3G network

Sprint Nextel has taken the wraps off a new dual-mode modem for laptops that switches automatically between the wireless carrier's standard CDMA network and its new high-speed WiMAX (4G) service, which is currently running in Baltimore and slated to reach other metropolitan markets beginning next year.

"This first-of-its-kind device allows our customers to take the Internet with them essentially wherever they go by gaining enhanced speed and capability in 4G markets and the nationwide coverage of our 3G network across the rest of the country," said Sprint Chief Executive Dan Hesse.

AT&T and Samsung on Monday introduced the Samsung Eternity, yet another touchscreen phone. The differentiator is that the phone supports AT&T Mobile TV, and the wireless carrier is offering a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.

The black-and-chrome device has a 3.2-inch touchscreen and haptic support that vibrates to confirm selections on the touchscreen.

AT&T and Nokia on Thursday brought the Nokia 6650 to market to compete against other devices launching in time for the holiday shopping season. The small folding device runs on the Symbian-based S60 platform, which lets users personalize their mobile experience with third-party application downloads, themes and profile settings.

AT&T has a board seat on the Symbian Foundation that oversees development of the open-source mobile-phone platform.

AT&T Wireless Services has fired up a new 3G smartphone from HTC that combines a slide-out QWERTY-style keypad with a 2.8-inch touch-sensitive screen and intuitive one-touch access to selected functions. The HTC Fuze will let users navigate from one place to the next by touching, holding and sliding screen tabs.

Research in Motion, Vodafone and Verizon Wireless are hoping to take the holiday season by Storm with Wednesday's announcement of a new RIM touchscreen smartphone. The BlackBerry Storm, available later this fall, will be offered exclusively to Verizon Wireless customers in the United States and to Vodafone customers in Europe, India, Australia and New Zealand.

'Revolutionary Touchscreen Technology'

Apple may not have reached its goal of selling 10 million iPhone 3Gs yet, but the company has spurred a large number of consumers to abandon their carriers and flock to AT&T, the exclusive mobile carrier for the iPhone in the U.S.

News reports are circulating that predict Apple is nearing the sale of the 10 millionth iPhone 3G. Apple hasn't confirmed the rumor, but analysts said it's possible. Apple sold one million of the devices in the first weekend after its introduction.

The NPD Group, a market-research firm, reports that 30 percent of the U.S. consumers who purchased Apple's iPhone 3G from its release on July 11 through August switched mobile carriers in order to join AT&T, which holds exclusive U.S. sales rights for the red-hot device.

About half of AT&T's new iPhone 3G customers elected to switch from Verizon Wireless, while 24 percent came from T-Mobile defections, and 19 percent abandoned Sprint, noted Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis for NPD.

As Android gets closer to launch, details about the first device using the open-source mobile platform are coming into focus. A new report indicates that the first Android phone, to be released in October by T-Mobile, will be priced at $199. The price was reported earlier this week in the online edition of The Wall Street Journal.

In preparation for the launch, T-Mobile is getting its house in order. On Thursday, it announced it was expanding its 3G network from 13 markets in the United States to 21 by the middle of next month, growing to 27 markets by the end of 2008.

The iPhone took hits on two fronts Wednesday as Orange -- an iPhone 3G carrier in France -- admitted to limiting 3G bandwidth for its customers, and a security flaw was discovered in the iPhone that enables unauthorized users to access private data on the phone when it is supposedly locked.

The French Connection

Apple is receiving more than consumer backlash in support forums and negative press for the iPhone 3G issues -- the company is getting sued.

On Wednesday, an Alabama woman filed suit against Apple. Her claims sound similar to what's been reported widely in the media: receptivity issues, slow connections to AT&T's 3G network, and dropped calls.

The plaintiff, Jessica Smith, is seeking class-action status that could let thousands of others join the fight. Smith wants Apple to repair or replace the new phone. She is also seeking unspecified damages.