T-Mobile's 4G Network Is Getting A Lot Faster In These Cities (DT)

T-Mobile announced today that it's boosting 4G speeds in 55 cities, reaching theoretical speeds that are double what they are now.

The company claims its network can reach speeds of 42 Mbps (which is more than four times faster than your cable modem), but there's almost no chance of actually experiencing that in the wild.

Still, it show that T-Mobile is still working on improving speeds, which is a good thing.

Press release below:

Today, T-Mobile USA, Inc. announced it is doubling the speed of its 4G network in more than 50 markets to achieve theoretical peak download speeds of up to 42 megabits per second (Mbps). T-Mobile customers in 55 markets will now have access to increased 4G network speed, capacity and reliability. These markets include Atlanta, Ga.; Chicago, Ill.; Denver, Colo.; Detroit, Mich.; Dallas and Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, Calif.; Miami, Fla.; New Orleans, La.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Portland, Ore.; and San Francisco, Calif., among others. 

In addition, T-Mobile’s first 42 Mbps-capable 4G product, the T-Mobile Rocket^® 3.0 laptop stick, will be available for purchase beginning tomorrow, May 25. The Rocket 3.0, manufactured by ZTE, is designed to take advantage of T-Mobile’s faster 4G network speeds. Capable of speeds twice as fast as T-Mobile’s previous 4G devices, customers in 42Mbps coverage are expected to experience more consistent 4G speeds when creating and sharing mobile content, streaming and connecting through mobile video, and participating in multiplayer gaming.  

“We are continuing the aggressive expansion of America’s Largest 4G Network™, and also doubling our speeds in more than 50 markets this month,” said Neville Ray, chief technology officer, T-Mobile USA. “While customers with existing 3G and 4G devices will benefit from our continued network enhancements, new devices like the new Rocket 3.0 laptop stick will enable customers to reap the benefits of even faster 4G speeds.”

Providing customers with a blazing fast Internet connection on almost any laptop while on the go, the T-Mobile Rocket 3.0 is equipped with a convenient rotating swivel USB form factor and three changeable faceplates in cobalt blue, dark violet and matte black. The Rocket 3.0 will be available at select T-Mobile retail stores and online at www.T-Mobile.com tomorrow for $99.99 after a $50 mail in rebate, with a qualifying mobile broadband plan on a two year service agreement¹. Postpaid monthly plans start at $29.99, and customers with a qualifying voice line of service with T-Mobile receive a 20 percent discount. Customers can also purchase the T-Mobile Rocket 3.0 without an annual contract for $199.99.  For more information about the T-Mobile Rocket 3.0, including pricing and plan details, visit www.t-mobile.com/broadbandgoesmobile.

T-Mobile 4G markets where 42Mbps service is launching today:

Albany, Ga.; Athens, Ga.; Atlanta, Ga.; Auburn, Ala.; Augusta, Ga.; Austin, Texas; Bentonville, Ark.; Boulder, Colo.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Chicago, Ill.; Dallas, Texas; Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Fla.; Denver, Colo.; Detroit, Mich.; Durham, N.C.; El Paso, Texas; Fort Collins, Colo.; Gainesville, Fla.; Gainesville, Ga.; Greeley, Colo.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Houston, Texas; Jacksonville, Fla.; Long Island, N.Y.; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, Calif.; Macon, Ga.; Mayaguez, Puerto Rico; Miami, Fla.; New Orleans, La.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Olympia, Wash.; Omaha, Neb.; Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, Calif.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Ponce, Puerto Rico; Portland, Ore.; Salinas, Calif.; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Calif.; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Santa Cruz-Watsonville, Calif.; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, Calif.; Savannah, Ga.; Seattle, Wash.; Spokane, Wash.; Tampa, Fla.; Tulsa, Okla.; Valdosta, Ga.; Vallejo-Fairfield, Calif.; Warner Robins, Ga., and Wichita, Kan.

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See Also:

• Wow, AT&T's 4G Network Is Going To Get Really, Really Fast
• Here's Everything You Need To Know About Microsoft's Big Windows Phone 7 Event Tomorrow
• BALLMER: We're Adding 500 New Features To Windows Phones This Fall

T-Mobile's 4G Network Is Getting A Lot Faster In These Cities (DT)

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A Lot Of Cool Things Are Coming To Windows Phones (MSFT)

We've already told you a few of the new features coming to Windows Phone 7's next update, now we have some more that leaked out of the weekend.

Here's what we know:

• Facebook chat, AIM, and Windows Live Messenger will all be accessible from the messaging hub. You can also send group messages.

• You'll be able to access your Windows Live SkyDrive from Office 365.

• You can edit documents from Internet Explorer 9 Mobile.

• New lock screen art from (presumably famous) artists.

• Sync Xbox Live settings and games from your phone.

• Visual voicemail. (Just like iPhone and Android.)

[Via Win Rumors]

Don't Miss: The Best Features Coming Soon To Windows Phone 7 "Mango"

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See Also:

• RUMOR: Amazon Is Working On A Bunch Of Android Tablets, Not Just One
• WATCH: This Smartphone Screen Bends In Half
• Samsung's Next Big Android Phone Will Leave The iPhone 4 In The Dust

A Lot Of Cool Things Are Coming To Windows Phones (MSFT)

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Android Market Makes It A Lot Easier To Find Good Apps (GOOG, AAPL)

Android developers often complain that it's too hard for users to find their apps in the Android Market compared with iTunes.

Today, Google took some steps to resolve that.

Here's what's new:

• New top apps lists. Google is FINALLY adding "top free," "top paid" and "top grossing" lists like iTunes. There will also be a trending list that shows which apps are hot right now. The lists will be refreshed more often and will be country-specific.

• Editors' choice. This new page will consist entirely of apps chosen by the Android Market staff, similar to iTunes' staff choices.

• More related apps. Each app listing will have two lists of related apps: other apps that are browsed by people who use this app, and other apps that are downloaded alongside this app.

• Top developer icons. A nice perk for developers -- if Google likes your apps, it will put a little "top developer" icon next to them. It's starting with 150 developers today.

The improvements are in the Web-based Android Market today and coming to phones and tablets in the next few weeks.

 

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See Also:

• Inside Google I/O: Amazing Scenes From The Show
• Yes, Android Fans, Google Already Has Voice Commands -- And Rio Already Made MP3 Players
• This Is Why Google Thinks Its Music Service Is Legal

Android Market Makes It A Lot Easier To Find Good Apps (GOOG, AAPL)

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6-Month-Old Startup Lot18 Closes $10 Million Series B Round

Last week we told you New York-based startup Lot18 was already doing $1 million+ in sales.

Investors seem to be impressed with that figure, because the wine flash sales site just raised a $10 million Series B round.

It took two months to round up the cash; investors include NEA Ventures and FirstMark Capital, which led the Series A round.

"When we launched in mid-November, we originally said that we would start raising the B round when we had our first million-dollar month," cofounder Kevin Fortuna tells us.  "We thought that would be later this year."

"The revenue numbers blew past expectations from the day we launched [on November 10]. November was a half month and we did $80,000 in sales. Based on the February numbers we saw, we knew March would be a million-dollar month, and April was way bigger than that."

Fortuna says Lot18 will use the money to grow its 60-person staff. It's hiring 35+ positions and is mostly looking for engineers and designers. To accommodate everyone, Lot18 will put money toward a larger office.

Another portion of the money will be dedicated to developing an excellent experience for both customers and wine partners.  It will also be spent launching other sales categories.

"We’re going to be investing in other merchandising opportunities for wine, but wine will stay our main focus," Fortuna tells us. He mentions wine accessories and liquor sales are likely in the near future. The travel category is another thought.

Fortuna says he expects Lot18 to be profitable one year from now. Then again, at the rate Lot18 is growing (50,000+ new users per month), profitability could come much sooner than that.

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See Also:

• Accel Leads $35 Million Round For Design Marketplace, 99Designs
• Digg Founder's No-Product Startup Raises Big Round From Silicon Valley Royalty
• OF COURSE Dropbox Is Going To Kill A Program That Turns It Into Bittorrent

6-Month-Old Startup Lot18 Closes $10 Million Series B Round

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