Dialed In

T-Mobile expands 4G network, sort of offers 4G iPhone

If you're desperate to stay with T-Mobile's service and rock an iPhone, the nation's fourth-largest carrier has good tidings on both fronts.

Today, T-Mobile unveiled plans to expand its 1,900MHz band in 14 new markets, bringing its grand total to 37 cities covered by the faster network.

In addition, the carrier announced a partnership with Solavei, a no-contract carrier that resells T-Mobile's service -- and the iPhone. Customers who sign up with Solavei in any of T-Mobile's 4G markets will be able to purchase the iPhone and sign onto an unlimited talk, text, and … Read more

Verizon responds to AT&T, adds 29 LTE markets

Verizon has added 29 new LTE markets to its service.

The company announced today that Selma, Ala., and Port Angeles, Wash., are among the many markets getting access to its LTE service today. With those cities added, Verizon now offers its LTE service in 470 markets across the U.S. Verizon said today that it's also expanding its LTE availability in 36 existing markets, bringing its total coverage to more than 250 million people.

Verizon's announcement comes just a couple of days after AT&T announced that it has brought its LTE network to five cities, bringing … Read more

Galaxy S3 Premium Suite upgrade starts U.K. rollout

Samsung announced today that the U.K. rollout of its Premium Suite upgrade for Galaxy S3 owners kicks off today. The company, however, didn't say where else it will roll out the software in coming weeks.

Samsung announced the Premium Suite upgrade for the Galaxy S3 earlier this month. The update delivers a wide range of features, including multiple window support, a "smart rotation" feature that automatically rotates the screen based on the user's face position, and a predictive function that will open certain applications based on the user's actions (plug in headphones and it'… Read more

MetroPCS announces mid-range ZTE Avid 4G

Although ZTE is pouring more money into high-end phones like the ZTE Warp Sequent, the Chinese manufacturer is still releasing entry to mid-level handsets as well.

Today, the prepaid carrier, MetroPCS, is offering the ZTE Avid 4G, a mid-range 4G LTE handset, for $149.

Running on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the handset has a 1.2GHz dual-core processor.

It also has a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera and a front-facing VGA camera.

In addition, its 4-inch TFT display has a 480x800-pixel resolution.

Other features include Wi-Fi hotspot, and joyn capabilities, which is MetroPCS' content sharing and chat client.

Samsung preps 5.5-inch flexible phone screen for CES demo

You won't have to bend over backward to see Samsung's latest effort in flexible smartphone screens.

Samsung Display, a spinoff from Samsung Electronics, will show off a pair of bendable screens at CES that could one day appear in a radically new smartphone or TV design, according to company representatives.

Attendees will get to see a 5.5-inch flexible screen intended for smartphone use, with a 1,280x720-pixel HD resolution and a 267 pixel density. In addition, the team will also show off a television-size 55-inch screen.

A flexible display offers design freedom, Samsung Display told CNET, noting … Read more

Sprint offers ultra-tough Sonim XP Strike

Sprint announced today that it's now offering the rugged handset Sonim XP Strike for $129.99 after a two-year carrier agreement and mail-in rebate.

The XP Strike includes push-to-talk Direct Connect and has an extra-tough design to withstand even the harshest of elements.

Its Corning Gorilla glass screen is 1.8 millimeters thick, the phone itself meets military specifications for dust and shock resistance, and it's covered by a three-year warranty.

You can also submerge the device in 6.5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes and drop it on concrete from a height of 6.… Read more

Samsung pledges quick fix for Exynos security issue

Samsung plans to fix a potential security risk for a number of Android smartphones that feature specific Samsung-made Exynos processors.

The security exploit, first uncovered earlier in the week, opens the door for hackers and other ne'er-do-wells to take control of the system RAM and root the device. Once rooted, the phone or tablet would be susceptible to a variety of malicious activities, such as installing additional apps.

Thus far, only the Exynos 4210 and 4412 processors were found to be vulnerable to the one-click rooting; however, there are quite a few Samsung products that fall under this umbrella. … Read more

Nokia Lumia 920, 820 update patches iffy performance

Nokia announced today that, along with Microsoft, it will roll out a software update that address user complaints about battery life, Bluetooth connection, and startup.

Starting today, the over-the-air update will cover the Nokia Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 for all AT&T customers in the U.S. and Rogers subscribers in Canada.

Among the changes, Nokia says, users will see:

More efficient and reliable Bluetooth connectivity More efficient and reliable startup sequence Enhancements in imaging performance and battery management Enhancements in messaging Additional platform updates and enhancements

CNET has asked Nokia when and if Lumia 822 and Lumia 810 … Read more

Sprint's 4G LTE network reaches 49 markets

Sprint announced 4G LTE coverage today in six new areas, bringing the total to 49 markets.

Effective immediately, subscribers in parts of Indiana, Pennsylvania, and California will find the faster data speeds awaiting them.

Reaching 49 markets in total, Indianapolis/Carmel, Ind.; Santa Rosa/Petaluma, Calif.; Vallejo/Fairfield, Calif.; York/Hanover, Pa.; and Franklin County, Pa. are the newest members of the club. Parts of southern Puerto Rico, including Ponce, Coamo, and Guayama are also seeing 4G LTE coverage today. In addition to these new cities, Sprint is also celebrating expanded LTE coverage in Chicago.

After having just launched the … Read more