Google’s Nexus One sales have been fairly flat since the Android phone was launched earlier this year, but things may change with Google (NSDQ: GOOG)’s decision to reduce its early termination fee. The Nexus One maker has been getting some bad press surrounding the Nexus One’s $350 early return fee – something Google calls their “equipment recovery fee” – and has even drawn an official inquiry by the FCC. It’s not clear why, exactly, but Google has announced that it has dropped the fee for returning a Nexus One down to $150.

Still, the drop in fees doesn’t make the Nexus One a cheap smartphone to return. Google’s new $150 “equipment recovery fee” rides on top of T-Mobile (NYSE: DT)’s $200 ETF fee, so it’s still going to cost you a pretty penny to give the N1 back to Google. If you return the phone within 14 days of purchase, you’re free and clear of the penalty. But, should you return the phone after 14 days, you’ll be stuck paying Google’s fee in addition to T-Mobile’s ETF.

Check out Google’s new Nexus One terms of sale here.

As expected, the Samsung Flight has been cleared for landing on Rogers (NYSE: RCI). Translation: it’s hit the runway and is now available. The Samsung Flight features a portrait-slide full QWERTY keyboard, 2MP camera, 2.8″ touchscreen display, Bluetooth, expansion to 16GB via microSD and much more.

Oh yeah and the pricing? Try $69.99 on a 3-year contract, $119.99 on a 2-year, $219.99 on a 1-year, or $274.99 contract-free. The Flight is available in red only. For more details, head on over to Rogers.

[Via: MobileSyrup]

Chances are, if you’re wanting to pick up a myTouch 3G, you’d be best served waiting for the myTouch 3G 1.2 to drop. From all reports it looks like the launch of the 1.2 is coming tomorrow, but still… if you want to save a few dollars and pick up yesterday’s technology, the original myTouch is going to drop in price tomorrow as well. Starting on February 10th, the myTouch 3G will go for $99.99 on a 2-year contract… that’s a $50 savings. Not bad.

In the end $100 for the myTouch ain’t a bad price at all. However, if you’d rather have the latest and greatest in the myTouch lineup, save a few extra dollars and pick up the myTouch 1.2 tomorrow instead. I have a feeling the extra money you spend will be well worth it.

Note: I have a sneaking suspicion we’ll see the original myTouch go on sale for $79.99 or perhaps even $49.99 if sales don’t go so well. If you’re fine with biding your time in hopes of saving a bit of moola, it may be worth the wait for you.

[Via: TMoNews]

Just a quick OS update notification here for the Storm2 9520 users out there. Looks like OS 5.0.0.436 has gone official on multiple carriers, as listed below. If you’re rockin’ the 9520 and decide to update, be sure to backup your device and take all necessary precautions before you install. After installation, be sure to let us know of any major changes or fixes you see in this build. Happy OS updating!

• Download OS 5.0.0.436 from MTN >
• Download OS 5.0.0.436 from Vodafone UK >
• Download OS 5.0.0.436 from Vodafone Netherlands >
• Download OS 5.0.0.436 from MTC Touch (noDRM) >

[Via: BBOS]

Motorola DROID users will soon be able to get their hands on Android 2.1. This, according to Motorola’s Facebook page. Details of the update are still fuzzy at best, but the good ‘ol team over at Engadget have jotted down their thoughts on what may be coming in 2.1 for the DROID:

• The update is based on Android 2.1. Build currently in the works is 2.1 version 1.
• Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Goggles is pre-installed
• Browser is now multi-touch enabled
• News and weather widgets intro’d on the Nexus One will be included
• No active wallpapers or home screen updates

Keep in mind this is all speculation… There’s only one thing for certain here: The DROID update is being tested by the good folks at Verizon (NYSE: VZ), and we’ll see it real soon (provided the testing goes smooth as butter). I’ll keep my ear to the ground for more details as they become available.

Note: Canadian ‘DROID’ seekers… Still nothing new on the TELUS Motorola Milestone yet. I still suspect we’ll see it by the end of the month… I’ll be sure to let you know once I hear anything official.

Australia’s Optus plans to acquire spectrum licenses for 10MHz of paired spectrum in the 2100MHz band from Qualcomm (NSDQ: QCOM)’s local subsidiary. As a result, Optus could double its 3G spectrum in the eight capital cities from 10MHz to 20MHz to “support retail and wholesale customer demand for Optus’ increasing range of data services.”

The transaction is subject to approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) and clearance from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed…

[Via: CellularNews]

ZTE will finally get a spot in the major U.S. carrier’s portfolio, as Verizon (NYSE: VZ) is preparing to launch the Chinese company’s first handset – ZTE F350. We don’t have all the details about the device, but it seems like a basic phone with features that include Bluetooth, voice commands and a camera. No word on the mobile OS it runs, if any.

It’s also worth pointing out that Verizon is already offering another ZTE product – the AD3700 USB modem, but this would be the first ZTE phone in their offering.

Unfortunately, we’ve no idea when will Verizon officially launch the F350, but something tells me we’ll hear more from ZTE in the coming weeks and months…

[Via: Unwired View]

Orange has retained its position as the top mobile broadband provider in the UK, according to a survey by independent research company YouGov. Orange was ranked top for customer services and reliability, while customers also rated Orange’s mobile broadband service top in a further seven out of 15 categories, including ‘ease of use’ and ‘upload speeds’.

Orange offers a selection of mobile broadband and connected laptops in the UK, and in November 2009, made it even easier for customers to access content online by offering two new dongles, the Orange e1752 and the Option 515M, as well as two new laptops; the Asus 1005HGO and the embedded Compaq CQ61, both featuring the operating system Windows 7.

Asif Aziz, Director of Broadband and Home, Orange UK said: “Retaining our position as the top mobile broadband provider in the UK is a great accomplishment which we’re really proud of. This win is recognition of our strong focus on network quality and brilliant customer service and its our aim to build on these, as well as the products and services we offer, to ensure our customers continue to benefit from a high quality user experience.

Orange’s mobile broadband was also ranked number one in YouGov’s Dongle Tracker survey in October 2009.

If after reading that you feel like you need some mobile broadband fun, you can visit the Orange site here.

And now for something a little bit different….

Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) UK (and in fact other Vodafone OpCos internationally) have rolled out an initiative called ‘World of Difference’ – it’s a charitable programme which lets volunteers go and help out in places that need it:

Vodafone’s World of Difference programme gives people the opportunity to spend time working for charities without having to worry about making financial sacrifices.Through World of Difference people can get paid experience – for two months or a year – at a charity of their choice in the UK or overseas. The World of Difference programme, delivered by the local Vodafone Foundation in each country, currently operates in 14 countries, with many more countries launching in 2010. To date it has allowed over 700 individuals, around the world, to work for their dream charity – and be paid.

Vodafone has just announced a new phase of WoD, with 500 new people – if you’d like to read about them, and the great work that the Vodafone Foundation is doing, then click here.

While these aren’t the touchscreen beauties we’ve heard about, it’s always worth noting when a carrier has something new to offer. In this case, it looks like we have some proof (via a FutureShop flyer) of the Samsung Flight and the Motorola (NYSE: MOT) (NYSE: MOT) W388, coming to Rogers (NYSE: RCI) (NYSE: RCI) and Fido respectively.

The Samsung Flight features a look and form-factor strikingly similar to another popular device out on the market these days. I won’t mention the name, but if you know what webOS is, I think you can figure it out. The Flight packs a slide out QWERTY keyboard, 2.8″ touchscreen, 2MP camera with video, expansion to 16GB via microSD, and a bunch more. The cost? $99.99 on a 3-year term with Rogers.

The Motorola W388 is a basic candybar complete with 2.5mm headset jack, 1.8″ display, expansion to 2GB via microSD, 0.3MB VGA camera and more. The price tag will apparently be set at $15 on a 2-year contract with Fido.

[Via: MobileSyrup]