Carriers

Sprint-branded Xoom spotted online

It appears that Verizon Wireless won't be retaining exclusive rights to the Xoom for very long. Late yesterday an image of a Sprint-branded version of the tablet landed in an online forum.

Presumably, the device will be largely the same as the Verizon model, but it's unknown whether this edition will be ready to support Sprint's WiMax network out of the box. Sources close to site Android and Me have indicated that the Sprint model may come WiMax-equipped from the beginning.

The Verizon Xoom currently features 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity options with an option for users to … Read more

Sprint lays out plans for future of Direct Connect service

After keeping us in suspense for the last couple months, Sprint today finally laid out concrete plans for the future of Nextel's Direct Connect network. The carrier says it will retain the basic elements of the push-to-talk (PTT) network, but it will transition the service from iDEN to CDMA by the fourth quarter of this year.

The move will be a centerpiece of the carrier's "Network Vision" program that it announced last December. By consolidating the incompatible networks, Sprint promises to enhance coverage and data speeds, boost capacity, increase network flexibility, and reduce operating costs.

Since … Read more

Verizon has plenty of Android to get them through the summer

With Verizon announcing the release date of the Thunderbolt earlier this morning, the focus shifts again to the horizon. What does the carrier have lined up in the future in terms of Android devices? Is it easing off Android now that it's secured the iPhone or is it going to keep its foot on the gas? Based on numerous leaks from this week, it appears Verizon doesn't plan on giving up on Android any time soon.

The Droid Incredible looks to be the next device to get a refresh now that the Incredible S has been announced. AndroidSpin … Read more

AT&T's 4G masquerade

There are some angry AT&T customers out there, and rightfully so.

Over the past few weeks, there have been mounting complaints and reports against the carrier about capping upload speeds on its 4G devices, specifically the HTC Inspire 4G and the Motorola Atrix 4G. AT&T remained mum on the subject until late last week when a customer filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

AT&T states:

AT&T is focused on delivering a wide choice of solutions and the best possible smartphone experience to our customers. Be assured that AT&T … Read more

Android Atlas Weekly 39: Trojans and tablets (podcast)

Hackers unlock Google Music Sync service and the Motorola Atrix 4G's webtop interface. Motorola announces that it'll upgrade your hacked Xoom. Meanwhile, the Android Market's trojan app fiasco gets much more complex with the announcement of a malicious version of Google's own Android Security Tool. All of that and more on this week's edition of Android Atlas Weekly with Justin Eckhouse and Antuan Goodwin.

Android leaps beyond RIM to take top spot in U.… Read more

Samsung to release Nexus S across all Canadian carriers

Samsung is taking the Nexus S north of the border this spring and releasing the handset on all major Canadian carriers.

Much like it did with the Galaxy S series of smartphones, Samsung should use a blanket approach for the handset. So instead of releasing exclusive devices or handsets tailored specifically to the various wireless providers, Sammy will keep the Nexus S's stock Android 2.3 interface.

According to Samsung executives, the phone will ship to Canada later this month with an early April sell date. Pricing has yet to be announced, but I would expect it to fall in line with the $199 currently supported by T-Mobile. What's more, some carriers could offer it at a lower price with a three-year agreement.

For some of the newer Canadian players such as Wind Mobile and Mobilicity, this device will help expand their smartphone lineups with a reputable handset. And we may see the Samsung follow suit here in the United States. Already there are signs that the device is headed to other carriers such as Sprint, which is rumored to be announcing a Nexus S with WiMax support at CTIA later this month. … Read more

Dialed In 165: Android on the march (podcast)

Call it valley between two trade shows, but the cell phone world is having a quiet week for a change. As we're three weeks past Mobile World Congress and two weeks to CTIA, cell phone makers must have their heads down planning what's to come. Yet, there was at least one piece of news that brought out the CNET readers in force this week. Indeed, Android fans and detractors were abuzz over a ComScore report that found that Android had grabbed the largest market share in the United States smartphone market in the three months ending January. It'… Read more

On Call: A bridge for T-Mobile and Sprint

On Call runs every two weeks, alternating between answering reader questions and discussing hot topics in the cell phone world.

Bloomberg today revived a long-simmering story in the wireless world when it reported that Deutsche Telekom is considering selling its T-Mobile USA subsidiary to Sprint Nextel. A deal is nowhere near definite, sources told Bloomberg, but the two companies are debating a valuation for the country's fourth-largest carrier.

More merger mania Mergers between wireless carriers do happen--remember that Sprint and Nextel got hitched almost six years ago--and the possibility of a T-Mobile/Sprint marriage has been bounced around since 2009. … Read more

Sprint smartphone users get remote wipe

Losing a cell phone is never an ideal scenario, but Sprint is now offering smartphone customers an additional protective measure if their handsets go astray. Starting today, Android and BlackBerry users who sign up for the carrier's Total Equipment Protection plan not only can get a new phone, but also they'll be able to wipe their missing handsets.

The service, which will be included in the plan's $7-per-month charge, offers a number of features. Subscribers can back up and erase contacts on the lost device, remotely lock a smartphone, and track a device via GPS while seeing … Read more

Motorola Xoom available Feb. 24 from Verizon, $600 with contract

Motorola announced today that its Android 3.0 Honeycomb Xoom tablet will be available from Verizon starting February 24 for $599.99 with a two-year service agreement or $799.99 without a contract.

In addition, 3G data plans for the Xoom will run $20 per month for 1GB of data, but there was no word on what Verizon will charge for 4G data plans. Though the tablet will not be 4G capable at launch, Moto and Verizon said the Xoom will be upgraded to work with the carrier's 4G LTE service during Q2 2011 at no additional charge.

Verizon … Read more