21
Dec
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Will The FCC's Net Neutrality Order Cost Smartphone Users?

Posted by in Carriers, Editorials, News


In a word: yes. Wireless carriers in the US (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, etc.) have long been deeply opposed to net neutrality over their so-called "mobile broadband" networks, but today they've been given a power they have long desired to see the FCC put into writing.

If you haven't been following the net neutrality saga, you might want to find out what exactly "net neutrality" is, or what it means.

What is "net neutrality"?

It's a loaded term, to be frank. Net neutrality activists will tell you it means the complete freedom of information from corporate interference by requiring that ISPs (Internet service providers) do not give any preferential (or deferential) treatment to any information transmitted over their networks, unless it is clearly illegal or dangerous.

21
Dec
vzw galaxy tab

[Update: Possibly Fake] Best Buy Reduces Price Of Verizon's Galaxy Tab To $500 Without Contract

Posted by in Deals, Galaxy Tab, News, Samsung, Verizon Wireless

Though it previously retailed for $599, the Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab can now be purchased from Best Buy without a contract for just $499. The price drop may be an indication that the WiFi-only Galaxy Tab could retail for much less.

Update: It looks like this is fake! Our own source at Best Buy, as well as calls to various brick-and-mortar locations, suggest to us that this is just a case of Photoshop trickery. Sorry for any confusion! -- Aaron

Update 2: According to commenter K, this deal has indeed been going on for a bit - to get the discounted price, you have to sign up for at least the $20 plan, which can be canceled after the first month.

19
Oct
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Samsung Galaxy Tab Announced In Germany For €730 Off Contract, €300 + €35 On A Monthly Contract

Posted by in Devices By Manufacturer, Galaxy Tab, News, Samsung, Tablets, Vodafone

While Samsung's much anticipated 7-incher is still yet to arrive on a carrier in the USA, availability is spreading throughout Europe. Today, Vodafone Germany posted its prices for the Galaxy Tab, and they're looking pretty steep. For the proposed €729.90 ($1015), you could get not one but two nicely-specced dualcore netbooks (from Samsung!), which makes me question whether this is simply Samsung exploiting a naïve and nascent market; a price bubble which is set to burst shortly.

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The on-contract price of €299.90 is also difficult to justify. The €35 "Notebook" tariff does not appear to include any voice minutes, despite the European Galaxy Tab's phone capabilities.

18
Oct
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Amazon Steps Up Again: Drops Price Of T-Mobile G2 To Just $80 For New Contracts

Posted by in G2 (Vision), News, T-Mobile

 

We swear, we're not gradually converting from news to deal-watching - but hot damn, how can we ignore this: Amazon Wireless is continuing its aggressive price-leadership strategy, and has now dropped the T-Mobile G2 to just $80 for new customers. Better yet, the deal includes free two-day shipping and there's no mail-in-rebate (MIR). Oh, and Artem would want me to point out that there's no sales tax and no activation fee - both of which are fast becoming standard fare (hell, he probably also thinks the title should have some metaphor for how this price is on fire or something).

11
Aug
dellstreak08102010

Dell Streak (Officially) Available August 13th – $299 With 2-Year Contract on AT&T, $549 Without

Posted by in News, Streak

After having faked us out a couple weeks back, it seems Dell is finally ready to let its Streak tablet-phone-whatever loose stateside. You can get it $299 with a new or upgraded 2-year service agreement on AT&T, or shell out $549 to avoid the contractual shackle. Here’s a quick reminder of the specs the Streak is packing:

  • 5” TFT LCD with resolution of 480x800 pixels
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • HSDPA 7.2 radio (Class 12) with GPS
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g radio
  • Bluetooth v2.0
  • 5MP camera with dual-LED flash
  • Front-facing camera
  • Snapdragon 1GHz processor
  • Android 1.6
  • 2GB Internal Storage
  • 1530mAh battery

You’ll notice I’ve taken the liberty to highlight a few of the Streak’s unique points, good and bad.

26
Jul
300px-US-LibraryOfCongress-Seal.svg

United States Library Of Congress: Jailbreaking/Unlocking/Rooting Your Phone Is A-OK With The Government - Here Are The Implications

Posted by in News

If you’ve cruised the blogosphere today, you’ve probably noticed a number of articles talking about the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), and the Library of Congress having decided to add a few exemptions to the sweeping piece of legislation’s authority. Why is this a big deal? And is it a big deal at all?

On the latter, in some ways yes, and I’ll explain why only some later. For the former, it signifies a change in attitude over what constitutes infringement of digital copyright for two major pieces of technology, one of which we’re interested in here at Android Police (take a guess at what sort of technology that is).

15
Jul
verizonsoupnazi

UPDATED: Want A Droid X? Don’t Want A Contract? Don’t Go To (Some) Verizon Retail Stores

Posted by in Droid X (Shadow), News, Verizon Wireless

UPDATE: Per our informer below in the comments, this may be limited to only some Verizon retail locations. But, there is confirmation that several actual Verizon locations would not sell unsubsidized devices in the link we’re sourcing.

Numerous persons are confirming in comments and side-notes on DroidLife that some Verizon stores are refusing to sell unsubsidized (full-price) Droid X’s to customers who are showing up and waiting in line for the device this morning. They are reportedly being directed to place orders online and have the phone shipped. While this is arguably little more than a shrewd business tactic, it certainly doesn’t make Verizon look any better given all the bad press the Droid X has been getting.

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