03/14, 10:30pm
Users can collect unused data for later; 30 percent already on board
FreedomPop, a cellular internet service provider and maker of an iPod Touch case that can turn it into a full working smartphone, has just implemented a new "data rollover" feature for its plans, which let users keep unused data from month to month. The service, which offers 500MB of monthly WiMAX and LTE cellular data for free following the purchase of one of its custom sleeves for iPhones or iPod touch models, allows users to share data with friends and earn additional free data through referrals. It provides either mobile or home internet service.
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10/01, 8:32am
FreedomPop free wireless service goes live in beta form
FreedomPop has finally launched its promised free WiMAX wireless broadband services. Users will need to place a refundable deposit down on their choice of a wireless hotspot ($89), USB dongle ($49), iPhone 4/4S case ($99) or an iPod touch case ($99). In return, the first 500MB of data will be offered free, with a flat fee of $10 per GB promised should users exceed their free monthly allowance.
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05/11, 1:35pm
Sprint outs Tri-Fi hotspot
Sprint and Sierra Wireless have announced the availability of the first mobile router to combine LTE and WiMAX 4G connections alongside 3G connectivity. The Sierra Wireless 4G LTE Tri-Fi Hotspot will connect to Sprint's 4G network and will become available to customers starting May 18.
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05/11, 6:56am
FreedomPop 4G iPhone case goes up for pre-order
FreedomPop is now taking pre-orders for its embedded WiMax and LTE iPhone 4/4S case, which first appeared in March. The company is the latest brainchild of Skype founder Niklas Zennstrom and aims to offer users ‘free wireless broadband’ using a freemium service model. Users who put down $99 for a case will get up to 500MB of free data per month in an iPhone accessory that offers users the ability to access 4G speeds, FaceTime video calls, as well as the ability to act as an external battery charger.
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05/08, 11:39am
WiMAX 4G network launches at Virgin, Boost on May 31, hardware detailed
As promised late last month, Sprint's WiMAX 4G network will soon come to Virgin and Boost Mobile, with the two providers releasing more details on Tuesday. The initial 4G-capable devices were announced, with the ship dates and live date for them being May 31. Virgin will get data devices: the Broadband2Go-branded Sierra Wireless Overdrive Pro hotspot and the Franklin U600 USB modem.
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04/26, 4:35pm
Best Buy to shut down Connect business on June 1
Best Buy Connect, the branded mobile 3G and 4G data service that went live in June of 2010 is now being discontinued, Engadget learned. A leaked memo indicates that new activations will no longer be accepted, effective immediately. Current customers will see their service end on June 1.
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04/20, 9:45pm
Japanese version sport new body design
Japanese carriers KDDI and Okinawa Cellular have announced that a custom version of the HTC One S will be created for the Japanese market and sold as the HTC J ISW13HT beginning next month. The phone will make use of Android 4.0 (and Sense 4.0) on launch, and will kick off a line of "HTC J" phones for the market. The new version will sport a new body design, and support both WiMAX and Wi-Fi tethering. The campaign will kick off with several contests and promotional offers.
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04/17, 1:45am
Uses 3G and WiMAX, does not support LTE
Sprint has launched a rare new WiMAX-supporting Lenovo IdeaPad S205s on its web and retail stores, selling for $200 after a $100 rebate and requiring a two-year contract. The netbook offers a slim 18mm profile and 11.6 display, running on a Pentium Dual Core U5600 processor (1.33GHz) with Windows 7 Home Premium. The unit includes a built-in webcam and facial recognition technology for logging on, along with Intel's AppsUp store.
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03/29, 1:45pm
Sprint says WiMax dropped for LTE now on
Sprint's senior networks VP Bob Azzi delivered a presentation Thursday that declared the effective end of WiMAX on Sprint. The company would no longer launch WiMAX devices, he told FierceWireless and others in attendance. Instead, all the effort would be rolled into the LTE launch in mid-year, which Azzi said was in its last field tests and was working surprisingly well.
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03/21, 7:05am
FreedomPop rumored to have hotspot case plans
More details have emerged about Skype founder Niklas Zennstrom’s latest project FreedomPop. It’s stated goal has been to bring ‘free wireless broadband’ to consumers by using a WiMax-based freemium service. While details had been sketchy, a ‘high-level’ source has revealed that the service will be offered integrated as a Wi-Fi hotspot in an iPhone 4/4S case.
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03/09, 4:30pm
Google sells 29.4m shares to Credit Suisse
Google has sold its stake in Clearwire to international financial services group Credit Suisse, the Wall Street Journal revealed this week, citing unnamed sources. Each of the 29.4 million shares sold for $2.26 for a total of $66.5 million. While this represents an enormous loss compared to the $500 million Google paid in 2008, it's still better than the $1.60 per share Google was asking late last month.
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01/31, 2:40pm
Unofficial Android 4.0.4 leaks out for Nexus S 4G
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.
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12/05, 11:20pm
Company continues funding drive
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.
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11/30, 6:50pm
Companies expected to finalize terms before 2012
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.
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10/14, 10:10pm
New Senate bill should bring better 4G definition
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.
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10/13, 6:00pm
Clearwire expects to post good Q3 numbers
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.
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10/12, 11:25am
NPD finds 22 percent of Q2 phones have 4G support
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.
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10/04, 10:30am
Counters last-minute rumors about Sprint model
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.
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09/27, 11:55am
More than a third of Android devices run on 4G
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.
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09/26, 5:45pm
Series 7 ships from Best Buy by October 23
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.
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09/16, 8:25am
Epic 4G Touch, Galaxy S II variant hits Sprint
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.
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08/31, 12:00pm
Samsung Slate PC 7 gets WiMAX, Core i5, SSD
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.
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08/29, 10:45am
Samsung Epic Touch 4G for Sprint seein in full ear
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.
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08/02, 5:50pm
Devices include USB modems,
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.
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07/18, 4:20pm
ROM reveals HTC Kingdom will be Hero 4G at Sprint
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.
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07/13, 8:05am
Sprint and Clearwire expand 4G network
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.
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07/06, 5:30pm
Clear Spot 4G router supports up to eight devices
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.
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06/30, 5:30pm
Handset supports CDMA over current iDEN spectrum
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.
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06/27, 11:30am
HTC Evo 3D coming to Europe in July with HSPA
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.
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05/16, 5:00pm
Samsung 11-inch 9 Series notebook now shipping
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.
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05/09, 10:30am
KT intros sleeve with WiMAX, auxiliary battery
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.
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05/06, 1:25pm
Clearwire talks about LTE switchover with Sprint
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.
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04/19, 1:00pm
Sprint commits min of $1b in 2 years to Clearwire
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.
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04/19, 11:30am
Alienware M14x and new M11x official
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.
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03/30, 5:35pm
Service initially available for 23 computers
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
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03/14, 5:00pm
Intel Mobile Communications buys SySDSoft
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.
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03/09, 12:10pm
Sprint to stick with Clearwire despite rumors
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.
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03/09, 10:50am
Samsung offers WiBro Galaxy Tab in South Korea
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.
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02/17, 4:45pm
Sprint to goLTE 4G only as it has needed spectrum
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.
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02/16, 7:00am
Plans to study customer adoption of WiMAX
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.
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02/09, 7:45pm
Move seen as win for Sprint
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.
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01/31, 5:15pm
Sprint WiMAX gets world data roaming plan
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.
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01/28, 6:45pm
Sprint February 7 meet gets glasses-free 3D phone
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.
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01/18, 3:30pm
PlayBook with 3G rumored to arrive in April?
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.
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01/04, 10:05am
Sprint confirms Evo Shift 4G and MiFi 4082 for CES
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.
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12/31, 7:45am
Clearwire chairman McCaw leaves today
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.
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12/30, 2:00pm
Novatel MiFi 4082 press image slips
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.
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12/29, 10:15am
Launch at CES likely for HTC's budget WiMAX phone
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.
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12/26, 3:25am
Contract and off-contract pricing options detailed
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.
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12/22, 4:15pm
Samsung Epic 4G getting Android 2.2.1 soon
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.
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