t-mobile

T-Mobile could hike up 2013 smartphone insurance

The cost of insuring your T-Mobile handset could rise in the new year, according to what could be a leaked internal document.

If the image proves true, monthly premium rates will remain untouched when the new plans take effect. Deductibles, however, are largely set to rise.

Save for the carrier's low-end devices, the cost to replace your phone will go up by a minimum of $10. For most smartphones the standard deductible rate will jump from $130 to $150.

Although T-Mobile hasn't officially announced the pricing change, a carrier representative did confirm part of the rumor to CNET: … Read more

Apple begins selling unlocked iPhone 5 in the U.S.

It's official -- unlocked iPhone 5 smartphones are now on sale in the U.S.

As of today, instead of choosing from carriers Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon when buying the device at the online Apple Store, the tech giant is also offering the option of an "unlocked and contract-free" iPhone 5.

By selling the smartphone unlocked, it means that users can insert nano-SIM cards from any supported carrier for use on the network, as opposed to the locked phones, which are tied to the carrier they purchased the phone from.

However, the feature comes at … Read more

T-Mobile USA soon to carry iPhone, analyst suggests

T-Mobile USA is next on the list to carry Apple's iPhone, according to chatter overheard by Merrill Lynch analyst Scott Craig.

In a note to investors this morning, relayed by Fortune, Craig said "speculation is heightening" about T-Mobile USA parent company Deutsche Telecom announcing plans to bring Apple's iPhone to its U.S. carrier at an analyst event next week.

T-Mobile is the fourth largest carrier in the U.S. with 33 million customers, about 4 million of which would be expected to buy the device, Craig estimated. The carrier was set to be part of … 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

AT&T HTC One X for 99 cents on Cyber Monday

Here's a nice Cyber Monday deal. AT&T is offering the HTC One X Android smartphone for 99 cents if you sign up for another two years of service.

If you recall, the One X was once the top dog in HTC's One series handset line and is not even a year old. While the phone may not be as powerful as the upcoming HTC One X+, which boasts quad-core processing and more RAM, the older One X is still a solid device.

First off, the One X runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Sure it'… Read more

Teach your Droid DNA some GSM tricks

One of the new HTC Droid DNA's unsung features is its ability to jump onto global GSM networks, which is great when traveling overseas. Verizon certainly thinks so, and thanks to an unlocked SIM card slot, you can also slip in an AT&T or T-Mobile card and flip the DNA over to operate on those carriers. … Read more

Buyer beware: Black Friday smartphone deals not so hot

Are you gearing up for Black Friday already? When it comes to smartphones, you may want to pause and reconsider any purchases.

As with many Black Friday and Cyber Monday "deals," a majority of the items on sale are outdated models, less-than-desirable devices, or just products that the carriers and retailers are looking to unload. In other words, don't let the Black Friday fever blind you from a deal that's not really a deal.

Smartphones are a different beast than other consumer electronic products. They are more personal than other gadgets, and are almost always with … Read more

T-Mobile revs up network for better iPhone service

T-Mobile USA has expanded the number of markets where unlocked iPhones can tap into its higher network speeds.

The carrier said yesterday in a blog post that 10 new metro areas would get its faster HSPA+ network on the 1900 megahertz band. That's important because the iPhone is compatible only with 1900MHz, meaning that in most other markets, it is stuck on the much slower 2G Edge network.

Part of the allure of the 1900MHz HSPA+ is it that allows unlocked AT&T devices to enjoy 4G speeds on T-Mobile's network.

In addition, other T-Mobile customers should … Read more

AT&T iPhone 4S now gets FaceTime over cellular

AT&T has loosened its grip on FaceTime availability.

FaceTime access has opened up to those who own the iPhone 4S and who have grandfathered unlimited data plans. Macrumors discovered the feature from users in forums.

An AT&T representative said "we're looking into it."

At one time, AT&T had banned FaceTime access via its cellular network, limiting use to Wi-Fi systems. But earlier this month the company announced that it would open it up to those who had an LTE-equipped device and a Mobile Share data plan. All others were left out. … Read more

LTE-equipped iPad Mini, fourth-gen iPad now in stores

Apple's LTE-equipped iPad Mini and fourth-generation iPad are now available in carrier stores -- at least some of them do.

Both Sprint and AT&T announced today that they're now carrying the devices. Verizon hasn't announced its own availability, but the company is also expected to be carrying the tablets in its stores today. The iPads are already available for immediate shipment on Verizon's site.

Apple launched the Wi-Fi-only fourth-generation iPad and iPad Mini on November 2. The company had promised last month when it announced both devices that it would deliver the LTE-equipped models &… Read more