Carriers - 16/218 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Mar

deal-alert-lg-intuition-on-verizon-wireless-only-99-for-new-contracts-and-upgrades-from-amazon-wireless

Verizon Approves Build VS95011B For The LG Intuition, Should Begin Rolling Out Soon

Posted by Cody Toombs in Intuition, LG, News, Verizon Wireless

Verizon's LG Intuition has long been an awkward kid at the lunch table. With a 5" display at 4:3 resolution, it's had a difficult time being accepted, much less competing. Even so, it has not been completely forgotten – Verizon is preparing to roll out a maintenance update to the device that will remove the Color and V Cast apps, fix some assorted bugs, and should improve speakerphone quality. There is one curious detail to this update, it also adds the Amazon Appstore. Are Verizon and Amazon becoming closer friends?

While this update may not bring a new version of the Android OS, the international version – the Optimus Vu – is expected to receive a bump to 4.1 sometime this quarter.

Mar

Android 4.2.2 (Build JDQ39) For Verizon Galaxy Nexus Rolling Out To Testers, OTA Imminent?

Posted by Ryan Whitwam in Carriers, Galaxy Nexus, News, Verizon Wireless

Last Updated: March 3rd, 2013

In the pantheon of devices bearing the name Nexus, there is one obvious black sheep. The Verizon Galaxy Nexus never really got the update love that GSM Nexus devices have, and there was that whole Google Wallet debacle. While the updates haven't been flowing quite like owners had hoped, a version of Android 4.2.2 is now rolling out to Verizon testers. It may only be a matter of time before the update is official.

The JDQ39 build of Jelly Bean brings updated radios to the Verizon Gnex, which it definitely needs. The new version will also include all the 4.2 goodies like quick settings, lock screen widgets, and photospheres.

Feb

Sprint's Galaxy S III Getting A Small OTA Update To Build L710VPMB1

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Galaxy S III, News, Sprint

Earlier this month, The Now Network pushed an update to its version of the Samsung Galaxy S III with a few small fixes in it. That update was build L710VPMA6. Today, the company is sending another update to the Galaxy S III that is essentially the same update, plus one addition: 3rd party software licensing. This one's build L710VPMB1, will hit your device regardless of whether or nor you installed the previous update.

So, for those wondering, here's the full changelog:

Enhancements/Fixes

Voicemail application update

SMS 3-digit support

Calendar sync issues

3rd party software licensing

Per Sprint, "this is a new release of L710VPBMA6, but also includes additional 3rd party software licenses." We're not sure why the company decided to rehash a previous update with one additional feature (as opposed to sending that feature out on its own), but alas, that's what it did.

Feb

US Cellular Adds The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 To Its LTE Lineup For $499.99

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Galaxy Note 10.1 (GT-N8000 / N8010 / N8013), News, Samsung, US Cellular

Its smaller 8-inch cousin is getting all the attention at Mobile World Congress (for better or worse), but the plus-sized Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 still has a few fans. At least one of them works at regional carrier US Cellular, because the device is now their second 4G LTE tablet, behind the original Galaxy Tab 10.1. The Galaxy Note 10.1 is available now from US Cellular's website and retail stores for $499.99; it requires a 2GB data plan, but not a long-term contract.

The Note 10.1 comes with a Jelly Bean 4.1 upgrade already on board, not to mention the 1.4Ghz Exynos quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM that it started with.

Feb

EE Launches 4G In Nine More Towns And Cities Across The UK, Including Coventry, Preston And Walsall

Posted by John Thompson in Everything Everywhere (EE), News

Continuing its rollout across the UK, Everything Everywhere has expanded its 4G service to nine more towns and cities. As a result, superfast mobile broadband is now available to 45% of the UK.

The following nine towns and cities will see 4G service turned on today:

Barnsley
Chorley
Coventry
Newport
Preston
Rotherham
Telford
Walsall
Watford

As Everything Everwhere's monopoly over 4G in the UK will soon be coming to an end, following successful bids for spectrum by all of the major mobile carriers in the country, the network is continuing to aggressively rollout its service to as many people as possible, promising 4G in 72 towns and cities by summer 2013.

Feb

Sprint's Optimus G Jelly Bean OTA Update (4.1.2, Build LS970ZVB) Starting To Trickle Out

Posted by Cameron Summerson in News, Optimus G, Sprint

Well, here's a bit of a nice surprise: one lucky XDA user just got an update to 4.1.2 on his Sprint Optimus G. And then another. And another. And some more. All with nary a word from The Now Network, which is usually pretty on top of announcing updates for devices. Ergo, at this point, we're not entirely sure if this is the start of a full-on rollout or just a "soak test" of sorts. We're thinking the former, but until official word is muttered from the lips of Sprint, it's a crapshoot.

^{Anyone ever actually seen a screenshot like this before?}

Feb

'AT&T' And 'GM' Fill This Month's '[Carrier] And [Automaker] Bring 4G To Your Car' Headline

Posted by Eric Ravenscraft in Carriers, News

In the future, your car is going to be connected to the internet. This is a matter of when, not if. Volvo and BMW are already working on auto connectivity, and Verizon has partnered with just about everyone. Today, AT&T and GM announced that they're joining the fray by combining their strengths. Starting in 2014, cars from General Motors will have LTE radios .

More specifically, most 2015 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac models will support wireless connectivity in the U.S. and Canada. AT&T notes that it expects its LTE network to cover 300 million people by the end of 2014.

Feb

Boost's First LTE Phones Are The HTC One SV And ZTE Force, Coming March 7th; Virgin Mobile USA Adds Galaxy Victory 4G LTE

Posted by Jeremiah Rice in Boost Mobile, Galaxy Victory (SPH-L300), News, One SV, Sprint, Virgin Mobile

Pay-as-you-go Sprint subsidiary Boost Mobile would like you to know that they've got LTE service. It's okay if you didn't - it's not as if they had any phones that could take advantage of the speedier standard. But that should be rectified in just a couple of weeks, when the HTC One SV And the ZTE Force (officially the "Boost Force by ZTE," because American carriers like to push around smaller OEMs) become available for purchase. You can pick both of them up on March 7th for $299.99 and $199.99, respectively and without contract. Meanwhile, over at the other prepaid Sprint MVNO, Virgin is repackaging the Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE for $299.99.

Feb

Motorola Set To Begin Soak Test For Verizon RAZR And RAZR MAXX Jelly Bean Update

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Jelly Bean 4.1, News, RAZR / RAZR MAXX, Verizon Wireless

Motorola, through its Feedback Network, has indicated that it is readying a "new Jelly Bean software release" for the Droid RAZR and RAZR MAXX on Verizon, asking participants – as usual – to test the waters before the release is made final. We know that the RAZR/MAXX duo are set to get a 4.1 update in "Q1 2013" from Motorola's own update schedule, so the following email (sent to members of Moto's feedback network) is a good sign that things are on track.

Hi,
Thanks for joining the Motorola Feedback Network. We are inviting owners of the Droid RAZR or Droid RAZR Maxx on Verizon to participate in an early preview of a new Jelly Bean software release, and provide feedback. If you are not currently using a Droid RAZR or Droid RAZR Maxx on Verizon, please excuse and ignore this email.

Feb

[Deal Alert] Nexus 4 Free From T-Mobile Until Sunday, February 24th (Online Only)

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Deals, News, Nexus 4, T-Mobile

I know, I know. Getting locked into a two-year contract for a Nexus 4 is something that not everyone wants to do, and I don't blame them. But, for those who don't mind two years on T-Mobile, you can get a free Nexus 4 if you order it before Sunday, February 24th. That's a pretty solid deal, because this is one of the best Android phones money can buy. But if you get it for free, money isn't buying it. So it's one of the best Android phones you can get for free. Actually, it's probably the best Android phone you can get for free.