Cricket's Muve Music surpasses 500,000 customers in first year

When Cricket launched their Muve Music service that offers unlimited music and nationwide talk, text and web, I'm sure they expected to see a certain amount of growth though -- I'm not so sure they expected to see over 500,000 customers sign up for the service in the first year.
We checked out Muve Music a while back on the Samsung Vitality and were pleasantly surprised with the overall experience so, it's not all that surprising that others would feel the same way.

"We’re very pleased with Muve Music’s first year results” said Doug Hutcheson, president and chief executive officer of Cricket Communications. “Muve Music has become a leading digital music service in a very short time and Cricket is seeing subscriber growth, ARPU increase and a positive churn trend on the back of this unique new product idea."

Putting some numbers behind the information, Muve Music customers consume approximately 40 hours of music and download roughly 300 songs over Cricket’s 3G network. That equates to 500 million songs downloaded and more than 1.5 billion tracks listened to and according to the press release, places Muve Music as the No. 2 digital music subscription service in the US.
If you're looking to get in on the action, plans start at $55 a month and include unlimited song downloads, ringtones, and ringback tones, as well as nationwide calling, unlimited messaging and 3G mobile data. You can check out the full press release past the break.
Cricket’s Muve Music Exceeds 500,000 Customers in Less Than One Year
Muve Music is now the No. 2 digital music subscription service in the US

SAN DIEGO – January 9, 2012 – Cricket Communications, a leading provider of value-driven wireless services and a wholly owned subsidiary of Leap Wireless International, Inc. (NASDAQ:LEAP) today announced that its innovative Muve Music service has surpassed 500,000 customers in less than one year. Since its January 2011 launch, Muve Music has grown to become the No. 2 digital music subscription service in the US.
In addition, Muve Music’s customers are also demonstrating heavier usage of the service than any other mobile music offering. On a monthly basis, Muve Music customers listen to music on their phone approximately 40 hours and download roughly 300 songs over Cricket’s 3G network. 
“We’re very pleased with Muve Music’s first year results” said Doug Hutcheson, president and chief executive officer of Cricket Communications. “Muve Music has become a leading digital music service in a very short time and Cricket is seeing subscriber growth, ARPU increase and a positive churn trend on the back of this unique new product idea.”

In the final months of 2011, Muve Music’s accelerating growth is attributed to affordable Android phone offerings and expanded nationwide distribution. Muve Music was integrated into three new affordable Android phones that Cricket launched in the third and fourth quarters of 2011. Starting at $55/month, Cricket customers are now able to purchase Android service that includes unlimited music and nationwide talk, text and web. In addition, Cricket took to the national stage with Muve Music as its headliner through expanded distribution relationships with leading national retailers that broadened awareness across the US and helped increase sales of the Muve Music product offering.

“We’ve brought a fresh approach to digital music and the wireless space” said Jeff Toig, SVP Muve Music. “We developed an innovative product that included unlimited music in Cricket’s wireless offering. We targeted a customer segment that others are not focused on and designed a world class digital music experience, specifically architected for the mobile phone and wireless network delivery. This is a unique formula in the market today and our success through the first year of operation demonstrates that it’s working.”
Customer Usage & Engagement Off The Charts
According to Cricket’s research, Muve Music customers are deeply engaged with the service. Their Muve Music capable phones have replaced MP3 players, iPods and computers as the primary music device in customers’ lives.  With Muve Music, customers are downloading tracks and listening to music on the phone that’s with them all the time, wherever they go.

• On a monthly basis, Muve Music customers listen to music on their phone approximately 40 hours and download roughly 300 songs over Cricket’s 3G network
• Since Muve Music’s launch in Q1 2011, customers have downloaded more than 500 million songs and listened to more than 1.5 billion tracks in the service
• Monthly, Muve Music’s customer base downloads more than 90m songs and listens to more than 260m songs
• According to a leading music tracking service, in the month of December, Muve Music’s usage represented more than 90 percent of all tethered streams for the top 300 songs tracked in the mobile applications category, which includes services such as Rhapsody, Spotify and MOG
• More than two-thirds of Muve Music’s customers have at least one active ringtone and ringback tone set in the service

How to Get Muve Music

Muve Music is available at Cricket company-owned stores, authorized Cricket dealers and at www.mycricket.com, as well as through select national retailers. Cricket’s Muve Music offering is the first wireless rate plan to include unlimited music. Starting at $55/month, the plan includes unlimited song downloads, ringtones, and ringback tones, as well as nationwide calling, unlimited messaging and 3G mobile data. Muve Music is the first music experience designed specifically for the mobile phone– no syncing, no computers, no cords needed - ever. Discover and download music quickly and easily from Muve Music’s catalog of millions of tracks right from your phone. With the ever-growing Muve Music song catalog, customers can choose from millions of songs featuring the hottest artists from thousands of record labels, which are distributed through Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and EMI Music as well as independents IODA, INgrooves and Merlin.

For more information about Muve Music, visit www.muvemusic.com, and for Cricket's dynamic device lineup, visit www.mycricket.com. For the latest Cricket news and updates online, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Cricket

Cricket is the pioneer of simple and affordable unlimited wireless services with no long-term commitments or credit checks required serving approximately 5.9 million customers. Cricket products are available nationwide. Cricket offers wireless voice and broadband Internet services over the latest technology, high-quality, all-digital 3G CDMA2000 1X and 1xEV-DO wireless network. Cricket's nationwide wireless voice service plans include unlimited anytime minutes, unlimited U.S. long distance, unlimited text and picture messaging, unlimited text to Mexico, unlimited Mobile Web, unlimited directory assistance, as well as a variety of calling features and feature-rich mobile applications such as popular games, ringtones and wallpapers.
For more information on Cricket, visit www.mycricket.com. Cricket is offered by Leap Wireless International, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, Calif. For more information on Leap, visit www.leapwireless.com.

Samsung Galaxy Note to ring Canada's Bell? The Android Market says so

Sammy's not a phone, not yet a tablet Galaxy Note has been stirring up its own excitement pre-CES, with certain accessory partners inadvertently slipping news of an AT&T bow. While we've just gotten confirmation that its US debut will indeed pan out, it appears our neighbors to the north might also be getting their maple-soaked mitts on this stylus-equipped monster. As you can see in the Android Market screenshot above, an unlocked version of the handset is denoted (hardy har!) as the Bell Samsung GT-N7000. Does this herald an impending device announcement for the network? Hard to tell, as it could all very well just be a simple system error. But with the recent expansion of that Canadian carrier's 4G footprint, the Note would undoubtedly make for a very attractive LTE lure.

Samsung ChatOn released for iOS

Aiming to spruce up connectivity on-the-go, Samsung introduced its ChatOn messaging service last year in October. Obviously, it wanted to keep pace with its competitors, Apple and BlackBerry, who were already in the market with their respective applications. Samsung chose to keep it a cross-platform app that was initially loaded on the Bada platform and recently made it available for Android. The app now hits the iTunes store for iOS users. Now for iOS Needless to say, ChatOn allows easy group chats, allowing hand written messages, too. It also provides Interaction rank that keeps you updated about how often you chat with buddies. However, the ChatOn app for Android received a lot of flak from customer feedback, due to no verification or activation codes. The ChatOn for iPhone is compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, with iOS 4.2 or later. BlackBerry and Windows users waiting (if any) to lay their hands on the messaging app will just have to well

Samsung Galaxy S 'Value Pack' saga continues - new leak shows face unlock and more

A new leaked firmware for the Samsung Galaxy S (i9000) has the mark of the fabled "Value Pack" written all over it.  For those not following along at home and wondering what the hell we're talking about, it all started when Samsung's Korean language blog Samsung Tomorrow said that the Galaxy S would not be getting Ice Cream Sandwich.  Then we heard that Samsung was reconsidering their decision, and looking into updating the Galaxy S with ICS.  Fast forward a few days, and we hear that Samsung has decided to offer a "Value Pack" consisting of some features from ICS backported to Gingerbread for the Galaxy S.  Then (you knew this was coming) Samsung told the folks at The Next Web that there was no such thing in the works for the Galaxy S.
Then the "Value Pack" ROM leaked out, and here we are.
It's Android 2.3.6, firmware XXJVU, built December 29, 2011.  Feature-wise, it has some new goodies:

• Galaxy Note Lockscreen
• Galaxy S2 Photo Editor
• Better camera that can snap stills while shooting video
• Fast auto-rotation
• Face unlock

If you're on the hacker update path, hit the links below and get your "not a value pack" ROM.  If you're not the hacker type (and we wouldn't blame you) there's no telling exactly what -- if any -- update you'll be seeing

Kaspersky Mobile Security Lite now available on the Android Market

You see stories everywhere saying how insecure and malware ridden Android is, most of which are just sensationalism and FUD.  The fact is that Android is very much like Windows, where developers (and unsavory types) can write software that you install without it being poured over and approved.  This means some of it will be malware -- them's the breaks and there's not much that can be done about it.  Paranoid users will just not install any third party applications, savvy users will research every piece of code they install, and normal users can use a mobile security app like Kaspersky Lab's latest offering, Mobile Security Lite.
It has the malware scanning you hear so much about, but it also has some other -- possibly more important -- features baked in.  SMS and call filtering are a must have for some (including yours truly) and anti-theft tools are almost a must have when we keep so much personal information on our Android phones.  Kaspersky Mobile Security Lite offers both in addition to malware scanning, which makes it worth a second look.  Many of us use apps that block random callers and texts, and having a solution baked in to an all-in-one security app is a great idea.  Add in the ability to track your phone via GPS, and remote lock and wipe it when you find out it's not in your pocket or purse where it belongs, then make it free -- that's a recipe for success.
We're going to have a closer look at this one, and if you're looking for a mobile security solution you should as well.  Find the download link and press release after the break.

Kaspersky Mobile Security Lite Now Available for Free on Android Market

Free version of Kaspersky Lab smartphone security software finds and remotely-controls missing or stolen Android devices

Woburn, MA – January 6, 2012 – Your smartphone is as likely to be lost or stolen as your wallet—and mobile payment systems on the horizon make the personal information on your smartphone more valuable than ever before.   Today, Kaspersky Lab released a free security application to keep your contacts, email and banking information from falling into the wrong hands.
Available exclusively through the Android Market, Kaspersky Mobile Security Lite lets you block sources of unwanted calls and text messages, and offers a basic level of protection for your Android-based smartphone.  By sending a text message to your missing phone—using any other phone or computer—you can remotely lock, block and track the device itself, or wipe all your information from your phone’s memory.
Missing Smartphone?
For Android smartphones that are misplaced or left behind in the backseat of a taxi, Kaspersky Mobile Security Lite will use the smartphone’s GPS software to display its current coordinates to its owner.  These GPS coordinates are automatically displayed on Google Maps, allowing users to obtain a real-time location of their misplaced phone.
Stolen Smartphone?
If the phone has been stolen, the rightful owner can remotely lock access to the phone’s functions and address books and can block communications to and from the missing device.  Kaspersky Mobile Security Lite can also remotely delete all personal data from the device—including contacts, addresses, calendars, text messages and email—preventing sensitive information from being illegally used or stolen.
Upgrade to Premium
For owners who want premium protection for their Android smartphones, Kaspersky Mobile Security 9 ($19.95) offers a broader range of features including real-time antivirus protection, scanning websites, apps and email attachments for malicious software.  The premium software also offers anti-theft features to prevent savvy thieves from stealing data using a new SIM card.  Additionally, Kaspersky Mobile Security 9 includes a  privacy feature that can password-protect access to telephone logs,  text messages and other data—ideal to use when sharing your smartphone with friends or colleagues.
Where to Find
Kaspersky Mobile Security Lite (free) is available for download exclusively in the Android Market.  This application is only compatible with Android (1.6 – 2.3) smartphones.
Kaspersky Mobile Security 9 ($19.95) is available for purchase at Staples, Future Shop, and other retailers throughout the United States and Canada, and through the Kaspersky Lab online store at www.kaspersky.com for $9.95 per license, renewable annually.  Kaspersky Mobile Security 9 is compatible with all smartphones using the Symbian OS (versions 9.1 through 9.4 or higher), Windows Mobile (5.0, 6.0, 6.1 or 6.5), BlackBerry (4.5 – 6.0), and Android (1.6 – 2.3).
About Kaspersky Lab
Kaspersky Lab is the world's largest privately-held Internet Security company, providing comprehensive protection against all forms of IT threats such as viruses, spyware, hackers and spam. The company's products provide in-depth computer defense for more than 400 million systems around the globe, including home and mobile users, small and medium sized businesses and large enterprises. Kaspersky technology is also incorporated inside the products and services of nearly 100 of industry leading IT, networking, communications and applications solution vendors.

Netflix finally goes live in the UK, download the Android app now

What you see here folks is something that a lot of us in the UK have been waiting a long time for. Netflix is now finally live in the UK, and that of course means the Android offering is too.

Reports have been drifting across the interwebs over the last couple of days about PS3's in the UK mysteriously receiving a Netflix application but that signup wasn't yet possible. But now, you can head on over to Netflix.com right now and sign up for a one month free trial to the service which will cost just £5.99 a month thereafter to stream as much content as you like.

There seems to be a pretty decent selection of content at launch, and this is sure to only increase as time goes by. But for now, you get it free for a month so hit the download links after the break to see what all the fuss is about. It seems to be compatible with a wide range of Android 2.2 and up devices as well

Samsung Galaxy Note posters confirm AT&T release

Though the Galaxy Note has already seen shelves overseas, the US has been ready for it since its initial launch. It seems that time is coming near, because over at CES we’ve spotted an AT&T branded Galaxy Note poster! It was laying on its side behind a counter, but we’ve managed to get a sneak shot of it while passing by.


Many wonder if the Galaxy Note will even have a market here in the US, but I’m here to tell you it will. The Note is no doubt going to be popular during its initial launch, but I foresee other manufacturers following suit with the massive screen size. I’ve got more than a few friends with larger than average fingers that are too hesitant to convert over to touchscreen devices with smaller screens.
From the image, notice that the Note has four softkeys instead of the international version’s single center button. This, so far, is the only noticeable difference thus far. As for chances of it shipping with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), we’re still left in the dark.

Samsung inTouch Android-powered Skype TV adapter revealed

An Android-powered webcam designed to hook up to your HDTV isn’t exactly an everyday occurrence, but it’s CES week and Samsung is looking to stand out with the new inTouch. Running 2.3 Gingerbread in a webcam designed to hook up via HDMI to your TV and via WiFi to your home network, the inTouch allows you to hold 720p HD Skype video calls as well as watch YouTube videos from your lounge.


There’s also support for web browsing, photo and video playback and – if you plug your digital camera or a memory stick into the USB port on the back – you can view footage recorded elsewhere too. The camera itself can be used for taking 3-megapixel stills.
Samsung includes a QWERTY remote control for navigating your contacts list, searching for YouTube videos or browsing the web, and there are integrated microphones and speakers. The Samsung inTouch will drop in March, priced at $199.99.