T-Mobile

Verizon, AT&T flesh out 'openness'

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:59:58 -0500

With Sprint and T-Mobile both members of Google's Open Handset Alliance, the other two tier one U.S. carriers, Verizon and AT&T, have been working hard to prove that they can be open too. As you'll recall, Verizon has announced plans to open its network to unlocked devices this year and AT&T has claimed that it was open all along. While announcements are all well and good, it sure would be nice to see some action behind those initiatives, eh?

To that end, Verizon has announced the Open Development Conference--a two day event in New York City that's aimed at introducing developers to Verizon's Open Development initiative. "This initial conference is for developers of devices - because before consumers can have open access, you have to have open development," Verizon VP Anthony A. Lewis said at a New America Foundation event in Washington D.C. today. "In hosting this conference, our aim is to jump start the development community by sharing information needed to develop devices for our network that achieve our network performance goals while making it easy for them to deliver devices."

Meanwhile, AT&T has quietly unveiled a SIM card-only plan that will allow consumers to use an AT&T plan with an unlocked GSM handset. Customers can purchase a SIM card from AT&T for $5, which can then be used with any AT&T voice/data plan. Though initial reports stated that SIM-only customers would have to sign a 2-year contract like everyone else, it now appears that the SIM-only plan is contract-free.

For more on Verizon and AT&T's open initiatives:
- see this Verizon press release
- and this Engadget article on AT&T's SIM-only plan

Will Android live up to the hype?

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 06:59:53 -0500

Will Google's Android prove to be the wireless industry game changer that everyone seems to think it'll be? All signs point to "yes." After all, by this time next year, you'll likely be able to get an Android phone no matter what carrier you use. Both T-Mobile and Sprint will carry Android devices, Verizon will likely "certify" a few for use on its network and AT&T customers will be able to simply pop their SIM card into an unlocked unit. From everything that we've seen, Android's OS definitely has a lot of that attention-getting "wow" factor and that will force other developers to play catch-up with their mobile UI. The same goes for third party application support: with Android serving as an open alternative, everyone from Apple to Nokia will have to loosen restrictions on user-installable applications. It's not yet clear whether or not Android will be an unqualified success, but there's little doubt as to whether or not it will move the industry forward.

New Linux Mings from Motorola next year

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 06:59:54 -0500

What's a Ming? Why, it's a Linux-based phone from Motorola (what, they don't call it the MOTO LNXR?). In case you hadn't previously heard of them, Moto's first-generation of Mings have been available for some time, though the high-end devices have only been available in the U.S. as GSM-unlocked handsets from retailers like Amazon.com. The next generation of Mings, due in the second quarter of 2008, are said to include phones designed exclusively for the American market, including an entry-level model. Unfortunately, however, the phones will be based on GSM/EDGE technology--not 3G--so while they stand a chance of landing on T-Mobile or AT&T next year, they certainly won't be cutting edge.

For more on the new Mings:
- see this Digitimes article

RIM opens BlackBerry retail store

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:59:53 -0500

Unlike many other countries, the United States has few retail outlets dedicated to handsets, as phones are generally sold through the wireless carriers. Sure, Apple sells its iPhone direct to consumers and Nokia sells unlocked GSM phones at its flagship stores but these examples are mere exceptions to the rule. Thus, if you want to try out every model of BlackBerry on the market, you'll have to run around town to your local Sprint, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile stores...that is, unless you live in the Detroit metropolitan area. RIM has partnered with Michigan wireless retailer Wireless Giant to open the world's first BlackBerry store, in Farmington Hills, Michigan. At the store, you can buy BlackBerry handsets, accessories and add-ons and can even activate your phone with service from one of the big four. Employees at the store will be trained to offer advice to customers as well as tutorials on how to use the devices. "It's a concept store and we don't know where it'll go from here," said Nadine Stafford, marketing director for Wireless Giant. "There's no (plans for) other stores at this point."

For more on the first BlackBerry retail store:
- see this Detroit News article

T-Mobile Katalyst has WiFi, awful name

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 06:59:53 -0500

Move over Motorola RAZR, there's a new terribly-named phone in town. You're looking at the Samsung Katalyst (seriously, how do they come up with these?), which just landed on T-Mobile's network. This little slider packs a 1.3 megapixel camera, music player, microSD slot for up to 2GB of storage and stereo Bluetooth. The real feature of note, however, is the phone's WiFi, which should help you catalyze some savings on your monthly bill thanks to T-Mobile's innovative HotSpot@Home service. If you're hoping to pick up this little number, you'll be looking at $80, after rebates and a 2-year service agreement. And if that's not to your liking, you can always snag a cheaper option (the Nokia 6086) or a more full-featured one (the BlackBerry Curve 8320), for use with HotSpot@Home.

For more on the Katalyst:
- check out T-Mobile's website

Sidekick Slides back into T-Mobile stores

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:59:53 -0500

Not too long after rolling out a replacement program for faulty Motorola-manufactured Sidekick Slides, it appears that the little purple device is making its way back onto store shelves. As you'll recall, the product was pulled from T-Mobile retail after a battery-contact flaw was discovered in the hardware that caused the phone to reboot when slid open. At any rate, the Slide is once again available from T-Mobile, sans the design flaw and can be yours for $300 or $200 after discounts.

For more on the Slide's return:
- see this Electronista article

AT&T claims to have most 'open' network

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 06:59:57 -0500

USA Today is running an article today entitled "AT&T flings cellphone network wide open"--even though the carrier has made no policy change about the openness of its network. AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega told USA Today that "you can use any handset on our network you want. We don't prohibit it, or even police it."

Of course, what de la Vega means is that consumers can use nearly any GSM handset on the AT&T network if they have a SIM card from the carrier--which is hardly "any handset" one may want. It is, however, similar to Verizon Wireless' recent announcement that it would be opening up its network to "any apps" and "any devices," but in Verizon Wireless' case, the phones must run on its CDMA network and pass some as yet undisclosed technical requirements.

The USA Today article explains that AT&T has simply been keeping quiet for years that wireless customers had the option of using devices and applications other than those offered by the carrier. AT&T said that now salespeople in their stores will make sure that consumers 'know all their options' before subscribing.

So, this is good news, right? Well, it's not really news at all. There's been no policy shift at AT&T and the company patting themselves on the back for the 'openness' of their GSM network is a bit of a farce; the interoperability of SIM-enabled devices is a core component of the GSM standard and has nothing to do with AT&T--or T-Mobile, Vodafone, Orange or any other GSM carrier for that matter. And regardless of GSM's openness, AT&T's most desirable handsets--including the iPhone and the Tilt--remain artificially locked to the carrier via software. Thanks for playing AT&T, better luck next time.

For more on the article:
- read it over at USA Today

ALSO NOTED: Standardizing antivirus software testing; Nokia launches a 3G phone on T-Mobile;

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 06:59:51 -0500

> Nokia launches a 3G phone on T-Mobile...so...where's the network? Article
> Standardizing antivirus software testing. Article
> Transfer photos from your phone to your computer with ease. Article
> Apple's webkit gets a little more open. Article
> Parallels debuts premium edition. Article
> Nokia/Universal mobile music promotion hampered by DRM. Article

And Finally... Apple donates iPods to wildfire victims. Article

T-Mobile to stop selling unlocked iPhones

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 06:59:53 -0500

Well, that was fast. Just three weeks ago, T-Mobile Germany started selling an unlocked iPhone for the low, low price of $1500--but if you blinked, you might have missed it. As you'll recall, the unlocked iPhone was a response, of sorts, to a preliminary injunction filed by Vodafone, which claimed that the phone's locked nature, not to mention T-Mobile's deal with Apple, was illegal. Well, a German court just dismissed the injunction and what do you know, T-Mo announced that it was immediately pulling the unlocking deal in celebration. Well, we'll always have France, eh?

For more on the announcement:
- see this Wall Street Journal article (sub. req.)

iPhone launches in France, gets unlocked

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 06:59:54 -0500

Liberté, égalité, fraternité: it's the official motto of the French republic and it apparently extends to even that nation's wireless industry. French carrier Orange has made good on its two promises with today's iPhone launch--it's offering an unlocked iPhone and it's selling it for far cheaper than Germany's T-Mobile. If you want a regular old iPhone in France, you'll be plunking down €399 (just under $600 USD), with the usual service agreement. You can then choose to have your iPhone unlocked on the spot for €100 or you can wait six months, at which point Orange will happily unlock your device for free (though you'll still be locked into that contract). Want a totally unlocked iPhone without a service agreement? That'll be €649 for the device and €100 for the unlocking, bringing the grand total to €749 (just about $1105). While that's not quite cheap, it's still a better deal than T-Mobile's €999 unlocked iPhone.

For more on the iPhone à la Française:
- see this MarketWatch article