T-Mobile customers in possession of a Samsung Galaxy S3 should see an update being pushed out to their phones, bringing them up to Android version 4.1.2. The build number is T999UVDMD5. Inside, users can now access Samsung’s multi-window software feature, allowing for two apps to be used simultaneously, making that multi-tasking machine even sweeter. 

On top of that, Blocking Mode has been added, along with Samsung Gallery, Paper Artist and some enhanced camera options.

New Features:

• Multi-Window
• Auto-pairing via NFC
• enhanced Camera options
• Sound Balance
• Paper Artist
• Samsung Gallery
• Blocking Mode
• Easy Mode

Via: T-Mobile

Cheers Clay!

Samsung Galaxy S3 Updated to Android 4.1.2 on T-Mobile, Adds Multi-Window Functionality is a post from: Droid Life

This morning, the reverse merger (little company buys big company) between T-Mobile and MetroPCS was made official. In a final vote made by shareholders, the effects of this deal are set to take place on May 1, resulting in a cash payout to MetroPCS shareholders of $1.5 billion. This deal, heavily sought after by T-Mobile, is just another check on their long list of vast improvements they have made in 2013. 

Their network is starting to become more powerful, they now carry the two most popular smartphones of the year and have also introduced brand new no-contract plans, which could mean more success is headed their way. René Obermann, CEO of Deutsche Telekom Group, had this to say on the news:

We have accomplished a lot in the USA recently, for example our network modernization and the new T-Mobile USA management team, which has seen considerable success. And we have finalized the contracts with Apple and MetroPCS. The merger with MetroPCS is extremely important, since it enables us to be more aggressive in the USA.

We are still awaiting details for what subscribers on both carriers can expect to see, but it will most likely be made quite apparent once May 1 rolls around.

Via: Telekom

T-Mobile and MetroPCS Reverse Merger Approved, Takes Place May 1 is a post from: Droid Life

Thanks to inventory challenges, the Samsung Galaxy S4 launch at both Sprint and T-Mobile will be slightly delayed. According to Sprint, there will be a delay to their in-store launch that was originally slated for April 27 (this Saturday), however, online orders should proceed as expected. T-Mobile on the other hand, has said that their online orders will not begin today after all, but will kick off on Monday, April 29. 

Sort of a rocky start for the Galaxy S4, however, AT&T’s orders are still shipping early and as planned as far as we know. Pre-orders for Verizon’s version start tomorrow, with a release expected to happen on May 30.

Be sure to read our Galaxy S4 review that dropped last night, if you haven’t already.

Via:  T-Mobile | AllThingsD

Cheers Matt and 

Samsung Galaxy S4 Plagued by Minor “Inventory Challenges” at Sprint and T-Mobile, Launches Somewhat Delayed is a post from: Droid Life

The HTC One is now available from AT&T and Sprint, along with a handful of retailers across the country. After being announced back in February we were starting to wonder if this day would come thanks to reports of delays. Both AT&T and Sprint are selling the 32GB version for $199 on new 2-year contract. AT&T also has an exclusive 64GB version that can be purchased for $299 on contract.

At this time, only the white/silver One (pictured above) is available. The black version will arrive in the “coming weeks,” according to HTC.

T-Mobile has announced that the phone will be in retail stores by April 24 for $99.99 down.

Don’t forget to check out our extensive HTC One review if you haven’t already.

Here are the rest of today’s launch details:

• AT&T: Online and in retail with 32GB of memory for $199.99, or online with 64GB of memory for $299.99 with a two-year commitment.
• Sprint: Online and in retail with 32GB of memory for $199.99 with a two-year commitment.
• Best Buy, Radio Shack, Walmart, Target, Amazon.com, Costco, Car Toys, Sam’s Club, HSN.com and HTC.com.
• Coming soon to T-Mobile in silver with 32GB of memory, and available in the coming weeks in black at AT&T and Sprint with 32GB of memory.

Click here to view the embedded video.

HTC One Available Today From AT&T and Sprint, All Sorts of Retailers is a post from: Droid Life

Looking for exact info on when and where you can pick up a new Galaxy S4 from Samsung? So far, a few major carriers in the U.S. have already begun pre-orders, but information from Verizon is still extremely scarce. Below we have gathered the most recent information on release dates and pre-order availability, so give it a look over and plan your next move.

• Verizon:  Pre-orders open April 25, in-store available begins May 30.
• AT&T:  Pre-orders opened April 16, in-store availability begins April 27.
• T-Mobile:  Pre-orders open April 24, in-store availability begins May 1.
• Sprint:  Pre-orders open April 18, in-store availability begins April 27.
• US Cellular:  Pre-orders opened April 17, in-store availability begins April 30.
• Cricket:  TBD
• C Spire:  TBD

We’ll continue to update this post as official dates are announced.

Where and When Can I Buy the Samsung Galaxy S4? [Release Dates] is a post from: Droid Life

The Galaxy S4 announcements just keep on rolling. T-Mobile, the Un-carrier, has announced that the 16GB version of Samsung’s newest flagship will be on their website starting April 24 for the price of $149.99. It should arrive in stores by May 1.

There doesn’t seem to be any pre-orders available for T-Mobile like other carriers, but that trade-off comes with getting the device available a few days earlier. This phone will be shipping with T-Mobile’s new LTE bands packed inside so you can make use of them whenever T-Mobile gets their new network in your area.

Anyone looking to switch to T-Mobile for their new Un-carrier way of doing things and picking up the GS4?

T-Mobile to Offer Samsung Galaxy S 4 at Exceptional Upfront Cost

Only U.S. wireless company to sell Galaxy S 4 with unlimited talk, text and Web with no annual service contract on a fast, nationwide 4G network

America’s Un-carrier continues making bold moves to give consumers affordable, unrestricted¹ and hassle-free ways to get the latest 4G LTE smartphones. 

T-Mobile USA, Inc. announced today the Samsung Galaxy S^® 4 will be available online at www.T-Mobile.combeginning April 24 for just $149.99 down — plus monthly device payments — for qualifying customers with the new Simple Choice Plan

The availability of Samsung Galaxy S 4 comes as T-Mobile is delivering the most popular smartphones in revolutionary new ways and giving customers far more flexibility with how they buy and use their wireless devices.

“Samsung has a proven track record of delivering the ‘Next Big Thing’ in smartphone innovation,” said John Legere, president and CEO, T-Mobile USA. “By combining our bold, Un-carrier moves — no restrictions, no limits and an unbeatable value — with Samsung’s leading-edge technology, you’re going to get the most from your Samsung Galaxy S 4 at T-Mobile —hands down.”

T-Mobile is the only major U.S. wireless company offering the Samsung Galaxy S 4 with the following:

• No annual service contract plus unlimited talk, text and Web on a blazing-fast nationwide 4G network.
• The ability to save money upfront and every month over AT&T, Verizon and Sprint through the Simple Choice Plan.
• HD Voice for nationwide crystal-clear high-definition calling and reduced background noise.
• Smartphone Mobile HotSpot feature for sharing the Samsung Galaxy S 4’s connection to the T-Mobile 4G network with up to five Wi-Fi capable devices (tablet, e-reader, laptop, portable gaming device and more). Smartphone Mobile HotSpot is included with every Simple Choice Plan.

Simple Choice Plan

T-Mobile’s Simple Choice Plan starts with a base rate of $50 per month for unlimited talk, text and Web with 500MB of high-speed data at up to 4G speeds. Consumers can add up to 2GB of high-speed 4G data for $10 per month per line or get unlimited 4G data for an additional $20 per month per line. Customers can add a second phone line for $30 per month, and each additional line is just $10 per month. There are no caps and no overages, and no restrictive annual service contracts.

T-Mobile 4G LTE Network

T-Mobile’s 4G LTE rollout complements its existing nationwide 4G network covering 225 million people, which third-party tests show already rivals or beats existing LTE networks in many markets. T-Mobile’s advanced 4G LTE network is currently available in seven metropolitan areas: Baltimore; Houston; Kansas City; Las Vegas; Phoenix; San Jose, Calif.; and Washington, D.C. The company expects to reach 100 million people with 4G LTE by midyear and 200 million nationwide by the end of 2013. 4G LTE devices like the Samsung Galaxy S 4 will automatically and seamlessly connect to T-Mobile’s nationwide 4G network where 4G LTE has not yet launched.

Device Capabilities

The Samsung Galaxy S 4 joins a growing line-up of T-Mobile 4G LTE devices. The device features the latest Android operating system — Android^™ 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) — and a speedy 1.9GHz quad-core Qualcomm^®Snapdragon^™ processor. In tandem with T-Mobile’s blazing fast and unlimited 4G speeds when paired with the Simple Choice Plan with Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data, the Galaxy S 4 enables customers to  quickly upload or download their favorite photos, videos and TV shows without worrying about expensive overage charges.

With a 13-megapixel camera paired with a vivid 5-inch Full HD SuperAMOLED^® (1920 x 1080) display, the Samsung Galaxy S 4 offers a sophisticated multimedia experience for capturing and sharing amazing photos. Advanced camera features include:

• Dual Camera for recording stills or video with the front and rear cameras simultaneously.
• Eraser Shot to remove unwanted objects or people from an otherwise perfect picture.
• Drama Shot for snapping a burst of 100 images in four seconds to create animated GIFs.

The Samsung Galaxy S 4 also offers new enhancements for discovering and watching your favorite programs — whether at home or on the go. New entertainment features include:

• Samsung WatchON is a whole new way to use your phone with your TV.  It transforms your Samsung Galaxy S 4 into an integrated smart remote to control your home entertainment system including TV, set-top box and DVD player. With the WatchON service, you can get recommended TV, movies and sports according to your personal tastes.
• Samsung Smart Pause will automatically pause videos playing on your Samsung Galaxy S 4 if you turn your head away and resume once you’ve looked back.

Pricing & Availability

Starting April 24, the Samsung Galaxy S 4 will be available for T-Mobile customers for $149.99 down with 24 equal monthly payments of $20 for well-qualified buyers for 0% APR O.A.C. The Samsung Galaxy S 4 will be available online at http://www.T-Mobile.com starting April 24, and at select T-Mobile retail stores and through select dealers and national retail stores starting May 1. For more information, visit https://explore.t-mobile.com/samsung-galaxy-s4

T-Mobile’s Galaxy S4 Available Online April 24 for Only $149.99 is a post from: Droid Life

The Samsung Galaxy S4 may have been announced at a zany and somewhat entertaining press event at Radio City Music Hall in NYC back in March, but at the time, minimal U.S. carrier availability was mentioned outside of a couple of pre-orders. Today, Samsung has made almost all of it official, without mentioning any specific dates. 

The Samsung Galaxy S4 will launch starting in April at seven different U.S. carriers including Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Cricket, US Cellular, and C Spire. It will also be available at a variety of retailers including Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile, Costco, RadioShack, Sam’s Club, Staples, Target, and Wal-Mart. Exact pricing and availability, as usual, will be announced individually by each carrier and retailer over the coming weeks.

The device itself is no different than what we got our hands-on already, and will feature Samsung’s new suite of camera software, air view and gesture technology, powerful set of specs, and accessory lineup.

Knowing the history of announcements like this, I wouldn’t be surprised if each carrier announced a launch date at various moments throughout the rest of the day.

The full press release with details on each new Galaxy S4 software feature along with a complete spec list can be found below.

SAMSUNG GALAXY S^® 4 REDEFINES THE SMARTPHONE AGAIN WITH MORE LEADING-EDGE INNOVATIONS AND GOVERNMENT-GRADE SECURITY* 

The next generation of the world’s best-selling smartphone widely available at seven U.S. carriers and seven retailers beginning in April

DALLAS – April 17, 2013 – Building on the success and innovation of its predecessor, the Galaxy S^® 4 provides a suite of industry-leading innovations that will change how consumers interact with a smartphone and delivers a greater level of security for regulated industries. The Galaxy S 4 uniquely makes advanced technologies and features easy to use by integrating them into the way individuals use their phones every day.

The Galaxy S 4 is the first device to enable consumers to control the device with touch-less features including scrolling or turning a page, viewing documents within a file folder or a link on a web page. It enhances memorable moments with innovative camera features that captures progressive action and removes unwanted people from the photo. The Galaxy S 4 also enhances your TV watching experience with the new Samsung WatchON™ service that simplifies searching and recommends TV, movies and sports according to personal tastes. With WatchOn and the built in IR blaster, the Galaxy S 4 also functions as a remote control for home theater equipment.

The Galaxy S 4 is optimized for powerful performance on the nation’s fastest networks and will be available on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless as well as U.S. Cellular, Cricket and C Spire starting during April. Additionally, consumers can find the Galaxy S 4 at Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile, Costco, Radio Shack, Sam’s Club, Staples, Target and Wal-Mart. Exact pricing and retail availability will be announced by each of the carriers and retailers in the coming weeks.

“The Galaxy S line of smartphones has achieved momentous success with 100 million in unit sales worldwide in less than three years. This validates that we are addressing what consumers want from a smartphone,” said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Telecommunications America. “The fourth generation of Samsung’s flagship device builds upon the tradition of excellence and provides consumers with even more innovation that simplifies and redefines the way individuals will interact with their Galaxy S 4. We believe this device will be a true companion to all aspects of a consumer’s life from work, to travel and even watching TV.”

Meaningful Moments

The Galaxy S 4 combines the simple and visual interface introduced with the Galaxy Camera with a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera to take professional looking photographs with a smartphone. The front-facing 2-megapixel camera on the Galaxy S 4 allows consumers to capture special moments in unique and new ways with the Dual Camera shooting mode. Dual Camera mode takes pictures with both the rear and front cameras simultaneously to enable the photographer to be in the photo as well.

The Galaxy S 4 is loaded with several innovative capabilities that let anyone shoot like a professional:

• Drama Shot: Capture a progressive event, like a baby’s first steps or a basketball player’s slam dunk, in one frame
• Eraser Shot: Remove unwanted objects or people from an otherwise perfect picture
• Animation Shot: Turn your favorite moments into animated GIF
• Live Filters: With built-in filter options, an individual can now see how a picture will look– on both the camera and camcorder – before the photo is taken

Compile photos with location and weather information with Story Album™ to create the most comprehensive and personalized memory book. Integration with Blurb’s photo book printing service allows consumers to easily print a physical book to keep or share.

Effortless Experience

The Galaxy S 4 introduces a completely new way to interact with a smartphone – without a touch. A simple wave of the hand over the screen scrolls through a screen and changes a song; holding a finger over the screen allows one to preview content within the photo gallery, email and calendar; pause a video by looking away from the screen and scroll to the top or bottom of a page by looking up or down.

Features include:

• Air Gesture: Answer a call or skip to the next song by waving your hand in front of the screen. Useful when your hands are otherwise occupied
• Air View™: Preview emails, photos in the gallery, or even the stories in Flipboard® by hovering your finger over the screen
• Samsung Smart Pause: Pause a video by looking away from the screen
• Samsung Optical Reader: Automatically recognizes text, a business card or QR codes and take immediate action like placing a call from a scanned card or translating text

Protect Work and Personal Information

The Galaxy S 4 is not only perfect for personal use, but it is enterprise ready as a SAFE™-designated device.   The Galaxy S 4 is the first Samsung device to include Samsung’s KNOX solution, which provides comprehensive mobile security at the hardware level and enhanced personal privacy for individuals at the software level. All framework components come standard on the device, and full-feature activation by solution providers and distribution channels will be available at a later date.

The Galaxy S 4 simultaneously delivers on IT executives’ need for industry-leading mobile security for companies with stringent security requirements. KNOX enables consumers to separate work via Samsung’s containerization approach. IT managers can now access and manage the passcode-protected work container without disturbing the content within an individual’s personal space on the device so consumer content, including photos, emails, music files and social network data remain intact on the device when an employee separates from a company.

Ease of Use

With the Galaxy S 4, there are a number of features to simplify the experience for first-time smartphone owners, those interested in switching from another operating system and long-time Samsung consumers. The Galaxy S 4 has a streamlined start-up wizard so consumers can begin using the device faster and learn about its unique features from the start.

Easy Mode, which was first introduced on the Galaxy S III, has been enhanced to smooth the transition for first-time smartphone owners by simplifying the home screen layout, camera, calendar, messaging and the internet browser to make the settings menu easy to navigate. Once a user is more comfortable with their Galaxy S 4, they can easily switch back to the standard home screen interface.

With the launch of the Galaxy S 4, Samsung is also introducing Samsung Smart Switch™, a PC application that lets new owners transfer contacts, messages, photos, music, calendar notifications and more from another phone to the Galaxy S 4. Smart Switch can identify favorite applications and recommend the same or similar applications within Google Play™.

The Galaxy S 4 greatly improves upon the popular notification shade, which provides quick control of new innovative features, and the functionality most often accessed and changed by consumers. The expanded notification shade shows 19 settings so consumers can quickly and easily toggle them on and off as needed.

Powerful Performance

The sophisticated Galaxy S 4 is designed with a full-HD Super AMOLED™ (1920 X 1080) display with 441ppi for brilliant, stunning graphics on the device’s 5-inch screen. The slimmer, sleeker smartphone weighs 4.6 ounces, is 7.9 millimeters thin and has a minimized bezel to maximize the viewing experience.

The Galaxy S 4 includes Android™ 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) with TouchWiz® enhancements, a 1.9 GHz quad core CPU and 2GB of internal RAM. The Galaxy S 4 is also uses Gorilla Glass® 3.0 – the most advanced, fortified glass for its stunning 5-inch display, making it stronger and more resistant to scratches and cracks than ever before.

The Galaxy S 4, available at select carriers in Black Mist and White Frost, is powered by a removable 2,600 mAh battery for extended use on a single charge. Users can store large libraries of photos, music and videos on the Galaxy S 4 with expandable memory of up to 64 GB to complement the standard 16GB or 32GB of onboard storage.

Protect the Galaxy S 4 with the S View Flip Cover, a specially designed flip cover that has a clear window to read a text message, answer or reject a call, and view the battery status. Sold separately, the S View Flip Cover comes in Black Mist and White Frost to add style, while protecting the device and providing privacy, and is sold separately.

For more information on the Galaxy S 4 and accessories, please visit www.samsung.com/us/galaxys4 or www.samsungmobileuspress.com.

Samsung Galaxy S 4 Product Specifications:

*KNOX incorporates Security Enhanced (SE) for Android developed by the NSA (National Security Agency), which is baked in at the kernel level of the device to greatly limit potential damage due to flawed, malicious apps and/or “rooting” malware.

Samsung, Galaxy S, TouchWiz, Samsung Smart Switch, ChatOn, WatchOn, S Voice, Story Album, and Air View are all trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.  Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc. Other company names, product names and marks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners and may be trademarks or registered trademarks.

###

About Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, (Samsung Mobile) a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets, wireless infrastructure and other telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Arriving at Seven U.S. Carriers and Seven Retailers for an April Launch is a post from: Droid Life

According to an internal T-Mobile document obtained by TmoNews, the UNCarrier is planning to launch the HTC One on April 24 in select stores. This news comes after what seems like weeks of delays on a number of carriers, but with AT&T and Sprint already announcing their own launch dates, this now completes the trio of carriers that will carry the device in the U.S. The device should sell for $99 down, along with a $20 per month charge until the device is paid off.

We have an HTC One in house and are expecting to have a review up this week. The One is a polarizing device, to say the least, so you won’t want to miss what we have to say. For now, be sure to check out our unboxing, tips for new users of the One, initial software tour, and comparison to the Galaxy S3 and other top phones. 

Via:  TmoNews

HTC One Launching in Select T-Mobile Stores on April 24 is a post from: Droid Life

Over the weekend, an internal document from Staples hinted at which dates we can expect to see the Galaxy S4 become available on three out of the four major U.S. carriers. According to the sheet, AT&T will first receive Samsung’s next flagship starting April 26, followed by T-Mobile on May 1 and Verizon a whole month later on May 30. 

The dates for AT&T align quite well, given that AT&T confirmed pre-orders would begin tomorrow, the 16th. In the pictured document, it shows that employees should begin prepping in-store signage for reservations starting April 16.

Given its nature, I wouldn’t place any bets on these dates quite yet, but at least it’s a start.

Via: Engadget

Potential Launch Date Leaks for Verizon Galaxy S4, Others Too is a post from: Droid Life

On the heels of this morning’s report that Verizon is changing up device upgrade periods from 20 months to 24 months, we have a follow-up report that may lift your spirits a bit. According to the document we received that appears to be a part of a training guide for this new upgrade policy, Verizon is confirming to employees that a new “Device Payment Plan” will be introduced “soon.” There is also mention of this payment plan being used to pay off the “full retail cost” of devices, an initiative T-Mobile started and is enforcing with their new UNcarrier approach. 

While specifics are not mentioned, we would assume (or at least hope) that this would be an alternative option to customers having to sign two-year contracts, since Verizon’s own CEO Lowell McAdam mentioned at the end of last week that he’s open to ending contracts as long as there is a demand for them. At the same time, the document does mention that this new payment plan may only be an option for those who simply want a new device but are not yet at the end of a contract. It specifically says for customers who “want the latest cutting edge device or are just not satisfied with a working device.”

With T-Mobile, customers can sign up for service, but are not asked to sign a traditional 2-year contract. Instead, T-Mobile asks that you pay for monthly service, but also offers you the option to pick up a new device and then pay monthly installments on it until it is fully paid off. So rather than signing a contract, paying a subsidy (discount) on a phone, and feeling trapped for two years, T-Mobile lets you have some freedom as long as you pay off your phone in full. If you’d like to pay it off in full up front, it’s yours. If you’d like to pay it off over time, you can do that as well.

We speculated this morning in the comments of our report that aligning upgrades with contract periods could be a sign that a situation like this is on the horizon.

What we’re curious to learn now, is how this affects those of us with unlimited data plans or if it has anything to do with contracts whatsoever. Since tiered and shared data plans were introduced, Verizon was forcing you to give up unlimited data should you take a subsidy (discount) on a phone and sign a new contract. But if they are going to a device payment plan, potentially without contracts, customers are technically buying phones at full retail, which in the past has been a way to get around losing unlimited data.

Verizon has yet to announce this new plan, so for now, details are scarce. We have reached out to Verizon for comment and will report back should we hear anything.

Update:  Verizon made somewhat of an announcement for the Device Payment Plan, saying that these operate outside of contracts and are simply a way for customers to buy phones before their contract is up.

“Customers also have the option of purchasing a phone at full price at any point before their contract expires and beginning April 21, some devices will be available for purchase through the Verizon Wireless Device Payment Plan.”

Training Materials Suggest Verizon Will Introduce a Device Payment Plan in the Near Future (Updated) is a post from: Droid Life

During a recent event, Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam, said that he likes it when something different is tried in the industry. Just last week,T-Mobile looked to shake up the mobile world by ridding of contracts and making customers now pay for a larger portion of a device upfront, while paying a somewhat lower monthly bill. Interestingly enough, McAdam says he is all for this idea, if customers actually ask for it. 

From what he states, changing to this platform would be easy, all it takes is people wanting it. He mentioned that he will be monitoring customer feedback about T-mo’s new plans and rates, then go from there. So, while T-Mobile spends who-knows-how-much to educate their potential customers on the new rate plans, Verizon will just sit back and wait to see what happens.

You want Verizon to make the switch?

Via: CNET

Cheers everyone who sent this in!

Verizon CEO Open to Eliminating Mobile Contracts, if Customers Ask For it is a post from: Droid Life

Benchmarks were recently filed through GL Benchmark that point directly towards the upcoming LG Optimus G2 for T-Mobile. Previously, we discussed this device for two main reasons – first that it would be launched possibly running Android 5.0 aka Key Lime Pie, and that it would come powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 processor. Today, we can start the process of confirming at least one part of that, as the device has shown up as the LG D801, sporting the MSM8974 (800). 

Showing to have a max CPU frequency of just 1728, that is a bit slower (for lack of better term) than the 2.0GHz+ that was rumored a couple of months ago. A quad-core 1.7GHz chip is nothing to cry over though.

Next up, the device that received the benchmark is shown as running Android 4.2.2, not Android 5.0. If it was running KLP before launch/announcement, that would be amazing to say the least. There is no launch date set for the Optimus G2, so it could still be that LG and T-Mobile are awaiting the arrival of Android 5.0 to move forward with the device.

Either way, when the device does launch it will be one of 2013′s superphones, so you will most certainly want to keep an eye out for it.

Via: Blog of Mobile | GL Benchmark

LG Optimus G2 for T-Mobile Spotted in Benchmarks Running Snapdragon 800 is a post from: Droid Life

Remember how surprised we were to see the Nexus 4 attaching itself to random 4G LTE networks (AWS band) shortly after release in places like Canada? And how we were simultaneously holding out hope that T-Mobile would launch their AWS LTE network so that we wouldn’t miss out on all the fun? Well, before that ever happened, Google updated the device to Android 4.2.2 and essentially killed off those chances. But, thankfully for us, there is still hope now that T-Mobile has officially launched their AWS LTE network in seven cities. 

As one would expect from the amazing Android tinkerer community, users are already finding T-Mo’s 4G LTE in places like San Jose, Houston and Las Vegas, all of which are a part of the seven city launch. How are they doing it, you ask? Custom ROMs and the old .33 radio/baseband from before the 4.2.2 update, which brought .48 and killed LTE.

According to the lengthy XDA thread we linked to below (start around the 100-page mark), users are finding success with both CM and AOKP ROMs. Keep in mind that they are also having to update APN settings on the device and make sure they have the .33 radio flashed.

If you live in any of the new T-Mobile LTE markets and own a Nexus 4, LTE speeds are only a ROM flash away.

Via:  XDA

Cheers @iAmAButta!

Nexus 4 Devices Seeing Plenty of T-Mobile LTE Action Thanks to Newly Live Markets is a post from: Droid Life

Over the last couple of years, the DL community has made it clear that they love themselves some 4G LTE. Since Verizon was first to the plate and has seemingly rounded the bases at an unstoppable pace, you have also made it clear that they are the carrier for you. But now that others – T-Mobile in particular for today’s poll – have joined the game, would you ever switch or are you comfortable in your Big Red briefs?

T-Mobile only announced seven markets today, but they hope to have 200 million people covered by the end of the year. I argued earlier that their focus should be their network rather than this “UNcarrier” schtick, so hopefully they stick to that.

But just because they have LTE, are you willing to give their low prices a shot? If not, feel free to tell us why.

Tuesday Poll: T-Mobile Launches LTE – Likelihood of You Switching Over? is a post from: Droid Life

Click here to view the embedded video.

T-Mobile is trying to shake up the entire wireless industry this month by taking the “Un-carrier” approach to wireless service. Gone are the two-year contracts and 23-month phone upgrade cycles – in are the month-to-month plans with the option to upgrade to the newest phones whenever you please at the lowest prices. They are also shunning tiered data plans (sort of), spouting off colorful commentary to their competitors, and claiming to have cancelled their membership to the “out-of-touch wireless club,” a direct reference to the “Big 4″ U.S. carriers grouping that includes Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. It’s a lot of marketing speak and posturing, but is it even the right approach? 

In T-Mobile’s new plans, customers can sign up for unlimited talk and text for $50, with 500MB of data. If they want more data, they can add on 2GB for $10 or go fully unlimited for an additional $20. Second lines are $30, with data remaining at the $10 and $20 price points. After the first two lines, additional lines are $10 per month without data.

Of course, those monthly rates do not include the monthly payment plans you make on the phone you just purchased through them. See, T-Mobile will get you into the brand new iPhone 5 for $99, but they’ll then charge you a monthly fee until you have fully paid off the full $579 price of the phone (or whatever retail is these days). It’s their way of killing subsidies – whether or not you like the approach can be debated for hours, so we’ll leave it as it is.

They also launched their LTE network in seven cities and hope to cover up to 200 million people by the end of this year. Sure, they are late to the party, but they are hoping to ramp up rollout so that they can keep up with Verizon and AT&T.

But here’s the thing – if I were to ask you today, why you aren’t a T-Mobile customer, I bet I can guess the answer in a matter of seconds. It’s the coverage, isn’t it? Too many times in the comments of this site have we seen, “I’d switch to T-Mobile in a heartbeat, but I get zero coverage at my house/work/regularly visited bar.” We’ve even bragged up prepaid plans and adopting the unlocked model, yet so many of you still bring up the fact that Verizon gives you the best coverage and that’s exactly why you’ve stuck with them for so long. There is no denying that you’d love to go with the cheapest carrier that provides the most freedom, but in reality, you can’t do it at this time.

Here are the coverage maps of the northwest that I pulled minutes ago from Verizon (left) and T-Mobile’s (right) websites to add some perspective:

So here is where I don’t think T-Mobile is taking the correct approach at their latest attempt at a comeback. In my opinion, I don’t necessarily think it’s all about two-year contracts, subsidies and cheap no-frills plans. People want to know that they are going to have coverage 99% of the time. Mobile phones are replacing home phones by the second, so things like reliability are more important than ever. When consumers take that weekend road trip or fly back home to their small home town, will they have service? If they hit up an outskirts suburb in a major city, what’s their data coverage going to be like?

We’ve even talked about Verizon’s insanely priced Share Everything plans, yet as expensive as they remain, with prepaid options sitting out there at arm’s reach that are half the cost, customers still won’t switch because they know exactly what they are getting and have been getting for years. T-Mobile is still known as having sh*tty service, so is becoming the Un-carrier going to change that? And whether that’s still true or not depends on the person, but that’s sort of the point here.

While my time with T-Mobile’s service has been limited to my life with the Nexus 4, I can tell you this. I live in Portland, a decent sized city and have asked my wife to look something up for me more times in the last four months than I did the previous three or four years of my smartphone-filled life combined because I constantly run into a lack of signal or coverage. It was spotty in New York during Samsung’s Galaxy S4 event, it’s at times non-existent at Blazers games in downtown Portland, I lose service when I drive 5 minutes south to Lake Oswego (suburb of Portland), and typically find myself carrying a second phone (Verizon or AT&T) with me when I know I’ll be heading out for more than a few hours at a time.

Again, I like no-contracts, unlocked phones, and a “f*ck the man” approach to life. Props to T-Mobile for that. I even despise the recent approaches by Verizon and AT&T to essentially scam consumers into overpriced shared data plans while selling them on unlimited text and calling features that they don’t need anymore. But did any of T-Mobile’s song and dance change their network status or image? I don’t know that it did. Give us great wireless service that’s reliable and we’ll sign on the dotted line, whether that includes a contract or not.

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T-Mobile’s UN-Carrier Approach Sounds Awesome, But Killing Contracts Shouldn’t be Their Message or Focus [Opinion] is a post from: Droid Life