Announcing MobileTracker Backpage, extended coverage of the wireless industry. Made for our readers that can't get enough wireless news, the Backpage will house all the news that isn't big enough for front page posting.
To access the Backpage, use the tab on the top of the site or view the recent headlines right on ou. Wer homepage. Our main RSS feed does not currently carry these articles.
Stay tuned as we launch several more additions to the site over the next month.
- MobileTracker
Google just announced that its Gmail webmail service is now available in a mobile phone friendly format. As long as Gmail Mobile doesn't break any patents, it should be welcome to Gmailer's looking to escape the desktop.
To use Gmail Mobile, just point your phone to http://m.gmail.com or sign up to get the link in a text message. In typical Google style, Gmail Mobile is free though standard carrier charges may apply. In a quick test here the service proved easy to use.
Google recently launched a mobile version of its map service, in the form of a Java application.
After months of speculation and hype (not to mention tons of venture capital dollars), Amp'd Mobile has officially launched. The company is a mobile virtual network operator using Verizon Wireless' network that is targeting young people.
Amp'd is will eventually carry three phones, but is launching with just the Kyocera Jet ($129):
There are five monthly rate plans, all include unlimited nights and weekends and are for two year contracts:
| Name | Price | Extras |
| Amp'd 250 | $29.99 | N/A |
| Amp'd 500 | $44.99 | N/A |
| Amp'd 1000 | $59.99 | N/A |
| Amp'd 2000 | $99.99 | N/A |
| Amp'd Unlimted | $199.99 | No limits on voice/data/PTT. Free phone. |
Rate plans other than the unlimited option include push-to-talk for $.99 per day and a three month free trial for data services.
Cingular today announced a 3G video service aimed to compete with Verizon's V Cast. Cingular Video allows subscribers with 3G phones to view exclusive video clips from HBO. The catch is right now Cingular has no 3G handsets, only a laptop card. Expect 3G phones to begin shipping early in Q1, possibly for a debut in January.
Cingular's HBO partnership also extends into ringtones, graphics and games. Those items are available now and don't take any special handset.
This announcement confirms a rumor we noted back in August.
Fresh off its patent licensing pact with NTP, Visto filed suit against Microsoft for patent infringement. This is nothing new for Microsoft--the company typically has 30 ongoing patent infringement lawsuits going on at any given time--but is notable because it's yet another patent battle in the wireless email space.
For their foray into mobile email and data access, Microsoft simply decided to misappropriate Visto’s well known and documented patented technology.
Visto holds 25 patents and has 57 more pending. Terms of Visto's agreement with NTP were not disclosed, bt the Wall Street Journal notes [sub req.] that NTP at least got an equity stake.
T-Mobile USA launched the Motorola PEBL today, shortly after putting it up on the online store as "coming soon". The PEBL is a smoothly designed clamshell that was fashioned after pebbles found in streams (seriously).
Feature wise, the PEBL stacks up as a fairly typical Motorola handset:
T-Mobile is selling the PEBL for $299 with a 1-year contract.
Wireless email upstart Visto today announced a patent licensing deal with NTP. NTP is of course in a viscous patent lawsuit with wireless email leader Research In Motion. Terms of the deal were not announced, but Visto will not be protected for the life of NTP's patents. The agreement was an obvious dig at RIM:
The agreement gives Visto access to NTP's patents for the life of those patents, providing Visto's customers and partners with access to Visto's industry's leading technology in the mobile email market and stability in these turbulent times.
In related news, Business Week is now saying that RIM may have to cough up to $1 billion to keep NTP off its back. Even though the US Patent Office looks to be having second thoughts on the validity of NTP's patents.
Amp'd Mobile has announced content deals this week with MTV, CBS and UPN. MTV's addition is especially important considering the company also controls Comedy Central, VH1, CMT, MTV2, mtvU, TV Land, Spike TV, Logo and iFILM. CBS will bring clips from hit shows like CSI and David Letterman. Finally, UPN will provide content from America's Next Top Model and Everybody Hates Chris.
The carrier is expected to start a soft launch of its service tomorrow.
Because all of Amp'd Mobile's handsets support EV-DO, multimedia will be at the carrier's core. Pricing information has not been announced.
In another sign that the Korean mobile phone industry is just showing off (as if satellite TV wasn't enough), the three major operators have decided to standardize sync and charge ports for every phone. That means one phone's charger will work with any other and should give accessories a longer life.
There's no time frame for when the cutover will happen, or specifics on the actual technology, but it's a step in the right direction.
[via PhoneScoop]
Cingular launched its second Nokia flip phone today, the 6061. While the global leader in terms of market share, the vast majority of Nokia handsets are candybar style.
The Nokia 6061 is an entry level phone with fairly standard features:
Cingular is selling the 6061 for $39.99 with a 2-year service contract.
The HTC Faraday has been launched by Cingular under the name "Cingular 2125". The 2125 is a feature packed Windows Mobile handset that's an update to the popular SMT 5600.
The Cingular 2125 sports:
Cingular is selling the 2125 for $199 after a $99 mail-in rebate. The phone is shipping now.
The Samsung t809 has officially been launched by T-Mobile. The thin slide-style handset it Samsung's answer to the RAZR, but packs a feature set that holds its own with the upcoming V3i.
Features of the handest include:
T-Mobile is selling the t809 for $299 with new service contract.
