Dialed In

HTC Titan III leak suggests flagship Windows Phone 8

HTC Titan III leak suggests flagship Windows Phone 8

This is one of those rumors that definitely pan out. Microsoft contacted CNET to let us know that the "leak" was really a typo on the Xbox site. This story updated 12/4/2012 at 3:27pm PT.

A recent Xbox Live Rewards survey may have leaked HTC's next Windows Phone 8 device, the HTC Titan III.

Presumably headed to AT&T in the near future, the unofficial smartphone was listed among other devices in a monthly questionnaire.

Part of the Xbox Live Rewards survey in question asked participants to gauge their level of excitement if … Read more

Your smartphone's secret afterlife (Smartphones Unlocked)

Your smartphone's secret afterlife (Smartphones Unlocked)

A blue mat, a fine-tipped screwdriver, and a dozen itty bitty screws. This is Titus Green's workspace, set within a warehouse that processes 2 million pounds of unwanted electronic waste each year.

Green, 22, and his team at San Francisco Bay Area e-waste collection center Green Citizen, refurbish 30 cell phones a day to put back into customers' hands.

If you don't chuck your electronics down the trash chute (and please don't,) the most likely cycle is that the phone will be refurbished and resold, one way or another.

Of the appliances that come through Green Citizen'… Read more

Samsung Galaxy Camera for Verizon clears FCC

Samsung Galaxy Camera for Verizon clears FCC

A chief complaint of the Samsung Galaxy Camera is that it's only available for AT&T. That should change, however -- a Verizon model has been spied in the virtual halls of the FCC.

The details for an "EKGC120" Galaxy Camera cropped up this week for showing a version of the digital camera with support for Verizon's 700MHz LTE bands. Since the testing was conduced in early November, I suspect that the 4G variant of this connected camera won't be far off.

I'm curious to see if Verizon asks for $500 for the … Read more

Motorola Droid Razr HD, Maxx HD get Android 4.1 next week

Motorola Droid Razr HD, Maxx HD get Android 4.1 next week
Motorola Droid Razr HD and Droid Razr Maxx HD will soon see an Android 4.1 update.

Both Motorola smartphones will see Jelly Bean take control as the new operating system version as soon as next week, according to Verizon's blog. As a refresher, Jelly Bean offers enhanced notifications, Google Now, and a more intuitive keyboard.

Verizon is also using the update to implement a few carrier-specific changes to the Motorola duo. Gone are the Verizon Video app and Color app, making room for a new Video calling portal and Accessories app. What's more, the Droid Razr HD … Read more

iPhone 5 gets 4G LTE when Apple says so, not carriers

iPhone 5 gets 4G LTE when Apple says so, not carriers

Apple will be the judge of whether a network's 4G LTE offering is worthy of supporting the iPhone 5, not the other way around.

That's the apparent revelation in a report today from industry site Telecoms.com. A spokesperson from Swisscom confirmed Apple's 4G approval protocol to the site this week, claiming that "Apple only enables 4G access after testing their device on an operator's live network."

In other words, Apple has managed to put 4G behind its fabled walled garden in a way, wrestling a significant measure of control away from the network carriers. Once Apple has determined that a 4G network has met its internal performance standards, it pushes out a software update enabling the step-up from 3G (or -- gulp -- something else) to LTE on that network.… Read more

Bluetooth headset buying guide

Bluetooth headset buying guide

A bad Bluetooth device will ruin even the most engaging gab session. That's why it's important to select the right headset, and this guide is here to help. If you need a great hands-free headset right now, definitely check out the Plantronics Voyager Legend. Not only is it lighter and smaller than most devices equipped with a big boom mic, the Legend delivers superb audio quality and has a design comfortable enough to wear with glasses. Another great option is the Jawbone Era which has ultra-advanced features such as a built-in accelerometer, powerful noise-canceling, and HD audio. On … Read more

C Spire launches shared data plans December 3

C Spire launches shared data plans December 3

Following Verizon and AT&T, regional carrier C Spire will soon let customers share a pool of data among multiple devices.

C Spire's shared data plan follows Verizon's model of charging a fee for devices to access the data allotment, in addition to a monthly charge for the data itself. Up to 10 devices can draw from the data pool.

$20: Tablets, USB modems, and other connected devices $30: Feature phones $40: Smartphones

Data ranges from 1GB for $50 to 20GB for $150, and up. C Spire also lets customers top up their data as the month … Read more

AT&T's rugged Samsung Rugby III lands December 14 with PTT

AT&T's rugged Samsung Rugby III lands December 14 with PTT

AT&T's rough 'n' tumble "Rugby" team gets another player in the Samsung Rugby III, a durable flip phone that will feature AT&T's enhanced push-to-talk (PTT) capabilities.

Starting December 14, the Rugby III costs $99.99 with a two-year contract, but free for organizations with an AT&T business account. Preorders begin November 30.

Intended to be a simple, sturdy handset, the Rugby III keeps features simple. It sports a 2.4-inch QVGA display, a 3-megapixel camera, and a PTT convenience button for easy access, walkie-talkie style. The phone also includes access … Read more

Basis watch keeps eye on health

Basis watch keeps eye on health

San Francisco startup Basis Science confirmed pricing and availability for its Basis health tracker today. The $199 watch-style gadget hits the market in early December, continuing the evolution of wearable fitness technology for everyday consumers. … Read more

AT&T yet again the worst-rated carrier in U.S.

More bad news for AT&T.

Consumer Reports has released its annual carrier ratings. And just as it had in the last two years, AT&T landed in last place, far behind the top major carrier in the roundup, Verizon Wireless.

Verizon Wireless fared somewhat well in the study, earning relatively strong marks on voice and data. The only bright spot in AT&T's review was its 4G LTE network, which actually beat out its chief competitor in this year's study.

Sprint and T-Mobile USA landed between Verizon and AT&T.

For its part, … Read more