SOUTHFIELD — Verizon Wireless and Comcast announced Thursday that they will offer each other’s services in metro Detroit and the state of Michigan and deliver a variety of offers and incentives for new and existing customers. Now, consumers in 10 Michigan markets looking to stay connected to the people and things they love while on the go or at home have new options for outstanding video, phone, Internet and wireless services.

Based on the package chosen, customers of both Comcast and Verizon Wireless could qualify for a variety of offers and incentives, including Visa prepaid cards valued up to $300, a complementary 12-month subscription to Xfinity Streampix, and Comcast HD DVR at no additional cost for six months, and/or a complementary 12-month upgrade to Blast!, the Xfinity Internet service that provides download speeds of up to 30 Mbps with PowerBoost.

“Our momentum with Comcast in delivering these value packages in other markets is continually drawing praise from customers,” said John Granby, president – Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky Region, Verizon Wireless. “Because mobility is a top priority for the consumer, we have developed an offering that provides a terrific wireless, entertainment and communications experience in one spot. Comcast’s product suite continues to deliver exceptional entertainment and communications services and the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network is the ideal complement to complete the package.”

In addition to Michigan, Comcast and Verizon Wireless are expanding the offer to several cities across Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee today. Verizon Wireless and Comcast have previously introduced this offering in the following markets: Atlanta, Chicago, Colorado, Kansas City, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Portland, Ore., Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Seattle.

“Together with Verizon Wireless, we’re delivering more value for more consumers by providing an entertainment and communications solution that aligns with their lifestyles, said Tim Collins, senior vice president of Comcast’s Heartland Region. “Now, Comcast customers in Michigan will have the option of building a great in-home experience through our Xfinity services, along with the reliability of Verizon Wireless’ network while on the go.”
For customers who wish to sign up in person, these packages are available at the following Southeast Michigan Verizon Wireless Communications Stores:
— Auburn Hills, Great Lakes Crossing, 4598 Baldwin Rd.
— Brighton, 8159 Challis Rd. .
— Dearborn, 24417 Ford Rd.
— Detroit, Renaissance Center Kiosk, 300 Renaissance Ctr.
— Lake Orion, 2531 S. Lapeer Rd.
— Livonia, 29523 Plymouth Rd.
— Monroe, 2161 Mall Rd..
— Northville, 20580 Haggerty Rd.
— Novi, 43025 W. 12 Mile Rd..
— Rochester, 3035 S. Rochester Rd.
— Roseville, 29024 Gratiot Ave.
— Royal Oak, 31941 Woodward Ave.
— Southfield, 28117 Telegraph Rd.
— St. Clair Shores, 26401 Harper Ave.
— Sterling Heights, 45111 Park Ave.
— Troy, 1913 E. Big Beaver Rd.
— Warren, 5745 E. 12 Mile Rd.
— Westland, 35000 Warren Rd.

For more details on the packages, call 855-704-7400, or visit www.verizonwireless.com/xfinity or www.comcast.com/wireless.

Verizon Wireless has announced its new Share Everything Plans — which include unlimited voice minutes, unlimited text, video and picture messaging and a single data allowance for up to 10 Verizon Wireless devices.

In addition, the Mobile Hotspot service on all the devices is included in the Share Everything Plans at no additional charge. The Share Everything Plans debut on June 28 and will be available to new, as well as existing, customers who may wish to move to the new plans.

“Customers asked, and today Verizon Wireless delivered an industry first,” said Tami Erwin, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. “Share Everything Plans are the new standard for wireless service. They are simple; customers no longer have to think about their voice and message plans, because both are unlimited. Share Everything Plans are convenient; customers purchase one data plan and they share it with up to 10 mobile devices. And, they are worry-free; customers can connect their 3G or 4G devices wherever and whenever they want on America’s most reliable network.”

There are separate plans for accounts with only basic phones, or data only devices such as USB modems or Jetpack Mobile Hotspots at www.verizonwireless.com/ShareEverything.
“When developing these plans, we first asked customers what they wanted in a wireless service plan. We also looked at the technology and how customers were using it to manage their lives. And last, we took into consideration the evolution of the technology and how customers would use wireless in the future,” Erwin added. “Share Everything Plans are the outcome of that research. They cover every device Verizon Wireless offers, from basic phones to smartphones, from tablets to Jetpacks and more. Share Everything Plans represent a tremendous shift in how customers think about wireless service.”

It won't always be the best option, but to see if the new plans will help your pocketbook, read more here.

Contact Matt Myftiu at matt.myftiu@oakpress.com.

For two days only, June 15–16, all of T-Mobile’s 4G smartphones and select mobile broadband devices are free

To say thanks to dads for all they do, T-Mobile USA, Inc. will once again hold a special “Father’s Day Sale.” For two days only, Friday, June 15 and Saturday, June 16, all of T-Mobile’s 4G smartphones and select broadband devices will be offered for free with qualifying plans.
The Father’s Day promotion includes T-Mobile’s fastest 4G smartphones and select mobile broadband devices on its 4G network, such as the HTC One S 4G, Samsung Galaxy S® II 4G, Nokia Lumia 710, BlackBerry Bold 9900 and the T-Mobile SpringBoard tablet with Google™

“We want to say thanks to fathers for all they do and keep them easily and affordably connected to family throughout the entire year,” said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president of marketing for T-Mobile USA. “Whether through voice calls, photos, texts, video conferencing or social media updates, T-Mobile’s ‘All Phones Free’ promotion provides families a great opportunity to get the latest cutting-edge smartphones running on lightning-fast speeds via America’s Largest 4G Network.”

New and existing eligible customers can take advantage of this deal, receiving their device for free after a mail-in rebate card1 when they sign up for a new two-year contract on any qualifying unlimited Classic plan or for a $0.00 down payment after a mail-in rebate card when signing up on a new qualifying Unlimited Value plan with an Equipment Installment Plan

The Father’s Day promotion will be available from June 15 through June 16 at participating T-Mobile retail stores nationwide.

For more information about T-Mobile’s “Father’s Day Sale” and details about qualifying plans, visit http://t-mo.co/LGxKbc.

Follow @MattMyftiu on Twitter. Email him at matt.myftiu@oakpress.com.

Increasingly, people are listening to music on their smartphones, tablets and other smaller devices not designed to play music at higher volumes out loud. Usually, you have to listen via headphones to really hear the music properly.

But what do you do if you want to listen to your music out loud, maybe play it for a small group of people, and have it come from your phone wirelessly?

Well, there is a growing sector of wireless speakers available, of varying sizes and prices, that allow you to do this.

One of the options in the category that is on the smaller and more affordable end is the new Logitech Mini Boombox. This little speaker packs quite a bit of volume, and will get your music playing at a pretty impressive volume.

The machine is very small, so as a result the bass sounds pretty weak, despite Logitech’s claim that the bass is enhanced. Still, this is hardly a unique problem. It’s very hard to do bass well in something this small.

Pairing a device with the speaker is pretty simple, and then it will remain paired as long as the device’s Bluetooth is turned on.

Controls are embedded into the top of the device, and light up when the device is turned on (volume controls, forward/backward, etc.)

WHO IS IT FOR?

So who would want to use a device like this?

In general, it is good for people on the go who want to have some sort of speaker with them but not drag around large devices.

It could be good for college-age kids who might use it as a way to play the music from their phones and make a party get started wherever they are.

And on the family front, I even used the Mini Boombox to play music from my smartphone for my baby to help calm her down.

It could be good for people who travel; people who want to listen to music at work after hours; you can sit on your porch and listen to music without lugging a big system out there

Basically, it’s very versatile; and there are lots of possibilities for situations it could be used.

BATTERY

Battery life is pretty good on the device, l got about 8 hours or so out of it before needing to recharge.

You can also make speakerphone calls through the Mini Boombox.

Is it the most booming and vibrant sound you’ll get from a portable wireless speaker? Not by a longshot.

There are larger and much higher-end models out there, that can cost several hundred dollars, but they target a different audience.

This type of simple product is not about being the biggest and best. It’s about performing a basic job – playing your music out loud without wires.

And it does it pretty well, considering the price.

PRICE

The offfical price of the Logitech Mini Boombox is $99.99; but you can find it for less online (I saw it as low as $69.99. This is a pretty good price compared to the competition.

BOTTOM LINE

As long as you’re not expecting humongous sound and have a realistic view of what it can do, the Logitech Mini Boombox is a fun little gadget that should find some fans. Wherever you go, youll have the power to play your music for yourself or a small crowd, and it’s smaller than most portable speakers on the market, which gives it kind of its own niche market.

On the Web

For more information on the Logitech Mini Boombox, visit: http://www.logitech.com/en-us/tablet-accessories/speakers/devices/Mini-Boombox

Matt Myftiu can be reached at matt.myftiu@oakpress.com or 248-745-4617. Follow him on Twitter @MattMyftiu or become a fan of the Facebook page “OPTechTime”.

TRAVERSE CITY — Verizon Wireless today announced it is bringing itst 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network to the Grand Traverse Area on Thursday, June 21. With the 4G LTE network, customers can use 4G LTE wireless devices to access the Internet faster, listen to music or watch video, take advantage of thousands of applications, and stay in touch with family and friends, all with speeds up to 10 times faster than before.

When Verizon Wireless turns on its 4G LTE network, customers who live in or visit Traverse City and the following surrounding areas will have access to the nation’s fastest 4G network:

— U.S. Highway 31 from Elk Rapids to Interlochen
— Michigan Road 72 from Solon Road north to Williamsburg
— Michigan 37 from Traverse City south to Hilltop Road
— Portions of Greilickville, Long Lake Twp., Interlochen, Devil’s Elbow and Williamsburg

“It’s no coincidence that we are bringing our 4G LTE network to much of the Grand Traverse Area just in time for the busy tourism season and popular National Cherry Festival,” said John Granby, president–Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky Region, Verizon Wireless. “People across Michigan are increasingly relying on tablets, smartphones and apps to stay organized, connected and entertained—while at home, at work and on vacation.”

Residents in the newly expanded 4G LTE coverage area will have access to HomeFusion Broadband, a new in-home, high-speed Internet service for consumers who want residential broadband with reliable data connectivity. Verizon Wireless’ high-speed 4G LTE network is delivered to a cylinder-shaped antenna which transmits the signal to an in-home broadband router. The antenna is professionally installed outside a customer’s residence and is equal in size to a five-gallon paint bucket. The device delivers Verizon’s 4G LTE signal to the broadband router and allows the customer to connect up to four wired and at least 20 wireless devices in the household. HomeFusion launched May 3 nationally wherever Verizon’s 4G LTE network is available.

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network is available to more than two-thirds of the U.S. population in 230 markets across the country and offers more than six times the geographic coverage of its nearest competitor’s 4G LTE network. Verizon Wireless customers looking to experience the nation’s fastest 4G network can choose from a variety of 4G LTE devices, including tablets, smartphones, hotspots and more.

Visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte for more information about the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network and a list of current markets.

T-Mobile and Samsung have announced the upcoming release of the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S III. Starting June 21, T-Mobile customers will have the opportunity to own one of the most innovative smartphones in the market to date, joining the popular Galaxy S family of devices.
The Samsung Galaxy S III is one of T-Mobile’s fastest 4G smartphones and enables customers to share photos, videos and more effortlessly to a compatible TV or other Galaxy S III devices. Featuring a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED screen, the Galaxy S III packs a powerful entertainment experience allowing customers to watch HD movies and TV shows, download apps and securely browse the Web at lightning-fast speeds.
“We have a tremendous history of working with Samsung to bring cutting-edge devices to market, and we know our customers are excited to get their hands on the Galaxy S III,” said Brad Duea, senior vice president, product management, T-Mobile USA. “As we continue to aggressively compete, this device is yet another example of how T-Mobile delivers amazing devices and 4G experiences to our customers.”

Galaxy S III Key Features
— Connecting and Sharing: Imagine shooting a video with a group of friends and being able to share it immediately with others in the group. The Galaxy S III enables group sharing via Wi-Fi Direct™ so that content such as a video or photo on one device can easily be shared with up to five other Galaxy S III devices. That same video or photo can also be viewed by the group on a compatible big screen TV, such as a SmartTV, using AllShare®. With an advanced 8-megapixel camera with LED flash and zero shutter lag and a 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera, the Galaxy S III will capture beautiful HD videos and photos that are perfect to share.
— Entertainment: Whether waiting for an appointment or commuting on the bus, customers can take in the latest action movie in full HD from Samsung Media Hub or catch their favorite TV show with T-Mobile TV in Mobile HD2. Images appear crisp and clear on the Galaxy S III’s 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED screen, bringing entertainment to life on the device. In addition, customers can choose between 16 GB or 32 GB of internal memory, and have the option for expandable memory via a MicroSD slot, providing plenty of storage for downloading movies, music, games and other apps. Featuring Android™ 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ S4 Processor with 1.5 GHz Dual-Core CPUs and 2GB of RAM, the Galaxy S III also offers a large, 2100mAh battery to power hours of on-the-go entertainment.
— Productivity: For customers who want to use the device in their business and personal lives, T-Mobile’s Galaxy S III offers a suite of security features delivering enterprise-friendly capabilities. From syncing corporate email, calendars and contacts to providing on-device encryption, the Galaxy S III makes it easy to maximize efficiency and productivity for enterprise users. T-Mobile customers also have access to Wi-Fi Calling and the Smartphone Mobile HotSpot feature ensuring easy and reliable connectivity while on the road.

Availability
The Samsung Galaxy S III is expected to arrive in a metallic blue or ceramic white color at T-Mobile retail stores and select retailers nationwide, and at www.t-mobile.com starting June 21. To learn more about the Samsung Galaxy S III, visit http://galaxy-s.t-mobile.com/samsung-galaxy-s3.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Wireless and Samsung today announced the 4G LTE-powered Samsung Galaxy S III is coming to its 4G LTE network.
Galaxy S III customers can use Share Shot to create their own temporary photo sharing network with a group of friends who are nearby at the same party or event. Photos can be taken by any member of thegroup and shared with the entire group. One touch sharing with S Beam allows friends to share pictures, videos, documents and more by simply touching two Galaxy S III devices’ backs together. Galaxy S III customers can take advantage of 4G LTE to share live video broadcasts of life’s special moments with their Facebook® friends using the Color app. As an exclusive feature for Verizon Wireless, customers can live broadcast video with audio when using Color.
The Galaxy S III has a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display and runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Watch a video while texting friends or surfing the Web at 4G LTE speeds with Pop Up Play. Videos can be played in a small window while customers use the rest of the display to complete other tasks such as typing emails, organizing calendars and updating their socialnetworks. Multi-tasking is seamless with the 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and 2 GB RAM paired with the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network. Customers can also interact with the Galaxy S III in simple and fun ways thanks to Motion Gesture. With Motion Gesture, customers can initiate a phone call from a text message by simply raising the phone to their head, or they can pause a video by covering the display with their hand, and even get to the top of an email message and contact list.
The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network is currently available in 258 markets, covering two-thirds of the of the U.S. population. Verizon Wireless 4G LTE will be in 400 markets covering 260 million people by the end of this year.
Additional features:
— Smart Stay – So intelligent, the display only dims when the customers’ eyes are closed or no longer facing the screen.
— S Voice – Featuring natural language recognition, you can control the apps and services used most with words instead of touch. Use S Voice to turn the volume up or down on the music player, answer or reject incoming calls, shut off or choose to snooze the alarm clock, or take a picture by saying “smile” or “cheese.”
— AllShare Play – Share HD videos and your favorite songs by streaming multimedia content from the Galaxy S III to a compatible Samsung Smart TV® or home audio system when connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and remotely access files on up to six Samsung devices.
— Evolved camera capabilities – Burst Shot mode instantly captures 20 continuous shots and Best Photo feature selects the best shot to display.
— Enhanced camera – 8-megapixel rear camera with zero-lag shutter speed and a 1.9-megapixel front camera so customers can capture pictures and videos of themselves or video chat with family and friends.
— Mobile Hotspot – share a 4G LTE connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
— microSD card slot for expandable memory

Pricing and availability:
— Samsung Galaxy S III will be available online for pre-order starting June 6 at 7 a.m. ET at www.verizonwireless.com/galaxys3 and will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online in the coming weeks.
— The Samsung Galaxy S III will be available in 16 GB and 32 GB models for $199.99 and $249.99 respectively with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will also have the choice of the Galaxy S III in two colors, Marble White or Pebble Blue.
— Customers that purchase a Galaxy S III will need to subscribe to a 4G LTE mobile broadband data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.