Dialed In

The 411: Demystifying 3G

Welcome to the 411, my new Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have the same questions, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.

Will you please explain to me the difference between 2G and 3G phones? Thank you ever so much in advance.--Michael, … Read more

Dialed In 89: Sprint buys Virgin Mobile

Sprint defies the slow economy by buying prepaid giant Virgin Mobile for $483 million, and its exec admits that it needs to "let go." We then chat about Android, the Palm Pre vs. iTunes debacle, the Garmin Nuvifone going to Asia, our weekly reviews, and more. And, of course, we answer a few of your questions, too. Be sure to check out our live video stream every Wednesday at 2 p.m. PST on live.cnet.com!

Subscribe now: iTunes (audio) | iTunes (video) | RSS (audio) | RSS (video)

News Sprint to buy Virgin Mobile for $483 million Sprint exec admits need to "let go" … Read more

On Call: Traveling abroad with your cell phone

Q: We're meeting friends from Israel in Santorini, Greece for a holiday. Since they'll be staying on another part of the island, we're bringing an unlocked cell phone so we can keep in contact. How can we get an Israeli prepaid SIM card so it won't cost us the $4.99 per minute that our carrier charges to call an Israeli number? - Linda

A: Forget an Israeli SIM; I recommend that you and your friends each purchase a Greek SIM card. While you'll be calling an Israeli number, you'll be calling it from Greece. As such, you would pay roaming and possibly long distance fees just to place a call. Also, it's very possible that a prepaid Israeli SIM card won't even work outside of Israel.… Read more

Sprint exec admits need to 'let go'

Last week, Sprint's Vice President of Strategy Russ McGuire admitted that carriers might be an impediment to growth and innovation in the cell phone industry. Speaking at the MobileBeat conference in San Francisco, McGuire said that carriers need to "let go" and allow the industry to move at a natural pace.

"You don't want to move at carrier speed," he said. "You want to move at Valley speed."

But McGuire didn't stop there. He also went on to discuss one of the more hot-button issues in the industry today. Technologies like … Read more

Verizon Wireless proposes roaming deal for smaller carriers

After having just modified its stance on cell phone exclusivity deals last week, Verizon Wireless said it is also willing to compromise on roaming service agreements with smaller mobile providers.

Currently, carriers are not required to offer roaming services to competing providers in areas where the rivals own spectrum but have not built out network coverage. However, some of the smaller carriers, such as Leap Wireless, say this only hurts customers and they need roaming service while they build out their network. As a result, they have lobbied for lawmakers to address this home roaming issue.

Hoping to appease government … Read more

Pity the poor carriers? I think not

Apparently, wireless carriers like Verizon Wireless aren't feeling a lot of love at the moment. Not only does it have to deal with its ever restless customers, but also it is under fire from members of Congress and rural operators who claim that the major carriers' exclusivity deals hinder competition and innovation.

Though Verizon has agreed to shorten the exclusivity deals to six months, rural carriers like Cellular South still aren't pleased. So now, Verizon is taking its case directly to the American public. On Thursday, the carrier released a letter that its CEO and President Lowell McAdam had posted to The New York Times.

In a classic case of "it's never about what it's about," McAdam doesn't mention carrier exclusivity; rather, he argues that the big, nasty carriers really aren't so big and nasty after all. He also invites government officials and the media to rely on facts when reporting on the industry.… Read more

Dialed In 88: A trio of T-Mobile phones

T-Mobile's making a splash this week with the introduction of the Samsung Gravity 2 and the Samsung Comeback, the latter of which has Nicole impressed. Kent also gets an early look at the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G and, thankfully, it's a huge improvement over the G1. Plus, we debate the appeal of the LG Watch Phone: is it a do or a don't? All this and more on Dialed In Episode 88.

Listen now: Download today's podcast Subscribe now: iTunes (audio) | iTunes (video) | RSS (audio) | RSS (video)

Rumor of the Week LG to bring Chocolate Touch to Verizon? … Read more

Prizefight: Palm Pre vs. iPhone 3GS

Here it is, ladies and gentlemen, the Prizefight you've all been waiting for: the Apple iPhone 3GS versus the Palm Pre. These two touch-screen smartphone heavyweights have been duking it out on the streets already--launching within weeks of each other, taking jabs through advertisements, and sparring about fair use. We won't even get into the separate battle between the Apple and Palm fanboys/girls.

However, we decided to bring these two into the ring for a formal fight. Obviously, the iPhone 3GS and Pre are packed to the brim with functionality and it's hard to talk about … Read more

The 411: Would you get the LG Watch Phone?

Welcome to the 411, my new Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have the same questions, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.

I'm looking to buy a new cellular phone, and seek your advice. I want the best CDMA (for Verizon) phone that isn't a BlackBerry or 3G/smartphone for plan purposes. I've pretty much come down to the Versa and the EnV Touch. I've found the EnV to be superior in terms of hardware specs, but it's difficult to know without reviewing them both myself. But you reviewed them both yourself! So you could help me! -- Dillen, via e-mail

I've answered this on the Dialed In podcast already, but thought it would be good to put this in the column as well. Both the LG Versa and the EnV Touch have pros and cons, but I tend to lean toward the EnV Touch for the better keyboard and design. The features are very similar, and the Versa is better if you like having optional modules and like to go without a keyboard every once in awhile. Still, the EnV Touch has a better camera and is a little more affordable. Perhaps we should have a Prizefight between the two phones--thanks for the idea!… Read more