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LG Intros Optimus UI 3.0 Skin for Android Phones
LG today revealed a refresh to its Android user interface that will be included on phones launching later this year. LG said that the Optimus UI 3.0 skin is supposed to make Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich devices easier and faster to use. The UI will feature customizable home screen pattern unlocks to apps such as the camera, as well as voice commands that control the camera. LG says the skin has been simplified compared to previous versions, and will make it easier for owners to customize the appearance and behavior of their devices. The Optimus UI 3.0 skin will be available on the Optimus 4X HD and Optimus LTE II at launch. LG hasn't specified which U.S. devices will have the new skin installed.
HTC Says EVO 4G LTE Launch Delayed
HTC has indicated that the planned May 18 launch of the EVO 4G LTE for Sprint has now been delayed thanks to stalled shipments of the device into the country. Both the One X (for AT&T) and EVO 4G LTE have been blocked at customs, where they are being examined for compliance with an ITC exclusion order. Sprint has ceased taking pre-orders via its web site, and is no longer referencing the May 18 launch date for the EVO 4G LTE. Sprint has yet to corroborate the Journal's story on the delayed launch.
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T-Mobile's HTC Amaze 4G Gains Android 4.0
T-Mobile USA today said that the HTC Amaze 4G will be able to download and install the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update starting May 21. T-Mobile says the update can be downloaded over the air, but recommends Wi-Fi for a faster install process. Users will be notified when the update is available to their handset, though they may also update manually through the device's system tools.
HTC One X and EVO 4G LTE Held Up at Customs
HTC today announced that shipments of its One X and EVO 4G LTE smartphones have been halted at customs. In a statement emailed to media, HTC explained, "The US availability of the HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE has been delayed due to a standard U.S. Customs review of shipments that is required after an ITC exclusion order. We believe we are in compliance with the ruling and HTC is working closely with Customs to secure approval. The HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE have been received enthusiastically by customers and we appreciate their patience as we work to get these products into their hands as soon as possible." HTC was found guilty of infringing on an Apple smartphone patent last year and the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled that future imports of offending devices be blocked. The order went into effect April 19. HTC believes it has a software work-around in place, but has to appeal the ITC's order. The One X went on sale at AT&T stores earlier this month, but is now listed as out of stock. The EVO 4G LTE is due to go on sale at Sprint stores this Friday. Neither AT&T nor Sprint has addressed availability of the devices in light of the exclusion order.
from HTC
FCC Wants to Know More About Verizon's Spectrum Offer
The Federal Communications Commission has requested more information from Verizon Wireless about its offer to sell 700MHz A and B block spectrum licences. The FCC wants details on the matter from Verizon by May 22 so that it may more fully understand why Verizon is linking this spectrum sale with its proposed acquisition of 122 AWS spectrum licenses from SpectrumCo. Additionally, the FCC wants to know if Verizon made any efforts to use its 700MHz A and B Block spectrum assets.
Google To Distribute Nexus Phones from Multiple Vendors
Google is set to significantly shake up its Nexus device program. According to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal, Google plans to give multiple handset makers access to new versions of Android and sell those handsets directly to consumers. Historically, Google has partnered with one hardware manufacturer at a time to create its Nexus devices. Offering the Nexus -- or pure Android -- experience to more than one OEM at a time represents a big change. Google recently resurrected direct-to-consumer sales of Nexus devices through the Google Play store. The Journal's sources didn't say which manufacturers might be first up in the new scheme, but said the devices would be ready by Thanksgiving.
AT&T, U.S. Cellular Looking to Buy Spectrum from Cox
AT&T and U.S. Cellular filed separate applications with the Federal Communications Commission today seeking permission to purchase spectrum licenses from Cox Communications. AT&T is seeking eight 700MHz B Block licences that cover various markets along the east coast. U.S. Cellular is looking to nab 700MHz A Block licenses that cover portions of Kansas. AT&T is also hoping to purchase four 700MHz C Block licenses from Peoples Telephone in several areas throughout Texas. Both companies said that the spectrum additions would bolster their LTE network plans. Verizon Wireless is also purchasing spectrum from Cox, though in the AWS bands.
T-Mobile 665 Available from T-Mo's Pre-paid Service
T-Mobile USA's pre-paid service recently began offering the T-Mobile 665 for $49.99. This contract-free flip phone includes large keys on the numeric dialpad and dual-displays. Other features of the T-Mobile 665 include an FM radio, 2-megapixel camera with video capture, Bluetooth 2.1, media player, speakerphone, headset jack, and support for microSD cards up to 8GB.
FCC Sets Dates for Opposers of T-Mobile Spectrum Swap
The Federal Communications Commission today approved the preliminary applications from T-Mobile USA, Leap Wireless, Savary Island, and Cook Inlet with respect to a proposed spectrum swap. The companies want to exchange small blocks of spectrum in a handful of markets scattered about the country. The FCC has set May 29 as the deadline for petitions to deny the exchange, June 8 as the deadline for oppositions, and June 15 as the deadline for replies. The companies involved are trading PCS spectrum for AWS spectrum in Arizona, Delaware, Philadelphia, and Texas.
Latest Firefox Beta for Android Hits Google Play
Mozilla today made a new beta version of its Firefox mobile browser available to the Android platform. The revised browser has a brand new user interface and brings with it significant performance improvements, support for Flash, a new start page with visual bookmarks, new panning and zooming navigation, improved plug-ins, and better text readability. The new beta of Firefox also includes numerous bug fixes. The browser is a free download, but requires Android 2.2 and up.
T-Mobile Restructuring Effort Will Lead to Job Losses
T-Mobile USA CEO Philip Humm today announced a forthcoming internal reorganization that will result in some job losses. In a letter sent to T-Mobile employees, Humm explained that the company has had to make some difficult choices in order to move forward with its new strategy. Humm didn't say how many employees would be affected by the changes, but noted that the changes are coming in the next week and employees will be notified personally. "It is important to emphasize these impacts to employees result from business decisions. We have tremendous employees here at T-Mobile and we truly wish we could retain all our talent, but our business realities require hard choices," said Humm. He noted that the changes will let the company save money, speed up its LTE network deployment, and reposition the brand in the U.S. market. T-Mobile has already announced a round of call center closures this year that will affect about 1,000 employees.
from T-Mobile USA / The Verge »
Verizon Says LTE Will Reach 400 Markets by Year's End
Verizon Wireless today announced that on May 17, 28 new markets will get LTE coverage and 11 existing markets will get expanded LTE coverage. According to Verizon, the new markets and expansions bump the total number of markets covered with LTE to 258, blanketing two-thirds of the U.S. population. Verizon also noted that between now and the end of the year, it will bring its 4G LTE network to more than 140 new markets. It expects to cover 400 markets across 49 states by the end of 2012.
Local Merchants Agree to Work with Isis in Launch Markets
Isis today announced that a wide range of local merchants in the Austin, Texas, and Salt Lake City, Utah, markets have agreed to offer its NFC-based mobile payment service. Austin and Salt Lake City are the two launch markets for Isis, which is a joint venture between AT&T, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon Wireless. Isis has already signed agreements with national retailers such as Champs, Dillard's, Foot Locker, Jamba Juice, and Macy's. Isis claims that its mobile payment service will be available at hundreds of locations within its Austin and Salt Lake City at launch. Customers in those markets will be able to walk into an AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon store, pick from several NFC-enabled devices, and walk out with the Isis Mobile Wallet enabled and ready to use. Isis is competing with other mobile payment options, such as Google Wallet.
LG Optimus Elite Hits Virgin Stores May 15 for $149
The LG Optimus Elite will be available at Virgin Mobile USA stores starting today, May 15, for $149.99. The Optimus Elite is an Android phone that is eco-friendly and offers NFC and Google Wallet.
Voyager Mobile Postpones Launch After Site Attacked
Voyager Mobile, which was prepared to launch its new pre-paid mobile service today, has postponed the launch due to what it calls a "malicious network attack" on its web site. Voyager Mobile is offering $19 and $39 no-contract plans that can be used with a range of smartphones. "Our goal of low cost wireless service for all will not be undermined and we strive to continue the voyage for a better wireless world," the company said in a statement. Voyager Mobile's web site is its primary source of distribution and sales. It says the launch will still occur in the near future.
HTC Sensation 4G Receiving Android 4.0 on May 16
T-Mobile has indicated via its support forums that the HTC Sensation 4G will be updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and Sense 3.6 starting on May 16. The update is optional and T-Mobile recommends that all users makes sure their system software is up to date before downloading and installing Android 4.0. T-Mobile says that the update would best be downloaded via Wi-Fi. Aside from the laundry list of Android 4.0 features that will be newly available to the Sensation 4G, the update also requires that customers add the Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot feature to their account in order to use the service after completing this update.
Samsung Names T-Mobile Devices Set to Receive Android 4.0
Samsung recently updated the web site listing which of its devices will receive Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich system updates. The update adds several devices being sold by T-Mobile, including the Galaxy S II, and Galaxy S Blaze 4G smartphones, and the Tab Plus 7.0 and Tab 10.1 tablets. Samsung didn't provide a timeframe suggesting when the updates might arrive.
Cricket's Muve Music Scores 6 Million More Tracks
Leap Wireless today announced that it has signed several licensing deals that double the amount of music available to Muve Music customers to approximately 10 million total tracks. The first deal is with CD Baby, which is an online distributor of independent music. The agreement with CD Baby adds approximately four million music tracks to Cricket's Muve Music service. Leap also announced a similar licensing agreement with TuneCore, another online music distributor. TuneCore's catalog adds two million tracks to Muve Music, making a total of six million new tracks with today's deals. Leap said that the catalogs of CD Baby and TuneCore will be added to the Muve Music service over time, and the integration should be complete by the end of the year. Cricket explained that it takes time to RIP the tracks into their codec and add them to their distribution system. Cricket's Muve Music service has about 600,000 customers who download approximately 300 songs per month.
Review: HTC EVO 4G LTE for Sprint
The HTC EVO 4G LTE carries the EVO brand forward for Sprint, and makes the huge jump from WiMax to LTE for 4G tech. Phone Scoop's full report details what's great and not-so-great about the EVO 4G LTE.
Twitter Looking to Invade Email Inboxes with Newsletter
Twitter today announced that it will begin delivering a new "weekly email digest" to the inboxes of Twitter users. According to Twitter, the emails will feature stories and conversations that gained traction in peoples' timelines, and will be presented in a format similar to the new Discover Tab that's available on the web and mobile versions of Twitter. Links within the email will take users directly to those conversations and stories, where they are encouraged to join in. The email will also feature Tweets that were popular or heavily retweeted, even if the user doesn't follow that particular account. Twitter said it is rolling out this new email to all users over the next few weeks. Twitter says that users can manage the email notification preferences from Twitter's online account tools.
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