Mobile Miscellany: week of March 26th, 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, we've seen hints of a Droid Bionic 2, and unfortunately, a number of T-Mobile customers will need to brace for a price hike. 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 26th, 2012.
Amazon Appstore updated to 2.3
If you prefer skirting the Play Store with Amazon's alternative, you may be glad to know that the Appstore's latest version now allows users to download applications up to 50MB in size over their mobile data connection -- a significant increase from the previous 20MB limitation. [Thanks, Drew] [Android Police]
Signs of life: the Droid Bionic 2
Even though by all accounts, the Droid Bionic 2 doesn't exist, if seems that Asurion's more than happy to sell you insurance for the handset. Could they know something we don't? [Droid Life]
PSA: Sprint to shutter Picture Mail online service on April 30th
Sprint Picture Mail, an online service once commonly used to retrieve and archive MMS messages, will be no more as of April 30th. Users must backup their data before this date, which will otherwise be obliterated like so many ones and zeroes before it. [Android Central]
Nokia Reader comes to Series 40 handsets
Nokia is making a big bet on its Series 40 feature phones being a hit in emerging markets, and in effort to bolster the platform's usefulness, it's now announcing the availability of Nokia Reader for users of the C2-02, X3-02, C3-01, Asha 300 and Asha 303. The app is currently in beta form, which offers notification integration and instant access to locally relevant content. Additionally, users can add their own news sources from an online directory. [Nokia Beta Labs]
LTE goes live for AT&T users in St. Louis
AT&T had previously tested its LTE network in the Gateway to the West last month, but now it's officially fired up its 4G service for all St. Louisan's to enjoy. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
T-Mobile increasing Classic Unlimited 5GB and 10GB data pricing on April 4th
April 4th will bring a $5 increase to T-Mobile's promotional 5GB and 10GB data bundles. The price bump will bring the total respective cost to $35 and $65 for the subsidized plans. Users that'd signed up prior to this date will not be affected. [TmoNews]
T-Mobile UK increasing current contract pricing by 3.7 percent
A clause in the contracts of T-Mobile's UK customers currently allows the carrier to raise the prices of existing contracts in accordance with the British Retail Price Index. Now, T-Mobile UK has announced that it'll put this loophole into effect on May 9th for all customers that'd signed aboard prior to February 1st. Nearly all subscribers will see a 3.7 percent increase to their monthly phone bill, although Full Monty and You Fix customers won't be affected by the price increase. [The Verge]
