Jul 18
It’s been leaked on more than adult diapers, and now the HTC One mini (all lowercase, because it’s so small, see?) is real. The idea is that it’s a smaller, cheaper version of the our current favorite phone, the HTC One
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Jul 17
US Cellular‘s customers have enjoyed the freedom to upgrade their device at the end of their contract without taking on a new contract, something that will be coming to an end July 27th. In addition, the same day will see changes made to its 15-Day Excellence Guarantee policy, adding a $35 restocking fee whereby it used to be free to swap a device for a different one.
The change is in reference to US Cellular’s “One and Done” option, which would allow those who completed one contract term to take on an upgraded device – at the contract-subsidized price – without signing up for a new contract. This is coming to an end, with those customers now being required to take on a new two-year contract when they upgrade to a new device.
And as for the 15-Day Excellence Guarantee, before the change customers are allowed to try out a device for up to 15 days, and if they so choose, to return it for a different device. That could be done sans any fees, but starting later this month, those users will have to pay a $35 restocking fee. The option will still be available, however.
Said US Cellular, “We are continually evaluating the entire experience we offer to our customers. Beginning later this month, all customers will be required to sign a 2-year contract when purchasing a subsidized device. In addition, a restocking fee of $35 will be introduced as an update to the 15-Day Excellence Guarantee policy and will be charged when a customer returns a device during the 15-day time period.”
These changes may be sad news for current customers whose contracts will come to term after the July 27th date, but it isn’t anything out of the ordinary among other carriers. There’s still a little over a week left, so those who qualify can squeak in under the deadline and enjoy the “One and Done” offering.
SOURCE: Android Community
US Cellular putting end to contract-free upgrades for existing customers is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Jul 17
The much-rumored HTC One Mini
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Jul 16
Snagging a subsidized phone after completing a two-year contract with US Cellular has meant not having to ink another 24-month commitment, but it looks like that’s about to change. We’ve gotten wind from an internal source that the firm will return to its old ways, requiring existing Belief Plan customers angling for discounted hardware to hitch their wagon to the carrier for an additional two trips around the sun. These changes aren’t slated to take effect until July 27th, so we recommend pulling the trigger on that upgrade you’ve been eyeing before then.
Update: We’ve just received a statement from US Cellular confirming the changes. Head past the break to read it in full.
[Thanks, Anonymous]
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Jul 16
Yesterday, AT&T revealed its Next plan, which allows for monthly device payments on a new smartphone or tablet annually, with monthly prices falling between $15 and $50. If the first thing that popped in your mind was “T-Mobile” when the plan was announced, you’re not the only one, and now the latter carrier has stepped forward with some biting things to say about AT&T Next.
Under AT&T’s new plan, new and current customers will be able to grab a new tablet or smartphone every year, doing so without a down payment or fees. Instead, the cost of the device will be spread over the course of 12 months or 20 months, depending on what the subscribers chooses. The program requires at least 12 months of device payments after which point the device can be traded in or kept.
If kept, the subscriber will have to make payments on it for another 8 months, bringing the total number of payments to 20. The monthly device charge will depend on the device that is selected, with the Samsung GALAXY S 4 costing users $32 per month. As such, the total cost of the device under the program would be $640 if the subscriber chose to keep it.
Such device payments are on top of the regular monthly plan payments, and work out to higher device rates than what you’d get by taking on a full 24-month contract and gaining the subsidization that comes with that. Today we spoke with a T-Mobile spokesperson who has responded to AT&T Next, saying that “while imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, AT&T has gotten it all wrong. Their offering is a terrible deal for consumers.”
“AT&T has separated the cost of the phone and the rate plan, but they forgot to pass on the monthly service plan savings to the customer. Instead, customers are paying the same high monthly service bill, but with no device subsidy. That means customers in this program will essentially pay for their phone twice!”
To put it simply, when a customer receives a subsidization on the price of a device, that discounted rate is reflected in the price of the monthly plan fee. If that subsidization is not in place, then the cost of the monthly plan should be lower, which is the approach T-Mobile took. This isn’t the case with AT&T Next, however, with subscribers paying the same monthly prices they normally would, but also shelling out the full price for the phone.
T-Mobile lambastes AT&T Next with claim that it is “all wrong” is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Jul 16
Today, AT&T introduced
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Jul 16
Less than a week after T-Mobile announced its new upgrade-at-will Jump plan
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Jul 16
Who Wants a Concrete iPhone Skin?
Posted in: Today's Chili
You can get all manner of weird and wonderful iPhone cases
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Jul 16
The Sony Xperia i1 “Honami” is believed to be the Xperia Z’s successor, and we’ve seen it in bits and pieces in a few leaks over the weeks. Earlier today, we saw a hint that the device may be launched later this year, and now purported specifications for the smartphone have surfaced over on the Chinese website ePrice.
According to the leak, the Xperia i1 will feature a 1/2.3-inch 20-megapixel Exmor RS sensor, which is at odds with the previous 1/1.5 to 1/1.6-inch sensor that has cropped up in older leaks. In addition to the Exmor RS sensor, there’s also said to be a G lens, while under the hood there’s reportedly a Bionz image processor, which can be found in some of Sony’s digital cameras.
In addition to the reported camera specifications, there’s also said to be a 5-inch full HD display, as well as a 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, as well as 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal memory. In addition, there’s said to be a microSD expansion slot, with the maximum supported capacity not being specified.
As far as being waterproof and dustproof, the Xperia i1 handset is said to meet IP55/IP57 international standards, giving it the same water-resistant feature of the Xperia Z. The battery is reportedly built into the device, suggesting it won’t be user replaceable, with a large capacity of 3,000 mAh battery,
As far as design goes, you can get a look at it yourself in the image above, which has been leaked before and is in line with the design featured in other leak images said to be of the device. There are some pretty large bezels on the handset, but the overall design is comparable to that of the Xperia Z currently available.
SOURCE: ePrice
Sony Xperia i1 “Honami” specifications leak with Bionz processor is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Jul 16
AT&T has announced its Next program, which allows users to grab a new device annually without a down payment, then make monthly payments on the device much in the same way one leases a car. After the 12 months have come to an end, that device can then be turned in for a different device, or can be kept with additional payments.
Under the program, current customers can choose either a tablet or a smartphone every year sans various fees, such as an activation and upgrade fees, as well as eschewing a down payment on the device. There’s a contract with the program, which requires the subscriber to make payments for 20 months if they choose to keep the device rather than trade it in for a new one.
AT&T Mobility’s President and CEO Ralph de la Vega said: “With AT&T Next, customers can get the newest smartphone or tablet every year with no down payment. That’s hard to beat, and it’s an incredible value for customers who want the latest and greatest every year.” The program is open to those who are eligible.
According to the carrier, the monthly device charge will range from $15 to $50 per month, depending on which device the user selects. AT&T used the Samsung GALAXY S 4 as a specific example, with it costing customers $32 monthly. Using that example, if someone chose to keep the device and make payments on it for 20 months, the total rate would come out to $640 USD.
As such, the program will certainly appeal to some, but will end up costing more in the long run in some instances, considering that a two-year contract and the device subsidization that comes with it will only be four months longer than the 20-month period, making it more financially sensible, but perhaps not as convenient for those who don’t hang on to devices for long.
SOURCE: AT&T
AT&T Next offers monthly device payment option, starts July 26 is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.
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