4G LTE networks hit battery life on some smartphones
While battery capacities in smartphones has increased, 4G LTE networks are taking their toll on battery life for Web browsing and video streaming, according to a new analysis by Metrico Wireless.
Four new smartphones tested 20,000 times on live AT&T and Verizon Wireless LTE networks all delivered less than five hours of battery life for either streaming video or Web browsing, testing service Metrico said in a 10-page report released today.
Streaming video and Web browsing are seen as key selling points behind customer interest in LTE smartphones, making the test findings that much more important, Metrico noted. Read more...
Verizon Wireless adds 25 cities receiving LTE on Sept. 15
Verizon Wireless on Monday named 25 more localities, mainly in Illinois and other Midwestern states, that will get its 4G LTE service on Sept. 15.
The carrier could be racing to set up network support for the coming iPhone 5, which is rumored to support 4G LTE, according to some bloggers. Verizon would not comment on that speculation, however, referring questions about the iPhone to Apple instead.
"We're aggressive in the deployment of 4G LTE because we have a huge first-to-market advantage -- more than a year -- over what AT&T says it's going to be building eventually," said the Verizon spokesman Jeffrey Nelson, in an email.
"Our customers are using LTE big time," he added. "They love the speed and huge latency improvements. LTE is extremely efficient in carrying data." Read more...