Verizon Wireless blocking apps and their updates in the Market

We all know that carriers allow or block certain applications to and from the market — some for the better, and others for the worst like we have here. Obviously carrier specific apps like Verizon’s NFL Mobile are only accessed by Verizon devices and are blocked to the rest. It now seems Verizon is taking this a step further and are blocking apps in the market, even ones you’ve already purchased.

Part of this is nothing new. In an attempt to block users from rooting and tethering their connections and sucking up Verizon’s bandwidth they’ve blocked or tried to stop users from downloading popular “root required” tethering apps such as Easy Tether, Wireless Tether and more. Today this entire story seems to be taking a turn for the worst. Before Verizon was just blocking apps they deem to violate their terms, but what if you’ve paid for the app and used it for months and now it suddenly wont work, or they block the updates. Not cool right?
The image above tells the story quite well. The big yellow banner appeared on a Reddit users Verizon Wireless phone while trying to update his paid version ($9.99) of EasyTether. Verizon is now blocking not only the apps, but it appears they are able to block users from updating said applications too. So, when new phones come out that need to be added to the supported list and the apps require updates or fixes users are out of luck. What if you flash a new custom ROM, will this app you’ve paid for be missing from the market? Are we just out the $9.99, tough luck?
Obviously this is a fine line here as illegally tethering your connection — especially those with unlimited accounts that are basically getting internet for free are doing something that violates the terms of their contract, and not very nice. Some users tether to their home computers and consume huge amounts of data. While we don’t condone stealing or pirating, what Verizon might be doing here is pretty bad too. We don’t know if this is an isolated event or not but will be sure to dig deep and get to the bottom of the situation.

Note: Users can enter airplane mode (killing data connection) and then update these applications over Wi-Fi networks, but that is just a temporary solution that may not last either.
[via Droid Matters]

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AT&T Galaxy S II kernel source code released already by Samsung

Let the hacking, modding and overclocking begin once this device is finally able to be purchased. Samsung has already released the kernel source code for the AT&T version of the Galaxy S II, even though the phone isn’t even out yet. We sure wish other companies would do the same (hint HTC). While Samsung released the code for the Epic 4G Touch on launch day, they’ve gone a step further here and it’s already available before the phone itself.

Now developers and users can download the source code and tweak, modify and change whatever their hearts desire. The Galaxy S II already is a stellar performing device but crank it up to 1.8 GHz and it will truly fly. Everything is available over at the Samsung open source center.
To make things even easier we’ll take it one step further and for access to the AT&T SGSII source code we’ve found it for you so just head over and download it by clicking here. This should make things readily available so when the phone launches next week developers will already have a head start. For those that may have missed it the AT&T Galaxy S II will be available October 2nd, and for just $199.

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HTC EVO 4G and Kyocera Echo hitting end of life

Well folks, we knew this day was coming eventually for the highly highly popular HTC EVO 4G, and I’m sure plenty expected it for the Kyocera Echo but today both of these Android smartphones have hit EOL (End of Life). Obviously the EVO 4G lasted much longer than the other and its reign has lasted a long time. Being the first 4.3″ Android phone powered by 4G it was a sure hit and I still see the EVO 4G more than most to this day.

Recently the Now Network powered by WiMAX have announced that both of these smartphones as well as a few Blackberries will reach end of life and be no more. This is sort of a bittersweet feeling because the EVO 4G was such a powerful and revolutionary phone for Android. This also means we have plenty of exciting things in the future they feel will overshadow the once top tier phone. Don’t worry my EVO 4G lovers because better things are en route, or you could snag the EVO 3D.
According to sources the EVO 4G and Kyocera Echo will both reach the EOL list within the next few weeks. The EVO in white has already been axed and the rest are coming starting next month. So what does this mean? Can you still buy the EVO 4G should you choose? Yes, but not for long. Obviously warranty replacement units will be readily available for quite a while and most new users will probably opt for something like the EVO 3D or the new Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch.
A sad day for the EVO 4G indeed, but I don’t have much to say about the Echo and I don’t think anyone else does either. Its short-lived life on the market shows us just how well that odd little device sold. If you still want the original EVO 4G you’d better hurry and snag one while they are still around.

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HTC working on integration Beats Audio into their Windows Phone devices

So we know that HTC has plans to launch several new Windows Phone 7​.5 handsets – namely the HTC Titan and the HTC Radar, but oddly enough given HTC’s partnership with Beats Audio, no Beats Audio technology integration was found on either WP7 handset, at least not according to their specs. 
We know that Beats Audio integration will be first seen on the HTC Sensation XE and possibly in HTC’s upcoming Android PMP (portable media player), the HTC Beat, but where has Beats Audio integration gone as far as Windows Phone 7 devices are concerned? Well fret not as HTC has not forgotten their Windows Phone 7 devices and have confirmed that they are working together with Beats Audio in order to integrate that technology into Windows Phone 7 devices.
No word on when or which models can expect to see the integration, but given how the Sensation XE is basically the HTC Sensation with Beats Audio integration, we wouldn’t put it past HTC to do something similar for their WP7 handsets. HTC Titan XE, anyone?

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Windows 8 installation on HTC Shift made easy

Do you happen to own a HTC Shift that hails from the 2007 era, and ponder over what you could use it for in modern day context apart from being a paperweight? Here is an idea – why not install Windows 8 on this puppy?
The good people over at XDA Developers managed to get Microsoft’s latest Developer Preview OS up and running onto the aged UMPC, so those who have a pretty decent working knowledge of technicalities as well as extra time and the right equipment can always give it a shot. After all, you need not worry about voiding any warranties or gimping your handset – no one would want to offload the HTC Shift from you anyways. Check out the video in Francais after the jump for additional details.

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Sprint’s Dan Hesse dodges rumors about the iPhone 5

There have been several rumors in the past that has suggested that Sprint will be one of the carriers getting their hands on the next-generation iPhone from Apple. While it has not been mentioned if the carrier would be getting the iPhone 4S or the iPhone 5, there has been evidence to suggest that Sprint will be getting the iPhone.
Speaking recently at an event sponsored by Goldman Sachs, Sprint’s CEO Dan Hesse has somehow managed to dance his way around the rumors of the carrier getting the iPhone 4S/5. He responded to the rumors by saying “If we get it–if–we may have to adjust our guidance for that.” He even went as far as saying that their existing financial guidance has not factored in the iPhone 4S/5, alluding it to being a “rumored” device.
His refusal to either confirm nor deny the carrier getting their hands on the iPhone seems to suggest that Sprint will be getting the device, or so many are taking to hoping that’s what it means. Dan Hesse even commented that the iPhone was one of the reasons that Sprint was losing customers to other carriers such as AT&T and Verizon, who only recently landed themselves the CDMA version of the iPhone 4.
Interestingly, Verizon’s CEO Lowell McAdams mentioned that two years prior to them landing the iPhone 4, there were rumors that suggested they would be getting the device, which goes to show that perhaps these rumors are best taken with a grain of salt and that Sprint users probably shouldn’t get their hopes up too high.

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ZTE Score smartphone heads to Cricket with Muve Music in tow

ZTE has announced the Score, its first smartphone for prepaid carrier Cricket. The Score features Android 2.3 Gingerbread and integration with Cricket's Muve Music service.
A performance machine the Score is not, but based on the $129.99 asking price and no contract commitment required, one can't complain about that too much. It is powered by a 600MHz processor and includes a 3.5-inch, HVGA (320 x 480 pixel) resolution touchscreen. It has a 3.2 megapixel camera with camcorder, and supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections.
ZTE has customized Android 2.3 Gingerbread with its own interface for the Score. The Muve Music support allows users to enjoy unlimited song downloads, ringtones, and ringback tones on their handset.
Cricket will be offering the ZTE Score in Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile locations on September 25 for $129.99. It will be available from Cricket stores and authorized retailers soon after that.

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Cricket expands retail presence to national retailers, starting with Best Buy

Cricket, a regional carrier owned by Leap Wireless, is expanding its retail presence to a nationwide level. Starting on Sunday, September 25 with Best Buy stores, retailers across the country will begin selling Cricket phones and service.
Cricket currently provides service to 5.7 million users in 35 states. The carrier intends to roll out services to new markets in the 35 states it currently services as well as those states that Cricket has no current presence. Cricket will have its products and services in 11,500 stores by the time its retail expansion is complete.
The first major national retailer to carry Cricket phones will be Best Buy, and it will outfit more than 1,300 Best Buy stores with Cricket phones, including the Samsung Vitality and ZTE Score smartphones with Muve Music. In the future, retail locations will include Walmart, Dollar General, and the HSN TV shopping channel.

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Samsung to appeal for an iPhone 5 ban in South Korea

It has been reported that Samsung has planned to ban the sale of the Apple iPhone 5 in South Korea, even before the device has been released. According to a report by Korea Times, which cited several sources which are knowledgeableabout the matter, Samsung will sue Apple for violating some of its wireless communications patents the moment the California based Apple launches the sequel to the iPhone 4 into the market.
According to the newspaper, through the lawsuit, Samsung will file a case to get the court to ban the sales of all iPhone 5 smartphones in the country. A source from Samsung told the media that as long as Apple does not all-together exclude its mobile communications functions, it will be impossible for the company to sell its products without infringing its patents. The source said that the company will maintain its radical stance against Apple in the lingering legal battles.
The report in the Korean Times is just the most recent development in the ongoing patent warfare between Samsung and Apple. In the space of the last few months, both the companies have revved up their bitter battle over patents, spreading it throughout the world. Currently, the two companies have ongoing patent lawsuits in Australia, US, parts of Asia and Europe. And as of yet, Apple has an upper hand over Samsung.
The manufacturer of iPhones and iPads managed to convince the court to get Samsung to show it three models of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 before the company decided which one would be approved for sale in the country. Some time ago this month, sales of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 were successfully stopped by Apple in Germany, after a ruling from a German court which temporarily banned sales of the Samsung flagship tablet throughout Europe.
However, the dispute doesn’t only cover tablets, as it has been claimed by both the companies that the smartphones manufactured by the other violate their patents. Apple, especially, has been very critical of Samsung for the last few months, as the California based company filed a lawsuit against it in South Korea alleging that its products were copied. The company said in its complaint that the products manufactured by Samsung blatantly copy its own products in appearance in order to capitalize on the success of the iPhone and the iPad.

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