If we look way back in time to the beginning of dirt itself…ok so 2008 isn’t that far back. But remember, two years in the tech world is like a decade — really. Anyway, back in that day, UMA was starting to get some respect with T-Mo users for it’s ability to extend network coverage to areas that had little of it or none at all. WIth all the hubub around Android, it only seemed like two next-gen pieces of technology would bask together in the limelight. Except, they didn’t.
I’m not a software developer or cellular engineer so I haven’t the slightest as to why the duo still aren’t dancing together two years later. What I do know is that it sucks big time. But all that is set to change very, very soon…
Sweet Jesus, I am honestly sad. The length of AT&T iPhone exclusivity has been an on again/off again topic since it’s debut in 2007. But after some deep digging by Engadget, we now know the truth — AT&T as a solid 5-year exclusive period (Gasps!) Yes, if you want a shiny iPhone, you’ll have to deal with AT&T for another two years…
We’ve all been there — a new phone comes out, leaving you staring at your “old” phone wishing you could part ways and embrace the newness that has just bestowed the human race. It’s natural. It happens to all of us. But we don’t normally have the cash to do such things. T-Mobile however feels your pain and has a solution. A still unannounced plan unearthed by BGR highlights a new iPhone-tradein program that for those wanting to switch, will net them a brand spankin’ new HTC HD2 in place of their iPhone. Depending on the shape of your iPhone, traders can expect anywhere from $100 to $350 credit applied towards the HD2.
It’s a good move by T-Mo. The HD2 is a highly successful Windows Mobile phone. Though, with the infinitely better Windows Phone 7 coming along, any carrier of WinMo has instantly lost credibility in my book, negating any useful of such a trade-in as we see here. But for some, the HD2 is just too hard to pass up on. Sweet deal. Would you do it?
Think of a world where opposite beings such as T-Mobile and Sprint worked together? Weird isn’t it? The odd pairing might not be such an uncommon thing in the near future. In efforts to boost network capacity and resilience, T-Mobile is rumored to be in talks with Clearwire in a potential partnership. So far, Sprint has been the only major carrier to make use of Clearwire’s 4G wireless technology. The speed is there for sure. But having T-Mobile and Clearwire/Sprint more or less working together is, well, weird.
Sprint and T-Mobile in particular are competitors. Another thing to keep in mind is that T-Mobile, while not exactly “bleeding customers”, isn’t exactly booming. For Sprint, the outlook is even worse. Taking two under performing or stagnant companies and combining, them whether through a buyout or partnership isn’t exactly the best of choices for any party involved.
Through it all, the speed increases are hard to ignore. T-Mobile users in particular probably are blinded more so than Sprint users as they’re still fairly new to this whole high speed thing. Promises of leapfrogging ahead of the competition may seem like an awesome goal to rush towards. But partnering up with Sprint…? I just don’t see success at the end of that tunnel.
Poor Nexus One owners. They have in their possession the top of the line Android handset (for now) and yet it’s half broken. Since launch, N1 users have been complaining of fairly widespread 3G connectivity issues, with their phones rolling back to homely ‘ol EDGE in areas that are plenty saturated with 3G particles.
To remedy this, Google and T-Mobile pushed out an update many days back that was claimed to cure N1 users’ 3G woes. Now that everyone has had some time to get the update and test it out, are N1 users fairing any better?
Not really according to countless N1 forum members. Something as simple and mundane as holding the phone at the bottom can cause a weak 3G signal to evaporate into thin air. Clearly, something is wrong here. While I believe it could still be something wonky with the software, a hardware problem is becoming an ever bigger threat.
Of course, with only roughly 80k-100k N1′s in the wild, a recall wouldn’t be too detrimental. Well, not as much as an across the board iPhone recall. Get my point?
If you’re still in need of convincing that something is still amuck, take a look at the video below created by one N1 user who shows how easy (way too easy) it is to manipulate the N1′s 3G reception.
Any N1 owners care to chime in on any problems (or lack thereof if you’re lucky)?
Sorry for the long title. All I can say is that it’s late and I’m not exactly firing on all cylinders — it’s hard being witty in a limited amount of characters. But before I go on and on about my sentence structures and grammar…
The BlackBerry 9100 — the 3G Pearl — the miniature messiah. Ok, so maybe the last one isn’t an “official” 9100 nickname. To many BlackBerry users not into the full qwerty style of pretty much every Berry however, a 3G equipped and chopped down thumb bender would certainly make make their lives exponentially easier.
The entire tech world has known of this 3G Pearl for some time. Unfortunately, the powers that be have so far decided they don’t want to reveal this public knowledge quite yet. Fair enough. Until that wonderful day we’ll just have to make due with these almost mysterious fuzz-filled photos of a 3G Pearl showing what appears to be support for T-Mobile’s goofy ass 1700 MHz slice of radio pie. Hmmm 1700MHz pie. Anyone hungry?
If you were holding out on the BlackBerry 8910 hoping that slim form factor would get a 3G kick with the latest 8910 iteration, prepare to be sorely disappointed. As we can see from this image depicting the internals of RIM’s 8900 refresh, 3G is absent.
Ok folks, this is how it is — In 2010, no one should release any so called “smartphone” without 3G. I understand 1-2 years ago for battery life, cost, yadda yadda, but it is again, 2010. We’re looking at 4G making it’s way to the masses and finally starting to catch on as as 2010 rolls into 2011 and more carriers start flippin’ that 4G switch. RIM is wasting their time with a 2G phone.
Granted, the 8910 will make use of e-EDGE which is an evolved form of EDGE that brings near 3G speeds. That’s great and all except the carriers have to have build that support into their infrastructure. Older towers and hardware will needed upgraded hardware — not cheap — while new towers and hardware can get by with a simple software upgrade.
Even still, spending countless millions on old technology when 4G is just starting it’s upward trend is stupid is it not?
Anyone else think RIM is spinning their wheels in supporting Evolved-EDGE?
It’s that time again. Time to look across the deep blue see to lands far away wishing upon a star that we were in that place. The place to wish ourselves to is Japan – the tech hub of the world. It is here where local carrier NTT DoCoMo has begun upgrading their current 3G network to an LTE based 4G network with plans to flip the switch by the end of 2010. Their goal is might speedy mind you as U.S. carriers aren’t set to begin such upgrades until that same time. DoCoMo’s approach is a smart one at that with two plans of attacks. Roughly half of their current 3G towers and stations will simply be upgraded to support the new 4G network while the remaining stations will have a piggy back “remote station” that allows simultaneous 3G/4G support as to allow seamless transition between said services.
The frequency being recruited to carry all of the 4G goodness will take place on the current 2GHz band used by DoCoMo’s 3G network. Though the 4G upgrade will take over half of their available 3G spectrum with future goals of course being a complete transition to 4G technology. Further down the line, the goal is to reach download speeds of 300Mbps and 75Mbps up for all 4G users — *drool*. Overall it’s a rather ingenious plan that will help reduce upgrade costs and maintenance. 4G couldn’t come soon enough.
Grand Rapids (MI) residents: Do you feel something in the air? If so (and even if not) that new sense of “something newness” is due to the new 1700MHz band of 3G that is pulsating through your town’s buildings, vegetation, and human bodies. Woot! There’s nothing like the feeling of the wind in your hair and the blinding sense that 3G speeds bring to your mobile device.
With each new city that is graced with T-Mo’s 3G goodness I find myself curious as to real world speeds. We all know what 3G is supposed to operate at but often times life has other plans. So do a quick test, take a screenshot, and leave it in the comments below. I’d much appreciate it.
**Word is that Tulsa, Oklahoma was also seeing 3G speeds today however as of writing it seems to have been a false alarm (IntoMobile). Still, your time is due before the end of the year. Your wait — if it is in fact still a “wait” — isn’t much longer.
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If we look way back in time to the beginning of dirt itself…ok so 2008 isn’t that far back. But remember, two years in the tech world is like a decade — really. Anyway, back in that day, UMA was starting to get some respect with T-Mo users for it’s ability to extend network coverage to areas that had little of it or none at all. WIth all the hubub around Android, it only seemed like two next-gen pieces of technology would bask together in the limelight. Except, they didn’t.
Grand Rapids (MI) residents: Do you feel something in the air? If so (and even if not) that new sense of “something newness” is due to the new 1700MHz band of 3G that is pulsating through your town’s buildings, vegetation, and human bodies. Woot! There’s nothing like the feeling of the wind in your hair and the blinding sense that 3G speeds bring to your mobile device. 
