Verizon Wireless will drop the price on all of its iPhone 4 accessories in anticipation of the iPhone 5 launch, PhoneArena is reporting. Verizon Wireless is expected to continue selling the iPhone 4 at a lower price point after its successor launches, however, so it is unlikely that the carrier will completely clear house of its accessories. If this report is accurate, the move could suggest Apple has a redesigned iPhone up its sleeves instead of a phone with the same industrial design and newer hardware inside. That’s in line with our exclusive report that the Cupertino-based firm will release a successor with a “radical new case design,” and another report from The Wall Street Journal claiming the phone will be thinner and lighter than its predecessor. Apple is expected to unveil the phone in late-August or in September.

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According to analysts at Gerson Lehrman Group, Sprint is already in the process of transitioning to LTE. In an analysis published Wednesday, the firm claims knowledge of “project leapfrog,” allegedly Sprint’s codename for the buildout of a new LTE network that will take place over the next several years. “Sprint has initiated project leapfrog with Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, and Samsung to upgrade its network to LTE while also removing iDEN base stations and fully utilizing its 800MHz spectrum,” the report states. “This three year project is designed to leave Sprint with a competitive, nationwide LTE network while reducing operating costs.” The report follows earlier news that Sprint plans to finally shift the business it gained in acquiring Nextel off of its old iDEN network and onto its CDMA network.

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Wow, who would have seen this one coming? A mobile broadband router that only works in 71 markets with three specific devices — iPhones, iPads, and iPod touchs — was not a best-selling device? Shocking. According to a Clear representative, the company will be discontinuing its 4G-only, Apple iDevice-only, mobile router. As the forum post reads:

The only locations currently available to purchase an iSpot are at certain retail stores. These stores only have a limited supply and once sold out will not be ordering more. We do however have the iSpots in stock for devices still under warranty that need to be replaced.

The iSpot, which retailed for $99, did have a puny $25 per month operating charge, but the restrictions seemed to far outweigh the utility of the pebble-shaped device. Anyone out there actually own an iSpot?

[Via Engadget]

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Early this morning, WiMAX network operator Clearwire announced the availablity of its 4G network to residents of Sacramento, California. “Whether as a critical link for the Pony Express or for the first transcontinental railroad, Sacramento has long been at the forefront of this country’s ever-growing need to communicate. With today’s launch, Sacramento reinforces its historical position as a communications hub and becomes the anchor to Clearwire’s 4G network in the Central Valley,” said CLEAR’s regional GM, Allan Lamb. The Sacramento installation adds another 1.2 million potential customers to Clearwire’s portfolio.

UPDATE: Sprint has posted a press release indicating that their 4G service — which runs on Clearwire’s network — is also available to its customers in the Sacramento market [Read].

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Today, Sprint announced that its WiMAX, 4G network is officially open for business in six additional locales: New York; New York, Hartford; CT, New Haven; CT, New Brunswick; NJ, Trenton; NJ, and Tampa; FL.

“Sprint has provided customers with 4G service since 2008 and we’re proud to extend our leadership to six more cities today, including New York City,” said Sprint’s president of 4G, Matt Carter. “Sprint is the first national wireless carrier to make 4G a reality for our customers and with the addition of these six new markets we are now in 61 cities, including Chicago, Baltimore and Houston, and are growing. By the end of the year Sprint 4G plans to light up several major new markets including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Denver and Washington DC to name a few.”

If you’re in the Big Apple, or any of the other aforementioned markets, fire up your 4G device(s) and let us know what kind of speeds you’re seeing.

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The people behind the nation’s first WiMax, 4G network, Clear, have sent a new home-router to the FCC for approval. The device, which — judging by the user manual — will be called the “Clear Modem with Wi-Fi,” will corral that sweet, sweet 4G signal (if available) and make it available to all your home devices via the 802.11 wireless standard. The router also appears to have an RJ11 phone jack on its posterior; indicating that their VoIP service could also be utilized on the device. Perhaps a little taste of the future of home broadband?

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So… we’re not sure why Clear decided to make a hotspot that only works with Apple iDevices — or as they put it, “was built and optimized by CLEAR for Apple mobile devices” — but they have. The iSpot is a shiny, white, iDevice exclusive, 4G mobile hotspot that can be purchased directly from Clear for $29 (limited-time offer). The mobile router will provide your iThings with 4G speeds on Clearwire’s 4G WiMax network for the very attractive price of $25 per month.  The device, as advertised, will allow you to “connect up to eight of your favorite Wi-Fi-enabled Apple mobile devices” while on the go. The device does use standard Wi-Fi, but it employs MAC address filtering to only allowing iDevices (iPods, iPad, iPhones) to connect; which is probably why the monthly price is only $25. It looks like the iSpot will match your new white iPhone 4 perfectly… oh, wait…

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Dell’s popular Mini 10 netbook may be adding WiMAX to its long list of connectivity options as the latest iteration, model 1012, was spotted at the FCC rocking the Intel WiMAX/WiFi link 6250 chipset. The Mini 10 is highly customizable with the base computer including a 10.1 inch widescreen display with an HD resolution option, an Intel Atom processor, 1GB DDR2 SDRAM, Integrated Intel graphics, Wi-Fi, Qualcomm GOBI chipset with AT&T 3G or Verizon Wireless 3G, optional GPS, optional TV tuner and Windows XP or Windows 7 Starter edition. The FCC documentation does not hint at any exclusive WiMAX carrier but it would be nice to see the netbook offered by Clear, Sprint or one of the other WiMAX resellers with a generous subsidy.

[Via Liliputing and Wireless Goodness]

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According to Taiwanese WiMAX CPE makers, Clearwire is slowing its purchases of WiMAX equipment as it begins to ramp up its wholesale business. This expansion is not unexpected as Clearwire first offered wholesaler services in Q3 2009 and indicated that is looking to grow its wholesale business and add additional wholesale customers in the intervening quarters. Currently, Clearwire offers wholesale 4G services to Comcast, Sprint and Time Warner Cable, all three of which are strategic investors in Clearwire. Each reseller has the ability to sell 4G services with their own WiMAX CPE products, resell services in different geographic markets and offer individualized pricing schemes. Additional details on Clearwire’s wholesale business is expected during the company’s Q4 2009 earnings conference call on February 24th. Perhaps, Clearwire will slip in some info on that rumored Sprint Android 4G handset as well.

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IEEE is expected to approve the 802.16m mobile WiMAX standard, also known as WiMAX 2, this summer. Under laboratory conditions, WiMAX 2 can deliver a blazing 120Mbit/s down and 60Mbit/s up when using 4×2 MIMO antennas on a 20MHz-wide channel. In practical terms, WiMAX 2 will approximately double the speed of the current WiMAX technology. In an interview with Unstrung, Clearwire’s CTO John Saw said that Clearwire is going to review the new 802.16m standard but will not immediately adopt it. The wireless broadband company could begin testing WiMAX 2 sometime in 2011, with commercial deployment possible in 2012. Depending on the 4G market in 2010, though, customers may never see 802.16m hit their WiMAX connection as Clearwire has been very open about its ability to drop WiMAX and switch to LTE if the market favors LTE. Does it really matter whether Clearwire switches to WiMAX 2 or LTE as long as the connection is stable, the speeds are fast and the devices are numerous?

[Via DSL Reports]

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Clear may be expanding its WiMAX offerings with the select launch of two new feature-rich WiMAX modems targeting home consumers. In addition to WiMAX connectivity, both modems offer VoIP functionality and feature integrated ATA, an emerging trend that obviates the need for an external ATA device for VoIP. The first WiMAX device is the Series G Home Modem, a relatively unknown offering from Taiwanese manufacturer Gemtek. The Series G Home Modem will be available in the Las Vegas market for a final price of $69.99 when purchased outright or $4.99 monthly when leased. Next up is the Motorola CPEi 725, a consumer modem that appears to be a scaled down version of the CPEi 775 and includes VoIP, integrated ATA, and an omni-directional antenna. The Motorola CPEi 725 will launch in Portland, Oregon and will set you back $69.99 or $4.99 monthly on a lease. Both modems will be available to new Clear customers but it is unknown if they will be made available as an upgrade for current customers. Let’s hope Clear shares the love and offers these modems to both current and new customers and expands their availability outside of their select launch markets.

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We’re here live at Sprint’s 4G palace at CES and we’re giving the Overdrive by Sierra Wireless a test drive. Before we get on with this we review, one thing is clear about this new mobile hotspot: it is hot like fire. Currently we’re writing this post using the Overdrive and we’re seeing 4.6Mbps downlink and 560kbps uplink — plus WiMax in Las Vegas has crystal clear signal where we are. Hit the break for more of our thoughts on the Overdrive and check out the gallery!

The device itself is bigger than the MiFi, but it’s not very heavy. It’s sleek and super easy to use. As soon as you take it out of the box, it asks you if you want to connect to the 4G network and you’re prompted to click the power button to accept. Once you’re on, that’s it — you’re on. All you have to do is find the Overdrive on your Wi-Fi list and select it. The password is shown on the device screen in parentheses so people you’re sharing it with can easily hop on, too. Additionally, the Overdrive supports up to five simultaneous users, just like the MiFi, so there’s plenty to go around.

Overall, the new device is ridiculously easy to use and speeds are blazing fast. If you travel a lot or are always in areas with no Wi-Fi, you can’t go wrong with the Overdrive, especially with the WiMax speeds. Right now, WiMax is available in 27 markets and Sprint expects to launch in more markets including Boston, Houston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. in 2010. Browse some great hands on shots in our gallery, and of course, you can hit us the 4G Resource Center if you’d like to find out more about Sprint’s WiMax offerings

Click on over to our Sprint Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot hands on gallery!

Read more about the Sprint Overdrive in our 4G Resource Center

Growth in subscribership and service expansion are good but its the mobile connectivity hardware that will bring people in and that is where the company will see improvement in 2010. Clear currently offers a range of modems, routers and personal hotspots and will soon be adding the upcoming dual 3G/4G mobile hotspot from Sierra Wireless. Integrated WiMAX, present on many laptops in 2009, will continue to be an option on several laptop models made by Dell, Lenovo, Samsung, Toshiba and Fujitsu. Now that Clear has an established portfolio of WiMAX data cards and modems, it is time for Clear to focus on the catgegory of pocketable, stand alone mobile devices, an area in which Clear needs some major improvement in 2010. Currently, Clear offers a single mobile device, the Windows Mobile 6.1 powered Samsung Mondi, a rather unexciting device. This blaise portoflio of one is expected to expand in 2010, according to Clearwire CEO Bill Morrow, who said that WiMAX-enabled smartphones are expected to start arriving by mid 2010. With Sprint, Microsoft, and LG planning some big shindig on January 6th to kick off CES 2010, we will hopefully see at least one new WiMAX enabled smartphone arise out of that event. Efforts are also underway to bring Android to WiMAX  – an initiative being spearheaded by Beceem, the leading supplier of chips for WiMAX devices, in conjunction with VoIP developer D2 and WiMAX hardware manufacturer ECS EliteGroup. Last but not least, we can’t forget about HTC which already has the Max 4G, a dual GSM/WiMAX smartphone on Russia’s Yota network. If any or all of these companies can bring new mobile devices to Clear’s WiMAX service, then Clear will have a nice jump on its competition, offering sleek new handsets while future LTE providers are still building out their networks. The first step in this direction for Sprint/Clear may start as early as next week, let’s hope they can deliver something that will wow us and make us excited about the now of WiMAX instead of the future of LTE.

[Via ComputerWorld]

If you were a hardcore skeptic and entertaining serious doubts about the Apple tablet, well, let’s just say Clearwire’s latest home page won’t do you any good. Spotted just behind the Zune HD there, and to the left of a PSP Go, there is an odd looking creature with a shiny touch screen, a dock on the left side and a background and toolbar that looks suspiciously Apple-esque. Unfortunately, it’s also a fake tablet image we’ve seen before that has floated around the internetz. Better luck next time, Clearwire?

Thanks, Nicholas!

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WiMax is still around and kickin’, believe it or not, and Clear (formerly Clearwire, formerly Xohm) is planning to expand its networks soon. As such, it only makes sense that manufacturers are gearing up for the US expansion with some WiMAX devices, right? Samsung has dropped a few snippets of information on its SWD-M100 Mondi, which the company claims is the first handheld WiMAX device for the States. Burn. Judging by the popularity, or lack thereof, of the Nokia Internet tablet, we’re not quite sure how well this slider device will do or how Sammy plans to market it. We’ll have to wait and see, but if your 3G device isn’t cutting it for your Internet addiction, this device packs a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a D-Pad and a touchscreen. No official announcement or pricing on this device but we’re not exactly on the edge of our seats for this one.

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