Hasta La Gadget!

The official T-Mobile iPhone 5 doesn’t release until April 12, but those with unlocked models can take advantage of T-Mobile’s network right away. For those customers, T-Mobile is rolling out a software update that enables LTE on unlocked iPhone 5 models, as well as improves battery life and enables Visual Voicemail.

As expected, T-Mobile updated their support forums to address the software update, and it lists a roll-out date of April 5, so unlocked GSM iPhone 5 users should be receiving the OTA update at some point today. On top of the previously-mentioned updates, other features like improved Personal Hotspot settings, improved MMS settings, and HD Voice are also included.

It seems that T-Mobile is anticipating a lot of iPhone 5 users to switch over to the carrier after announcing new plans that start at only $50 per month. This gives customers unlimited minutes and text messages, as well as 500MB of data, which is usually enough for just the everyday user, while 2GB more will cost only $10 per month.

Of course, LTE is a hot topic, but T-Mobile users will only have it a select number of areas around the country. However, T-Mobile plans to cover 200 million people with LTE by the end of the year. And while the T-Mobile iPhone 5 will support HD Voice, it won’t support WiFi calling, something that could be a major blow for some users.

T-Mobile rolling out iPhone 5 software update, addresses battery and enables LTE is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

If you’re wanting to take advantage of Verizon‘s 4G LTE in your home, and are wanting a device that both wired and wireless devices can connect to, Verizon just released a new router that does the trick. Simply named the 4G LTE Router, this bad boy can take on ethernet connections and WiFi connections at the same time. It can support up to a whopping 20 WiFi connections, and has four ethernet ports on the back.

The router is made by Netgear, and it looks to be a rather small and thin router, with two antennae that tower above the device. Verizon says that the router is available for purchase right now, and it’ll cost you $99 after signing a two-year contract and sending in a $50 mail-in rebate. Or you can buy the router outright for $269.

If you’re already on one of Verizon’s Share Everything plans, you can easily add the router to your plan for only $20 per month. Of course, you might want to bump up the amount of geebees that you have, since connecting multiple device to the router is sure to take a hit on your data allotment, especially considering how fast Big Red’s LTE can be.

However, it’s rather odd to see Verizon promoting a router, but we suppose that the company’s mobile hotspot device may not have enough oompf for some users. Considering that the router can support up to 24 devices total at once, we have to say that it’s one device that you don’t see everyday, and it could be great for larger parties or work events where people need to stay connected.

Verizon 4G LTE Router available now for $99 is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Something interesting appears to be afoot for unlocked iPhone users on the T-Mobile network. T-Mobile announced not long ago that it would be officially offering the iPhone 5. T-Mobile also happens to have a large number of unlocked iPhones operating on its network already.

That fact taken into account with the fact that T-Mobile has seven live LTE markets makes a new rumor going around pretty easy to swallow. According to a couple of screenshots that have turned up online, T-Mobile is set to rollout a carrier update that will enable LTE connectivity on the unlocked iPhone 5 devices on its network. Apparently, in service areas where T-Mobile has LTE networks the only thing needed to enable access by the iPhone 5 is a carrier .ipcc update.

The screenshot appears to be taken from T-Mobile’s internal computer system shows that the update will be coming on April 5. April 5 is this Friday for those not close to a calendar and the image claims that the update will be rolled out OTA to all iPhone 5 devices on the T-Mobile network. IPhone users will want to be sure that they have updated their operating system.

The carrier update will reportedly only be rolled out to iPhones running iOS 6.1.x or higher. T-Mobile plans to launch its own iPhone 5 on April 12. In addition to enabling LTE, the update will also bring visual voicemail, MMS settings, and network/device optimizations that T-Mobile customers using the iPhone 5 don’t have right now.

[via TMonews]

T-Mobile tipped to rollout carrier update bringing LTE to unlocked iPhone 5 users is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Word on the street is that an update will be hitting the iPhone 5 on April 5th that will turn on access to T-Mobile’s LTE network on unlocked GSM models. While you’ll have to wait until April 12th to pick up the iOS handset direct from the magenta-hued carrier, those who have been running rogue with unlocked devices from AT&T or purchased direct from Apple should soon be able to run at full, blistering 4G speeds. (Where the fledgling network has been fired up, at least.) The internal notice obtained by TmoNews (which you can see after the break) reads:

“The T-Mobile Carrier Update is a minor iOS software update that enables official iPhone support by T-Mobile. When installed, the software update enables a handful of capabilities like Visual Voicemail, MMS Settings and Network/Device optimizations that customers do not have access to today. On April 5, the software update will begin being pushed via OTA to all iPhone devices on the T-Mobile network with iOS 6.1.x or higher.”

So it’s not just LTE, but also some of the basic features that make the iPhone such a compelling product, which will suddenly turn on for T-Mo customers. We’ll know soon enough if there’s truth to these rumblings, but we’d imagine the iOS update would need to be pushed out ahead of the official T-Mobile iPhone launch.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Apple, T-Mobile

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Source: TmoNews

So, you have been on the lookout for a spanking new tablet of the non-Apple variety for the longest time now, but your budget never really gave you the opportunity to bring home one that has above average specifications without breaking the bank. What are you to do? Enter the Kindle Fire HD 8.9” 4G LTE which is said to arrive at AT&T stores this coming April 5th (just three more days, your patience will pay off, trust me on this), where each purchase will also help you be eligible for another $150 off in credits, now how about that? Not only that, AT&T has plans for the mobile road warrior, where they intend to introduce the possibility of adding the AT&T Mobile Share Plans to a tablet for a mere $10 monthly.

AT&T has proudly laid claim to having the country’s “fastest 4G LTE network”, and to see that work in tandem with the Kindle Fire HD 8.9” is definitely worth a sight to behold. Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD 4G LTE 32GB tablet will cost $399 a pop outright, but if you want a 2-year data plan to go along with it, that would mean an instant savings of $150 off, as mentioned earlier.

Chris Penrose, senior vice president of emerging devices, AT&T, said, “Being the first carrier to connect Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD to our 4G LTE network provides the best mobile internet experience. Combining our 4G LTE with Kindle Fire HD’s rich features at an incredible price point yields a great value and experience for our customers.”

Just to refresh our memories on just what the Kindle Fire HD 8.9” is able to deliver, well, it has been touted to be the highest-resolution, largest-display Kindle Fire to date, where it was specially designed for entertainment purposes, and yet is ideal for web, e-mail, apps, movies, games and magazines. With a 8.9” display at 1920 x 1200 resolution and a whopping 254 ppi pixel density, your eyes will definitely be more than happy with the visual quality it delivers.

Press Release
[ Kindle Fire HD 8.9” 4G LTE to arrive at AT&T this April 5 copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]