Pre-orders for FreedomPop’s WiMAX iPhone case began in May with the company offering 500MB of free data for those willing to pay $99 for the case. The company is hoping to shift free customers onto a paid model later on, but for now is offering the data for free. The case makes use of ClearWire’s WiMAX, but GigaOm reports that FreedomPop will be leveraging LTE in the future.
FreedomPop is said to have signed a deal with the Now Network that would make use of 3G and 4G services later on in the year. The company plans to offer an iPhone case that will have WiMAX, LTE, and CDMA radios for the best possible coverage. As the licensor’s LTE network becomes more robust in 2013, FreedomPop will begin to phase out the WiMAX radios and rely primarily on LTE.
500MB of free LTE access every month doesn’t sound so terrible. More data can be acquired too, with FreedomPop hoping users will leverage social networks to promote the brand and earn up to 1GB of access. FreedomPop customers can also transfer data between each other’s accounts if they’re feeling particularly generous. Even if you go over the free limit, data can be purchased outright as normal at one cent per megabyte.
Followers of FreedomPop’s saga have seen the fledgling data-only provider make a few audacious claims: providing free bandwidth, for one, and basing its 4G device lineup as much on iPhone sleeve cases as on traditional access points. Add another one to the list — the MVNO is planning to switch from Clearwire’s WiMAX network to Sprint’s LTE before 2012 is over. While FreedomPop is still planning to go forward with WiMAX for the initial deployment, it’s now looking to use tri-mode EV-DO, LTE and WiMAX modems and phone cases just months later. We’ll see if that leads to existing iPhone 4 and 4S owners getting an LTE fix without having to spring for a new phone; marketing VP Tony Miller wouldn’t tell GigaOM more. Either way, it’s a mixed blessing for data addicts that might find themselves crashing that much faster through the 500MB regular cap on free data.
This week the Motorola ATRIX HD has been revealed for AT&T’s 4G LTE network with a massively high definition display and a dual-core processor under the hood. This device enters the ranks of the top 10 highest-definition display-having devices on the market at 329 PPI, only being beaten by the HTC Rezound, Sony XPERIA S, and LG LU1400 (a strange swivle-screen smartphone from 2008), and matching the LG Nitro HD – and yes, it beats the iPhone 4/4S. That’s 1280 x 720 pixel resolution over a lovely 4.5-inch display that Motorola touts as 720p HD ColorBoost.
This device is rather similar to the Motorola RAZR in that it looks the same, sort of, and is thin at 8.4mm – while the RAZR was (and is) just 7.1mm. The thinnest smartphone on the market today is the ZTE Athena at 6.2mm. Of course being part of the most recent Motorola line, it’s ultra-thin but not breakable (with any normal human means) as its made with DuPont Kevlar fiber on the back, splash guard coating on the outer shell to make sure you’re not getting wet as well as on the electrical circuit boards inside. Corning Gorilla Glass covers the front for ultimate scratch resistance as well.
The ATRIX HD works with Motorola’s newest software build on top of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and Motorola is touting a cool new “Motorola Circle Widget” with “at-a-glance” access to your notifications, time, weather, battery, data usage, and settings. You’ve also got a feature/app called SMARTACTIONS that will allow you to change your phone’s settings based on certain situations and/or times of the day.
The back-facing camera is 8-megapixels and 1080p video while the front-facing camera has 720p video. You’ve got a microUSB and microHDMI port with easy mirroring abilities for your HDTV. This device also has CrystalTalk PLUS noise reduction which, in part, comes from its 3-mic setup, and it’s got 8GB internal storage and a microSD card slot to boot.
Finally, for carriers you’ve got AT&T with 4G LTE as mentioned above as well as Bell up in Canada – pricing and availability for Bell will be announced soon, while the AT&T version will cost you a cool $99 USD on a 2-year contract. Have a peek at our reviews of the previous ATRIX models from Motorola as well as the DROID RAZR for Verizon in the timeline below – and prepare for the AT&T version coming soon!
Rogers’ LTE network is old enough to mark its first birthday. Unless you happened to live in one of the seven largest cities in Canada during that time, however, you’ve largely been left out — that status indicator on the Rogers version of the One X may as well have been a subtle form of mockery. To the delight of our friends up North, the carrier has detailed a much more aggressive LTE rollout for the rest of the year: a total of 28 more cities will get that sweet 4G nectar in the next few months. Most of these expansions will blanket the southern half of Ontario, but major cities in the Prairies, Quebec and the Maritimes will all get their fair share. Arguably, the most important upgrade is coming to RIM’s home base of Waterloo; when the company is virtually betting its future on likely LTE-ready BlackBerry 10 devices, having widescale LTE to test against is a slightly important prerequisite. The full city list is available after the break.
This week AT&T has announced that its 4G LTE network has reached a total of 47 markets across the USA, with 7 new markets having been added in this newest update. The new markets opened officially this week include Greensboro-Winston Salem, N.C.; Corpus Christi, Texas; Gainesville, Ga.; Buffalo, NY; Burlington, Vt.; Wichita, Kan; and Cleveland, Ohio. AT&T’s 4G LTE network is now said by the company to cover almost 80 million people nationwide.
The AT&T 4G LTE network has been expanded in quite a few areas inside Cleveland, including Hinckley, Hudson, Mentor, Solon, Strongsville, Twinsburg, Wadsworth, Brecksville, Brunswick, and Elyria. Inside North Carolina, the switch has been turned on for U.S. 52 from China Grove to Mooresville, south of Salisbury to the Granite Quarry area, U.S. 601 between Concord and Monroe, N.C., Gastonia, Lake Norman, and N.C. Hwy. 3 from Kannapolis to Mooresville.
We’ve had our hands on several devices that can make great use of the AT&T 4G LTE network including the brand new Samsung Galaxy S III and the Nokia Lumia 900 as well as the HTC One X. Have a peek at the timeline below to see other stories about AT&T’s 4G LTE network and be sure to check our our reviews of these 4G LTE devices for the carrier as well:
This week the Verizon 4G LTE version of the Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone is arriving here on our review bench as well as in the homes of thousands across the USA. What we’re going to do for you right here at the start is take a moment to get you some comparison speeds on each of the main three Galaxy S III’s USA carriers: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Have a peek at one of the only factors that will allow you to tell these devices apart.
First let’s check on the Verizon unit’s 4G LTE. This network has been the most reliable 4G LTE network in the past, but has AT&T catching up quick for coverage. This Galaxy S III unit is the latest to hit the shelves and also the only to carry Verizon’s specific selection of carrier-based apps (with one bonus). First let’s have a peek at some data speeds, starting with Verizon and checking in on AT&T and T-Mobile as well.
Verizon Speeds:
Next we’ve got the AT&T version of the Galaxy S III, here again with 4G LTE. Each of these speed tests are being performed in Arizona in the exact same spot and that tests like these are going to be accurate only to a certain degree. The only perfect test would be hitting every single spot in every single city in the United States and testing each phone from each of those spots, taking an average then of all the speeds. By that time there’d be a Galaxy S IV, so for now we’ll be just testing from one spot.
AT&T Speeds:
Finally have a peek at T-Mobile’s Galaxy S III with their own brand of 4G. This unit is, again, just like the others in almost every single way save for the carrier billing, some carrier-based apps, and the network speed.
T-Mobile USA Speeds [only getting EDGE in our test location]:
Take special care to notice the massive difference between these three carriers. In the Verizon version, we’re seeing speeds in both upload and download that blow the other models out of the water. Of course you’ve got to take into consideration that these tests are, again, not done in the most ideal location for each carrier, but you’re not necessarily going to be in the most ideal location for your carrier when you purchase the device either.
If you live in a fabulous place for T-Mobile’s 4G network and there are no Verizon towers to be found, you might have a different decision to make. That’ll be extremely rare though, of course, so more than likely you’ll want Verizon if you want the fastest data speeds in the greater part of the USA. AT&T isn’t doing so bad themselves lately as well.
Another thing to consider is battery life. At the moment, it appears that heavy usage is not boding well for the Galaxy S III on Verizon, as shown in our first outing here:
Standby battery usage wasn’t much better, as shown in this overnight test:
The Verizon version of the GSIII comes with the Facebook-connected app Color. This is unique to the Galaxy S III lineup.
The full set of apps comes in three screens in the app drawer as seen here:
Essentially all Verizon has done is to add Color and their set of four constant apps:
One strange bug we’ve found thus far is a broken lock-screen feature – with the Galaxy S III you’re able to set a timer on your lockscreen after your screen has shut off. You can set your screen to time out after 5 minutes, then your lockscreen to 5 minutes after that. This feature exists for people who don’t necessarily want their screen on constantly, but do need quick access to the screen quite often if they’ve just used it recently. When used in combination with the basic swipe lock on this version of the Galaxy S III, the lockscreen does not appear as it should. This will likely be fixed in the first software update.
Finally, be sure to check out our AT&T and T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S III review as well as our Galaxy S III international edition review to make sure you’ve got a full round view of each of the ever-so-slightly different models. Also be sure to check out the timeline below to stay up-to-date on all things Galaxy S III as the device in whatever iteration you choose makes its way to the palm of your hand!
This week we’ve gotten the chance to take a peek at the next in a line of rather popular conservatively sized powerhouses from HTC, this time called the DROID Incredible 4G LTE. We’ve had a look at the Incredible 2 as well as the original DROID Incredible, now it’s time to decide if this HTC One-era device is up to the task of bringing the DROID brand name back up to snuff. As Verizon has no other HTC One device, with T-Mobile and AT&T getting the prizes this time around from that manufacturer, it might be high time Big Red gets its own taste of the Sense (4.0, as seen in this hands-on with the HTC One S) we’ve been using for weeks.
Hardware
Though this device is being released at the same time as the HTC One series is on the market and does indeed use essentially the same software as those devices do, it’s the HTC Rezound that matches this device’s hardware best. Have a peek at our full review of the HTC Rezound to see what I mean. Compared to the HTC One series, you’ll think these devices were born of different mothers:
The Incredible 4G LTE has a 4-inch super LCD qHD display which gets brighter than you could possibly need it to be, that also being 275ppi dense – not quite as good as the Galaxy S III at 306ppi or the One X at 312ppi, but beating out the 256ppi of the One S by just a tiny notch.
You’ve also got a microUSB port on this device that’s also MHL, this meaning that if you’ve got the right converter, you’ll be able to watch 1080p video via HDMI. In the past we’ve not had the best luck with MHL from HTC – in regards to the HTC Jetstream specifically (though technically it wasn’t listed as MHL compliant), but this time around the manufacturer has done quite well – the picture and sound quality are fabulous.
Software
Though the software on this device is essentially the same as we’ve seen on the HTC One S and HTC One X, it seems just a bit slower here on the Incredible 4G LTE. Perhaps it’s the smaller physical size of the screen, maybe it’s just the expectation that a slightly less expensive device without the HTC One branding on it will be less impressive, but there’s something about it that doesn’t ring the same bell as the S and the X. Have a peek at the following benchmarks and you’ll see a slightly different story, however.
This device runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 1.2GHz dual-core processor, not unlike the HTC One S (USA and International), HTC One X (USA version), and Samsung Galaxy S III (USA). The difference between them is the S4 on the latter three devices is clocked at a higher 1.5GHz instead of 1.2 – not much of a difference in everyday use, but for you hackers and testers out there, that factor is in play.
Next you’ll want to take a peek at the device’s inner workings in this hands-on and rapid unboxing we filmed earlier this week. This device has no giant surprises if you’ve had your hands on the HTC One S or X, but if you’re coming up from the Incredible 2, you’re in for a wallop of excellence. HTC presents not just Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich here, but their own Sense 4.0 user interface as well. This is HTC at its best.
This device, again, feels a lot more like the HTC Rezound than it does the HTC One series. The camera is quite a bit better than that device though – almost as if this Incredible has a bit more power behind the scenes in the processor architecture? In fact Qualcomm does have dedicated hardware in this machine inside their Snapdragon S4 chip that’s made specifically to work with photography – this same hardware exists in all S4 processor-toting smartphones on the market thus far as well.
Camera
Though this camera doesn’t have the same ImageSense chip we’ve been loving ever since it was introduced on the HTC One S and X, it does have the same ImageSense software. This means you’ve got to rely on the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor for all your camera action – this being more than enough, of course – and you’ve got all the same effects and shooting modes you had before as well. The hands-on video above should also show you that the shooting speed is as undeniably amazing as it was on the HTC One series as well.
Have a peek at several examples of this camera’s finess below:
Battery and Data Speed
It seems that the brain-sucking madness that ensued with the battery life on the HTC Thunderbolt back when 4G LTE was a brand new baby is now essentially gone entirely. Thank the Snapdragon S4 processor for that, and be sure to note that you’ll just be charging this device once a day almost no matter what – of course if you’re the kind of person who streams video all day every day, you might have a different situation on your hands. If you’re a normal user, you’ll have at least a day’s worth of use with no charges needed.
This device’s connection to Verizon’s 4G LTE network is fabulous. The following example is essentially the average of what we’ve been getting all over Minnesota, with the closest ping point here being Saint Cloud (my home town!) just about an hour away from the Twin Cities where we’re prone to test most often. You’re going to be downloading and uploading as fast or faster than you’ve ever done on a smartphone before – without a doubt. Supposing you’re in a 4g LTE area, of course.
Wrap-Up
It’s a real toss-up right now on Verizon whether you’re going to want to hit up the HTC Rezound or the Incredible 4G LTE if you do indeed want 4G LTE connectivity on an HTC device. They’re both essentially the same in many ways – though for the most advanced vision of an Android device on Verizon as presented by HTC, you’ll probably have to default to the Incredible simply because it’s got Android 4.0 and Sense 4.0 right out of the box while the Rezound still might need an update to Ice Cream Sandwich when you open it up.
This device is not made to be the most powerful smartphone on the market, nor is it made to look the most impressive in the hand. Instead it’s made to attack the market for 4-inch screen lovers with no less than one of the most powerful mobile processors on the market and Verizon’s 4G LTE. This device is not made to be flashy, instead it’s made for people who want long battery life on a 4G LTE smartphone that’s also got HTC’s lovely user interface on a reasonably sized – not to big, not too small – handheld display.
This device is available starting today (July 5th) online with in-store sales starting immediately if not soon across the nation as well. Grab it!
After announcing that the DROID Incredible 4G LTE would be available on July 5th, it looks like Verizon has managed to keep its promise. The HTC Android smartphone has finally shown up on Verizon’s website today. The phone features a 4″ super LCD qHD display (960 x 540), an 8-megapixel rear camera, a front facing camera, 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, 4G LTE connectivity, microSD card slot (up to 32GB), and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
If you’ve been pining to get your hands on the phone, it can be yours for $149 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a 2-year contract. Though with the Galaxy S3 said to be just around the corner, you might want to wait awhile before you decide.
In just over a week from today, users will be able to get the “Next Big Thing”, aka the Galaxy S III, from Samsung through their favorite 4G LTE toting network Verizon Wireless here in the USA. This device will be mainly the same Galaxy S III we’ve seen several times before, but this time coming with Verizon’s ultra-fast network for data. Have a peek at the rest of the specifications for this beast below right alongside the most updated pricing released today.
Verizon has sent out word that this device will be costing $199.99 and $249.99 depending on if customers want a 16GB or 32GB model, though both models work with a microSD card slot able to handle a 64GB 3rd party card. This device will be available in stores and online in every make and model save the 32GB version which will be online but not in stores immediately. The 32GB version of the device will be in stores “in the coming weeks.”
The Samsung Galaxy S III is a unique device for Samsung in that it’s essentially identical no matter where you pick one up with whatever carrier you desire, and is also available on five major networks here in the USA at once. This smartphone has a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor and 2GB of ram for ultra-powerful handheld computing. It’s also got S-Beam, a feature only on the Galaxy S III for now but spreading to Samsung devices galore in the near future.
Have a peek at our reviews of each of the iterations of the Galaxy S III right now in the timeline below and go line up at Verizon for your device immediately!
Today we’ve got our hands on the HTC DROID Incredible 4G LTE from Verizon, a device that’ll be out in stores on the fifth of this month. This device represents HTC’s efforts to bring most of the greatness from the HTC One series over to Verizon for their 4G LTE excellence in a relatively small form factor. You’ve got a 4-inch LCD qHD display – the same one as exists on the HTC One S, coupled with a 1.2 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor from Qualcomm and a price of $149.99 after $50 mail-in rebate – have a peek at it up close below.
This device works with Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich and has HTC’s own newest user interface on top, that being Sense 4.0 as well. This device looks and feels rather similar to the HTC Rezound, aka the highest definition smartphone on the market, and comes with its own lovely egg-like shape as well. Have a peek at our full review of the HTC Rezound and come back for a much more compact version of said device here.
Above you’ll see our newest hands-on with the device, our first look having been back earlier this year at CTIA 2012 in New Orleans. Things having changed much since then, this device still looking the same on the inside and outside, with what appears to be no significant software modifications inside either. On another note, the only difference between this and an HTC One device – HTC One S, HTC EVO 4G LTE, HTC One X, is the HTC ImageSense chip.
What you’ve got here is the next in a line of rather successful “Incredible” devices from Verizon’s DROID lineup. With HTC’s addition of the fantastic Snapdragon S4 – the same processor also sitting in the rest of the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S III line, mind you, HTC and Verizon likely have another winner on their hands. Have a peek at the hands-on photos above and below and prepare for a full review this week!
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
After announcing that the 
