Samsung Galaxy Note II now available from Sprint

Sprint’s version of the Samsung Galaxy Note II is now on sale for $299 with a new two-year contract. Like it’s other US brethren, the device sports a 5.5-inch 1,280 x 720 HD Super AMOLED display, 1.6GHz quad-core Exynos processor, 8-megapixel rear camera atop Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Color choices include Marble White and Titanium Grey. As with nearly all of Sprint’s new devices, the Galaxy Note II supports the carrier’s newly-formed 4G LTE network, so long as you’re in one of the (very) limited number of markets.

Are you planning on picking up the Galaxy Note II? Let us know in the commentsbelow.

Source: Sprint

Verizon Lists Samsung Galaxy Note II Available For Pre-Order, Highlights A November 27th Release Date

In anticipation of the massive pandemonium for the release of what should be the hottest-selling phone for the holidays, Verizon has announced its pre-order page is now live for customers interested in purchasing the smartphone, but want to avoid the line. The carrier has listed its latest phablet for a price of $299.99, so the pricing seems to fall in line with other wireless carriers in the US— though Verizon has curiously decided to release its smartphone on November 27th as opposed to you know… earlier in November like certain magenta-colored or blue-white carriers.

Still, if you’re a Verizon customer and don’t mind the long wait, head on down to the source link for more details and to pre-order the device.

source: Verizon Wireless

Verizon’s Galaxy Note II will feature a carrier branded home button

Verizon unveiled the final version of its Galaxy Note II today, and while it does look significantly like it’s fellow US brethren, you may haven noticed one minor change. Yes, that’s the home button with Verizon’s logo. Remember when we originally saw a leaked photo of the Galaxy Note II, revealing what we had believed to be a carrier-branded home button? Well, unfortunately it looks just as bad now as it did then.

The reason behind the move makes little sense considering no other carriers have received this type of special treatment from Samsung. It’s very possible that large sums of money exchanged hands for this deal to happen. Regardless, let’s just hope it’s easy to remove.

Source: Phandroid

Square mobile payment solution now available in Canada

For small business owners or individuals selling goods or services, a common business challenge is the ability to accept payments from customers wanting to use a credit card. This is especially true for those who conduct business “in the field” or otherwise don’t have a fixed point-of-sale system. Square introduced a unique solution to this problem in the form of a mobile card reader that plugs into the headphone jack of iOS or Android devices. Users can then accept payments using the Square Register app on the device for a fee of 2.75% per swipe without having to jump through the normal hoops associated with establishing a merchant account with a financial institution.

Until now, one of the limitations has been geographic as Square was only doing business in the U.S. That changed today with Square’s announcement that they are expanding into Canada. Hit the break to read the full press release.

Square Arrives in Canada
Canadians Can Now Accept Credit Cards and Run their Business using Square on their Mobile Device

SAN FRANCISCO – October 24, 2012 – Square, the company making commerce easy for everyone, today announced availability in Canada. Square enables anyone, anywhere to accept credit cards, run and grow their business.

Square’s free Mobile Card Reader plugs into the headphone jack of an iPhone, iPad, or Android device. Square Register is the free app that allows anyone to accept safe and secure credit card payments with one simple, low transaction rate of 2.75% per swipe, with no hidden fees. Funds are available the next business day, eliminating the wait for cash flow.

Canada is Square’s first market outside the US. Over 2 million individuals and businesses can already accept credit cards with Square, and Square is processing over US$8 billion in annualized payments.

“We are focused on making commerce easy for everyone. Square builds free tools for local businesses of all sizes and types to thrive,” said Alyssa Cutright, VP of International for Square. “We’re thrilled to introduce Canadian businesses and their customers to the most seamless and enjoyable way to do business.”

Square Register serves as a free full point-of-sale system for businesses to accept payments, track inventory, and monitor daily reports, empowering them to make smart decisions for their business. Square Register also helps businesses attract new customers with tools to create customized loyalty and rewards programs as well as showcase themselves in the Square directory.

Square Register app is free for download from the App Store and Google Play. Square’s Mobile Card Reader is available for free on square.ca.

About Square, Inc.
Square is making commerce easy for everyone. Square’s Mobile Card Reader enables anyone to accept credit cards anywhere, anytime at one simple rate. Square Register serves as a full point-of-sale system for businesses to accept payments, track inventory, and share menu and location information. Square Wallet, available in the US, is the most seamless way to pay, enabling individuals to pay with their names at their favorite local businesses, discover new ones nearby, explore menu listings, and store receipts. Founded in 2009, and headquartered in San Francisco, Square is currently available in the U.S. and Canada. More information is available at square.ca.

source: Square

via: Engadget

T-Mobile sends out letter to its customers regarding potential MetroPCS merger

While it’s certainly not official yet, that isn’t stopping T-Mobile from touching base with their customers and sending out an FYI of sorts. Upon checking the mail today, there it was – a letter with “important information” contained therein. Turns out T-Mobile’s CEO, John Legere, has a message for us on Magenta’s network. Juicy details are scarce, but it does mention the pending merger with MetroPCS promising a “bigger, better, bolder” US wireless provider. It goes on to claim T-Mobile will be the “premier challenger in the US market” by emphasizing value.

The letter also promises greater speed, bigger capacity, and better reliability as well as deeper network coverage, all as a result of this pending merger. These are sticking points that T-Mobile customers have been clamoring for over the years. I can almost count on two hands where our network coverage struggles to keep up on outings that we make on a monthly basis. Also, the recent vacation we took was a little challenging due to T-Mobile’s slower speed and lacking data/voice coverage. It’s a little frustrating but being with Magenta for over 10 years has its perks. Just dialing “611″ from my mobile phone and asking for the Loyalty Department coupled with our 10-plus years of service prompts immediate credibility, and there have been quite a few times we’ve gotten new devices at a full discount prices well before our contract was up. So, it’s definitely a “can’t live with them, can’t live without them type of relationship.

The last few points on the first page just highlight that the potential merger will bring an even wider selection of devices to choose from. They also, once again, make some claims on changing the way wireless is delivered with their “unique” 4G plans while teasing their industry-first Bring Your Own Device Plan. On the back of the letter is an eight-question FAQ. In short, they just reassure all customers that their current plan won’t be affected and they won’t be forced to change devices. They go on to ensure that all of their plans for network growth are still in place and also reveal that the merger will in fact help in that growth well into 2013 aiding their LTE rollouts.

As a long-time T-Mobile customer, I’m anxious to see how this will affect customers, if at all. However, I’ll believe some of this stuff when I see it. Are you a T-Mobile customer? What are your hopes for this merger?

T-Mobile sends out letter to its customers regarding potential MetroPCS merger

While it’s certainly not official yet, that isn’t stopping T-Mobile from touching base with their customers and sending out an FYI of sorts. Upon checking the mail today, there it was – a letter with “important information” contained therein. Turns out T-Mobile’s CEO, John Legere, has a message for us on Magenta’s network. Juicy details are scarce, but it does mention the pending merger with MetroPCS promising a “bigger, better, bolder” US wireless provider. It goes on to claim T-Mobile will be the “premier challenger in the US market” by emphasizing value.

The letter also promises greater speed, bigger capacity, and better reliability as well as deeper network coverage, all as a result of this pending merger. These are sticking points that T-Mobile customers have been clamoring for over the years. I can almost count on two hands where our network coverage struggles to keep up on outings that we make on a monthly basis. Also, the recent vacation we took was a little challenging due to T-Mobile’s slower speed and lacking data/voice coverage. It’s a little frustrating but being with Magenta for over 10 years has its perks. Just dialing “611″ from my mobile phone and asking for the Loyalty Department coupled with our 10-plus years of service prompts immediate credibility, and there have been quite a few times we’ve gotten new devices at a full discount prices well before our contract was up. So, it’s definitely a “can’t live with them, can’t live without them type of relationship.

The last few points on the first page just highlight that the potential merger will bring an even wider selection of devices to choose from. They also, once again, make some claims on changing the way wireless is delivered with their “unique” 4G plans while teasing their industry-first Bring Your Own Device Plan. On the back of the letter is an eight-question FAQ. In short, they just reassure all customers that their current plan won’t be affected and they won’t be forced to change devices. They go on to ensure that all of their plans for network growth are still in place and also reveal that the merger will in fact help in that growth well into 2013 aiding their LTE rollouts.

As a long-time T-Mobile customer, I’m anxious to see how this will affect customers, if at all. However, I’ll believe some of this stuff when I see it. Are you a T-Mobile customer? What are your hopes for this merger?

Marquette, Michigan gets honor of being Verizon’s 400th 4G LTE market, events held in several US communities

Yesterday and today, Verizon issued a series of press releases noting new 4G LTE markets throughout the U.S. Things got rolling with expansions of existing LTE markets in Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee yesterday. Today the 400th market milestone was reached with the flipping of the switch in Marquette, Michigan. Some of the other cities joining the 4G LTE ranks include:

• Jamestown, NY
• Gadsden and Tuscaloosa AL
• Bloomington, Decatur, Effingham and Peoria, IL
• Morganton and Mercer County, WV
• Augustu and Waterville, ME
• Communities along the Connecticut shoreline
• Albany and Vidalia GA
• Columbia, MO
• Tazewell County, VA
• Vincennes, IN
• Hattiesburg, MS
• Monroe, MI
• Owensboro, KY

Jackson, Michigan and Norfolk, Nebraska will be lit up on Oct. 19th and 20th respectively. Verizon held celebrations in many of these locations to recognize the achievement, including lots of giveaways. If you are a Verizon customer located outside the larger markets, you might want to check to see if your 4G is lit up now as Verizon continues their effort to blanket the whole country with 4G LTE service.

White House study finds ‘no clear evidence’ that Huawei spied for China, however other risks may be present

Some of you may have heard recently about the rumblings of the Chinese telecommunication giant, Huawei, possibly being guilty of espionage on behalf of China. The thought was that the equipment that was imported and sold in the US contained espionage capabilities, thus provoking thoughts of all out Cold War style tactics. I’m far from a tin foil type, but the thought is actually a little scary.

However, after an 18-month review by the White House, they’ve said that there is “no clear evidence” of spying by Huawei. This news comes from two unnamed sources that said the White House looked into reports of suspicious activity, with the help of intelligence agencies and other government departments, and queried nearly 1,000 telecom equipment buyers. The suspicion apparently began when the company gave very vague answers when responding to lawmakers’ questions regarding their equipment. However, after the review, no proof was found. The source even went so far as to say, ”We would have found it if it were there.”

Bill Plummer, Huawei’s vice president for external affairs, said in a statement, “Huawei is not familiar with the review, but we are not surprised to hear that the White House has concluded there is no evidence of any Huawei involvement with any espionage or other non-commercial activities.” He went on to say, “These are, of course, the facts and they will remain such in the future — Huawei is a $32 billion independent multinational that would not jeopardize its success or the integrity of its customers’ networks for any government or third party. Ever.”

However, what’s important to note is that even though they may be cleared of espionage, at least for now, the report did mention that Huawei’s gear was still risky for companies to use because of “vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.” No specifics were given beyond that statement, but I think we can see what they’re getting at. However, it wasn’t clear if the vulnerabilities were placed there deliberately or not. Short of some sort of internal confession, it’s likely that this won’t be proven. What are your thoughts on this matter? Nothing to worry about, or since the White House is involved, there is absolutely something to at least raise concern?

source:  Reuters

Google Play Store credit now available for purchase directly from Google Play web store

I was wondering when Google would eventually implement this. Recently, Google has enabled credit purchases for their Google Play Store within the Google Play web in itself. If you’re in the web version of the Play Store, go ahead and jot down to the bottom and you’ll see a tab option that reads “Buy Google Play Credit.” The purchase of credits are an an increment of $5, $10, $15, $25 and $50.

Sadly, there’s no way to “gift” credits and you can only purchase for yourself, although I would imagine that option will be available in due time. Also, it looks like this is only for US customers and the option won’t seen in other countries.

source: Google Play Store

US Samsung Galaxy S III Not Likely To Get Jelly Bean Update Until Possibly 2013

Please don’t be upset with me Galaxy S III owners, for I am the bearer of bad (and possibly discouraging) news. As Galaxy S III users in Korea and Europe are enjoying the Jelly Bean update on their devices, Jelly Bean testing has seemingly been not as smooth on the carrier-branded versions here in the States. As reported by the Examiner, the US variants of the device will be among the last to get the update and will see the update by “2013″. This is definitely a bummer too because Samsung has shown its commitment to providing timely updates, but the wireless carriers continue to be a thorn in customers’ sides.

For now, we’ll just need to wait and see if the update truly will be delayed for those of us here in the US. The good thing is that 2013 is just around the corner, so hopefully the wait won’t be too long for those Galaxy S III owners.

source: Examiner
via: Android Authority