Finally it’s been unveiled! Microsoft’s Robbie Bach at CTIA Wireless showed off the new features which includes enhanced features for socializing like threaded text messaging and features for simpler navigation. He also announced Microsoft’s plans to bring desktop-grade Web browsing experience to the Windows Mobile phone with an upcoming version of Internet Explorer Mobile.

Microsoft says the new IE will be available in Q3 while updates and new phones running Windows Mobile 6.1 will be available this quarter (Q2)

HTC has already announced that it’s HTC Mogul, Touch, Tytn, Tytn 2, Tilt and PPC6800 will have updates to 6.1 available soon.

Yesterday, Verizon launched a new unlimited calling plan with a starting price of $99 USD. Hours later, AT&T followed suit, and t-mobile joined along an hour after that, thus creating a price war.

However, what confuses me is that some analysts are saying that these plans could lead to a price war! Are they kidding me? What the hell are they talking about? There is no “could lead to a price war”! This is a ‘price war’, and the war started when Verizon invaded the island of Unlimited.

Then, AT&T announced it planned to send its troops onto the island of Unlimited on the 22nd ,and t-mobile said hey, you better watch out we are going to try to claim some of the island too; we are going in on the 21st, we will beat AT&T to the island of Unlimited.

This is a price war; there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Now analysts who are saying this could lead to one are probably being cautious because they know this ‘price war’ will drive stock prices down and scare investors. While that may be true, investors need to realize a lot of people will sign up for these unlimited plans. Many will ditch their land lines for one of these plans, and a great amount of people with these plans probably won’t even use 500 minutes a month.

I predict that AT&T and Verizon will both see a decline in landline subscribers. In fact, I see every form of phone company, be it traditional landline or VoIP, seeing a decline in subscribers in favor of these unlimited plans. I believe these unlimited plans will begin a new era in communication, one where the majority of the American population uses only a cell phone. It’s already started, but with these new Unlimited plans, it’s only going to speed the process up.

Now we just have to wait for Alltel and Sprint to jump onboard. I give them a week, and who knows one of them may surprise us with an even cheaper rate. (I hear about 60 - 80 bucks) Remember Sprint used to offer a 60 dollar unlimited plan they may bring it back.

If you have an Analog Cell Phone, then chances are tomorrow your phone will not work. Most Cell Service providers will be turning off their Analog signal for good tomorrow.

While most people already have Digital Cell Phones there still remain a few people with analog handsets, those people along with some OnStar users and some older alarm systems will not have any service.

The two biggest companies that will shut down their analog service is at&t wireless and Verizon wireless.

So if you have a really old cell phone and tomorrow your service does not work. This is probably why. Just call your cell phone provider to get a new phone.

If you are excited about the Razr2 you are probably excited about all the cool features, like replying to text messages on the external screen or even watching a video on the external screen.

I know at least 10 people excited about that. But if you really want to do this you better make sure your carrier allows it.

According to PCMagazine, Motorola allowed all the Major US carriers to modify the Razr2 to their liking, and in doing this a lot of features have been crippled.  Not all carriers will use the exact same Razr, Alltel, Sprint and Verizon will have the V9m model which is based on CDMA and EDVO, The V9 which is based on WCDMA and T-mobile will have the V8 model which is based on GSM. All the models have roughly the same specs, so we won’t go into details there.

So what features are crippled? It depends on your carrier. Well that huge screen on the front is utterly useless now, by default you can watch videos, take a picture, reply to a text message without even opening the phone. Well Sprint is the only provider that will let you watch Video on the external Screen, Alltel is the only provider that will let you Reply To Text Messages from the external screen, and only Sprint and Verizon will allow you to start up the camera from the external screen. The Alltel, Sprint and Verizon phones also lack the CrystalTalk feature which clears up your side of the conversation so that the person you are talking too can hear you, basically a fancy name for noise cancelation. The at&t and T-mobile models will have CrystalTalk. But don’t worry about the sound on your V9m models, supposedly the sound on those are already superb.
The only Model no one really has any info on is the T-Mobile V8, we really aren’t sure yet what features are and aren’t crippled. But knowing t-mobiles history probably no feature will be crippled.

If you are interested in the Motorola Razr2, we suggest that you wait for all the carriers to list what features their version will have and then make a decision.

I have a gut feeling t-mobile will be your best bet.

Today I recieved a press release in my inbox, and like always I read them and decided whether they warrant a post or not. Today I received one from a company called Yoober, and in the press release they promise free texting etc.

So I read the press release and visit their website to see what the catch is, and while there really is no catch you do need a data plan to use their supposed free text technology.

Basically you download their software and send messages to friends who are also using their software. They send the messages over the Internet. But you do not incur any texting charges. WOW Free texting!!! Yeah right.

The Yoober software uses your data plan to send the messages and data plans tend to cost just as much if not more than text plans.

The CEO of Yoober claims to be a texting addict who wants to make the Telco’s suffer by offering a free Texting alternative, but I think his software would just bring in more money to telco’s because it uses the more expensive data plans they offer.

Yoober does not offer free Texting, it just piggy backs on a more expensive service. 

Motorola Today debuted with U.S. wireless carriers the Motor Razr2, which is sleeker and more stylish than the original.

The Razr2 will be available within the next 14 days from the following carriers: from Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, US Cellular, and Verizon Wireless

The Razr2 features Crystal talk a noise cancelation system similar to what some bluetooth headsets use to keep background noise out of your conversation. It will also feature a front touch screen which uses “haptic” key technology. This feature will allow you to open, read and reply to text messages by simply tapping on the screen never needing to open the phone.

For more info visit: http://motosweeps.2advanced.com/

For more pictures visit our forums.

According t an article at Reuters, at&t says it will buy Dobson communications for 2.8 billion dollars USD. Dobson Communications is best known as Cellular One.

at&t says it wants to expand its service to more rural and suburban areas of the US.

Under the deal Dobson Communications share holders will receive 13 dollars per share.  AT&T said the deal will expand its geographic coverage. Dobson’s network covers rural and suburban areas in Alaska, Arizona, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
There are currently 1.7 million Dobson communications subscribers.

If you guys remember last month alltel accepted a 25 billion dollar USD takeover bid from Goldman Sachs. $71.50 per share.

Does it bug you when you recieve a call on your cellphone and it says Unknown Caller along with the callers Number? Wouldn’t you like an Enhanced Caller ID feature that shows you the name of the person calling? I know I would.

Well Alltel has announced a new feature that will not display the name of the person calling, instead it will show the location they are calling from. It’s not exactly what we want but it’s a start.

The application used to do this is called City ID and it identifies the location of incoming phone numbers by displaying the city and state assigned to virtually any landline or wireless phone number in North America.

The application, initially available on the LG AX275, will be available on additional Alltel phones in the near future. At launch, Alltel Wireless is offering a free seven-day trial of City ID, and later devices will include a 15-day free trial. After the trial ends, the application will be available for a monthly charge of $1.99. The application is pre-installed on the phone in Alltel’s Axcess Shop, so no download is required.

I personally think this feature should be free.

Alltel has said it has signed a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by TPG Capital and GS Capital Partners (“GSCP”), in a transaction valued at approximately $27.5 billion.

Under the terms of the agreement TPG and GS Capital Partner have agreed to pay $71.50 per share which represents a 23% premium over Alltel’s closing share price prior to media reports of a potential transaction published on December 29, 2006.

“This transaction delivers substantial and certain value to our shareholders while providing the company with long-term partners who share our commitment to our customers, employees and the communities we serve,” said Mr. Ford. “TPG and GSCP are long-term investors who are willing to make the investments necessary to continue to grow our wireless business in all of our markets. This transaction also ensures our customers can continue to rely on Alltel to deliver high-quality service and leading edge products and services.”

“Alltel is a great company with a terrific management team,” said Jim Coulter, founding partner, TPG. “We look forward to working with them to continue to grow one of the nation’s premier wireless providers.”

“Alltel has a long history of growth through strategic acquisitions, combined with a strong focus on customer service,” said Richard Friedman, head of the Merchant Banking Division at Goldman Sachs. “We are excited about this opportunity to partner with an exceptional management team to continue to support their strategies for growth.”

Alltel is the owner and operator of the nation’s largest wireless network and has over 12 million customers.

A lot of people would like a Sidekick but a lot of those people at the same time may not like T-Mobile, and some people just want a phone similar to the Sidekick. So I have decided to put a list of similar phones available from deferent service providers. The list consist of phones I personally like.

Alltel:
Kyocera Strobe K612B

Cingular:
Cingular 8125 Pocket PC

Sprint:
IP-830W by Samsung

Verizon:
SCH-u740
LG enV
LG VX9400

Personally I think Verizon has the best selection of all and my favorite of all the phones listed is the LG enV, in fact I think both the LG phones listed are the best to bad they don’t offer them to more providers.

I am aware that I left out some blackberries etc but I honestly don’t like any with the exception of the Pearl.

Hope you find this list useful and for images of the phones click here.