smartphone

If you've been following the Palm Pre at all, you probably know that there are some concerns about the smartphone's design (check out hands-on photos here), particularly the QWERTY keyboard and plastic build.

The latter wasn't much of an issue for us, since we thought it had a pretty solid construction. However, we'll admit that the keyboard isn't great. On the one hand, we're thrilled with the inclusion of a physical keyboard, but the buttons are tiny and there's very little spacing between them. For some, it might be a deal breaker; for … Read more

We haven't seen so much buzz over a phone since the iPhone, but for the past six months, all eyes have been on the Palm Pre.

Introduced at CES 2009, the Palm Pre quickly became the most anticipated phone of the year, not only for what it meant for Palm and Sprint--two companies struggling behind their competitors--but also for what the device promised. The multitasking features, the notification system, a physical keyboard, multitouch screen--all these factors combined made it, in our opinion, the most legitimate rival to the iPhone yet.

We all know the six months that followed … Read more

With the Palm Pre's release so close, it's inevitable that the swirl of rumors and leaks are on the rise. The latest case comes from a site called MydigitalFC, which has posted what appears to be David Pogue's review of the Palm Pre. It could be that a syndicator or New York Times partner got trigger-happy, but we should note that Pogue's review has not been published to The New York Times Web site, so until you see the real thing, take the review with a grain of salt.

If it's legit, Pogue seems to … Read more

June is here and, as expected, the flood of cell phone and smartphone news has already begun. LG and Sony Ericsson kick it off with a handful of new phones and GreatCall releases a new Jitterbug model. Plus, we give a preview of what we might see at WWDC 2009, and oh yeah, there's a little thing called the Palm Pre being released on Saturday. Get all the info here on Dialed In Episode 82.

Rumor of the week WWDC preview

News Verizon releases LG enV3, enV Touch, Glance … Read more

Just got an interesting little e-mail from T-Mobile USA. The note was short and sweet--and vague--but the carrier has announced its plans to release its next Google Android device in early summer. The handset will be a "follow-on" device to the T-Mobile G1, so we're guessing it's the Google Ion (aka HTC Magic). T-Mobile said it will have more details to share later this month, so stayed tuned!

For travelers on a budget, slipping in a new SIM card may be the best way to ensure they won't break the bank while using their cell phones on a trip abroad.

U.S. carriers, such as AT&T and Verizon Wireless, have been trying to make it easier and less expensive for mobile subscribers to use their cell phones when traveling in another country. And indeed they have. All the major carriers offer phones that can be used for international roaming. And some have even added special international packages with reduced calling and data rates to encourage … Read more

After some slight problems, Verizon Wireless officially announced on Friday that it will release a software update to RIM BlackBerry Storm owners starting on Sunday.

BlackBerry OS version 4.7.0.148 will be available to customers beginning on Sunday, May 31, at noon Pacific through BlackBerry's support site. Verizon will also roll out an over-the-air download on Sunday at 7 p.m. Pacific. To get the OTA download on your Storm, go to Options> Advanced Options > Wireless Updates.

Though Verizon did not release a full list of features or fixes, a company representative said version 4.… Read more

Just after Verizon Wireless revealed that it would offer the Palm Pre in the next six months or so, Sprint has pushed back and asserted that it will have the exclusive on the Palm Pre through 2009.

The confirmation came on Thursday afternoon from Sprint spokesman James Fisher, who simply said, "We have the Pre through 2009." The length of the exclusive isn't really much of a surprise given Sprint's track record of exclusives in the past, which usually last six to nine months. It falls within Verizon's timeline.

Sprint has struggled behind its competitors … Read more

During an investor conference Webcast on Thursday, Verizon Wireless executive Lowell McAdam revealed that the carrier has big plans for device launches for the rest of 2009--launches that include the Palm Pre and RIM BlackBerry Storm 2.

"Over the next six months or so, you will see devices like Palm Pre and a second-generation Storm," Lowell said. He added that Verizon will also support Android phones, but was less specific about the time frame, only saying that they would be available later this year.

Verizon plans for the Pre comes just a day after AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said … Read more