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Starting June 6, AT&T [T] will offer a new product called MobileProtect. MobileProtect is basically iPhone Insurance that protects your expensive gadget from damage. The cost of the insurance is $13.99/month and will be made available for purchase through the Apple app store with billing going direct to the card you have on file with Apple [AAPL]. The insurance plan is run by a company called Asurion.

When purchasing a new iPhone you need to opt in to take advantage of the insurance within 30 days of purchase.

The downside of course is that the insurance costs in the region of $168/year to protect your phone which is fairly steep if you ask us. I’d be inclined to just take more care of your phone at that sort of cost. [Read more…]

Skype is coming to Google Android smartphones in the near future. Right now, only those on Verizon can download the Android Skype app due to a deal with Skype and Verizon [VZ].

We learn today though that this is changing and that Skype will be launching an Android (and BlackBerry) application that will not be restricted to just Verizon, ie, any carrier in the world can be used. The information comes from a chat that Skattertech had with someone at Skype who said the following…

Skype envisions a world where video plays a larger role in the way we communicate. The next generation innovation involving video calling will not be bound to the computer. We’re seeing a proliferation of video calling shared between all kinds of connected devices. It’s on computers (today 1/3 of all calls on Skype happen via video), televisions (Skype bringing video calls to living rooms via Panasonic, Samsung & LG partnership), and it will eventually be coming to mobile devices too. We’re betting big on video, and we intend to set the bar on mobile video calling, and it’s something we’re going to do this year.

We will be bringing a direct to consumer app to the Android marketplace later this year. This application will be available for all consumers globally to download regardless of carriers. (i.e. similar to how we offer the iPhone app today)

Brianna Reynaud, Skype PR

[Read more…]

Yesterday we heard a few bits of information about an Android smartphone spotted at the Google I/O event last week. The phone is the Acer Stream where we found out very basic details in that when it launches it will run Android 2.1.

An official announcement has now been made which covers the details of the new smartphone. We learn that the Acer Stream will have a 3.7 inch WVGA AMOLED display that is capable of showing 1.67 million colours. The contrast ratio of the screen is 2000:1 that allows the screen to be viewed in light conditions. Also with the display being AMOLED it helps increase battery life due to a lower amount of power being taken from the screen.

For connectivity the Acer Stream has 3G+ allowing for 7.2MBps HSDPA download speeds. The wireless feature allows it to connect up to 802.11n networks. Bluetooth is also included on the device. [Read more…]

We have seen the LG Bali GM360, LG GX300 and the LG Pure GD550 previously in a number of leaks. Today, these three smartphones became more official by appearing on the LG site.

LG Bali GM360

First up is the LG Bali GM360 smartphone. Rumours mentioned that it was a dual-SIM phone. This is not the case. The phone on the connectivity side of things is a 2.5G handset capable of connecting to GSM 850/900/1800/1900 networks with GPRS and EDGE connectivity. The smartphone uses LG’s own propriety operating system.

The screen on this device measures 3 inches and has a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels and can display 262K colours. It is also a touchscreen. The camera on the back can capture images at 5 megapixels and the phone also has 2X digital zoom. For storage a microSD memory card can be used. Wireless and Bluetooth is built in along with an FM radio. [Read more…]

We hear today that the HTC Desire could be getting an Android 2.2 update as early as June 23.

The information comes from a HTC rep who in speaking to a developer at XDA, said that the update would be happening June 23 although he did say that we didn’t hear it from him so to speak.

A number of users complain about Android devices in general not having enough memory to store applications in. I personally have had an Android device where I had to delete applications on it to fit others on. With the new Android 2.2 FroYo update, apps can be moved to the microSD card allowing many more applications to be installed on the device. [Read more…]

AT&T [T] has agreed to unlock all phones that are supplied to customers following a class action lawsuit. The lawsuit requires that all phones now be unlocked by the carrier. The agreement doesn’t require the iPhone is unlocked under the same rules though which are explained below.

When customers purchase a new prepaid handset, the handset is unlocked immediately when confirmation of proof of purchase is made. Those who get a phone on contact can have their device unlocked after 90 days of service. [Read more…]

Persistent rumours about Apple [AAPL] and the AT&T exclusivity contract ending have been circulating for a few weeks (or even months now). In particular, Verizon [VZ] has been the other phone carrier that is said to be getting the iPhone. We now hear that Sprint [S] might get the iPhone later this year also.

In the “totally unlikely to come true” department, yesterday I was told that Sprint will be getting the iPhone this summer. You heard that right, while rumors have long pointed to Big Red getting the iPhone this year, never has it been mentioned that Sprint would be selling the iPhone. I can’t believe this is true, although the source has been reliable in the past and does work for Sprint.

Since this time, we had also heard similar rumblings from a Sprint-connected source that Sprint was going to be readying for the iPhone later this year. Likely in the September timeframe — placing it in the same timeframe as Verizon rumors.

[Read more…]