Sprint Might be Winner If ATT Occupation of T-Mobile

If you didn't already know by now, ATT made a surprised bid to gobble up T-Mobile for $39 billion. And after a couple for bloggers, tech pundits, and myself to digest all the information, here is where many stand.

Regulators will have to look at this very carefully. Competitors will make demands. Politicians will chime in with their usual buffoon-ish manners. Consumer advocates will have their day that is like going to be ignored.

Right now, the meat is fresh and bloody and everyone will wait a piece of this in the morning. Dozens of blog posts and online newspaper articles have already been written about this.

And Sprint had already had its say. But let me offer this opinion about the deal with respect to Sprint.

Earlier, as I sat thinking about this, I said to myself that if ATT takes away from me the better deals and options that T-Mobile now has, regardless of whether I am taking advantage of it or not, I'll head on over to Sprint.

So there. If ATT does bungle this deal by alienating current T-Mobile customers like myself who have been happy with things the way they are, we will head on over to the no. 3 mobile provider who offers WiMax and competitive plans/options.

In the end, Sprint may benefit to some extent. Sprint has to continue to be aggressive and now may be a great time for it to launch an offensive campaign for the hearts and minds of confused (betrayed) T-Mobile subscribers.

However, keep in mind that no one knows just how this deal, when and not if it will go through, is going to look like when it is finally wrapped up. Though I am not hopeful, one such as myself hopes that T-Mobile will have a better influence on ATT and not all the bad things and worst case scenarios will come to pass.

More important than regulators, it will be the bloggers with legions of readers who can shape how this deal takes place. And we will work hard to make sure that if politicians allow themselves to be bought and a bigger badder ATT is looking out to screw more users, we will point to other options as best as we can.

T-Mobile Has Been Quiet With High End Android

T-Mobile just revived the Sidekick brand with Android as the basis. But since G2, there have not been any high end Android device that enticed me to sign up. I am eagerly waiting for the LG Optimus 2X. Due to my lack of familiarity with LG's track record in mobile and providing timely Android update, I am still waiting to see if HTC has something coming to T-Mobile.

Why T-Mobile? Well, it was the first US wireless network to introduce the first ever Android device, the G1. I was one of the first to rush to the website to order it. So you'll have to forgive me if I'm partial to T-Mobile.

This is what I hope to see from our favorite wireless provider here at On Android. I like to see the following three Android devices:

• Samsung Galaxy S II - this is the next upgrade from the Galaxy update.  It is a natural fit.  As one of the two networks without Apple's iPhone, I see Samsung and T-Mobile as a perfect fit to highlight non-Apple phones and devices, particularly Android.  And having it run on T-Mobile's HSPA+ network would be a plus.
• Because of Verizon's size and Google's eagerness to act as a check-and-balance to the Apple-ATT alliance, most people think Verizon And Droid when they think about Android.  Well, now that Verizon has the iPhone, I like to see Motorola bring the devices that are branded "Droid" to T-Mobile.  Yeah, give me a dual-core Droid-like device, and I'll sign up right this second.  Don't give me that Cliq or the Charm is the best Motorola can bring to the game here.  The Defy is okay but it's so 2009.  Give me Droid X2 or Droid 3 GSM version any day.  
• HTC - we need you.  The G2, while is a HTC-made phone, it is not branded so.  Regardless, HTC has been kind of MIA in my opinion.  Heck, give me the ChaCha which looks like the original Android prototypes.  Oh, but just don't call it the ChaCha on T-Mobile.  There's talk and rumblings about a high end device coming.  I hope so.  The G2 just isn't it.  

My hope is that T-Mobile will have a very active second quarter in Android.  After the Optimus 2X, maybe that'll be when we'll see a couple more high end devices for loyal T-Mobile fans. And yeah, I wouldn't mind seeing Sony's Play in here somewhere too.

iWho?! Verizon's Thunderbolt Is Here With Unlimited LTE Data Access!

I think this is the one to get. I'm an Apple fan but let's face it. The CDMA iPhone 4 that you can buy on the Verizon network (finally) is dated.

The Thunderbolt, while not sporting a dual-core CPU like some of the other upcoming Android devices, is the first LTE device for Verizon.

Is it worth $250? More at Greenjava.

Mobile Payment Is Coming In A Big Way

The mainstream media has not caught on to it yet and I've talked about it here from time to time. But be prepared to be bombarded with tons of media reports, blogs, tweets, and e-mails about it in the coming weeks or months.

At week at the Mobile World Congress, near field communication, NFC, was being talked about as if it is the next holy grail of mobile. And to a follower of mobile happenings like myself, this is a big thing. In as few words as possible, NFC allows payments be made through mobile devices.

Think of this as what you can already do at Starbucks. You can order and pay through the app. Well, this will happen in a much much better way. There are a couple of devices on the market with NFC capability, specifically, Google's Nexus S. But as with some technology, being first doesn't mean much.

However, it is largely expected that Apple's next iOS hardware updates, including the next iPhone, will support mobile payment. And I expect an explosion of next generation Android devices to support this as well.

I really recommend reading up on it because just about everyone from your bank, credit card, wireless providers, and hardware companies will be getting in on this lucrative new business. Oh, and retailers would love this as well.

Also, there are also security concerns you'll need to be aware of.

So get ready media and ad blitz coming our way. I'll be devoting much much more attention than I have in the past. I started talking about almost two years ago, pointing the ease that the Japanese users have been able to enjoy with paying through their cell phones for years.

It'll be our turn soon.

Motorola May Have A Future After All

Meet XOOM, Motorola's 10" tablet running Google-sanctioned Android, Honeycomb, on Nvidia's Tegra 2. And boy, this is the tablet that Samsung should have delivered for the Tab but jumped the gun on.

Here are some of the promo videos that I have managed to track down from the Web.

Aside from the pictures, videos, and specs, we don't know a lot about the user experience that it'll deliver. And I think Google will need to share more of those details. But I have to say Google has once again outdone itself.

The graphics I see are amazing and using a dual-core CPU doesn't disappoint. And let's just say this. The battery life is amazing, 10 hours of video playback. As far as I know, this even ties the iPad in battery life, albeit, last year's iPad.

Here are some questions that I like answered however.

1. How is the ZOOM different from other Tegra 2 and Honeycomb tablets?  They all appear to have to same specs.
2. Will this be stock Android or will Verizon Wireless, the exclusive carrier for the XOOM, think it can do better by "coloring" it with a skin and apps that we don't need or want?  This was a reference tablet of sort (though not called the Nexus tablet) when Google demo'd Android 3 back in December.
3. How is the app market?  Will we see an iPad-like translation in apps between the iPhone version and the iPad version?
4. The XOOM will initially come in a 3G version but will be upgradable to LTE.  Will this cost more?

Anyway, this is the Android tablet to get.  Well, we'll need to know what the prices are but from what I can, it's a good start for now.

Engadget has a nice little table with the specs for the ZOOM.  I encourage you to head over and check it out.  It looks like there will be only one version initially.  Listed is only a 32GB version.  I have a 32GB iPad model.  I would have like to see a 64GB version.  Trust me.  Apps for tablets take up a heck of lot more space than phone apps.

I think this not only sends a message to Apple, but also for RIM, Samsung, and everyone else competing in this market.  I also love to see what HTC has in store.  God, I love competition!

More at Engadget.

Chrome OS And Android To Merge

It has always puzzled me that Google would first introduce the Android and the Chrome OS a few months later, setting up a competition between groups within Google to see which OS prevails.  Now, the creator of Gmail, who no longer has an relations with Google, believed the two OS will merge into one.  And I agree.

In one way or another, Google is not going to have a dual OS strategy.  It is simply too messy.  Not even Microsoft with years of experiences seem comfortable with this.  Nor is Apple doing this.  As a matter of fact, the conventional thinking is that Apple will merge iOS with OS X years down the line.

Right now, Chrome OS has the making of what the future of computing will look like.  Everything will be in the cloud and we will trust that connection to cloud data will be robust enough for us to put all our eggs there.  But I don't see that happen in the short-term.  Sure, we have already begin to save a lot of data on Android and Gmail on desktops and laptops on Google servers but we still do a lot of work that require local storage.

I am very interested in the opportunities that Chrome OS has to offer but I don't want my next netbook to be a dumb terminal.  Nor do I want that for my future Android device, whether it's tablet of smartphone.  But as a solo project, Chrome OS will not survive as we have come to know it.

This is how it'll play out.  Google will try to sell Chrome OS as an alternative to Windows in the netbook arena.  It might find some success but eventually, Android will gain a lot of Chrome OS' features and a couple of years later, Google will announcement that it has successfully merged to two but, in reality, Chrome OS will exist only as key components of Android.  

And folks, that ain't a bad thing.  

More at Techcrunch.

Android 2.2 Not Ready For Tablet Primetime Says Google

I don't want to get into a pissing contest with Steve Jobs about what is the perfect screen for the tablet. iPads have done will but Android's day under the tablet sky will come.

Right now there are a few unsanctioned Android tablets on the market if you're willing to chance it. Yeah, I thought so. So then therefor Samsung's Tab which will cost close to $1K unsubsidized, $400-600 depending on carrier subsidy.

But even then, Google has publicly said that Android 2.2 is not optimized for tablet use and we'll have to wait for Android 3.0 at the end of the year.

What's clear though is that Android tablets will flood the market early 2011. And if you thought waiting until then is hard, just wait until we have to chose between different versions, screen sizes, and which works best for us.

Tablet: Android Today, Chrome OS in 2011

I like to say go ahead and get the Samsung Tab or any other Android-based tablets if you can't wait. Why wait?

Well, Google has indicate that the latest version of Android 2.2 isn't tablet-friendly. And in fact, Samsung has said that some apps may not look good because they are not optimized for tablet use.

So what are we to do? A few year ago, being younger and more adventurous, I think I would get it no matter what warnings may come my way. Today, it's a little different.

But if I were to get one today, I would want to make sure that it is future-proof. By that, I mean the following two things.

First, I want to make sure that any tablet I get are free from carrier meddling. By that, I mean no crapware and I would not be at the mercy of the carrier for upgrades. Let face it, they are dar more interested in us buying new gears and signing multiple-year contracts than extending the life of our mobile gadgets, and that includes tablets.

Second, I want to make sure it is compatible with Android 3.0, which should be more suitable for tablet deployment. More importantly, I want to be sure the tablet is also Chrome OS ready. Google doesn't want to come out and say it but we get the feeling that Google believes the future of mobile should be Chrome OS and webapps, movin further away from Android and apps.

Ultimately, the best thing that can happen is for Google to launch and showcase what they think the ultimate tablet should be based on their philosophy much like they did with Nexus One. In fact, the tablet would be the perfect device for Google to try and get away from carriers.

We will know more in the next few weeks what the four major carriers in the US has planned for the Samsung Tab. We should learn more how upgradable it is and what upgrade path Samsung and Google plotted out.

No Bing For Me, Or Other Non-Verizon Users

I like trying new things, especially new apps and mobile tech. So when I learned that Bing will be available today, I waited patiently for it. When it didn't appear in the Marketplace, I started to dig around.

It turned out that Bing is only available for Verizon Wireless customers with Android phones. Hen this fact hit me: the Marketplace isn't equal for all.

In fact, Microsoft acknowleged the desire to bring Bing to all Android devices, the Marketplace filtered out non-VW queries.

The implications of this is pretty big. It means that developers can be locked out of some carriers depending on whatever deals are agreed upon.

Some apps may be denied because of carrier-specific feature. Others may be if a carrier signs deal with a developer. Today, it is Bing, Microsoft has a search deal with VW. But what about tomorrow? It may be the next hottest game.

Imagine if T-Mobile has an exclusive lock on any new EA games for a period if time. Or if ATT decides it wants to lock out some content because another part of its empire is having some licensing dispute with the content owners.

I am just not sure Google in trying to vie for mobile dominance should allow carriers so much control. Sure, Bing is a Google search competitor and wouldn't mind seeing as little of Microsoft on the mobile platform it fathered (or mothered), this app store policy may backfire some day when it is an app that all Android users want but find that they must be on a specific carrier in order to use it.

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Are the Days of Unlimited Wireless Internet Over?

Those of us who are fortunately enough to have relatively unlimited wireless Internet, and I say relative because our definition of unlimited is not the same as those of wireless providers, we need to remember these days when we tell our grandchildren about them. Because like ATT, Verizon Wireless (VW) is looking to rid themselves of us freeloaders and institute a similar pricing and limitation on data like Ma Bell.

How will this play out?

More at Onxo.

Android App Market - Users Will Pay For Quality Apps

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a post compared to other mobile users, Android users are downloading apps but not really buy them, meaning that Android users like free apps rather than paid ones.

I did not react well to it but then I took a look at the guy in the mirror and shut up. I’ve yet to buy one single app for my G1 while I’ve spent quite a bit for my iOS devices. Why?

I think the two platforms are going after different types of users and it isn’t to say that we Android folks are cheap. This is evident in that I do buy apps from the iTunes app store, just not from Marketplace. There are a couple of reasons.

T-Mobile Needs To Allows Folks To Upgrade Early

A strange thing just happened. It's business as usual over at T-Mobile USA. I just tried to see if I can upgrade a month early. See my contract ends next month but I'm trying to see if I can get the Samsung Vibrant, T-Mobile's version of the Galaxy S. No go.

Meanwhile, ATT and Verizon Wireless are allow users whose contracts are up between now and the end of December to upgrade early. As the number 4 mobile provider in the US, T-Mobile needs to be more flexible.

As Android fans, things don't get better than the last few months with tons of high-end HTC devices coming to the market. Motorola is getting a second wind with Droid X and Droid 2. But Samsung is covering the whole market from top to bottom with its flagship Galaxy S.

So with plenty of Android competitions, not to mention Apple's iPhone 4 juggernaut, T-Mobile needs to do all it can to stay competitive. As the originator of the Android platform with the HTC G1, I like to see them do more. Since the G1, all the Android attention has been on Verizon. And for my fellow Android users who are with Verizon, I'm sure things are pretty good there.

But since then, I can't get T-Mobile has really gone the extra mile. What's going for it is the new HPSA+ network that it is trying to complete. Now, all T-Mobile needs are more power users like myself with a lot more high end Android phones.

It also helps if T-Mobile is more flexible with the two-year contract deadlines and upgrades. Especially someone who has been with them for six years. Just saying...

For now, I'll wait. Either way, I'll be getting an Android device or tablet this year. Maybe not necessarily with T-Mobile. At the end of the day, I'm first and forth-most a mobile fan.

WiMax In Los Angeles?

Being in LA is a good thing at times.  We're close to Hollywood, sunshine, beaches, and hotties all around.  But when it comes to tech, we're almost always the last to get it. High speed bandwidth like DSL and cable in the 90s.  We can pretty much forget about fiber optics.  That seems to be the came for wireless connection as well.

I went to Radio Shack today to play with the EVO and also order an iPhone 4 for my cousin.  In talking to the fellows who work there, they noticed my extreme interest in the EVO.  But I complained about having to pay for the 4G surcharge when we have no idea when I'll see WiMax being supported in my neighborhood.

So he said he understood which is why he's waiting as well.  He'll be jumping ship to Sprint from Verizon.  But he expects it soon. According to him, West LA already has WiMax coverage (I didn't know that) and my area is currently being tested.

He thinks it'll happen end of summer.

Anyway, I thought I pass that along in case anyone in LA is wondering about WiMax.

As for my impression with EVO, there was no working one to play with. But I did like the size.  I am not sure I like the plastic nature of the device.  While I don't like Droid's keyboard, I do like the toughness it conveys.

Galaxy S will be out for T-Mobile in July and I play on giving it a good look through because another Galaxy version will be available for Sprint that supports WiMax later this year.

I'm still waiting to see what the iPhone 4 has to offer when I pick it up for my cousin on the 24th.  I like to stay with T-Mobile and I'll be rooting for the Galaxy big time.  But that depends on when HPSA+ is available.  I imagine it'll happen around the same time as when WiMax becomes available for Los Angeles.  I'll pit Sprint's 4G versus T-Mobile's supercharged 3G network to decide then.

Meanwhile, my G1 is hanging in there.

I Want An Android Tablet But...

By now, you're very excited about the pending Google-Verizon hatched tablet based on Android.  After all, it can't be just a rumor if it came straight from Verizon Wireless' CEO, right?

Here are some thoughts about it that I had throughout the day about it.  A bit more after these tweets:

• Android Tablet:  I already have an iPad but also want an Android tablet.  But… (part 1)
• Android Tablet:  I don’t want a Dell, HTC, or someone else’s tablet because support is probably spotty (part 2)
• Android Tablet:  I don’t want Verizon’s tablet (or whoever else’s) because updates will suck big time (part 3)
• Android Tablet:  I want a Google backed tablet.  A gTablet.  But I want to make sure Google has the right customer support in place (part 4)
• Android Tablet:  I was about to get a Nexus One when Google said it would stop working on the 3G problems with it…seriously, WTF (part 5)
• Android Tablet:  However, with the right support, an Android tablet from Google will totally rock! (part 6)
• Android Tablet:  Imagine a 7-10” tablet with Nvdia’s Tegra 2 support with Flash for hulu playback (part 7)
• Android Tablet:  For naysayers, Sprint & VW didn’t reject Nexus One.  Sprint has Evo and VW has Incredible.  ‘Nuff said. (part 8)
• Android Tablet:  Google needs to sell the tablet direct as well as subsidized.  (part 9)
• Android Tablet:  Needs to support 4G wireless Internet.  WiMax & LTE verson as well. (part 10)

Just one more thing.  The wireless plan for the Android tablet.  Needs to at least match what AT&T is offering for the iPad. Anything less could just derail what might possibly be the best tablet ever.

Our Favorite Wireless Provider T-Mobile Set To Take Speed Crown

T-Mobile is by far the best wireless provider if you take it as a whole package.  I don't want to start some Android sibling rivalry here but our Droid cousins over at Verizon Wireless might have better coverage but you can't call and surf the Web at the same time on a CDMA network.

And to show that T-Mobile is committed to a wireless future, Android And Me is reporting that T-Mobile will flip on the HSPA 7.2 switch by year's end.  What does that mean for T-Mobile and , more specifically, Android subscribers?

Speed, speed, speed!  That's right.  This is the response Android and Me received from T-Mobile:

Thanks for checking in on this. HSPA 7.2 will be enabled across T-Mobile’s entire 3G network by year-end.

• T-Mobile’s 3G network currently covers 250 U.S. cities, reaching approximately 180 million people. T-Mobile will continue to strengthen and grow its 3G network to reach approximately two-thirds of the U.S. population by the end of the year (more than 200 million POPs).
• T-Mobile will integrate HSPA+ into its 3G network in the next several months with broad national deployment anticipate for mid-2010. With HSPA+, customers will experience network throughput speeds that are three to five times faster than today’s 3G networks – with theoretical peak download speeds of 21Mbps (depending on device and other factors).

You read it right.  Speed of 21Mbps.  And more than that, it also mean better coverage.  VW can't make this claim today nor can ATT.  For the Android platform, T-Mobile has been a godsend.  It was not VW who first endorsed Android.  It's only after years of being pummeled by ATT and the iPhone did VW decide it needs something viable.

But back to T-Mobile's HSPA 7.2.  Currently, we're at HSPA 3.6, which is very good considering that T-Mobile only launched its 3G service a little more than a year ago.

However, T-Mobile has to continue working hard.  LTE should be coming online for VW in late 2010 and ATT in 2011.  Regardless, Android now has three of the four major US carriers supporting it.  Yup, Android's future looks secured.

Whether it's the iPhone or Android, I've got both and I'm loving it!

More at Tmo-News and Android And Me.

Note:  For some reason, Android And Me's post has 2008 but the date in the post specifically mentioned 2009.

New Droid Commercial Aims To HIt the iPhone Where It Matters

This is getting good.  Very good.  Here's a new Verizon Wireless commercial aiming to hit the iPhone at the heart of the matter.

I can't wait to see what the response to this from the Apple camp's gonna be.  I love this!

More at CNet News.

Droid Commercial: Awesome Delivery

This is Verizon's latest and totally awesome Droid commercial.  Awesome because the delivery but I don't know if folks who aren't following Android closely as we do will know what's the big deal.  They might end up thinking it's some new movie promo.


Still, bad ass!

Beware of Ever Getting An Android Device From Verizon

Verizon, yet to even have a Pre or Android device, has boldly stated it will only allow its app store to be used on devices it sell.

If you're a G1 owner now, you know that you have full access to the Marketplace without any overt interference from T-Mobile.  T-Mobile has no policy that we only use their app store.

Now, to be fair, Verizon isn't excluding what they consider to be 3rd party app stores like Marketplace.  It's just that they won't endorse it and won't help you access them. You'll have to do it yourself.  

Honestly, reliable network or not, I hesitate going to a network where it has open stated it will be the gatekeeper of wireless Internet access.  It seems like all their talk about an open network is just that. Talk.

Source:  Onxo

WiMax And Android

Did you know that Google was part of a group of companies that invested $3.2 billion in Clearwire, company that is bring WiMax to the markets?

So, it stands to reason that perhaps there is more in stored for Android in 2010 as Spring and Clearwire bring deployment to more than 50 cities.

Oh, you're probably wondering what what Wimax is?  Essentially, it's a 4G network that competes directly with the future LTE network from ATT and Verizon Wireless.

More on WiMax and LTE comparison at Onxo Mobile Society, including a video and some highlighted information that Android phones should know about.