Hasta La Gadget!

Verizon workers are scheduled to return to their jobs Tuesday, after more than two weeks on strike. Some 45,000 union members left their posts August 7th, after contract negotiation between the Communication Workers of America (CWA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the company came to a halt two days prior. A statement from the union said it had reached an agreement with Verizon, but that “The major issues remain to be discussed.” The union’s claim, among other things that Verizon demanded “cuts in compensation of $20,000 per worker per year.” Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Verizon strike to come to an end August 23rd

Verizon strike to come to an end August 23rd originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Aug 2011 21:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sometimes, you just can’t handle it all. There is so much to learn about consumer electronics every week that you simply can’t handle the stress. Don’t despair: we, The Engadget Podcasters, are here to help. Let us do the tough work of digesting acquisitions, spinoffs, Grids, Xiaomiphones, and a pocketful of BlackBerrys while you lay on the chaise and have grapes fed to you by your loved ones…or whatever it is you people do to relax these days. Just make sure to listen, let the news wash over you, and feel the knots in your neck and back go the way of the TouchPad.

Host: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater
Guests: Dana Wollman, Josh Fruhlinger
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: S&M

00:02:30 – Editorial: Engadget on the death of HP’s webOS devices
00:03:38 – HP may spin off PC business, shift focus to software and services
00:05:10 – HP will ‘discontinue operations for webOS devices’, may spin off Personal Systems Group
00:22:55 – Google acquiring Motorola Mobility
00:28:45 – Verizon embraces Google’s Moto Mobility deal, hopes for an end to patent disputes
00:38:30 – TabCo reveals itself as Fusion Garage, unveils Grid 10 tablet and Grid 4 smartphone (update)
00:41:25 – Fusion Garage Grid 10 tablet and Grid 4 smartphone hands-on
00:46:48 – The Engadget Interview: Fusion Garage’s Chandra Rathakrishnan
00:53:11 – BlackBerry Bold 9930 review
00:55:25 – BlackBerry Torch 9850 review
00:56:30 – BlackBerry Torch 9810 review
00:58:14 – Xiaomi Phone hands-on (updated with video)
01:02:07 – Motorola Photon 4G review
01:02:58 – The NYC Engadget Reader Meetup is less than two weeks away!
01:04:43 – The Engadget Show returns Friday, August 19th — win a ticket to the taping!
01:09:28 – Listener questions

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Filed under: Podcasts

Engadget Podcast 253 – 08.19.2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Droid Bionic may be the most hyped phone in the history of gadgetdom. The latest round of spy shots come from a Best Buy flyer, a tips and tricks manual and a pic purported to come from Verizon’s Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) system — all of which lead us to believe launch is right around the corner. Most of the info here is not terribly surprising (an 8 megapixel camera, 1GHz dual-core processor, etc…), but there is one detail that threw us for a loop — the screen is only 4.3-inches. Rumor had it that the Bionic had been bumped to a 4.5-incher, and photos of it next to a Charge seemed to bear that out. Well, that was primarily an illusion created by the large bezel and a pair of very petite hands. This also means the Droid HD is packing a 4.3-inch screen, which may disappoint those hoping for a truly expansive 720p display. On the plus side, we can tell you the Bionic will support WebTop, wireless printing, and ZumoCast for streaming media from your home PC. And per Droid Life, it’ll be priced at $299 when it goes on sale September 8th. Now, we just have to wait for Verizon and Motorola to make it all official. Head on past the break for two images, and check the source links for even more.

Continue reading Droid Bionic gets 4.3-inch display, yours for $299 on September 8?

Droid Bionic gets 4.3-inch display, yours for $299 on September 8? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For those of you living close to our nation’s circle of political puissance, Verizon’s got a promotional offer that’ll help you feel like one of the data-dependent elite. Available starting today and running through September 30th, existing voice subscribers in Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia can begin their trek towards an always-connected lifestyle by tacking on 300MB of data for $20 per month. The deal’s intended for cost-conscious customers who haven’t yet learned “the many benefits of… a smartphone,” and is open to any of the operator’s 3G or 4G LTE handsets. Be sure to hit the break to find out more in the presser below, but we warn you — internet addiction is a slippery, costly slope.

Continue reading Verizon Wireless promos $20 plan for the data reluctant

Verizon Wireless promos $20 plan for the data reluctant originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T says it will begin selling two new 4G products, the USBConnect Momentum 4G and Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G, Sunday.

Finally — ATT has some 4G hotspots.

For $50, customers will be allowed up to 5 gigs of data monthly. Every extra gig will cost you 10 bucks. According to the press release, the two devices are the only ones in the United States to default to 4G/HSPA+ if you move outside of an LTE coverage area.

AT&T will begin deploying its 4G LTE network in five markets (Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, & San Antonio) this summer. Its first 4G phone, the HTC Inspire 4G, had a successful launch in early February, but it soon became clear that AT&T’s HSPA+ 4G speeds weren’t up to par. The company has continued to expand its network, going so far as to proposemerging with T-Mobile to bolster its system.

So what did I mean by AT&T “finally” getting some 4G hotspotting action?

Other 4G hotspot options on the market include Clear’s WiMax iSpot, which runs on Sprint’s network for 3Mbps to 6Mbps down, for up to four hours. iSpot costs $100 plus a data plan with Clear that runs as little as 20 bucks a month. Clear also has a USB alternative, the Clear 4G+ Mobile USB, which can be had for $115 plus the price of a data plan.

Novatel also has a 4G WiMax MiFi hotspot that’s supposed to provide 30Mbps down and 10Mbps up, as well as MiFi units for LTE and HSPA networks.

And then there’s the Samsung LTE hotspot that works with Verizon’s speedy 4G network. And T-Mobile’s 4G hotspot will run you $125 to take advantage of their HSPA+ network.

AT&T’s existing hotspot, the USBConnect Adrenaline, will get an upgrade to support LTE on Aug. 26. You’ll be able to get the USBConnect 4G for $49.99 and the Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G for $69.99 on Sunday, both with a two-year contract.

The USBConnect Momentum 4G modem and Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G will provide portable 4G access to AT&T subscribers.

Image: AT&T