cellphones

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.

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?

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.

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?

In a complaint to the U.S. International Trade Commission, Sony has accused rival LG Electronics of infringing on seven of its patents, including one for photo-based caller ID technology.

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 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.

Verizon Communications will unveil a 4G Android smartphone and a tablet at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month, InformationWeek predicts. Could the new products help Verizon gain market share against the Apple iPhone and iPad?

In a breakup that's been in the works for the last two years, Motorola says it will officially split into two companies -- Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions -- on Jan. 4.