T-Mobile has launched Bobsled, a Facebook app that allows users to make VOIP calls to friends through Facebook chat and leave public or private Facebook voice messages.{T-Mobile blog}

“Bobsled by T-Mobile is a new brand aimed at bridging the world of traditional telecommunications with Internet-based voice and data services. This application for Facebook is the first product available under the new Bobsledâ„¢ by T-Mobile brand. As the way people communicate transcends networks and devices, Bobsled by T-Mobile positions T-Mobile as a provider of cloud-based communications services over the Internet.”

If anyone remembers what happened to all of the good brand equity Cingular had when it was acquired by AT&T (hint: they killed the brand off in favor of the not so favored AT&T brand), this seems to be a curious time for T-Mobile to launch a new brand. Pushing the Bobsled brand will make it easier for AT&T to step in and take over, but with their history there doesn’t seem to be any guarantee that AT&T will keep it.

Let’s say that even after the acquisition, AT&T gets this right. Establishing a separate brand for something that’s aiming to replicate a startup’s success is a smart move, but allowing it some of the freedom that allows startups to grow is another thing. If the deal goes through, there will certainly be plenty of money to support Bobsled, but there may also be a big corporate bureaucracy to follow that kills off any chance it has of establishing marketshare when a company like, oh say… Skype, introduces an app with similar functionality.

There are plans in the “near future” to include video chat, VOIP calls to landline and mobile numbers in the US, and carrier agnostic smartphone apps that bring those features to mobile devices.

We do like the fact that T-Mobile is being vocal about their plans. With any hope, during the massive regulatory investigation which is sure to come before the T-Mobile/AT&T deal can go through the Department of Justice will include requirements similar to those it imposed on the Google/ITA deal that ensure the project isn’t starved of funding or attention and abandoned before it gets a chance to succeed.

Bobsled by T-Mobile can be downloaded here.

The deal will have to get the government’s stamp of approval before becoming final, but should the acquisition pass FCC scrutiny it would make AT&T the largest US mobile network, and the only US GSM mobile network.

AT&T had roughly 95 million wireless customers at the end of 2010, and combined with T-Mobile’s nearly 34 million, AT&T-Mobile would have approximately 129 million customers to Verizon’s 94 million. {Business Insider} Sprint, the only other major mobile carrier has approximately 50 million customers, and is a CDMA network like Verizon, which could make them an acquisition target if Verizon decides to compete with AT&T on similar terms.

For T-Mobile customers there will be advantages and disadvantages should the deal be approved. The positives include access to more devices, including the iPhone, which could mean benefits for Apple as well if 34 million customers suddenly have the ability to upgrade or switch to the device. Also, AT&T’s 4G LTE wireless would be available to T-Mobile customers. Not included in the press release, but something worth considering is that adding T-Mobile’s towers might help AT&T with reliability which is notoriously spotty in major cities like New York and San Francisco.

Now, the negatives, and the things that we hope government bodies will cover. In general, fewer networks means less choice for consumers and the risk of higher prices. T-Mobile’s prices in many cases are significantly lower than AT&T’s. In our smartphone network comparison, we found T-Mobile to be as much as $800 less expensive than AT&T on a 2-year contract. If they’re acquired by AT&T, there would be no reason for them to offer lower pricing. It would also mean that AT&T would become the only GSM network in the US, which could mean international carriers (many of whom run on GSM networks) would have only one partner option for roaming. Which in turn could spell higher rates for Americans roaming abroad and foreigners roaming in the US.

If AT&T does acquire T-Mobile, they’ll offer consumers faster wireless and more devices, but it’s very likely to come at a price.

The main difference between the US and European is that the US version of the Galaxy Tab loses the voice functionality that can be found in the European versions.  The US Galaxy Tab will be available on all US carriers, but those contracts will be data-only, so you can’t use the Galaxy Tab as a huge smartphone (which would have been cool).  The only option you have is to use Skype (assuming you have a Verizon Tab), or video-conferencing apps like Fring or Qik. {Engadget}

If you’d rather not be tethered to a two-year contract on a data-only tablet, Samsung has said a WiFi only version is in the works as well.  The WiFi only version would be more expensive, since it lacks the subsidy the carriers would provide.  Note that those prices have not yet been announced.  Also, the Galaxy Tab will work on 3G networks, but not Sprint’s 4G network, so you’re probably best just sticking with a Verizon version for pure coverage availability and the exclusive apps.

Speaking of prices, the only ones we have for the Galaxy Tab are for accessories and they’re quite expensive to say the least.  The cheapest accessory announced by Samsung is the Desktop Dock, which will prop the device up to make it easier to view content, and charge the device.  The Desktop Dock also includes an HDMI port, and will cost $49.99.  The other two accessories are the Keyboard Dock (has a full-size keyboard, and includes a stereo output jack), and the Car/GPS Dock (seems self-explanatory), both of which cost $99.99 each.  By comparison, Apple charges $29 for an iPad Dock and $69 for an iPad Keyboard Dock.

To better compete with the iPad, Samsung has added the Media Hub to the US version of the device (replacing the Reader Hub), which will give users a chance to buy or rent movies and TV shows.  Samsung has announced that it will have next-day content available from MTV Networks, NBC, Universal and Paramount at launch.  The content will be viewable on any Media Hub device (read: Galaxy S devices), and can be output via HDMI to be viewed on a TV screen.  Not as universal as the iTunes Store, but it’s a nice addition.

Oh yeah, the device itself is pretty good as well.  Dual cameras (5 MP on the back, and 1.3 MP on the front), Android 2.2,  and a 7-inch screen with a resolution of 1024×600 (better pixel-density than the iPad, but still lacking compared to the iPhone 4).  It weighs about 13 ounces, and is only 12 mm thick, so slightly heavier and thicker than the newest Amazon Kindle.

The T-Mobile G2 is a smartphone designed largely with HSPA+ (T-Mobile’s 3G network with “4G speeds”), and seems to be the only phone currently available running on the stock Android 2.2.  Gone is the chin design of the G1, which is replaced by what looks like a riff on the Nexus One with a touchpad rather than a trackball.  The design is complete with a 3.7-inch screen.  Like the T-Mobile G1, the G2 has a slide-out landscape keyboard, but now without being shifted to the left side due to the lack of the chin. {Mashable}

The G2 also sports a 5 MP camera with LED flash that can shoot 720p video, has 4 GB of internal memory and an 8 GB microSD card installed.  Unfortunately, however, the G2 has an 800 MHz Snapdragon processor, which is relatively weak compared to other smartphones.  Like some other recent Android phones, the G2 also has Swype installed for easy text input should you not want to use the physical keyboard.  Of course, there’s also use the stock Android touchscreen keyboard if you find touch typing easier than swyping.

They recently killed of the Sidekick, one of the earliest consumer-friendly smartphones. The Nexus One, Google’s attempt at selling a smartphone directly to consumers, had a backhand arrangement for special pricing on T-Mobile, but considering that it’s going forward purely as a developer phone speaks volumes about how well that arrangement worked out with consumers.

While details on the phone are scarce, T-Mobile may be betting on their network as much as hardware to entice mobile users to give them a chance.

“The T-Mobile G2 will deliver tight integration with Google services and break new ground as the first smartphone designed to run at 4G speeds on our new HSPA+ network.” {T-Mobile}

Currently, Sprint’s EVO 4G is the only phone capable of running at 4G speeds, but it’s important to keep in mind that 4G is still fairly limited in terms of geographic reach. AT&T and Verizon are making upgrades to their networks to debut 4G service. Given AT&T’s problems with reliable coverage with 3G and even standard service in certain locations, the G2 combined with a faster network could give T-Mobile an advantage for AT&T fans looking to escape their contracts. Verizon is the likely candidate for its own iPhone, but for those who travel internationally T-Mobile could be a better fallback. They also run a GSM network, like AT&T, so switching would just be a matter of unlocking the iPhone (something which should hopefully be easier since a recent ruling declaring jailbreaking legal). If they can beat AT&T to a stable, reliable 4G service, the G2 may just be the cherry on top of the information T-Mobile plans to release “in the coming weeks.”

With the new iPhone 4, the EVO 4G, Droid X, and Samsung Galaxy S among other still-great phones like the Google Nexus One, choosing a new phone can be tough.  Sure, each phone has their own strong points, but as important as the specs of the phone can be, there’s also network costs to keep in mind.  Comparing the phones themselves is more of a personal choice, whether you personally like the design of the phone, feature set, or the OS (though that’s usually a 1 of 3 choice of Android, BlackBerry or iOS).

Sprint’s EVO 4G and AT&T’s iPhone 4 are probably the most closely matched phones when it comes down to features, but when it comes to the network, which will really cost more in the long run? We took a look at the main carriers: AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon.  AT&T and T-Mobile are both GSM networks so the phones will work outside of the US, and you may even be able to get away with swapping out the SIM card when roaming internationally for a less exorbitant bill.  Sprint and Verizon, however, will not work outside of the US, but have 3G across their entire network. Something to consider if you’re waiting on the Verizon iPhone and travel internationally. Here’s our roundup of what smartphones will really cost you by network – including a look at the Pay-as-You-Go networks you may not have considered.

Table updated to correct discrepancies in maximum pricing

Pay As You Go: Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile

There are also smaller pay-as-you go carriers to consider. They charge a lot less for service and don’t require contracts, though service can be spotty at times. Boost charges $60 a month for a BlackBerry with unlimited everything, with a BlackBerry 8330 costing $250. That’s $1,690 should you choose to keep the phone for two years.

Virgin Mobile, on the other hand offers a great deal of $35 a month for a BlackBerry with 300 minutes and unlimited SMS and data, with a BlackBerry 8530 costing $299 on the service.  That comes out to the cheapest of all possible options at $1,140 for two years.  These types of services really donâ€t have any type of insurance on their phones though, so keep a close eye on your phone during that time.

Both Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile run on top of the Sprint network: so don’t count on being able to roam internationally with the plans, but if you like Sprint’s network otherwise either will save you quite a bit in the long run.

Now it looks like all phones from Danger are going the way of the Kin, as T-Mobile has announced that as of July 2, the Sidekick 2008 and Sidekick LX will no longer be sold.  The phones will be nowhere to be found at T-Mobile stores of the company’s website.  The Sidekick service will remain active as long as people keep their phones, which would mean another 2 years, or until T-Mobile decides to convince users to switch. {Gizmodo}

The release from T-Mobile says it will offer customers with a “fresh and new experience” within the coming months, for those upset by the news.  That would likely mean that the carrier will continue to expand on the myTouch line which already features the Sidekick-esque myTouch 3G Slide.  It could also be hinting at Windows Phone 7, which will likely be releasing in October.  Or, a conspiracy theorist could say that it’s T-Mobile’s veiled hint at an iPhone coming by next year.

Getting rid of the Sidekick is probably a good move on T-Mobile’s part, as it recently suffered a major outage on the server side, causing some panic for a few days back in October 2009. {Gizmodo}  That paired with the fact that the makers of the OS are now working on an entirely different mobile OS could also be a good reason to kill the product.  The Sidekick was great for it’s time, but with so many Android phones, the iPhone and the promise of Windows Phone 7, it seems almost silly to keep around.

Still, as the first smartphone for those of us who knew something better than Motorola’s 2-way pager would come (remember those?), but found Palm and Blackberry to be too business oriented, we have to say we’re a little sad to see it go.

After thousands of tests in 18 cities, the test came back with the almost surprising conclusion that AT&T is the fastest network out there right now. Considering the notoriously unreliable phone coverage of the network in places like New York and San Francisco, that might be the saving feature that convinces iPhone users to stick with AT&T if and when the rumored Verizon iPhone comes to fruition.  The iPhone carrier came out as the fastest in all areas of the US aside from the Northeast.  It is worth noting that technically, Sprint’s 4G network was the fastest that was tested, but it was only available in 9 out of 18 cities tested so it wasn’t counted. {PC Mag}

In the Northeast, T-Mobile was declared the fastest thanks to it’s improved network that it rolled out in New York City recently.  It also had a network on par with AT&T’s in Boston, Baltimore and Washington, DC.  Sprint’s 4G network was only available in a few markets, but had an average download speed of 2.1 Mbps, as opposed to AT&T’s national average of 1.79 Mbps.

Of course, with T-Mobile rolling out it’s faster network in more cities, and Sprint continually rolling out it’s 4G network, these numbers are subject to change over time.  AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile are all looking at 4G rollouts starting in 2011 at the earliest.

The Sprint and Verizon networks have been known to be generally more reliable, if not as fast and unable to do voice and data at the same time.

Keep in mind that speed doesn’t always mean reliability, and that good data speeds don’t mean great calling quality or service.

Google announced to the world today what happens when they and HTC (a company that makes all those Android running smartphones) come together.

Answer? They make one sweet phone.

The Nexus One, Google's foray into the world of smartphones.

The Nexus One, publicly released today, is Google’s answer to the iPhone. This sleek piece of machinery doesn’t just look as sexy as the iPhone; it’s faster, lighter, and isn’t tethered to AT&T. You can buy the phone through T-Mobile for a discounted price ($180 with a 2 year contract) or unlocked at $530 – making the Nexus One slightly cheaper than most of its smartphone competitors.

Add into the mix the fact that it’s got a whole bunch of Google goodies (Google Mail, Maps) one touch away, cutting-edge software (Google Voice, Live Wallpaper), and some killer hardware (a 480 x 800 OLED capacitive touch screen and a 5 MegaPixel Camera) and you’ve got yourself a serious contender in the smartphone race.

This is the “it” phone of the moment (the one all those tech geeks and plugged-in multitaskers are practically slobbering over), but will the Nexus One appeal to the iPhone/App loving masses? Could it topple the house that Jobs built? Only time will tell.

Read More {Google}

Read More {Huffington Post}

Read More {TechCrunch}

Read More {Gizmodo}

Read More {Mashable}