The first images of two upcoming Verizon Wireless phones from LG and Motorola have surfaced. Read More for the images and further details. Read More »

Many iPhone Beta Firmware users are reporting that the latest update now features a menu that features a virtual switch to toggle between EDGE and 3G access as well as VPN setup and international data roaming.

This is the first definitive piece of evidence that leads to a new version of the iPhone featuring a 3G radio as well as both US and UK Apple Store websites listing the current iPhone as out of stock. This also corroborates recent multi-carrier agreements on European carriers, with current exclusive carriers marking down units in order to clear out existing stock.

HTC enthusiasts have taken apart the HTC Touch Diamond firmware already, and leaked onto the web its soft keyboard.

The soft keyboard that HTC currently provides (an augmentation of Microsoft’s eight-year-old soft keyboard) provides an iPhone like experience. However, it does not offer a true QWERTY layout, opting instead for a SureType-like keyboard on-screen.

The Touch Diamond’s soft keyboard however, finally includes a full QWERTY soft keyboard, designed for finger, rather than stylus use. And, you can now install it on any HTC Windows Mobile 6 or 6.1 device. A user, known as P1Tater, is responsible for the release. Unfortunately, the Touch Diamond keyboard software does not leverage its XT9 dictionary to correct accidental misspellings.

HTC Touch Diamond Soft Keyboard (Windows Mobile CAB, copy-to/download-from device and open there).

Research in Motion has formally announced in a press release today the pending launch of the BlackBerry Bold 9000. Read More for complete details. Read More »

Sprint CEO Dan Hesse pitches Sprint’s new Simply Everything plan.

Simply Everything - High Definition (720p), H.264 (17 MB)
Simply Everything - Extended Definition (480p), MPEG-4 (5.4 MB)
Simply Everything - iPhone/iPod Ready, H.264 (5.3 MB)
Simply Everything - Mobile, 3GPP (1.2 MB) 

According to a recent press release, Verizon Wireless has finally completed the transaction of purchasing the assests of SureWest Communications for $69 million. SureWest Communications operates as SureWest Wireless in Northern California.

The said purchase consists of network and operations assests along with the purchase of spectrum licenses in the greater Sacramento area. The licenses cover about 3.8 million people and will help Verizon expand its capacity in the area.

Verizon will switch over SureWest Wireless’ 50,000 customers by late summer. The customers will be notified about their new options in the near future once the transition is complete.

We’re looking for some really savvy phone users with a little bit of wiki editing skills.

See, we have the Phone Encyclopedia, and anyone can edit it. But, we want some people to take a bit more of a moderator position… and stake claim of authority over a particular manufacturer of phones.

So, to that end, we’ve detailed the task on a new forum thread. If you’re interested, just get in touch with us.

Motorola has issued a new update for their Motorola Software Update utility. Version 01.11.21 has no noticeable changes, but does add a new installer.

The installer runs an additional check to make sure a key Windows Vista hotfix was installed. The hotfix remedies issues with USB support, and low-level USB interaction necessary for Motorola to update the software in your phone.

Unfortunately, the installer doesn’t realize that Windows Vista SP1 doesn’t need this update. And, as such, the installer refuses to install… even on Vista SP1 systems that already have an older version of Motorola Software Update working properly.

Motorola has yet to acknowledge the issue with Motorola Software Update. This comes in the same week that Motorola removed all iDEN updates from their web site.

Motorola Software Update

As Sprint has announced they will be taking a majority stake in Clearwire, we’ve added a new Clearwire WiMAX Forum under our existing Sprint Forum.

Please discuss the new merger in that forum. As Sprint appears to be moving forward with the launch of XOHM, which will later be integrated into Clearwire, you are free to talk about Sprint WiMAX in the Sprint Forum as well.

PhoneNews.com Forums

With talks taking place internally at T-Mobile for a possible acquisition of Sprint, there is speculation that two other companies are looking to merge. Helio and Virgin Mobile are also in the first stages of the ‘proposed’ deal.

With both being MVNOs, Helio’s merger with Virgin Mobile would create a larger customer base which would result in higher bulk purchases of wholesale service from Sprint as they both work off of Sprint’s CDMA network.

SK Telecom’s Helio and Virgin Mobile are both known for targeting the younger demographic. Helio’s customer base tends to spend more on their monthly service (average of $85) while Virgin Mobile’s customers average about $25 a month. The merger of the two companies would benefit each other as they will be able to combine the average and high end users. With Earthlink backing out of Helio and with both companies showing poor financial earnings, Virgin Mobile’s retail strategy can help Helio reach a wider audience.