Tag: Mobile Tech

Verizon Tiered Data Starting in July, Prices Revealed?

Verizon has been up front with its plans to eventually move from a flat charge for unlimited data to a tiered system. It looks like those plans have been revealed. Droid-Life obtained some documentation allegedly sent by company executives that outlines the new data fees.

On top of monthly voice charges, Verizon’s new data plans will cost $30 a month for 2GB, $50 a month for 5GB, and $80 a month for 10GB. Additional data will cost $10 per GB. The pricing is the same for 3G and 4G (LTE) devices. Customers that wish to tether will be charged an additional $20 per month. The current charge for unlimited data is $29.99. The new plans allegedly roll out on July 7, 2011.

It’s kind of a bummer that data pricing continues to escalate even though the cost per GB has actually gone down. I realize that Verizon still needs to recoup the costs of its expensive LTE network, but the pricing seems excessive. Thankfully existing customers will be able to keep their current rate plans, but who knows what will happen when it’s time to renew.

Whether you’re a current Verizon customer, a prospective customer, or a spectator, please let me know how you feel about these new rate plans.

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Coffee Talk #365: The Angle of the Dangle

I’m reexamining my position on viewing angles and I’d love to have your input. I was talking to a few friends that review phones and they were dinging the HTC Sensation for its viewing angles. I just don’t…

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the emergence of Rory McIlroy, Floyd Mayweather not showing up to court, or RIM’s declining fortunes, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

I’m reexamining my position on viewing angles and I’d love to have your input. I was talking to a few friends that review phones and they were dinging the HTC Sensation for its viewing angles. I just don’t understand why they’re a big deal on phones. Mobile phones are generally used by one person looking at the device head-on. Certainly I can’t think of a case where my mobile phone experience was lessened by poor viewing angles.

My friends said that I was being contradictory for criticizing the Nintendo 3DS for its viewing angles. If you haven’t tried one, the 3D aspect of the handheld system is very sensitive to viewing angles. The 3D effect breaks if you view it from slightly off-center angles. In this case, one of the 3DS’ primary functions — 3D gaming — can be ruined due to the device’s viewing angles. I don’t think it’s the same deal as on a phone.

My reviewer friends weren’t able to change my mind, but perhaps you will. Please let me know how you feel about viewing angles on phones, portable consoles, televisions, etc.

T-Mobile Shows Off the HTC Sensation 4G at E3 2011

T-Mobile USA senior product manager Desmond Smith showed me his HTC Sensation at E3 2011. This excellent Google Android phone is available today and packs some impressive features. Smith was nice enough to give me an overview of the phone (he saw me mark out after he told me it was in his bag). In the b-roll he shows off the HTC Watch (streaming movies) and HTC Trace (Swype-like keyboard) features.

Check it out and let me know what you think (please)!

Unlocked iPhone 4 Available Through Apple USA

Imagine The Rock saying, “Finally…the iPhone 4 is available unlocked…in America!!!” It’s true! American consumers that want an iPhone 4 but don’t want to be shackled with a two-year contract can pick up an officially unlocked iPhone 4 from The Apple Store. The 16GB model costs $649, while the 32GB model costs $749.

Apple Stores in most countries have been offering unlocked iPhones since launch, but America is an unusual market where the carriers have too much stroke. Buying the phone unlocked in America comes at a premium and there’s only one major carrier that supports the unlocked model’s 3G bands (AT&T). However, it’s still a godsend for customers that want an iPhone that can be used in other countries without jailbreaking.

That said, $649 for a phone with year-old tech is a questionable value. Sure, the iPhone 4 still enjoys the best software ecosystem in the world and the screen is absolutely gorgeous, but the screen size is small and the processor is old. For a little bit less money, consumers can purchase an unlocked Android phone with a bigger screen and a dual-core processor. Plus, a new iPhone model is expected in autumn.

Will people pay top dollar for an unlocked iPhone 4? Will future iPhone models launch with an unlocked version? We shall see. For now, kindly put on your analyst hat and let me know what you think this development means.

AT&T CEO Unsure If You Can Buy Unlocked iPhone

At the D9 conference, AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega claimed that AT&T customers could buy an iPhone at full price and get it unlocked. He later backtracked on that statement and said he needed to verify it. Here’s a clip from Engadget’s live blog:

Ralph just said he “needed to verify” that you couldn’t buy an unlocked GSM iPhone from AT&T. He so clearly has no concept of this — the entire audience confirmed for him that even a full-price iPhone is locked to AT&T, making it useless to those who travel overseas and want to use a pre-paid SIM in whatever nation they land in. Pretty sad, actually.

Being able to unlock an iPhone without jailbreaking it would be tremendously useful to AT&T customers that frequently work and play in other countries. AT&T does not allow this and it’s completely laughable that its CEO is ignorant of this fact. Moron. It would be awesome if AT&T changed its policy so that its CEO didn’t look like a total ignoramus.

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What Do You Think of Windows 8 So Far?

Microsoft has released details and videos on its upcoming Windows 8 operating system. The new OS will run on traditional PCs (mouse and keyboard) as well as touch devices. From a UI and UX perspective, it’s a radical departure from Windows 7. Check out the video above to see the new UI and UX.

While I know it will have several cool and powerful features, I’m unimpressed with the debut video. I’m oversimplifying it, but Windows 8 looks like a version of Windows 7 with a Windows Phone interface slapped on.

The general vibe I get from Windows 8 is that Microsoft is trying to run ahead of Apple, but is stumbling trying to do so. It’s no secret that touch will be an integral component of future versions of Mac OS. In my head I see Steve Ballmer screaming, “We need to do that too!” and not really caring how the company gets there. While there are several features in the video that look “neat”, I just see Apple integrating touch in a better and more elegant way.

Kindly check out the video and let me know what you think of Windows 8’s debut.

Nintendo Boasts 25,000 Free WiFi Hotspots for 3DS

Nintendo has announced that starting June 7, 2011, Nintendo 3DS customers will be able to take advantage of more than 25,000 free WiFi hotspots. Free WiFi will be available at select shopping malls, Best Buy stores, and AT&T WiFi locations. Here’s a snippet from the press release:

As of June 7, a new alliance with Simon Property Group, the country’s largest owner, developer and manager of high-quality retail real estate, will provide Nintendo 3DS owners with complimentary wireless connections at nearly 200 Simon shopping malls throughout the country. Nintendo 3DS users can also access hotspots at more than 1,000 Best Buy stores. Through an expanded agreement with AT&T, Nintendo 3DS users will have access to nearly 24,000 of AT&T’s Wi-Fi hotspots.

It’s fantastic that Nintendo and its partners are offering this service. It encourages use of the 3DS and allows gamers to do more on the go.

What do you think of these partnerships? Does free WiFi make the 3DS more appealing to you?

AT&T Buys Support From NAACP, AFL-CIO, Etc.

AT&T senior executive vice president Jim Cicconi is very proud of all the support for the company’s proposed merger with T-Mobile. He raved about the support the merger is getting from organizations like the NAACP, the AFL-CIO, the Cattlemen’s Association, and more. Check it out:

So far the AFL-CIO and five major unions with a total membership of over 15 million workers have filed in support of our deal.  Support for the transaction is also coming from some of the most respected organizations in America, including iconic names like the NAACP and LULAC.  We have strong support from those representing people with disabilities and the disadvantaged.  Groups representing rural interests, including The National Grange, the Cattlemen’s Association, state chapters of the Farm Bureau, and the Rural Health Association are backing our deal.  The Sierra Club has publicly recognized the benefits of our transaction, and high tech industry leaders like Microsoft, Corning, and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group have all made clear their endorsements.

It’s funny that he completely failed to mention that AT&T has financial ties to numerous organizations “supporting” the merger. Cicconi would have you believe that the merger would be beneficial to numerous ethnic and social organizations. The reality is that the support was purchased. Thankfully The Washington Post is here to keep him honest. Here’s a clip from the newspaper’s findings:

Aside from money spent directly on lobbying government officials, industry observers say, AT&T is receiving support from several political leaders, trade groups and organizations such as the NAACP and at least one affiliate of the National Urban League. All have direct financial ties to the telecom giant.

Among the 14 governors listed by AT&T as supporters of the proposed merger is Bobby Jindal (R) of Louisiana. AT&T is a key sponsor of the Supriya Jindal Foundation, a charity of the governor’s wife.

The Urban League of Portland sent a similar letter to the FCC, saying the merger could help minorities gain faster access to broadband through a more robust, combined company. AT&T donated $125,000 to $249,999 last year to the National Urban League’s annual convention, the group said on its Web site.

I’m probably being naive, but I expect more from organizations like the NAACP and the National Urban League. It’s disappointing that they can be bought so easily. It’s disappointing, but not surprising, that executives like Cicconi are allowed to fool the public and tell half-truths about company support.

What do you think of the whole deal? Does it leave you feeling dirty? Does it make you feel that Jim Cicconi has a private sweatshop in his backyard?

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Microsoft to Buy Nokia’s Smartphone Division for $19-Billion?

The word on the street is that Microsoft is planning to buy Nokia’s smartphone division for the hefty sum of…wait for it…$19-billion. The rumor was tweeted by Mobile-Review’s Eldar Murtazin, who has a history of getting inside information and early products from Nokia. Here’s more on the matter from VentureBeat:

If the rumor does end up being true, Microsoft would be looking to acquire Nokia’s “Smart Devices” division, which houses all of the company’s smartphone operations. Nokia also has a “Mobile Phones” division, but that’s entirely focused on lower-end dumb phones.

Nokia communications director Mark Squires responded to Murtazin’s earlier report in a surprisingly direct way on Twitter: “We typically don’t comment on rumors. But we have to say that Eldar’s rumors are getting obviously less accurate with every passing moment,” he wrote.

Nokia’s vehement denial is unusual for a company that typically plays it cool. That combined with Microsoft’s talent for throwing large amounts of money at consumers products (Xbox, Zune) makes the rumor particularly interesting. While Microsoft had success licensing Windows Mobile, the market has changed drastically. Perhaps the company believes that tightly controlling the hardware, the operating system, and the software ecosystem is the way to go with its relatively new Windows Phone OS. (Microsoft copying the Apple model?!? No way!)

What do you guys and dolls think of this rumor? Is it all hot air from Murtazin? Or does Microsoft buying Nokia’s smartphone division make complete sense?

Source via VentureBeat