Google’s initiative to bring RCS to every Android user has been a slow process, but it’s expanded quite a lot, even just in the past few months. Today, T-Mobile has announced a partnership with Google to bring RCS to every Android user on T-Mobile and Metro.
Last year, ZTE released the ZMax Pro, a 6-inch smartphone with budget specs that out performed its $99 price tag. This year, ZTE has announced the successor to the Zmax Pro in the Blade Z Max, which features a larger battery, a dual rear-facing camera setup, and more for just $130…
Scam callers are never fun to deal with, and it can sometimes feel like half of all the calls you get throughout the day are from people trying to nab personal info that they have no business knowing. If you’re a MetroPCS customer, you’ll soon gain access to two new features that will help to put an end to these unwanted phone calls once and for all.
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The Moto E4 was already one of our top recommendations for shoppers on a tight budget, thanks to its decent build quality, fast performance, and excellent fingerprint sensor. Now, MetroPCS is further sweetening the deal. Available July 31 on the T-Mobile-owned prepaid carrier, the Moto E4 will run just $49 after instant rebate for existing customers (MSRP $129 for device-only sales).
Affordable smartphone are everywhere now, but some of the least expensive are pretty bad, to say the least. Those devices tend to bring poor specifications to the table, but Alcatel is looking to offer something a little different with its latest budget device, the Alcatel TRU.
Just the other day ZTE and MetroPCS launched the ZMax Pro, a 6-inch smartphone with solid specs and great features such as a fingerprint sensor. Just glancing at the spec sheet you’d think this phone would cost at least $200 or more, but ZTE shocked everyone by launching this device for just $99. Is it any good? Let’s take a quick look after using the device for the past 24 hours…
T-Mobile is extending its popular Music Freedom service, which allows unlimited use of Google Play Music and other streaming music services without eating into your data allowance, to MetroPCS prepaid customers – albeit under a slightly different name. T-Mobile said that its Music Unlimited service would be available on a range of plans, starting from just $40/month.
Music Unlimited includes more than 30 music streaming services, including Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify, Slacker, iHeart Radio, and Google Play Music. Music Unlimited is available to new and existing MetroPCS customers on Metro’s new $40, $50, and $60 unlimited plans.
The company is also offering a Binge On equivalent, known as Data Maximizer. This compresses streaming video streams down to DVD quality to allow customers to stream three times as much video content for the same data usage …
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T-Mobile and its main prepaid brand, MetroPCS, had some exciting news to share with us this morning. Of most importance to us Android fans is the arrival of yet more promising options for those on a tight budget. From July 22nd, T-Mobile will start selling the HTC Desire 626s, Samsung Galaxy Core Prime and Galaxy Core Prime. MetroPCS will also be offering the 626s and Grand Prime, but won’t launch the HTC until August 3rd, while the Core Prime was made available on July 13 (Monday just gone)…
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Update: According to a post in the /r/Android subreddit, customers who have purchased a 32GB Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge from T-Mobile in the past 14-60 days also have some special opportunities through the end of today. If you purchased your device less than 14 days ago, you can visit tmobile.com/promotions and enter the promo code MEMGS6 along with the phone number associated with your line and account PIN number to receive a free upgrade to the 64GB model upon approval. Those who purchased their device more than 14 days ago but less than 60 can go through the same process to receive a $50 rebate. This is the last day of the promotion so get on it!
Memorial Day is coming up this weekend and T-Mobile is celebrating the occasion with a sale on Samsung’s in-demand Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge flagship phones. Starting May 23rd and going through the 25th, the third largest carrier is offering the 64GB variants of both smartphones for the same price as their respective 32GB models.
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Another day, another rugged phone from Kyocera. Today, the company announced that its new waterproof, shock-proof, drop-proof, dust resistant Hydro Life will be available to T-Mobile customers at Wal-Mart for $125 on August 8th and MetroPCS subscribers on August 29th. Known for its tough devices, Kyocera’s IP57 certified smartphone should help even the biggest klutz overcome what the phone maker refers to as “fragiphoniphobia.”
Following announcements earlier this month from both AT&T and Verizon, T-Mobile announced today it’s introducing Voice over LTE support starting with Seattle. The first three devices to support the new tech include the LG G Flex, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Light.
So I’m thrilled to congratulate my team on the launch of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) in the Seattle area for our existing LG G Flex and Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Light customers. Our friends at MetroPCS were the first to launch VoLTE in the U.S. back in 2012, and we’ve been working hard on a LTE Advanced version of VoLTE, which we plan to roll out to more T-Mobile customers throughout the coming year.
T-Mobile’s CTO Neville Ray noted that the new technology, which brings voice calls onto the same LTE radio layer previously reserved for data, will allow “faster call setup times (almost twice as fast as a non-VoLTE call setup) and the ability to enjoy lightening fast LTE data speeds while on a call.” It will also support the HD Voice or wide-band audio feature supported lots of newer hardware. Ray explained how the technology works:
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All Things D reports that T-Mobile is finally taking advantage of this year’s MetroPCS merger. The fourth-largest mobile carrier in the U.S. plans to use the new spectrum to offer even faster speeds on its LTE network nationwide. Some markets are already seeing an increase in speed, and more will see faster service next year. The company says it hopes to cover up to 90% of its current subscriber base with improved service.
In direct contrast to this data network improvement, T-Mobile is also planning to launch new pre-paid plans with no data allowance included, according to TMo News. The carrier confirmed that the new plans will come with unlimited talk and text, but will not include any data. These new pre-paid plans will be available on December 8th, the same day AT&T is launching its new selection of plans.
The Federal Communications Commission has officially approved the $1.5 billiondeal to merge T-Mobile USA with MetroPCS. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski issued a statement on the approval of the transaction, saying the deal will “benefit millions of American consumers and help the U.S maintain the global leadership in mobile it has regained in recent years.”
“With today’s approval, America’s mobile market continues to strengthen, moving toward robust competition and revitalized competitors. We are seeing billions more in network investment, while the courts have upheld key FCC decisions to accelerate broadband build-out, promote competition, and benefit consumers, including our broadband data roaming and pole attachment rules. Today’s action will benefit millions of American consumers and help the U.S maintain the global leadership in mobile it has regained in recent years.
“Mobile broadband is a key engine of economic growth, with U.S. annual wireless capital investment up 40% over the last four years, the largest increase in the world, and few sectors having more potential to create jobs. In this fast-moving space, of course challenges remain, including the need to unleash even more spectrum for mobile broadband and continuing to promote competition and protect consumers. The Commission will stay focused on these vital goals.”
MetroPCS, the carrier that will soon merge with T-Mobile, announced today that it would offer its customers Samsung’s Galaxy S III starting Oct. 22. However, the carrier said in its press release (below) that select retail stores would have stock of the device starting this weekend. It is going to cost $499 on one of the carrier’s monthly no annual contract plans. That is a bit more than the usual two-year agreement from other carriers. According to MetroPCS, its $55 LTE plan can save you $1,200 over two years:
Together, the Samsung Galaxy S III and MetroPCS’ 4GLTE service plans deliver an unmatched value to consumers unwilling to compromise on handset or service. Priced at $499 plus tax, the Galaxy S III is available on any of MetroPCS’ affordable 4GLTE service plans, which range from $30 – $70 per month, including the limited-time promotional plans of 4G LTE for $30 or unlimited talk, text and 4GLTE data for $55 per month (taxes and regulatory fees included). When comparing total costs of both the smartphone and rate plans with other 4G LTE operators, consumers can save approximately $1,200 or more over the course of two years (based on MetroPCS’ current $55 4GLTE rate plan).
The full specs for the dual-core LTE Galaxy S III variant with the press release from MetroPCS are below:
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We told you in January that MetroPCS planned to bring local broadcast TV to Android devices through the “Dyle Mobile TV” app. We knew, at the time, Samsung would launch the first device to feature the service preloaded, and we get the details today with CNET reporting that the 4.3-inch Samsung Galaxy S Lightray 4G will officially introduce the Dyle Mobile TV service. Unfortunately, the service requires the device—which is a variant of US Cellular’s Galaxy S Aviator—to have a retractable antenna:
Dyle is the answer for people who can’t live without their favorite daytime talk shows and soap operas. Essentially a mobile TV service that picks up special broadcasts of local TV channels, Dyle allows you to get programming anywhere you have your handset or smartphone. In the works for years, it’s finally launched on the Samsung Galaxy S Lightray 4G, which MetroPCS began selling today.
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On the product page for the Galaxy Nexus that was released yesterday there is a signup form to get more information on the device before it is available in November. The signup form hints to seven new carriers that the Galaxy Nexus will be listed on.
We already know that Verizon will probably be the exclusive carrier of the Nexus, but also listed are AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, MetroPCS, Cellular South (C Spire), and U.S. Cellular. It is not clear which carriers will be available at first.
This is fantastic news, giving users more choice — especially with those pre-paid carriers. If you haven’t seen the Galaxy Nexus you’re sure to want to check it out.