PhoneNews.com » T-Mobile

T-Mobile Confirms Carrier Billing for Android Market

Humberto Saabedra — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:12:51 +0000

T-Mobile USA CTO Cole Brodman has confirmed that carrier billing will be coming soon for purchases made on the Android Market. While no timeframe has been set for the introduction of the service, this will allow customers the choice to bill purchases to their T-Mobile account instead of having to use a credit card for separate purchase transactions.

In related news, T-Mobile will be launching its own content channel on Android Market where the carrier will recommend selected applications to customers, with the launch expected before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Nationwide T-Mobile Service Disruption

Mike Zielonka — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:39:16 +0000

The web is full of numerous reports of T-Mobile service problems on T-Mobile’s network. Our sources are reporting the outages include data and voice.

T-Mobile confirmed the problem via their official Twitter account and official T-Mobile forums. T-Mobile’s also issued a short and brief statement confirming the outage:

“All – We’re aware of the current service disruption. Our rapid response teams have been mobilized to restore service as quickly as possible”.

Update 1 – T-Mobile has provided users with the following update:

“We’re making good progress restoring voice and messaging service to affected customers. At this time, approximately 5 percent of T-Mobile customers are experiencing service disruptions. Issues began at approximately 5:30 p.m. Eastern time. Our rapid response team is working continuously to fully resolve this disruption. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused our customers.”

Update 2 – T-Mobile has issued another update:

“T-Mobile confirms it has fully restored voice and text/picture messaging services for customers affected by intermittent service disruptions on Tuesday. About five percent of our customers across various geographies were affected for much of Tuesday evening, and by late Tuesday PST their service was restored. Our sole focus has been restoring full services for all customers; we are now investigating the root cause of the incident. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused our customers.”

Update 3 – T-Mobile has issued another statement explaining the cause of the outage:

“After investigating the cause, we have determined that a back-end system software error had generated abnormal congestion on the network. T-Mobile has since implemented additional measures to help prevent this from happening in the future.”

T-Mobile has not detailed any plans for reimbursing its customer base for the outage.

T-Mobile Launches Motorola CLIQ

Humberto Saabedra — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:18:22 +0000

As expected, T-Mobile has launched the Motorola CLIQ social-networking oriented Android device for new customers after an exclusive upgrade period for existing customers late last month.

The CLIQ features an HVGA resolution widescreen touch display QWERTY keyboard with five-way directional pad, triband HSPA access, quadband GSM/EDGE, Android 1.6, MOTOBLUR social networking frontend, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, 3.5mm headphone jack, microUSB port, Wi-Fi radio and microSDHC expansion slot.

Rounding out the featureset are dual microphones for the mouthpiece and speakerphone with noise cancellation and a 5.0 megapixel camera with autofocus and video recorder.

The device is now available for $299.99 before an additional $100 mail-in rebate on Even More plans bringing the total to $199.99, with pricing on Even More Plus plans fixed at $399.99.

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Sony Ericsson Announces T717 Equinox for T-Mobile

Humberto Saabedra — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:06:29 +0000

Following up on a previous report, Sony Ericsson has announced the forthcoming launch of the T717 Equinox 3G clamshell for T-Mobile.

The Equoinox features a 2.2 inch internal QVGA display, 3.2 megapixel camera with video recorder, microSDHC expansion slot, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, A-GPS support, speakerphone and HSDPA/quadband GSM/EDGE access.

The distinguishing feature of the Equinox is the custom light on the front of the clamshell which features different light patterns in Amber, Sapphire, Beryl, Diamond, and Amethyst colors.

T-Mobile Debuts Even More and Even More Plus Service Plans (Updated)

Humberto Saabedra — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:00:53 +0000

Following up on previous reporting, T-Mobile has officially launched its new Even More and Even More Plus service plan lineup.

T-Mobile’s new plan lineup is now split up into a conventional lineup that requires a 2 year agreement for phone discounts and another lineup that does not require a contract, at the expense of purchasing a new handset at retail price from the carrier in four up to 20 equal interest-free payments (depending on phone) or self-providing compatible equipment.

Clarifying some confusion on the Family Plans unavailable in the previous report, the additional line charge for the 3rd-5th line on the Even More Family Plan lineup is set at an additional $10 per month for all phones/devices, but all smartphones on the family plan must add an unlimited data plan at $30 for unlimited data or $40 per month which includes unlimited messaging on each line.

Under the Even More Plus Family Plan lineup, the monthly charge for the 3rd-5th line is set at an additional $35 on the unlimited plan and $5 on the 750/1500 minute plans, with smartphones under lines 3-5 having an additional $25 smartphone data access charge added automatically.

Nokia Now Planning November Launch for N900

Humberto Saabedra — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:53:35 +0000

A post on the Maemo.org messageboard has confirmed that Nokia has delayed the release of the highly anticipated N900 smart device after receiving feedback from a group of 300 selected testers that were loaned pre-production units in October.

The launch of the device is now scheduled for November, which places it inline with the expected launch of the unlocked version currently available for pre-order with T-Mobile 3G support.

T-Mobile BlackBerry Bold 9700 Approved by FCC

Humberto Saabedra — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:06:01 +0000

The FCC has issued preliminary approval for the T-Mobile variant of the recently announced and forthcoming BlackBerry Bold 9700.

The smart device will be the first T-Mobile branded BlackBerry to feature AWS 3G access for T-Mobile along with BlackBerry OS 5.0, a 480×360 resolution landscape display, optical directional pad as found on the 8520, 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus, video recorder and flash, as well as support for 900 / 1700 / 2100 3G access.

Rounding out the rest of the featureset will be Wi-Fi, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, microSDHC expansion slot, UMA voice calling and media player.

The device will be released next month on T-Mobile.

T-Mobile’s “Project Dark” Plans Revealed

Humberto Saabedra — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:03:34 +0000

Plan information has surfaced regarding T-Mobile’s “Project Dark” carrier relaunch and plan realignment expected on Friday. For all the talk of the disruptive and desirable $50 unlimited plan, the new plan lineup is anything but, unless no contract is desired.

The plans consist of Even More Plus, which would be contract-free and offer new handset payments over four installments at full price (similar to European and Asian service plans) and Even More amounts to new contract plan pricing with traditional phone subsidies.

Even More (traditional 2 year agreement with phone discounts):

Individual Plan – 2-year commitment

500 Minutes – $39.99

500 + Unlimited Text – $49.99

500 + Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web – $79.99

1000 Minutes – $49.99

1000 + Unlimited Text – $59.99

1000 +Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web – $89.99

Unlmited Talk – $59.99

Unlimited Talk + Unlimited Text – $69.99

Unlimited Talk +Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web – $99.99

Family Plan – Includes 2-lines + 2 year commitment

750 Minutes – $59.99 + Unlimited Text – $79.99

750 + Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web – $139.99

1500 Minutes – $79.99

1500 + Unlimited Text – $99.99

1500 + Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web – $159.99

Unlimited Minutes – $99.99

Unlimited Talk + Unlimited Text – $119.99

Unlimited Talk + Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web – $179.99

The above options include unlimited data for non-smartphones at $10 or unlimited data for smartphones at $30 per month.

Even More Plus (includes 4 payment installment plan for phones sold at retail price under FlexPlay with no discounts):

Individual Plan – No commitment

500 Minutes – $29.99

500 + Unlimited Text – $39.99

500 + Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web – $59.99

1000 Minutes – $39.99

1000 + Unlimited Text – $49.99

1000 + Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web – $69.99

Unlimited Minutes – $49.99

Unlimited Talk + Unlimited Text – $59.99

Unlimited Talk + Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web – $79.99
Family Plan – Includes 2-lines + no commitment

750 Minutes – $49.99

750 + Unlimited Text – $69.99

750 + Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web – $109.99

1500 Minutes – $59.99

1500 + Unlimited Text – $79.99

1500 + Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web – $119.99

Unlimited Minutes – $79.99

Unlimited Talk + Unlimited Text – $99.99

Unlimited Talk + Unlimited Text + Unlimited Web – $139.99

The above options include unlimited data for non-smartphones at $10 or unlimited data for smartphones at $25 per month on Family Plans, with data limited to Talk and Talk/Text on Individual plans. Another thing to keep in mind is that data is included on Talk+Text+Web plans, with Talk and Talk+Text plans being relegated to additional data plans at the add-on pricing for Individual and Family plans on Even More and Even More Plus respectively.

RIM Announces BlackBerry Bold 9700

Humberto Saabedra — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:55:23 +0000

RIM has officially announced the successor to the flagship Bold 9000 in the Bold 9700.

The Bold 9700 will feature BlackBerry OS 5.0, a 480×360 resolution landscape display, optical directional pad as found on the 8520, 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus, video recorder and flash, as well as support for 900 / 1700 / 2100 and 800 / 850 / 1900 / 2100MHz 3G access.

Rounding out the rest of the featureset will be Wi-Fi, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, microSDHC expansion slot and media player.

T-Mobile has announced its variant of the 9700 for release in November which will allow for UMA voice calling over Wi-Fi, while AT&T has announced its version for $299.99 before an additional $100 mail-in rebate to be released in the next few weeks.

T-Mobile Behold II on November 18th, Tap on November 11th

Humberto Saabedra — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:38:18 +0000

Internal employee documentation has leaked release dates for the T-Mobile Tap (produced by Huawei) and the Samsung Behold II Android device.

The Behold 2 features a 5.0 megapixel camera with autofocus, flash, and video recording, a 3.2-inch AMOLED display at HVGA resolution, Wi-Fi radio, Bluetooth 2.1, and microSDHC expansion slot. The Behold II also features a variant of the TouchWiz UI common on its high-end lineup with a 3D cube as its home screen and is now expected to launch on November 18th.

The Tap is a touchscreen phone that resembles the HTC Touch with a 2.0 megapixel camera with video capture, GPS and stereo Bluetooth support and microSDHC expansion slot, now expected to launch the week before the Bhold II on November 11th