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T-Mobile offering free iPhone 5 to users who trade in iPhone 4, 4S
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cell Phones, Handhelds, Hot Deals
T-Mobile USA is set to launch the iPhone 5 this Friday, and in anticipation of the long-awaited event, it's offering current iPhone owners a free iPhone 5 if they switch from another carrier. Here's how it works: you bring in your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S between April 12 and June 16, and you get a T-Mobile iPhone 5 at no cost up front, and a $120 credit that you can choose to apply towards your bill, extra accessories, or even an outstanding bill. The iPhone 5 would typically cost $100 up front, and an additional $20 per month over 2 years, so you are basically getting it with no up-front cost, and then a six month break on the monthly fee.
Of course, if you are mid-contract elsewhere, you have your early termination fee to worry about, which might put the kibosh on this one for you. However, if you have a spare iPhone 4 laying around, this could be an easy way to try T-Mobile's new smartphone plans out.
Read More 
| T-Mobile
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Why Google will stop developing Android
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Cell Phones, Editorial, Features, Google, Software
"It's important that Apple not be the developer for the world. We can't take all of our energy, and all of our care, and finish the painting and have someone else put their name on it." - Tim Cook, Apple CEO
The same statement rings true for Google. If others are reaping the rewards, and little to nothing is left for oneself, then what's the point? If a product does not meet the expectations set before it, then developing for it doesn't make much sense. If any given product is not self-sustainable, then it is not cost effective and eventually becomes a burden to the maker--even if users appear to enjoy using it. Make no mistake about it, Google is in the business of making money, and everything else is secondary (including good will.)
Google's co-founder and now recently-minted CEO, Larry Page, bought Android in 2005. He also brought along Andy Rubin, one of its creators, over to Google, who recently renounced his post as Senior Vice President of mobile Digital Content. Basically, the guy who was leading Android. It has been said that Sergey Brin, the other tandem co-founder, was not enthusiastic about the purchase. Former Google CEO at the time, Eric Schmidt, now Chairman at Google had a similar reaction. These somewhat pessimistic receptions were also shared by Vic Gundotra, Senior Vice President of Engineering. However, he recanted these thoughts at Google I/O 2010.
Click to continue reading Why Google will stop developing Android
Nokia Lumia 521 coming to T-Mobile in May
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Handhelds, Microsoft
T-Mobile is set to release the Nokia Lumia 521, powered by Windows Phone 8, sometime next month in May. The Lumia 521 sports a 4-inch display, 5 megapixel rear camera with autofocus that records 720p video, and the exclusive suite of Nokia apps like Nokia Music, Cinemagraph, Maps, Transit, HERE Drive, etc. The device will run on T-Mobile 4G (not LTE) network. T-Mobile is keeping quiet on exact pricing and availability for now for whatever reason, but the Lumia 521 won't exactly be flying off of store shelves, so you shouldn't have a hard time finding it once it lands at Walmart, Microsoft Retail Stores, and T-Mobile locations next month.
Google Play Store 4.0 update begins worldwide rollout
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Google, Software
The Google Play Store is getting a fresh coat of paint beginning today with the release of the official 4.0 update. What's so great about Google Play 4.0? Well, for starters, the images are larger, making it easier to see what exactly your about to download. Content grouping has also been improved, providing better recommendations of other items you might be interested in, and the checkout process also sees a slight overhaul as well. Google Play 4.0 starts worldwide rollout today, and may take a couple of weeks before hitting your particular device. It'll run on any smartphone or tablet running Android 2.2 or later.
Read More | Android Blog
Facebook Home leaked promo video (parody!)
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Cell Phones, Software, Videos
It didn't take long for the tech parody video for the Facebook Home to hit the interwebs. An exclusive interview with some of the designers of the Facebook Phone. Click through for the video.
Click to continue reading Facebook Home leaked promo video (parody!)
Read More | YouTube
Watch This: Facebook Home and HTC First launch event
Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Cell Phones, Corporate News, Software, Videos
We told you all about today's unveiling of Facebook Home and the HTC First, and now Facebook has made the video recording of the announcement available for your viewing pleasure. Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg is on his A-game in this one. Check out the full video after the break.
Click to continue reading Watch This: Facebook Home and HTC First launch event
HTC First: Facebook Home, 4.3-inch display, LTE, $99 on April 12
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Google, Handhelds
During today's Facebook Home announcement, HTC and AT&T announced the HTC First, a new smartphone set to launch in just over a week that was built from the ground up to run Facebook Home as its main interface. Aside from being the, um, first phone to launch with Facebook Home built-in, it'll also be the first smartphone to ship with Instagram pre-installed (although the Samsung Galaxy Camera does, too, but it isn't technically a phone.) The phone itself is a beautifully simple device from a design perspective, and on the inside runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor keeping things humming along, and status updates flowing across the 4.3-inch display. It also runs on AT&T's 4G LTE network, which Ralph de la Vega made sure to pimp as the fastest LTE network in the country. You'll be able to pick up the HTC First on April 12 (hey, the same day that the iPhone 5 hits T-Mobile!) for $99.99 in the US, and you'll have a choice of four colors: black, white, sky blue, or red.
Read More | HTC First
Facebook Home: Turn your Android device into the ultimate Facebook smartphone
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Corporate News, Software
This morning Facebook revealed a new Android-based mobile initiative called Facebook Home. Mark Zuckerberg was on hand to talk about what would happen if your phone was made to be about "people, not apps," and the result is Facebook Home.
While many assumed that Facebook would be releasing its own hardware device (despite our assurance that it wouldn't!), Home is, instead, a suite of Facebook apps that work together to put Facebook front and center across your entire Android device, making it feel like a "Facebook Phone." For example, in the Coverfeed app, it takes over both the Android homescreen and lock screen, and then provides a regular stream of updates from your friends--all without you tapping a Facebook app icon or even swiping to unlock. From the home screen you can even comment and like the updates that flow across your display.
Try out BlackBerry 10 on your iPhone or Android smartphone
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Internet, Software
Curious about how BlackBerry 10 stacks up against iOS, Android, and Windows Phone? You can now check out how it works right on your smartphone browser for a glimpse of BlackBerry 10. This will bring you into a web app that simulates the look and feel of the BlackBerry 10 OS, which will allow you to get a feel for the new BlackBerry hotness. Of course, being a web app, it isn't as smooth as actually picking up a BlackBerry Z10 and using that, but it's still a cool idea from BlackBerry to get people familiar with its new offering.
Read More | BlackBerry Glimpse
iPhone 5S reportedly set for summer release
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cell Phones, Handhelds, Rumors
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple is set to launch the iPhone 5S this summer, and that the company is just about ready to start production of the handset that will be "similar in size and shape to its current one", which has been indicative of all the S model iPhones since the debut of the iPhone 3GS. If the report is accurate, it also marks the return of the iPhone to its summer release schedule, which it diverted from with the introduction of the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5, both of which saw fall releases. It could be that Apple is bumping up the release schedule of the iPhone, similar to what we saw with the short timeframe between the third-generation iPad and the fourth-gen model. Many will complain if that's the case, but us? Bring it on.
Read More | WSJ
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