cellular

Clear Stick Atlas offers true plug-and-play mobile Internet

Mobile USB modems are not new, and all of them generally require some software to start the cellular connection. But not the one Clear announced today.

The wireless carrier, known mostly for its unlimited 4G data plans, introduced the Stick Atlas, the first USB cellular modem on the market that doesn't require software at all.

The company says that the moment the device is plugged into a USB port, the computer will gain access to the Internet, much like when the computer is plugged into a network port.… Read more

U.S. Cellular gets the Samsung Galaxy S II

If you were salivating over the Samsung Galaxy S II last May, but were bummed because you're on U.S. Cellular, you'll be happy to hear that it is available on the carrier's network right now.

For customers who are eligible for an upgrade, the device is $249.99 after you sign up for a two-year agreement and send in a $100 rebate.

The device has a 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and has a 1.2GHz dual-core CPU.

It also has an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash and … Read more

Samsung Repp SCH-R680 available on C Spire Wireless

Although we haven't reviewed this phone on C Spire's network, you can read CNET's Samsung Repp review for U.S. Cellular, which is the same phone.

Samsung Galaxy S II lovefest expanding to U.S. Cellular

If there remained any doubt of the lasting mainstream appeal and marketing clout of the Samsung Galaxy S II Android Gingerbread smartphone, U.S. Cellular's plan to take on the handset erases it all.

The nation's sixth-largest carrier will join T-Mobile, AT&T, and Sprint in offering a version of the phone that's already sold more than 30 million units worldwide.… Read more

Samsung Gem SCH-i100 available on C Spire Wireless

Although we haven't reviewed this phone on C Spire's network, you can read CNET's Samsung Gem SCH-i100 review for U.S. Cellular.

U.S. Cellular pushing ahead with 4G LTE plans

Smaller carrier U.S. Cellular has designs to serve up 4G LTE to an additional 14 states this year.

By the second half of 2012, the wireless provider has said it will roll out cutting-edge 4G data infrastructure to "select" cities in multiple parts of the country: Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

In addition to offering high-speed wireless access to these areas, the company will also hawk a Samsung 4G LTE mobile hot spot in the spring designed to spread its 4G signal to up … Read more

U.S. Cellular wooing new customers with $100 credit, cheaper phones

U.S. Cellular may not be able to offer double the data cap for free, but it is hoping that crediting new customers $100 bucks for a two-year agreement will attract customers tired of their current carrier.

Starting today, new post-paid customers will receive a $100 credit on their bill, plus the option to get another $50-to-$150 in cash for trading in a used smartphone.

To round out the offer, U.S. Cellular is also lowering prices on its smartphone portfolio, offering the Motorola Electrify and HTC 7 Pro for $129.99, the BlackBerry Curve 9350 for $49.99, … Read more

Clear Spot Voyager review: Big deal in tiny package

The Clear Spot Voyager is tiny, just about the size of a large pebble, but it's in no way a small deal.

The mobile hot-spot router offers almost all you can expect from a mobile router including two very important factors for travelers: Internet speed and battery life. … Read more

U.S. Cellular unveils voice-mail-to-text service for a fee

Teaming up with Nuance, U.S. Cellular just unveiled a voice-mail-to-text solution that unfortunately is not free.

In the Chicago-based carrier's defense, the big boys like Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile all charge for the privilege of using their visual voice mail software, typically $2 to $3 a month. U.S. Cellular's product is right in line with the market, and expects to tack on an extra $2.99 to monthly phone bills if customers subscribe.

Don't get me wrong, visual voice mail is a technical achievement right up there with sliced bread in terms of convenience. I personally don't feel, however, that I should have to pay for a carrier-branded service when Google offers its Google Voice application for free. In fact, besides not having to cough up a red cent for it, Google Voice is much more capable. Not only does it list calls in an e-mail-style inbox, it transcribes spoken messages to text--or tries to, at least. … Read more

U.S. Cellular launching 4G LTE in March with Galaxy Tab, Aviator

U.S. Cellular is getting into the 4G LTE network game, launching a tablet and a smartphone as its first LTE devices in March.

The nation's sixth-largest wireless provider will inaugurate its LTE network with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 4G LTE tablet, followed by the Samsung Galaxy S Aviator smartphone.

Samsung's Galaxy S Aviator features a 4.3-inch WVGA Super AMOLED Plus touch screen, an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera, and a front-facing camera for video chats. It runs Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread. For its part, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 (reviewed) runs off the Android 3.… Read more