Posts Tagged ‘sprint’

Graphic courtesy of Wired.

Do you know how long mobile phone service providers keep records about which cell tower you used? Or, text messages? Or, call detail records? Wired took a look at a photo copy of a U.S. Department of Justice summary table titled “Retention Periods of Major Cellular Service Providers” that provides the specifics.
Read more

Google partnered with Citi, MasterCard, Sprint and First Data to try to enable its Google Wallet to replace the need for plastic credit cards. Google Wallet gets its own funds, however, from the good ol’ plastic card accounts. There is one little catch, however.
Read more

Electronista doesn’t have to work too hard to convince me that mobile phone companies’ wireless data plans charge way too much for people who do not even come close to their plan’s monthly data quota. Here, they report on a study by Validas.
Read more

It looks like mobile payments systems are getting traction. However, the current leader is not depending on NFC (Near Field Communications) which requires special hardware in phones (like the Nexus S). American Express’s Serve found a partner in Sprint last month.

Sprint Rolling Out American Express’ Serve Mobile Payment System to Select Android Phones

And, now the even bigger CDMA mobile giant, Verizon Wireless, signed up for Serve.

Serve simplifies the online checkout experience by authenticating a mobile number, then allowing a customer to make a purchase on-screen. Verizon Wireless customers who use Serve can expect to buy goods and services on their mobile phone in just a few clicks. Merchants who accept Serve mobile payments will enjoy a streamlined option for processing and settlement. The Serve card is currently accepted by the millions of merchants in the United States who accept American Express.

Serve supports select Android devices and iOS (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad). Support is planned for Microsoft Windows Phone and RIM BlackBerry.

Verizon to Integrate American Express’ Serve on Wireless Phones and Tablets

Via GigaOm: American Express’ Serve digital wallet now serving Verizon devices

While some of wait to see if NFC (Near Field Communications) takes off as the mobile payment system technology of choice (it doesn’t look to be it so far), Sprint partnered with American Express and its Serve mobile digital payment system available to its customers.

American Express and Sprint Collaborate to Promote Serve

However, access to this service is limited to “select” Sprint Android powered smartphones. So, it is not a universal mobile payment solution for Sprint customers. Serve also currently supports iOS (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad) and support is planned for Microsoft Windows Phone and RIM BlackBerry.

ReadWriteWeb notes that an American Express card is not required to use Serve. Transactions can be funded using a bank account, debit or credit card, or from another Serve account.

You can learn more about American Express’ Serve at:

serve.com

Via ReadWriteWeb: American Express’ Digital Payments Platform Serve Teams with Sprint

September and October have long been interesting months for Apple watchers. The first iPod was announced in October 2001. And, subsequent iPod refreshes have been announced every September in recent years. The first iPod nano was announced in September as was the first iPod touch.

This time around we know that the iOS 5 update will become available for existing iPhone and iPad devices. Having skipped a summer iPhone release for the first time since 2007, there is speculation that Apple will announce a fifth generation iPhone and, maybe, a third generation iPad this Fall.

Apple Readies New iPhone (Wall Street Journal)

Barron’s (part of The Wall Street Journal) adds an interesting twist from an Citadel Securities analyst who says that Sprint will get the iPhone too this Fall in time for the holiday buying season.

Sprint iPhone Deal Appears Likely, Says Citadel

Missing from all these rumors (iPhone 4Gs, iPhone 5, iPad 3, Sprint) is what is happening to the iPod line which has become less important over the past few years.

Sprint’s ID Packs lets their Android smartphone using customers create themed experiences on the phone. The latest ID Pack focuses on the “E!” entertainment brand.

E! ID Pack Keeps Pop Culture Fans Up-to-Date Around the Clock with Entertainment News, Photos, Videos and More on Sprint ID-Capable Android Devices

The E! ID Pack packagtes apps, widgets and shortcuts focused on entertainment.

- E! Online app
- Live From the Red Carpet App
- Keeping Up with the Kardashians app
- Fandango
- TweetCaster (Twitter client)
- E! News Now Video Widget
- E! News widget
- The Big Picture widget
- Celeb Tracker widget
- TV schedule widget
- (shortcut to) E! Online Android site

You can find more information about the E! ID Pack here:
sprint.com/eonline

Sprint announced this week that their customers can download the full version of Lookout Mobile Security for Android app.

Sprint Partners with Lookout to Offer Customers Mobile Security Protection

I discussed this app earlier this month in reference to the app’s ability to protect against the DroidDream Lite malware.

Lookout Mobile Security: Free Android App Protects Against DroidDream Lite Malware

There is a version of the app in the Android Market that is available for free to anyone.

Lookout Mobile Security

However, the premium version offered by Sprint to its customers provides additional features such as remote lock and wipe and the ability to backup and restore contacts, photos and call history.

Fiercewireless reports that Sprint will modify their 3G data plans and provide an interesting tweak to their WiMAX 4G data on June 24.

Sprint to tweak tablet data plans, will add unlimited WiMAX

Sprint currently offers 3G tiers of 1, 3 and 5GB per month ($20, $45, $60). They will add a 10GB plan for $90 per month. More interesting to people who share and consume a lot of video, for example, is addition of unlimited WiMAX 4G data for the HTC View 4G tablet associated with 3G plans of 3GB or more per month.

While Sprint’s 3G network has a reaonably good reputation for coverage and throughput, the Clear provided WiMAX network is another story entirely.

What’s the Deal with Sprint/Clear WiMAX Service? Coverage Issues or Not?

Unlimited WiMAX based 4G is only useful if you actually can use it.