Rumors

Verizon Wireless doesn't like to use the word "throttle" when describing how it will restrict heavy data users, but it has no problem with the word "choke." And as Jessica tells us, that's exactly what the carrier is starting to do for the "most active five percent of its 3G data customers." No, it's not very convenient, but at least the carrier is trying to be polite about it.

Elsewhere in the podcast, we tackle a new female-oriented phone from HTC that may have Rhyme, though it's without any real … Read more

Our friends at TmoNews got their hands on a very interesting document that foretells how current T-Mobile service plans will be affected if the proposed AT&T merger goes through. Though we've always known that AT&T's will honor T-Mobile's contracts through the end of their life, this employee FAQ says that customers can keep their plans "as long as they want to, even when their term ends and the service continues on a month-to-month basis."

Exactly what that means remains to be seen. In previous carrier mergers, customers were allowed to keep … Read more

HTC, fresh from announcing the Rhyme and Sense 3.5 user interface, should have plenty of reasons to get back on stage come its October 6 press event.

With expected devices in the Vigor (Droid Incredible HD), Amaze 4G, Holiday, and Runnymede (Bass), there is plenty to look forward to from the manufacturer. So why not toss in at least one more phone for good measure? Say hello to the HTC Explorer.

Along with the standard connectivity options, the diminutive device is said to feature a 600MHz processor, a 3.2-inch display, 384MB RAM, and a 5-megapixel camera. Looking very … Read more

Sprint Nextel may be getting an iPad of its very own.

Web site 9to5mac reported today that Apple and Sprint have completed work on an iPad that is compatible with Sprint's wireless network. This comes on the heels of reports that Sprint will also carry the iPhone.

If true, the products represent a strengthening of ties between Apple and Sprint, and would put Sprint on par with its larger rivals AT&T and Verizon Wireless. Sprint has the added benefit of offering more attractive rate plans with the devices.

The site reports that the Sprint version of the iPad is completely separate from the Verizon model, which runs on the compatible 3G CDMA technology. It's unclear whether the Sprint iPad would run on the 3G or 4G WiMax network, which is run by Sprint partner Clearwire, according to 9to5mac. But it's unlikely that Apple would invest in building a WiMax device when most companies are looking to alternative 4G technology LTE.

A Sprint representative declined to comment to CNET. An Apple representative wasn't immediately available for comment.

Without an iPad of its own, Sprint had resorted to pitching its mobile hot spot as a way to provide a Wi-Fi connection to the blockbuster tablet. … Read more

The folks who bring you the specifications for Bluetooth may have just outed the next Facebook phone. Now visible on the Web site for the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the Motorola EX225 doesn't look like much at first. Yet, if you peer closely at the handset's boring candy bar design, you'll see a dedicated Facebook button like we got on the HTC Status.

The Bluetooth SIG doesn't list any features save for a 3-megapixel camera, a full keyboard (of course), and the possibility of a dual SIM card slot. The tiny 2.4-inch screen would … Read more

LG, gearing up for the important preholiday season, has a number of Android-powered smartphones on the horizon.

One model in particular, the Univa, has appeared in a pair of real-world outings recently. Carrying a model number of e150 and looking production-ready, the handset may ultimately arrive Stateside as an Optimus One successor.

Rumored specifications for the Univa include an 800MHz processor, 512MB RAM, a 3.5-inch HVGA display, and a 5-megapixel camera. It is expected that the handset will run Android 2.3.4 and offer support for Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth.

While these details might sound uninspiring to seasoned … Read more

Sprint may be prepping for "a major phone launch" by October 15, according to an internal carrier memo obtained by SprintFeed. The leaked document doesn't detail much besides informing employees of a vacation blackout from September 30 through October 15 due to the "possibility" of a big event.

SprintFeed also leaps to the admittedly logical conclusion that the device will be a new version of Apple's iPhone. Indeed, we don't see much else on Sprint's horizon that could count as "major" and chatter of a Sprint iPhone has rapidly increased … Read more

Apple's iPhone 5 is coming to Sprint, and when it launches, customers will be able to have access to unlimited data, according to a report from Bloomberg today.

Citing "people familiar with the matter," Bloomberg is reporting that Sprint plans to offer unlimited data plans with the long-rumored iPhone 5 to "distinguish" itself from AT&T and Verizon, the carriers currently selling Apple's iPhone 4. Those sources also told Bloomberg that the iPhone 5 will be available on Sprint's network in mid-October, though they didn't provide an exact date.

Rumors suggesting Sprint will be carrying the iPhone 5 have been swirling for months now. In July, Piper Jaffray analyst Chris Larsen said that the time has finally come for Apple to offer up its smartphone to Sprint and even T-Mobile.

"While we remain uncertain regarding the next-generation iPhone's specs and features, we believe the most noteworthy change could be the device's ability to run on more networks, specifically Sprint and T-Mobile in the U.S," Larsen said in a research note. His comments followed another note from Citadel analyst Shing Yin who said in July that Apple would start selling the iPhone to Sprint customers later this year.… Read more

Sprint is said to be preparing to sell the iPhone 5 by setting up new cellular equipment in Apple stores, according to a story in Beatweek Magazine earlier this week.

Citing an anonymous source, Beatweek said that Sprint is installing network repeaters at Apple retail stores to ensure a strong signal so that potential iPhone 5 buyers can test the device on the carrier's cellular network.

The source, who lives in Austin, Texas, is quoted as saying "one thing I can tell you is that the electrical contractor that I work for is contracted to install Sprint 'repeaters' at The Domain. There is a Apple Store at The Domain. One of the 'repeaters' is to be installed INSIDE the Apple Store. There is to be a total of 5 'repeaters' installed. The equipment is CDMA and 4G (Sprint)."

The Apple store located in the Domain is also in Austin, Texas. Sprint uses CDMA for its 3G network, the same as Verizon Wireless. But analysts and other industry watchers have expressed doubts that the next iPhone would be a 4G device, citing Apple's concerns that the technology isn't yet mature. Apple and at least one iPhone carrier have reportedly been testing 4G LTE internally, but an actual 4G iPhone isn't likely to surface until next year.… Read more