smartphones

This one was just a matter of time.

I've not yet performed a hands-on test on the clumsily named CTMD43 from Intraphex, but it places a 4.3-inch smartphone-like touch-screen on the left half of the mirror; it fades away when you don't need it for full-mirror use. You can see it in action here; as of this writing it was not posted to the Intraphex site yet.

When it's on, you see a touch- and voice-controlled nav system that is largely the same as in some current Subaru cars: functional, if not state of the art. … Read more

HTC has launched an FAQ page that details its Android 4.1 Jelly Bean plans. Though it stops short of listing specific device upgrade dates, it page spells out some of the factors that determine which models will make the cut.

It should come as no surprise that HTC will give priority to recent models such as the One X and One S. As far as other devices, though, the company is "actively reviewing" its portfolio of handsets.

To that end, HTC already has shut the door on two models, the One V and the … Read more

While Cricket's 4G LTE network continues to (glacially) roll out, the carrier is offering its first LTE device today on its site. Known as the LG Optimus Regard, the handset is equipped with a 1.2Ghz processor, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and a 3.5-inch HVGA display made from Corning Gorilla Glass.

It also has a VGA front-facing camera and a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera that's capable of shooting 1080p video.

Powering the phone is a 1,700mAh battery, which reportedly delivers 5.4 hours of talk time.

In addition, since it features LG's Optimus 3.… Read more

Motorola has officially outlined the details for its Trade Up Program which gives previous buyers a $100 credit for select smartphones. The initiative, first announced in September, is designed to keep consumers from switching handset makers over the lack of Android updates.… Read more

Samsung is pushing ahead with flexible mobile devices, a new report claims.

Samsung is currently putting the final touches on flexible displays made of plastic rather than glass, The Wall Street Journal is reporting today, citing an unidentified source with knowledge of the company's plans. Once Samsung's development phase is complete, the company plans to start mass producing the displays for release in the first half of 2013, according to the Journal.

Samsung Display last year posted a video showing a concept device that comes with a flexible screen. The video showed the AMOLED display being bent and … Read more

While worldwide phone sales fell slightly during the third quarter, sales of smartphones are continuing to rise, according to new figures from Gartner.

More than 427 million phones were sold in total during the third quarter, 3 percent down on the same quarter a year ago, Gartner said, but up slightly on the 419 million devices shipped in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, smartphone sales are continuing their upward trajectory compared to feature phones -- 169 million smartphones were sold during the quarter, an increase of 47 percent year-on-year.

Samsung, Nokia and Apple remain the top three vendors by sales for … Read more

Sneaking under the radar, Sprint is offering a ZTE handset, known as the Sprint Flash, for $129.99 after users sign a two-year carrier agreement and send in a rebate.

The 4G LTE device ships natively with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, and sports a 4.5-inch HD touch screen.

Under its hood is a 1,780mAh battery, which roughly translates to 8 hours of reported talk time. It's also equipped with NFC.

Perhaps most notable, however, is the Flash's 12-megapixel camera, which features single-motion panoramic shooting as well.… Read more

In addition to announcing that its two Windows Phone 8 handsets, the HTC Windows Phone 8X and the Nokia Lumia 822, will be available starting November 13, Verizon will also offer one of its handsets for free by the end of the year.

According to The Verge, Tami Erwin, Verizon's chief marketing officer, said that a phone from the carrier's WP8 lineup will come "in at the free [price] point."

Currently, the HTC 8X retails for $199.99 with a two-year contract, and the Lumia 822 will be sold for $99.99 after discounts are applied.… Read more

Today Jawbone unveiled a new and revamped version of its Up fitness solution. Priced at $129.99, and available now for preorder, the Up says Jawbone has been significantly rebuilt from the inside out for increased strength and greater functionality. … Read more