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Instagram hits 27 million user milestone, teases Android app at SXSW

Instagram hits 27 million users, plans to invite Android users to join the party
Rejoice, photo filter fans, Instagram is heading to Android "very soon," according to founder Kevin Systrom. Speaking at South by Southwest, Systrom raved about the app's growth, boasting of its 27 million registered users. "They're not excited about it because it makes your photos look beautiful," he says, "They're excited because it networks people across the world and it's the single fastest growing thing in mobile period." The Android version is currently being tested in a private beta, and it's reported to be superior than its iOS counterpart. "It's really, really fast," Systrom said. Don't look so surprised, he did tell us, after all, that iOS was just the beginning.

ReCellular's headquarters toured by iFixit, recycling and redistribution gets a closer look

ReCellular's hardly a new name in the recycling universe, but as more and more individuals toss their dumbphone for a smarter alternative, the Ann Arbor-based outfit is seeing a new wave of interest. iFixit, a company that thrives on tearing down gadgetry both new and old in order to inform people of their repair and upgrade options, recently had the opportunity to tour ReCellular's monolithic warehouse, where some 10,000 used phones are processed every 24 hours. The tour also included a bit of back-and-forth with the founder, who isn't against the seemingly endless churn of devices. In fact, he quips that "we have the right to get a phone that's smaller and a prettier color if we want," insinuating that ReCellular simply exists to provide a better home to older gizmos than in some landfill. Perhaps surprisingly, Chuck Newman even confesses that the whole "environmental message" isn't very effective, which is why it distributes prepaid envelopes to encourage recycling that would probably not happen otherwise. Eager to read more? Give those links below a tap.

ITG xpPhone 2 hands-on: Windows 7 on a smartphone

We got a little worried when ITG missed its January unveiling for the xpPhone 2, but yesterday, this Windows 7-powered smartphone finally made its debut public appearance in Guangzhou, and we happened to be there to scoop up a demo unit. Since we last came across the second-gen xpPhone, its ambitious Chinese manufacturer has dished out more detailed specs: the 17.5mm-thick device comes with a 4.3-inch 800 x 480 LCD made by Sharp, multitouch input, an Intel Atom Z5xx series processor up to 2GHz, up to 2GB of RAM, up to 112GB of SSD made by Silicon Storage Technology, microSD expansion and a multipurpose HDMI Micro socket (not HDMI Mini as we mistakenly said in our video after the break) that takes care of video, audio, data (USB 2.0) and power. Read on to find out what we think of this weird creature.
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Refresh Roundup: week of March 5th, 2012

Refresh Roundup: week of March 5th, 2012
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
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Chinese official: We're not issuing 4G licenses for another two to three years

China isn't in a huge hurry get its own 4G network up and running, instead wanting to ensure the infrastructure is primed and enough compatible handsets are available before it launches. According to the head of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Miao Wei, the country needs plenty more base stations -- beyond the existing 220,000 TD-SCDMA bases and closer to 400,000 -- before the government starts offering 4G licenses. China Mobile, the country's largest mobile network, already plans to have over 20,000 TD-LTE base stations in operation by the end of this year, stepping up to 200,000 by the end of next year. This particular type of LTE hasn't quite set the world on fire just yet -- only two operators have launched TD-LTE services and a genuine handset for the network remains absent. Upgrading existing 3G stations is likely to take around three years, according to the official. At least it gives ZTE more time to get the MT73 readied for ICS -- or perhaps Android 5.0.

[Photo credit: China.com.cn]

T-Mobile to debut unlimited mobile-to-mobile plan next month?

T-Mobile to debut unlimited mobile-to-mobile plan April 4?
Here's a juicy little rumor that's sure to excite the T-Mobile faithful. Retail training materials, acquired by TmoNews, indicate that the nation's fourth largest wireless provider may launch an "Unlimited Any Mobile" add-on early next month. The feature can be tacked on to existing T-Mo plans (with some exceptions) for a paltry $10 a month. Once added, you're free to call any US mobile without having to think about minutes, and there's no contractual commitments to the package. Sprint patrons have enjoyed this luxury for quite some time, and AT&T users can get the same, with the adoption of an unlimited text messaging plan. If this does materialize, maybe it'll help woo some of those customers back.

T-Mobile CMO: subsidized pricing hurts wireless competition, undermines hardware value

Could an end to unsubsidized smartphones be on its way for US carriers? If T-Mobile's Chief Marketing Officer Cole Brodman had his way, that familiar on-contract pricing would've gone the way of the Dodo a long time ago. Speaking at this week's GeekWire Summit in Seattle, the Magenta exec vented his frustrations with the industry's current business model, citing his belief that low cost handsets not only distort consumers' perspectives, effectively "[devaluing].. the hardware they are using," but also position wireless market players to compete unevenly. When pressed as to why his own network hadn't effected the change, Brodman referenced the lack of cooperation from other major operators, in addition to a market driven by subscribers' purchase habits. As for the fourth place network's glaring iPhone omission, Brodman seemed nonplussed, highlighting the variety of Android and Windows Phones available on its lineup, while asserting his faith in a multi-OS marketplace. While you keep those toes crossed in the hopes of a subsidy-free mobile future, check out the source below for the full panel interview.

Ask Engadget: Best AT&T smartphone for occasional tethering?

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from is from Paul who is looking for a handset for his tethering needs. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.
"Hello! Can you help me decide if I should take my freshly available upgrade on AT&T or hold on for a while. In the past I've made some rash decisions that led to immediate regret and two years of gadget envy. If I had to choose today, I'd pick a Samsung Focus S, because of the overall feature set of Mango and its small size. It'd be nice to have a mobile hotspot for syncing my Kindle Fire while I'm camping and a camera should Bigfoot happen across my path. Please help me, Engadget gurus!"
If you asked us, we'd advise keeping our powder dry for a month or two, because there's a whole slew of handsets that were announced at MWC we'll be seeing in Q2 of this year. But heck, what do we know? There's a river of eager commenters below this post all desperate to help, so help away!

Mobile Miscellany: week of March 5th, 2012

Mobile Miscellany: week of March 5, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, one clever individual has repackaged HTC's Beats equalizer for use on any Android smartphone, and we've also come across news of additional language support for Siri that's set to arrive later this year. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of March 5th, 2012.
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FCC to Verizon Wireless: You need more spectrum? Prove it by March 22nd.

FCC to Verizon: You need more spectrum? Prove it.
By now, we hope you're plenty familiar with the ongoing saga between Verizon Wireless and the FCC -- no, not that little kerfuffle about data roaming complaints, but the biggie -- the proposed transfer of 122 AWS spectrum licenses from three cable providers to Big Red. While the FCC's latest move is merely a sign of due diligence, it's now pressing Verizon to supply additional information regarding its business, spectrum holdings and the proposed transfer -- all with a deadline on or before March 22nd. While many of the information requests are boilerplate material, the regulator specifically presses Verizon to substantiate its claims that it'll require additional spectrum in some markets as early as 2013. Further, Verizon must also provide an analysis of the proposed spectrum transfer between itself and Leap Wireless and its impact upon the deal with the cable operators. Regardless of Big Red's response, it seems safe to assume that Sprint and T-Mobile will each have some additional thoughts on the matter.

[Tower photo via Shutterstock]

LG Optimus L7 reportedly joining Rogers' budget lineup

LG Optimus L7 allegedly heading to Rogers
We've already taken on you on a personal tour of LG's upcoming L-style handsets, and word on the street is at least one of them is on its way to Rogers. According to MobileSyrup, a kind tipster's handed the site intel claiming the Optimus L7 will be offered as part of the Maple Leaf Carrier's "Smartphone Lite" lineup. Still, it's unclear how much it'll cost you, or when it will go on sale. To give you a quick refresh, the L7 comes packing a 4.3-inch, 480 x 800 screen and a 1GHz CPU along with tasty ICS at its core. Pricing and availability uncertainties aside, we can be certain you'll have to sign the usual Canadian three-year deal with your network once the device gets an official launch.

Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at midnight!

It's a bit later than our usual weekly podcast, but that doesn't mean we'll be cutting down the intensity at all. In fact, shenanigans always seem to be in the mix this time of night. We're going to be getting things going at midnight, so definitely join Myriam and Brad in the fun, won't you?

March 10, 2012 12:00 AM EST

Hands-on with Angry Birds Space at SXSW (video)

Hands-on with Angry Birds Space at SXSW (video)
All work and no play makes even the hottest smartphone downright dull. It's with this in mind that Samsung is showcasing Rovio's latest creation, Angry Birds Space, running on the Galaxy Note at SXSW in Austin, Texas. We took a moment to get our feisty paws on the demo, which showcases the weightless, space-like trajectories that players must contend with in the game. Exclusive to the Galaxy Note, users will find a bonus level of play, in addition to the free Danger Zone add-on -- a collection of 30 levels that'll be available to the masses as an in-app purchase. If you haven't been keeping score, the game will make its official debut on March 22nd. So what're you waiting for? Hop the break for the PR and watch as we take revenge on those fiendish pigs!

Myriam Joire contributed to this report.
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Tether for iPhone returns as an HTML5-powered subscription service (video)

We're still not sure how iTether temporarily snuck into the App Store the first time around, but the developers behind that software have returned with a new version that skirts Apple's guidelines entirely. While Tether.com has standard apps available for BlackBerry and Android users, the new approach on iOS relies on creating an ad-hoc network from a PC, and then visiting the appropriate webpage on the iPhone. Log in to the website, and the company's "patent-pending" software does the job of tying the two connections together wirelessly through the magic of HTML5, no jailbreaking or other hackery needed. The cost for the service is $30 a year, although it's currently available for the first year at $15 -- no free trials, and of course what happens to your data plan is between you and your carrier. Check out the video above for a demonstration or hit the company's website for more details.

Exclusive: Sprint iPad shows up in Best Buy's database (Update)

If you were keeping score during Apple's iPad keynote on Wednesday, you noticed AT&T and Verizon listed amongst the carriers that will get the new iPad, but what about Sprint? It's going to be rockin' LTE in the not-too-distant future, after all. Well, if our eyes dost not deceive us, what we're seeing above (and below) may help put friends of the Now Network at ease: the new iPad for Sprint has arrived in Best Buy's internal inventory system. Does this mean we're going to see the devices magically show up next week at the electronic megastore? Eh, we wouldn't count on it showing up that soon. But is it possible that Sprint will have Apple's iconic tablet ready to go alongside the Samsung Galaxy Nexus when it launches its multi-billion-dollar 4G investment? If that's part of the strategy, then nicely played, Dan. Nicely played.

Update: After hearing from several Best Buy employees, we've gotten a clearer explanation of what's being displayed these database shots. As we're told, each listing is evidently referring to different Sprint plans for the iPad, rather than specific models of the tablet. That said, this info still does seem to corroborate nicely with the notion that Sprint's likely landing Apple's slate at some point in the future.

[Thanks, Anonymous and everyone who sent this in]
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Google hastily updates Play Store, fixes broken Market on Motorola devices

Motorola Droid RAZR fans were left out in the cold when Google decided to pull the wraps off its revamped content hub. The new Play Store app didn't seem to bond too well with Motorola's Blur OS skin, leaving phones scanning desperately for a non-existent Android Market and trapping users out of the app version of the store. Google's got on it quickly though, with a new Google Play update out now, righting what was once wrong. According to Droid Life, wiping the new hub's application data in settings should coax the update out instantly. And you'd think the two would talk about these things.

FCC counters Verizon, aims to dismiss its data roaming complaints

Cell TowerVerizon and the FCC have been going at it for sometime over a variety of issues, but one of the more notable has been the data roaming rules that narrowly passed last year. In May of 2011 the carrier filed suit against the commission, claiming it had overstepped its authority by demanding larger providers enter into voice and data roaming agreements with its smaller "competitors." The regulatory agency has finally responded in kind, by saying that Verizon's case is invalid and that its powers are clearly spelled out under Title III of the Communications Act of 1934. Now its just a matter of waiting to see if Big Red's case is indeed dismissed, or if the FCC is headed to court. Stayed tuned to find out -- we know we will.

Vocre 2.0 for iOS brings live translation to video calls

Vocre 2.0 for iOS brings live translation to video calls
Let's say you've just landed on home soil and happened to meet a charming partner during your stay abroad -- yet your unrequited love is separated by a nasty language barrier. Sure, it didn't seem to matter in the moment, but now that you've moved onto -- you know -- communication, you could use a bit of an assist. Thankfully, the folks at MyLanguage seem to have a worthwhile solution with the new Vocre 2.0 app for iOS. The software allows two individuals to engage in video chats in their native tongues, and the app removes the language barrier by providing translations (both text and spoken) on-the-fly. While Vocre 2.0 is currently in private beta, it'll debut as a free, ad-supported application. Further, users may take advantage of paid, premium services that include on-demand human translation. You can follow a similar story of two young lovers in a video after the break. Think it'll work out for 'em?
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Sony Xperia S available now from Three UK

Sony Xperia S available now from Three UK

Sony's new Xperia flagship has arrived. While we've already revealed our thoughts on the
S model, UK customers can now lay their hands on one -- provided they're willing to go with data-happy Three. Expect to pay £370 for the device on pay-as-you-go, while you'll need to splash out at least £30 per month for the contract option. You'll also have to make the trek to the nearest bricks-and-mortar outlet to pick one up -- the phone remains non-existent on the carrier's online store.
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Engadget Giveaway: win a Samsung Galaxy Note, courtesy of Bell Canada

To celebrate Bell Canada's improved Mobile TV service -- which is particularly nice on a large display -- we could think of no better way than to gift a Samsung Galaxy Note to some lucky Canadian. So how do you win the Note with its beautiful 5.3-inch Super AMOLED display and crazy fast LTE? All it takes to enter is a comment posted below, the ability to follow the rules outlined in this article and that you're a Canadian. Yeah, that's right, our first Canada-only contest -- and no we're not hating on anybody, them's just the rules this time. So apply northern friends and good luck!

  • Leave a comment below. Any comment will do. Duplicate entries will be filtered out and discarded, so adding additional comments won't increase your likelihood of winning.
  • Contest is open to all residents of Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
  • Winners will be chosen randomly. One winner will receive one Bell Canada Samsung Galaxy Note.
  • If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
  • This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Bell Canada service will NOT be included. Also, Samsung, Bell and Engadget are not held liable to honor warranties or customer service.
  • The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
  • Entries can be submitted until March 10, 2012 at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!

IDC: iPhone becomes top-selling cellphone in Japan over the Fall quarter, gives Sharp a run for its money

Think the iPhone is popular in the States? Well, the device is taking off in Asia as well. Based on a report from research firm IDC Japan, Apple snagged the largest share of mobile phone shipments in the country for the quarter at 26.6%, ending the market dominance of local manufacturers. Popularity of the iPhone 4S rose during the period from October to December and propelled the device maker past Fujitsu / Toshiba's mark of 18.3% and third place Sharp, coming in at 15.7%. Sharp still owned the top spot for 2011, though, with 20.1% of total shipments while Apple finished the year third with 14.2%. For more stats on the Japanese smartphone market, hit the source link below to read on.

Orange's Santa Clara Medfield phone gets benchmarked, well, the browser does

Santa Clara Vellamo
Wondering how those Medfield handsets stack up to their ARM-powered competition? Well, we can't promise a full suite of benchmarks just yet, but we do have a peek at a pair of browser-centric tests. The German Caschys Blog managed to get a hold of Orange's upcoming Santa Clara device at CeBit and ran Qualcomm's Vellamo and Rightware's BrowserMark on the Atom handset. In both metrics the Z2460 more than holds its own, scoring an 89,180 on the web-based BrowserMark -- putting it just ahead of the iPhone 4S which clocks in at 87,801, but well behind the Galaxy Nexus' 98,272. Things look just as promising on the slightly more hardware-intensive Vellamo where it trounced the latest Nexus and was hot on the heels of the Xiaomi Mi-One Plus and Transformer Prime. Of course, neither of these tests really tax the CPU or measure 3D graphics performance. We're not even sure what the clock speed on chip inside the handset is. We were originally led to believe 1.6GHz, though, Caschy is reporting the model he manhandled was running at just 1.4GHz. Then, there's perhaps the biggest question of all -- battery life. For that, we'll just have to wait and see.

Siine Keyboard for Android brings 'Sexy Delete,' icons do all the talking (video)

Siine Keyboard for Android brings 'Sexy Delete,' icons do all the talking
It goes without saying that one of the beauties of Android is how easily customizable it can be. For example, you're not shackled to its stock keys and can easily swap in a third-party solution such as Siine; which is packing strange, but useful, features like "Sexy Delete." To go along with the provocative erasing, Siine offers an array of tap-driven icons that act as phrase shortcuts, allowing you to enter anything from "what's up" to "miss me" -- you can even program your own. Siine Keyboard won't ask anything from your wallet, and you can grab it now via the source link below. We're also hooking you up with a quick tutorial courtesy of its creators after the break.
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NCAA March Madness Live app comes to iOS, Android by tourney tip-off

NCAA March Madness Live app comes to iOS, Android by tourney tip-off
Following in last year's steps, the NCAA and Turner Sports have taken the wraps off their March Madness 2012 goodies for handsets, slates and PCs. Though, unlike its 2011 variants, you'll now have to part ways with a one-time $3.99 charge in order to catch your favorite college team in action. Paying such a fee will give you an all-access ticket to watch every game during the tournament, which gets rolling this Tuesday, March 13th. Moreover, you'll also be able to customize channels to your viewing pleasure, test your knowledge in live trivia and check out how the bracket's shaping up. The action-packed March Madness Live app is available now to folks on iOS, with the Android version coming to "selected" devices by the time the tourney is underway.
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ZTE Fury coming to Sprint on March 11th for $20 after rebate

ZTE Fury coming to Sprint on March 11th for $20
We've previously heard rumblings of the ZTE Fury's pending arrival on the Now Network, but now you can safely circle your calendars -- in pencil, anyway -- for a March 11th debut. For those unfamiliar, it'll be a rather low-end smartphone targeted at the budget market, where $20 (after a $50 mail-in rebate) will snag an Android 2.3 handset that packs a 1GHz processor, a 3.5-inch touchscreen and 5MP camera. For those keeping score, it also features 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage. Perhaps we'll find out on March 11th whether less truly is more.

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