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Sep 26

Boost Mobile announces the LG Venice: a $220, 4.3-inch handset with Ice Cream Sandwich

It’s only been a few days since we saw those leaked shots of what was rumored to be Boost Mobile’s own variant of that Optimus L7 — and, well, today the LG handset sees its official debut on the prepaid carrier. The LG Venice, as it’ll be more commonly known around these parts, boasts a 4.3-inch, WVGA screen alongside a 1GHz CPU, a 5-megapixel camera on the rear (VGA quality on the front) and a video mode capable of shooting up to 720p recordings — of course, this is all running LG’s UI 3.0 flavor of Ice Cream Sandwich. As we’ve become accustomed to, Boost Mobile is pricing its new Android handset at a decent price ($220), with the device expected to start hitting “exclusive” shelves on October 10th and other “select” retail shops later the same month.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Boost Mobile announces the LG Venice: a $220, 4.3-inch handset with Ice Cream Sandwich originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source Boost Mobile | Email this | Comments

Sep 26

Google Maps on web and Android adds bus routing for Japan, guides teddy bears quickly (video)

Posted in: Today's Chili

Virtually anyone who’s been to a Japanese city knows that subways and trains might be closely associated with their country, but also that they only form a part of the mass transit picture. With that in mind, Google has quietly rolled out an update to Google Maps data for Android and the web that supports bus navigation in Japan, including schedules. It’s a simple addition, but an important one for those who can’t always get to where they’re going on rails — like teddy bears, according to Google’s video. We just want to know who makes that kawaii case for the Galaxy Nexus.

Continue reading Google Maps on web and Android adds bus routing for Japan, guides teddy bears quickly (video)

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Google Maps on web and Android adds bus routing for Japan, guides teddy bears quickly (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 03:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source Google Maps (Google+) | Email this | Comments

Sep 26

Mach inks carrier billing deal with Everything Everywhere, O2, Vodafone and Three in the UK

Posted in: Today's Chili

Not a month after Mach’s last carrier billing deal, UK network providers Vodafone, Three, O2 and Everything Everywhere are getting in on the action. The company’s direct billing solutions will initially allow the networks to charge app and online purchases straight to your bill, with in-app sales joining them at a later date. Don’t expect this to be implemented immediately, however, as the agreement covers the back-end processing — the individual carriers will be responsible for turning it on customer-side. They’ll likely inform you when they hit the switch and your phone bill becomes a monthly surprise.

Continue reading Mach inks carrier billing deal with Everything Everywhere, O2, Vodafone and Three in the UK

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile

Mach inks carrier billing deal with Everything Everywhere, O2, Vodafone and Three in the UK originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 02:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 25

Rumors about Google Maps app for iOS intensify, claim it’s still months away from launch

Posted in: Today's Chili

If you’re unsatisfied with Apple’s current iOS 6 Maps experience and are hoping to jump back into Google’s loving arms then take a breath and sit down — it could be a little while. Separately, The Verge and New York Times have heard from unnamed sources that a standalone Google Maps app on iOS is launching, but may not be ready until the end of the year. The reason for the delay? Unlike some previous rumors that claimed Apple may be stalling on the approval an already submitted app, they indicate Google did not know of Cupertino’s plans to launch its own solution this year until it was publicly announced in June, since their contract extended into 2013. According to one of the NYT sources, another issue could be Google’s desire to include 3D imagery from Google Earth in any standalone effort to compete with Apple’s native features. All of this follows a statement Google Chairman Eric Schmidt made in Japan last night that it had “not done anything yet” regarding Google Maps on iOS. So, if you’ve upgraded to iOS 6, are you sticking with the new app or trying to find some other way to avoid navigation related mishaps until Gmaps is back?

Filed under: Software, Mobile

Rumors about Google Maps app for iOS intensify, claim it’s still months away from launch originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source The Verge, The New York Times | Email this | Comments

Sep 25

Republic Wireless announces dual-band Motorola Defy XT, offers incentives to quell coverage woes

Posted in: Today's Chili

Republic Wireless is pretty candid that it’s still learning the ropes of the mobile world, but with its monthly service cost of $19 per month, we know more than a few people who’d like to help test the water. Most recently, the company admitted an error with its deployment of a single-band Motorola Defy XT, which is compatible only with Sprint’s 1,900MHz network. While this is fine for many — especially given that subscribers are primarily expected to use WiFi — it’s presented a more tangible challenge for those who live within or travel to areas that rely on 800MHz service. Don’t be alarmed, however, because the company is going to make it right.

From today, Republic Wireless subscribers in waves B through E will have 30 days to evaluate their service, and if it’s unacceptable, may seek a full refund from the provider. Those who are willing to wait it out, however, will receive a free dual-band Defy XT when it becomes available. Similarly, the company is incentivizing the upgrade for those in wave A with a $100 discount. Meanwhile, it will continue to offer the single-band Defy XT to those in waves F and beyond, but alternatively, it’ll also keep the door open for its invitees to come aboard once the dual-band version is available — it certainly seems wise to hold out for the dual-band version if you’re able. You’ll find the complete details at the source link.

[Thanks, Connor]

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

Republic Wireless announces dual-band Motorola Defy XT, offers incentives to quell coverage woes originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 22:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source Republic Wireless | Email this | Comments

Sep 25

Google Maps for Android takes navigation indoors for France, helps find your way through Carrefour

Posted in: Today's Chili

Interior navigation with Google Maps for Android has usually been the province of only a handful of regions at best. But what about Provence? While the deal isn’t all-encompassing, Google is now serving indoor maps for popular locations throughout France. Coverage starts with the major airports in Paris and Lyon, extending to include major nationwide stores like Carrefour and FNAC, shopping centers like the Carrousel du Louvre and museums like La Géode. All told, over 50 venues have signed onboard and should be enough for those moments when you’re rushing to catch a connecting flight at Orly… or just want to find the salad dressings in aisle three.

Filed under: Cellphones, GPS, Mobile

Google Maps for Android takes navigation indoors for France, helps find your way through Carrefour originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Google Lat-Long Blog | source Google | Email this | Comments

Sep 25

T-Mobile can’t wait for November, adds Windows Phone 8X sign-up sheet to its site

Posted in: Today's Chili

T-Mobile is whetting our appetites for HTC’s ridiculously named yet highly attractive Windows Phone 8X with a sign-up sheet on its website. The manufacturer confirmed that it’s aiming for a November launch for the (surprise, surprise) Windows Phone 8 handset, and we’ve also heard whispers that it’ll retail for $199 when it arrives. If those two factoids haven’t gotten you excited enough, you can always see how it compares to its rivals in our comparison feature.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

T-Mobile can’t wait for November, adds Windows Phone 8X sign-up sheet to its site originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 11:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PhoneArena | source T-Mobile | Email this | Comments

Sep 25

Is Samsung working on its own mobile browser?

Posted in: Today's Chili

Samsung’s Android customers get their pick of a pretty broad selection of smartphone web browsers and soon, at least according to ETNews, Samsung is looking to follow up on its own Android UI additions with its own fully-fledged mobile browser. The company is reportedly seeking out WebKit engineers to work on the project at Samsung’s Silicon Valley R&D center — where work is already underway on the Chrome mobile rival. The open-source WebKit engine already underpins not only Google’s own browser, but also its pre-ICS Android web browser — and Apple’s Safari. We’ve got in touch with Samsung who politely told us that it “doesn’t comment on rumor or speculation.”

Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile

Is Samsung working on its own mobile browser? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 10:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink CNET UK | source ETNews (translated) | Email this | Comments

Sep 25

Samsung’s Galaxy Note II gets its UK release date: October 1st

Posted in: Today's Chili

We’ve already asked around to let you know that British phablet fans can get their Galaxy Note II fix on ThreeUK, O2 and Vodafone, and now we know the date, too. Anxious S-pen lovers will be able to grab the new device from October 1st from the carriers, or pick ’em up at the Carphone Warehouse and Phones4U — in either Marble White or Titanium Grey. If you’d like to read the words “whole new level of innovation,” then head on past the break for the company line.

Continue reading Samsung’s Galaxy Note II gets its UK release date: October 1st

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Samsung’s Galaxy Note II gets its UK release date: October 1st originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 06:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 24

Nokia outs Asha 308 and 309, deems Series 40 smartphone-worthy

Posted in: Today's Chili

You don’t hear much about Nokia’s Asha Touch line, what with the industry spotlight focused tightly on quad-core processors, 720p displays and state-of-the-art optics. But with today’s launch of the Asha 308 and 309, the smartphone genre’s gaining two new members — a classification recently bestowed on the budget-priced handsets by market research firms GfK and IDC. Positioned by Espoo as the go-to devices for those uninitiated in the ways of the mobile web, this pair of capacitive 3-inchers run the same Series 40 OS and even share the same specs: 800MHz processor, WQVGA resolution, 1,110mAh battery, 20MB internal storage plus included 2GB microSD (expandable to 32GB), 2-megapixel rear camera and EDGE connectivity. Where they differ is in the 308’s additional support for GSM/EDGE 850, 1900MHz bands and Easy Swap dual SIM accommodation. Apart from that, both come loaded up with a newer version of the company’s Xpress browser that allows for up to 90% compression, Nokia Nearby for local search, and the same swipe-based UI seen on the gone-but-not-forgotten N9. The phones are set to ship by year-end with a modest $99 off contract pricing in the emerging market space. Check after the break for the official presser and preview videos.

Gallery: Nokia Asha 308