Phone Scoop

Some owners of Sprint 4G devices, such as the Sprint Overdrive or Samsung Epic 4G, may begin to see WiMAX service appearing sporadically in the New York City area. According to Sprint PR rep Stephanie Vinge, the WiMAX network is being prepped for launch soon. Sprint today announced expanded coverage in Boston, Daytona Beach, Florida and Providence, Rhode Island.

Microsoft today announced that Windows Phone 7 has reached the Release To Manufacturers (RTM) milestone. That means Windows Phone 7 is now in its final form as developed by Microsoft and is fully ready for manufacturers to use in handsets. In addition to reaching the RTM marker, Microsoft also explained that it was able to integrate some facets of Facebook into Windows Phone 7. Specifically, users will be able to filter through their contacts for Facebook friends, as well as like items and post to Facebook directly from the People Hub. Microsoft says that the user interface has been refined throughout the operating system, and that a dedicated search button has been added to the contacts application for faster searching. Though some manufacturers have committed to introducing Windows Phone 7 handsets later this year, none have confirmed any specific details about their devices.

Nokia has indicated via an email to users of its Ovi Files service that the file-accessing feature will be shut down on October 1, 2010. Ovi Files, one of the many Ovi-branded services that Nokia offers, allowed users to access files stored on their computer from their Nokia handset. Nokia is asking users of the service to uninstall it from their machines. Nokia also recently ceased development on a social networking application for the Symbian platform.

Samsung today indicated that moving forward, Google's Android mobile operating system and its own bada mobile operating system will be the focus of its smartphone efforts. "We are Prioritizing our Android platform. Android is very open and flexible, and there is a consumer demand for it," YH Lee, head of marketing at Samsung Mobile, told Reuters in an interview. This focus on Android and bada comes at the expense of Microsoft's Window Phone 7. Samsung plans to introduce one WP7 handset later this year. Lee said, "There is still some professional, specialized demand there." Samsung will not be developing WP7 handsets in significant numbers, though.

Skype has pushed out a minor update to its Skype for Android application. The revised application offers several new features. For example, it now supports incoming caller ID, so you'll be able to see your Skype contacts' names when they call you. Uses can now copy and paste within instant message conversations, as well as use emoticons. Users will see country names and flags when they dial international numbers, and users can set their location as their status message. Another important chance affects the Wi-Fi radio. The application no longer kills the Wi-Fi radio when Skype is turned on. Skype for Android can still only make phone calls via Verizon Wireless' voice network. Voice calling does not work over Wi-Fi yet. However, with this minor update, users of Skype for Android can at least have the Wi-Fi radio on, where previously the Wi-Fi radio was shut off by Skype. Verizon Wireless' Android and BlackBerry users can download the updated application for free.

T-Mobile has provided a few more details about what will be its first HSPA+ compatible handset. The HTC G2, according to a T-Mobile published web site, has a touch screen, an optical mouse for on-screen navigation, and the standard set of Android shortcut keys. Based on the image published by T-Mobile, the G2 will run the stock version of Android 2.2, and T-Mobile says it has an 800MHz processor, and Flash Player Mobile 10.1. T-Mobile says more information will become available about the G2 in the coming weeks.

Vlingo today announced the integration of Vlingo's voice commands into the Android version of Foursquare. Foursquare users on Android will now be able to use voice commands to open the application and check into venues through Foursquare. Users will also be able to locate friends and send shout-outs with the Vlingo voice commands. The Vlingo application for Android, which isa free download from the Android Market, also brings other voice commands to Android handsets, including send texts and emails, search the web, update Twitter or Facebook, and have incoming emails/texts read out loud.