FCC Chief Voices Skepticism over Sprint / T-Mobile Merger
According to a source familiar with the matter, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler voiced skepticism regarding number three U.S. carrier Sprint’s proposed buyout of number four carrier T-Mobile. Wheeler met Monday with Sprint Chairman Masayoshi Son and Chief Executive Dan Hesse where he stated his wariness, but also said he would keep an open mind. Negotiations are very preliminary, so expect news on this merger to continue for quite a while, and no one from Sprint, SoftBank, T-Mobile, or the FCC is officially commenting yet.
Sprint has a very steep and uphill battle trying to convince the FCC and Justice Department that a consolidation of the number three and number four U.S. carriers would increase competition. It was just two years ago that a deal between the number two carrier AT&T and T-Mobile was rejected. Since then, T-Mobile has improved itself and is riding a wave of new and newly converted customers as well as a new, ever-expanding LTE build-out. Good luck Sprint, because Wheeler, along with Assistant Attorney General William Baer “have both hailed the 2011 rejection of a merger between AT&T and T-Mobile as yielding a more competitive market that is better for consumers”.
My initial thoughts on this more-than-likely long and drawn-out drama:
As a betting man and newly converted T-Mobile customer (from Sprint ironically), I’m predicting (and hoping) that this deal goes down in flames much like the proposed Magenta Death Star did two years ago. Consolidation of the marketplace rarely benefits consumers and the FCC and Justice Department are well aware of this as statements from both have shown. If talks are as legit as they seem, there will probably be break-up terms similar to the $3 billion cash money and $1 billion in spectrum that AT&T paid T-Mobile because their deal fell through. If this happens, T-Mobile will emerge stronger than ever and Sprint will become John Legere’s latest piñata just as it begins to recover from its self-inflicted wounds.
Source: Reuters
Samsung’s next Windows Phone is headed to Verizon, still looks like a Galaxy phone
Samsung’s still making Windows Phones, okay? And here’s what the company’s 2014 model will apparently look like, with yet another protruding physical button and what appears to be a lighter grey color palette — matching the vague fortunes of Microsoft’s still (gradually) growing mobile OS. According to @evleaks, it’s also heading to Verizon in the US. Prior leaks have suggested it’ll arrive LTE-capable with a 1080p 5-inch display. Well, we do expect Samsung to show up to MWC 2014 with more than just the one Android flagship.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung
Source: @evleaks (Twitter)
Android 4.4 for the HTC One Delayed in the US. Android 4.4.2 Soak Test Ready for Moto X – Device Updates
It is Monday, so time to see what has gotten an update in the past week. Many of you HTC One users out there are dying to get some of that Android 4.4 KitKat, and you got it! Given that you don’t live in the US. If you are on Sprint though, we have a manual update you can get at. Link provided below.
Device Updates
US HTC One Android 4.4 update delayed
Sprint HTC One manual Android 4.4 update
Android 4.4 soak test rolls out for the T-Mobile Moto
Samsung Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro series coming to US February 13th
Looks like Office Depot wasn’t messing with us when it began offering pre-orders of Samsung’s brand-new 12.2-inch tablet ahead of its official US launch; it just jumped the gun a bit. As it turns out, the entire litany of Samsung’s Galaxy tablets announced at CES — which include the 12.2-inch Note Pro and all three sizes in the Tab Pro series — will be available stateside on February 13th. Just in case you’re worried about hordes of people trying to grab one as a last-minute Valentine’s Day present, you can also pre-order any of the products starting right now through one of several online retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, Fry’s, Newegg and others. There’s no word on any carrier agreements yet, however, and it appears that all four models are WiFi-only.
Pricing varies wildly depending on which model you’re getting. Starting at the low end of the spectrum, you can grab the 8.4-inch Tab Pro (16GB) for $400; the 10.1-inch Tab Pro (16GB) for $500; and the 12.2-inch Tab Pro (32GB) for $650. Last but not least, the productivity powerhouse itself — the Note Pro — can be yours for $750 (32GB) or $850 (64GB). Additionally, the devices come with 50GB Dropbox space for two years, a $25 Google Play credit, three-month trial Hulu Plus subscription, six months of Cisco WebEx Premium 8 and a year subscription with Bloomberg Businessweek.
Samsung also confirms that the new tablets are still outfitted with Magazine UX, which means these products haven’t been affected by the company’s rumored deal with Google. According to reports from last week, Samsung agreed to tone down the amount of customization and special features in its Android devices. Naturally, if this does happen, we expect it to be a while before it finally takes effect.
Android 4.4.2 Soak Test Rolling Out for T-Mobile Moto X
Anyone that owns a T-Mobile Moto X, and participates in their soak tests, the Android 4.4.2 soak test update has started rolling out today. Of course this isn’t a major update from Android 4.4, which I am sure you already gathered. Improvements to the camera are the major features in this update, and of course the normal general enhancements. This will be build number 161.44.25, and should already be on your Moto X given you participate in these soak tests. If everything is runs smoothly with this Android 4.4.2 update, then the actual update will roll out shortly after. Let us know if you got it.
Source: Droid-Life
Google Now notifications available in Chrome
The Google Now service has been very helpful to Android users everywhere, thanks to its near-to-none setup on devices. And, as things move across platforms, the experience gets better each update. This week sees yet another improvement in Google Now.
“So the next time you’re finishing up emails at your desk, Google Now might suggest that you leave the office a bit early to beat the heavy traffic on the way to your dinner date”
Chrome users can now take advantage of Google Now cards and notifications, but in a somewhat limited offering. To do so, you’ll need to use the Chrome Beta browser. With that said, we should maybe look for it in the official version of Chrome soon. Maybe around Google I/O, perhaps?
Want to get in on it? Beta for Chrome is free to download at Google’s website.
The Google Now ability in Chrome has been something many people were waiting for, and something Google has been hinting at for a while. As some of you know, it’s useful in offices, everyday tasks, meal planning, emergencies, and more.
The post Google Now notifications available in Chrome appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 priced $850, hits stores February 13
The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 release date and price has been made public, and luckily it’s not too far away. Expected to hit shelves in the U.S. on February 13th this massive tablet might just be the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.
Originally announced back in January at CES, the early reactions ranged from “why haven’t we thought of this sooner?” to “will people actually buy this?”
The pre-order price of $850 might be a bit too much for the average user. But, considering its massive screen side and impressive specs the price might be justifiable to a few of you.
If you’re interested in pre-ordering one of these 12.2-inch tablet experiences, head to Office Depot with credit card in hand.
Are you game for one of these?
via Engadget
The post Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 priced $850, hits stores February 13 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Pebble’s appstore rolls out on iOS, starts beta testing on Android
Pebble’s smartwatch appstore has arrived as promised and it’s loaded with over 1,000 apps and watchfaces. Our review of the new Steel watch has more details on how it all works, and users with the iOS companion app will see the new features right away. An Android version isn’t quite ready for release, but a beta APK is up on Pebble’s developer website if you want to try it out early. There are known issues with the pairing process and a few things to be aware of when loading new apps, while any new issues will be listed on the blog as they’re discovered. Assuming you’re ready to sideload the app on your phone or tablet then the file is available here, iOS users can hit iTunes for an update.
And now for a very special treat………the Android BETA8 app (now with more appstore!) https://t.co/iEWLTrQ5eV pic.twitter.com/XGrB9VLBqn
– Pebble Developers (@PebbleDev) February 4, 2014
The latest iOS app (2.0) brings a new look, fresh features, and the Pebble #appstore. Enjoy! http://t.co/zJ3vBzBdGH pic.twitter.com/dkmpSjThD9
– Pebble (@Pebble) February 3, 2014
Filed under: Wearables, Mobile
Source: Pebble Blog, Pebble Developer Blog
Daily Roundup: Google’s Chromecast SDK, Facebook Paper hands-on and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
GTA 5 is best selling game of 2013
Grand Theft Auto 5 was the best-selling game of 2013, but that should come as no surprise since the title pulled in $1 billion at its debut. Click on through for more information.
Facebook Paper hands-on
Facebook’s new app, named Paper, hopes to become your go-to new source, but does it really offer any advantages over the plethora of other aggregators out there? Follow the link to our hands on and find out.
Google unveils Chromecast SDK
If you’re a developer who’s been waiting to take advantage of Mountain View’s $35 dongle, you’re in luck. Earlier today, Google released the Chromecast SDK and invited coders to get hackin’. Click through for details.
PS4 update brings Pulse headset support
PS4 owners with a Pulse headset will soon be able to take advantage of Sony’s version 1.6 update. Set to arrive late tonight, the update will bring PlayStation 4 support for both the regular Pulse and Elite editions. Click the link for more.
LG promises upgraded image-stabilizing ‘plus’ camera and 4K video recording on G2 Pro flagship
Taking to its own social site, LG’s stated that the incoming G2 Pro (another smartphone set to debut at Barcelona later this month), will offer imaging skills that will put its current champ, the G2, to shame. While its predecessor was a capable smartphone camera in its own right, LG is apparently adding a software upgrade to the optical image stabilization camera found on its preceding Android phones. It’s calling the feature “Electro Image System” and it will apparently keep those 13-megapixel shots even sharper, augmenting existing hardware stabilization. Video function-wise, slow-motion recording at 25 percent speed and even Ultra HD video capture (at 3,840 x 2,160) will also be packed into the smartphone rumored to be incrementally larger than last year’s G2. Expect a new UX for the camera app, too, when the device is officially presented to the tech-reporting masses in a few weeks.
Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Mobile, LG
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