feature phone

mobile
July 29, 2011
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Apple iPhone shipments surge 142%, IDC says

By on July 29, 2011 at 11:10 PM.

Apple iPhone shipments surge 142%, IDC says

Research firm IDC released its latest Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker report on Thursday and revealed that shipments of Apple’s iPhone jumped 142% over the same period last year. Samsung’s shipments rose 10% year-over year, ZTE saw a 36% increase in shipments and LG’s shipments dropped 18.9%. The entire mobile phone market grew 11.3% year-over-year, but that was lower than IDC’s 13.3% growth projection. The feature phone market declined 4% as the U.S., Japan and Western Europe jumped on the smartphone bandwagon. “While this is not a new trend – smartphones have been the primary engine of growth for the last several quarters – it does mark something of a transition point, as demonstrated by the growing number and variety of smartphones featured in the vendors’ portfolios,” said Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC’s mobile phone technology and trends team. Read on for IDC’s full press release. More →

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mobile
April 11, 2011
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AT&T drops unlimited SMS requirement for messaging phones

By on April 11, 2011 at 6:04 PM.

AT&T drops unlimited SMS requirement for messaging phones

AT&T has dropped its requirement that all customers purchasing “quick messaging devices” — or QMDs for short –  subscribe to an unlimited texting plan. According to Fierce Wireless, AT&T implemented the rule in January 2010 before quietly discontinuing it sometime in February of this year. The unlimited texting plan was priced at $20 per month, and while it’s no longer mandatory, AT&T does recommend that customers purchasing a messaging feature phone continue to sign up for an unlimited plan. AT&T’s portfolio of QMDs includes the Samsung Strive, LG VU Plus, Pantech Impact, and Samsung Solstice II, among others. AT&T subscribers can also opt for a cheaper $10 monthly plan that provides just 1,000 text messages per month. More →

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General
November 15, 2010
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Verizon adds LG Vortex, Cosmos to phone lineup

By on November 15, 2010 at 11:21 AM.

Verizon adds LG Vortex, Cosmos to phone lineup

Today, via two separate press releases, Verizon announced the addition of the LG Vortex – a full-touchscreen, Android 2.2 smartphone — and the LG Cosmos — a full-QWERTY messaging phone — to its handset lineup.

The Vortex will boast a 3.2-inch touchscreen display with haptic feedback, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, 3.2 megapixel camera, micro-SD card slot (with support for up to a 32GB card), SWYPE keyboard, 3G hotspot capabilities, and Android 2.2; the Vortex will also be Binged-out. The handset will be available, starting November 18th, for $79.99 with a 2-year agreement after a $100 mail-in rebate.

The Cosmos will sport a 2.8-inch WQVGA touchscreen display, horizontal-slide-out QWERTY keypad, Bluetooth 2.1, micro-SD card slot (with support for up to a 16GB card, 1.3 megapixel camera, and the ability to fill three different home screens with widgets. The device will be available beginning on November 18th for $49.99 with a 2-year contract after a $50 mail-in rebate. More →

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mobile
November 9, 2010
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Samsung Contour for MetroPCS available now, $49

By on November 9, 2010 at 12:01 AM.

Samsung Contour for MetroPCS available now, $49

Samsung announced Monday the addition of the Samsung Contour to MetroPCS’ lineup of affordable feature phones. While the Contour is short on bells and whistles, it will certainly be a great option for customers who make value a priority. MetroPCS offers contract-free unlimited plans for as low at $40 per month including taxes. Samsung’s Contour compliments the carrier’s affordable monthly plans nicely, featuring a clamshell form factor, a VGA camera, a basic Web browser and 3G connectivity. The Samsung Contour is available immediately online and in MetroPCS stores for $49. Hit the jump for the full press release. More →

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General
October 27, 2010
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Verizon Wireless to launch Pantech Crux and LG Octane tomorrow

By on October 27, 2010 at 3:33 PM.

Verizon Wireless to launch Pantech Crux and LG Octane tomorrow

Verizon Wireless today announced the upcoming availability of two new feature phones, the Pantech Crux and the LG Octane. The former, a full touchscreen offering from Pantech, features a 3-inch display with a virtual QWERTY keypad, a variety of widgets, mobile IM and email support, a 1GB microSD card with support for up to 32GB, integrated social networking features and a full HTML Web browser. The LG Octane sports a landscape-oriented clam shell design and features dual displays, a physical QWERTY keypad, a 3.2-megapixel camera, up to 16GB of microsSD storage, email support, Visual Voicemail and a full HTML Web browser. The Pantech Crux will cost $49.99 with a new 2-year agreement after a $50 mail-in rebate, and the LG Octane will be $99.99 on contract after a $50 mail-in rebate. Both devices will be available online and in stores starting tomorrow, October 28th. More →

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General
October 6, 2010
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AT&T launches Pantech Laser, thinnest, full-sliding keyboard phone

By on October 6, 2010 at 12:23 PM.

AT&T launches Pantech Laser, thinnest, full-sliding keyboard phone

Today, AT&T introduced the Pantech Laser handset, a device the company is billing as the “thinnest full sliding keyboard phone” on the market. The handset, which measures 9.95 mm in thickness, will have a 3.1-inch AMOLED touchscreen display, full QWERTY keyboard, and 3 megapixel camera. The feature-phone quick-messaging device (sorry, no Android) will be available starting October 17 and will retail for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and 2-year agreement. Hit the jump for the full press release. More →

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Exclusive
September 1, 2010
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AT&T launching LG Encore feature-phone on September 5th

By on September 1, 2010 at 11:15 AM.

AT&T launching LG Encore feature-phone on September 5th

We’ve just been given word that AT&T will be launching the LG Encore in four days on September 5th. The Encore is a full touchscreen feature-phone that packs a 3-inch display, dual band HSDPA/UMTS, quad band GSM, 3 megapixel camera with video recording, micro-SD card slot, and aGPS. The device will run AT&T’s Social Net, Adress Book, and Navigator programs and will have up to three hours of talk time. Hit the jump to check out the full AT&T memo. More →

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Software
August 18, 2010
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Skype mobile application to run on Verizon Wireless BREW feature phones

By on August 18, 2010 at 3:46 PM.

Skype mobile application to run on Verizon Wireless BREW feature phones

It looks like Skype and Verizon Wireless have inked another deal to bring the Skype mobile application to more Verizon devices. In a blog post today, Skype announced they are “expanding the Skype mobile application onto a variety of Multimedia 3G phones with an app based on the BREW platform, including the LG enV TOUCH, LG Chocolate Touch and Samsung Reality.” The post boasts: “The Skype mobile app for Verizon Wireless 3G Multimedia phones works the same way it does on the carrier’s smartphones, letting you make free calls to friends and family on Skype, great value calls to landlines and mobile phones overseas, and send IMs to people on Skype anywhere in the world.” If you’re interested in getting Skype, you can text SKYPE to 2255 or visit the Media Center on your VZW BREW device. We’ve got the full announcement all linked up for you. More →

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General
August 12, 2010
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Samsung Gusto added to Verizon Wireless flip phone catalog

By on August 12, 2010 at 6:12 AM.

Samsung Gusto added to Verizon Wireless flip phone catalog

Not every phone can be a bleeding-edge 1 GHz smartphone, right? Earlier today, Verizon Wireless announced that it would add the Samsung Gusto to its feature phone lineup. The light-weight flip phone sports a 2-inch internal display, VGA camera, mobile web browser, and Bluetooth connectivity. The handset includes “lifestyle features” such as a driving mode (which increases call volume to compensate for road noise), voice commands, and VZ Navigator. The phone also has a neat feature that allows you to setup fake phone calls, as the press release explains: “Fake Call feature – lets customers set up a pseudo call with a timer to manage social situations.” You know… in case you have a social situation that needs managing. Personally, we think owning this phone is a social situation, but that’s just us. The Gusto will run you $19.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. More →

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Exclusive
July 21, 2010
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Samsung Intensity II coming to Verizon Wireless soon

By on July 21, 2010 at 8:37 AM.

Samsung Intensity II coming to Verizon Wireless soon

Samsung Intensity II BB Leak

One of our friends over at Best Buy was kind enough to send us in a few shots of the new Samsung Intensity II, due out on Verizon Wireless… um, soon we would presume? The phone pictured is a display unit, but from what we’re told the full-QWERTY slider-phone will have a 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and a $1.00 price tag from Best Buy on a 2-year contract. Of course, if you don’t want to be married to this phone for two years — and if you’re reading this there is a high likelihood mathematical certainty that you don’t — you can pick one up for $249.99 full retail. Not a bad looking little phone… for your younger siblings of course. We’ve got the larger images ready for your scrutiny after the break. More →

36 Comments
Retail
July 1, 2010
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LG launches new applications store for both smartphones and feature phones

By on July 1, 2010 at 11:40 PM.

LG launches new applications store for both smartphones and feature phones

lg-application-store

LG officially opened the doors to its online applications store on Thursday. The app store offers social networking, navigation, VoIP, and instant messaging applications for both feature phones and Windows OS phones. LG will expand its offerings to include an estimated 4,000 applications — including those for Android-powered smartphones – by the end of the year. Currently in beta, the app store launched with high profile titles like Spore, Worms 2010, Assassin’s Creed, and The Sims 3. It also includes an incentive program that awards you points for logging in and leaving reviews. The more points you earn, the more applications that are available for you to download. Available in 22 markets at launch, the app store will soon be available in 33 countries including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. More →

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Services
May 22, 2010
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AT&T's open letter to customers explains ETFs

By on May 22, 2010 at 11:58 AM.

AT&T's open letter to customers explains ETFs

ATT Open Letter

Yesterday, we mused about AT&T’s adjustment to their ETF pricing as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Late yesterday, AT&T’s PR department decided to put their own spin on the termination fee tweaks with an “Open Letter” to their customers. The open letter confirms that the new ETFs, now $325 for smartphones and $150 for feature phones, will depreciate monthly at a rate of $10 and $4 respectively. We’ve got the full letter queued up for you after the break. Let us know what you think. More →

115 Comments
General
May 1, 2010
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Motorola posts overall Q1 2010 profit, mobile division in the red but optimistic

By on May 1, 2010 at 11:53 AM.

Motorola posts overall Q1 2010 profit, mobile division in the red but optimistic

motorola-logo1

Motorola announced its Q1 2010 earnings and the communications hardware company exceeded analysts expectations. Twenty-Ten started off well for Motorola as the company posted a profit of $69 million or 3 cents per share which contrasts starkly with the $203 million loss or 10 cents per share posted in the same quarter last year. Net sales topped out at $5.04 billion, down 6% from the $5.37 billion posted in Q1 2009. Despite this slight slip, Motorola beat the Street as analysts were expecting 1-2 cents loss on $5.1 billion of sales. All this good news had a positive effect on Motorola’s stock which is currently trading at $7.20 per share, up 4% at the writing of this post. This is only part of the story, however, so hit the jump to see how the ever-important mobile division fared. More →

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