Ambitious news out of AT&T, with a leaked slide suggesting that the carrier plans to release a full 12 new Android devices in 2011. That’s not all, though; the slide – passed to Phandroid – confirms that AT&T expects not just two exclusive 4G devices in Q1 2011, but to have a range of twenty to choose from by the end of the year.
One of the devices sitting in both those categories will be the Motorola ATRIX 4G, the touchscreen smartphone announced at CES 2011 and which has an optional dock for using it as a notebook replacement. There’s also the HTC Inspire 4G; both devices are expected to arrive before the end of the first quarter.
The remainder of the devices are yet to be announced, but we’re hoping there’s at least one Windows Phone 7 device among the line-up, and we wouldn’t argue with an LTE webOS smartphone either. Of course, “devices” can also include tablets, so it’s not just handsets on the cards here either.
Mobile hotspots are relatively common by now, and more and more smartphones offer data-sharing among their features; what, though, if you’ve already got a USB modem and are tied into – or content with – your existing data package? ZyXEL believes it has the answer in the shape of the MWR211 mobile router, a palm-sized way to share your connection while mobile. Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.
Hardware
At 4.11 x 3.1 x 1.02 inches and 5.33 oz the ZyXEL MWR211 is a bigger block than most MiFi mobile hotspots, despite not actually having a 3G/4G modem built in. What you do get is WiFi b/g/n with support for WEP/WPA/WPA2 and WPS, an ethernet port and an integrated 3,000 mAh battery which ZyXEL reckon is good for up to 2hrs of standalone runtime.
Setup is straightforward, but also more flexible than with a regular mobile hotspot. You can either plug in a USB modem – ZyXEL has a list of compatible models – and use that to get online, or you can plug in a regular wired internet connection and share that via WiFi instead. If you use a USB modem then the ethernet WWAN port can be used to connect a wired device instead (ZyXel also make a larger version, the MWR222, with two USB and two ethernet ports).
What that means is that the MWR211 can not only share out your USB dongle’s connection but allow more than one device to access hotel internet service. There’s also a physical WiFi switch (as well as a physical power switch) allowing you to turn the wireless off altogether and solely use the ethernet port. As with a regular router there’s MAC filtering, port forwarding, VPN support and a NAT firewall; you also get data usage monitoring, with user-assignable alerts to let you know if you’re nearing your monthly allowance, together with prioritized bandwidth (so that, say, VoIP traffic is treated as more important than gaming traffic) and even the ability to assign bandwidth limits by IP address or for clients hooked up to the ethernet port. Unlike most mobile hotspots there’s no artificial limits on WiFi clients, either, so assuming you have sufficient bandwidth you can share it with as many devices as you like.
Performance
Plugging in a modem got us online straight away, with the default SSID and password easily changed through the web interface. We tried a number of different USB modems from various carriers and had no problems at all; similarly, having plugged in a wired connection from our router, we were able to share that connection as well. A simple row of LEDs show USB, ethernet, WiFi, WPS, battery and power status; although a display of some sort would be preferable, the browser-based control panel served its purpose.
Speed was obviously dependent on the 3G or 4G network we hooked up, though we noticed no difference in performance whether we were using the USB modem directly or connected via the ZyXEL. Battery life, meanwhile, fell in line with the company’s estimates, which means you’re getting around half the time most mobile hotspots with integrated modems promise. An AC adapter is bundled for recharging or using the MWR211 in a fixed position, and we had no issues with overheating.
Wrap-Up
A dedicated mobile hotspot or a hotspot app on your phone is always going to be more elegant than the ZyXEL; with a USB modem hanging off the back, and given its physical heft, this isn’t a device that slips comfortably into a shirt pocket, for instance. Still, what you lose in discretion you gain in flexibility. Being able to pick and choose between multiple networks depending on the coverage and data plan pricing of each is a real advantage, especially if you’re travelling and want to get online with a local data stick or make the most of a hotel connection. USB modems also tend to be cheaper than their hotspot counterparts, though obviously there’s the price of the MWR211 to take into account as well; ZyXEL given an RRP of $114.99, but you can find the mobile router for around $85 online.
For pure mobility purposes the 2hr battery is underwhelming, though of course you can easily unplug the modem and hook it up to your notebook direct if you can’t find a power point. Most users will probably find mobile hotspot apps easier to handle, but for those who regularly travel or who juggle a few USB modems to cater for different areas of coverage, the ZyXEL MWR211 does a lot to warrant inclusion in your gadget bag.
The T-Mobile Sidekick 4G has been caught in the wild, complete with Samsung branding that seemingly confirms exactly who will be producing the newly-revived range. TmoNews‘ tipster sent them shots of the Android 2.2.1 Froyo based smartphone, and it’s clear that the traditional Sidekick style hasn’t been forgotten despite the gap in sales.
That means a sliding/tilting display and a distinctive hardware QWERTY keyboard, with just a splash of magenta on the shift key to let you know it’s a T-Mobile device. As for specs, the exact list isn’t known yet, but HSPA+ (aka T-Mobile’s take on 4G) is obviously onboard and there’s a front-facing camera for video calls.
As for software, the prototype pictured looks to be using a relatively stock version of Froyo but we’re guessing T-Mobile and Samsung will be doing some work on that before the smartphone actually launches. Half of the appeal of the original range of Sidekick devices was the blend of server-side and handset-side data management, so it will be interesting to see how much of that concept is carried over to the new platform.
Verizon’s LG VL600 LTE modem received a software update today, but there’s no need to wake your MacBook from its peaceful slumber — there still aren’t any drivers for Apple computers, over a month after we were promised a relatively imminent update. That said, Verizon told PhoneScoop today that the carrier’s LTE dongles will indeed support Apple at some point next month, which is itself only days away. Pantech UML290 owners can bide their time with a workaround, but we LG users will take what we can get, eh?
Odds are you’ll have your first chance at Honeycomb with Motorola’s Xoom next month, but LG’s G-Slate for T-Mobile — which might very well be 3D-enabled — shouldn’t be too far behind. New intel coming out of TmoNews today pegs the G-Slate for a March 23rd launch with an unknown price tag, preceded by the Dell Streak 7 on February 2nd (which is being billed as the carrier’s “first 4G tablet” thanks to its HSPA+ support) at $299.99 on contract after rebate. Turning to non-tablet news, the Galaxy S 4G — which you might recall is basically a Vibrant remixed with HSPA+ — looks line up for February 23rd. In other words, it’s going to be a busy, wallet-emptying couple months for you T-Mobile types… so save up while you can.
Look familiar? You’ve actually seen it twice before, once as a QWERTY slider and once as an unidentified LTE smartphone. Well, it just so happens that a new batch of eighteen pictures have surfaced, and the two phones are actually one — this is the Samsung Forte for MetroPCS, which is presently running a recent build of Android 2.2.1. While we still don’t know if it’s got the 1GHz processor and 5 megapixel camera that lovingly accompanied the original rumor, it appears to have Samsung’s custom TouchWiz UI on board, lending extra credence to the possibility that the handset might receive Galaxy S branding when it materializes in stores. We’ve got just one last note here, and that’s this whole reveal feels rather… planted to us. Watch the video after the break to see what we mean, and find plenty more pictures at the link below.
We all know AT&T just loves its tiered pricing models, so it’s no surprise to hear that the carrier intends to turn its forthcoming LTE service into a tier-vana of great new sophistication. BGR has come across an internal document detailing how AT&T plans to segment its 4G pricing on the basis of both speed and data allowance, meaning that your price will reflect both the amount of data you consume and the rate at which you gobble it down. To add further complexity flexibility, Top Ups will be available that’ll allow users to amp up their connection speed for a limited time or increase their allowance on a per-month basis. We’re hearing trials of this new offering will commence in May, which fits in neatly with the currently planned LTE rollout in the second half of this year. So it’s not all set in stone yet, but irrespective of the number of data options AT&T throws our way, the paramount question will always be the same: how much?
T-Mobile USA has confirmed that it will need a spectrum partner by 2014 or 2015 in order to build sufficient LTE capability, though the carrier refuses to reveal which companies it might look to work with. Meanwhile, the carrier believes 10-percent of those leaving its network are shifting to AT&T for the iPhone; in response, it plans to offer sub-$100 Android smartphones with $10 data plans.
“Deutsche Telekom is exploring various options to acquire additional spectrum and reduce the gap regarding economies of scale compared with its larger competitors, including partnering with other companies” T-Mobile statement
The exact timeline for T-Mobile’s LTE roll-out has not been made public. The carrier has said it will stick with HSPA+ until LTE “devices are readily available and once device quality is on par” with the HSPA+ handsets coming to market presently, “although that will probably not be for a few years.” 42Mbps HSPA+ is expected to debut later this year.
Verizon launched an LTE network in late 2010, and AT&T plans to do the same in 2011; both could be potential partners for T-Mobile, though AT&T’s GSM background might make legacy compatibility more straightforward than Verizon’s existing CDMA network. T-Mobile expects the LTE roll-out to cost between $1bn and $2bn.
Germany’s Deutsche Telekom — better known in the States as T-Mobile USA’s disciplinarian parent — was out in New York today chatting up its American division’s prospects for the future, and execs from both sides of the pond had quite a bit to say. The biggest outstanding concerns for the carrier revolve around revenue and customer churn — which, let’s be honest, are the core benchmarks that any carrier in the world is looking to improve — and the division’s CEO Philipp Humm just announced a series of initiatives to help get those numbers in line. On the churn side, they’re “going big with Android” to combat the iPhone, continuing to roll out WiFi calling to alleviate network coverage issues, and tightening up “risk management” issues that have let some bill deadbeats slip through the cracks. Funny to think that non-payment is a big enough issue to be a revenue risk for these guys, but it’s true.
While the Samsung Galaxy S 4G for T-Mobile was already “confirmed” earlier today, T-Mobile saw fit to send out an official press release detailing, without actually adding any pertinent details about the device in question, the upcoming release of the “fastest smartphone running on America’s largest 4G network.” Thankfully, the press release does tell us a bit about the phone that some will find worthwhile, even if we are missing quite a bit more.
The Galaxy S 4G will feature a Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen display, just as we’ve seen on all the other Galaxy S-branded Android-powered handsets from Samsung over the last few months. And yes, the Galaxy S 4G will run Android 2.2 under the hood, better known as Froyo. It will be able to take advantage of T-Mobile’s (theoretical) speeds up to 21 Mbps.
Further details about the handset, like how fast the processor will be, or how much RAM and memory will be thrown in to the package, remain to be seen. Pricing and a release date are missing, too. However, T-Mobile says they are coming in a few weeks, so stay tuned. Full press release below.
Press Release
T-Mobile to Deliver Fastest Smartphone Running on America’s Largest 4G Network
Galaxy S 4G Offers Rich Entertainment Experience at Lightning-Fast Speeds
BELLEVUE, Wash., and DALLAS — Jan. 20, 2011 — T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.1, today revealed the Galaxy S™ 4G, exclusively from T-Mobile.
According to T-Mobile, the Galaxy S 4G will be the fastest smartphone running on America’s Largest 4G Network™. Powered by Android™ 2.2 (Froyo), the Galaxy S 4G is T-Mobile’s first smartphone capable of delivering theoretical peak download speeds of up to 21 Mbps, delivering rich entertainment experiences at even faster speeds through its brilliant Super AMOLED touch screen display.
T-Mobile’s 4G network, America’s largest 4G network, is currently available in 100 major metropolitan areas, reaching approximately 200 million people nationwide. With aggressive plans to expand and double the speed of its 4G network in 2011, T-Mobile expects that 140 million Americans in 25 major metropolitan areas will have access to these increased 4G speeds by midyear.
“With Galaxy S 4G, T-Mobile will deliver its fastest smartphone yet on America’s largest 4G network, providing rich entertainment virtually whenever and wherever consumers want,” said Cole Brodman, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile USA. “And with 4G data plans from $10 per month, we’re making blazing-fast 4G speeds and super smartphone experiences easily accessible to the millions who crave them.”
More information on the Galaxy S 4G from T-Mobile will be available in the coming weeks.
T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 4G network not available everywhere. See coverage details at T-Mobile.com. 4G used in connection with the Galaxy S™ 4G product name refers to the fact that the Galaxy S™ 4G is designed with HSPA+ technology.
# # #
About T-Mobile USA, Inc.
Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc. is the U.S. wireless operation of Deutsche Telekom AG. By the end of the third quarter of 2010, approximately 130 million mobile customers were served by the mobile communication segments of the Deutsche Telekom group — 33.8 million by T-Mobile USA — all via a common technology platform based on GSM and UMTS, the world’s most widely-used digital wireless standards. Today, T-Mobile operates America’s largest 4G network, and is delivering a compelling 4G experience across a broad lineup of leading devices in more places than competing 4G services. T-Mobile USA’s innovative wireless products and services help empower people to connect to those who matter most. Multiple independent research studies continue to rank T-Mobile USA among the highest in numerous regions throughout the U.S. in wireless customer care and call quality. For more information, please visit http://www.T-Mobile.com. T-Mobile is a federally registered trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG. For further information on Deutsche Telekom, please visit www.telekom.de/investor-relations.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the current views of Deutsche Telekom management with respect to future events. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project” and “should” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates, and projections, and therefore you should not place too much reliance on them. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond Deutsche Telekom’s control, including, without limitation, those factors set forth in “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” contained in Deutsche Telekom’s annual report on Form 20-F filed on February 28, 2010. If these or other risks and uncertainties materialize, or if the assumptions underlying any of these statements prove incorrect, Deutsche Telekom’s actual results may be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Deutsche Telekom does not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2009 consolidated sales of US$116.8 billion. Employing approximately 174,000 people in 193 offices across 66 countries, the company consists of eight independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Semiconductor and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.
