AT&T reveals the smartwatches that will go tether-free with NumberSync
AT&T today in a post to its blog revealed the Android-based smartwatches that will work with the carrier’s new NumberSync offering. The telecommunications provider revealed NumberSync in mid-October, saying that it would allow users to have a single phone number across multiple devices. In other words, devices like smartwatches will work on AT&T’s network instead of having to connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
Starting November 6, AT&T customers will be able to order the Samsung Gear S2 and LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE, which will both be able to operate with NumberSync, allowing you to keep your phone number with you without having to have your smartphone on hand.
These are, so far, the only two smartwatches AT&T said will work with NumberSync, which is primarily because there just aren’t a lot of smartwatches out there that support cellular connectivity yet. In just a couple of years, cellular connectivity in smartwatches will no doubt be commonplace, but for now, Bluetooth will remain as the primary avenue of having your smartwatch fully functional.
Anyone plan on giving NumberSync a try with a new smartwatch on November 6?
source: AT&T
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SoundCloud announces SoundCloud Pulse, an app that lets creators keep in touch with communities
SoundCloud has announced a new companion app for Android devices called SoundCloud Pulse. It doesn’t replace the existing SoundCloud app, but instead works with it to allow content creators to manage their accounts and keep up with communities and fans.
The app is in its initial stages right now, but so far you can reply to comments on tracks, get stats on how those files are being played, and share new music publicly or privately. SoundCloud is working on bringing new features to the app soon, including more in-depth info about song stats, and the ability to edit and upload songs right from your phone.
Hit the link below to grab the new app.
Source: SoundCloud
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T-Mobile unveils a mini 4G LTE booster for your home
Are you a T-Mobile Simple Choice customer who struggles to pick up a strong, reliable 4G connection in your home? If so, you may want to listen up, as the carrier has just announced its brand new 4G LTE CellSpot tower which provides extended LTE coverage for up to 3,000 square feet.
Here’s what T-Mobile had to say:
“The 4G LTE CellSpot delivers the complete T-Mobile LTE network experience, including the Un-carrier’s latest network advancements—like VoLTE, HD voice for crystal clear calls, advanced messaging, video calling and more. In fact, it’s the world’s first device of its kind that is 3G, 4G and VoLTE-capable, and any T-Mobile customer can connect to it automatically just like any other cell tower – no passwords or log-ins required.”
To bag yourself a 4G LTE CellSpot, you’ll need to pay a $25 deposit that’s fully refundable should you wish to return the unit or leave the carrier.
The full press release can be seen below.
Every day T-Mobile’s building a bigger, faster, stronger network and just last month reached more than 300 million Americans covered by the nation’s fastest 4G LTE—a virtual dead heat with Verizon and AT&T. But, T-Mobile isn’t stopping there. After amping up several of its iconic Un-carrier moves this summer, T-Mobile’s at it again, amping up another Un-carrier move—this one coming just a week before the company takes the wraps off its landmark 10th Un-carrier move in LA.
Today, the company unveiled the T-Mobile 4G LTE CellSpot, the first-ever 4G LTE mini-tower available from a U.S. wireless provider. Think of it as your own 4G LTE mini-tower – with low power settings for indoor use – providing an average 3,000 sq. feet of glorious full-bar T-Mobile LTE coverage throughout your home, small business or virtually anywhere you need it.
Un-carrier 7.0 was all about giving customers personal coverage wherever they want it with the breakthrough Wi-Fi CellSpot Router. This new 4G LTE CellSpot takes that idea to the next level. While the Wi-Fi CellSpot Router uses Wi-Fi for calling and texting, now customers don’t have to use Wi-Fi to get coverage where they want. The 4G LTE CellSpot delivers the complete T-Mobile LTE network experience, including the Un-carrier’s latest network advancements—like VoLTE, HD voice for crystal clear calls, advanced messaging, video calling and more. In fact, it’s the world’s first device of its kind that is 3G, 4G and VoLTE-capable, and any T-Mobile customer can connect to it automatically just like any other cell tower – no passwords or log-ins required.
The best part of today’s news is that this advanced technology is available to Simple Choice postpaid customers at absolutely no cost for as long as they’re with T-Mobile.
“Where the T-Mobile Wi-Fi CellSpot’s like a T-Mobile tower, this new 4G LTE CellSpot is a T-Mobile mini-tower—and it’s a huge feat of engineering,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. “The big difference between us and the carriers is that they’ll do absolutely everything they can to bleed you dry. We’ll do absolutely everything we can and use every proven technology available to give you the best coverage possible.”
The wireless industry is all abuzz about “small cells,” but the carriers are choosing where to put their small cells and where their think customers should get better coverage. With the 4G LTE CellSpot, T-Mobile is doing something classically Un-carrier – putting the power in customers’ hands who can now light up T-Mobile’s LTE network wherever they need it most. This idea has been wildly popular with T-Mobile customers, who have already snapped up more than 1 million Wi-Fi CellSpot Routers since last year and are making more than 11 million calls every single day over Wi-Fi.
The T-Mobile 4G LTE CellSpot measures just 8.5” wide by 8.5” tall and is just 1.3” thick, so it fits just about anywhere. And it’s fully ‘plug-n-play.’ Just hook it up to the Internet, plug it into the wall and boom! You’ve got a clear, strong LTE signal covering 3,000 sq. feet on average.
T-Mobile’s 4G LTE CellSpot is ideal for small businesses who need to provide coverage for employees and visitors. The 4G LTE CellSpot supports up to 16 calls at one time; works with any 3G, 4G or LTE device compatible with T-Mobile’s network, including those that can’t use Wi-Fi calling; and can deliver 4G LTE even in places where cellular signals aren’t available.
The T-Mobile 4G LTE CellSpot is free to eligible Simple Choice customers − one per business or home location − with a refundable $25 deposit and a non-return fee. In stark contrast, the carriers make their customers pay hundreds of dollars and jump through hoops just to get their outdated 3G-based femto cell solutions.
The Un-carrier is relentlessly pushing the envelope when it comes to coverage—whether it’s delivering the first nationwide voice over LTE network, Wi-Fi calling and texting, nationwide HD voice, advanced messaging, Gogo in-flight texting or a range of personal coverage solutions. The 4G LTE CellSpot rounds out T-Mobile’s Personal CellSpot family, a set of products complementing the Un-carrier’s blazing-fast 4G LTE network and available to Simple Choice customers at no extra charge, including:
Wi-Fi CellSpot Router: Announced at Un-carrier 7.0 in September 2014, this Internet-connected router provides customers with Wi-Fi coverage for calling and texting beyond the reach of any cellular network;
4G LTE CellSpot Signal Booster: This signal booster amplifies T-Mobile’s 3G, 4G and/or LTE signal throughout a home or business without an Internet connection; and,
4G LTE CellSpot: Announced today, this 4G LTE tower delivers a strong, reliable wireless 4G LTE signal for customers with or without an indoor cellular signal on compatible 3G, 4G and LTE handsets for up to 16 callers at one time anywhere a customer has broadband Internet and T-Mobile wireless spectrum.
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[Deal] You can now pick up a second-generation Moto X for just $199.99
If you’re on the lookout for a mid-range smartphone and are not that fussed about having one of the latest devices on the market, then we have a great deal for you. For the next 24-hours, you can pick up a brand new, factory unlocked 32GB model of the second-generation Moto X for just $199.99.
It’s important to note that as this is an unlocked variant of the handset it will only work on GSM carriers like T-Mobile and AT&T, but not with CDMA carriers like Verizon and Sprint. A full list of supported carrier bands can be seen below:
- 2G : 850/900/1800/1900
- 3G : 850/900/1900/2100
- 4G LTE : 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 17(700), 20(800), 28(700)
If you like the sound of the second-generation Moto X and would like to take advantage of this deal – hit the source link below.
Source: Amazon
Come comment on this article: [Deal] You can now pick up a second-generation Moto X for just $199.99
Google app contest winners show what Project Tango can do
Sure, Google and crew can put together some nice tech demos for Project Tango’s advanced depth sensing and motion tracking, but what happens when everyday developers take a crack at it? You’re about to find out. Google has announced the winners of its Project Tango App Contest, and most of them aren’t what you’d expect given the technology. The overall winner is HeroicArcade’s WeR Cubed Tango, a 3D puzzler that relies more on motion than the usual screen taps.
Source: Google Play (1), (2), (3), (4)
Spotify gets serious about its country music curation
Country music fans are flocking to streaming services and Spotify’s latest hire shows the company is taking that segment of its audience seriously. The streaming service nabbed SiriusXM’s John Marks to head its curated playlists for the genre. If you’ll recall, Spotify, and other services, have made a big push with playlists built by both the artists themselves as well as notable personalities in the biz. While you may not recognize the name, Marks has a knack for discovering new talent and budding acts before they make it big time. For example, he was spinning tunes from artists like Florida Georgia Line, Brandy Clark, Chase Rice and others before they became popular. Spotify already has deals in place for exclusive country releases and to promote emerging acts, as it’s already posted content from artists like Hunter Hayes that can’t be streamed on-demand anywhere else. If you look to curated playlists to find new music, just know that Spotify’s country collections are now in capable hands.
[Image credit: ABC via Getty Images]
Source: The Tennesseean
AT&T will be the first US carrier to offer Blackberry’s Priv
AT&T will begin carrying the Blackberry Priv on November 6th, the company announced on Monday. The phone, which runs Android’s Lollipop OS and features a slide-out physical keyboard, will be available that Friday in both AT&T retail outlets and the company’s website. Specs for the Priv leaked late last month, though the price listed there has since been corrected to an even $700 if you buy it unlocked.
Source: AT&T
Sprint signs first direct roaming agreement with Cuba
Not so fast Verizon, Sprint announced Monday that it is the first US carrier to ink a direct roaming agreement with Telecommunications Company of Cuba (ETECSA). This agreement, along with a similar deal for direct long-distance interconnection, means that Sprint customers will be able to use their phones on the island just as they do in the US. According to the announcement, nearly 3 million Americans will visit Cuba this year and that number is expected to balloon to more than 5 million within the decade.
[Image Credit: Getty Images]
Source: Sprint
Jawbone hits back against Fitbit in ongoing patent lawsuits
Jawbone and Fitbit clearly do not like each other and the acrimony has erupted into a series of lawsuits between the two activity tracker manufacturers. The latest action is a counterclaim leveled by Jawbone against Fitbit alleging Fitbit’s patent lawsuit is frivolous. According to Jawbone’s filing, “Fitbit is knowingly and willfully misusing its patents as part of its efforts to protect its market power…The infringement allegations in both lawsuits are plainly meritless, and Fitbit had no reasonable basis for bringing either case.”
Jawbone’s response is part of one of four separate legal actions currently underway between the two companies. Jawbone has filed three actions, with two of those naming Fitbit directly and another indirectly pulling Fitbit in. Jawbone initially started their legal pursuits with a claim that former employees had taken confidential information constituting trade secrets. Although Fitbit is not directly named in that action, the employees who committed the alleged theft of intellectual property were hired by Fitbit.
Jawbone also has a lawsuit alleging patent infringement against Fitbit using patents they acquired from a company called BodyMedia. Finally, Jawbone has complained to the International Trade Commission seeking an injunction of Fitbit products based on patent infringements.
Meanwhile, Fitbit has filed their own patent infringement lawsuit against Jawbone concerning five of Jawbone’s devices and their software and user interfaces.
Those watching the case have noted that Jawbone seems to have a propensity for filing actions close in time to when Fitbit is preparing to release financial information. For example, the stolen trade secrets action was initiated as Fitbit was preparing to launch their IPO. This latest counterclaim comes as Fitbit is preparing to release financial results for the last quarter. Although both companies are relatively small, Fitbit with a market cap of $8.4 billion appears to be in a better position than Jawbone which continues to rely on private investors. The two companies are in a race to try to secure a solid foothold in the market before bigger players like Apple, Microsoft and Samsung move in.
source: TechCrunch
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Amazon launches Black Friday Deals Store to offer specials until Christmas
Halloween 2015 has come and gone and that can only mean one thing – time for retailers to start up with their Christmas season sales events. Mega retailer Amazon has apparently decided that offering Black Friday deals on just one day is not enough, so they have launched a special Black Friday Deals Store site that spreads the deals out from now until December 22nd. To entice consumers to sign up for a Prime membership, Amazon says Prime members will get a 30 minute jump on all the Lightning Deals – 30,000 planned – before all customers can access them.
Steve Shure, vice president for Amazon Consumer Marketing says,
“Shoppers come to Amazon to discover the best deals on the best gifts and this year, we’re pulling out all of the stops. We’re giving Prime members early access to more than 30,000 Lightning Deals and for all customers, tens of thousands of great deals in the Black Friday Deals store. With incredible deals, fast delivery options, curated lists like our Electronics Holiday Gift Guide, gift recommendations, customer reviews and more, we’re making it easier than ever for customers to save time and money on their holiday shopping.”
If you do not want to wait for Black Friday to roll around or want to start adding sale items to your wish list, you can head over to the special Countdown to Black Friday Deals site at http://www.amazon.com/blackfriday. Amazon’s full press release is below.
The Countdown is On: Amazon.com Greets the Season with Launch of Black Friday Deals Store and Electronics Holiday Gift Guide
New this year, Prime members receive early access to more than 30,000 Lightning Deals
With over 600 top electronics and a Gift Finder tool, the Electronics Holiday Gift Guide takes the guesswork out of gifting
SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov. 2, 2015– (NASDAQ:AMZN) – Amazon.com today officially kicked off the countdown to Black Friday with the launch of the Black Friday Deals store and Electronics Holiday Gift Guide. This year, Prime members can access more than 30,000 Lightning Deals 30 minutes early and all customers will find tens of thousands of deals on more of the items they want. In addition, the curated Electronics Holiday Gift Guide and Gift Finder tool take the guesswork out of shopping and make it easy to discover all of the right gifts.
“Shoppers come to Amazon to discover the best deals on the best gifts and this year, we’re pulling out all of the stops,” said Steve Shure, Vice President, Amazon Consumer Marketing. “We’re giving Prime members early access to more than 30,000 Lightning Deals and for all customers, tens of thousands of great deals in the Black Friday Deals store. With incredible deals, fast delivery options, curated lists like our Electronics Holiday Gift Guide, gift recommendations, customer reviews and more, we’re making it easier than ever for customers to save time and money on their holiday shopping.”
Black Friday Deals: The Black Friday Deals store is the leading deals destination for customers this holiday season with tens of thousands of deals on top items including electronics, toys, clothing, jewelry, kitchen, and more, now through December 22. Prime members will get the first crack at more than 30,000 deals through Prime Early Access and all customers can find great deals throughout the season at http://www.amazon.com/blackfriday, including:
- 30% off Sony XBR55X900C 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD TV with a Blu-ray Player
- $170 off the Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm Power Zoom Lens
- 47% off Jaybird X Sport Bluetooth Headphones
- Optima HD37 Full 3D 1080p 2600 Lumens DLP Home Cinema Projector for less than $800
- 40% off select Frye shoes, handbags, accessories and luggage/travel for men and women
- 40% off select toys from top construction brands including K’NEX, Tegu, and Magformer
- Up to 50% off select Home Automation products
- 20% or more off select Wilton and Pyrex bakeware products
- Deals from top Kitchen brands including Rubbermaid, KitchenAid, Paderno, and Instant Pot
- $10 off select $50 Black & Decker product purchases
- Up to 50% off hundreds of PetSafe items
Electronics Holiday Gift Guide: With more than 600 of this year’s hottest items, organized by category and gift recipient, the Electronics Holiday Gift Guide and Gift Finder tool help customers discover the right gift for everyone on their list – from the Photographer who wants the latest gear from GoPro and Canon, to the Gadget Guru who is eyeing the latest innovations from the Amazon Launchpad programlike the Electric Objects Digital Art Display and Bluesmart Smart Carry-On Luggage. Customers can explore exciting new features like never-before-seen 3D imagery of hot gifts, editor’s picks, exclusive product reviews, unboxing videos, and gift recommendations, with new content uploaded regularly from trusted sources including Gawker, Tom’s Guide, and The Wirecutter.
Tech Gifts and Shopping Trends to Watch
- High-Tech, Low Budget: Tech gear is always at the top of shopping lists during the holidays, and now customers can find tech gifts to give and receive without paying a premium. The Electronics Holiday Gift Guide features affordable gifts including the all-new Fire tablet – the #1 best-selling product on Amazon.com since launch – portable speakers from JAM, and headphones fromPanasonic and Audio-Technica, all under $100!
- Wanted Wearables and the Smart Home: Wearables and Home Automation items are wished-for year-round and customers will find the latest gear to make home life more efficient with products like the Belkin WeMo Netcam, Crock-Pot Smart Wi-Fi-Enabled Slow Cooker, and iRobot Roomba Vacuum. Customers will also find stylish wearables in new and exclusive colors from Jawbone,Fitbit, and Garmin to track fitness and monitor health.
- Shop via Voice: More and more, devices are making our lives hands-free. Now, creating a holiday shopping list with Amazon Echo and Alexa is as easy as asking, and placing an order using voice control with the Amazon app on your mobile device is as simple as saying the word. This year, customers can shop in more ways without leaving their home or even touching a keyboard.
Customers will find even more fast delivery options with Amazon Prime, making last-minute shopping a thing of the past. A growing list of Prime services is making it easy for customers to shop and save this holiday season including unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping on more than 20 million items, unlimited Free Same-Day Delivery on more than a million items in 16 metro areas, and early access to Lightning Deals all year long. In addition, Prime members in 20 metro areas receive one and two hour delivery on tens of thousands of everyday essentials with the dedicated Prime Now mobile app.
About Amazon
Amazon.com opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995. The company is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visitwww.amazon.com/about.
Come comment on this article: Amazon launches Black Friday Deals Store to offer specials until Christmas
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