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.

Permalink   |  Android Police  | Email this | Comments

We’re gonna shoot from the hip here — wireless carriers have gotten a little out-of-hand with their 4G marketing. Even industry standard setter, the ITU, can’t figure out a way to keep the story straight. This consumer disinformation loop is exactly what Rep. Anna Eshoo plans to undo with her “Next Generation Wireless Disclosure Act.” Like its title says, the bill would force carriers to be absolutely, unfalteringly crystal clear on minimum data speeds, network reliability, accessible coverage maps, and, of course, the technology being used. Think the T-Mobile girl can handle that in thirty seconds? We didn’t think so, either. Retailers tried a similar consumer hand-holding effort during the DTV transition, although that came without a regulatory shove. Hit the source for legalese in all its undisturbed glory, and while you wait for Uncle Sam to act, you can clear up any lingering confusion by diving into our primer.

[Image courtesy Going WiMax]

Rep. Eshoo intros 4G disclosure act, hopes to turn consumers into techies originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink MacWorld  |  Next Generation Wireless Disclosure Act  | Email this | Comments

Up until now, all we’ve had to go on were leaked Blurrycam photos and a few morsels “from the inside.” Now, however, HTC’s going to have an awfully difficult time denying the existence of its so-called Kingdom, known to the FCC as PH44100. The filing itself doesn’t reveal a whole heck of a lot beyond what we already knew — a 4.3-inch qHD display, namely — but the presence of both a CDMA and WiMAX radio assures us that it’ll be heading for Sprint sooner rather than later. A qHD contender for The Now Network? Yes, please.

HTC Kingdom soars into FCC’s database, WiMAX radio signals a Sprint release originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 09:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  FCC  | Email this | Comments

Cox Communications had some grand designs on the cellular market, but they’re not panning out quite as the company planned — FierceWireless reports that though Cox already poured cash into rolling out 3G equipment, it’s going to scrap the whole thing, in favor of continuing to pay Sprint for borrowed airtime. Cellular service in the original three launch markets will reportedly continue, though a quick peek at Cox’s website shows the current phone selection is getting a bit stagnant. While we’ve yet to hear any particular reasons why Cox would want to stick it out as an MVNO, we imagine that mandatory roaming agreements make it a tad easier to offer those “Unbelievably Fair” contracts. There’s also the possibility that with all the 4G fervor, Cox has decided there’s no point in moving forward with CDMA equipment when LTE is ripe for the picking — and when Cox has $304 million worth of 700MHz spectrum waiting for such a network.

[Thanks, Phil]

Cox ditches 3G network infrastructure, sticks with airwaves borrowed from Sprint originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 May 2011 08:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  FierceWireless  | Email this | Comments

Last month, a device (model number HSTNH-F30CN) that we surmised to be a Pre 3 hit the FCC rocking AT&T band GSM radios. Now, its brother HSTNH-F30CV is seeking federal approval to ride CDMA (850 / 1900 MHz), UMTS (900 / 2100 MHz), and GSM (850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 MHz) wireless waves. With that “V” tagged on the end of the model moniker and its Verizon-friendly innards, it sure looks like the Pre 3 will be the next handset to wear a checkmark on its front. Additionally, those world wide bands tell us that a webOS device will soon be joining the Androids and Blackberrys in Big Red’s rather limited lineup of global handsets. Skeptical about our smartphone Spidey Sense? Hit the source link and see for yourself, Sherlock.

Another Pre 3 at the FCC, coming to Verizon for you and me? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 May 2011 23:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Wireless Goodness  |  FCC  | Email this | Comments