Tiered data plans are something we′ve thought about but deep down hope never develop. There’s something about having unlimited data that is appealing to the consumer.  Unfortunately as phones add more features that are dependent on data, the carriers find it less and less appealing.

In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Verizon’s CTO, Tony Melone, hinted that the unlimited plan’s days might be numbered. Carriers are building up networks, offering more coverage and faster speeds. All this comes at a cost and eventually they will have to find a way to recoup the investment.

Malone stated that plans offering &quotas much data as you can consume is the big issue that has to change.&quot He continues to say, &quotIt’s one thing to say all you can eat is gone, it’s another to have consumers worrying, ‘Can I stream this radio?’ That’s what we don’t want.&quot

Tiered data plans aren’t etched in stone with other possible alternatives being simply raising the cost of the unlimited plans or capping unlimited plans (Verizon’s cap is currently 5GB). With the development of 4G networks and more data intensive phones heading to market, such as the Windows Phone 7 Series, expect the possibility of tiered plans not to go away anytime soon.

via: boygeniusreport.com

Last time we’ve heard about Vodafone UK’s Google Nexus One, the smartphone was scheduled for an April release.

However, it looks like Voda’s British customers might be able to buy the Nexus One starting this month, as the handset has just appeared on the carrier’s official website. Of course, the Nexus One isn’t yet available, it’s “coming soon” – but it could be launched before the end of March.

You can register for updates here.

Vodafone UK still hasn’t announced the price of Nexus One. It’s said that the smartphone would cost €150 in Germany, with a Vodafone contract agreement for two years.

Another Android 2.1 smartphone that’s coming soon to Vodafone UK is the HTC Legend.

As for the Nexus One for Verizon, there’s still no word on when it will be available.

Via Omio

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Apple is expected to introduce iPhone 4.0 OS sometime this summer – when a new iPhone model (possibly called iPhone 4G) should also be launched.

We’ve already reported about some features that might come with iPhone 4.0 OS, like new syncing capabilities, “multi-touch gestures OS-wide” and graphical enhancements.

But one of the most important new feature of iPhone 4.0 OS might be multitasking support.

According to AppleInsider, the new iPhone OS will indeed come with multitasking, thus allowing third party apps to run simultaneously in the background. It’s not clear yet how Apple will “optimize resource conservation and battery life” after enabling multitasking on the iPhone. I guess we’ll see this when iPhone 4.0 OS is launched.

As a reminder, iPhone 4.0 OS might also feature stuff like event-based modes and “user-programmed automated communications.”

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Both Google and Facebook were recently sued by a New York-based company called Wireless Ink Corp.

The company (owner of Winksite) claims that Google and Facebook are infringing one of its patents related to software that allows users to access social networking sites on their cell phones.

The patent in question is US Patent No. 7,599,983 issued in October 2009 and entitled “Method, Apparatus and System or Management of Information Content for Enhanced Accessibility over Wireless Communications Networks.”

Reportedly, Facebook Mobile and the recently-launched Google Buzz are using software technology that belongs to Wireless Ink – which obviously seeks cash compensation for this.

Google and Facebook spokesmen declared that the companies are currently reviewing the complaint filed against them by Wireless Ink.

Via BusinessWeek, IntoMobile

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LG Electronics has just introduced a stylish new clamshell phone for the Russian market, and it goes by the name G𐫾. While it doesn’t have much to show in the features department, it can certainly hold its own in the looks department. With an all-black exterior and gold accents, the LG G𐫾 has every right to be called sexy.

Despite its compact size, the LG G𐫾 packs enough features to keep your average cellphone user busy. On the outside, it features red LEDs and an external display that shows notifications for incoming calls, messages and the current date/time. It also has a 2-megapixel camera mounted on its upper half.

On one side of the LG GD350 lies a microSD card slot and up/down volume keys. On the other side, there’s a microUSB port. There’s also a built-in music player where tracks can be sorted by playlists, artist, album or music genre. From here, the rest of the specs get pretty basic (for a clamshell phone in 2010–meaning there’s FM radio, Bluetooth w/ ʌDP, vibration/MP3 ringtones and an 800 mAh Li-ion battery).

The LG GD350 sells for 5490 rubles or about $186 USD in Russia.

Via Mobile-Review

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The new interface introduced in Windows Phone 7 Series is called &quotMetro.&quot Why? Uber-Microsoft writer Paul Thurrott (of WinSuperSite.com) found the explanation on the Microsoft campus in Redmond, Wash. [via @thurrott]

Available in South Korea since the second half of 2009, Google’s Android Market might be blocked by the country’s regulatory bodies.

The reason for this is that the Android Market contains about 4,400 games that have not been rated by South Korea’s Game Rating Board (which decides if games are suitable for all ages or not).

The Game Rating Board has sent a letter to Google requesting the company’s collaboration. Reportedly, Google Korea is in the process of reviewing the letter.

(MOTOROI XT720, South Korea’s first Android phone)

Interestingly, Apple’s Korean version of the App Store doesn’t have a games category, although it contains games in the entertainment category (these games, however, are already monitored by the Game Rating Board).

Via Yonhap News

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Mobiado has added yet another model to its endless line of luxury phones: the Mobiado Classic 712GCB – an “expression of mechanical perfection, mastering of aesthetic details, and the integrity of consistent craftsmanship.”

The Classic 712GCB is not too different form the Classic 712ZAF, so it’s a candybar with a 2.2 inch QVGA display, 3G, GPS, web browser, music player and a 5MP camera with flash.

The Mobiado Classic 712GCB is built from stainless steel, “large sapphire crystal plates” and 24K gold. The phone’s keys are also made out of sapphire crystal hand-painted with gold.

Mobiado didn’t announce the price of Classic 712GCB. However, interested customers can check out this list of Mobiado distributors to find out if there are any of them in their region.

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It’s almost incredible how more and more photos of the HTC Incredible are showing up, and yet Verizon still hasn’t announced the smartphone.

Anyway, along with the new photos came interesting details about the features of HTC Incredible.

Reportedly, the smartphone measures 117.5 x 58.5 x 11.9 mm (it’s almost like the Nexus One) and comes with an 8MP camera and 512MB of RAM. For some reason, the Snapdragon processor that powers the Incredible seems to be underclocked to 768MHz – however, Android 2.1 and Sense UI are running “blazing fast” on the device.

Verizon’s logo can bee seen on the Incredible’s back cover (which, if removed, unveils a full-red interior):

The HTC Incredible should be available at Verizon starting April or May. No word yet on its price, but the largest US carrier will probably sell the smartphone for around $200 on contract.

Via Android Forums, Engadget

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I had the impression that Android 2.1 is reserved only for high-end and mid-end smartphones, but it looks like this is not true.

HTC Tattoo (the company’s most affordable Android handset to date) will apparently be upgraded to Android 2.1 soon.

According to FrAndroid, HTC has confirmed that they’re working to integrate its Sense UI with Android 2.1 on the Tattoo. This will “take time”, but the upgrade will come eventually.

On a related note, maybe you’re interested in watching a video of the Samsung Galaxy Spica i5700 running Android 2.1 (an official upgrade for the Spica should come soon, too):

Via Android Community

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