When they're not asking about the best cell phone for their needs, CNET readers are inquiring about which carrier has the best coverage in their area. It's a great question, and a very relevant one, but answering it always has been tricky. Because CNET doesn't have the resources to accurately test wireless coverage across the United States, I've suggested that readers ask their neighbors to share their carrier experiences. While that is good advice--personal stories can be very helpful in making a decision--we couldn't offer hard data. That is, until now.
Over the past year CNET has been hard at work creating a better solution. In doing so, we've teamed with Root Wireless to create a powerful tool for determining the best carrier for your neighborhood, commute, or workplace. Next time when you're shopping for a new mobile phone or considering switching to a new carrier, we hope we can help. ... Read more
In addition to releasing a new touch-screen phone this week, U.S. Cellular also added a new overage protection service for customers. It's a simple concept, but it should come in handy for chatterboxes hoping to avoid costly fees for going over their monthly anytime minutes. The service will work for your text message bundles, as well.
When your minute or message use reaches 75 percent of your monthly allotment, you'll get a text message advising you of the news. If you keep talking or texting, you'll get a second message when you reach your maximum number of messages and texts. You then can decide to put down your phone, change your plan, or suffer the overage fees. The service is free, but you must sign up for it by contacting U.S. Cellular.
Motorola Crush
(Credit: Motorola)It's far from the Droid, but Motorola added a new touch-screen phone to U.S. Cellular's lineup on Thursday. The Crush runs Moto's standard operating system on a 2.8-inch display. Features include messaging, a music player, a 3.5mm headset jack, a 2-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, and a microSD card slot.
The Crush costs $89.95 with a two-year service agreement (regular price $249.95), but a $50 mail-in rebate will knock the price down to an affordable $39.95.
Samsung Caliber
(Credit: Samsung)
Samsung Trill
(Credit: Samsung)Samsung is launching two new phones with U.S. Cellular dubbed the Samsung Trill and Samsung Caliber. The Trill reminds us of the Samsung Trance due to the similar design and features. It has sound technology by Bang & Olufsen ICEpower, a music player with an external music player control, a 1.3-megapixel camera, a speakerphone, stereo Bluetooth, support for microSD cards up to 32GB.
The Caliber, on the other hand, is a touch-screen phone complete with Samsung's TouchWiz user interface. It measures 4.55 inches by 2.23 inches by 0.47 inches and has a 3.2-inch display. Features include a full HTML Web browser, stereo Bluetooth, a speakerphone, a 3-megapixel camera, and a video and music player.
The Trill retails for $219.95, and the Caliber will run you $319.95. It sounds expensive, but U.S. Cellular does not require a contract.
Doro PhoneEasy 410 and Doro PhoneEasy 345
(Credit: Consumer Cellular)Consumer Cellular, the exclusive wireless provider for the AARP, has announced two new senior-friendly phones, the Doro PhoneEasy 345 and the Doro PhoneEasy 410. Both have large displays and easy-to-use buttons, much like the well-known Jitterbug handsets. The Doro PhoneEasy 410 has a flip phone form factor, while the Doro PhoneEasy 345 has a candybar design. Both phones offer a loud ringtone, soft grippy surfaces, a speakerphone, Bluetooth, text messaging, an alarm clock, an FM radio, a calculator, a flashlight, and even simple games. Doro, a Swedish company, claims these phones are popular with Europe's senior population, so they're hoping they will have the same success here.
The Doro phones also seem to be cheaper than the Jitterbug models. The Doro PhoneEasy 345 is $40, while the Doro PhoneEasy 410 is $50. There is a $35 activation fee upon enrollment. Consumer Cellular is nationwide and is an MVNO on AT&T's network. Rates start as low as $10 and there are no contracts required. We'll be reviewing these phones this week so stay tuned for that.
LG Bliss
(Credit: LG)U.S. Cellular has just announced that it will offer the LG Bliss, a phone with a 3-inch touch screen, stereo Bluetooth, a 2-megapixel camera, camcorder, music player, microSD card slot that supports up to 16GB flash cards, full HTML browser, e-mail, GPS, and more. The Bliss is available now for $99 after rebates and a new contract.
Cellular South is the first US regional carrier to reveal their Android plans.
(Credit: Cellular South)Cellular South announced Tuesday that it would offer an Android handset later this year. It is a significant milestone for the Android mobile operating system as it marks the first time a regional carrier has revealed Android plans.
Kevin Hankins, COO of Mississippi-based Cellular South, said in a statement that his company is excited to offer customers the diversity of new and exciting applications from the open source Android platform. "Our customers will be able to easily access thousands of meaningful applications that will add tremendous value to their mobile experience and lifestyle," he said.
Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and Sprint are expected to offer Android handsets as well, but the major carriers have not made their plans public. If more smaller operators like Cellular South come onboard, it might place additional pressure on the big three to officially join the Android bandwagon.
Regional carriers are beginning to offer steep competition with lower priced flat rates and unlimited features. Cellular South currently offers a $49 smartphone plan with unlimited Web and text and 500 anytime minutes. If they were to offer a similar deal for their upcoming Android phone, it would be the cheapest deal of its kind in the US wireless market.
Currently. here are no details on which Android handset the carrier will offer. Cellular South offers phones from HTC, Motorola, Samsung, and LG, all of which have plans to launch new Android devices. Yet, chances are high that we'll see a completely new device from Cellular South, particularly since it uses a CDMA and EV-DO network (T-Mobile uses GSM). Cellular South is also set to offer the Dell Mini 10 Netbook, which has been demonstrated with Android.
Cellular South also unveiled its "You Dream It. We Build It." Android application contest. The promotion encourages customers to submit their dream mobile app ideas in 100 words or less. When the winner is selected, Cellular South will develop the application.
Now that a regional carrier is on board with Android, I hope more follow their lead. With the larger carriers still waiting to figure out their plans, it offers a unique opportunity for other companies to lure away new customers. This increased competition should benefit everyone by making unlimited data plans more affordable. Also, it is encouraging to see more carriers release their own Android applications and I hope this trend continues.
The Axle lands at U.S. Cellular
(Credit: Samsung)With the Palm Pre and Apple iPhone 3G S grabbing so much attention in the last couple of weeks, you might think that basic phones are becoming extinct. But don't worry, as that is far from the truth. Even this week when fancy smartphones are all the rage, Samsung and U.S. Cellular have got your back.
The new Samsung Axle has a minimalist flip phone design in simple gray. Cell phone watchers will recognize that the Axle shares its shape with MetroPCS' Samsung Byline. Features are low-end, but functional. You'll find Bluetooth, a speakerphone, voice commands, messaging, a VGA camera, and a personal organizer. You can get it for as low as $40 with service.
(Credit:
Alltel)
Last week, Alltel announced that it has added the LG Tritan to its lineup. A sideways slider phone with a full QWERTY keyboard, the Tritan is a messaging phone with a 3-inch touch screen display.
Features include a 3-megapixel camera with flash and autofocus, a camcorder, stereo Bluetooth, GPS, a microSD card slot, EV-DO Rev. A, GPS, a HTML browser, and more. Alltel is charging $99.99 for the phone after a $100 mail-in rebate and a one-year service agreement.
It also seems the LG Tritan might make its way to U.S. Cellular, as these leaked photos on Boy Genius Report indicate.
(Via PhoneScoop)
Text away with the Samsung Gloss.
(Credit: Samsung)Square phones like the LG Lotus may look rather peculiar, but it appears the trend is beginning to catch on. On Tuesday, Samsung launched its own square phone, the Gloss for U.S. Cellular.
Like the Lotus, the Gloss (aka the SCH-U440) has a square shape and a full QWERTY keyboard for texting. It comes in gray and pink and each color has a unique design on the front face.
Features include a 1.3-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, a music player, a personal organizer, a wireless Web browser, GPS with navigation services, voice recognition, a speakerphone, and a microSD card slot.
The Gloss is available immediately for $29.95 with a two-year contract and a $50 mail-in rebate. We'll review it just as soon as we can get a model.
