Archive for: uma
WiFi calling aficionados on T-Mobile U.S.A. were no doubt looking forward to today’s official unveiling of the new unlimited WiFi calling plans. The news, however, has changed rather drastically. T-Mobile has stated via an internal document that the new feature and service will be delayed, with a future date noted though not specifically detailed.
Delayed Launch of Free Wi-Fi Calling Feature
The launch of the new free Wi-Fi calling feature has been delayed. This launch was originally scheduled for May 11, and you may have seen communications or references to it.
Support teams are engaged and working toward launching this new feature as soon as possible. We will re-communicate the launch date and details of the offer when we have confirmation on the new date.
For the curious folk, the unlimited WiFi (UMA) plans would have allowed users to choose cellular plans that would make all calls placed over WiFi networks “free” — the minutes wouldn’t be subtracted from your monthly allotment of minutes.
We’ll be sure to update you once T-Mobile publishes a new launch date.
- September 26, 2010 12:31 pm
You may recall late last week an article that showed the LG Optimus potentially getting UMA calling features. (Quickrecap: UMA calling allows cellular calls to be made over WiFI and then transfer between the two technologies as you move from local network to cellular network.) It looks like the proof is slowly building, as a new series of training documents has leaked showing several slides of a new Android WiFi calling app.
Unlike UMA that is currently available on most of T-Mo’s feature phone lineup (save for a few other smartphones like BlackBerries), this new Android-capable version has two major differences…–>
- September 24, 2010 7:28 am
Ever since the ground breaking G1 dropped on T-Mobile back in 2008, many (including myself) have been begging and pleading for UMA support. UMA was a huge selling point for T-Mobile for at least a few months before Android became the talk of the town. But then once the jolly green giant hit, UMA was kind of neglected. We’ve heard rumors of previous Android handsets that were supposed to feature UMA, which ultimately didn’t materialize.
But as you can see on the LG Optimus flyer above, “Native WiFi calling” is a feature that’s listed fairly prominently. Now, “WiFi calling” can be done on a number of services and apps. That doesn’t mean it’s UMA — neither does the “Native” part of it either. The Optimus could simply come bundled with some VoIP app/service. And let’s not overlook the fact that “UMA” is not mentioned anywhere on this material. I’d think if it were something as big as UMA coming to Android that T-Mo would emphasize it a bit more prominently. Still the optimist in me will stand in eager excitement, fingers crossed.
What do you guys think? Is UMA finally coming to Android?
Check out the Moto Charm’s new T-Mobile flyer and skim through the short list of mentionable features. All are pretty standard affair these days except one — UMALite. If you recall, UMA was a pretty big deal a couple years back when it debuted. For those who don’t know, UMA gave T-Mobile users the ability to perform cellular functions — Sending/receiving texts and calls — over WiFi networks as well as seamless hand-offs back and forth across the wireless technologies. It was awesome. And then Android came to be without UMA support. Ever sense then, it hasn’t gotten nearly as much attention. Thus far, for whatever reason(s), UMA has not been updated to work on Android — that is, until now.
UMALite is one the Moto Charm. It shouldn’t be too surprising though, as it’s been rumored to be making an Android debut for some time now. Is this that magical handset that brings it all together? Kind of. UMALite isn’t detailed specifically on the flyer. I’ve sent out an email to T-Mobile for clarification. But, if I had to throw in my two cents, I’d say it’s a stripped down UMA (hence the lite) that only supports VoIP-like qualities. This time around, don’t expect to see text messages sent over UMA-based technology.
If that’s how it turns out to be, it’ll certainly be a bummer. If they’ve managed to get voice traffic to work over UMA, what’s stopping SMS/MMS? Still, something is better than nothing. And I know that there’s been plenty of times (regardless of carrier) where I’ve been out of network coverage and had access to a WiFi signal. It’s times like those where UMA shines. Stay tuned…
Update
T-Mo dropped me a line a little bit ago to let me know that “UMA is not a feature of the Motorola Charm. Either UMALite is something completely different or CS and marketing don’t talk. I’m going to side with the latter and chalk this discrepancy up to poor communication. Still, that doesn’t answer the question of exactly what UMALite is.
Update 2
Looks like UMA won’t make it afterall. The Charm is now live on T-Mo’s site void of any UMA verbiage. Maybe next time…
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…
Products release dates getting pushed back are never fun at all. Starting with a sentence like that, you know that something now so smile inducing is following. Word is that the much lusted after T-Mobile BlackBerry 9700 decided to hold of it’s coming out party until November 16th. You know T-Mobile better watch out. Starting a string of delays isn’t fun for anyone and this delay in particular is starting to remind me of the delay after delay style launch AT&T’s Bold suffered from. We can only hope this isn’t a Bold delay launch part 2.
The reason for the delay as well as official confirmation is still unknown. All I do know is that this is going to upset a few CrackBerry/Tmo users who were waiting for some 3G/UMA BlackBerry goodness.
And yes, I’ve sent the now standard email to T-Mo asking for some clarification. We’ll see how it goes.
BGR
Work in an office, have a corporate BlackBerry, and wish you could save your minutes and instead make calls via the WiFi signals that are so abundant around you? T-Mobile USA is here to answer your calls as they are officially rolling out WiFi calling services for those who flock in a more suit and tie type of environment. Instead of wasting precious cell minutes, why not route those calls over WiFi? Such is one of my favorite things about T-Mobile. The move is part of a bigger plan to encourage business users to cast aside the old as dirt landline and instead go wireless in order to cut costs and company expenses on upkeep.
Much like the consumer branded “T-Mobile Hotspot@Home” UMA-based calling features, the corporate version will come with an additional fee on top of normal cellular fees. This fee will vary depending on the number of users. If TMO can keep Mr. Greed from creeping up and actually price this fairly competitively as they did with their consumer version, this could be a rather worthy option for many businesses to look in to no? Do any users think their company would eye such a plan and additional expense while simultaneously ditching their landline?
MobileCrunch > Reuters
- September 8, 2009 9:13 pm
Even though we in nerd land all know that a T-Mobile branded BlackBerry 9700/Bold/Onyx exists and is coming to the US, GSM based carrier, unofficial official confirmation is always a nice thing to have before laying your pretty little heads down for a restful slumber. The unofficial confirmation comes by way of Al Sacco of CIO and a not so secret little email from TMO USA PR which stated:
The BlackBerry ‘Onyx’ sports a premium experience and design with a high-gloss black finish and leather grain detail on the back. Boasting features such as high-speed 3G Web browsing, Wi-Fi calling, visual voicemail and support for corporate and personal e-mail options, the ‘Onyx’ will satisfy all your on-the-go needs. Also the phone comes preloaded with mobile applications from BlackBerry App World, including Amazon MP3 store for quick and easy music downloads and TeleNav GPS Navigator for turn-by-turn directions.
As you can see, the 9700 isn’t officially called a Bold. Maybe it won’t ever be and will continue on with the Onyx moniker. Regardless, this just gives even more weight to an eventual 9700 release on America’s lesser GSM giant. Yay?
Source: Berry Review
