Just in time for the holiday season, Verizon added more phones to its Skype-enabled portfolio. The new devices that can sing along the popular VoIP service are Pantech Crux, LG Octane and Samsung Zeal — bringing the total Skype phone count to more than 20. The carrier’s pitch is simple – folks with friends and…
ITU Certifies LTE-Advanced as True 4G Technology
The ITU recently decided that two wireless technologies would be worthy of the 4G title: WiMax 2 and LTE-Advanced. Despite the decision, however, Sprint has continued to call its WiMax network “4G,” and surprisingly around that time T-Mobile decided to launch a massive campaign calling its HSPA+ network “America’s Largest 4G Network.” This week, at…
Acer plans to launch 4.8-inch Android smartphone in April 2011
Acer is stepping up its Android presence next year with tablets and a new 4.8-inch beast of a smartphone. For now, the Android handset coming from Acer doesn’t have a proper name yet, but on paper it looks pretty impressive. The near-five-inch display will have a 1024 x 480 resolution, 1GHz processor, 8MP rear camera…
T-Mobile’s HSPA+ Network Expanded to Detroit, Other Markets
Following up on an expansion to Chicago, Colorado Springs, Ft. Wayne, Louisville, and Raleigh-Durham, T-Mobile has opened up their HSPA+ network in Detroit, Grand Junction, Harlingen, Lafayette, Montgomery, Roanoke-Lynchburg, and Youngstown. On paper, HSPA+ can reach up to 21 Mbps, but the standard is 3-6 with peaks of 9 or so. That’s as fast as…
Sprint WiMax in Los Angeles: When it comes to data pipes, size matters
Sprint is launching WiMax in Los Angeles, my hometown, on December 1 and it’s heralding the launch with a promotional video much like it did for New York City. If you’ve been wondering just how Sprint’s “4G” network fares with its competitors, it’s all about its data pipes – or the amount of spectrum available…
Digimarc Discover uses digital watermarks to allow smartphone users to “see and hear” all forms of media
Digimarc announced Digimarc Discover, which a mobile reference platform that will enable mobile devices to “see and hear” all forms of media content using built-in cameras and microphones. As a consumer, you will simply point the phone at content you’re interested in and you’ll be able to access a range of associated Internet services such…
Verizon uses 4G LTE to diss AT&T
It looks like Verizon will be taking it to AT&T with the upcoming 4G LTE network, as the nation’s largest carrier will be sticking it to AT&T for not having a 4G network. According to some leaked promotional campaign material leaked to Engadget, Verizon will be bringing back its familiar map motif. “Verizon now has…
Verizon 4G LTE phones coming in February 2011
We may not have to wait too long for smartphones which can take advantage of the Verizon 4G LTE network, as the nation’s largest wireless operator said its plans are ahead of schedule and we should see 4G smartphones as early as February 2011. According to the Wall Street Journal: Mr. Seidenberg [Verizon CEO] is…
Wireless Intelligence: There will be more than 120 million LTE connections in Asia Pacific by 2015
According to new data from Wireless Intelligence, the number of LTE connections in Asia Pacific will exceed 120 million by 2015. As expected, China will lead the ride, accounting for nearly half (57.9 million) of the total number. Other markets that will follow China on its “rise to LTE” include Japan, with 26.5 million, Indonesia…
Verizon: LTE to usher in speed and usage-based data plans, Apple iPhone
Verizon is rolling out LTE and the carrier may be modifying its current data plans to reflect the changes that accompany this next generation mobile broadband service. Rather than keep conventional data plans which are tiered according to MB or GB of usage, the wireless carrier is considering plans that are tiered by speed in…