T-Mobile has mostly been quiet so far during CES 2012, but tonight the carrier changed that by announcing a shiny new Android smartphone as well as 4G network expansions. First up we've got the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G, a handset that's packing a Super AMOLED display and compatibility with T-Mobile's 42Mbps HSPA+ network, as well as a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S3 processor powering the show. As far as availability goes, T-Mobile will only say that the Blaze 4G is coming "later this year" and that it'll share more details as we get closer to launch time.
To go along with its new 4G-capable smartphone, T-Mobile also announced that it's making some expansions to its 4G HSPA+ network. The carrier bumped up the speed of its network to 42Mbps HSPA+ in 12 new markets today, bringing the total number of markets covered by its faster 4G coverage to 175. Additionally, T-Mobile spread its 21Mbps network to nine more cities. Exactly which markets got the T-Mo HSPA+ upgrades today weren't mentioned.
The final announcement made by T-Mobile this evening focused on its Bobsled communication service. Now users of the Bobsled service will be able to use an Android and iOS app to make free phone calls to numbers in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico using the data connection on their device. Customers can also use Bobsled Messaging to send and receive individual and group messages from an Android phone or tablet as well as any "Web-connected, browser-enabled device." The free service includes cloud syncing so that messages will be available on any device you access.
Sounds like a pretty big night for T-Mobile and its customers, no? It's kind of a bummer that there's so little information available about the Galaxy S Blaze 4G right now, but T-Mobile says that it'll share more details as we get closer to launch time, so Magenta folk in the market for a new handset may want to hold out for that. As usual, you can bet that we'll pass along any new information on the Blaze 4G as well as T-Mobile's HSPA+ expansions as we get it. Stay tuned!
UPDATE: According to our pals at TmoNews, the nine markets joining T-Mobile's 4G family are:
Meanwhile, these are the cities that now have 42Mbps HSPA+ coverage:
T-Mobile Unveils the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G
T-Mobile announces the latest addition to its lineup of fastest 4G devices at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show
Las Vegas, Nev. — Jan. 10, 2012
2012-01-10 20:00:43
T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.1, today announced the upcoming availability of the Samsung Galaxy S® Blaze™ 4G. Adding to T-Mobile’s lineup of fastest 4G devices, the Galaxy S Blaze 4G will be the third smartphone to take advantage of 4G technology (HSPA+42) running on America’s Largest 4G Network™. Featuring a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ S3 processor with 1.5 GHz dual CPUs, a brilliant Super AMOLED™ touch screen and a variety of pre-loaded entertainment, the Galaxy S Blaze 4G provides fast access to the things consumers want most.
“Consumers want the accessibility and entertainment capabilities that smartphones offer, and we’re committed to providing a range of 4G device options,” said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president, marketing, T-Mobile USA. “The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G is the latest smartphone that enables consumers to unlock the full potential of T-Mobile’s faster 4G network. With a compelling set of entertainment features, paired with our Unlimited Value and Monthly4G plans, we’re continuing to make it easy and affordable for consumers to experience the benefits of 4G.”
The Galaxy S Blaze 4G will offer a variety of pre-loaded entertainment features so consumers can enjoy their favorite movies, TV shows, games, music and more while on-the-go. The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G is expected to be available later this year; additonal details regarding features will be revealed closer to availability. For more information, visit http://www.t-mobile.com/GalaxySBLAZE4G.
T-Mobile Expands America’s Largest 4G Network And Showcases 4G Experiences at 2012 CES
T-Mobile Unveils Samsung Galaxy S® Blaze™ 4G and Launches New Bobsled™ Messaging Application
Las Vegas, Nev. — Jan. 10, 2012
2012-01-10 20:01:07
Today, at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), T-Mobile USA executives, including CEO and President Philipp Humm, outlined the company’s ongoing efforts to drive consumer adoption of mobile data through the continued expansion of America’s Largest 4G Network®, rate plans that make mobile data more affordable, and new devices and services that take advantage of the company’s faster 4G network.
“Last year, T-Mobile made solid progress during uncertain times, doubling our 4G network speeds and launching 25 new 4G devices,” said Philipp Humm, CEO and President, T-Mobile USA. “We are here, in fighting shape, and we will compete aggressively to win and retain customers by delivering compelling 4G services — all at a great value.”
The company also announced the expansion of its 4G network; unveiled its next 4G smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G; and demonstrated free, premium services built into smartphones and tablets that bring amazing 4G experiences to life for customers.
T-Mobile also announced an extension of its Bobsled™ by T-Mobile® platform, which launches today. The new IP-based group messaging application, Bobsled Messaging, is another example of T-Mobile bringing simple, affordable branded communication solutions to other platforms, beyond traditional wireless services, and to consumers who aren’t currently T-Mobile subscribers.
Strengthening America’s Largest 4G Network:
T-Mobile announced the company has doubled the speed of its 4G network in 12 additional markets, offering faster 4G (HSPA+ 42) to 184 million Americans in 175 markets. In addition, T-Mobile expanded the reach of its nationwide 4G (HSPA+ 21) network to nine additional markets, now covering 217 markets across the country and reaching more than 200 million people.
The AT&T breakup concessions give T-Mobile valuable spectrum. T-Mobile will receive, pending regulatory approval, a large package of AWS mobile spectrum in 128 Cellular Market Areas (CMAs), including 12 of the top 20 markets.
“Our 4G network is better than ever heading into 2012,” said Neville Ray, chief technology officer, T-Mobile USA. “HSPA+ will continue to deliver a competitive mobile broadband experience for our customers in the coming years as we evaluate our options for continued investment and evolution of our 4G network.”
Expanding T-Mobile’s 4G Device Portfolio with Two New 4G Smartphones:
T-Mobile continues to expand its 4G product portfolio, today announcing the upcoming availability of the Samsung Galaxy S® Blaze™ 4G and celebrating the January 11th retail availability of the 4G-capable Nokia Lumia 710.
The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G will be the third smartphone to take advantage of 4G HSPA+ 42 technology running on America’s Largest 4G Network™. Featuring a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ S3 processor with 1.5 GHz dual CPUs, a brilliant Super AMOLED™ touch screen and a variety of pre-loaded entertainment, the Galaxy S Blaze 4G provides fast access to the things consumers want most. The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G is expected to be available later this year. Additional details will be revealed closer to availability. For more information, visit http://www.t-mobile.com/GalaxySBLAZE4G.
While Android powers the majority of T-Mobile smartphones, the company expects Windows Phone to also play an important role in its 2012 portfolio, beginning with the Nokia Lumia 710. The first Windows Phone from Nokia in the U.S., the Lumia 710 will be available starting tomorrow, Jan. 11, at T-Mobile retail stores, select dealers and retailers nationwide, and online at http://www.t-mobile.com.The Nokia Lumia 710 is expected to cost $49.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate card, with a two-year service agreement and qualifying Classic voice and data plan. For more information, visit http://www.t-mobile.com/lumia.
Bringing Amazing Service Experiences to Life, Introducing Bobsled Messaging:
T-Mobile is making mobile data approachable, particularly for first-time smartphone users, by offering additional value, making it simple for customers to find, try, and buy compelling applications and services. T-Mobile estimates that customers purchasing a data plan get over $150 worth of free applications, content and services on select devices. T-Mobile customers can choose to use free apps or upgrade to a premium experience anytime. On many devices, customers can easily access this content out of the box directly through the Bonus Apps widget, or by accessing the T-Mobile Mall, our mobile digital storefront. T-Mobile TV, GameBase, MobileLife Album and MobileLife Family Organizer, Bonus Apps, Zinio, Google Music, among others, are part of the “freemium” experience.
“Our goal is to deliver amazing 4G experiences at a great price. We deliver these compelling and optimized 4G experiences by bringing together a fast network, smart devices and leading innovative applications and services,” said Brad Duea, senior vice president, T-Mobile USA. “Our ‘freemium’ approach to applications, content and services provides our customers with a great out-of-the-box experience at a value unmatched by our leading competitors.”
T-Mobile has seen the rapid adoption of certain services, noting that adoption of its T-Mobile TV premium service has increased over 700% with T-Mobile customers using tablets twice as likely to upgrade from the free to paid service.
In addition to mobile applications, T-Mobile discussed its latest cloud-based services, promoting partner solutions and T-Mobile branded services that provide a seamless customer experience, regardless of where or how they’re connecting. T-Mobile demonstrated its enhanced MobileLife Album service that offers customers a way to automatically upload, backup and store for free on a private website the photos and videos they take on their smartphone or tablet.
At CES, T-Mobile announced expanded messaging and enhanced calling functionality for its Bobsled™ by T-Mobile® service, which provides consumers with effortless communication for free across devices, countries, social networks and mobile carriers. Available today through the Android Market™, Bobsled Messaging is a free, all-in-one, cloud-based messaging application that allows users to send and receive free individual and group messages with friends and family from any Android™-powered smartphone or tablet, and any web connected, browser-enabled device. Also starting today, T-Mobile enhanced its Bobsled Calling service enabling users to make free phone calls from their mobile (standard data rates apply) and WiFi-enabled devices including Android-powered smartphones and tablets as well as iPad®, iPhone® and iPod Touch® devices. For more information, please visit http://www.bobsled.com.
Note to media: During CES 2012, January 10-12, T-Mobile will showcase its newest devices and services in the T-Mobile Studio at the Venetian Conference Center, San Polo 3505.
Bobsled by T-Mobile Now Offers Free, Unlimited Messaging to Android Users Worldwide
Bobsled calling evolves by extending free calling and dial-out capabilities to Android and iOS mobile devices
Bellevue, Wash. — Jan. 10, 2012
2012-01-10 20:26:14
T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced expanded messaging and enhanced calling functionality for Bobsled™ by T-Mobile®, providing consumers with effortless communication for free across devices, countries, social networks and mobile carriers. Expanding upon the Bobsled Calling service introduced earlier this year, Bobsled Messaging is an all-in-one, cloud-based messaging application that allows consumers to send and receive individual and group messages with friends and family from any Android™-powered smartphone or tablet, and almost any Web-connected, browser-enabled device.
Also starting today, T-Mobile enhanced its Bobsled Calling service, enabling users to make free phone calls over their data connection from their mobile and Wi-Fi-enabled devices including Android-powered smartphones and tablets as well as iPad®, iPhone® and iPod Touch® devices. As with Bobsled Calling on the Web, the Bobsled Calling mobile application now allows users to easily make outgoing calls to numbers in the U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico for free from anywhere in the world where they have an open data connection. Users of the iPad® can now dial any number in the U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico using the dialpad in the Bobsled Calling application and the call is connected for free; however, data rates may apply.
“With Bobsled, we continue to leverage and embrace the power of IP communications to bring seamless, cost-effective connections to consumers across networks, devices, countries and carriers,” said Brad Duea, senior vice president, T-Mobile USA. “With Bobsled, people can now make free voice calls from an iPad® or tablet, send free one-to-one and group messages anywhere in the world, and access their phone’s contacts and text messages from their tablet or computer.”
Unlike competing services, Bobsled Messaging provides a universal way to communicate. The service allows people to send free, rich media messages ¾ including photos, videos and locations ¾ to Bobsled users anywhere in the world where they have an open data connection from any Android™-powered smartphone, tablet or Web-connected device, using their existing mobile number. Bobsled Messaging also allows people to send group messages from any Android™-powered smartphone to other Android™-powered smartphones as well as iOS, Windows and Blackberry smartphones and even feature phones. Bobsled Messaging capabilities include the following:
Group Messaging. You can create groups from your contact list regardless of carrier or device. Group members can reply to the entire group at once.
Cloud Synchronization. You can access your Bobsled messages and contacts on any tablet or computer. All your messages stay in sync and in the cloud.
Rich and All-in-One Messaging Service. It combines the best of traditional (SMS) and Internet Protocol (IP) messaging into one rich, multimedia messaging app to connect with friends and groups.
Open to Everyone. It works for all of your friends and family on many devices, regardless of carrier, around the world.
Free. Bobsled-to-Bobsled messaging is always free, and no messaging plan is required to text a number if you have a data connection.
The free Bobsled Messaging application enhances and extends the messaging capabilities of your existing Android™-powered smartphone while also extending these capabilities to your other connected devices.
Availability
Bobsled Messaging is now available for download free of charge on all Android-powered smartphones and tablets through the Android Marketplace. The updated Bobsled Calling application is available for download through the Android Market and the iTunes App Store™. For more information on Bobsled by T-Mobile, please visit www.bobsled.com.
Bobsled Messaging is powered by HDmessaging Inc. Using HDmessaging’s cloud-based contact and message storage and synchronization technologies, Bobsled customers can access their contact list and messages across almost all of their connected devices.
Bobsled Calling is powered by Vivox Inc. Leveraging Vivox’s VoiceEverywhere technology, T-Mobile and Vivox are ushering in a new era of voice communications — online, on the go, virtually wherever and however users want to converse.
Via TmoNews
