Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

digg_url = ‘http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/23/t-mobile-soft-capping-3g-data-at-1gb-per-month/’; Caps are nothing new to the world’s 3G networks, but T-Mobile’s being particularly stingy with the bytes — 1GB is all you get. Well, technically you can get more than that, but our friends in magenta are reserving the right to throttle you back to a stifling 50Kbps — virtually useless by smartphone standards, and less than what even a good EDGE network is capable of providing. That’s going to be sour news to heavy G1 users, especially as Android touts its stellar connectivity, world-class browser, and a full suite of data-gorging apps. For now, we’re going to cut T-Mob some slack on this since the threat is purely theoretical, but if they start enforcing this little stipulation with a heavy hand, the G1 is going to have to stay in the pocket a little more than we’d like.

[Thanks, Emmanuel C.]

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Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

digg_url = ‘http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/23/t-mobile-soft-capping-3g-data-at-1gb-per-month/’; Caps are nothing new to the world’s 3G networks, but T-Mobile’s being particularly stingy with the bytes — 1GB is all you get. Well, technically you can get more than that, but our friends in magenta are reserving the right to throttle you back to a stifling 50Kbps — virtually useless by smartphone standards, and less than what even a good EDGE network is capable of providing. That’s going to be sour news to heavy G1 users, especially as Android touts its stellar connectivity, world-class browser, and a full suite of data-gorging apps. For now, we’re going to cut T-Mob some slack on this since the threat is purely theoretical, but if they start enforcing this little stipulation with a heavy hand, the G1 is going to have to stay in the pocket a little more than we’d like.

[Thanks, Emmanuel C.]

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Filed under: Cellphones

As expected, Verizon has announced today that its customers (and would-be customers) are welcome to sign up for month-to-month plans with no contract — and thus, no early-termination fee — involved, mimicking a move by AT&T earlier in the year. Of course, anyone taking advantage of the new plans won’t be able to get in on carrier subsidies, but the trade-off is that if you decide to bolt for greener pastures, you won’t be slapped with one of those nasty prorated charges. Oh, and before you give customer service a ring, take note: you’ll need to fulfill the terms of your existing contract before jumping, natch.

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Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Following new plans geared to the decidedly less fruity phones in AT&T’s lineup earlier this month, the carrier has announced a pair of international data packages geared specifically toward the iPhone and iPhone 3G. The bad news is that they still cost more than the average subscriber’s entire monthly bill; the good news, though, is that they should still manage to save globetrotters a buck or two (or a thousand) who insist on keeping data roaming enabled while out in the field. 100MB of global data is going to set you back $119.99 on top of your regular package, while 200MB runs $199.99 — certainly not enough to go crazy in the App Store, but probably enough of a meager allowance to take care of email and stay on the grid. The new plans are available starting tomorrow.

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Filed under: Laptops

It was inevitable, was it not? With the success of HP’s 2133 Mini-Note, it was pretty obvious that the outfit would be working up a second edition, and according to Jerel Chong, HP Australia’s Market Development Manager for Notebook PCs, it’s already “looking at a similar device but at a lower cost.” Reportedly, the lower cost low-cost laptop will be ready for budget-conscience consumers sometime before 2009, though we have no idea what corners will be cut in order to hack down the price. Mr. Chong did mention that the cheaper edition would be less “durable,” but considering that we never viewed the original as a Toughbook replacement, we’re not so sure what he’s really getting at. Nevertheless, those looking seriously at the more business-minded 2133 may want to hold off, but good luck suppressing that insatiable desire to be instantly gratified.

[Via TheGadgetSite]

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Filed under: Cellphones

One of the things we’ve always most loved about Sprint is their dirt-cheap EV-DO, but it looks like they’re out to make back some of that $100m they’re about to blow on marketing the Instinct. Unlike the phone-that-shan’t-be-named, according to Sprint’s site their new hotness requires an all-in Everything plan, which starts at $100 and goes up from there. Pretty lame if you ask us, Sprint has way more advanced devices than the Instinct already out in the market that have no such requirements — and did we mention AT&T and the fruit company’s plans start at $60?

[Thanks, Adam]

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Filed under: Cellphones

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/tech_news/Sprint_gearing_up_to_offer_60_month_unlimited_calling_plan’; After yesterday’s barrage of unlimited calling plans left us all terribly underwhelmed, it seems as if Sprint is hoping to emerge as the knight in shining armor by undercutting the oh-so-popular $99 price point. According to unspecified “analysts,” the carrier is gearing up to “offer flat-rate calling plans at up to a 40-percent discount to its rivals,” meaning that yappers could talk ’til their batteries died (and then some) for around $60 a month. Of course, Sprint has yet to confirm nor deny the reports, but we’re all for a price war in the cellular space, regardless.

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There’s no telling whether Verizon’s recent announcement had anything to do with it, but something lit a fire underneath AT&T today as they’ve announced an unlimited plan for the same $99 Verizon is charging (well, $99.99, if you want to get down to the nitty gritty). The plan will be available starting this Friday, February 22, and much like Verizon’s setup, it only includes voice calling — data and messaging will still require an additional package. The plan will be available to both existing and new customers, and anyone can get it month-to-month with no contract extension necessary. When you add in all-you-can-eat bytes and texts, you’re looking at a total package that falls roughly in line with Verizon’s so-called Premium Plan, so the industry appears to be settling on a fair asking price for this kind of deal. Whether consumers agree, well, that remains to be seen.

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Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

They’re still miles away from T-Mobile’s ridiculously cheap $10 for unlimited BlackBerry email, but Verizon’s trying to reach out to a more personal, consumer-based audience as it preps to launch its own Pearl with a new data pricing structure of its own. Unlimited web and email will run you $29.99 when purchased with a voice plan, $34.99 without, offering support for up to ten POP3 and IMAP accounts. Again, T-Mobile’s got these cats beat hands-down if saving dinero is the priority — but then again, Verizon takes the cake for total coverage area and, of course, 3G speed. Pick your poison.

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Cellphones

For now it’s not much more than a plan to announce a plan within the next few weeks, but since it involves Google and cellphone networks, we’ll take it. The Wall Street Journal has the news that Google will announce its mobile offerings within the next two weeks, which could take the form of hardware, software packages, or — most likely — an open platform for phones that third party developers can build on. Interaction is the key word here: Google’s platform won’t involve locking down features, rather, it’ll open them up so that they work together. How exactly the company will execute this plan will be revealed within the immediate future: although with most phone manufacturers already subcontracting development of their phone’s software platforms, it doesn’t sound like it should be too difficult a job to muscle in.

[Thanks, Harry; via MarketWatch. Image credit]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Cellphones

For now it’s not much more than a plan to announce a plan within the next few weeks, but since it involves Google and cellphone networks, we’ll take it. The Wall Street Journal has the news that Google will announce its mobile offerings within the next two weeks, which could take the form of hardware, software packages, or — most likely — an open platform for phones that third party developers can build on. Interaction is the key word here: Google’s platform won’t involve locking down features, rather, it’ll open them up so that they work together. How exactly the company will execute this plan will be revealed within the immediate future: although with most phone manufacturers already subcontracting development of their phone’s software platforms, it doesn’t sound like it should be too difficult a job to muscle in.

[Thanks, Harry; via MarketWatch. Image credit]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Cellphones

For now it’s not much more than a plan to announce a plan within the next few weeks, but since it involves Google and cellphone networks, we’ll take it. The Wall Street Journal has the news that Google will announce its mobile offerings within the next two weeks, which could take the form of hardware, software packages, or — most likely — an open platform for phones that third party developers can build on. Interaction is the key word here: Google’s platform won’t involve locking down features, rather, it’ll open them up so that they work together. How exactly the company will execute this plan will be revealed within the immediate future: although with most phone manufacturers already subcontracting development of their phone’s software platforms, it doesn’t sound like it should be too difficult a job to muscle in.

[Thanks, Harry; via MarketWatch. Image credit]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Cellphones

Though you may be used to hearing Alltel boast of its consumer-friendly policy that enables users to change their plan at anytime without requiring a contract extension, now would be a good time to gear up for lots of similar chatter from Verizon. Reportedly, Verizon Wireless will soon allow its users to change up their plans mid-contract without asking them to sign on for any additional time, which should thoroughly excite those customers who’ve been regretting their plan decision since day two. So go on, Verizon customers, start scoping out which plan best fits your current lifestyle, because the new rule goes into effect on October 7th.

[Thanks, Kiwi616]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!