T-Mobile

First the bad news: if you want an Android powered G1 you are out of luck. That’s right, you can’t get one. No surprise you say because the G1 hasn’t been released yet? Technically you are correct (thanks captain pedantic) but there is still a shortage even thought the G1 is unreleased. How is that possible? Well, unlike the iPhone you can sign up to pre order the G1. Or you could until the G1 sold more than anticipated so now you’re just out of luck. So you have a G1, you can’t even order a G1 and standing in line to get a G1 is fruitless because, since you know you’re not getting one, you’ll just look stupid.

Why not throw some Android/T Mobile/Google criticism in here? Well, the obvious reason is because such criticism is completely unnecessary. The best reason to throw some mud is just because it is fun to do. So I’ll get that to ya! (wink). Time to think about waiting lists. By going with the whole pre signup thing you have to think that T Mobile and the rest of the roll out partners really, really… more...

Want to know how the iPhone compares to the now officially announced G1? GBs, plan prices, weight and other must know info is included in a NetworkWorld piece that covers all the differences. Check it out with a click.
What, that’s not good enough for you? NetworkWorld has wronged you in the past and you won’t read anything published by them? (Well, they do want you to sit through a full page ad after all). Good new, we have an alternative. Not quite as extensive but still worth reading is the comparison by the telegraph.

If you’re a gadget freak you secretly want an iPhone. And the Android powered HTC. And a Blackberry Bold. But since you’re here you probably already have an iPhone and the thought of signing another soul sucking contract just to use the latest bit of tech undoubtably brings shudders. Still, you’re interested, right? Go ahead, admit it, it’s okay.

So here’s the latest on Android: Stephen Wildstrom got his hands on one of the gadgets and found it to be overly thick, the keys uncomfortable and none of that cool pinch stuff you can do on an iPhone. .And there’s some network issues to be aware of. On the bright side it has cut and paste. Read his full take right here.

One interesting thing about the review. Towards the end Stephen just gives up on talking about the Android and starts raving about how great the Blackberry Bold is. For Google: Awkward…

Vodafone Vs. T-Mobile In Germay November 29th

After ordering a court order against T-Mobile for selling locked down iPhones, the two are going head to head in the court room the day of the handset’s sale in France.

Previously, Vodafone asked a German court to block T-Mobile from selling iPhones due to a violation of local German laws. In response, T-Mobile now sells unlocked handsets for 999 Euros.

T-Mobile will fight Vodafone in court over them selling locked handsets.

Via: Engadget

So yesterday our friends across the pond got their iPhone action on O2 and will be getting them November 9th, but now it’s Germany’s turn and the announcement isn’t that different from the previous but some details are lacking such as possible plans.

Press Release Below

BERLIN—September 19, 2007 — Apple® and T-Mobile today announced that T-Mobile, the leading network operator in Germany, will be the exclusive German carrier of Apple’s revolutionary iPhone™ when it makes its debut in Germany on November 9. iPhone combines three devices into one—a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod®, and the best mobile Internet device ever—all based on Apple’s revolutionary multi-touch interface and pioneering software that allows users to control iPhone with just a tap, flick or pinch of their fingers. Apple sold its one millionth iPhone just 74 days after it went on sale in the U.S. on June 29.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with T-Mobile to bring the iPhone to Germany,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Customer response to iPhone in the US has been incredible, and we can’t wait to introduce T-Mobile customers to the most revolutionary mobile device on the planet.”

“We are… more...

If you were driven mad by the flurry of rumors surrounding the iPhone’s European launch you can rest assured that we now have concrete evidence of what networks the Euro-phone is launching on and a set date of when more information will come in.  Les iPhones viennent, les iPhones viennent!

Three carriers have been announced for the iPhone in Europe: Orange, O2 and T-Mobile. Now if you’ve been desiring an iPhone and live in Europe you surely have been keeping up on the rumor mill and you’ll know that T-Mobile had been heralded as the German carrier, this is correct (is it just me or is the Apple-o-sphere been a leaky faucet when it comes to rumors)?

Next up is Orange and O2. The earlier has been selected for France and the later for the U.K. (start saving your pennies Aaron)! However it gets interesting, similar to AT&T all three carriers have had to cut out a revenue sharing deal with Apple. Previously these figures were only speculated upon by analysts and Bloggers but we have a concrete number this time: 10% of voice and data revenue… more...

The Cellular industry is a very fast moving and highly aggressive market. While it is very profitable the devious tactics employed by wireless carriers and phone manufacturers keeps advancing towards the point of tipping a legal alarm. This latest bit of news is no different. Apparently AT&T is crippling some Blackberries to please Apple.

If you aren’t familiar with what AT&T has done to carry the iPhone then allow me to fill you in. Besides spending $50 Million on upgrading the EDGE network, supporting Visual Voicemail which is an iPhone only feature, forgoing a subsidized version and sharing monthly revenue there is no question AT&T would rather steer you towards an iPhone, after all if they put so much dedication and money into a phone it can’t go wrong right?

Unfortunately for Research In Motion, the creator of the Blackberry (or Crackberry if the coworker next to you gets a 300 page bill) may have a steep slope to cross if they want to continue offering unrestricted phones on AT&T.

Essentially the GPS function of the upcoming Blackberry 8820 will be crippled due to RIM… more...

Apple Insider reports that mention of Apple’s iPhone has made its way to T-Mobile Gemrany’s website. Does this mean that T-Mobile has finally worked out a deal with Apple for the iPhone?

Image courtesy of Apple Insider

Via: Apple Insider

There has been reports lately of T-Mobile being the frontrunner for the exclusive contract with Apple to provide iPhones in Europe. The reports cite “sources” saying that Apple has narrowed the search down to Vodafone and T-Mobile. And if that is the case, then surely T-Mobile will prevail as there is no way Apple will sync up Vodafone’s Live! Portal with the iPhones iTunes. But I firmly belive that is not the case.

I believe there is no way that Apple would narrow the scope down to these two companies. T-Mobile has a very small presence in Europe and has little or no presence in Italy, Spain, and France. Even though every analysts has publicly stated how foolish it would be for Apple to sign with only one provider, especially in the more competitive European market, even if that were to happen, it wouldn’t be with T-Mobile.

Choosing one provider may be slightly foolish in the U.S. but it would be suicide in Europe and simply seppuku in Asia. Not to… more...

Damon Darlin in an article about breaking cell phone 2 year contracts for the New York Times said, “The companies will waive the early termination fee if you die. Pretending to be dead, however, does not work well as a way to break a contract. Sprint Nextel, Verizon and Cingular, for example, may ask for a death certificate. T-Mobile says it does not. ‘They want to take people at their word,’ said Graham Crow, a spokesman for the company.

I have heard some stories of really stubborn cell phone providers who simply will not budge for anyone when it comes to breaking a contract. It must be the Golden Rule when you become a cell phone employee. My current providor is Verizon Wireless so I decided to see if they would ask for a death certificate should I “die and can’t fulfill the rest of my 2-year contract.” I called my local Verizon Wireless branch. In retrospect, I should have scripted this out before i called because basically, I did myself in.

Verizon Wireless: Hello, can you give… more...