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LG Optimus M gets a makeover with the M+

In 2010, MetroPCS released its first Android smartphone, the LG Optimus M. We were pretty satisfied with the phone, save for its boxy design and the fact that its specs weren't up to par with its counterpart models carried by other networks.

But two years is a long time in this industry, and MetroPCS recently released an updated version of the M, aptly called the LG Optimus M+. With its 3.5-inch screen, 800MHz processor, and 5-megapixel camera, the bumps in specs in this mid- to entry-level device did not go unnoticed. And, compared with the original M, the … Read more

AT&T considered buying Leap, Reuters says

AT&T buying Leap Wireless? It could happen.

The latest acquisition rumor comes courtesy of Reuters, which reported yesterday that AT&T and Leap have been in talks over the past few months regarding a potential deal.

Such a deal would give AT&T more spectrum -- an asset it has been actively looking for since its deal with T-Mobile collapsed, as well as a decent base of prepaid customers. The report comes just days after Bloomberg reported that T-Mobile had considered buying MetroPCS. The speculation frenzy underscores the acquisitive posture of most of the wireless carriers, … Read more

T-Mobile reportedly in talks to buy MetroPCS

T-Mobile USA may be going from acquisition target to acquirer.

T-Mobile made a splash when it agreed to be bought by AT&T more than a year ago. Now, it may want to make a splash of its own, with parent company Deutsche Telekom weighing the acquisition of MetroPCS, according to Bloomberg.

Deutsche Telekom could merge MetroPCS and T-Mobile under a single entity, or it might sell off the business entirely, an option that has long been proposed for the U.S. carrier that's been steadily losing customers, according to Bloomberg.

T-Moblie and MetroPCS declined to comment.

The … Read more

T-Mobile's quiet silver lining: Monthly 4G prepaid

T-Mobile USA isn't a prepaid carrier, but it might as well be.

While the company's base of contract subscribers -- still a majority of its business and greatest source of revenue -- has been shrinking over the past few quarters, its prepaid business continues to sign up new customers.

In fact, it's been one of the rare bright spots at a carrier that is struggling to get back on its feet after a failed takeover attempt by AT&T. With higher-end customers looking to the other national carriers for better phones (read: iPhone) or 4G LTE … Read more

The ZTE Score gets a sporty makeover for MetroPCS

About a month ago in March, I got my hands on the ZTE Score by Cricket Wireless. Aside from its decent call quality, there wasn't much to write home about. The device had a unresponsive touch screen and its speed (both in relation to the processor and network) was sluggish.

Tacking on an extra "M" at the end of its name (I'm assuming it stands for MetroPCS...or maybe marshmallows?), MetroPCS got a hold of the device, changed up the design a bit to accommodate a larger battery (the original score had a 1,200mAh battery; … Read more

LG Optimus M+ is a plus for MetroPCS users

MetroPCS recently added the LG Optimus M+ to its Android offerings, and the phone is available online now, starting at $129.

The 3G Gingerbread device has a 3.5-inch touch-screen display, an 800MHz processor inside, and a 5-megapixel camera in the rear.

The handset also includes features such as Bluetooth, 2.8GB of internal memory, and a 1,300mAh battery.

For an extra $60 a month, users can also receive Rhapsody Unlimited, a music portal where subscribers can download and access millions of songs and albums.

Ivy Bridge PCs: The first wave

Intel's latest CPUs will be rolling out in various waves over the next few months, but the first wave of higher-end, quad-core processors is finally here.

So far, the biggest impact has been on gaming without a dedicated graphics GPU, with other differences remaining subtle at best.

Of course, this may not reflect future laptops and desktops in the coming months, but it clearly tells the story of Ivy Bridge at launch: this is evolutionary, rather than revolutionary.

Check out our review roundup below. For more questions on Ivy Bridge, read our FAQ.… Read more

MetroPCS begins data throttling for select plans

Slowly but surely, wireless carriers are admitting that data throttling is unavoidable. First it was the national providers like AT&T and Verizon Wireless, and now even the smaller prepaid carriers are following the crowd.

Today, just as it increased the monthly cost of its unlimited plan by $10, MetroPCS also announced that it would begin throttling the data speeds of its cheaper plans. The latter change was more of a footnote on MetroPCS's data plans Web page, but a carrier spokesman confirmed the move in an interview with Fierce Wireless.

The carrier's premium unlimited plan now … Read more

MetroPCS joining the LTE spectrum battle with 500k users

The Big Four wireless carriers may be warring for LTE spectrum the loudest, but don't forget that smaller carriers like MetroPCS are also caught up in the battle.

The nation's fifth-largest provider needs to reinforce and expand its 4G network to support its 500,000 total LTE subscribers, suggested MetroPCS' Keith Terreri, vice president of finance and treasurer. That's about 5 percent of the no-contract carrier's 9.34 million customers, Fierce Wireless reported.

MetroPCS has deployed LTE to 14 of its markets, and was the first carrier to launch a LTE phone.

Perhaps even more than … Read more

HP restructures, merging PC and printer units

Hewlett-Packard today made it official: It is merging its PC and printing units in a bid to improve the financial profile of both increasingly commoditized products.

The news, which surfaced yesterday at AllThingsD, means that Vyomesh Joshi, who led the printer unit, is retiring. The combined unit will now report to Todd Bradley.

HP said in a statement that the combination will help the company's go-to-market strategy, branding, supply chain, and customer support.

However, analysts were already questioning the rationale.

For instance, Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu said the combination isn't likely to result in much cost savings … Read more

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