Smartphones

Editor's note: Though Froyo also can add Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, the update will not change the Evo's current hotspot feature.

Sprint announced Thursday that starting next week it will push the Android 2.2 "Froyo" update to the HTC Evo 4G. The Evo will be the first Sprint device to get the much-anticipated upgrade, which adds a selection of new features and fixes two of the largest drawbacks of the Android OS.

As with most Android updates, Sprint will issue Froyo in waves, with the first batch of users receiving notifications on Tuesday, August 3. The … Read more

A wallpaper app that steals your personal info, piracy controls coming to the Android Marketplace, and a look into the world of Android gaming. Plus, Jeff Bakalar shares an awesome tip on creating itineraries for Google Maps Navigation, and Jessica Dolcourt helps us pronounce the death of the Android phone that started it all.

Updated: The wallpaper app discussed in this episode has since been cleared of any wrong-doing by Google itself. More details on that here.

Few things are certain in the cell phone world, but one is the regular J.D. Power and Associate study on wireless customer care performance. And after finishing behind Verizon Wireless in the February study, T-Mobile has again risen to the top of the rankings.

In the latest study, which was released Thursday, T-Mobile garnered a score of 777 points out of a possible 1,000. AT&T came in second place with 757 points, Verizon Wireless was third with 749 points, and Sprint Nextel brought up the rear with 734 points. J.D Power did not survey U.… Read more

The summer has been dominated by Android and Apple news, but RIM's not about to let them have all the fun. The BlackBerry maker is set to make an announcement at an event in New York next Tuesday that might have a little something to do with all those BlackBerry OS 6 previews we've been seeing lately. We take a minute to discuss what the company might unveil. Also on this week's podcast, jailbreaking gets the A-OK from the U.S. Copyright Office and Nicole reviews a pretty cool beginner cell phone from Just5. Too bad it … Read more

With the undeniable popularity and success of the iPhone 4 (despite the antenna debacle), iPad, and ever-increasing Mac sales, Apple is gaining customers faster than ever. If you're thinking about making the switch, this could be your perfect setup.

Component one: iPhone 4 Now in its fourth iteration, Apple's iPhone has forever changed the mobile phone landscape by thrusting touch-screen technology to the tips of every tech geek's tongue and every consumer's wish list. Despite its early and somewhat overblown issues, iPhone 4 has had record-setting sales. With the exception of the complaints from a vocal minority regarding its antenna, … Read more

A hot rumor this week predicts that Verizon is rolling out Android 2.2 to the Droid, Droid Incredible, and the Droid X next week.

An AndroidSPIN source, who claims to be a Verizon employee, said the update is slated to begin August 6 and run through August 15. If true, this coordinated software update between HTC, Motorola, and Verizon would be the first of its kind. Typically, Android upgrades trickle out in a seemingly random order, often preceded by some form of announcement.

It's also interesting in light of the user interface differences on the handsets. The Droid … Read more

As new versions of Android and iOS take hold and Microsoft continues to tease us with Windows Phone 7, BlackBerry is in the unenviable position of trying to play catch up to the cool kids. So, as we anxiously await for next Tuesday's unveiling, RIM has kindly provided a brief sneak peek at what BlackBerry OS 6 might bring, at least when it comes to the home screen. Here's a gallery of what we can expect. As a refresher, here are a few links to our previous coverage of BlackBerry OS 6:

RIM previews BlackBerry OS 6 BlackBerry OS 6: What we know so far … Read more

Kyocera raised its profile earlier this year when it announced its first Android handset at CTIA. At the time we knew that Cricket would offer the Zio M6000 (pronounced Zeye-oh), but it wasn't until this week that the carrier offered the first signs of availability.

We still don't know a price, but you can sign up on Cricket's Web site to be notified when the smartphone goes on sale. You'll also get a coupon for free overnight shipping.

As a reminder, the Zio has a candy bar design with a 3.5-inch, 262,000-color touch screen … Read more

On Monday, the U.S Copyright Office ruled that jailbreaking an iPhone or other mobile device will no longer violate federal copyright law. Some iPhone owners no doubt cheered the news, and I join them in supporting the decision.

"Jailbreak" entered the wireless lexicon soon after the iPhone first went on sale in 2007. Though some CNET readers have asked me if jailbreaking is the same as unlocking a handset, it's actually a different process. When you jailbreak an iPhone, you remove the Apple-imposed restrictions that prevent you from loading applications not sold through the iTunes App Store. Unlocking, on the other hand, only removes the restrictions that tie your iPhone to AT&T. So on the same phone, you can perform just one action or, if you prefer, both.

I welcome the decision because I've always advocated for giving customers as many choices as possible. Yes, I understand that jailbreaking carriers some risks--you void your warranty and you could wind up with a bricked phone if you're not careful--but those risks, rather than breaking the law, should be the only consequences that consumers should face. … Read more