Sprint Overdrive 4G mobile hotspot rescues iPhone from AT&T hell

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Broadband, Features, Product Reviews, Wireless / WiFi

I’ve been playing with the Sprint Overdrive 4G mobile hotspot device that the company sent me a few weeks ago, and I’ve gotta say, this thing has come in handy way more often than I thought it would. So much so, in fact, that I find it to be an essential tool and I carry it around in my left jacket pocket everywhere I go at this point, and charge it over USB when I am in the car driving somewhere. I’ll be giving a few examples of how the 4G Overdrive device has come in handy over the next few days, but I wanted to start with this one because I know so many iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3GS owners out there that cry to the heavens to be saved from the vile clutches of AT&T and their constant network FAIL.

Click to continue reading Sprint Overdrive 4G mobile hotspot rescues iPhone from AT&T hell

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (1)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

Damaka Introduces Live Video Streaming on Blackberry and Android Devices

Posted by Finnian Durkan Categories: Cell Phones, Handhelds, Portable Audio / Video

Damaka has announced the release of its Live Video Streaming solution for laptops and certain BlackBerry and Android devices. So, while EMT’s with BlackBerry and Android phones will be able to keep attending physicians in the ER in the loop as to an incoming patient’s condition with real-time video updates, woe betide the unlucky EMT who has a crap data plan or an iPhone.

Damaka’s Live Video Streaming solution, as they’re calling it, provides instant communication of video and voice via an encrypted channel that includes session archival & annotation features. Live video streaming is also able to be transmitted to multiple receiving devices over WiFi /3G / 4G network depending on the device.  I just can’t wait to have a live video conference streaming from my mobile device while I’m driving, staring at my dash-mounted Garmin and trying navigate rush hour traffic—the future is NOW!

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

Unlimited Skype calling comes to Verizon next month

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Corporate News, Software

We are loving how mobile wireless carriers in the US seem to be opening up their previously locked down networks. First, AT&T allows 3G access to SlingPlayer Mobile, and now Verizon Wireless has just announced that they will allow unlimited Skype calling over 3G from their smartphones, starting next month. All you need is a smartphone with data plan, and you can both make and receive Skype-to-Skype voice calls right on your phone over 3G. You’ll also be able to use Skype Out, instant messaging, and remain online in the background to stay connected to the service. At launch, unlimited Skype services will be available on nine Verizon handsets, and you can take a look at the full list after the break.

Click to continue reading Unlimited Skype calling comes to Verizon next month

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone now 3G capable

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Entertainment, App Updates, Video Apps, Above $10

Over the weekend, SlingPlayer Mobile 1.2 was released for the iPhone, and it marks a big step for both the application, as well at AT&T and data streaming. If you are unfamiliar, SlingPlayer Mobile allows you to connect to a Slingbox, which in turn lets you watch live and recorded television right on your device. The problem in the past was that AT&T wouldn’t allow all that data on their network, so you’d have to be connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot in order to use it. Well now, with AT&T supposedly working to optimize and improve their network, they have now allowed SlingPlayer Mobile to work using their 3G connection, giving users a real way to watch TV and control their DVRs remotely, wherever they have cell or Wi-Fi connectivity. We’ve tried it out, and it’s great. We definitely recommend giving SlingPlayer Mobile a try.

Read More | SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (2)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

AT&T providing iPad 3G service without contracts

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Wireless / WiFi

If you’re considering picking up an Apple iPad when they launch a couple of months from now and you plan on taking it on the go, you’ll want to know about the extra fees you’ll incur if you choose to go the with AT&T-provided 3G access plans. First, though, your 3G iPad will cost $130 more than the Wi-Fi-only version. Once you get it, you’ve got two options with AT&T:

• $29.99 per month unlimited data plan
• $14.99 per month for 250MB of monthly data

It’s a good deal for monthly 3G access, especially when you consider the fact that both plans are pre-paid month-to-month plans that don’t require any sort of contract. The other benefit that you get from picking up a 3G iPad model is assisted GPS, which the Wi-Fi-only iPad lacks.

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (1)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

AT&T boosts Seattle-area 3G coverage with 850 MHz spectrum

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Broadband, Cell Phones, Wireless / WiFi

This morning AT&T announced that they’ve done a “substantial upgrade” of its 3G coverage in the Seattle area, having deployed additional wireless spectrum using the 850 MHz band. According to AT&T, the upgrade should mean that customers in Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Renton, Auburn, and King County should all have better 3G connectivity, performance, and the signal should be much stronger when indoors as well. The move should also increase overall network capacity, which AT&T is hoping will support subscriber growth.

Since Gear Live HQ is located smack-dab in the middle of the enhanced coverage area, we’ll be giving things a try, and we will let you know if the use of 850 MHz spectrum truly helps the dire situation that is AT&T coverage. Seattle iPhone 3GS and 3G users, give it your best!

Read More | AT&T News Room

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

The gloves are off: Verizon iPhone attack commercials go full swing

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Corporate News, Videos

Oh man, you’ve got to love how Verizon Wireless has gotten so bold now that they’ve finally got a killer device in the Motorola DROID to brag about. You’ve also got to love how Apple is getting a taste of their own medicine, after running the “I’m a Mac” ads for years now. Verizon is aiming to highlight their phone offerings, as well as their huge 3G network, in their holiday commercials that dump on the iPhone and AT&T. There are three so far, and we must admit, they’re pretty clever. You can watch all three commercials, one of which sees the iPhone banished to the Land of Misfit Toys, after the break.

Click to continue reading The gloves are off: Verizon iPhone attack commercials go full swing

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

Preview: ngmoco’s new iPhone FPS: ELIMINATE

Posted by Drea Avellan Categories: Games, New Apps, Reviews

Oh, San Francisco. Home to the 49ers, majestic bridges, historic Alcatraz, cable cars and even countless videogame development studios. Amongst these studios, in a cozy restored building cloaked by the AT&T Park, lives Neil Young’s iPhone & iPod Touch game developer—NGMOCO.

ngmoco has been put out some of the most successful games for the iPhone & iPod touch, including the Rolando series, Topple and Word Fu. Ranging from puzzle, strategic and adventure, ngmoco knows how to create entertaining portable games. Now, they are set to release one of their most exciting titles yet, ELIMINATE. ELIMINATE is a 3G/Wi-Fi enabled First-Person Shooter (FPS) game, which takes advantage of micro-transactions, where you can upgrade characters, weapons, and the like.

Uncomplicated games currently dominate the App Store platform, due to their casual nature and mass appeal. The creation of more complex genres, such as FPS and strategic games, require a higher level of thought and consideration— a challenge ngmoco was more than willing to take on.  ELIMINATE brings with it an FPS online arena with intuitive controls that make it simple to jump in and play, and while the game might be a pick up and play experience, they haven’t ignored the importance of creating a story. ELIMINATE casts you as an employee of Arsenal Megacorp, a company in question for the use of humans in testing as a way of perfecting their gear. You and three other players are the guinea pigs of this project—SURPRISE!

Click to continue reading Preview: ngmoco’s new iPhone FPS: ELIMINATE

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (0)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

IREX DR800SG e-book reader set for October launch

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Handhelds

A new e-book reader is set to enter the market as IREX announced that their 8.1 inch display version is planned for an October release. Like Plastic Logic, IREX is partnering with Barnes and Noble for the digital catalog, and teaming with Verizon for the 3G wireless downloads.  IREX has also partnering to sell its e-readers (model number DR800SG) to Best Buy stores nationwide for a price of $399.  This price include 2GB of built-in memory, leather cover, and user-replaceable battery. 

Read More | IREX

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (1)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story

AT&T 3G MicroCell reviewed: It works, and it’s a rip-off

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Cell Phones, Household, Wireless / WiFi

There’s been a lot of hype and discussion surrounding the AT&T 3G MicroCell, and now we’ve got a review from someone who actually purchased one. As a refresher, this device is designed to significantly boost both the voice and data signal in your home by using your own home broadband network. In other words, if the AT&T network sucks enough in your area that you can barely get through a call to Domino’s without it dropping, you can now pay AT&T even more money to get the reception that you should already be getting as part of your monthly payment plan. Oh, and the AT&T 3G Microcell also boasts additional feature options, like unlimited talk time, for additional cost. 

So far, only the community of Charlotte, NC actually has them for purchase , and the device sells for $150. Ouch. One buyer reports that the device works as planned, and that before the purchase, they had one bar of EDGE coverage in their home, and now reports five bars connected to 3G.

Read More | Jason Nash

• Tools:
• Permalink
• Comments (3)
• Digg This
• Share on Facebook
• Email this story