Thanks to BGR for the tip!

Are you an AT&T user that still has unlimited data? Well AT&T started a new thing today (at least it was confirmed today) that you will start to be throttled as you use their data to its max. AT&T has a few users that max out their data and although they say it is only the top 5% of their users we want you to know that  AT&T will be slower than normal!

This is all supposed to start October 1st. It will be based on how much data you use – and if you are in the top 5% then you will be throttled. AT&T never does tell us though how much it will take to get to the top 5%. This is said though that it will be users that stream music and videos to their devices, as well as gaming. You can look at the full press release at the bottom of the article, but I want to point out the nice little tidbit at the end that says they still need T-Mobile to solve it’s spectrum and network crunch.

Source: PhoneDog

An Update for Our Smartphone Customers With Unlimited Data
Plans

Dallas, Texas, July 29, 2011

Like other wireless
companies, we’re taking steps to manage exploding demand for mobile data.  Many
experts agree the country is facing a serious wireless spectrum crunch.  We’re
responding on many levels, including investing billions in our wireless network
this year and working to acquire additional network capacity.  We’re also taking
additional, more immediate measures to help address network
congestion.

One new measure is a step that may reduce the data throughput
speed experienced by a very small minority of smartphone customers who are on
unlimited plans – those whose extraordinary level of data usage puts them in the
top 5 percent of our heaviest data users in a billing period.  In fact, these
customers on average use 12 times more data than the average of all other
smartphone data customers.  This step will not apply to our 15 million
smartphone customers on a tiered data plan or the vast majority of smartphone
customers who still have unlimited data plans.

Starting October 1,
smartphone customers with unlimited data plans may experience reduced speeds
once their usage in a billing cycle reaches the level that puts them among the
top 5 percent of heaviest data users.  These customers can still use unlimited
data and their speeds will be restored with the start of the next billing
cycle.  Before you are affected, we will provide multiple notices, including a
grace period.

This change will never impact the vast majority of our
customers, and is designed to create a better service experience for
all.

The amount of data usage of our top 5 percent of heaviest users
varies from month to month, based on the usage of others and the ever-increasing
demand for mobile broadband services.  To rank among the top 5 percent, you have
to use an extraordinary amount of data in a single billing period.

There
will be no changes for the vast majority of customers.  It’s not how much time
you spend using your device, it’s what you do with it.  You can send or receive
thousands of emails, surf thousands of Web pages and watch hours of streaming
video every month and not be in the top 5 percent of data
users.

Typically what puts someone in the top 5 percent is streaming very
large amounts of video and music daily over the wireless network, not Wi-Fi.
Streaming video apps, remote web camera apps, sending large data files (like
video) and some online gaming are examples of applications that can use data
quickly.  Using Wi-Fi doesn’t create wireless network congestion or count toward
your wireless data usage.  AT&T smartphone customers have unlimited access
to our entire Wi-Fi network, with more than 26,000 hotspots, at no additional
cost.  They can also use Wi-Fi at home and in the office.

The bottom line
is our customers have options. They can choose to stay on their unlimited plans
and use unlimited amounts of data, but may experience reduced speeds at some
point if they are an extraordinarily heavy data user. If speed is more
important, they may wish to switch to a tiered usage plan, where customers can
pay for more data if they need it and will not see reduced speeds.

But
even as we pursue this additional measure, it will not solve our spectrum
shortage and network capacity issues.  Nothing short of completing the T-Mobile
merger will provide additional spectrum capacity to address these near term
challenges.

If you’re an At&t Android user, today is a happy day for you. They have announced that all of their postpaid Android users will get an upgrade to Gingerbread sometime this year. The Motorola Atrix 4G is first on the list, getting their update within the next few weeks. The HTC Inspire 4G will get their’s sometime next month.

One thing I found interesting is that they listed the Samsung Captivate 4G. I was a previous Captivate owner, and it does not have HSPA+ (At&t’s 4G). This is also the first time I’ve seen them call it a 4G phone. I believe it did have HSDPA and HSUPA for faster uploads, but not the +.

Source: PhoneDog

AT&T Customers to Enjoy Gingerbread
Android 2.3 Debuted in the AT&T Portfolio with HTC Status, All Post-paid Android Smartphones Released in 2011 Planned to Receive 2.3 Upgrade

© 2011 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

AT&T very own customers have been suing the company for what appears to be their way of showing how disapproved they are about the T-Mobile take over. They say they are suing to voice that this merger will hurt consumers by squashing the competition.

A New York law firm, Bursor & Fisher, filed a 236 page document requesting arbitration for 11 of its clients, alleging the proposed $39 million merger violates the Clayton Antitrust Act. The firm has also created a website for more people to sign up to get into the action….All at the cost of AT&T…

Attorney Scott Bursor says nearly 50 people and counting are interesting in pursuing arbitration in this legal matter.

“We’ve spent months compiling evidence of how this merger will cause higher prices and worse service,” Bursor said, outlining the case. “We’ve hired experts who are prepared to testify at arbitration hearings across the country. And we are prepared to file hundreds of arbitration cases, any one of which could stop this merger.”

Now you may remember AT&T won a Supreme Court case in April that ruled consumers cannot bring a class-action suit against AT&T, upholding the wireless carrier’s attempt to prevent such suits in its customers contracts. But customers can (and are) still requesting arbitration, according to the courts.

AT&T must still pay for each arbitration dispute a customer files against it, and up to $10,000 if the arbitrator find in favor of the plaintiff. In other words if (and that is a big IF) Bursor & Fisher win their filings, AT&T must make a sizable contribution to all consumers involved in arbitration against it.

So with that my AT&T loving PPCGs, will you too file suit and show your outcry about the merger? This could make things heat up for AT&T and if enough people sign and win maybe make AT&T think twice about the merger and the costs associated with it. Will you sign it – tell us below!

Source: Mobiledia

Once again some new FCC papers have us wondering. As a GSM version of the Motorola Droid 3 showed itself to the FCC, with full support for bands used by AT&T and Bell in Canada. I’m sure those of you who have AT&T as their carrier would like to see this phone come their way. However, I would say don’t hold your breath though stranger things have happened. There’s a better chance this device is the one that was mentioned by Mobile Syrup last week discussing the Motorola XT860 (aka Milestone 3) heading to Bell on August the 14th.

According to FCC reports, the device has:

• 16GB of internal storage
• a 960×540 qHD display
• uses an SNN5885A battery

So it definitely appears to be the GSM Motorola Droid 3. The device, as referred to by its FCC ID IHDT56MF2, supports bands for GSM 850, 1900, and WCDMA bands II and V. AT&T and Bell in Canada both currently use these bands.

Would you like to see this device show up on AT&T’s inventory?
Perhaps an unlocked model would do?
What are your thoughts on this latest variant of the Motorola Droid 3?
Let me know in the comment section below.

source: FCC

Have you ever broken your iPhone and wished you had insurance to help cover the cost of the replacement? Well today may be your lucky day. AT&T has updated their insurance and guess what?!? It now covers the iPhone – any model, old and new… One problem though – you have to be within 30 days of your original purchase date to get insurance.

From AT&T’s website –

*Please Note: AT&T Mobile Insurance Update: Effective July 17, 2011, the Apple iPhone (all models) will be eligible for coverage with the AT&T Mobile Insurance program (formerly Wireless Phone Insurance). Enrollment restrictions apply. Customers can only enroll within 30 days of a new activation or upgrade, prior activations or upgrades outside of 30 days are not eligible.

The insurance follows their other smart phone insurance for 50/100 deductible and insurance covers, lost, broken, stolen, and electrical issues. It does cost $5 a month on top of your plan…This is the standard insurance that Asurion provides it sounds.

So how does this make you iPhone users feel? Are you willing to spend the money to get a little (or lot) piece of mind if you break your device? Tell us below – I do know some of my friends are very happy this is offered, but that is only because they have broken a few phones in their lifetime…

Source: AT&T

“Yarr! Our ship has recently sailed upon some juicy AT&T findings… this might be delicious…”
This was posted 6 weeks ago from the recently well known LulzSec Lulz Boat and now we have some new information about it.
Who is LulzSec and what are these leaked AT&T findings you ask?
Well, let us try and give you at least a glimpse of what both of these are all about.

First, we will begin with a little information about LulzSec. LulzSec draws its name from the modern term “Lulz,” (from LOLs) which often signifies laughter, and “Sec,” which is short for “Security”. Essentially, their way of laughing at the poor security of many large companies that should be much better protected. Just after midnight on June 26th, 2011, LulzSec released a “50 days of lulz” statement, which they claimed to be their final release, confirming that LulzSec consisted of six members, and that their website was to be taken down. The release includes over 750,000 accounts gathered from several gaming forums and a major part of it from Battlefield Heroes Beta. The list of the leaked accounts was later made available at Dazzlepod.com. Well, there final crop of documents contain some interesting information about AT&T’s future data plans. More about that in a bit.

Ryan Cleary, is the person who is considered the LulzSec mastermind who recently attacked Sony, the US Central Intelligence Agency and the US Senate. He was arrested last Tuesday, June 22nd in England and could be facing up to 10 years in jail. The arrest of Cleary came within hours of the UK’s premier investigating agency’s website being taken offline as a result of a cyber attack. Detectives swooped down on Cleary’s Essex home swat style and snatched him out of his bedroom, which he had reportedly not left for almost four years.

According to Cleary’s mother he is an ultimate recluse. He left his bedroom only to use the bathroom and had never gone out of the house in the last four years. He suffers from agoraphobia, the fear or open spaces and has a confirmed Attention Deficit Disorder personality. He would have her leave his meals at his door for him, like an inmate.

Cleary is a heavy metal fan who has been thrown out of two schools for disruptive behavior, according to the Sun. “Ryan is obsessed with computers. He’s a bit of a geek. That’s all he does, he’s a recluse. He locks himself in his room every day, closes the curtains and spends hours at a time online,” Cleary’s 22-year-old half brother told the Sun.

The British police believe Cleary is a big part of the inner ring of the LulzSec and that his arrest could give vital leads to the hacker group. But LulzSec insists that he is not part of them. “Ryan Cleary is not part of LulzSec; we house one of our many legitimate chatrooms on his IRC server, but that’s it,” LulzSec tweeted. “Clearly the UK police are so desperate to catch us that they’ve gone and arrested someone who is, at best, mildly associated with us. Lame,” the group tweeted.

Under recently revised US laws, Cleary could face up to ten years in jail. He is very likely to be extradited to the US, where according to current laws, first-time hacking offenders can only receive up to a ten year sentence. With the maximum sentence for simple data theft at currently only five years. The Obama administration has urged Congress to pass new laws that would double the maximum sentence hackers could receive.

After fifty days of releasing large amounts information of confidential data, from police units to government departments, CIA, AOL, Sony, and many others, LulzSec announced on its Twitter feed Sunday evening, that it is to disband.

So it appears that the supposed six that are mentioned in their press release as being the ones behind the modern day pirate type group have called it a day.

In a statement via its official Twitter feed this evening:

The support we’ve gathered for it in such a short space of time is truly overwhelming, and not to mention humbling. Please don’t stop. Together, united, we can stomp down our common oppressors and imbue ourselves with the power and freedom we deserve.”

Ok, well what does any of this have to do with Mobile devices or AT&T you still wonder, right?

Well, in their one last and final drop of data they have retrieved (stolen sounds harsh), amongst many other files were documents posted containing technical details about the telecom giant’s rollout of its next-generation wireless technology, commonly known as LTE. Though the information could very well be outdated and obviously never meant for public consumption, it does give some insight into some of the thoughts and ideas they were at least looking at, such as speed and session-based pricing for their upcoming LTE network.

The most interesting and perhaps threatening detail for networks with data cap tiers like Verizon, is that AT&T’s proposed plan is to market LTE data with various speed tiers, which it’s calling “Speed Based Pricing.” Verizon’s about to switch to tiered pricing for its data plans (3G and 4G), but that’s based on total consumption, not speed. The basic idea would be pay more, and you get faster LTE speeds. Not exactly a new concept, cable and satellite companies have been going this route with their Internet access charges for quite some time now, but it could be an interesting change in the mobile space and possibly better then Verizon’s new approach. According to the leaked documents, you could also pay for a session, or temporary speed boost if you need it, which is also becoming more and more common in the broadband market.

Another big detail stumbled upon in the documents is a slide stating the following:

Pre-LTE scenarios: Testing will include iPad new activations HLS using the new rate plan, as well as a regression on netbooks and dongles. During validation E2E execution should ensure all functionality new and current is still functioning properly by validating account set up, provision, usage and notifications.

The LTE-ready iPad, is likely to be the iPad 3 which is expected next year with a higher resolution Retina Display, a faster processor and, according to the leaked documents, 4G LTE connectivity on board.
Another page in the documents supports the numerous rumors surrounding an iPhone 5 release in September. It clearly states that there will be three phases to LTE network deployment: with a potential LTE-ready iPhone 5 releasing in Phase 2, which is right on schedule for the rumored September launch period.

Of course, AT&T likely won’t have LTE available until it unleashes the iPhone 6 in 2012, but it’s still interesting to see where the industry could go by that time.
Any of you have an interest in speed or session based pricing, or are data caps complicated enough already?
Do you see this plan staying on track, even with the T-Mobile merger?

source: LulzSec, ZDnet, ifans

So I have not wrote about the Sprint and AT&T merger in a couple weeks – but lets be clear – it is still in the heat of all things cell phone. Yesterday Sprint told the FCC that AT&T can expand without buying T-Mobile in a move that I would say is bold at the least. They [Sprint] claim that AT&T could see a 600% increase in network and save themselves a bunch of money because it would cost less to revamp then buy.

“AT&T could increase its network capacity by more than 600 percent by 2015 without subjecting the country to the anti-competitive and anti-consumer harms associated with its proposed takeover of T-Mobile,’ says SVP for Government Affairs Vonya B McCann. “This capacity increase could more than meet AT&T’s projected data service demand growth through and beyond 2015 for a fraction of the cost of its proposed $39 billion takeover of T-Mobile.”

“AT&T has not, and cannot, demonstrate that its proposed takeover of T-Mobile is in the public interest,” insists Sprint

Sprint has been the most vocal of all the carriers in the USA about this merger. Sprint claims that it would stifle innovation, and cause prices to rise as AT&T (and Verizon) play games with each other. Remember that if this goes through that AT&T and Verizon would own about 80% of all customers in the nation. Leaving Sprint in a distant 3rd for the major carriers.

An AT&T spokesman responded by criticizing Sprint’s transfer of its network management to Ericsson (ERICb.ST). “A company that has outsourced the management of its own network shouldn’t be giving advice to others.”

So what do you say PPCGeeks – what do you want Verizon & AT&T&T? Does this even really matter in the bigger picture? Tell us below. I for one say it should not go through, as I see my chocies of carriers drop and my prices rise – I ask myself if cell phones are even worth it at a high price.

source: dslreports and BGR

Sprint Nextel Corp and LightSquared Inc. are joining forces to provided Sprint users with a better high-speed wireless experience. Philip Falcone (owner of LightSquared Inc.) announced to his investors that the companies were discussing a $20 billion deal.  For Falcone, this deal is very important. He is basically gambling 60% of his trust fund on this project. But if this pays off like Falcone is expecting, it will have been worth the risk. Investors are excited about the deal with sprint. They were quoted, “It’s a step in the right direction given all the uncertainty around this investment.”

Investors are referring to the challenge that Falcone laid out regarding Verizon Wireless and ATT about networks and rivaling their wireless networks.

The plan is that Sprint and LightSquared will jointly develop the 4G LTE network. Obviously since Sprint is helping to develop the network they are going to be the main customer of the 4G LTE network.

For Sprint this is  a BIG deal. If they are able to build up this 4G LTE network, then Sprint, who is currently the third largest US wireless company, will be even better suited to keep up/surpass ATT. The hope with this merger with LightSquared is that it will lessen the load on Sprints current data servers. Many sprint customers may be finding their data running a bit slower than they like (something most of us can relate too) this is due to the high volume of data usage on the Sprint Network. Which is most likely due to Sprints Unlimited Data plans (which in the humble opinion of this writer is freaking sweet and is something that carriers like ATT should really look in to)

There is still some work to be done both by Sprint and by LightSquared Inc. For instance, there is a study due to release around July 1 about whether or not this new system would interfere with global-positioning systems. But if they can iron out the issues, this could mean much better network speeds for Sprint users.

Source: Fiercewireless

Google has been working hard, to try and present the ultimate design and concept for what a smartphone should be. Recently introduced was the Nexus S from Google, the first phone to run Android 2.3, Gingerbread. According to exclusive details from our friends over at BGR, Google’s next Nexus device, possibly called the Nexus 4G, is going to be quite a device to behold with all of the latest and greatest specs you might expect. Read on to soak in more info..

According to details from BGR, it’s believed that the Google Nexus 4G will feature a next-generation dual-core 1.2GHz or 1.5GHz CPU, probably an OMAP 4460 or a, ultra low-power 28nm Krait-based Snapdragon instead of the rumored NVIDIA Kal-El processor. The display is said to be a 720p HD “monster-sized” screen. As reported in an earlier article, it’s safe to say that no buttons will be present on the face of this device. Everything will be on screen and software-based, providing much more screen real estate, without increasing the devices’ dimensions.

Other features we can expect to grace this device include, a 4G LTE radio, 1GB of RAM, 1080p HD video capture and playback, a 1MP front-facing camera, and a 5MP rear facing camera. The 5MP camera is said to be much better than previous generation cameras, especially in low light conditions. The Google Nexus 4G will run Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and is expected sometime near Thanksgiving.

Is this just a reference design for Ice Cream?
Will this be one of AT&T’s first 4G LTE smartphones?
Do you think it may also make its’ way to Verizon, with its’ 4G onboard?
Let me know your thoughts on this next Google phone, the Nexus 4G.

**UPDATE** This should not be confused with the Nexus S 4G coming to Sprint, this is infact the ‘Nexus 3″…

source: BGR

Well once again AT&T is in trouble. It seems lately that they can’t keep their names out of the news…and not in a good way. A class-action lawsuit was  finally settled. AT&T was accused of improperly levying taxes on mobile Internet access fees.

A federal judge in the US District Court of Northern Illinois approved the proposed settlement last week. According to a Kansas law firm (Bartimus Frickleton Robertson and Gorny PC) AT&T will be working with the law firm to get state and local governments to repay a maximum of $956.16 million back to its customers.

Of course in the course of the settlement AT&T did not admit to ANY wrongdoing, but lets be real what company is going to admit that they messed up and “accidently” charged people taxes that they shouldn’t have. Hmmm let me think about that one…oh that’s right, no one is. I think the world actually might come to a screeching halt if a company admitted to making a mistake.

Lawsuits have been filed in all 50 states. The law firm claims that AT&T violated the Internet Tax Freedom Act, which was created to keep the government from levying taxes on internet access between November 1, 2003 through November 1, 2014. It is estimated that 29 million contracts and 49 million customers with individual phone numbers will be covered under this lawsuit.

It is becoming a wonder to me that AT&T has any customers left at all. While, they do have good service coverage, and their phones aren’t too terribly expensive with all the bad press coverage they have been getting lately, I’m sure many people are thinking twice before going to AT&T for their cell phone service. I know that I am definitely rethinking my options about where to sign my next cell phone contract. 

Source Fierce Wireless

Many have heard about the ATT and T-Mobile merger and the debate around it. Well it seems all this dispute has brought on new action from the FCC. They are now hitting up the other carriers for their opinions on the deal. Before we get to the details, let’s look at what has already happened briefly.

Sprint Nextel, along with thousands of consumers, had filed requests for the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to block AT&T’s proposed acquisition of rival mobile carrier T-Mobile USA. The $39 billion acquisition would create a “Twin Bell duopoly,” giving AT&T and Verizon Communications a combined 82% of the mobile market in the country, Sprint said Tuesday. Approval of the acquisition would take the U.S. mobile market back to the 1980s, when only two carriers had mobile licenses in each area, Sprint said in its 377-page filing.

The FCC’s spectrum auctions that took place in the 1990s,”gave rise to Sprint, T-Mobile, and other wireless carriers, and ushered in an era of competition and growth that has greatly benefited consumers,” Sprint’s representatives wrote. “Wireless competition has sparked a technological revolution in broadband data services, applications and devices. The proposed transaction would turn back the clock on competition and innovation and bring this era of unprecedented wireless expansion and technological innovation to an abrupt, but avoidable, halt.”

The FCC has received more than 10,000 comments about the proposed merger, with many mobile customers submitting one-page form letters from media reform group Free Press in opposition to the deal. Sprint has opposed the deal since the companies first announced it back in March. The deal would merge the second largest mobile carrier in the U.S. with the fourth largest, creating a new leader.

AT&T has argued that it needs T-Mobile’s spectrum to keep up with growing demand for mobile broadband service. Sprint disputed that argument, saying AT&T already controls the most spectrum of any U.S. mobile carrier. AT&T is the “industry laggard” in deploying next-generation mobile broadband, a Sprint source was quoted saying.

These ongoing arguments have led to The FCC sending out a request to carriers asking them for information to help its investigation into the AT&T and T-Mobile deal. Verizon, Sprint, and regional carriers, such as Cellular South and US Cellular were all asked to provide responses to the proposed deal. Each got the same nine questions regarding coverage, cell site ownership, expansion, relationships with AT&T, their future spectrum plans, billing, and competitive reports. The carriers have been given a June 20th deadline, to get their responses filed.

source
FCC Questionnaire (PDF)

What are your thoughts on the merger?
How do you feel about the fact that the FCC is finally looking into it more?
Let me know your thoughts on all of this below.

Known specs:
• 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon dual-core processor
• Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) with HTC Sense 3.0
• 4.3 inch qHD display (540×960 pixels)
• 14.4 Mbps HSPA+ speed (no 21.1 or 42.2 support)
• 768 MB RAM and 1GB internal storage
• microSD card slot with 8GB included card
• 8 megapixel camera with 1080p support
• Front facing VGA camera for video chat
• 802.11 b/g/n
• Bluetooth 3.0
• 1520 mAh battery
• Dimensions of 126.1 x 65.4 x 11.3 mm and 148 grams

source

We’re all aware of AT&T trying to buy T-Mobile, but many of us may not be aware of what else AT&T is trying to buy up.

 Apparently AT&T has been in the market for local cell phone companies for a while now. Behind the scenes they have been slowly buying up different corporations. AT&T plans to buy out the minority stakes in a couple of Cincinnati wireless companies to the tune of $320 million cash.

 The two companies AT&T is looking to purchase were splinters off of Cincinnati Bell. These companies split from Bell in 1998.  AT&T holds roughly 55% of these two companies and manages their daily routines and such.

 If the sale of the minority stakes of these two companies goes through, it will generate after-tax profits of $250 million for those selling the shares.  It is believed that the sale will go through sometime in early July because there is no approval needed as AT&T is already the main partner.

 Here is the question that plagues my mind….Is this just the beginning? If AT&T continues to buy up all the competition, will the FCC stop them? Or are consumers going to be left with one or two choices of cell phone carriers that will be able to jack prices way up for the simple fact of they can. As an AT&T customer, I’m worried about what this might be for the future of all cell phone companies.

Source: Fierce Wireless

There is something new coming for AT&T users. Earlier today it was “leaked” that there might be a new phone joining the AT&T family. In the past few years the United States has not seen much from Sharp. The last thing they released here in the US was the FX (which resembled T-mobile sidekick).

There was an image leaked with the rumors. The new Sharp phone has a full slide out QWERTY keyboard. It is slimmer than the Sidekick and reminds this news writer of the HTC Arrive on Sprint, but a bit bulkier..

The phone is said to feature not only a slide out full QWERTY Keyboard, but has a set of standard Android phone function keys. It will have 850/1900 3G connectivity.

If rumors are true, AT&T will be adding to their Android family, here very shortly. I look forward to seeing this phone in the stores and seeing what all it can do.

Source: Engadget

You may have heard the recent rumors that the HTC Wildfire S officially made it through the FCC and has been approved for AT&T’s network. The good news is the Wildfire S won FCC approval for GSM 850 and 1900 bands, as well as WCDMA bands II and V.

To name a few features you will see a 3.2-inch display, 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, Bluetooth 3.0, Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and Sense UI V3.0 is highly expected. As the source suggests, while the Wildfire S does support the right 3G bands for AT&T, there’s no guarantee it’ll end up there. What do you think?

Watch the video introduction to the HTC Wildfire S below:

Check out HTC’s website to learn more about this phone and get the full specifications. Click here!

Are you excited about a new HTC phone coming to AT&T? Are there features you want it to have that you don’t see? Let us know what you think about the HTC Wildfire S now that we know it’s official. Leave your comments in the box below.

Source: Engadget via Wireless Goodness

Google has been sued successfully and lost for use of Linux on it’s server platform.  Although this may not be a huge loss to Google financially, this issue could extend to the Android platform. Bedrock Computer Technology has also sued AOL, Yahoo and Amazon to name a few.

Will companies like Bedrock Computer Technologies impede the growth of Linux?

What do you Geek-A-Holics think?
Get your Geek Freak on and let us know.

Source: Intomobile & BBC

Geeks we want to know your thoughts on the latest survey taken by ChangeWave Research which compares dropped calls between AT&T and Verizon’s networks. Each time a survey like this is released we get great feedback and opinions so were here again to see what you think.

We are sure there may still be a few of you who are wondering which carrier you should buy your iPhone on or wondering if you made the right decision. This survey will not answer those questions directly but does give you an idea, if you believe in the results. Keep in mind only around 4,000 consumers actually took the poll so it’s hard to know how official these results are, especially when Verizon and AT&T each have millions of customers.

To sum the survey up Verizon came out ahead. Verizon only had 1.4 percent of customers stating that they had received one dropped call in the past three months, while AT&T came in last place with 4.6 percent of customers having dropped calls. Keep in mind, these results are among only around 4,000 customers in all so the results are hard to justify.

Each carrier has way more than 4,000 customers so what do you think about this survey? Is it even legit? At&T let the sources know they do not believe in these results themsevles. What do you believe? Let us know your thoughts.

Source: Engadget via ChangeWave

Next Podcast on April 14th!

The PPCGP, All the Mobile News You’ll Ever Need!

Be sure to follow us on twitter!

Host: Laos101 AKA Joshua Sherman

Guests: Our Newsies! Mr. Hoodracer,

Topics:

The Roadmap from Verizon is released!

Is Android Fragmenting?

AT&T And Its Locked Android Devices!

It’s been a year since WP7 was released, how was it?

Ever since AT&T started selling Android smartphones, they’ve disabled the ability to install applications from “unknown sources”, meaning the only way to officially install apps is through the Android Market. You could still use the ADB command line to push an APK to your phone, but that’s beyond most people’s scope. They just want to be able to click on the phone and install things. Now, this wasn’t really a huge deal in the past, but with the release of the Amazon App Store, it has caused an uprising among AT&T Android users because they can’t install the App Store, much less install apps from there.

With Amazon offering a free paid app every day, AT&T users are missing out. The good news is that AT&T has confirmed that its working with Amazon to allow access to their App Store. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll enable the “install from unknown sources” option in Android though. Also, so far, it looks like updates will only be for the Atrix, Inspire, Aria, and Captivate. That covers most of their Android phones though.

You can head over to http://appstoreaccess.com/ to sign up for an email alert when this feature becomes available.

Source: PhoneNews