Google Wallet Arrives

Google and Sprint have announced the launch of Google Wallet. A tap to pay service that will allow users to store credit card information and make payments from one app on the android phone.  This app is currently only available on Nexus S 4G devices and a Citi MasterCard. Further support for both devices with NFC capabilities and more credit cards are in the works.  

The usefulness of this application will of course boil down to where you can use it. The app requires a device with NFC technology and a in-store terminal that makes use of the same NFC tech. At the time of this post such terminals aren't exactly widespread in the US.  Users looking to try out Google Wallet can visist  http://www.google.com/wallet/where-it-works.html to find out where they can use the app. Or by downloading the Mastercard PayPass Locator app.


Here's a demo of Google Wallet.

Kyocera Echo - The first dual-touchscreen Android phone

Sprint announced the Kyocera Echo earlier this week, the first dual-touchscreen Android phone.
The device features two 3.5" 800x480 screens which can be used as one large screen or individually.
The deice can also be closed and used as a typical single screen device.  Said to launch this spring the device will run android 2.2.

• Android 2.2
• Dual Screens 800x480
• Sprint’s nationwide 3G network and Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)*
• Wi-Fi hotspot capability, which supports wireless connections for up to five devices
• 5MP camera, 720P video recording, flash and digital zoom
• 1GHz Snapdragon processor (QSD 8650 Android)
• 1370mAh battery  (which won't last long with two screens) + a free spare battery.
• Stereo Bluetooth® 2.1 (+ EDR) 
• 1 gigabyte (GB) of onboard memory and an 8GB - 32GB microSD™ ca

Screen Modes

• Single-Screen Mode with all the functionality of a single-display, touch-screen smartphone.

• Simul-Task™ Mode with two of the phone’s seven core apps (messaging, e-mail, Web browsing, phone, gallery, contacts and VueQue™) running concurrently but independently on the dual displays – e.g., reading e-mail on one screen and opening a text message on the other; checking Facebook® via the browser on one screen while looking through a photo gallery on the other; or even searching the Web on one screen and checking email on the other.

• Optimized Mode with both displays supporting a single, optimized app with complementary functionality and enhanced usability – e.g., composing e-mail on one screen with a touchscreen keyboard on the other; watching a YouTube™ video on one display while browsing and queuing additional YouTube videos on the other (with a preloaded Kyocera app called VueQue™); or viewing gallery images on one display while browsing image thumbnails on the other.

• Tablet Mode with one application spread across both displays for a full 4.7-inch viewing area. Tablet Mode is ideal for viewing maps, videos, websites, detailed documents, and long lists on-the-go.

[via Sprint.com]



For more info.
Check out the Spring Echo minisite.

Sprint adding $10 fee to alll smartphones

According to a recent press release starting January 30th all smartphone users will begin being charged a "$10 per month Premium Data add-on charge." Unless you already have the EVO 4G, Epic 4G or EVO Shift you won't have to worry about this extra charge, until you upgrade or activate a new smartphone if you're an existing customer.



“The growth of powerful smartphone mobile devices along with connected notebook and tablet computers is driving new user behavior to stay connected at all times, and data traffic on many mobile networks is already doubling each year. As smartphones and data-intensive tablets continue to drive huge spikes in user adoption, sub-par 3G networks are no longer sufficient to handle the massive increase in mobile data traffic.” - Berge Ayvazian, Senior Consultant, Heavy Reading, and Director, 4G Consulting Practice


[via Sprint]


"Sprint will increase its postpaid rates by applying a $10 per month Premium Data add-on charge to activations of smartphones beginning Jan. 30. The charge will assist Sprint in offering simple and affordable unlimited plans for its customers while maintaining a wireless network able to meet the growing appetite for a richer mobile experience. Subscribers with smartphones will still receive the best value in wireless, including the Any Mobile, Anytime feature offered nationwide only by Sprint.


Sprint also offers a full range of traditional feature phones, including popular eco-friendly or touch-screen handsets that do not require the Premium Data add-on charge but still have a great range of capabilities with voice, text and data access. Existing Sprint smartphone customers are not affected unless they upgrade to or activate another smartphone."

[Sprint *2]

Will this additional data charge concern you? Will you be more likely to hold off on future upgrades to avoid the additional charge?