Phone launches…android delays? ETF reduction!

Well as our count down plug in has indicated for some time now we have reached d-day for the Nokia 6301 and Samsung SGH-T339. Yawn. Both phones are as expected, myfaves, hotspot at home compatible, voicemail, number pad etc. The nokia has a 2 megapixel camera and the Samsung has a 1.3 megapixel camera. Honestly, what does anyone want me to write about these two phones? The Nokia has an FM radio! Score! Ok I’m already bored by these two launches. Moving on.

Big news of the day comes via T-mobile yet again. Introducing ETF’s that decline, NOT pro-rate but decline. Expect changes to happen on June 28, 2008 and expect this to be for customes who sign contracts on or after that date.

Quick breakdown:

Days left in contract:

180+: $200
180-91: $100
90-30: $50
29-1: $50 or monthly rate, whichever is less.

While this is a step in the right direction, it differs from the recent activity by ATT and the past year or so from Verizon whose ETF’s prorate. Each month passed on a contract causes a 5 dollar reduction in the ETF cost with both companies starting at the $175 mark. While I could understand that not everyone we see things this way, I do see this as a positive step and in the right direction. Any reduction of the fee is a good thing and should be welcomed with open arms. While we all pray for the day that these fees die a slow and miserable death, for the moment I’ll take what I can get.

Next, I just want to clarify this whole Android “debacle” making the news rounds today. The reality yesterday was still the same as is the reality today, T-mobile should expect a device in the 4th quarter. Today’s headlines show that Google is having some software difficulties along with specific carrier requests that could cause a delay in the release. T-mobile doesn’t seem to be subject to this and while the article specifies that T-mobile is sucking up alot of google juice, the release calender still seems to be 4th quarter, as it has always been.

On a side note, sorry this news comes pretty late in the day and without a lot of substance. It’s only a quick plug for our forum because there are continuing discussions on all these topics over there anyway. See I just got back from a bachelor party yesterday and I look like a cherry so most of the day was spent wallowing in pain and agony. Therefore, the news comes slow today. Deal with it, I’m hurting.