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Verizon announces early store openings for DROID launch

by Darren Murph posted Nov 3rd 2009 @ 1:05PM

We'd already heard through the grapevine that select Verizon Wireless stores would be cracking their doors open early to deal with the presumed flood of ~~consumers~~ "Humans" eager to snap up the first-ever Android 2.0 device, and now the carrier has come right out with the official details. We're told that "many" of its over 2,000 retail locations will open at either 7AM or 8AM local time to field orders for the DROID, though VZW mall stores will all open at their regular time. You should check with your local store to see exactly when they'll open, and while we can't guarantee it, we'd guess that having an Android-related tattoo on your person is a good way to get VIP treatment once you arrive on scene. Or, you know, you could just get your Best Buy pre-order in now and save $100 up front by dodging the mail-in rebate.

Verizon's open hardware compatibility list is insanely boring

by Chris Ziegler posted Jan 6th 2009 @ 1:20PM

Gearlog has raised a very interesting (if not predictable) point: since Verizon's "Any Apps, Any Device" initiative went live to bring unlocked hardware onto the network: there isn't much there that Joe Consumer could possibly care about. The official list of devices that has passed Big Red's compatibility testing reveals nothing of end user interest, concentrating on enterprise devices like routers, and -- of course -- electronic tethers for criminals. You know, the kinds of devices that aren't going to put Verizon's direct, branded offerings at any risk of cannibalization. The bottom line is that we're still waiting for the real open network here, but we're not really holding our breath.

OpenMoko FreeRunner launch imminent, $399 a pop

by Chris Ziegler posted Apr 13th 2008 @ 9:04PM

OpenMoko's first model, the Neo1973, has been sold out for some time now -- a testament to the popularity of the open-source phone concept, yes, but also a huge pain in the rear for new folks looking to get in on the action. That drought is thankfully about to end, though, with the introduction of the FreeRunner, a refreshed model that carries over the best parts of the Neo (think VGA touchscreen) while adding a few key features like three-axis motion detection and a faster processor. The group has just announced pricing on the latest model, and it comes in at a very consumer-friendly $399 -- unlocked, naturally -- which should allow a whole new group of hackers and Joe Regulars to join in the Linux free-for-all. Anyone needing ten or more will get an even better deal: $369, to be exact. It looks like the company's studying production samples right now, and if all goes well, we'll still see them in the pipe before the month's out.

[Via PHONE Magazine]

New AT&T site touts carrier's software, hardware freedom

by Chris Ziegler posted Mar 20th 2008 @ 3:02PM

With all the hoopla surrounding Verizon's open access conference this week, AT&T's putting in its best effort to remind everyone that it's been "open," per se, for years. Part of the effort includes the introduction of a new site, simply www.att.com/choice, that gives customers and would-be customers a rundown of all the software and hardware that's available to them, carrier-endorsed or otherwise. To quote the site, "You've got the choice: either conveniently get a phone through AT&T for guaranteed worry-free functionality, or bring any GSM Phone and we'll connect it to our network." Fair enough, AT&T, and we're happy to see you make a more conscientious effort to get the word out.

Verizon to offer open network details next month

by Chris Ziegler posted Feb 26th 2008 @ 10:22AM

Remember that "minimum technical standard" Verizon promised to detail in early 2008 when it announced its open network initiative last year? Manufacturers, developers, and pretty much anyone else that cares are all finally about to find out what that exactly that means at Verizon's Open Development Device Conference in late March. The specification, creatively titled Version 1.0, may be refined based on input from conference attendees, but it's expected to be largely complete -- enough of a foundation for folks taking the initiative seriously to get started on products that can take advantage of Verizon's goodwill. The show kicks off on March 19 in preparation for a "network-only" plan option that Big Red expects to make available once open access devices start to get real.

[Via Phone Scoop]

AT&T says SIM-only service available contract free, 2-year plan was a mistake

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jan 22nd 2008 @ 2:16PM

Apparently, the news we got (and saw on the company's website) yesterday concerning AT&T's offer of a SIM-only service plan was off the mark... or so says AT&T. According to the telco's reps, a SIM card can be had sans-contract, saying that its attitude towards the service hasn't changed and that pre-paid, post-paid, or any other millions of varieties of arrangements can be made to tap into its sweet service. So move along folks, nothing here to see.

AT&T offers SIM-only service, attempts to maintain "most open" status

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jan 20th 2008 @ 7:31PM

It looks like all that shouting AT&T has been doing lately about its "openness" is starting to manifest itself in the way the company does business. It's come to our attention that the mobile telco has started offering a SIM-only plan, thus providing the ultimate in open options. The idea being, of course, that you can bring any random / crappy / salvaged GSM-compatible handset the provider's way, and it'll let you hook a towline onto its satellites. Of course, you could just get one of those cheapo giveaways and pop out the card, but this is so much more open and free, like San Francisco in '69, a car-less road, some land of your own, and a good old-fashioned whiskey on the rocks. Oh, you still have a sign a two-year agreement... enjoy your freedom!

[Via The Boy Genius Report]

AT&T claims completely open network, too -- "the most open," even!

by Ryan Block posted Dec 6th 2007 @ 2:31AM

Who'd have thought the end of 2007 would see US cellphone carrier heavyweights duking it out with PR one-upsmanship to be... open? Seriously, someone pinch us, it's as amazing as it is farcical. So the latest development in big network "openness" has USA Today running off in the opposite direction with AT&T CEO Ralph de la Vega's comments that "You can use any handset on our network you want... We don't prohibit it, or even police it. ... We are the most open wireless company in the industry." We think the headline "AT&T flings cellphone network wide open" kind of says it all.

The reality of the situation? Nothing has changed between yesterday and today, and, as de la Vega told us a couple of weeks ago, AT&T customers can continue expect the status quo from the nation's largest carrier in terms of their level of openness and flexibility. Granted, it's one thing for Verizon to say they're going wide open (especially being ridiculously closed CDMA carrier they are), but it's quite another for AT&T to lay claims as though it's somehow more open than any other carrier in the world when that argument comes as an extension of its core network technology. Yes, you can take your AT&T SIM, put it in an unlocked device, and run it on their network without much hassle -- but that doesn't make AT&T any more "open" than the final-say testing facility Verizon intends to use in "openly" making approvals (and disapprovals) of devices and software.

[Thanks, epi117]

CE-Oh no he didn't! Part LII: AT&T CEO scoffs at Verizon's "Any Apps, Any Device" plan

by Conrad Quilty-Harper posted Dec 1st 2007 @ 6:50PM

Even 6 months ago, it would have been inconceivable to imagine the CEO of the biggest cellphone operator in the US sniping at its primary competitor's hints at becoming more open. The key point being that none of the cellphone operators in the US are actually "open" by any objective definition, so maybe AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson should have bitten his tongue rather than stating that his company is "probably one of the most open networks in the world," in a mild rebuke to Verizon's open network plan for 2008. Also Randall, stating that "all of the handsets we sell are Java-equipped" might be a little unwise considering that AT&T's flagship handset, and probably the most widely publicized handset (ever?) is clearly not. At least the debate is moving forward: hopefully his statement that "[all carriers] are all going to be open over time" will come to fruition with a little more gentle prodding coupled with the occasional kick up the arse.

[Image source]

OpenMoko Neo 1973 developer kits available July 9

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 6th 2007 @ 11:02AM

End users still have a while to wait for a final, finished product -- October's the current estimate -- but developers looking to get cracking on OpenMoko's open-source handset need only wait a few more days. July 9 is the chosen date for pushing Neo 1973 dev kits out the door in two configurations: Neo Base for $300 and Neo Advanced for $450. Neo Base will include the first-gen handset plus garden variety accessories you'd expect to find in a retail package (headset, stylus, pouch, USB cable, and the like), while the Advanced package adds in some additional hardware for really ripping the phone to shreds and tricking it out. The goal is to make sure devs have a healthy catalog of apps ready by the time Joe Consumer gets his hands on one in a few months, at which point the hardware will be even better with the addition WiFi, 256MB of onboard Flash, two onboard accelerometers, and a faster core. We're countin' on ya, code heads!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Skype to FCC: open up those cellular networks, please

by Darren Murph posted Feb 22nd 2007 @ 11:08AM

It's painfully obvious just how tight cellular providers have control over how their networks are used, which features are enabled, and what handsets are locked, but Skype is hoping to chip away a bit more at the mighty provider stranglehold by suggesting that wireless networks be made to carry Skype calls. In a recent petition to the FCC, Skype is purportedly "asking regulators to force cellphone carriers to loosen their controls on what kinds of hardware and software can be connected to their networks," essentially paving the way for free calls to be made over costly connections. Skype is asking that the so-called Carterfone rules (circa 1968) be applied to the wireless industry, which basically "allowed consumers to hook any device up to the phone network, so long as it did not harm the network." Unsurprisingly, carriers are less than enthralled about the notion, and a cellular trade group has already reacted by calling Skype's proposal one that "completely disregards consumer benefits provided by a competitive marketplace," which is certainly nominated for laughable statement of the year. As of now, no other companies are putting their collective necks out to join Skype's agenda, but hopefully it won't remain solo for too much longer.

[Via ArsTechnica]