phone
Web Retailers With Best, Worst Customer Response Times
"Your call is important to us ...," but how important? A study out Monday ranks the top 100 Internet retailers for customer service response speeds: How long they make us wait on hold, how fast they reply to emails. There's a wide disparity between the worst and the best -- and a couple of companies that are both.
Microsoft Unlikely to Boost Rates on Premium Skype Plan
Microsoft has a lot of plans for squeezing profits out of its $8.5 billion acquisition of Internet phone service Skype, but raising the rates on its premium VoIP service is unlikely to be among them, according to industry analysts.
Tablets and Smartphones Slow Laptop Sales Growth
Gartner has lowered its laptop-sales forecast for this year and the next, predicting that the popularity of tablets and smartphones will slow laptop sales. Gartner expects worldwide laptop sales to increase 11% this year and and 14% next year, down from a previously forecast 16$ and 15%, respectively.
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.
Sony Accuses LG Electronics of Patent Infringement
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.
Verizon Wireless 4G Network Details to Be Revealed
Waiting for the nitty-gritty details about Verizon Wireless' long-awaited 4G network? Step back here after noon Wednesday, when company executives plan to dish out some new information on their plans for the major high-speed upgrade.
Breaking Up: Motorola to Splits Into Two Companies
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.
SquareTrade: Apple iPhone is the Most Reliable Smartphone
Apple's iPhone 4 is the most reliable smartphone around, according to SquareTrade. In a report released Wednesday, the warranty provider says the iPhone 4 is about three times less likely to malfunction in the first year of ownership than BlackBerry devices.
Skype's New CEO Has a Tough Job Ahead of Him
Tony Bates, the incoming CEO of Skype, is a serious player aiming to crack the corporate market. But solving the many problems of wild child Skype won't be easy for the ex-Cisco exec.