Hasta La Gadget!

We’re starting to get a pretty clear picture of the smartphones that Sprint has in its pipeline, which include an LG Optimus F3, a new Windows Phone from HTC, the Moto X, the Kyocera Hydro Edge and the Sprint-branded Vital. In a buildup to the debut of the latter, a ZTE-manufactured handset has made its way through the FCC that carries plenty of telltale signs it’s the Vital. First and foremost, this one’s easy to peg as a Sprint smartphone, since it includes requisite CDMA support and compatibility with LTE Band 25. What’s more, while it’s difficult to nail down the handset’s exact dimensions, it’s clear that this one will be in excess of 60mm wide and over 130mm tall — a likely candidate for a 5-inch smartphone. An encouraging sign for Sprint-lovers, if this does indeed turn out to be the Vital, it’ll have a removable battery (and a very healthy 2,500mAh one at that). Sadly, FCC documents also reveal that the handset won’t offer connectivity to GSM / WCDMA networks, which means it’ll be unsuitable for use as a world phone. Nonetheless, the Vital might very well give stock Android fans a reason to cheer, and this FCC approval seemingly brings it one step closer to fruition.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Sprint

Comments

Source: FCC

I’ve traveled to remote islands in the South Pacific where wireless internet is proving to be the go-to technology for broadband, and increasingly, it’s looking as if tether-less connections will be what brings millions upon millions of Africans online. Google’s own Eric Schmidt has confessed as recently as March that the most exciting part of the web’s future isn’t any one technology or product, but the “next five billion people looking to get connected.” So, it figures that Google was a major constituent at the recent TV White Spaces & Dynamic Spectrum Africa Forum in Dakar, Senegal. It — along with 15 African nations, Microsoft, the Association for Progressive Communications, Afrinic and others — recently convened in order to discuss the opportunities that are currently facing the continent. Indeed, the fact that there is over 90MHz available in Dakar alone to be used for wireless broadband deployment puts Africa in a unique spot — one of the most disconnected regions of our planet could become a pioneer in bringing the next wave of humans online.

ICASA, the South African regulator, will reportedly use various trial outcomes to evaluate possible rules for use of the TV white spaces. And, as Steve Song of Village Telco points out, it’s pretty astounding to have Microsoft and Google working in some fashion towards a similar goal. As it stands, a lot has to happen — final standards have to be agreed upon, equipment makers have to decide that it’s a profitable enterprise, and individual nations have to place a high priority on getting their populations connected. That said, the amount of momentum that’s already happening is supremely compelling, and I’m hoping to report back in the coming months on how a smattering of these very trials are impacting communities across Africa right now. Stay tuned!

Filed under: Wireless, Internet

Comments

Source: Official Google.org Blog, Many Possibilities

We know for sure that Sprint intends to carry Windows Phone 8 devices from HTC and Samsung this summer — the company said as much at this past CES. And with yet another HTC WP8 filing surfacing at the FCC, the evidence for a fast-approaching launch continues to mount. Bearing a model number that branches off from the rumored Tiara, the PO88100 looks destined for the Now Network as it reps some very carrier-specific frequencies, namely the presence of CDMA and LTE Band 25. Apart from that, we know it’ll also support NFC, BT 4.0 and WiFi a/b/g/n, but that’s the extent of what these docs reveal. What you can likely expect from HTC when it does get official, is a more moderately-specced device that differs from the One in style, size and power; something that slots in with the WP8 demo.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Microsoft, HTC, Sprint

Comments

Source: FCC

Windows Phone users may be recovering from their Jetpack Joyride ecstasy yesterday, but Twitter is giving its official app some much-needed love today. The latest update, which came down the pipeline this morning, adds such enhancements as lens app integration and the ever-popular photo filter feature complete with eight options to choose from. But that’s not all, our WP8-loving friends: you can now also view Vine videos directly within tweets, save tweeted images directly to your phone and refresh lists on-demand. Considering it’s been a few months since the last update, this is a solid improvement over the last version.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Microsoft

Comments

Source: Windows Phone Store, Windows Phone Blog

BlackBerry Messenger may seem like a distant memory for many who have made the jump to iOS or Android, but it’ll soon be time to get reacquainted. According to a tweet from T-Mobile UK, we should expect to see the service arrive on both platforms on June 27th. BBM should be available as a free download specifically for anyone using iOS 6 and Android 4.0 or above, so make sure your device is properly updated before the end of the month — hopefully the messaging service will make you want to create new memories in addition to the ones you’ve relished in years past.

Update: T-Mobile UK has since deleted its tweet, and BlackBerry has confirmed that the June 27th date is inaccurate.

Update 2: Here is BlackBerry’s official statement on the matter:

On May 14th, BlackBerry announced plans to make its ground-breaking mobile social network, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), available to iOS and Android users this summer, subject to approval by the Apple App Store and Google Play. While there have been reports that BBM will be available to iOS and Android on June 27th, this is not accurate. We will communicate an update as soon as we have an availability date to share.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Blackberry

Comments

Via: Slashgear

Source: T-Mobile UK (Twitter)