BlackBerry Z10 gets first software update, with 5 improvements
It’s good to see the BlackBerry team deliver a software update to improve five key features on the company’s newest smartphones. Is that enough to boost sales? Not likely. Read more »
Pandora caps monthly free tunes on mobiles to 40 hours
Addicted to Pandora’s free music service on your mobile phone? If the music cuts out, here’s why: Mobiles will be capped at 40 hours per month although you can pay a buck to keep on rockin’. Read more »
Video look: E-ink Android phone that runs for weeks on a charge
One of the biggest battery hogs on a smartphone is the display. Could a low-powered e-ink display improve the experience? Yes, and no, as you can see in this video. Read more »
By the end of 2013, more than 50% of phone shipments will be smartphones, driven by more affordable models
— Ericsson President & CEO Hans Vestberg
More evidence of tablets slowly killing the PC market
Naysayers may continue to ignore the trend, but tablets aren’t toys and the tablet market isn’t a fad, as 2012 shipments show. This year, tablets could surpass both desktops and laptops. Read more »
Here’s what’s new in Android 4.2.2: Small but useful tweaks
So what’s in the Android 4.2.2 software update that’s tricking out to Nexus phones and tablets? Just a few visual changes it seems, but they will help improve the Android experience. Read more »
Nexus devices slowly getting Android 4.2.2 (but you can get it now)
Although there’s no official announcement yet, Google is rolling out Android 4.2.2 to Nexus phones and tablets. Can’t wait to get it? Here’s how you can install it manually. Read more »
Google finally offers Nexus 4 wireless charging orb
Months after the Nexus 4 arrived on sale, the promise of charging the device without connecting a wire is here. For $59, Google is now selling the Nexus 4 Wireless Charging Orb. Read more »
Leaked image of new HTC One looks nothing like the old One
Last year, HTC debuted its One line of smartphones. Now a leaked image shows that the M7 could be a new One and it looks more industrial. Read more »
Solavei selling first BlackBerry Z10 phones in US, just $999 each
Can’t wait for that new BlackBerry Z10 in the U.S.? You can get one now, but it’ll cost you a grand. Read more »
MobileTechRoundup podcast 290: Scoring a 128 GB Surface Pro
Matt drove for miles to three difference stores, but persistance pays off as he purchases a 128 GB Surface Pro. Hear about that and both hosts final thoughts on the BlackBerry Z10 smartphone. Read more »
Android this week: Project Shield packs a punch; Optimus G Pro goes big; RunKeeper revamped
This week, Nvidia demonstrated a new game title for Project Shield, showing off Real Boxing while LG is rumored to go big with a 5.5-inch Optimus G Pro. Read more »
Microsoft posting points to universal apps between Windows Phone 8, Windows 8
A recent Microsoft job posting shows the company is ready to take the next step to unify its development platform between Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8. Read more »
Let the music play: Spotify for Windows Phone 8 arrives
After long last, Spotify’s music service comes to Microsoft Windows Phone 8 smartphones. After the download, Spotify offers a free 48 hour trial with no credit card information needed. Read more »
Which iPhone app may get you into Stanford? The one you make
Getting into a top notch Computer Science undergrad program isn’t easy. How does one stand out from the crowd? Build an iPhone app, of course! Read more »
That Skype for BlackBerry 10 app? It’ll be an old Android port
When the BlackBerry team said Skype was committed to bring its app to BB 10, did you envision the software being a simple Android port? Me neither. Read more »
ComScore: Windows Phone lost US market share in holiday quarter
You’d think that during the final quarter of last year, when Microsoft introduced Windows Phone 8 and Nokia debuted a new flagship Lumia, the platform would gain momentum. You’d be wrong. Read more »
Triple duty Coda One may be the only Bluetooth speaker you’ll ever need
Can one Bluetooth speaker serve three purposes? The Coda One does, ranging from hands free speaker in the car to a wireless music player to portable handset for large phones and tablets. Read more »
A watched pot never boils, but it can charge your smartphone
It works like magic, but it’s really science: Boiling water in the $149 PowerPot can charge any USB-powered device during a power outage or while camping. Tea, anyone? Read more »
HTC M7 saying goodbye to megapixels, hello to Ultrapixels?
How could HTC stage a smartphone comeback? Perhaps with not one, not two, but three camera sensors in its upcoming M7 handset. Read more »
MobileTechRoundup podcast 289: All about BlackBerry 10 and the Z10 phone
Matt and Kevin share everything you need to know about BlackBerry 10 after using the Z10 smartphone for the past several days. Read more »
Android this week: Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 spec’d; HTC M7 yelled; Nexus 4 ships
The closer we get to Mobile World Congress, the more information leaks about new Android tablets and phones. Here’s a recap, along with good news for those wanting a Nexus 4. Read more »
Good news Gmail users: Google extends Sync support through July
When Google announced it was dropping Sync support last month, it left Gmail users on Windows Phone reeling. An extension give Microsoft time to address the situation. Read more »
Video: First look at the Z10 with BlackBerry 10
Research In Motion is no more. BlackBerry is the new company name and the Z10 is the first BlackBerry 10 handset. Here’s a quick overview of the new phone. Read more »
BlackBerry 10 smartphone launch gets a few cheers, a bunch of jeers and a lot of meh
Research In Motion — which has renamed itself BlackBerry — launched its new smartphones at a star-studded event in New York, but responses to the new devices ranged from sharply critical to “ho hum,” and that could be lethal. Read more »
After a rise and fall, BlackBerry 10 is RIM’s last, best comeback attempt
photo: RIM
BlackBerry devices took the world by storm and enjoyed several years of dominance. But a slow reaction to a changing market brought RIM’s fall. Now, all of the right pieces are in place for BlackBerry 10. Read more »
While we waste four cores, scientists use a million at a time
photo: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
A group of Stanford researchers recently ran a complex fluid dynamics workload across more than a million cores on the Sequoia supercomputer. It’s an impressive feat and might foretell a future where parallel programming becomes commonplace even on our smartphones. Read more »
You’ll never guess who was the big smartphone winner last quarter
IDC reported its smartphone sales data for the final quarter of 2012 and if I gave you three guesses as to who increased sales the most from the year ago quarter, you still might not guess right. Read more »
Report: Nokia’s PureView super camera coming to Windows Phone
Reports indicate that Nokia may have improved its PureView camera sensor enough to put in the next flagship Lumia running Windows Phone. Will it be 41 megapixels like the concept phone? Read more »
GigaOM Research highs and lows from CES 2013
Given how CES is now a barometer for such a wide array of technology segments, GigaOM Research decided to ask our readers which way the tech winds will blow over the next year based on what they saw in Las Vegas. (Subscription required) Read more »
Stretch your pockets: 150M “phablet” sales expected in 2013
Make sure the next pair of pants you buy has big pockets. You may need them if ABI Research is correct when it says 150 million “phablets” will be sold this year. Read more »
LG Optimus G Pro intros in Japan, Optimus G to 50 markets
LG’s smartphone sales appear to be picking up steam thanks to the LG Optimus G. The hits could continue as the new Optimus G Pro model surfaced in Japan today. Read more »
Windows Phone makes gains in EU, passing BlackBerry in late 2012
Microsoft has more good news to take in: After Nokia reported 4.4 million Lumia sales in the last quarter of 2012, Kantar WorldPanel says Windows Phone outsold BlackBerry in the EU during the same period. Read more »
LG boosting Nexus 4 production in light of high demand
Tired of seeing that “sold out” note on the Google Nexus 4 purchase page? You may not see it for much longer according to LG, which is ramping up production of the Android smartphone. Read more »
MobileTechRoundup podcast 287: CES surprises and a new HTC One phone
Join us for a wrap up of the mobile news from this week as well as a look ahead: The most surprising gadget at CES and the big BlackBerry 10 launch upcoming; we’ll be there! Read more »
Chevy Volt to my smartphone: “You complete me.”
Piping Bluetooth audio to a car isn’t all that new, but running smartphone apps on the car is and it’s quickly gaining momentum. Here’s how important my smartphone is to my current vehicle. Read more »
Android this week: Galaxy Note 8.0 tipped; Note 10.1, Tab 2 updated; Optimus G Pro leaked
Few major Android devices debuted at this month’s CES, but next month’s Mobile World Congress is looking up when it comes to hardware. And some old devices got new software this week. Read more »
Got mobile tech questions? Ask away for our new podcast!
Want to star in our newest podcast? It’s easy! Just call and leave a voicemail, ping me via Twitter, Google+ or email and ask your mobile tech questions. I’ll answer them in a podcast starting next week. Read more »
Ka-Ching! Ting will pay your contract ETF to switch phone service
Instead of spending $100,000 on advertising that may or may not get new customers, Ting is spending that money to get people to switch to its cellular service. The company will pay your ETF to make the move. Read more »
Rhapsody goes a la carte on MetroPCS but at half the regular cost
Rhapsody has retooled its relationship with MetroPCS. Instead of bundling its music subscription service in all upper-tier Metro smartphone plans, it’s selling the service for $5 a month to any Metro customer. Read more »
