Gadget and Techno Updates
Posts tagged Data
Sprint, T-Mobile push FCC for AT&T and Verizon data roaming
Mar 17th
An informal coalition of smaller US carriers has pushed for the FCC to require data roaming agreements with AT&T and Verizon. Sprint, T-Mobile, Cricket, and carriers in the Rural Cellular Association have argued that they need a guarantee their subscribers can run data on these networks, not just voice, when they can’t be on their native networks. They asked the FCC to “promptly move forward” and were hoping to get it on the FCC’s meeting agendas as soon as April, Politico said.
AT&T and Verizon themselves have largely tried to dismiss the complaints. They argue that they already have roaming agreements More >
T-Mobile to get HTC Doubleshot, Nokia C7 and 10GB data plan
Mar 7th
A slew of leaks on Monday have tipped off T-Mobile’s future device and data plans. One has mentioned a previously unknown HTC Doubleshot. Little is known about the device besides its coffee-inspired name, but TmoNews said it was an Android 2.3 phone.
A more conventional addition mentioned at the same time would be the Nokia C7. Nokia’s mid-range Symbian^3 phone is reportedly slated to reach T-Mobile as the Tiger. It would still have the 3.5-inch AMOLED screen, eight-megapixel camera and 8GB of internal storage. The only known change so far would be the needed switch to native 3G.
Tiger phones could be More >
Apple working on NFC data sync with Macs for iPhone 5?
Nov 1st
Apple is researching a type of data sync based on NFC (near-field communications) for the iPhone 5, a Cult of Mac source claims. The company has been rumored as testing NFC technology in recent months, and is known to have hired an NFC expert, and filed for several patents, mostly involving electronic payments. Many Japanese phones already allow NFC payments using a local standard, FeliCa.
Apple is also, however, said to be exploring the idea of letting an iPhone carry and transfer desktop settings and a limited amount of personal content. In this scenario, waving an NFC iPhone in front of More >
AT&T hints non-iPad data plans may get cheaper
Oct 19th
AT&T’s Emerging Devices product development VP David Haight today said at the 4G World expo today that the company might back away from its traditionally high data-only plans and more towards those like for the iPad. While the iPad was successful, most other devices weren’t selling that well because of the traditional US carrier model of $ 60 per month and an emphasis on contract-bound, locked devices. Apple’s special plans were better, he told PCMag, since they were not only much less expensive at $ 25 but didn’t force users to pay for service they didn’t need.
“Customers love the More >
Verizon to refund up to $90m in phantom data fees
Oct 4th
Verizon tonight issued one of the largest phone refunds ever as it agreed to pay as much as $ 90 million for phantom data fee complaints. About 15 million current and past customers should receive either bill credits or checks for one or more instances of false data charges. The average credit will range from $ 2 to $ 6, but some will receive more, the carrier said.
The company blamed the mystery fees on software triggering “minor data exchanges” without the user’s intent, triggering the minimum $ 2 data fee for those that didn’t have a data plan. Others More >