Gadgetsteria » unlocked

Google Re-opens Unlocked Nexus Phone Store With Galaxy Nexus For $399.

Mike Norris — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:31:12 +0000

News of an unlocked (HSPA+ only) Galaxy Nexus for an off-contract price of $399 is newsworthy enough. However, being able to purchase said phone directly from Google (again) is even more newsworthy.

After dropping direct phone sales last year, fans of Google’s direct sales plan with their Nexus line collectively weeped as it appeared Google’s grand scheme to overthrow the tyrannical rule carriers exhibit had failed. While Google’s re-entrance into the phone selling arena is unlikely to pick up any mass adoption (as it failed before), it is nice to see customers have a non-carrier way to get an unlocked Nexus device from el Goog once again. Not to mention, $399 for a higher-end device like the Galaxy Nexus is actually quite respectable.

Our only wish is that Google keeps their phone storefront open and adds new models to it in the future – perhaps a Motorola-made Nexus device, hmmm?

More: Unlocked HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus On Google Play Store

Rumor: Unlocked iPhones Dropping Wednesday?

Mike Norris — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 02:06:50 +0000

If sources of popular iOS hacker Chronic are to believed, iPhone users in the US are about to get a little bit more freedom. The news came via the hacker’s @Chronicwire Twitter account and claims several sources who say unlocked iPhone’s are coming to the U.S. this Wednesday.

Unlocked iPhones headed to Apple Stores for Wednesday: MC603 (16GB, Black) MC604 (16GB, White) MC605 (32GB, Black) MC606 (32GB, White)

While we enjoy many perks here in the U.S. when it comes to consumer electronics and services, cellular freedom isn’t one of them. Highlighting that fact is the near impossible (or at the very least slightly involved DIY) quest for unlocked phones.

Hopefully Chronic’s sources are right. The U.S. is ripe for change. Being able to choose your carrier whilst abroad on your own accord is a great start.

Source: @Chronicwire
Via: TiPB

Non-VZW Skype/Android calling over 3G now possible thanks to “unlocked” version.

Mike Norris — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 10:39:56 +0000

Hey, fuck the system. That’s the main premise behind Android and it’s open nature full of extremely talented hackers and developers, right? This is one of those moments that perfectly captures that — Skype for Android was exclusive to VZW handsets only. Finally, someone loosened their grip and allowed Skype for non-VZW Android-powered handsets with one big feature missing — 3G calling. Likely due to some stupid exclusive agreement which helps no one and just screws over countless Android fans, the Android devs didn’t stand by waiting and took matters into their own hands, specifically a talented Android dev by the name of Xeudoxous — his website here. If the mood strikes you, 3G calling capable Skype can now be had on your Android device.

The best part of it all is that you don’t have to root your phone to get access to this. All you need to do is point your phone’s browser right over here for the unlocked .apk. It’s great when common sense and the will of the community overcomes stupid, harmful business deals isn’t it?

Source:
MagGadget
Droid-Life

Motorola Milestone (Sholes) comes to AT&T via Telus

Mike Norris — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:40:23 +0000

Wetting your pants in excitement that AT&T is finally, finally getting on board with Android? Sorry to say that your little accident was for naught as AT&T is still stiff arming Google’s baby. Why? Well there’s many reasons why. (1) They don’t care about all of this “openness” crap. (2) Don’t want to harm exclusive agreements with Apple. Or (3), they’re just plain stupid. My vote’s for three, but this entire issue is best reserved for another article.

Don’t go just yet. I wasn’t lying when I said the Motorola Milestone was coming to AT&T. The only thing is you’ll have to do a little cross boarder magic yourself by picking up one of these GSM beauts from our friends up north. Telus Canada is launching the Milestone in “early 2010″. Since they use the same frequencies as AT&T, any interested user simply has to go ahead and purchase one unlocked. Full price isn’t going to be pretty as it looks to be easily north of $500. Still, if you want to get in on some GSM baed Android action via AT&T, this is your best and only bet for the time being.

Android Central

MMS activated on your iPhone yet? Force it…

Mike Norris — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:26:54 +0000

I’ve been seeing posts all weekend of people from across the country claiming that MMS has started working on their AT&T iPhone’s. I myself have restored several times hoping it would happen. But it didn’t. No worries. Since I upgraded to 3.1, I lost all of my jailbroken goods. There is a saving grace however if you just can’t wait (like me) for MMS to start working on your iPhone. It’s quite simple actually. Apple iPhone School has an easy to follow and quick tutorial allowing anyone to add a tweaked carrier file that will allow MMS options to at least be available. The final stretch is up to AT&T and how far they’ve gotten on removing those MMS opt-out codes. Luckily for me, they already made the switch on my account so I’m enjoying MMS (god isn’t 2002 technology great) on my unjailbroken iPhone 3G running 3.1. Hit up the link above or below and start sendin’ away!

Enable MMS on your iPhone

Palm Pre now on Verizon! [Illegitimately]

Mike Norris — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:21:02 +0000

The Palm Pre is considered by many as the one thing that kept Palm from going completely belly up in the year 2009. While it won’t turn the company into an Apple-esque super power overnight, it is at least keeping the lights on. Sadly, CDMA lovers in the U.S. have only one option in which to purchase a Palm Pre: Sprint. However, Cleanser, a member of PreCentral forum, has managed to do the seemingly impossible. He unlocked his Pre and got it up and *mostly* running on Verizon (voice and SMS only for now). Obviously, the hardest part he claims was getting someone at Big V to add his MEID number into the system. The rest was your usual firmware flashes and good ‘ol hacking. Whether or not Palm will get around to spreading the U.S. love anytime soon looks doubtful for the near term. For now you’ll have to make do with the “leak standard” Mr. Blurry Cam appearance.

Source: Engadget, PreCentral

Unlocked Palm Treo Pro now available for the low low price of $699

Mike Norris — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 01:16:40 +0000

If you are a Windows Mobile lover and have a thing for Palm, Best Buy has something for you. The Palm Treo Pro, the hottest Palm of last year is officially available at Best Buy Mobile for a gut wrenching $699. You have to be a true diehard Windows Mobile/Palm user to actually jump at a price like that. The Sprint subsidized version which will come in at a much lower price will supposedly be here in mid February. But as a gadget freak, I can understand the “gotta have it now” attitude. Do you hear that? Thats the sound of WM/Palm users’ wallets weeping.

Source: Crunchgear