Hasta La Gadget!

While it’s been easy for Canadians to get data plans for the iPad and iPad mini, they haven’t had the luxury of picking one up at a carrier store like their American neighbors. They will soon, however: Rogers and Telus say they’ll be selling the LTE versions of both iPads sometime in the “coming weeks.” Details are scarce, although the two networks promise that they’ll keep offering contract-free data plans. We’ve reached out to learn whether or not Bell is following suit.

There isn’t any talk of similar offerings with smaller providers, although Wind Mobile is offering an olive branch to iPhone owners. The carrier is now selling $25 nano-SIM cards for those who’ve bought an unlocked, AWS-friendly iPhone 5 through Apple. These customers won’t have LTE, but they’ll get HSPA+ data on less expensive (and less restricted) plans. Hit Wind’s Facebook page to learn just which devices qualify.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Wireless, Mobile, Apple

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Source: Rogers, Telus, Wind Mobile (Facebook)

AT&T hinted that it was shaking up its GoPhone plans later this month, and it’s making good on its word. As of June 21st, customers using the prepaid service will have access to the same LTE service as their subscription peers; AT&T will mark the occasion by selling the Samsung Galaxy Express to GoPhone users at $250 off-contract. The simplified smartphone plans are here as well, although they’re better than previously expected. The carrier is dropping all data add-ons except for the $5 / 50MB pack, which is only available for a $25 monthly tier with 250 voice minutes and unlimited messaging. However, it will only cost $40 a month for a plan with 200MB of data and 500 minutes, and a $60 plan will offer 2GB of data with unlimited voice. AT&T’s new strategy won’t appease some data lovers, but those trying to avoid long contracts and harsh upgrade policies should be happy.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Samsung, AT&T

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Source: AT&T

Bosch recently released an $450 charging solution for EVs, but if you want to go wireless, it’s going to cost you a lot more. The company has formed an exclusive partnership with Evatran for the distribution and installation of its wireless chargers for the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt. Each Plugless Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging System (now that’s a tongue-twister) costs $2,998 for the Volt and $3,098 for the Leaf, not including taxes and installation fees. It’s comprised of a wall-mounted control panel that provides electricity to the parking pad, which transmits power to your vehicle. You’ve got to admit it’s convenient when all you have to do to juice up is park on top of the pad, but would you actually shell out that much cash in the name of convenience when plugging a (cheaper) charger in is no Herculean task?

Filed under: Misc, Wireless

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Via: Plugin Cars, Autoblog

Source: Bosch

Providing another wrinkle to the recently exploding privacy debate, a Wall Street Journal report indicates which wireless companies are providing call information to the government. According to the infamous people familiar with the matter, foreign ownership of Verizon and T-Mobile presents several obstacles including them in the program. Chief among them is that the requests are top secret and might prohibit some of the owners from being aware.

Meanwhile, Sprint and AT&T are said to have “long cooperated with the government,” although it may not really matter which provider you’re using when it comes to popping up in NSA-requested files. Last week’s leaked court order requested call logs and metadata from Verizon Business Network Services, which, along with AT&T provides the backbone most calls go through. No matter which carrier you’re on, if your call is routed along that backbone, the information about it is recorded and could be passed along.

Filed under: Wireless, Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile

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Source: Wall Street Journal

It appears that we were spot-on about yesterday’s teaser, as AT&T has officially unveiled the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active this morning. Available in stores or online starting June 21st, you’ll be able to grab one of your very own for $199.99 on a two-year commitment. As we mentioned yesterday, the “life-proof” IP67-certified handset will come in Dive Blue (pictured above) and Urban Gray; there’s no mention of Flame Orange, sadly. As a recap, the Active features Android 4.2, a 1.9GHz quad-core processor, a 5-inch 1080p TFT LCD panel, microSD slot with support for up to 64GB, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage (no word on how much is user-accessible), a 2,600mAh battery and an 8MP rear camera with 2MP front-facing cam. Dimension-wise, the Active measures at 139.65 x 71.25 x 9.1mm and weighs 5.29 ounces (150g) — not too shabby for a tough device.

While AT&T acknowledged that the device shouldn’t be considered “rugged,” it’s still technically a durable smartphone that takes advantage of a sealed water-resistant cover which will protect the phone in up to one meter of H2O for thirty minutes, and even features a special camera setting called Aqua Mode which is designed to let you take some nifty underwater shots. If you’re eager to get the sales process started as soon as possible, AT&T will be offering pre-orders of the device beginning tomorrow.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Samsung, AT&T

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Source: AT&T