Daily Archives: March 18, 2011

Review
March 18, 2011
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Apple iPad 2 review

By on March 18, 2011 at 10:52 AM.

Apple iPad 2 review

There’s so much to say about Apple’s new tablet, the iPad 2, yet it really boils down to a few short and sweet sentences. It’s the latest tablet on the market, having beaten the upcoming BlackBerry PlayBook to market by a good month, and its return to store shelves (or lack thereof) comes just a few weeks after Motorola’s highly anticipated XOOM launched. It seems as though every manufacturer has tablet fever as of late, though Apple really defined this product category, and now it’s back in an even bigger way just under a year later. Read on to find out if the iPad 2 really has the chops to rock and roll with the best of them!

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mobile
March 18, 2011
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iPhone 5 may have metal case, larger display

By on March 18, 2011 at 9:44 AM.

iPhone 5 may have metal case, larger display

A new report emerged on Thursday that resurrects earlier rumors of a larger display on the upcoming iPhone 5, as well as a full circle return to the sleek metal case of days past. The Apple aficionados at 9to5 Mac claim to have a solid source at Foxconn, the Chinese manufacturer responsible for building the iPhone, who claims iPhone 5 production is getting under way. Considering the next iPhone is expected to launch in June, this would certainly make sense. The mole reiterates earlier rumors that the iPhone 5 features two main design changes compared to the iPhone 4: a larger display and a metal case back. Other than that, the source suggests that the iPhone 5 looks much like the current model. Some have argued that the metal case on Apple’s original iPhone caused signal attenuation issues, but now that the company’s unique new external antenna design has been sprinkled with a dash of reality distortion, antenna attenuation and dropped calls are features, not bugs. Should it choose to continue utilizing the current design, Apple could use any materials it wants since the user’s hand does the attenuating, not the case. More →

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mobile
March 18, 2011
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Sprint Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot launching March 20th for $50

By on March 18, 2011 at 8:51 AM.

Sprint Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot launching March 20th for $50

Sprint announced the Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot from Sierra Wireless on Friday, its latest WiMAX device. The Overdrive Pro allows Sprint users to connect up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices to share a 3G/4G connection. Sprint boasts that the Overdrive Pro is smaller than the original, offers a 35 percent improvement in power up and down time, and has a larger LCD display. Double pressing the power button will also display more detailed information about the device and its connection. The Overdrive Pro will be available on March 20th for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year Sprint agreement. We assume the Overdrive Pro will be on display at CTIA next week, so stay tuned for a hands-on. The full press release is after the break. More →

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General
March 18, 2011
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AT&T cracks down on tethering cheaters

By on March 18, 2011 at 8:01 AM.

AT&T cracks down on tethering cheaters

AT&T has started to issue warnings to customers unofficially tethering their smartphones to its network. In an email to unauthorized tetherers, the company writes, “Our records show that you use this capability, but are not subscribed to our tethering plan.” The correspondence goes on to note that users will be automatically enrolled in the $45 per month “DataPro for Smartphone Tethering” plan if they ignore the warning. “The new plan – whether you sign up on your own or we automatically enroll you – will replace your current smartphone data plan, including if you are on an unlimited data plan,” the email continues. The standard DataPro offering is $25 per month and provides users with 2GB of monthly data, although some users are still clinging to a discontinued, $30 per month 5GB data plan. It is safe to assume that a large portion of the unofficial, tethering populous is jailbroken iPhone users and rooted Android users. “If you discontinue tethering, no changes to your current plan will be required.” A copy of the email tethering-cheaters are receiving is after the break.

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Tablets
March 18, 2011
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Image of Sprint-branded Motorola XOOM surfaces online

By on March 18, 2011 at 7:18 AM.

Image of Sprint-branded Motorola XOOM surfaces online

Sprint Users forum member r0fl is at it again. This time, the sleuthy Sprint user has posted an image of what appears to be a Sprint-branded Motorola XOOM tablet. The device, which is currently offered with cellular connectivity exclusively by CDMA carrier Verizon Wireless, should carry the same set of specifications as the model currently being sold. What is not clear, however, is if the device will ship WiMAX-enabled or WiMAX upgradeable. R0fl has a proven track record when it comes to unreleased Sprint hardware — back in December he leaked images of Sprint’s MiFi 4082 and HTC’s EVO Shift 4G prior to their release. More →

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General
March 18, 2011
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Bell Mobility brings the Motorola ATRIX to Canada

By on March 18, 2011 at 4:59 AM.

Bell Mobility brings the Motorola ATRIX to Canada

Want some of that dual-core goodness north of the border? You’re in luck, as Bell Mobility has officially launched the Motorola ATRIX handset. The device comes complete with the aforementioned 1GHz dual-core processor, 4-inch qHD display, 1GB of RAM, front and rear cameras, and Android 2.2. The handset will retail for $169.95 with a signed 3-year contract and Bell will offer the Standard Dock, Vehicle Dock, HD Multimedia Dock, and LAPDOCK for $49.95, $59.95, $129.95, and $329.95 respectively. Bell’s ATRIX will not, unfortunately, be able to take advantage of the company’s 42Mbps or 21Mbps HSPA+ networks — a 14.4Mbps HSPA radio is all the handset will be working with. Regardless, if you’re a Bell customer in the market for a beastly, dual-core handset, here’s one to add to your list. More →

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mobile
March 18, 2011
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Nokia C7 may hit T-Mobile as Astound on April 6th for $80

By on March 18, 2011 at 2:21 AM.

Nokia C7 may hit T-Mobile as Astound on April 6th for $80

Nokia may flood T-Mobile shelves with four Symbian-powered smartphones this year, starting with the $79.99 Astound — known globally as the C7 — on April 6th. Nokia officially let the wraps off of the C7 back in September, and it rocks a 3.5-inch AMOLED touchscreen, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, an 8 megapixel camera with flash and 720p video recording, and an FM radio. If the Astound launches, it will be the first Symbian^3 powered device to be sold by a U.S. carrier. Sources speaking to TmoNews also suggested that Nokia may not launch a Windows Phone 7 device until next year. We’ll be at CTIA in Orlando next week, where T-Mobile is expected to announce the Nokia Astound, so stay tuned for more.

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