3.9 
What's happening now
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Google reduces Nexus One ETF
In an effort to quell user complaints about the company's high "equipment recovery fee" (in addition to T-Mobile's early termination fee, nonetheless), Google has dropped the fee from $350 to $150 for those that cancel their contracts in the first 120 days. That being said, that's still $350 total to pay to Google and T-Mobile ($150 and $200, respectively) - still too high, in my opinion. The move comes after the FCC sent letters to...Blog Article
Google launches support number
After ordering the Nexus One for one of my personal accounts, I can safely say that the disconnect between T-Mobile and Google is astonishing (and when I say "astonishing," it's not a compliment). If you read my article on how to order the device, you're well-aware of the challenges. I'm not an analyst by any means, but the issues between existing accounts, family share plans, and the like could be a serious detriment to the sales...Blog Article
Google Buzz Launch
Google held a press event this morning to launch Google Buzz, their new system for real-time sharing of everything from Twitter-style conversations to photos and other media. Buzz will exist inside of Google's GMail interface, but the company also introduced three new location-aware mobile products: - Google Buzz via m.Google.com homepage for Android and iPhone - Mobile App: buzz.google.com - Buzz-enabled Google Maps for Symbian, Windows...Blog Article
iPhone 4G Spy Shot
Get out your salt shakers, it's alleged spy photo time! iPhone repair site iResQ has what they claim are parts from the upcoming fourth-generation Apple iPhone, due to be launched later this year. According to photos on the site, the new iPhone's front panel (right, above) will be approximately 1/4" taller than the current iPhone 3GS (left, above). The photos also show what iResQ is calling a "reflective surface" on the front panel just above...Blog Article
Android 2.1 on Droid
Chris from Engadget says he got word that Verizon is currently testing Android 2.1 "Eclair" on the Motorola Droid. The build mentioned is 2.1 version 1, the same version pushed out to Nexus One owners last week. Nobody's got any word on a release date - or even verification that the update will, in fact, be released at all. But let's be optimistic (and realistic, I think) and say that Droid owners should be getting some multitouch Web love...Blog Article
iPhone OS 3.1.3
According to Adriana, any of you running your iPhones unlocked on T-Mobile should hold off on installing the newest iPhone OS update. Looks like iPhone 3.1.3 breaks TMo connectivity for iPhone 3GS and 3G models - apparently the first-gen iPhones aren't affected. Any of you running iPhone unlocked on Magenta? If so, can you confirm or deny this? Better yet, are you hard at work on a solution? More over at Today's iPhone. [Via: PhoneArena]Blog Article
HTC Incredible
Pocketnow got hold of some leaked photos of a phone marked, "HTC Incredible." Based on the specs accompanying the leak, this device might just live up to its name - if you're looking for a high-end Android handheld to run on Verizon. Incredible (aka code-name "Bravo," I believe) is said to feature Android 2.1 and HTC Sense running on a Snapdragon-based platform backed by 256MB of RAM. The device will feature a 3.5" + WVGA touchscreen (AMOLED?),...Blog Article
Foursquare for BlackBerry
I don't much care for Foursquare. The social networking site, that is. The schoolyard game with a kickball? AWESOME. The check-in thingy? Don't really like it. But lots of people do, apparently. They enjoy filling their twitter feeds with things like, "I am now the mayor of Taco Bell!" and, "I'm at Pet Food Plaza at 123 Main Street." Well, okay, good for you, Mayor! So it's good - for them - that there's a Foursquare app for BlackBerry....Blog Article
Motorola Super Bowl Ad
Is it me or have this year's Super Bowl ads been pretty underwhelming thus far? There's about five and a half minutes to go in the game as I write this, so there's still time for a miracle, but so far? Eh. That much-hyped Google ad? Vaguely clever yet supremely boring (seriously, who wants to read an entire TV ad?). I kind of liked the VW ad, mainly because the Stevie Wonder/Tracy Morgan bit was unexpected and hilarious. Otherwise? A lot...Video
Dogfight! HD2 v. Nexus One #1
I was convinced going into the that I would spend most of the dogfight talking about how great the Nexus One is. But with Sense, the HD 2 has plenty to offer.Video
Dogfight! HD2 v. Nexus One #2
I definitely favor Android over Windows Mobile, but when it comes to Sense, no matter what the underlying OS, the surface is lovely.Blog Article
Google ships 80k N1 phones
While the Motorola DROID and the Apple iPhone celebrated larger first month numbers (525,000 and 600,000, respectively), the announcement of 80,000 Nexus One devices (which translates into a steady 20,000 per week) is still a relatively strong number for Google. I'm sure Google would have liked to have broken the 100,000 mark, but the fact that they're going strong four weeks later (and their weekly totals haven't dropped) is a positive...Blog Article
Milestone coming to Telus 2-18
According to Best Buy Canada, Telus (or at least Best Buy, on behalf of Telus) will be getting the Motorola Milestone. If you're in the United States, you're probably thinking "great, Aaron, why do I care?" Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for Telus customers, but the real win for us in the States lies in the fact that they utilize the 850/1900 MHz bands for 3G. In other words, their version of the Milestone will work on AT&T...Blog Article
Cheapest Smartphone Plans
Prepaid and PostPaid, Voice and Data Boost Mobile's launch of their first-ever smartphone, the BlackBerry Curve 8330, and its $60/month unlimited, prepaid voice & data plan, got me to thinking about the true cost of owning and maintaining various smartphones on the various US carriers. With the help of Billshrink's handy-dandy charts and infographics, I did a little research and came up with the following. Note that I stuck to national...Blog Article
