes out fighting this unauthorized use of his image. Full text blow-up after the break.

[Via Textually]

Continue reading Virgin Mobile turns Spitzer scandal into marketing gold

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadaeliot spitzerEliotSpitzermarketingvirgin mobileVirginMobileFri, 14 Mar 2008 05:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile stock takes a beating, revenue not forecasted to grow]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/14/virgin-mobile-stocks-takes-a-beating-revenue-not-forecasted-to-g/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/14/virgin-mobile-stocks-takes-a-beating-revenue-not-forecasted-to-g/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/14/virgin-mobile-stocks-takes-a-beating-revenue-not-forecasted-to-g/#commentsFiled under: ,

Hot on the heels of dismal news from the Helio camp comes word that frowns are all the rage over at Virgin Mobile, too. After warning that "current quarter subscriber growth would fall to a range of 5,000 to 20,000" (compared to a net gain of 210,000 in Q4) and expressing concerns that the weakness in the US economy would further harm its chances at having a stupendous decent year, shares of its stock sank some 54-percent to $2.30 (but did manage to recover somewhat). Potentially more worrisome, however, was the pessimistic views from analysts; for instance, Bear Stearns' Phil Cusick noted that after two disappointing quarters in a row, he felt that the "softening economy and increased competition had eliminated management's ability to forecast its business." Of course, when the street expects your revenue to increase by some 20-percent and you calmly explain that it downright "will not grow this year," we suppose the stock drop isn't all that shocking.

[Via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessearningsfinancialindustrystockvirgin mobileVirginMobileFri, 14 Mar 2008 05:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Everyone else sued over picture caller ID]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/06/everyone-else-sued-over-picture-caller-id/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/06/everyone-else-sued-over-picture-caller-id/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/06/everyone-else-sued-over-picture-caller-id/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A four-pack of carriers is getting sued over the infringement of three 2007 patents that appear to center around the concept of picture caller ID -- but here's the best part, it's actually a different dude from a different company than the one that sued Apple. US Cellular, T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile, and Helio are all named in the suit, suggesting that either the remainder of major US carriers have already licensed the technology, or this so-called Intellect Wireless just has a very bizarre way of choosing its defendants. So here's our question: what picture caller ID technology was patented by some random company in 2007 that these guys could possibly be violating?
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>caller idCallerIdheliolawsuitpatentpicturepicture caller idPictureCallerIdt-mobileus cellularUsCellularvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileThu, 06 Mar 2008 10:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile launches in India, but don't call it an MVNO]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/04/virgin-mobile-launches-in-india-but-dont-call-it-an-mvno/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/04/virgin-mobile-launches-in-india-but-dont-call-it-an-mvno/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/04/virgin-mobile-launches-in-india-but-dont-call-it-an-mvno/#commentsFiled under:


Emphasizing that Virgin Mobile India's launch is a "brand franchise," not an MVNO, Virgin chief Sir Richard Branson has unveiled the partnership with Tata Teleservices to bring the company's marque to a range of CDMA handsets in one of the world's largest and fastest-growing mobile markets. The franchising scheme is an interesting one because it allows both Tata and Virgin to hook up with other partners, and indeed, Branson has already said that he'll be shopping the service to GSM carriers later this year. As part of the launch, Virgin Mobile is touting ten "industry firsts" -- and while most of them are marketing mumbo jumbo, it's notable that every single phone offered by the carrier MVNO brand features a color display and FM radio. The service is available now.

[Via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>indiatatatata teleservicesTataTeleservicesvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileTue, 04 Mar 2008 03:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile deploys automated phone activation]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/11/virgin-mobile-deploys-automated-phone-activation/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/11/virgin-mobile-deploys-automated-phone-activation/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/11/virgin-mobile-deploys-automated-phone-activation/#commentsFiled under: ,

Who wants to talk to customer service if they don't have to? Lucky Virgin Mobile customers (and soon-to-be customers) just got a free pass to spend a little less time on the horn with company reps thanks to the MVNO's deployment of Telespree's over-the-air provisioning wizardry. Apparently, the entire process now requires zero human intervention from beginning to end for both new customers and upgrades alike. Kinda ironic that we're buying a phone to talk to others and we no longer have to talk to others, isn't it?
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activationself serviceSelfServicevirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileTue, 11 Dec 2007 21:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Lawsuit claims Virgin Mobile told a little lie to boost IPO showing]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/03/lawsuit-claims-virgin-mobile-told-a-little-lie-to-boost-ipo-show/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/03/lawsuit-claims-virgin-mobile-told-a-little-lie-to-boost-ipo-show/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/12/03/lawsuit-claims-virgin-mobile-told-a-little-lie-to-boost-ipo-show/#commentsFiled under: ,

Virgin Mobile's October IPO raked in a solid $412.5 million -- a little bit off its highest estimate, yeah, but still boatloads (and when we say "boatloads," we mean "hundreds of millions of dollars") higher than what it had thought it could get when it first announced its intentions to go public. A new class action suit alleges that the $412.5M figure was inflated, though, by Virgin's fudging of third quarter revenue figures which conveniently have since been revised down to indicate a $7.3M loss. Unfortunate coincidence? Maybe, but Virgin's stock fell a solid 14.4 percent on news of the redone numbers, so we can understand that a few shareholders might be grumbling about the sitch. Meanwhile, the MVNO's form letter reaction to the news is in full effect, claiming that the lawsuit is "completely without merit," so we're guessing this one's gonna be tied up in the legal system for a hot minute or two.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ipolawsuitmvnosuitvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileMon, 03 Dec 2007 12:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile deals the Kyocera Wild Card]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/19/virgin-mobile-deals-the-kyocera-wild-card/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/19/virgin-mobile-deals-the-kyocera-wild-card/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/19/virgin-mobile-deals-the-kyocera-wild-card/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Virgin Mobile is officially dipping its toes into smartphone water with its latest offering, the Kyocera Wild Card. Of course, how deep into that particular pool both companies are going is a question for the ages. The Wild Card isn't exactly the most robust phone you'll ever get your hands on, though the flip-phone does offer a QWERTY keypad, dual screens, a 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth integration, and a WAP browser. The hitch is that you'll have to view that browser on a 128 x 160 screen, which is painfully, embarrassingly small -- though they do throw in Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man to keep you distracted. Hey, for a price point of $99, you could do way, way worse. The phone is available now from your friendly neighborhood Virgin Mobile dealer.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flip phoneFlipPhonekyocerapre paid wirelessPrePaidWirelessqwertyvirgin mobileVirginMobilewild cardWildCardFri, 19 Oct 2007 09:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile Canada lands Motorola KRZR]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/18/virgin-mobile-canada-lands-motorola-krzr/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/18/virgin-mobile-canada-lands-motorola-krzr/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/18/virgin-mobile-canada-lands-motorola-krzr/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

At CAN $299, the Motorola KRZR that just plopped into Virgin Mobile Canada's lineup is the most expensive handset in its stable. Featuring all the bells and whistles of the same handset released this time last year by the other carriers, we're honestly a bit surprised by the pretty heavy price point. No word on that lovely $10 unlimited data plan being available on this handset -- perhaps its "tetherability" is a stumbling point? -- but trust us, we'll be keeping our eyes wide to see what develops.

[Via HowardChui.com]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>KRZRVirgin MobileVirgin Mobile CanadaVirginMobileVirginMobileCanadaThu, 18 Oct 2007 18:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile's IPO nets $412.5M, not quite what it hoped for]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/11/virgin-mobiles-ipo-nets-412-5m-not-quite-what-it-hoped-for/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/11/virgin-mobiles-ipo-nets-412-5m-not-quite-what-it-hoped-for/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/11/virgin-mobiles-ipo-nets-412-5m-not-quite-what-it-hoped-for/#commentsFiled under: ,

It seems the $467.5 million Virgin thought it could muster in its IPO filing was a little optimistic -- though it still fared far better than it thought it would a few months back. Shares of Virgin Mobile started trading today on the New York Stock Exchange at $15 a share; multiply that by 27.5 million and you arrive at a healthy $412.5 million in proceeds. Most of the money is earmarked to repay debts and to buy back 16.7 percent of Sprint's ownership, making the relatively successful prepaid MVNO a more independent entity. No word yet on whether it can spare a few dimes to research bringing higher-tech handsets to its lineup, unfortunately (bear in mind this is the carrier that just discovered Bluetooth a few months back).

[Via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ipomvnovirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileThu, 11 Oct 2007 23:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile Canada gets unlimited data for $10, two new phones]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/10/virgin-mobile-canada-gets-unlimited-data-for-10-two-new-phones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/10/virgin-mobile-canada-gets-unlimited-data-for-10-two-new-phones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/10/10/virgin-mobile-canada-gets-unlimited-data-for-10-two-new-phones/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Look familiar? Yep, Virgin Mobile's Canadian outpost is getting two phones that should ring a bell for Sprint peeps in these parts: the Samsung m300 and m510 flips. The m300 doesn't look half bad, but its spec sheet's pretty forgettable: 1xRTT data, VGA cam, you get the idea; pick 'er up for $99 CAD. The $199 m510, though, is where things start to get interesting. Simultaneously with the phone's launch, Virgin is firing up its "Tidal Wave" unlimited data plan (sounds vaguely Helio-esque, does it not?) for just $10 a month -- way cheaper than any competing plan up there -- the only catch is that the m510 is the one and only device that they'll let you hook up to it. We're sure the connection's pretty restrictive (laptop tethering hopefuls, sorry, you're still stuck with far more expensive plans) but Virgin says you have "unlimited megabytes for surfing the mobile web." Lucky thing the m510's down with EV-DO, that's for darned sure.

Read - Samsung m300
Read - Samsung m510
Read - Tidal Wave Data Pak

[Thanks, Stewart M.]
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadam300m510samsungsch-m300sch-m510virgin mobileVirginMobileWed, 10 Oct 2007 09:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile finally files for IPO, looking for $467.5M]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/25/virgin-mobile-finally-files-for-ipo-looking-for-467-5m/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/25/virgin-mobile-finally-files-for-ipo-looking-for-467-5m/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/25/virgin-mobile-finally-files-for-ipo-looking-for-467-5m/#commentsFiled under: ,

It may not be quite the $506 million it was looking for a few months ago, but $467.5 million still seems like a princely take for a young MVNO that had expected a mere $100 million when it initially announced plans to file for an IPO early this year. The initial public offering for 27.5 million shares of "VM" has finally been filed, with Virgin Mobile looking to pocket $15 to $17 per share. Revenues from the sale will go toward paying back debt and "general purposes," which we're guessing -- nay, hoping -- equates to reinvestment in the company's offerings (bear in mind that this is the same Virgin Mobile that started offering its first Bluetooth enabled handset just a few weeks back). The move will reduce ownership by both of the company's corporate parents; Sprint's stake falls from 47 percent to 17.2 percent, while Virgin Group drops from 47 percent to 35.7 percent. It's been stated that Virgin Group won't see any cash from the IPO, so we're guessing Sprint will considering its far lower post-IPO share. Cha-ching!

[Via Phone Scoop]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsipovirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileTue, 25 Sep 2007 17:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Kyocera's Wild Card for Virgin Mobile does 3G]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/20/kyoceras-wild-card-for-virgin-mobile-does-3g/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/20/kyoceras-wild-card-for-virgin-mobile-does-3g/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/20/kyoceras-wild-card-for-virgin-mobile-does-3g/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Bluetooth fever: catch it! Virgin finally caught wind of this newfangled Bluetooth standard with its most recent release, the Super Slice, and we're glad to see the trend continues. Hints of the Switch_Back's replacement -- christened "Wild Card" apparently -- are starting to circulate around Virgin's US site, and fans of the original are probably going to like what they see. The center d-pad placement on the QWERTY keyboard and the smallish innter display both carry over, while Bluetooth is a key add-on. It gets better, though: the Wild Card looks set to possibly become Virgin's first 3G device, with "high-speed data service" specifically mentioned on page 9 of the user's manual. Bleeding edge, eh? What's next, Virgin, a 2 megapixel cam?

[Thanks, Mitchell K.]

Read - Small picture of the Wild Card
Read - Kyocera Wild Card user's manual [Warning: PDF link]
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kyoceram1000qwertyvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobilewild cardWildCardThu, 20 Sep 2007 09:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile intros Super Slice, its first Bluetooth phone]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/06/virgin-mobile-intros-super-slice-its-first-bluetooth-phone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/06/virgin-mobile-intros-super-slice-its-first-bluetooth-phone/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/09/06/virgin-mobile-intros-super-slice-its-first-bluetooth-phone/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Would ya believe Virgin is just now getting down with that whole Bluetooth fad? No, seriously, it's true, and it has a name: Super Slice. As the moniker implies, the 10.2mm thick candybar is the successor to last year's Slice, a phone also sourced from UTStarcom. Features include a VGA cam, up to 270 minutes of talk time, speakerphone, a fresh user interface, and a refreshing price: $59.99 contract free (Virgin's prepaid, after all) when it rolls out to shelves in the middle of the month.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>candybarslicesuper sliceSuperSliceutstarcomvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileThu, 06 Sep 2007 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LG says "Aloha" to Virgin Mobile]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/17/lg-says-aloha-to-virgin-mobile/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/17/lg-says-aloha-to-virgin-mobile/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/17/lg-says-aloha-to-virgin-mobile/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Pardon the pun -- it can't be helped. Virgin Mobile is known for keeping its handsets on the lower end, owing largely to the fact that the MVNO does the lion's share of its business with prepaid accounts (read: contract-free phones). In fact, two of its existing clamshells lack an external display -- a nearly standard feature on all but the most inexpensive flips -- so it comes as no surprise that the newly-introduced LG Aloha is in the same vein. Features include a color display, speakerphone, and support for up to 199 contacts, but that's about it -- if you need a camera or Bluetooth, look elsewhere. Grab it starting in September for $34.99.

[Via Phone Scoop]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alohaclamshellfliplgvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileFri, 17 Aug 2007 09:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget interviews Sir Richard Branson!]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/09/engadget-interviews-sir-richard-branson/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/09/engadget-interviews-sir-richard-branson/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/08/09/engadget-interviews-sir-richard-branson/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Our own Paul Miller found himself jet-setting on Virgin America's inaugural flight with none other than Sir Richard Branson -- that's right, he's a knight and he could probably kick our asses -- of Virgin Group fame. Naturally, the topic of Virgin Mobile came up in the discussion. What does Sir Richard think of his little MVNO project here in the States? Read on to find out!
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresmvnorichard bransonRichardBransonsir richard bransonSirRichardBransonvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileThu, 09 Aug 2007 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile aims for $506 million in IPO]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/20/virgin-mobile-aims-for-506-million-in-ipo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/20/virgin-mobile-aims-for-506-million-in-ipo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/20/virgin-mobile-aims-for-506-million-in-ipo/#commentsFiled under: ,

Lying in sharp contrast to Amp'd's less-than-stellar fortunes, Virgin Mobile USA -- a joint venture of Virgin and Sprint operated very differently from its European cousin -- is actually hoping to do even better than originally expected. The MVNO had said in May that it hoped to raise up to $100 million through an initial public offering of shares (stock symbol "VM" in case you're curious), but that figure has now skyrocketed up to a rather shocking figure of $508 million. Virgin Mobile hopes to use the cash to pay off a handful of debts it accrued in the process of getting its business off the ground, something Amp'd hasn't quite managed to do just yet.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ipopublicstockvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileFri, 20 Jul 2007 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile to file for IPO]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/02/virgin-mobile-to-file-for-ipo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/02/virgin-mobile-to-file-for-ipo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/05/02/virgin-mobile-to-file-for-ipo/#commentsFiled under: ,

Virgin Mobile's distinction of being the first MVNO in the U.S. means it is the "granddaddy" of virtual operators, at least stateside. Enough bragging time has now gone by apparently, as Virgin Mobile has filed for an initial public offering (IPO). The move will take the company public where shares of the company will be traded in the U.S. marketplace. Some pundits believe this signals a maturation of the MVNO segment in the U.S. wireless landscape, but don't tell that to the scrappy folks at Amp'd Mobile or Helio, will ya? Anyhoo, Virgin Mobile has filed to be listed as "VM" on the New York Stock Exchange and it's possible the company will raise up to $100 million in the offering. That wad of cash will most likely be used to pay off debt and give a certain, unknown sum to Sprint Nextel, the carrier representing the American half of the joint venture -- the other half, of course, being Virgin proper.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>NYSEVirginVirgin cellphoneVirgin MobileVirgin Mobile IPOVirginCellphoneVirginMobileVirginMobileIpoWed, 02 May 2007 23:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Discount retailers want to sell more handsets]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/11/discount-retailers-want-to-sell-more-handsets/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/11/discount-retailers-want-to-sell-more-handsets/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/11/discount-retailers-want-to-sell-more-handsets/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

With 65% of U.S. mobile handset buyers going to carrier outlets and counters to buy all those handsets, that leaves the other 35% of US wireless customers looking at other sources for all those cellphones by our math; physical and online retailers pick up that slack. Which, exactly? Wireless Week reports that powerhouse retailers like Best Buy, Radio Shack, Target and Wal-Mart are (unsurprisingly) doing their part. Hey, are those calling plan commission bells we hear? Anyway, Wal-Mart has gained ground from the days of selling low-end phones and plans, offering a decent assortment from more than a few carriers these days; Best Buy is doing well also, while Radio Shack -- once chummy with several carriers -- is apparently being beaten badly by the bigger consumer electronics and discount chains, and the news that its outlets won't be getting the iPhone in store can't be easing the heartburn. Of course, we figure this kind of fierce competition can only be good news for consumers, so bring it on; if the big boxes want to beat carriers' corporate stores dollar-for-dollar on handsets, you're not going to hear a peep of complaint out of us.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BBYBest BuyBestBuyCCcellular phone salesCellularPhoneSalesCircuit CityCircuitCityRadio ShaskRadioShaskRetail handset salesRetailHandsetSalesWed, 11 Apr 2007 23:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile rolls out MARBL from Kyocera]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/03/virgin-mobile-rolls-out-marbl-from-kyocera/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/03/virgin-mobile-rolls-out-marbl-from-kyocera/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/03/virgin-mobile-rolls-out-marbl-from-kyocera/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


See, that wasn't such a bad wait, no was it? A few weeks after we told you about the MARBL coming down the pike for Virgin Mobile from frequent partner Kyocera, the cheap flip is now available for public consumption from retailers everywhere. At $30 sans contract (remember, Virgin is a prepaid MVNO), the MARBL doesn't offer terribly much in the way of features, but it does manage to pack a speakerphone, internal antenna, and color display -- and hey, it doesn't look half bad. Just as long as you're cool with the name, Motorola, we are, too.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clamshellflipkyoceramarblprepaidvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileTue, 03 Apr 2007 23:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile USA to offer Yahoo! mobile services]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/02/virgin-mobile-usa-to-offer-yahoo-mobile-services/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/02/virgin-mobile-usa-to-offer-yahoo-mobile-services/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/04/02/virgin-mobile-usa-to-offer-yahoo-mobile-services/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Virgin Mobile USA, considered to be the first MVNO in America, has landed Yahoo! as of last week to get the web portal's mobile services available to its 4.6 million wireless customers. Yahoo! Mail and Yahoo! Messenger will be first up to bat, with those mobile services coming as downloadable applications for several Virgin Mobile handsets this month. In addition, Virgin Mobile will be pre-loading Yahoo! Mobile applications on many of its phones starting now, according to both companies.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Sprint CDMASprintCdmaVirgin MobileVirgin Mobile USAVirginMobileVirginMobileUsaYahoo!yahoo! goYahoo!GoYHOOMon, 02 Apr 2007 21:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile adding another cheap flip, "Marbl"]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/03/12/virgin-mobile-adding-another-cheap-flip-marbl/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/03/12/virgin-mobile-adding-another-cheap-flip-marbl/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/03/12/virgin-mobile-adding-another-cheap-flip-marbl/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The Oystr looks poised to give way to the Marbl in the "what $30 will buy you" department on Virgin Mobile -- the US' prepaid Virgin Mobile, that is, not its DVB-H-havin' cousin across the pond. The Kyocera-sourced clamshell follows Virgin's typical keep-it-simple strategy with a minimal internal display and clean exterior (read: no cam or external display to be found). That said, the phone doesn't look half bad -- and seeing how this is prepaid, that $30 is going to get you this thing outright. No word on an exact release date, but Virgin's site lists it at "Coming Soon" and -- in our experience, at least -- waits are measured in days once a carrier admits that they're going to launch a model.

[Thanks, Charlene]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clamshellflipkyoceramarblprepaidvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileMon, 12 Mar 2007 05:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Penny texting pays off for Virgin Mobile, hits 4.6 million customers]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/06/penny-texting-pays-off-for-virgin-mobile-hits-4-6-million-custo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/06/penny-texting-pays-off-for-virgin-mobile-hits-4-6-million-custo/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/06/penny-texting-pays-off-for-virgin-mobile-hits-4-6-million-custo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Virgin Mobile recently announced that at the end of 2006 it had 4.6 million customers underneath its belt, which isn't half bad seeing that the company has only been around less than half a decade. The firm attributes the recent subscriber growth to penny text messaging, its hybrid pricing plans, and Sugermama -- a one-of-a-kind service in the US that allows customers to get airtime credit for watching advertisements. Of course, that uber-cheap texting rate is going directly against the waves created by the other, more prominent carriers here in the US, and it's not too shocking to see consumers flocking to lower-priced add-ons when everyone else uses these areas to pad their profit margins. Nevertheless, it's becoming increasingly difficult out there for an MVNO to make it, so kudos to VM for holding out this long, and look for a few more subscribers to come your way when fast-food value meals end up being cheaper than a two-way SMS conversation.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>messagingpenny textingPennyTextingsmssugermamatexttext messagingtextingTextMessagingSat, 06 Jan 2007 22:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile starts recycling program]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/11/09/virgin-mobile-starts-recycling-program/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/11/09/virgin-mobile-starts-recycling-program/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/11/09/virgin-mobile-starts-recycling-program/#commentsFiled under: ,

Not unlike Apple and Dell, Virgin Mobile USA is getting into the recycling business -- sort of. Their new program, announced yesterday, provides buyers of Virgin's prepaid phones with a prepaid envelope inside the box to return an old phone in. As part of its new partnership with ReCellular, your unwanted handsets, like the vintage Kyocera K9 or classic Motorola StarTAC, will be refurbished and then sold or donated. And so you won't feel so bad at the thought of someone else using last year's model, all the sale proceeds will go to helping homeless youth, which we're hoping will restore your faith a bit in phone donation programs. It should be noted though, Virgin isn't the only carrier being a good samaritan with what might be otherwise discarded devices -- Verizon and T-Mobile have also been spotted distributing mailers with new purchases.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>recellularrecyclingThu, 09 Nov 2006 03:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Kyocera brings K325 "Cyclops" to Virgin Mobile]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/11/01/kyocera-brings-k325-cyclops-to-virgin-mobile/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/11/01/kyocera-brings-k325-cyclops-to-virgin-mobile/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/11/01/kyocera-brings-k325-cyclops-to-virgin-mobile/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Looking perhaps to move a little upmarket from the low-end Oystr, Virgin's new Kyocera-supplied "Cyclops" clamshell adds a couple key features that should appeal to the gearheads in the prepaid crowd. Besides generally looking a little fancier than its pearly sibling, the Cyclops puts its money where its mouth is by rocking a 1.3-megapixel shooter, a 160 x 128 display, and a speakerphone. The big draw here, though, appears to be the introduction of Virgin's new Virgin Mobile Audio Messaging (VAM) which allows subscribers -- rocking compatible handsets, of course -- to exchange brief voice messages the same way they'd send SMSes. As with Nuance's voice-to-text service, we're a bit skeptical that this is really gonna catch on, but who knows what kinds of services the kiddies are into these days?
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audio messagingAudioMessagingcyclopsk325kyoceravamvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileWed, 01 Nov 2006 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[UTStarcom Slice gets official for Virgin Mobile]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/10/26/utstarcom-slice-gets-official-for-virgin-mobile/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/10/26/utstarcom-slice-gets-official-for-virgin-mobile/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/10/26/utstarcom-slice-gets-official-for-virgin-mobile/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Rumor has it the Slice has been floating around a Wal-Mart here and a Radio Shack there for at least a week or two now, but UTStarcom and Virgin are just now getting around to announcing the slimphone's availability all official-like, and the companies are quick to point out the Slice's main selling point: the candybar is now the thinnest phone (10mm) available in the US without contract. Of course, other critical points to make would be the phone's attractive out-the-door price of $50, while feature-conscious users will still appreciate the MP3 ringtone support with 32MB of storage, reasonable 128 x 128 color display, and that endlessly imitated RAZR-style keypad. Look for the Slice now in stores with online available following on November 2.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>candybarpcs-1400pcs1400slicethinutstarcomvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileThu, 26 Oct 2006 05:09:00 EST<![CDATA[UTStarcom serves "Slice" to Virgin Mobile]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/10/18/utstarcom-serves-slice-to-virgin-mobile/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/10/18/utstarcom-serves-slice-to-virgin-mobile/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/10/18/utstarcom-serves-slice-to-virgin-mobile/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Though it's known simply as the PCS-1400 to UTStarcom, Virgin Mobile has a history of christening its phones with creative names, and the trend continues here: enter the "Slice." The phone looks a bit like UTStarcom's previously seen UT1200 for GSM networks but rocks CDMA instead (obviously), bringing 10mm-thick slimphone goodness to prepaid users on the cheap -- just $50. Specs are pretty much what you might expect for a $50 phone, with a single-band 1900MHz radio, 128 x 128 display, 32MB of internal storage, and a speakerphone, but no camera or Bluetooth to be found. No word on an official availability date for the Slice, but it looks like Circuit City will be happy to sell you one as we speak.

[Thanks, Gusto and Jeremy]

Read - Circuit City
Read - Virgin Mobile Slice support page
Read - UTStarcom
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>candybarpcs-1400pcs1400slicethinutstarcomvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileWed, 18 Oct 2006 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile takes top prepaid honors in J.D. Powers survey]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/08/26/virgin-mobile-takes-top-prepaid-honors-in-j-d-powers-survey/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/08/26/virgin-mobile-takes-top-prepaid-honors-in-j-d-powers-survey/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/08/26/virgin-mobile-takes-top-prepaid-honors-in-j-d-powers-survey/#commentsFiled under: , ,

They may not be offering the Lobster 700, but Virgin Mobile's US outpost can lay claim to one thing: they've bested all of their peers in J.D. Powers' latest survey of prepaid services through national carriers and MVNOs. The survey of 4,000 current customers measured satisfaction with call quality, company image, account management, initial activation, service plan options, and customer service, with Virgin scoring 751 on a 1,000-point scale. Coming in a close second was Verizon with their Inpulse service, scoring 736, followed by T-Mobile, Boost Mobile, and TracFone, while Cingular's GoFone and Alltel both scored under the average of 717. Perhaps more interesting than the rankings, though, was the finding that customers of MVNOs (like Virgin) ranked their services higher in account management and cost, while direct services (like T-Mobile) fared better in areas like company image and call quality. Anyway, our congratulations go out to Virgin on that shiny new trophy for the mantel, but honestly, we'd gladly trade it for a Lobster any day of the week.

[Via The Wireless Report]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>j.d. powersJ.d.Powersjd powersJdPowerssatisfactionsurveyvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileSat, 26 Aug 2006 13:13:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC Trilogy christened "Lobster 700" for Virgin Mobile]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/08/05/htc-trilogy-christened-lobster-700-for-virgin-mobile/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/08/05/htc-trilogy-christened-lobster-700-for-virgin-mobile/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/08/05/htc-trilogy-christened-lobster-700-for-virgin-mobile/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

No, not our Virgin Mobile, folks. The UK's Virgin Mobile will be getting HTC's Trilogy, which we knew; now, the retail model's officially been named the "Lobster 700," a moniker that seems strangely appropriate (though we can't really put our finger on why). As you may recall, the Trilogy is essentially a Faraday with the welcome addition of DAB, though at the expense of a rather prominent hump on the phone's right side. Now that the phone's case has been mercifully recolored, it appears that release is imminent, with some shops reporting availability next month. No word on eventual US availability, though we might be putting the proverbial cart before the horse -- let's get us some live DAB networks first, shall we?
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>candybardabhtclobsterlobster 700Lobster700trilogyukvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileSat, 05 Aug 2006 18:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Mobile keeps it simple with Kyocera "Oystr"]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/07/27/virgin-mobile-keeps-it-simple-with-kyocera-oystr/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/07/27/virgin-mobile-keeps-it-simple-with-kyocera-oystr/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/07/27/virgin-mobile-keeps-it-simple-with-kyocera-oystr/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Want Virgin Mobile service? Got 30 bucks? Kyocera's got you covered. The 3.5oz back-to-basics Oystr -- no "e" -- offers a color internal display, speakerphone, "Superphonic" ringtones, and that's about it. Some of us might be quickly overcome with a bad case of feature starvation, but at least the pearl white clamshell (hence the name) doesn't look half bad -- and for an honest $30 with no contract, we'll forego the typical grousing about the lack of external display.

[Thanks, Roy]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>basicclamshellflipkyoceralow endLowEndoystrvirginvirgin mobileVirginMobileThu, 27 Jul 2006 16:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on with the HTC Monet (Trilogy)]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/06/27/hands-on-with-the-htc-monet-trilogy/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/06/27/hands-on-with-the-htc-monet-trilogy/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/06/27/hands-on-with-the-htc-monet-trilogy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Typically, we believe there are no excuses for smartphones to sport giant, unbecoming humps, but we do have at least two exceptions to the rule: in-built WiFi, and support for one mobile TV standard or another. The Monet certainly falls into the latter category, and it may fall into both since its guts are Faraday-based, and indeed, the tumor on the Monet's side is monstrous. The phone should be dropping on Virgin Mobile's UK network any time now, but meanwhile, Sogi has taken an up-close look at the Monet in Dopod trim. After going through the Babelfish wringer, the review itself doesn't mean much, but golly, the pictures sure are purty. The Monet -- as we said, basically a repackaged Faraday plus mobile TV -- packs a 2.2-inch QVGA display, MicroSD slot, and Windows Mobile 5.0. See more after the break.

[Via Smartphone Thoughts]

Continue reading Hands-on with the HTC Monet (Trilogy)

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dab-ipdopoddvb-hhtcmonettrilogyvirgin mobileVirginMobileTue, 27 Jun 2006 13:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Xero Mobile to license ad system]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/06/11/xero-mobile-to-license-ad-system/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/06/11/xero-mobile-to-license-ad-system/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/06/11/xero-mobile-to-license-ad-system/#commentsFiled under: ,

As our mamas used to tell us, "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me." Those are wise words right now for any company, investor, or individual with an interest in Xero Mobile, brought to you by some of the same winners that brought you Gizmondo. We'd assumed these folks would've folded by now, but Xero claims to be on target for a January 2007 launch of their free, ad-based MVNO for college students (sound familiar?). In the meantime, they've gotta make an honest buck somehow, so they've begun licensing their nonexistent service to foreign companies with "expressions of interest" in launching Xero in their local markets. We hope this madness comes to an end before the world has to witness another work of art needlessly destroyed by crooked execs, but even in the unlikely event Xero makes it to see 2007, at least Virgin is a step ahead on the business model.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gizmondosmart addsSmartAddssugarmamavirgin mobileVirginMobilexero mobileXeroMobileSun, 11 Jun 2006 09:01:00 EST