Phones

Our colleagues at CNET Asia just took the new Sony Xperia ZL for a complete test-drive and like how this elegant handset handles. While not as luxurious as Sony's current flagship the Xperia Z, the Xperia ZL offers plenty of smartphone goodies including a nimble processor, Android Jelly Bean, and even an IR blaster to function as a home theater remote. … Read more

Forget all that chatter about how desperately HTC need big things out of the HTC One. Alas, they are not the only hardware maker looking for a hit in the Android space. Motorola, for its part, has been struggling to make much noise for the better part of of two years.

Ever since Google acquired Motorola, the mobile company has slowly faded into obscurity, releasing few phones and generating less excitement than in past years.

To be fair, Verizon has had success with the Droid Razr and Droid Razr Maxx as well as the HD successor. As one of the … Read more

Today, T-Mobile hyped how much easier bringing phones to its new network will be. As it turns out, however, it isn't as simple as you'd think.

Here's the deal. T-Mobile is in the middle of three major wireless transitions. Besides ripping up mandatory two-year contracts, the carrier is building a new 4G LTE network. If that wasn't enough, T-Mobile also is migrating its older 3.5G data service from the AWS band (1700/2100) where it currently lives over to the 1,900MHz GSM band.

But that's not all. T-Mobile is using that freed-up AWS … Read more

T-Mobile's new service plans mark a huge change for wireless carriers. In addition to ditching contracts, the nation's fourth largest wireless provider also has dropped handset subsidies completely. So now, when you buy a new phone from T-Mobile, you'll pay much more for your device than you did when you signed two years of your life away. You have the option of paying the full cost at the time of purchase, or paying a deposit with monthly installments, but the phone's price is the same either way. And, of course, you won't be tied to … Read more

The first specifications for an HTC Desire P and HTC Desire Q have emerged courtesy of Unwired View, indicating that HTC has a pair of mid-range smartphones on the horizon.

A handful of hardware details for the two smartphones landed online, accompanied by what could be a glimpse into their respective print advertising.

The HTC Desire P, which bears a striking resemblance to the HTC Desire SV, could feature a 4.3-inch WVGA display, a dual-core 1GHz processor, an 8-megapixel rear camera, and a front-facing camera.

Presumably running at least Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the Desire P should come … Read more

T-Mobile just took a bold, new step by shredding the contracts for its plans plus launching its new 4G LTE data network. But what kind of speeds can you really expect to see on the carrier's hot, new devices? Judging from what I observed at T-Mobile's splashy press event in New York, apparently quite a bit. … Read more

AT&T today announced that the Samsung Galaxy Express has started receiving an Android 4.1 update.

The relatively newish Samsung Galaxy Express is Ma Bell's latest Android to see the Jelly Bean update. As is the case with other Android 4.1 updates, notable improvements include Google Now, enriched notifications, and smarter widgets.

AT&T has also included a number of additional details in the Android 4.1 update, including Blocking Mode for disabling incoming calls and texts. Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy Express will now feature Easy Mode, which provides users with a more stripped-down version … Read more

T-Mobile will carry the Samsung Galaxy S4 on or before May 1, chief marketing officer Mike Sievert told CNET today at an event in New York.

The newly prepaid-only carrier is the first to officially announce Samsung's upcoming marquee phone, but others are expected to follow.

It isn't clear yet how much the Galaxy S4 will cost on T-Mobile's newly unsubsidized plans, but it will likely be in the same range as the Galaxy S3 is now, about $600.

T-Mobile will likely offer the option to buy the Galaxy S4 for a down payment of around $100, … Read more

Last I checked, licking one's finger and holding it up to the wind can be a fair indicator of what's blowing.

But if you're into activities like sailing, windsurfing, or flying your army of robot drones, you might want to check out Vaavud, a wireless wind meter that works with your smartphone.

The subject of a 20,000-pound ($30,456) Kickstarter campaign, Vaavud was developed by a Danish trio keen on windsurfing and kitesurfing.

You can plug the little wind meter into your phone's audio jack, or simply hold it near your handset. It works wirelessly and doesn't even have electronics. … Read more