Posted on 03 February 2010 by Alex. Tags: Apple, iPhone, OS 3.1.3, T-Mobile iPhone
Realizing the amount of customers with unlocked iPhones on T-Mobile’s network, Magenta has released a note to all employees regarding the new iPhone OS 3.1.3 software version that was released yesterday. T-Mobile states that, before troubleshooting the iPhone, employees should ask the subscriber what software version they’re currently using, as the new firmware might cause issues with T-Mobile services. Being the iPhone guru that I am considered, here are the details on this new “software update”. The update is meant for iPhone 3G/3GS owners (though it is available to iPhone 2G owners) and it was released to resolve issues with reporting the correct amount of battery life on 3GS models. The software update also resolves issues with some instances where 3rd party apps would fail to launch. If you’re using an iPhone 3G or 3GS on T-Mobile’s network, DO NOT update to OS 3.1.3, as it will upgrade your baseband to 5.12.01 making it impossible for you to unlock (at least for now) and use the iPhone on T-Mobile’s network. iPhone 2G (first generation) owners are not affected, and can update to the new OS. Details can be found here. Hopefully, if the rumors turn out to be true, and the iPhone comes this summer, we will no longer have to worry about updating our software version each time Apple releases an update.
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Posted in Uncategorized
Posted on 26 January 2010 by Alex. Tags: iPhone, Rumors, T-Mobile iPhone
Here we go again… Rumor has it that Apple will be ending AT&T exclusivity soon. According to some rumors “soon” is considered Wednesday January 27th, or tomorrow. Bloomberg is reporting that T-Mobile USA will get the iPhone this summer, followed by Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel Corp. in the fall, and Clearwire Corp. in 2011, Horan wrote in a note yesterday. As you probably already know, AT&T has had a tight grip on the iPhone exclusivity since June of 2007, when the iPhone first debuted. Even though there is absolutely no confirmation of this, it could very well be possible. There has been a lot of rumors regarding a Verizon Wireless iPhone (or iTablet), but would Apple really make a brand new iPhone (because of Verizon’s CDMA network [Andrew - Let me add that there is a chip out there that does cover CDMA and GSM frequencies and Apple could add it to future iDevices]) just so they could sell it on one network in the US? On the other hand, Apple does what is wants, and anything is possible. Both Apple and T-Mobile declined to comment on the matter. Although our beloved Magenta has claimed in the past that it’s network is ready to take on the iPhone.
Sound off in the comments!
Bloomberg
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Posted in Rumors, iPhone
Posted on 13 January 2010 by Alex. Tags: Comparison, Droid, Google Phone, iPhone, iphone 3GS, Mytouch 3G, Mytouch3g, Nexus One
It’s been roughly a week since Google and HTC revealed the Nexus One via press conference at their headquarters. Expectations were of course high for the Google handset, as is usually true for anything that is attached to the Google name. However, according to Mobile App Analytics over at Flurry, who are estimating (based on usage of the apps that it instruments) around 20,000 Nexus One handsets were sold in the first week of launch. Looking above you will see the T-Mobile myTouch 3G, which launched all the way back in August of 2009, sold a total of 60,000 units during its first week. Making a strong first week showing was the Verizon Wireless Motorola Droid which sold a whopping 250,000 units the first week it launched. While the infamous Apple iPhone 3GS sold an incredible 1,600,000 units during the first week it launched.
To be completely honest, I believe that due to Google imposing some tight requirements in order to get the handset subsidized, the Nexus One didn’t appeal to as many users. Even though the retail price of the handset is lower than the subsidized price in the long run, many consumers simply do not want to pay $529.99 up front. On top of that, significant confusion over the initial rate plan offering might have been a detractor to buyers. While that matter has been settled amongst the internet savvy, those looking to buy online may not be aware of how one can change plans after receiving the device. Consider for a moment the unhappy customers, those existing T-Mobile customers who discovered they would not receive any discount whatsoever on the Nexus One. Or those customers who are upgrade eligible and still find themselves in a position that requires more than the anticipated $179.99 pricing. Say what you want about the launch, it seems as though there was plenty of hiccups this time around, things that could have easily been prevented that would have allowed for higher first week sales. A lot is riding on how Google handles the 3G issues as well as various customer issues that has brought about significant talk about Google’s clear direction regarding customer service. For a company that is so entrenched in our lives, it’s certainly not easy to talk to them. Then again, that’s just my $0.02.
What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
Flurry
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Posted in Uncategorized
Posted on 05 January 2010 by David, Managing Editor. Tags: iPhone, Nexus One, T-Mobile value
If you’re a T-Mobile customer and you’ve been hanging around for the Nexus One or you’ve been angling to leave T-Mobile for greener pastures take a look at this breakdown. Total of ownership among the four most popular smartphones on the market are broken down courtesy of the fine folks at Billshrink. While the average plan may not be that much of a difference, those who are likely to use phones such as these are often unlimited power users. In that respect, the price difference becomes noticeable and it’s no small difference. Over the cost of two years $1220 may not be enough to put you out of house and home but it’s enough to recognize and T-Mobile is clearly the better value. So what say you is $1220 enough to make you reconsider switching carriers or is it phone first, price second?
Billshrink
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Posted in Nexus One
Posted on 30 December 2009 by David, Managing Editor. Tags: 2009, 2010, Deutsche Telekom, Google Phone, HSPA, HTC HD2, iPhone, N900, Nexus One, PCmag, Sprint, T-Mobile iPhone
Update: I’m bringing this back to the front because as the news comes forward that T-Mobile is the launch partner for the Nexus One, where do you see T-Mobile going in 2010?
With the year ending in less than two weeks time, 2009 has been a rollercoaster for T-Mobile on any number of levels. To say that we all look forward to what will come in 2010 wouldn’t be enough of an understatement. The last few weeks have at least seen their share of exciting phone news and with that, a notion that T-Mobile may finally be ready to deliver handsets that deserve the hype they create. The Google Phone, X10, HTC HD2 and the N900 showcase the idea that T-Mobile and their off-the-beaten path AWS bands are not to be ignored. Also, through smooth negotiating or a desire to not be a part of the AT&T disaster train, handset manufacturers see promise in the T-Mobile customer base.
Read the full story
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Posted in Uncategorized
Posted on 06 December 2009 by David, Managing Editor. Tags: 7.2, HSPA, iPhone
Once again our old friend, SVP of Engineering Neville Ray spoke to Moconews regarding T-Mobile’s commitment to serving 200 million users with 3G by the end of 2009. Once again, Ray reiterated the promise of HSPA 7.2 and HSPA+ 3G services, both of which will start widespread rollouts next year.
There to defend the carrier’s role was T-Mobile’s SVP of Engineering Neville Ray, who also spoke to Moconews after the event. He said they’ll be serving 200 million users with 3G by the end of the year (which is a smaller footprint than both Verizon and AT&T). But that they’ll leap-frog ahead, by upgrading those markets to HSPA 7.2, which is already supported in most of the handsets being sold today. Then, the carrier will quickly upgrade to HSPA 21, which he said can offer 3-5 mbps with bursts up to 10-12 mbps.
One of the more interesting mentions here is the small jab at AT&T and their overloaded networks performance, courtesy of the iPhone. When asked if he thought T-Mobile could handle the iPhone users “thirst for broadband?” Neville responded with a resounding yes: “Absolutely. We could do it, for sure. We like to think that we would not have the same level of problems.”
I have to say we love that level of confidence from T-Mobile, who while committed to the Android platform has yet to speak out or publicly express an interest in placing the iPhone in their lineup. While rumors continue to swirl and analysts continue to predict, T-Mobile is staying tightlipped on whether or not they would even make a play for the idevice if/when the AT&T exclusivity deal runs out. Regardless, we’re glad to know that they are confident enough to handle the bandwidth users would gobble up and create a user experience that has plunged AT&T into such negative light.
Moconews
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Posted in T-mobile 3G
Posted on 02 December 2009 by David, Managing Editor. Tags: iPhone, Rumors, T-Mobile iPhone
While the first article this week was met with indifference and laughter from the fine folks who run the gadget blogosphere, a second analyst has now stated that T-Mobile is a prime candidate for the iPhone. I can appreciate the arguments that without Verizon, T-Mobile or Sprint are the only logical choices, but those obvious facts aren’t what is truly important. The opportunity for consumer choice, and the removal of the iPhone from the mighty AT&T’s death grip is the real issue here and if T-Mobile gets the iPhone, great. If they do not, that’s just fine as well as any carrier will have inevitable success, but more importantly, consumers will have more choice. With all this in mind, our forums have proven to be a battleground for what is the finer OS, Android or iPhone? Even if you don’t fall into one of those corners, the argument sure is fun to watch.
All that being said, Kaufman Bros. analyst was the second this week to predict the iPhone possibly winding up on magenta. “While we believe VZ is likely inevitable at some point when 4G technology rolls out in 2012 or so, we believe Sprint and/or T-Mobile are more willing partners for Apple in helping maintain margins and customer controls,” he said. “From a technology perspective, we believe T-Mobile may have an advantage with a similar 3G UMTS/WCDMA network as AT&T.” Nothing is for certain and surely this will be met with a collective sigh from most of the blogosphere as just rumor mongering with no factual evidence and in that sense, they are absolutely right. Still, the iPhone on T-Mobile is a prospect that should be considered, regardless of whether or not it will drive Android fanboys crazy.
Appleinsider
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Posted in Rumors, iPhone
Posted on 30 November 2009 by David, Managing Editor. Tags: iPhone, Rumors, T-mobile
The iPhone is arguably the most loved or loathed phone available right now, and AT&T has absolutely reaped tremendous rewards from being the sole carrier. However, Apple and AT&T know the exclusivity agreement between them won’t last forever since current estimates are putting iPhone exclusivity in jeopardy sometime in the 3rd quarter of 2010. So while rumors run amok regarding a possible Verizon/Apple venture, we ask the question, what about T-Mobile? Thankfully a Thomas Weisel analyst states via TheStreet that T-Mobile is actually the more likely suitor for the iPhone, rather than Verizon. To call this speculation would be hitting the nail on the head but analysts have been known to be right one or two times before, therefore we take it with a level of trepidation. That being said, I think I can safely say that T-Mobile would surely see rewards from carrying the iPhone, provided the network actually works, something AT&T has trouble saying with a straight face these days. The real question here is, will Apple consider T-Mobile a viable partner to help expand the iPhone offering to a larger customer base or will they want to partner up with larger, more expansive partners?!
Do you want to see T-Mobile pickup the iPhone? Sound off below.
TheStreet
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Posted in Rumors, iPhone
Posted on 07 May 2009 by David, Managing Editor. Tags: Customer service, iPhone
Its not frequent enough that we write about T-mobile and their superior customer service. Sure we cover the JD Power Awards, and we know T-mobile is always out looking to prove its best value, but this time, they went above and beyond to ensure that customers, even those who don’t use carrier branded devices get the very best service. This comes via Consumerist (one of my personal favorite sites btw) and showcases how a little help can go a very long way. T-mobile doesn’t offer the iPhone, right, we can all agree on that? It’s no secret though that iPhone users are plentiful on magenta and after a recent change to the voicemail system, users of the iPhone (and other unlocked phones) received numerous blank text messages and were charged if they didn’t have a text plan. A few iPhone users on T-mobile’s network e-mailed Executive Customer Service, and got a very nice phone call in response, acknowledging the problem and received a 1 month service credit for the trouble. The moral of the story is of course that T-mobile, a company which does not officially support the iPhone as a device is still willing to go the extra mile for its customer and that shows REAL customer service. Bravo magenta, bravo.
Consumerist
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Posted in Customer service
