Carriers

AT&T opens four new LTE markets, covers 160 million

AT&T flipped the switch on four new LTE markets in its expanding 4G network.

Starting today, customers in Auburn, Ala.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Nashua, N.H.; and Wilkes-Barre, Penn., will begin to see LTE coverage.

These additions bring AT&T's LTE count to 113 markets with coverage extending to over 160 million people.

AT&T still trails behind Verizon, which claims coverage of over 440 cities and 200 million residents.

AT&T helps you track your city's progress in an infographic below.

Affordable HTC One VX hits AT&T for just $49.99

If you're looking for an Android device with a touch of style and at a price that likely won't bust your budget, the $49.99 HTC One VX may do the trick. This midrange handset has just joined AT&T's roster, apparently on sale today. … Read more

Carrier Ting: Bring us your Sprint phones

Today Ting, a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that resells Sprint's network, launched a private beta that lets prospective customers sign up for Ting's service using their previously purchased Sprint phones.

For now, just seven devices make the cut:

HTC Evo 4G (A9292) HTC Evo 3D (X515C) HTC Evo Shift 4G (A7373) Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch (SPHD710) Samsung Epic 4G (SPH-D700) LG Optimus S (LS670) Motorola Photon 4G (MB855)

Ting says that it has thoroughly tested these handsets to ensure that the hardware transitions smoothly to Ting's MVNO. More than just these smartphones work … Read more

Can T-Mobile handle the iPhone?

Today's word that T-Mobile plans to sell Apple products in 2013 certainly sounds like great news to the iPhone and TMO faithful. The question remains, however, if the carrier can deal with the increased load Apple's uber-phone will put on its network. It's also unclear whether the latest iPhone 5, which boasts 4G LTE data access on other networks, will offer the same performance after joining T-Mobile's roster. … Read more

Bluetooth headset buying guide

A bad Bluetooth device will ruin even the most engaging gab session. That's why it's important to select the right headset, and this guide is here to help. If you need a great hands-free headset right now, definitely check out the Plantronics Voyager Legend. Not only is it lighter and smaller than most devices equipped with a big boom mic, the Legend delivers superb audio quality and has a design comfortable enough to wear with glasses. Another great option is the Jawbone Era which has ultra-advanced features such as a built-in accelerometer, powerful noise-canceling, and HD audio. On … Read more

C Spire launches shared data plans December 3

Following Verizon and AT&T, regional carrier C Spire will soon let customers share a pool of data among multiple devices.

C Spire's shared data plan follows Verizon's model of charging a fee for devices to access the data allotment, in addition to a monthly charge for the data itself. Up to 10 devices can draw from the data pool.

$20: Tablets, USB modems, and other connected devices $30: Feature phones $40: Smartphones

Data ranges from 1GB for $50 to 20GB for $150, and up. C Spire also lets customers top up their data as the month … Read more

Basis watch keeps eye on health

San Francisco startup Basis Science confirmed pricing and availability for its Basis health tracker today. The $199 watch-style gadget hits the market in early December, continuing the evolution of wearable fitness technology for everyday consumers. … Read more

Samsung Galaxy Axiom sneaks into U.S. Cellular lineup

U.S. Cellular this week quietly introduced another Android smartphone this week with the budget-friendly Samsung Galaxy Axiom.

Appearing on the carrier's Web site without even a press release, the Axiom runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and delivers a 4-inch 480x800-pixel WVGA display, a 5-megapixel rear camera, and front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera. Additional details include a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 2,100mAh battery, NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 4G LTE connectivity.

Astute readers will recognize that the Galaxy Axiom closely resembles the recently announced Galaxy S3 Mini. Save for its slightly faster processor and longer-lasting battery, it'… Read more

Verizon grabs Galaxy Note 2

Samsung's Galaxy Note 2 will continue making the carrier rounds tomorrow by landing in Verizon Wireless stores. The ginormous Android smartphone has been available for pre-order on the carrier's Web site.

Announced in late August at the annual IFA show in Berlin, the Galaxy Note 2 is the successor device to the original Galaxy Note. It has a 5.5-inch display, a quad-core processor, and Android Jelly Bean, and its camera performed well in CNET's review.

Verizon is selling the Galaxy Note 2 for $299 with a two-year contract. AT&T and Sprint also offer the … Read more

T-Mobile offers HTC One S for free

Kick your outrageously old T-Mobile handset to the curb in favor the HTC One S. This sleek, modern Android device is free with two-year contract on this Cyber Monday.

I think that the HTC One S was one of the best Android smartphones HTC has ever sold, though lately that doesn't mean much. Its excellent 8-megapixel camera and nimble 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor would ordinarily serve to put this handset on your short-list any day. Factor in the One S' distinctive and extremely thin chassis that's carved from a single block on anodized aluminum, Android 4.0 … Read more