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iPhone users pay highest phone bills

Rumors of a cheaper iPhone on the horizon may come as welcome news for fans of the device -- especially because iPhone users reportedly pay the highest monthly phone bills, no matter the carrier, according to AllThingsD.

Android, Windows, and BlackBerry users spend less per month to use their smartphones, according to data by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners that was acquired by AllThingsD. It seems that the higher costs come from carriers charging more for iPhone data plans and additional wireless fees.

"We think it has to do with their data plans and carriers, rather than their usage habits,&… Read more

BlackBerry's last stand: Z10 unveiled

Wednesday's CNET Update has the BlackBerry breakdown:

It's the start of a new chapter for BlackBerry. Today's show explains the basics of the Z10 and Q10 smartphones, as well as the new features of the BlackBerry 10 operating system. For a deeper dive, check out the links below:

- Full review of the touchscreen BlackBerry Z10

- First impressions of the BlackBerry Q10 smartphone with keyboard

- Full review of the BlackBerry 10 operating system

- RIM sheds old name, becomes BlackBerry

- The big apps available on BlackBerry 10

- Carrier and price details for the Z10 and Q10 … Read more

The 404 1,198: Where we captcha your mace face (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- This man will take your picture while macing you.

- Ticketmaster does one thing right, dumps captchas.

- PornHub's rejected SFW Super Bowl ad is brilliant marketing.

- Swedish police raid teenagers playing Call of Duty.… Read more

Why isn't the keyboard-rocking BlackBerry Q10 out sooner?

commentary With BlackBerry 10 and the all-touchscreen BlackBerry Z10, Research in Motion is looking to the future.

But BlackBerry shouldn't forget its heritage and position its QWERTY keyboard-rocking BlackBerry Q10 play as the second-string product.

Unfortunately, that's exactly what BlackBerry is doing by launching the Z10 first. CEO Thorsten Heins said the Z10 will launch in mid-March in the U.S., while the Q10 will likely launch in April.

BlackBerry wants to create the impression that its all-touchscreen BlackBerry can compete against the iPhone and elite Android smartphones such as the Galaxy S3. Heins wants to barrel into … Read more

Here's how the Z10, Q10 get BlackBerry back in the game

After years of anticipation, frustration, and delays, Research In Motion (now re-branded BlackBerry) finally lets BlackBerry 10 loose. So now what?

That's the question a lot of folks in the industry are asking now that BlackBerry is just days (or months, depending on the region) from competing in the market with its first legitimately new product in more than a year and a half. BlackBerry 10 offers a refreshingly slick and unique experience, and the two smartphones, the Z10 touchscreen BlackBerry and more traditional Bold-like Q10, look fairly competitive.

But whether they're enough to turn some heads and … Read more

RIM updates BlackBerry World with movies, music, and more

RIM is trying to amp up interest in BB10 by beefing up its BlackBerry World store with new music, movies, and TV shows.

BlackBerry users will find a variety of individual songs ranging in price from 99 cents to $1.49. Full albums will cost anywhere from $7.99 to $11.99. You can preview any piece of music to help you decide whether you want to buy it.

People looking for their favorite movies or TV shows will find them available for rental or purchase. The prices are comparable to those at competing app stores, ranging from $2.99 … Read more

Only 1 in 8 would consider a BlackBerry 10 device, says poll

RIM may have trouble luring in buyers for its BlackBerry 10 devices, at least based on the results of a new poll.

A healthy 47 percent of consumers were intrigued by certain features found on the new BB10 phones, according to a poll from mobile app developer Bite Interactive. But only 13 percent would consider buying one, and just 1 percent plan to get one right away.

Specifically, one in two of those polled said they definitely would not buy a BB10 device, while one in four said they're unlikely to buy one.

RIM will pull back the curtains … Read more

RIM's BlackBerry 10 launch: Join us Wednesday (live blog)

Research In Motion will finally formally unveil its BlackBerry 10 operating system and the first BlackBerrys running on the platform on Wednesday.

The launch event, which comes after years of delays and half-starts, kicks off at 7 a.m. PT. CNET's Brian Bennett and I will be bringing you the news live from New York, while Sarah Tew will be capturing photos at the event.

You can tune into the live blog here:

CNET's live coverage of RIM's BlackBerrry 10 event on Wednesday

There's a lot riding on the success of BlackBerry 10, which represents a … Read more

RIM to live-stream BlackBerry 10 launch tomorrow

Those of you who want to catch RIM's BlackBerry 10 action tomorrow can tune in to a live Webcast.

Scheduled to start at 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. ET tomorrow, the event will run simultaneously in New York, Toronto, London, Paris, Dubai, Johannesburg, Jakarta, and Delhi. People who can't make the trip to any of those cities can watch online through RIM's Newsroom page.

CNET will be covering the event, of course. You can follow our live blog with blow-by-blow news, photos, and commentary.

The event will see RIM spotlight its new BlackBerry 10 operating system … Read more

BlackBerry 10 launch: What we know, what we expect

Yes, it's true. After several frustrating delays, Research In Motion is ready to formally pull back the curtain on its next-generation BlackBerry 10 operating system and its first wholly new BlackBerry in a year and a half.

Whether RIM has enough up its sleeves to really wow the public remains to be seen. But there's no question that the company has everything riding on the success of BlackBerry 10. A hit would inject life into RIM and offer proof that it has a place in an industry that it once dominated -- while failure could accelerate a breakup … Read more