Hasta La Gadget!

Cricket Wireless has added a new option to its lineup for users who need a 4G supporting USB modem for their laptop or desktop computer. The product is called the Huawei Boltz Modem. The modem is the first 4G device to land on the cricket wireless network.

The modem has a sleek and lightweight design with the required installation software pre-installed on the device. Software is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems, and the user interface is available in English and Spanish. One of the cooler features of the new modem is that it has a hinge that allows the USB 2.0 plug to rotate allowing it to fit into your computer and at the most convenient angle.

The modem also has an integrated microSD card slot that supports up to 32 GB of additional storage. With a memory card inserted, the modem can be used as a flash drive. The model has been recently updated to support 4G over-the-air and 4G PCS Band.

That means that the device supports both 4G and 3G networks in all 4G Cricket markets. The modem also features aGPS support. The modem is available for $149.99 at company-owned stores and dealers in the Las Vegas and Tucson areas.

Cricket Wireless launches Huawei Boltz 4G modem is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

We were intrigued by Sony’s Xperia V back at IFA, but deals with specific carriers haven’t been very forthcoming. Japan’s KDDI is covering that gap by pledging to carry Sony’s mid-size Android 4.0 phone as the Xperia VL. Everything we know and (mostly) love about the dust- and water-resistant phone is intact, including that thin sensor-on-lens 720p display, the 13-megapixel camera, the 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4, NFC and LTE-based 4G. The one question remaining is a definitive release date: Sony will only promise an Xperia VL launch before the end of the year, although there’s talk at Impress Watch of a release on November 2nd for ¥30,000 ($381) after carrier discounts. Let’s hope for the company’s sake that other carriers sign up for the V and VL sooner rather than later.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sony

Sony Xperia VL brings dash of toughened-up LTE to Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The AQUOS Phone Zeta SH-02E was first with Sharp’s new IGZO LCD technology a few days ago and it’s been followed quickly by another device, the AQUOS Pad SHT21. Scheduled to debut on Japanese carrier KDDI in mid-December, this 7-inch slate claims battery life of up to two and a half times greater than the previous model thanks to the low-power characteristics of its display, and weighs just 280g. It’s powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 CPU, and features a 1280×800 screen resolution, pen input, 1GB RAM, 16GB built-in storage, microSDXC slot, Bluetooth 4.0, MHL, NFC, 3,460mAh battery and 4G LTE capability. Hit the source link for more details courtesy of Engadget Japanese.

Filed under: Tablets, Mobile

Sharp’s 7-inch AQUOS Pad SHT21 brings low-power IGZO LCD tech to tablets in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 01:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Engadget Japanese, KDDI, Sharp Japan  | Email this | Comments

Hopefully AT&T subscribers weren’t spooked when the Nokia Lumia 920 first passed through the FCC in only its non-US guise, and its lower-end 820 cousin only as the (currently unofficial) Verizon-ready Lumia 822. The two Windows Phone 8 flagships have had follow-up approvals in GSM versions that are unmistakably destined for AT&T and Canadian carriers. Never mind the slightly distracting RM-820 model number on the Lumia 920; it reveals the 920’s distinctive curved design, 700MHz LTE in AT&T’s range and AWS-based LTE for both AT&T as well as its Canadian neighbor. The Lumia 820 is equally identifiable as the RM-824, even if it limits the LTE access to AT&T’s network. We haven’t seen any shocking revelations from either device, although we weren’t expecting any from phones that hew so closely to the original templates. The filings mostly set expectations for Microsoft’s October 29th event — now that the likely stars of the show are cleared to make their appearances, the companies involved should breathe more easily.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft, Nokia

Nokia Lumia 820, 920 for AT&T swing through the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japanese carrier Softbank has confirmed it is acquiring a majority share in Sprint, in a deal worth $20.1bn expected to be closed by mid-2013. The deal, rumored last week, will see Softbank pay $12.1bn to Sprint’s existing shareholders to snap up the struggling US CDMA carrier, with the remaining $8bn used to “strengthen Sprint’s balance sheet.” The acquisition will see Softbank attempt to bring some Japanese-style LTE magic to Sprint’s network in the US, with current CEO Dan Hesse remaining on in his position.

A new company, New Sprint – fully owned by a Softbank holding company, unimaginatively named HoldCo – will be created to actually purchase the carrier. Post-transaction, Softbank’s HoldCo will own approximately 79-percent of Sprint, and the formerly publicly-traded Sprint will own around 30-percent of New Sprint.

Sprint’s headquarters will remain in Overland Park, Kansas, and three members of the current board will be carried over to a new, 10-member board of directors. If the deal fails because Softbank’s financing doesn’t come through, it must pay Sprint $600m; the same sum must be paid if Sprint goes on to accept a better offer from another company. If Sprint’s shareholders don’t agree on the deal, meanwhile, the carrier must pay “up to $75m” in contribution to Softbank’s expenses.

“This is a transformative transaction for Sprint that creates immediate value for our stockholders, while providing an opportunity to participate in the future growth of a stronger, better capitalized Sprint going forward. Our management team is excited to work with SOFTBANK to learn from their successful deployment of LTE in Japan as we build out our advanced LTE network, improve the customer experience and continue the turnaround of our operations” Dan Hesse, CEO, Sprint

Post-transaction, Softbank will have “one of the largest mobile internet companies in the world” and have “one of the largest” combined subscriber bases between the US and Japan. Combined service revenue will be third highest in the world. Softbank says it will “leverage its deep expertise in smartphones and next-generation mobile networks, and its track record of success in competing in mature markets with large incumbents, to enhance Sprint’s competitiveness in the US.”

More details here [pdf link].

Softbank buys 70% of Sprint in $20.1bn deal is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.