Posts tagged 3G
Texting World Record Broken with Samsung Galaxy S
Aug 23rd
These days, the topic of keyboards on mobile devices is a hot one. Some prefer the Cadillac ride of a BlackBerry keyboard, while others prefer the on screen touch goodness that is found in the iPhone 4.
One recently crowned world record holder though, prefers the keyboard found on the Samsung Galaxy S which makes use of SWYPE. 25.94 seconds is all the time it took Melissa Thompson of Salford, England, to capture the Guinness World Record for fastest typing on a mobile phone. After being invited by Samsung to compete for the record, Melissa’s winning sentence as determined by Guinness was the following:
“The razor-toothed piranhas of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. In reality they seldom attack a human.”
Oddly enough Melissa claims, since moving in with her boyfriend, her texting speed capabilities have actually decreased since she no longer sends as many daily messages. In any event, the previous record holder held a time of 35.54 seconds for the exact same sentence. Looks like Mellisa’s texting skills are doing just fine. How fast can you type?
[via Mashable]
So many decisions, so little time
Aug 12th
Today is the day everyone has been drooling talking about.
Both the Blackberry Torch 9800 and Motorola Droid 2, arguably the two most anticipated phones of the year have both finally officially been released by AT&T and Verizon, respectively, in the U.S., both at the same $199 (with or without rebate) price point on a 2 year term. Both running the latest OS’s from their respective manufacturers and both come harboring many expectations from their die-hard following, but which are you going to choose?
So far the reviews on the Torch have been 50/50, some sites bashing, while others praising it and the newly unveiled OS that it runs. As for the Droid 2 running Froyo, the OS has been out (in both leaked and official variations) for quite some time, thus allowing users to become familiar with it should their current device support the update.
I guess the real answer will be in the numbers when AT&T releases them. Knowing that the Android community in the U.S. is much larger (and more tight knit), I wouldn’t be surprised to see it outsell the Torch 9800.
Are you getting one of these hot new devices? If so, which one and why? Let me know.
Rogers launches Community Forums
Aug 4th
They already had RedBoard, but that’s a Rogers Buzz blog that allows for comments. Community Forums have just launched with the aim of helping with tech support issues or your wireless device, home phone and internet, as well as cable services.
This is a good move on Rogers’ part, as they are allowing criticism about them to be hosted directly on their site, as opposed to having it done from afar on forums such as RedFlagDeals and HowardForums. Kidding aside, obviously they’re going to be moderating the forums, so the Hatorade is going to be less severe, but they can’t stifle dissent completely, and this is a pretty sizeable move towards openness for the previously-verklempt company.
Check out the new Community Forums. As expected, the iPhone subforum is already the busiest.
Blackberry Torch now live on AT&T’s website!
Aug 3rd
A little pre-mature don’t you think? The event has barely just begun and the AT&T landing page has already been updated to showcase the newly named Blackberry Torch.
Still can’t wait for official release dates to be announced by one of our Canadian Rogers carriers!
[via Crackberry]
Follow me on twitterBlackberry Torch 9800 Get’s Official FCC Nod
Aug 3rd
One of the most talked about, leaked about, and arguably the most anticipated Blackberry devices to ever be released from the gates of Waterloo, Ontario has finally gained FCC approval.
The timing couldn’t be better either because today in New York, Blackberry and AT&T are hosting a launch party rumored to be the one that officially announces both the Blackberry6 OS and the Blackberry 9800 (and all its code names)
Keep your eyes on the site for updates beginning at 11am EST.
[Source Engadget, via Crackberry]
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Chat-r Wireless Has Officially Launched!
Jul 28th
The day has come. Chat-r Wireless, the new discount brand from Rogers has officially launched today in 5 major Canadian cities: Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa and Vancouver, confirming all rumors and speculation as of recent.
Their model is simple, offering “Unlimited” calls within your Chat-r designated zone (similar to the idea of WIND and Mobilicity), on two simple to identify plans ($35 and $45), running on the proven and stable Rogers 3G network. They also make paying for your minutes very streamlined. Either Autopay (essentially putting your credit card on account and having them automatically charge you) or Selfpay (which offers the freedom of paying when you want, through any of their retail channels), however in a strategy to promote the Autopay system, they are offering a $30 credit paid out at $10 a month for the first 3 months.
As for exposure, there is a heavy retail presence as expected. Look forward to seeing them pop-up in the following locations in and around the GTA: Future Shop, WirelessWave, TBooth, Best Buy, and Zellers.
For more information on the hardware offerings, plans, Chat-r zones and promotions visit the Chat-r website
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Blackberry/AT&T Holding A Launch Party For The 9800?
Jul 27th
One of our tipsters sent us this screen shot of the invite they just received to a party AT&T and Blackberry are hosting in New York next week. Although it doesn’t go into specific device detail, one can assume it is for the 9800 for two significant reasons
1) Launch is imminent, rumored on or around Aug 15th
2) That calendar icon looks eerily similar to the calendar icon on Blackberry 6, slated to launch first on the Blackberry 9800.
Our connect plans to attend the event and send us more information and pictures as they become available so stay tuned!
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Rogers/Fido iPhone 4 Pricing Revealed: Let the Gouging Begin
Jul 27th
This week has definitely been one for iPhone fans to drool over. It started with the announcement that the device will be available for mass Canadian consumption this Friday July 30th, followed by pricing for the device unlocked via Apple retail stores. But the question still remained “What will the carriers price it at?”. Rumor had Telus price tagging it at $649 and $749 respectively, leaving one to assume its competition would follow suit and by seeing the above inventory screenshot it seems as though the assumptions made could be fairly accurate. This being said It’s a known fact that many Canadians loathe the now standard 3 year contract imposed by the carriers, and subsidized pricing or not the outright price is high and many can’t (and won’t) justify dropping up to 3/4 of a thousand dollars on a cell phone.
So, “what are the options” one might ask? Honestly, there really aren’t any and Apple/Rogers know this, love it, and leverage it.
My suggestion? There are three days left to launch, giving ample time to lift up the cushions and put your money together. I plan on starting tonight
[Via MobileSyrup]
Follow me on twitterWhy T-Mobile won’t get the iPhone
Jul 22nd
Common among tech bloggers is a healthy speculation surrounding when the exclusive contract with AT&T will end, and the iPhone will safely land on another carrier. So the latest rumour has the iPhone 4 arriving on T-Mobile later in the year. This parallels the earlier rumours of the popular Apple device going to Verizon.
But the T-Mobile rumour has less legs than the Verizon one, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, AWS band, at 1700MHZ and 2100MHZ (UMTS IV), is not a well-used frequency. In fact, the only places it is widely used in the world are in North America: T-Mobile in the US and WIND/Mobilicity in Canada.
The iPhone 4 is one of the only pentaband 3G phones in existence. That means that it supports 850/900/1800/1900/2100MHZ 3G bands, which covers the majority of the world’s GSM carriers. They purposefully left out the 1700MHZ band making 3G on T-Mobile in the US impossible, even on an unlocked device.
Now why would they decide, after making that business decision to leave that spectrum out, to build a phone with those specifications for a very, very small subsection of North American users? Likely, they won’t. It doesn’t make a lot of business sense, and unless they have enormous financial incentive from T-Mobile, Apple will likely turn down the chance. It would make more sense for them to develop a CDMA device for Verizon, since the market is much larger. And even then, it’s pretty unlikely.
The AWS spectrum is also known for its limited ability to penetrate walls. Couple that with the iPhone 4′s antenna issues and you have a recipe for no service except outdoors. I may be exaggerating, but not really.
But this is just my opinion. I don’t know the inner workings of Apple’s boardroom, nor how Steve Jobs’ mind works. He obviously chose AT&T for a reason back in 2007, and for whatever reason has stuck it out with their spotty service and irate customers.
Are You Still Sold On The iPhone 4?
Jul 22nd
All the recent talk has been on the flaws of the Apple iPhone 4, namely its reception issues in the United States on AT&T’s GSM network. We all know the Canadian networks that will house the device (Rogers, Bell, Telus, and their subsidiaries) are stronger and far more proven, but, is that enough to get you to buy it when it launches this summer? Are you willing to hold off and wait for the dust to settle on the first batch? Or are you happy with your current device and have no desire to change?
Leave your response on the poll.
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