AT&T Encrypted Mobile Voice to bring extra security to Obama’s BlackBerry calls

Yeah, we know that the Prez was once seen rocking a Verizon-branded BlackBerry 8830, but just bend your mind a bit and bear with us. Shortly after lighting up Wall Street with an exceedingly excellent quarterly earnings report, AT&T has announced an Encrypted Mobile Voice service that’ll hit later in the year. Assuming Obama actually does own an AT&T-branded ‘Berry, he’ll soon be able to enjoy what AT&T calls “the first mobile-to-mobile voice encryption solution using two-factor authentication offered by a US operator.” Said service is expected to provide a higher level of security for calls across the AT&T wireless network, and naturally, it’ll be shopped to government agencies, law enforcement organizations, financial services institutions and international businesses, all of which will pay far too much for what’s likely a false sense of security. We mean, haven’t these guys ever seen 24?

AT&T Encrypted Mobile Voice to bring extra security to Obama’s BlackBerry calls originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon posts $198m net loss, picks up healthy amount of new wireless subs

Verizon Communications, the majority shareholder of Verizon Wireless, just tossed out its Q2 2010 earnings, and unlike the majority of the other big boys we’ve seen, this company actually lost money over the past few months. All told, the mega-corp posted a $198m net loss compared to a $1.48b net profit this time last year, but if you were to exclude “special charges” for a workforce reduction, Verizon as a whole would’ve seen net profits of $0.58 per share. When focusing strictly on mobile, Verizon Wireless managed to pick up 1.4 million net customer additions, which is 200,000 shy of the 1.6 million that AT&T recently picked up. What’s crazy is that one carrier has the iPhone while the other doesn’t, and it doesn’t take the imagination of Peter Pan to figure out how those numbers would shift if Apple’s smartphone somehow picked up a CDMA radio and headed over to Big Red. Other fun facts about VZW’s second quarter include a 3.4 percent uptick in total revenues year-over-year, a 5.2 percent increase in service revenues and a staggering 28.3 percent boost in data revenues. With all that cash flowing in, is there really a need for these newfangled caps? Consumers say “no,” but Sir Capitalism says “yes.”

Update: We’ve been pinged by Verizon and given some clarification to the awful mess known as filing quarterly reports in accordance with GAAP with varying shares of ownership. We also learned that Verizon Wireless added 665,000 new net wireless customers under contract in the prior quarter, whereas AT&T added 496,000 contract customers. It’s pretty easy to make these numbers say whatever you want them to, apparently.

Continue reading Verizon posts $198m net loss, picks up healthy amount of new wireless subs

Verizon posts $198m net loss, picks up healthy amount of new wireless subs originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone 4 carrier unlock teased, not released just yet (update: video)

While we wait for a full, no-strings-attached jailbreak for the iPhone 4, let’s turn our attention to the other important matter of unlocking, shall we? iPhone Dev Team member planetbeing is teasing the world with a picture of an unlocked AT&T iPhone 4 being used way up north on Canada’s Bell — and while we don’t have a timeline for a release just yet, this should be particularly exciting news for Canadians who don’t have much interest in waiting any longer for their version of the phone to officially arrive. We’ll update you just as soon as it’s available.

[Thanks, Brad]

Update: Numerous readers have written in to remind us that the above image isn’t proof of an unlock, since an AT&T iPhone can roam on Bell. True — but considering how this is coming straight from an iPhone Dev Team member, we’re going to stay optimistic.

Update 2: Planetbeing has uploaded a video of the carrier unlock (embedded after the break), but he confesses that the existing build “sucks.” A cleaned up version should be ready for mass consumption shortly, though. [Thanks, all!]

Continue reading iPhone 4 carrier unlock teased, not released just yet (update: video)

iPhone 4 carrier unlock teased, not released just yet (update: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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US Cellular adds HTC Desire and BlackBerry Bold in August, teases BlackBerry 9670 for ‘later this year’

We were extremely close to cramping our sarcasm muscle with all the faux excitement we had to drum up for the 3.2-inch Acclaim, but US Cellular has now come back with word that it’ll soon count HTC’s Desire among its roster of phones. The Desire, which is mooted to be coming to other smaller carriers like Cellular South, will debut in August alongside the BlackBerry Bold. We’re more excited, however, to find US Cellular promising it’ll offer “a BlackBerry flip smartphone with a full QWERTY keyboard” later this year. That sounds like RIM’s slightly unorthodox 9670 to us, and will probably form the second part of the BB maker’s pledged introduction of two new handsets. US Cellular’s 2010 device lineup refresh will be completed with a pair more Androids, courtesy of LG and Samsung. The former is said to have a “large touch screen and slide-out, ergonomically-designed QWERTY keyboard,” while the latter is only described as “highly-anticipated.” Not too shabby.

Continue reading US Cellular adds HTC Desire and BlackBerry Bold in August, teases BlackBerry 9670 for ‘later this year’

US Cellular adds HTC Desire and BlackBerry Bold in August, teases BlackBerry 9670 for ‘later this year’ originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 05:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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20 Android Phones You Can Buy Today (or Soon)

Updated 06/15 to include the latest version of Android OS on the phones and added MyTouch Slide.

Less than two years after Google introduced the first Android phone, the free, open source operating system has turned into a juggernaut. There are 17 Android phones available today, and three new devices will hit retail stores in the next few weeks.

The latest Android phone is the HTC Aria. AT&T revealed the Aria on Monday as a mid-range phone that will run Android 2.1, have a 5-megapixel camera, a 3.2-inch display and a slower processor than the Nexus One or HTC Evo 4G (the Aria’s CPU clocks 600 MHz, compared to 1 GHz on the latter).

Aria is not the last Android phone from AT&T this year. The company has said it will have five Android devices in 2010 and is likely to announce yet another Android phone soon.

Google debuted the Android operating system in 2008, and the first handset to use it was T-Mobile’s HTC G1. Since then, the four major U.S. wireless service providers — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint — have embraced the OS. AT&T’s Android portfolio, though, is the weakest, which shouldn’t be a surprise considering its exclusive deal with Apple: Thanks to the success of the iPhone, AT&T has less reason to explore Android alternatives.

From the $50 LG Ally on Verizon to the most advanced handset available today — the HTC Evo 4G on Sprint — there’s an Android phone for almost every price range and level of use.

So if you are looking to switch to Android or upgrade your existing device, check out our list of all the Android phones available by wireless carrier. Prices mentioned below are those listed on the website of the carrier, with a two-year contract, except as noted.

For more details on each of these phones, click through to the carrier sites: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon.

  • AT&T
  • Motorola Backflip
  • Android 1.5 (upgradable to 2.1), 5-megapixel camera, 528-MHz Qualcomm MSM7200A processor, 3.1-inch display, 4.7 ounces, $100.
  • Google Nexus One
  • Android 2.1 (upgradable to 2.2), 5-megapixel camera, Qualcomm 1-GHz processor, 3.7-inch display, 4.6 ounces, Not available subsidized. $530.
  • HTC Aria
  • Android 2.1, 5-megapixel camera, 600-MHz Qualcomm MSM 7227 processor, 3.2-inch display, $130. Available June 20.
  • Dell Aero
  • Android 2.1, 5-megapixel camera, 624-MHz Marvell chip, 3.5-inch display, Pricing not disclosed. Available this summer.
  • Sprint
  • HTC Evo
  • Android 2.1 (upgradable to 2.2), dual cameras includes 8-megapixel camera and 1.3-megapixel front camera, Qualcomm 1-GHz processor, 4.3-inch display, 6 ounces, $200.
  • Samsung Moment
  • Android, 3.2-megapixel camera, 800-MHz Samsung S3C6410 processor, 3.7-inch display, 5.6 ounces, $100.
  • HTC Hero
  • Android 2.1, 5-megapixel camera, 528-MHz processor, 3.2-inch display, 4.5 ounces, $80.
  • Motorola i1
  • First ruggedized push-to-talk Android phone, Android 1.5, 600-MHz Freescale ARM processor, 5-megapixel camera, 3.1-inch display, 4.63 ounces. Pricing not disclosed. Available this summer.
  • T-Mobile
  • Google Nexus One
  • Android 2.1 (upgradable to 2.2), 5-megapixel camera, Qualcomm 1-GHz processor, 3.7-inch display, 4.6 ounces, $180.
  • HTC G1
  • Android 1.6, 3.2-megapixel camera, Qualcomm MSM7201A 528-MHz processor, 3.2-inch display, 5.6 ounces, $100.
  • HTC MyTouch
  • Android 1.6, 3.2-megapixel camera, 528-MHz processor, 3.2-inch display, 5.9 ounces, $180.
  • Motorola Cliq
  • Android 1.5, 5-megapixel camera, Qualcomm MSM7200A 528-MHz processor, 3.1-inch display, 5.6 ounces, $130.
  • HTC MyTouch Slide
  • Android 2.1, 5-megapixel camera, 600 MHz processor, 3.4-inch display, 5.8 ounces, $180.
  • Samsung Behold II
  • Android 1.6, 5-megapixel camera, 528-MHz processor, 3.2-inch OLED display, 4.2 ounces, $100.
  • Garmin Asus Garminfone
  • Android 1.6, 3-megapixel camera, Qualcomm MSM7227 processor, 3.5-inch display, 4.9 ounces, $200.
  • Verizon
  • Motorola Droid
  • Android 2.1 (upgradable to 2.2), 5-megapixel camera, 550-MHz ARM processor, 3.7-inch display, 5.9 ounces, $150.
  • HTC Droid Incredible
  • Android 2.1 (upgradable to 2.2), 8-megapixel camera, 1-GHz Snapdragon processor, 3.7-inch display, 4.6 ounces, $200.
  • Motorola Devour
  • Android 1.6, 3-megapixel camera, Qualcomm MSM7627 600-MHz processor, 3.1-inch display, 5.9 ounces, $80.
  • HTC Droid Eris
  • Android 1.5 (upgradable to 2.1), 5-megapixel camera, Qualcomm MSM7600 528-MHz processor, 3.2-inch display, 4.3 ounces, $50.
  • LG Ally
  • Android 2.1, 3.2-megapixel camera, Qualcomm MSM7627 600-MHz processor, 3.2-inch display, 5.6 ounces, $50.

Photo: Android mascot (Esti/Flickr)


Vodafone UK details iPhone 4 plans a little early, we keep the screenshots

We don’t know what shenanigans are going on over in Vodafone HQ, but the UK carrier gave the world a quick glimpse of its iPhone 4 pricing today, before promptly removing the data sheets from the ether. Thankfully, a fast-witted reader by the name of Liam Gladdy captured the incriminating data for us, and we can now sit and ruminate on what Voda has in store. As you might surmise from above, the vast majority of users won’t be getting the handset for free, though that doesn’t necessarily preclude the contracts from representing good value. We note with glee that Vodafone keeps its data limit at a robust 1GB, unlike a certain other network, and the £30 ($44) a month two-year contract is looking decent from where we’re sitting. Prices over 18 months just jump by £5 in monthly outlay with handset costs remaining the same. Click past the break for the full breakdown, including details for the 32GB variety.

Continue reading Vodafone UK details iPhone 4 plans a little early, we keep the screenshots

Vodafone UK details iPhone 4 plans a little early, we keep the screenshots originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nokia N8 gets first official carrier in Vodafone UK

Expect this to be the first of many similar announcements as Nokia works out carrier agreements for its new flagship phone. Vodafone’s always informative Coming Soon page has today been updated with the N8, touting its “incredible” camera, social features, and personalization options. Nothing resoundingly new or informative then, but at least you’ll know where to look come late August.

[Thanks, Moominking]

Nokia N8 gets first official carrier in Vodafone UK originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 May 2010 06:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T follows Verizon, jacks up ETF on netbooks and smartphones

There’s the good kind of follow-the-leader, and then there’s this. While the world cheered as all four major US wireless carriers implemented prorated early termination fees, we can all hang our heads accordingly for this one: AT&T has just followed Verizon Wireless’ march into the dark, evil corners of contractland by adjusting ETFs higher for netbooks and smartphones. In an email sent out to select customers, the carrier notes that beginning on June 1st (that’s less than a fortnight away), customers who select “advanced, higher-end device[s], including netbooks and smartphones, will have an ETF of $325, reduced by $10 for each month during the balance of the service agreement.” That’s up significantly over the $175 ETF that affects all of AT&T’s handsets today, though still $25 less than VZW’s plan. The silver lining — if you could call it that — comes with this point: customers “who are buying basic and quick messaging phones will have a lower ETF of $150, reduced by $4 for each month during the balance of the service agreement.” Naturally, existing contract customers won’t see any immediate change, but you can bet you’ll be nailed with the new terms once you head in this summer to pre-order that iPhone 4G. The full memo is posted after the break — so much for “rethinking possible,” huh?

Update: AT&T has published an “open letter” explaining the changes. Thanks, Daniel!

[Thanks, L.]

Continue reading AT&T follows Verizon, jacks up ETF on netbooks and smartphones

AT&T follows Verizon, jacks up ETF on netbooks and smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 May 2010 15:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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O2 UK will get Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus on May 28, skin you alive with pricing

You didn’t think Germany was gonna have all the Palm fun, did you? The UK is keeping pace with its longtime nemesis by matching the May 28 launch date for the Pre and Pixi Plus on O2, and has even supplied us with a handy reference sheet containing all price plans available for the handsets. You’ll find it after the break, but sadly it’ll only be of interest to true WebOS enthusiasts. There’s nothing south of £25 ($36) per month available, and if you want a reasonable call allowance, you’ll have to get on into the £30 and above bracket. All contracts do at least come with unlimited texts and data, but overall the cost seems too steep to entice us, what with all the Desires and Bolds floating around at better price points.

[Thanks, Chris W.]

Continue reading O2 UK will get Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus on May 28, skin you alive with pricing

O2 UK will get Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus on May 28, skin you alive with pricing originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 May 2010 05:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mobilicity launches service in Toronto: all plans unlimited, no contracts to speak of

My, talk about a breath of fresh air. Canadian wireless subscribers have long since dealt with inhumane three-year contracts on mainstays like Rogers and Bell, signing over their cellular soul on a whim in order to get a marginally subsidized phone and a guaranteed bill for 36 months. We’ve heard for awhile now that Mobilicity was jonesing to change things up in the Great White North, and change it has. Shortly after receiving an all-important green light from the CRTC, the company has gone live with mobile service in Toronto, with a number of other large Canadian cities to follow in the months ahead. What’s most unique about the service, however, is that every single plan it sells is unlimited in nature, and there’s nary a contract to be found — you simply pick the phone you want, the plan you want, and then you pay upfront. It’s most akin to the various prepaid options here in the States (Virgin Mobile, Boost Mobile, etc.), but still — it’s a lovely alternative to have if you’re a Canuck. Unlimited calling and texting can be had for just $35 per month, while $65 per month nets you unlimited everything (including global texting, US long distance calling and data usage). The phone selection ain’t half bad either, with the only major “gotcha” being that extra roaming fees can apply if you use your mobile outside of metro Toronto (or in the future, away from the carrier’s specific coverage cities). Hit up the source link to get the facts straight from the horse’s moose’s mouth.

[Thanks, Endi]

Mobilicity launches service in Toronto: all plans unlimited, no contracts to speak of originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 16 May 2010 04:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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