cellphone

Samsung Unveils Latest iPhone Challenger

Samsung Electronics is ratcheting up its rivalry with Apple with its new Galaxy S 4 smartphone, which has a larger, sharper screen than its predecessor, the best-selling S III.

5 Surprising Things You Should Negotiate

Most of us know we're supposed to negotiate when it comes to buying a house or a car, but how about at the dry cleaner? Or when we're on the phone with our cell phone provider? Hesitate no longer.

Many Are Haunted by Ghost of Phone Bills Past Due

Far too many customers aren't paying their phone bills on time, if you ask the phone companies. Three of the top four submitters to third-party collection agencies are major telephone carriers. And the reasons why should come as no surprise.

How To Pick the Best Cell Phone Carrier

Right now, Verizon is winning the war to grab cell customers from AT&T and Sprint-Nextel. But is its wireless network right for you? Even though they've all ratcheted up speeds, there are material differences between them. Here are tips on picking the right one for your habits.

When It Comes to Cell Phone Privacy, You're an Open Book

Few people would willingly carry around a device that tracks their movements, records their conversations, and keeps tabs on all the people they talk to. But, according to documents recently released by the American Civil Liberties Union, cell phone companies are doing all of that -- and may be passing the information on to law enforcement agencies.

Will Debt Collectors Burn Up Your Cell Phone Minutes?

Hundreds of thousands of borrowers who are behind on their federal student loans could soon receive some unwanted -- and expensive -- attention. A provision in President Obama's deficit reduction plan would allow debt collectors to chase down delinquent borrowers on their cell phones.

Six Ways to Save on Your Phone Bill Through the Cloud

Communication is increasingly moving off the grid and into the cloud. For cellphone users -- especially ones with smartphones -- there are a host of online tools and apps that can help reduce usage on carrier plans and save money. Here are a half dozen easy options.

Could Samsung Suit Leave U.S. Without iPads and iPhones?

The intellectual property battle between Samsung and Apple has grown a bit more serious: Samsung has asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to block the importation of iPads, iPhones, and iPods into the United States for patent violations. It's not a hollow threat.

Mobile Data Profits Make Sprint a Buy

Based on Sprint's improving average revenue per user for mobile data service and the growth rate of its subscriber base, Trefis has raised its outlook for the telecom giant.

Where Does the AT&T and T-Mobile Deal Leave Sprint?

The news that the U.S.'s No. 2 wireless carrier, AT&T, is buying No. 4 carrier T-Mobile has squelched hopes that T-Mobile would join forces with Sprint. What else does this deal mean for the No. 3 carrier?

Sprint and T-Mobile Are Talking Merger Again

SprintNextel and T-Mobile USA are reportedly discussing another tie-up, as both companies seek to stop the flow of customers defecting to larger cell-phone service providers. In the past, the carriers have mulled a merger but haven't been able to agree on who would acquire whom.

Tablets and Smartphones Slow Laptop Sales Growth

Gartner has lowered its laptop-sales forecast for this year and the next, predicting that the popularity of tablets and smartphones will slow laptop sales. Gartner expects worldwide laptop sales to increase 11% this year and and 14% next year, down from a previously forecast 16$ and 15%, respectively.

What Nokia Needs to Make Its Risky Bet Pay Off

From a strategy standpoint, there's some sound reasoning behind CEO Stephen Elop's thinking: Most likely there's room for a third player at Apple and Google's poker table. But Nokia's new deal with Microsoft will be all about how well it's executed.

Smartphones to Make Up Majority of New Cell-Phone Sales in 2012

Buying a new cell phone next year? Odds are it'll be a smartphone, according to a new report from research firm In-Stat. The company predicts that smartphones will overtake regular cell phones, making up more than half of U.S. cell-phone shipments, in 2012.

Kodak Loses Early Ruling in Patent Dispute with Apple and RIM

Kodak has accused Apple and Research in Motion of infringing on one of its digital-imaging patents with the iPhone and BlackBerry smartphones. But the International Trade Commission in Washington has ruled against Kodak in a preliminary decision.

Should Verizon Customers Hold Out for the Apple iPhone 5?

Verizon customers will likely flock to the Apple iPhone 4 when the largest U.S. carrier starts selling it in February. But many industry-watchers expect an iPhone 5 a few months later. And that could create a quandary for folks on the fence about their next smartphone move.

Motorola Mobility Unveils Much-Anticipated Xoom Android Tablet

Just a day after Motorola split in two, its mobility division has unveiled the much-anticipated Xoom, the first tablet to run on a tablet-specific version of Android version called Honeycomb. Could this tablet be the one to give the Apple iPad a run for its money?

Qualcomm Targets Tablets with Bid for Atheros

In a move to help it target tablet computers, cell-phone-chip designer Qualcomm has reportedly offered $3.5 billion to buy Atheros Communications, which has developed chips that connect wireless computers to the Internet.

Can Google's Android Undercut iTunes for News?

Google is considering a plan to expand its Android newsstand -- and heat rivalry with Apple's iTunes -- by charging publishers a lower price to sell news to Android users than the 30% fee that Apple typically charges to sell apps on iTunes. Will that be enough to attract more news?

Skype Launches Video Chat App for iPhone

Skype is launching a new version of its free app for the Apple iPhone that includes video calls. With the new app, scheduled to appear in the iTunes store Thursday, iPhone users will be able to video chat over not just WiFi, but also the AT&T 3G cellular network.

Apple Boosts iPhone Sales Target for Its First Quarter

Apple has raised its target for first-quarter shipments of its iPhone by as much as 10%, anonymous component suppliers told DigiTimes. The news signals strong holiday sales for the phone and bodes well for the company's upcoming quarterly earnings.