Hasta La Gadget!

Don’t act like Verizon didn’t warn you: for Thunderbolt owners who see an available software update pop up on their phone this evening, they’ll be placed squarely between a rock and a towering boulder. Why? On one hand, the Froyo OTA update promises to nix random reboots, improve data connectivity and fix the Bluetooth Discovery Mode pop-up windows. On the other, it adds a helping of bloatware (V CAST Music, V CAST Videos and My Verizon) while also killing the lust-worthy free mobile hotspot feature. Not like the carrier ever said it’d be any different come early July, but it’s certainly a case of picking your poison here. If your T-bolt seems to be humming along just fine, we’d probably avoid the urge to update to the latest build. If it’s rebooting as we speak, well… good luck pulling that trigger.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Verizon pushes latest Thunderbolt update: solves reboot issues, kills free mobile hotspot originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jul 2011 02:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With GPS interference issues now resolved, LightSquared’s going back to the farm to reassure rural America it means no harm. The wholesale-only 4G LTE service that already signed up a plethora of partners is turning to Sen. Byron Dorgan and Reps. George Nethercutt and Charlie Stenholm to oversee its newly-created Empower Rural America Initiative. The plan calls for oversight of the service’s bucolic deployment, promising its filtering tech will keep GPS-dependent precision agriculture on-point and pesticides away from your country home. Also under the proposed guidelines are plans to assist emergency first responders with network access in the event existing communication systems get knocked out. It’s a comforting pat on the rustic back that should shore up “broadband adoption gap” issues currently plaguing underserved areas. But while it may look like the farmer and the technologist can be friends, we have a sneaking suspicion there are more self-serving motivations at play here. Hit the break for LightSquared’s pastorally empowering PR.

Continue reading LightSquared creates rural America initiative, promises to be more help than hindrance

LightSquared creates rural America initiative, promises to be more help than hindrance originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 22:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The leaks about Verizon’s usage-based plans have become so abundant that it’s been nearly impossible to shake off with any amount of skepticism, but one key ingredient’s been missing from the saga: official word from the carrier itself regarding the exact date and specific pricing. A mere two days before DataGate’s rumored debut, Verizon’s finally cleared its throat to make a statement confirming the inevitable. The unlimited smartphone data plan will predictably make a sad and sudden departure from the company’s brochures — lingering only for those grandfathered into it — and a tiered structure will enter in its place.

There were no surprises on pricing: for smartphone data, plans start at $30 for 2GB, $50 for 5GB, and $80 for 10GB. New customers can add mobile hotspot service for an extra $20, and Big Red will throw in a couple additional gigabytes as well. Customers currently using the unlimited LTE mobile hotspot will be given the option to retain that service for another $30. We’ve yet to receive confirmation from our spokesperson, but will keep you updated as soon as we get word. Knowing is half the battle, though, so take action — interested parties only have two days left.

Verizon speaks up, confirms usage-based data plans are coming July 7th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The scan above purports to show a Verizon customer brochure that will appear in stores next Thursday, revealing nothing beyond the detailed leaks we’ve already reported but at least providing some reassuringly crinkled corroboration of the salient details. New customers will barred from the happy land of unlimited data, and will instead have to cough up tiered monthly fees ranging from $10 for 75MB up to $80 for 10GB, plus an extra $20 for tethering rights. In a separate turn to this tale, we hear that customers who want to tether to a 4G handset will have to pay $30 per month to keep Big Red happy. This might come as a shock if you’ve been living it up on the free tethering offer that ends next week, but we had a strong inkling it was coming. Besides, it’s not all bad: those 30 bucks will get you unlimited data on the fastest LTE network around, whereas $20 crew must make do with a mere 2GB monthly.

[Thanks, Verizon Guy]

Verizon data charges leak continues, $30 tethering for 4G customers originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jul 2011 15:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remember how excited we all were when we found out that Android 2.3.4 would bring video chat to Google Talk on the Nexus S? Only to have our hopes and dreams smashed when we discover that it didn’t work over 3G on T-Mobile. Well, it seems the carrier has quietly flipped a switch, and now all you Nexus owners can GChat face-to-face over HSPA+. Surely this an historic day, one that will go down in the annals of mobile history — or, you know, at least one that deserves an exasperated “finally!” Check out the video proof after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Google Talk video chat finally available over T-Mobile 3G and 4G (video)

Google Talk video chat finally available over T-Mobile 3G and 4G (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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