Acer Iconia Smart Passes FCC And Headed For AT&T?

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 Acer’s unique, 4.8 inch smartphone/tablet, the Iconia Smart. Acer promised we would see the phone hit stateside April, 2011 but the month is nearly over and some are left wondering exactly what happened? Well, it looks like the Iconia Smart has just passed FCC and while I don’t think we will be seeing an April launch, I do think we can expect the phone very, very soon. In case you needed a little reminder, the phone comes equipped with a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 512MB or ROM/RAM, 2MP front facing camera, 8MP rear facing camera and all the usual fixin’s. Oh, and who could forget the oddly long 4.8 inch, 1024×480 resolution display. It also appears the U.S. version of the Iconia Smart might be heading to AT&T seeing how its the only carrier who’s 3G bands support the phone’s 850, 1900 and 2100MHz frequencies.
Anyone interested in what Acer’s cooking or do you think the’ve had a little too much of what Kyocera might have been smoking?
 

AT&T Prepaid Fight vs. Verizon Wireless Unleashed Plan

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When it comes to prepaid plans two big names such as AT&T Wireless and Verizon Wireless always rival each other, this is good and healthy competition that always keeps the pricing down. So who will win the fight for glory?
RCR Wireless have hit on this subject and it is somewhat very interesting indeed, Verizon Wireless have a plan called “Unleashed” and this offers customers unlimited mobile Web services, unlimited messaging and unlimited calling over its network for $50 per month, the only downside to this is that they only have three phones that use this plan. There are a few limitations such as lack of phones and its mobile Web experience is limited to the Web browser that is included on the three handsets and this does not give you the full web browsing experience.
The Unleashed plan according to the source above undercuts available prepaid plans, the ones that offer SMS messages at 2 cents per text, unlimited calling for $2 per day or unlimited bundles costing $10 or $20 per month.
Over Tracfone Wireless Inc.’s Straight Talk the Unleashed plan is $5 per month that included unlimited calling, messaging and data using the Verizon Wireless network and feature phones.
Now looking at AT&T Mobility’s GoPhone unlimited plans with prices at $60 per month for unlimited text messages and voice calls and its $75 per month for extra 200 megabytes of data transmission what would you choose? If you choose the AT&T Mobility GoPhone you can pay $2 per day for unlimited calls and text messages and data packages ranging up to $25 per month for 500 MB.
Who wins the pre-paid market then?

AT&T/Samsung “Special Annoucement” May 5

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We just got an invite to the AT&T/Samsung event being held on May 5th from 4-6pm. They will be making a “special announcement”, and will be featuring product demos and executive remarks. Hmmm. Could it be the Samsung Infuse which was announced at CTIA 2011? Not sure what the news will be, but we will be reporting on it live right here.


Back when the Infuse was first announced, we didn’t know much about the Super AMOLED screen. But now that we’ve seen it on the Galaxy S II, we know how stunning it is. So seeing it on another device is pretty exciting. Keep an eye out right here on Android Community on Thursday, we’ll be reporting live with pictures and video on all the action at this event. If you have any speculation you’d like to share, please do so in the comments. 

AT|T is giving FREE MOTOROLA ATRIX™ 4G phones to their Facebook fans.

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AT&T is giving away FREE MOTOROLA ATRIX™ 4G phones to their Facebook fans. 

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AT&T & T-Mobile, Want To Add Your 2 Cents Worth? FCC Says Ok

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As you’re already aware, not everyone is happy with the AT&T&T-Mobile buy-out.  It appears that the FCC wants to know what you think about the whole acquisition, which is looking to be finalized about this time next year.  Have you had an opinion or thought on the matter?  The FCC has provided a place on their electronic comment filing page for you to chime in.  Now is the time to take advantage if you’ve been looking to get something off of your chest.  Head on over to their site via the source link and look for file number 147, proceeding number 11-65 and feel free to fire away in the comment box.  While you’re at it, paste that rant or blessing in our comments section first before pasting it over at their site.  We’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter.  Dan Hesse, there’s even a spot for you too my friend!  As a T-Mobile employee myself, I have much to say on the matter, but I think I’ll save that jazz for another post.  I’ll just suffice it to say this, I shiver at the thought of Android being solely left in the hands of AT&T.
I think our friend Zak Stinson, over at Android Police sums it up well as to what we should be worried about:

• A lack of competition resulting from fewer, larger carriers may result in less innovation and increased prices.
• Both carriers’ 4G HSPA+ bands are incompatible, risking loss of coverage for T-Mobile handsets once AT&T LTE starts rolling out
• Only one major carrier will be buying GSM handsets, meaning they will have the lion’s share of control over the GSM devices that make it to the U.S. market

 

FCC wants your input on the AT&T/T-Mobile Merger

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With the upcoming $39 Billion AT&T/T-Mobile USA merger, it’s quite understandable that users of both networks are concerned how it will affect them. The FCC is concerned as well and has started a new commentary portal for users concerned with the mega merger. Users can go to the FCC ECFS Site here, and look for proceeding number 11-65 with the title “In the Matter of applications of AT&T Inc. and Deutsche Telekom AG for consent to assign or Transfer Control of licenses and Authorizations. ” Then you can fill out the form and follow the prompts to have your voice heard.

Everyone is chiming in on this merger. Other networks have officially filed objections with the FCC. Consumer Reports, however, is of the opinion that service should improve for both networks as a result of the marriage. But they also think that T-Mobile customers will see a price hike. They also say that those who object to it are more likely to have more to lose.
As we reported shortly after the news broke on the merger, T-Mobile has gone so far as to assure their customers that the merger won’t be completed overnight, but that AT&Ts conversion of their 4G network will take years. Meantime, users will still be able to enjoy T-Mobile’s service and that upgrading of phones and services will happen according to a normal service life of each contract. In the end, T-Mobile customers will have a faster, more robust network. But if you’re concerned, the FCC definitely wants to hear from you.