Hasta La Gadget!

Motorola’s Atrix 4G may have some serious competition from a performance standpoint, but it’s still got one thing going for it over all of the other Android superphones hitting the streets these days: an optional laptop dock. ‘Course, it’s debatable whether or not said accessory is truly worth paying for, but the phone itself has certainly done its fair share of impressing. You’ve read our take on Motorola’s latest Android whizkid, and now it’s your turn to vent. If you had the power necessary to overhaul the Atrix 4G, how would you go about doing so? Would you nix Motoblur altogether? Toss the latest build of Android onboard? Make it available on more carriers? Handle the laptop dock differently? All (sane) opinions are welcome, and comments are open below.

How would you change Motorola’s Atrix 4G? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 22:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’re the somewhat-proud-but-feeling-throttled owner of a Motorola Atrix 4G or HTC Inspire 4G, your days of terribly slow uploads are nearly through — following some preliminary tests, AT&T is rolling out updates that provide “increased potential data speed” to both HSPA+ handsets right on cue. The Inspire 4G’s patch will also “make the email set up process much easier,” while the Atrix 4G will actually get a pair of updates which will allegedly bring better Bluetooth headset compatibility, fingerprint reader performance and battery life (which is always a plus) as well as the questionable utility of turning the Atrix into an EDGE hotspot, and a bump to Android 2.2.2 to hopefully fix any lingering SMS routing bugs. Word of warning though, you’ll need to throw your Atrix up on a WiFi network to obtain these goodies — all the Gs in the world won’t help you.

AT&T brings HSUPA to Atrix 4G and Inspire 4G, one requires WiFi to download update originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 12:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Before today, Californian consumers were free to ignore the arbitration clause tucked in the fine print of every AT&T service contract because state law had declared them unconscionable — which kept the courthouse doors open to class-acting consumers. However, in a ruling that no doubt pleases AT&T and others of its ilk, the highest court in the land has stripped the states of their power to so avoid arbitration with its ruling in AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion. In an opinion penned by Justice Scalia (pictured), the Supremes said that the Federal Arbitration Act was passed to promote arbitration’s quick and easy dispute resolution, and they couldn’t have California (or any other state) contradicting the will of Congress by allowing lengthy group litigation when parties already agreed to private arbitration. That means companies are free to force customers to arbitrate their claims individually instead of joining together to file high-dollar class-action lawsuits, no matter what state laws say. Guess those large-scale litigation lawyers will have to look elsewhere to find the funds for their next Ferrari.

US Supreme Court says companies can force arbitration on class-acting consumers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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An aerial view of a Japanese nuclear plant post-earthquake and tsunami. Photo: DigitalGlobe

Emergencies and natural disasters are when we need reliable communication most — and that’s often the very time that cell towers get swamped and fail us.

In order to prepare for such situations, AT&T has released the Remote Mobility Zone, a kind of impromptu cell tower in a small package that can be quickly deployed after disaster strikes (or when connecting to regular towers just isn’t happening). They can be set up in any area AT&T normally offers coverage, when the service is disrupted for whatever reason.

First is the “Fly Away,” a portable cell tower packed into a suitcase that government and first responders can use to get cell service back to an area quickly. “Fly Away” incorporates a satellite dish that can be mounted on a car or truck and is powered by a generator or some other outside power source. It takes about half an hour to set up, and can support data services (at sub-broadband speeds) and up to 14 calls at once.

The “Fixed-Site Solution” establishes a mounted dish that can be used as a back-up communications system to support up to 100 simultaneous users.

Finally, “Park and Use” is a government-only integrated car system that provides mobile cell service through roof-mounted satellites. Clients of these services can also subscribe to AT&T WIreless Priority Service to ensure that key personnel have access to the network by prioritizing the traffic that passes through.

Hopefully, such solutions will prevent problems like Verizon experienced during the Northeast’s Snow-pocalypse this year, where the carrier dropped at least 10,000 emergency calls. But if these measures aren’t already in place in an area, it could still take hours or days for first responders to reach the site and set up these services.

The personal cell phone towers cost between $15,000 and $45,000 (plus annual fees) and will be available to corporate and government entities.

Remote Mobility Zone [AT&T via Fast Company]

Image: DigitalGlobe [high-resolution version]

The Samsung Infuse 4G has yet to make its way to market, but when it does, you might be able to find it at Walmart. Rumor has it that the retail giant has been sending around circulars indicating that the Infuse and its 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display will hit shelves sometime next month. The notices also mention that the device will be sold for $178.88, which would likely be bundled with a two-year AT&T contract. There hasn’t been any confirmation from Samsung, which unveiled the ultra-thin smartphone way back in January, but we’ll let you know as soon as we get word.

[Thanks, John]

Walmart to Sell Samsung Infuse 4G in May for $178.88? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 08:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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