SAN FRANCISCO—T-Mobile has been the only national network which couldn't run iPhones at 3G speeds - until now. The carrier is "refarming" 1900-MHz airwaves to 3G, making itself finally iPhone-compatible.
Whether it's a total coincidence (as T-Mobile insists) or a publicity stunt, the carrier turned on a single 1900-MHz 3G cell site in San Francisco's Moscone West this week – the exact location where Apple will announce its new iOS 6. I took an unlocked iPhone 4S down and tested it out against AT&T and Verizon iPhones. (Sadly, I don't have a Sprint iPhone at the moment.)
The default state for an iPhone on T-Mobile is EDGE, and EDGE is really slow. I ran several tests on an iPhone on T-Mobile's EDGE network today and generally got speeds between 30-50kbps. Ouch.
But as soon as I walked alongside Moscone West, a "3G" indicator appeared in my iPhone 4S's status bar.
It's definitely a test network, using only one in-building cell site. The signal was much stronger at the front of Moscone West than at the back, and it vanished altogether half a block north of the convention center.
I ran 10 tests using the Speedtest.net app on the T-Mobile iPhone and got very erratic results; some numbers were clearly impossible, so I had to exclude them. Of the valid results, I saw download speeds from 500kbps to 6.5Mbps, but mostly in the 1-2Mbps range.
That's much less than what T-Mobile's HSPA+ 42 network can produce. On an HTC One S in the same location, I got 9.9Mbps down and 1Mbps up. And I got consistently faster speeds on AT&T, which has a slower HSPA network.
There are two factors at work here.
First, the iPhone 4S isn't capable of T-Mobile's full speeds. It's an HSPA 14.4 device like the HTC Sensation, which reached speeds of 4.3-6.5Mbps down during testing last year.
So why wasn't I getting the same 4-6Mbps on the iPhone? This was definitely a test network, and probably one designed not to emanate far outside the Moscone Center itself. Who knows what they're using for backhaul, or how much spectrum is devoted to the 1900 3G network. I wouldn't draw conclusions about future speeds from this test network.
I will draw conclusions about price, though. As I said last week, T-Mobile's no-contract plans are competitive with Virgin Mobile and much cheaper than AT&T and Verizon, with potentially faster data speeds than any of them on 3G devices. For more on that, see Virgin Mobile's $30 iPhone Plan Gamble.
So when will the wonders of refarming come to you? T-Mobile is remaining vague except to say that it'll arrive in a "large" number of markets this year.
Nokia 808 PureView vs Apple iPhone 4S camera comparison - Crave
Want to know how a 41-megapixel camera phone shapes up against its smart phone rivals? You're in luck, because our friends at CNET Asia have got their hands on the Nokia 808 PureView and pitted it against the iPhone 4S.
Click here for a camera shootout between the Nokia 808 and iPhone 4S, including the original shots with no compression and no editing, for your perusing pleasure.
The 808 PureView is set to 8-megapixel resolution to match the iPhone, so this is a test of Nokia's claims that the PureView technology is more than sheer brute megapixelage. Nokia reckons that each pixel in an 8-megapixel photo is made up of information from seven pixels on the sensor, filtering out image noise.
The snaps certainly show more detail in the PureView's photos, which also has a wider field of view -- as seen in the photo above. But the iPhone has more sophisticated high dynamic range built-in, and more vibrant colours -- as seen in the photo below. Check out our photo gallery to see which you prefer.
I got to use the 808 PureView when it was unveiled at the start of the year, and I was impressed with the powerful features and intuitive interface, even though I wasn't able to see the results of any actual photos. For a closer look at the phone itself, and its many cool camera features, check out my in-depth photo gallery.
The Nokia 808 PureView is set to go on sale at the end of the month for around £540 -- could it be the most expensive Symbian phone ever?
What do you think of the 808's snaps? Are you planning to invest in an 808, or are you waiting until the technology filters down into other phones? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
For more camera comparisons, check out our Samsung Galaxy S3 vs iPhone 4S vs HTC One X vs Sony Xperia S smart phone shootout.
Bloggers increasingly influence Nokia's share price - YLE
The internationally renowned Russian telecommunications analyst and blogger Eldar Murtazin has often published information about Nokia products and services ahead of their official launch. Nokia has made its displeasure clear.
”The company’s representatives have officially notified me that I am now enemy number one,” Murtazin told YLE.
Murtaz claims that leaks of confidential information have only increased.
”Nokia’s new leadership is trying to change the company’s former corporate culture, and make it more American. This has provoked opposition. The employees’ former loyalty to the company has disappeared since Stephen Elop became CEO. The leaks stem from that. People no longer believe in what they are doing, and they do not want to do what they are told.”
'Betting on a dead horse'
Murtazin is familiar with Nokia’s Windows Phone handset prototypes, which he says don’t look to be different to Windows Phone 7 models on offer from competitors.
”It’s the same inside, it’s the same speed, the display is the same. There aren’t any differences. In practice we are getting exactly the same device.”
He is surprised that Nokia is now relying solely on Microsoft.
”It is limiting. Nokia discontinued the Symbian and Meego operating systems and is clinging to an outside system with a smaller market share. It is betting on a dead horse.”
Nokia: ‘rumours and speculation’
According to Murtazin, Nokia did not get any special treatment from Microsoft despite rumours of the partnership spreading since last February.
”We already know that in practice Nokia didn’t get anything at all. There is no chance of changing the display, they cannot add their own unique services. In practice Nokia’s Windows 7 phone is just Nokia’s own design. And that’s it.”
Murtazin believes Stephen Elop is leading Nokia towards a clear goal.
”He will create the conditions under which Nokia will no longer have any other option but to sell a part of the company to Microsoft.”
Nokia did not want to comment on Murtazin’s statements on Monday, claiming the comments are simply speculation and rumours. According to Nokia, Murtazin has a vivid imagination. Nokia also says that Murtazin is said to work as a consultant for competing mobile manufacturers, so cannot be said to be an independent, impartial analyst.
Samsung: Nokia buyout rumours 'not true' - mobot.net
Now, Samsung's buying Nokia, apparently. But don't worry - that's rubbish too. Samsung's firmly put that idea to bed with an unequivocal "no".
Reuters got on the case after the reports surfaced a few days ago but Samsung has come back and said that it is "purely speculative" and "not true". That's a direct quote from Sammy itself so we think it's pretty safe to accept.
Not that Nokia has come out of it all any worse off. It may not like the idea of being taken over by a rival, but its share price went up 6% last week as the rumours spread. Unfortunately, following Samsung's flat denial, they're back down 2%. Oh well.
To rub salt into the wound, there's also the fact that Nokia is no longer the world's best selling mobile phone maker - that crown now belongs to... yup, Samsung, which is also the world's leading smartphone maker too for good measure.
It's probably all for the best if we think about it carefully. Nokia's come under flak over the last few years for its decision to ditch Symbian and move into Windowsville. Some have said the company lacks direction although Stephen Elop's move to switch to Microsoft was clearly designed to get the company back on track.
Could you imagine if Samsung took over and then had to stick to Windows Phone? Yes, Samsung does make some successful WP handsets but its bread and butter is now firmly Android. Oh well, never mind Nokia.
T-Mobile offers all of its 4G Smartphones for free for Father’s Day - The Oakland Press
For two days only, June 15–16, all of T-Mobile’s 4G smartphones and select mobile broadband devices are free
To say thanks to dads for all they do, T-Mobile USA, Inc. will once again hold a special “Father’s Day Sale.” For two days only, Friday, June 15 and Saturday, June 16, all of T-Mobile’s 4G smartphones and select broadband devices will be offered for free with qualifying plans.
The Father’s Day promotion includes T-Mobile’s fastest 4G smartphones and select mobile broadband devices on its 4G network, such as the HTC One S 4G, Samsung Galaxy S® II 4G, Nokia Lumia 710, BlackBerry Bold 9900 and the T-Mobile SpringBoard tablet with Google™
“We want to say thanks to fathers for all they do and keep them easily and affordably connected to family throughout the entire year,” said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president of marketing for T-Mobile USA. “Whether through voice calls, photos, texts, video conferencing or social media updates, T-Mobile’s ‘All Phones Free’ promotion provides families a great opportunity to get the latest cutting-edge smartphones running on lightning-fast speeds via America’s Largest 4G Network.”
New and existing eligible customers can take advantage of this deal, receiving their device for free after a mail-in rebate card1 when they sign up for a new two-year contract on any qualifying unlimited Classic plan or for a $0.00 down payment after a mail-in rebate card when signing up on a new qualifying Unlimited Value plan with an Equipment Installment Plan
The Father’s Day promotion will be available from June 15 through June 16 at participating T-Mobile retail stores nationwide.
For more information about T-Mobile’s “Father’s Day Sale” and details about qualifying plans, visit http://t-mo.co/LGxKbc.
Follow @MattMyftiu on Twitter. Email him at matt.myftiu@oakpress.com.
T-Mobile: Free Phones For Fathers - MediaPost
T-Mobile will be offering all of its 4G smartphones for free as part of a Father’s Day promotion this weekend.
The phones will be free (after a mail-in rebate) for customers after they sign-up for a new two-year contract on a qualifying unlimited plan. The promotion will include the HTC One S 4G, Samsung Galaxy S II, Nokia Lumia, Blackberry Bold 9000 and the T-Mobile SpringBoard tablet.
“We want to say thanks to fathers for all they do and keep them easily and affordably connected to family throughout the entire year,” said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president of marketing for T-Mobile USA, in a statement.“T-Mobile’s ‘All Phones Free’ promotion provides families a great opportunity to get the latest cutting-edge smartphones running on lightning-fast speeds via America’s Largest 4G Network.”
Go to school, get a Lumia 900: all incoming Seton Hall University freshmen to receive a Windows Phone - engadget
Seton Hall University provides Nokia Lumia 900 to incoming freshmen
Nokia's Windows Phone smartphone on AT&T extends the Academic Learning Environment
Orlando, FL - Nokia, AT&T, Microsoft and Seton Hall University announced today a step forward in Seton Hall's Mobile Computing Initiative, whereby all incoming freshmen will receive a Nokia Lumia 900 each for extensive use across the University. The entire class of 2016 will receive a Nokia Lumia 900 powered by the Windows Phone 7.5 operating system, to support the university's mission of providing state of the art technology tools to enhance the student experience and prepare students for success in a rapidly changing world.
Since 1997, Seton Hall has provided mobile technology to its students and faculty to support the integration of technology into the curriculum. Enhancing the University's philosophy of open-ended exploration, students discover new opportunities for learning with mobile computing, sharing ideas and collaborating with peers and faculty while learning how to utilize technology effectively in their academic professional and personal lives. Mobile technology provides a means of enhancing all aspects of university life, and encourages students to engage with each other and the university community from orientation through graduation.
"Nokia has a long history of innovation and their partnership with Microsoft allows us to extend the core academic and community resources of the University into the pocket of our students," noted David Middleton, Executive Director, Center for Mobile Research and Innovation, and Assistant Vice President of Administration at Seton Hall University. "By providing our new incoming students with the Nokia Lumia 900, Seton Hall University can expand our existing Windows services and infrastructure while providing a unique, high quality, dynamic and engaging mobile experience."
All Seton Hall students have access to SHUmobile, an app available across multiple platforms that provides access to campus news feeds, directories and maps. However, Seton Hall freshmen will have access to a custom Freshmen Experience component of this app exclusive to the Lumia 900. This personalized element adds customized social media integration and direct communication channels with their freshmen peers, peer academic advisors, housing information and roommates. Additionally, the University will leverage Nokia Data Gathering, recently made available for Windows Phone, to communicate with the incoming freshmen beginning this summer by conducting polls, providing information to help students prepare for college and to learn how the Lumia 900 and other technologies are being used.
"Mobile technology has become ubiquitous and pervasive, but we are just beginning to understand the breadth of its impact across campus. Smartphone use in higher education has tended to rely on finding a specific app to fulfill a specific curricular purpose. With the close collaboration between Nokia and Microsoft on the Lumia 900, the phone itself takes center stage" added Michael Taylor, Academic Director, Center for Mobile Research & Innovation.
Professor Taylor explains that the seamless integration of core academic tools such as Microsoft Office increases the opportunity for faculty and students to connect, collaborate, and create. The synthesis of Windows Phone features and Lumia 900 hardware are a natural enhancement to the University's commitment to teaching and learning with technology. Utilizing AT&T's 4G network, these partnerships will help foster new opportunities for learning, content creation and experimentation. Teaching and learning can now take place not just in the classroom but virtually anywhere, providing a more engaged and integrated learning experience.
Nokia provides the business market with a portfolio of compelling, high-quality devices at every price point that meets the needs of people both as consumers and business users. With business productivity tools and applications to ensure that business decision makers and employees have access to the information they need within the framework of a well-governed IT environment and an ecosystem of partners and providers, Nokia ensures the long-term viability of businesses' IT investments.
Vodafone EuroTraveller slashes roaming charges when abroad - Pocket-lint.com
Good news for holidaymakers and business travellers, with Vodafone cutting the cost for calling, texting and using the internet while abroad.
For 3 a day, pay monthly customers can opt in for the Vodafone EuroTraveller, which means their standard UK price plan will apply when using their phone from another European country.
Customers will be charged only as and when they use the phone rather than at an ongoing daily rate, with no additional cost to sign into the scheme. That’s not all folks: sign up to Vodafone EuroTraveller and customers will no longer be charged for receiving calls or texts while abroad either.
From 1 July, Vodafone is set to reduce call rates to 28.8p a minutes and 8.9p per text message, but the EuroTraveller 3 a day option will still be an attractive option.
Customers can opt in for Vodafone EuroTraveller by calling 5555 or by visiting vodafone.co.uk/eurotraveller.
Have you signed up to Vodafone EuroTraveller? We want to know.
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