The original Ubicell was marketed by Verizon Wireless as the Network Extender released in January and Sprint as the Airave, which was launched last July respectively to assist customers in fringe coverage areas. The devices work by taking a high-speed internet connection and using it to carry voice calls and data access in places with weak coverage.

What is currently not known is the status of the original models and whether Samsung will develop a firmware update to enable EVDO in the original Airave and Network Extender models or if the carriers will offer an exchange program for the new model.

The firmware update process is detailed in full for the Sprint and Verizon version courtesy of EVDOinfo.

The LTE network will now function as an overlay to the existing native CDMA network, right down to the use of many existing cellsites and backhaul equipment. In a related statement, Melone reiterated that there will not be a forced migration to LTE while confirming that the CDMA network will continue in full operation, with new devices needed for LTE network use.

Melone also attempted to stamp rumors that the network rollout was falling behind schedule while reiterating its commitment to launch in 2010 in 25 to 30 markets. The carrier is seeking to cover 100 million points of presence in 2010 with further deployment of the network over the next 2-3 years.

Android 1.6, coloquially codenamed “Donut” will be the first Android release with full support for CDMA devices, with the Sprint HTC Hero being the first device that includes 1.6.

Changes to Android 1.6 include Quick Search Box for Android for users to search across multiple sources such as browser bookmarks & history, contacts, and the web directly from the home screen with adaptive search that constantly learns which results are more relevant based on what is clicked.

Popular contacts or apps that have previously been picked will now bubble up to the top when a user types the first few letters of a relevant query as well as relevant content from their applications in the Quick Search Box Camera, Camcorder, and Gallery

An updated user interface provides an integrated camera, camcorder, and gallery experience. Users can quickly toggle between still and video capture modes. The gallery now enables users to select multiple photos for deletion and a much faster camera experience compared to the previous release, launching the camera is now 39% faster and there is a 28% improvement in the time from completing one shot to the next.

A new battery usage screen lets users see which apps and services are consuming battery power, if a particular service or application is using too much power, they can save battery power by adjusting settings, stopping the application, or uninstalling the application.  At the homescreen, users will be able to choose among Apps, Games, and Downloads, users can explore titles that are Top paid, Top free, and Just in and for each title, users can now see screenshots submitted by developers in addition to reviews from other users.

Android 1.6 now features a multi-lingual speech synthesis engine called Pico that allows any Android application to “speak” a string of text with an accent that matches the language.  The engine supports the following languages: English (American and British accents), French, Italian, German and Spanish, adds screen support that enables applications to be rendered properly on different display resolutions and densities while developers can also specify the types of screens supported by their application.

Image courtesy of PhoneArena

The first images and information have surfaced regarding the Verizon Wireless UMW190 USB modem expected to be released later this quarter. The modem features dual-band EVDO Rev. A for domestic use and quadband GSM/EDGE/triband HSPA access on Vodafone partner networks for international roaming with the included SIM card along with an external antenna port.

No pricing details are known at this time.

The first standard in CDMA 1x Advanced consists of a backend software and channel card upgrade that is claimed to nearly quadruple voice call capacity from current totals when all of the improvements such as base transceiver station interference cancellation, improved power control, early frame termination and smart blanking are implemented at once, though they can be rolled out in phases to ease network upgrade costs.

CDMA 1x Advanced is expected to be available sometime next year to carriers.

The next standard serves as a complement to CDMA 1x Advanced with the introduction of 1X Voice and EV-DO Data (SVDO). In simple terms, 1X Voice and EV-DO Data (SVDO) allows for true simultaneous voice/data access as found in the competing W-CDMA UMTS standard while preserving the spectral efficiency advantages of CDMA2000.

Previously, CDMA2000 carriers that rolled out delay and data sensitive applications such as Push to Talk or real-time video calling were forced to deploy the Internet Multimedia Subsystem backend overlay to convert circuit switched voice calls into data sessions, thus allowing for simultaneous voice/data access.

With the above development expected in the same timeframe as CDMA 1x Advanced, carriers will no longer need to deploy such expensive overlays while offering comparable services as GSM based carriers with standard equipment.

First, Boost has eliminated the Home Calling Area and the associated 15 cent/minute roaming charges, now allowing for nationwide roaming on the entire Sprint network at no additional cost.

In addition, existing customers on the UNLTD $50 Unlimited Talk, $60 Unlimited Talk & Text or $70 Unlimited Talk, Text & Web will receive up to a $20 price drop by being automatically moved to the new $50 unlimited plan that now includes voice, messaging and Web access, mirroring the unlimited iDEN pricepoint, while customers on the introductory $35 Unlimited Talk, $40 Unlimited Talk & Text or $45 Unlimited Talk, Text & Web will remain on their current plans with no changes.

Because of this realignment and differences in billing systems between CDMA and iDEN according to Boost, customers on the newer UNLTD plans will continue to pay taxes in addition to their monthly cost and a convenience fee will continue to be charged to customers when replenishing their account in-store.  Finally, new UNLTD customers will no longer be offered the first month of service free, eliminating a commpetitive bullet point against regional flat-rate carriers Cricket and Metro PCS.

Images courtesy of PhoneArena.

The Pantech WP8990VW Escapade is a mid-range clamshell with international roaming capability in the vein of the venerable Samsung Renown. Preliminary features include a 2.0 megapixel camera with video recorder, QVGA internal display, dual-mode dual-band GSM/CDMA access, and speakerphone.

No pricing or availability details are available at this time.

The phone features a 3-inch WQVGA resolution sliding touchscreen display, QWERTY keyboard, EVDO Rev. A data access, microSDHC expansion slot, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, 3.0 megapixel camera with video recorder, HTML browser, GPS support and speakerphone.

The phone is now available for $149.95 after new 2 year agreement before an additional $50 mail-in rebate when purchased with a $39.99 or higher voice plan bundled with an easyedge unlimited data access plan, bringing the total to $99.95.