The Nexus S 4G may soon get an update to Android 4.0, as indicated by a leaked ROM for testing on Google's servers. While it's since been removed, one developer over at the XDA Developers forum managed to get his hands on the code and shared it. The software carries build number IMM26 and will update the handset to Android 4.0.4, which isn't officially on any device.
Clearwire is reportedly set to provide $300 million of its Class A stock as a public offering, in an attempt to fetch additional funding for the company's LTE deployment plans. The WiMAX provider is also said to be leaving the door open, as a 30-day option, for its underwriters to purchase an additional $45 million in Class A shares.
Clearwire is reportedly close to securing additional funding from Sprint, suggesting the companies may have quietly overcome lingering disputes. The WiMAX provider is said to be in need of nearly $1 billion in additional capital to help keep the company afloat and upgrade its network amid increasing competition from other carriers offering 4G speeds via alternative technologies such as LTE.
The Senate has introduced a companion bill to the Next Generation Wireless Disclosure Act that could reduce indiscriminate labeling of newer mobile broadband network technologies as 4G. Currently, 4G is attached to HSPA+, WiMAX and LTE networks, even though all have key differences and offer different speeds. If the bill passes, it will require all providers to clearly specify what their networks will offer, including minimum and maximum data speeds.
Clearwire has reported better-than-expected revenue for the third quarter, with stock jumping 21.5 percent on Thursday. This growth, if maintained, should help the company build the money it needs to upgrade its network and retain it, as it's been tied to selling its 4G network capacity to other carriers. Its long-time partner, Sprint, has also been rumored to be distancing itself from Clearwire, though the carrier's CEO has gone on record to say this wasn't the case.
During the last quarter in the US market, about 22 percent of all smartphones sold supported 4G networks, the NPD Group found. This is a huge jump from last year's quarter, which saw only three percent of all smartphones be 4G capable. The growth is no doubt due to the added number of available 4G services and devices, such as Verizon's LTE network.
The next-generation iPhone -- being announced later today -- will not support WiMAX, sources for the Wall Street Journal say. Instead the phone will be 3G-only, although AT&T is noted to claim that its 3G network has 4G-like speeds. WiMAX is an authentic 4G technology currently supported by Sprint, which is slated to become the the next US iPhone carrier.
A study performed by Localytics found 36.6 percent of all Android devices sold in the summer of 2011 in the US offer 4G network speeds. This includes HSPA+, LTE. and WiMAX network compatibility, however. The tally represents an increase of more than 50 percent since the 22.6 percent in the first quarter.
Samsung's Series 7 performance notebooks are now up for pre-order over at Best Buy. Priced at $880, the 15.6-inch notebook on show uses a quad 2.2GHz Core i7 processor and is available in silver. There is 6GB of RAM onboard and a 750GB hard drive.
The Samsung Epic 4G Touch is now available for purchase through Sprint. The Galaxy S II variant centers on a 4.52-inch Super AMOLED display, and is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor. The phone incorporates a WiMAX radio and is capable of reaching 4G download speeds up to ten-times greater than 3G where available.
Samsung is showing off a new tablet PC over at the IFA show in Berlin, the Slate PC Series 7. Borrowing the name from the company's recently introduced Series 7 notebooks, the tablets sport Windows 7 rather than Android. The 11.6-inch devices also get a choice of Core i3, Core i5 or Pentium processors, as well as 4GB of RAM.
Sprint's version of the Galaxy S II, the imminent Epic Touch 4G, has just been seen in full through a press shot leak late Sunday. True to expectations, Sprint will have a fairly conservative design on the outside with a slightly more rounded shape, a moved camera flash, and move away from the more iPhone-like navigation controls. Most of the changes in PocketNow's view appear to be the leap to WiMAX-based 4G and a native voicemail app.
Sprint has announced that it is now offering WiMAX service to its wholesale customers. The carrier initially will enable businesses to access the 4G network using the Sierra Wireless 250U USB modem, HTC's Detail handset, and HTC's Evo Shift 4G. The company suggests its future roadmap includes a variety of additional handsets, modems, hotspot devices and fixed access points.
The HTC Kingdom smartphone due at Sprint and leaked back in May will be known as the Hero 4G, according to a user posting a comment in the original PocketNow report. The user, override182, found this out when peeking at the Kingdom ROM loaded onto his Desire HD.
Sprint and Clearwire have announced an expansion of the Clearwire 4G network coverage for mobile broadband customers in the greater New York City metro area. Sprint and Clearwire claim that they have added WiMax coverage for more than 11,927,000 people in the New York metro area. In total, the Clearwire 4G network now has an additional 21 percent coverage since its launch on November 1, 2010.
Clear, who operates the 4G WiMAX network, has branded a 4G hotspot with an LCD display, as revealed by an FCC report. Manufactured by Gemtek, the device carries the WIXFMM-122 model number, but it's more likely the device will be known as the Clear Spot 4G when it arrives. It is said to support up to eight devices with its Wi-Fi connection.
Corroborating earlier reports, Samsung briefly posted details of its upcoming Conquer 4G handset. Although the company quickly pulled the Conquer page from its website, the listing confirmed a number of leaked specs. The Android-based device, which is headed for Sprint, will enable users to take advantage of WiMAX connectivity, along with the carrier's 800MHz spectrum that will eventually be reallocated for CDMA instead of iDEN.
The HTC Evo 3D smartphone, launched in the US just last week, will soon come to European countries. Hardware-wise, the device will differ only in that it will swap CDMA and 4G WiMAX radios for GSM and HSPA chipsets to support European networks. The handset can also be identified thanks to its gold highlights around the camera rather than red ones on the US version.
The Samsung 9 Series ultra-thin and portable notebook introduced at CES is now available for purchase in the US. The smaller version weighs just 2.31 pounds. In its current trim, it gets Intel's 1.33GHz Core i3 ultra-low voltage CPU with integrated HD 3000 graphics.
Korean Telecom introduced a new sled case for the iPhone 4, the KWF-B2500 from its Portable Mobile WiMax Egg series. It provides WiMAX-based 4G access and has a 1,500mAh battery to extend battery life by about four hours. It adds 0.31in to the thickness of the iPhone 4 and weighs 2.4 ounces.
During an earnings conference call this week, acting Clearwire CEO John Stanton revealed the company is engaged in talks with Sprint regarding using its upcoming LTE network. This helps support an earlier rumor that would help Sprint move from providing a Mobile WiMAX network to an LTE one with much-needed capital. Stanton said Clearwire won't be officially announcing its intentions until Sprint makes its own public commitment to revamp its network, expected to come this summer.
Sprint and Clearwire have come to a new agreement that required them to settle a previous dispute over wholesale pricing. Under the new deal, Clearwire will receive a minimum of $1 billion over the course of the next two years from Sprint in exchange for access to its high-speed WiMAX network for mobile devices. The deal comes at a crucial time for Clearwire, as it was trying to raise capital as early as late last year.
Alienware as it teased last week has brought out three new gaming notebooks, including its first 14-inch model. The M14x has the special lighting and customization in a smaller if 6.45-pound frame. Every version comes with very high-end performance for the size with a quad Core i7 and a GeForce GT 555M with either 1.5GB or 3GB of memory.
Best Buy has announced that its Connect mobile broadband service has been expanded with new options for 4G connectivity via Clearwire's WiMAX network. The 4G service will initially be offered on 23 different computers sold at Best Buy locations throughout the country, including models from companies such as Asus, Dell, HP, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba
Intel kicked off the week with the announcement that it has acquired the majority of Cairo-based SySDSoft. As part of the deal, Intel hired 100 of the company's engineers and scientists. SySDSoft makes IP solutions in the software stack and physical layer domain along with RF/analog circuits for embedded mobile platforms.
Sprint's CEO Dan Hesse during a speech at conference in Florida on Wednesday said the company will continue to do business with Clearwire in the future. Sprint owns 54 percent of Clearwire, who is a wholesaler of WiMax technology on which Sprint depends. Hesse added that he'd like to see Sprint and Clearwire do more network sharing, BusinessWeek reported.
Samsung has released a new Galaxy Tab with WiBro in South Korea at provider KT. WiBro is technically similar to WiMax, and indicates a similar model may arrive at Sprint in the US, the only carrier to support the 4G network. In Korea, the new model is priced lower than the 3G version.
An interview by PCWorld held with Sprint at the Mobile World Congress show reveals Sprint may make the switchover from WiMAX technology to LTE for technical reasons in addition to other, more practical ones. Bob Azzi, the carrier's Senior VP of networks, said the spectrum it holds 120MHz of spectrum in the 1900 band across the US, which will turn into 14MHz in the 800MHz band after rebanding occurs. This only supports LTE networks and its majority stake in WiMAX partner Clearwire only gives it an "indirect ownership" of Clearwire's 2.5GHz spectrum.
Sprint Nextel is reportedly getting closer to making a strategic decision about whether it will deploy LTE in its planned $4-5 billion network modernization plan. It has been mulling over the decision for some months now, but will analyze customer adoption rates for its WiMAX network before making a final decision.
Clearwire is reportedly planning to drop its own retail brand and realign its strategy solely as a wholesale network provider for its WiMAX service, sources have told the Wall Street Journal (sub. required). Sprint, which owns a non-controlling majority stake in Clearwire, will no longer have to compete directly with the company's retail endeavors.
Sprint today claimed a symbolic first by being the first US carrier with a 4G roaming deal. Those traveling to Jamaica or Taiwan will have the option of getting online through the WiMAX networks on Digicel and Global Mobile respectively. Unlike typical usage-based roaming plans, access will be genuinely unlimited and will give users a $15 day pass that supplies unlimited data.
Reputed insider tips on Friday night suggested that Sprint may use its February 7 event to unveil a glasses-free 3D phone. While not named, the description matches LG Revolution and would have the same NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, eight megapixel rear camera, a smaller front camera and 1080p movie recording through Android 2.2.
A source at RIM described as highly reliable has told CIO that a 3G version of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is coming as early as late March or early April. The source goes on to say an LTE PlayBook is due soon after the 3G version of the PlayBook. RIM itself has yet to announce the existence of the former device, but confirmed that a 4G WiMAX version for Sprint is coming this summer.
Sprint confirmed its expected launches for CES today with two new WiMAX devices. The HTC Evo Shift 4G is the carrier's variant on the T-Mobile G2 and shares its 3.7-inch LCD, 800MHz new generation Snapdragon and five-megapixel camera. It switches to Sprint's requisite WiMAX for 4G-level speeds and brings HTC's custom Sense UI on top of Android 2.2.
Clearwire in an SEC filing revealed that its board chairman Craig McCaw was leaving the company on Friday. The executive had given the company just two days' notice and didn't give a personal reason. His exit wasn't due to disagreements with the company, the WiMAX company said in its official point of view.
A forum post late Wednesday provided the first look at the finished version of one of Novatel's first 4G routers, the MiFi 4082 for Sprint. The hybrid WiMAX and EVDO router spotted by SprintUsers veteran r0fl shows an at least superficially upscale design with a brushed metal effect and chrome trim. Its design still adopts the familiar pocketable shape but has extra indicators for signal strength and what may be the presence of 4G speed.
A Radio Shack flyer confirms that the HTC Evo Shift 4G will be available on the Sprint network beginning January 9. Previous leaks had hinted at a January 9 ship date and $150 price tag with a two-year contract. It should be Sprint's WiMAX equivalent to the T-Mobile G2 with the same new generation 800MHz Snapdragon, Android 2.2 and a 3.7-inch display, but no front camera.
A leaked shot from a Best Buy inventory appears to list the pricing for the forthcoming HTC Evo Shift 4G. According to the report by Android Police, purports that the WiMax capable phone will retail for as low as $150 on contract or $550 off-contract. Those looking to upgrade will also be charged the same $150 prices as new customers signing up to a two-year contract.
The Samsung Epic 4G will get an update to Android 2.2.1 on December 26, the day after Christmas, a tipster told Phone Arena. Proof comes from a leaked memo, embedded below. The Android 2.2.1 over-the-air update will begin rolling out on December 26, and all handsets should get it within four days.
HTC's Evo Shift 4G for Sprint was spotted live tonight in leak showing the device in the wild. The Android QWERTY slider now appears to be a WiMAX equipped version of the T-Mobile G2 (or Desire Z) and has the same new generation 800MHz Snapdragon processor, which gives it the same speed as the old 1GHz chip. It still runs Sense UI on top, Phone Arena observed, although it's not evident if it will stay on Android 2.2 or move to 2.3.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has issued a press release that has expanded the use of the term 4G. Technologies that can now carry the 4G label include regular LTE, WiMAX and even what it broadly refers to as “evolved 3G technologies”. Previously it had maintained that the only technologies that would fit any definition of 4G would have to comply with either LTE Advanced or WiMAX 2.
The previously only hinted at Novatel MiFi 4082 for Sprint has surfaced in an FCC filing posted today. The hotspot both has 4G through Sprint's WiMAX network and for 3G over EVDO. A diagram shows a device that isn't fundamentally different than the existing 3G-only MiFi.
Clear's iSpot router was given a simple crack today that would let it work on more than just iOS devices. iSpot Unrestricted 2.0 requires just two clicks and a reboot to both allow any Wi-Fi device to share the 4G connection as well as to switch on USB tethering and prevent the device from reverting back to its earlier state through an automatic firmware update. A previous delimiter had already existed but didn't work with the same simplicity.
HTC's Evo Shift 4G has been given a more formal image leak and a tentative ship date. A post today on the SprintUsers forum has shown the Android slider with its keyboard extended but still in a third-party case. The screen appears to be a pasted-on rendering, but the front doesn't appear to have a camera and suggests the Evo Shift 4G might be Sprint's budget alternative to the Epic 4G and Evo 4G.
On his blog this week, Clearwire's Chief Commerical Officer Mike Sievert criticized Verizon's data caps on its LTE network that's due to debut on December 5. Sievert believed next-generation 4G networks need to offer speed, capacity and value, and while Verizon will offer the speed, he says it will lack in the other two categories. Clear's WiMAX service offers all three, Sievert said.
Verizon as promised today confirmed the launch of its LTE-based 4G network. The service will go live in all of the planned 38 initial cities, including 60 airports, on December 5. Average speeds should be about 10 times faster than Verizon's 3G, at between 5Mbps and 12Mbps; the performance is enough that 20 typical photos could download in one minute or a single song in four seconds, Verizon said.
Sprint, along with Clearwire, on Monday announced the upcoming launch of its high-speed 4G service in six new markets. The expansion includes Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus in Ohio as well as Los Angeles, Miami and Washington, DC. At the same time, Sprint said it will bring the service live in San Francisco on December 28.
The ITU this week officially declared LTE-Advanced has been officially recognized as a 4G wireless standard. The upgraded LTE now joins WiMAX 2 as an IMT-Advanced technology. This final ratification took place at the ITU-R Study Group meeting held over the past two days in Geneva, Switzerland.I n order to qualify for official 4G status, wireless technologies need to achieve peak rates of 1Gbps in hotspots and 100Mbps while mobile, have to be fully IP-based and have the ability to switch between networks that include 4G, 3G and Wi-Fi.
The LG H1000B tablet that showed up early this month at the FCC is now shipping in Korea as the E-Note H1000B. The Windows 7-powered tablet uses a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 and has a 16GB solid state drive. The capacitive touchscreen measures 10.1 inches and has a 1366x768 resolution, with a cradle stand and a stylus included for those who need pen-based apps.
A pair of filings with the US Patent Office discovered today have revealed that HTC will call a future 4G smartphone the Evo Shift 4G. The documents were filed on October 21, and provide the first mention of such a device. As with the HTC Evo 4G and Samsung Epic 4G, the handset is likely to arrive at Sprint when it's launched.
