Smartphones

Skype intros new mobile calling plans to 170 countries

Skype's VoIP calling service has been synonymous with free computer-to-computer calls for so long, it's easy to overlook the company's calling plans to landlines and mobile phones.

Those who do buy Skype Credit and use Skype plans to call phones rather than computers know that making calls to a mobile phone can easily cost 25 cents per minute. That's a steep fee compared to rates as low as 2 or 3 cents per minute to call a landline, depending on the country in question.

On Wednesday, Skype introduced what we consider a light version of its … Read more

Crowdsourced traffic app Waze comes to BlackBerry (beta)

Google Maps may tell you where to go, but it won't give you cupcakes. Waze, on the other hand, tempts you to use its map app by dangling digital treats and other social gaming incentives.

Starting Tuesday, BlackBerry owners can try out Waze in beta form. We jumped into a car with Waze and tooled around San Francisco testing out the new BlackBerry beta while hunting for e-cupcakes.

While you use Waze's turn-by-turn voice navigation, real-time traffic, and other location-specific alerts, the app simultaneously sends anonymous information, like your speed and location, back to its database to improve … Read more

The 404 573: Where seriously, whose iPhone 4G prototype is this? (podcast)

We're all wondering what's going on with the story of the Apple iPhone 4G prototype found in a Redwood City, Calif., bar and its subsequent sale to Gizmodo. CNET News Senior Writer Greg Sandoval drops by the studio to fill us in on all the latest developments, including who exactly found the phone, how it eventually got into the hands of Gizmodo editor Jason Chen, and why it's never a good idea to purchase anything you know for a fact is stolen! Unfortunately, "finders keepers, losers weepers" only holds water on the playground.

Wired published an article last week outing Brian J. Hogan as the person who found and sold the iPhone prototype to Gizmodo, but CNET also learned that he had help finding a buyer for the device from Sage Wallower, a UC Berkeley student who attended Santa Barbara City College with Hogan.

The investigation is still ongoing (San Mateo County police still have Chen's computers), but Greg tells us felony criminal charges are still a very serious possibility since a California law specifically states that "any person who knowingly receives property that has been obtained illegally can be imprisoned for up to one year."

We also have a collection of silly stories to even out the show in the second half, including a very discomforting story about an unlikely pairing between a 59-year-old Chinese man and a 20-inch long eel. We can't go into much detail, but there's a very important lesson to take away from it all, and that is to never, ever pass out in front of your friends.

Finally, Roger Ebert has written an open letter to the public decrying the concept of 3D movies as a way of life. His points are direct and address many of the issues we've already discussed with David Katzmaier, senior editor of TVs and home theater for CNET.

Ebert claims that the 3D element, even in popular movies like "Avatar," add nothing essential to the moviegoing experience. It also doesn't help that these movies often cause nausea and headaches for people who just want to be entertained for two hours, not to mention the inflated surcharges that theaters tack onto already expensive tickets. Listen in to hear our take on the future of 3D movies and home theater.

Big thanks to Greg for taking time out of his schedule to join us on today's show. If you have a question for us or simply want to comment on the show, give us a call at 1-866-404-CNET or e-mail the404(at)cnet(dot)com. Thanks for listening!

EPISODE 573 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video

T-Mobile MyTouch 3G Slide makes official debut

T-Mobile's latest Android device isn't the biggest surprise, considering all the various leaks over the past couple of months, but nonetheless, we're glad that we can finally talk about the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G Slide with official authority.

Slated for a June release (specific availability date and pricing were not announced at this time), the Slide is the latest model to join the carrier's MyTouch 3G line. Like the other MyTouch models, the Slide is made by HTC and as its name would suggest, it is a slider phone with a full QWERTY keyboard and is running Android 2.1. However, rather than just be satisfied with bringing its customers the latest Android features, the carrier has added its own custom user interface to not only differentiate itself from the competition but, more importantly, make the phones more connected and user-friendly.

T-Mobile didn't give its UI a fancy name and it's actually built on top of HTC Sense (so you'll see some elements of Sense on the phone) but there are three key features to it: the Faves Gallery, myModes, and the Genius Button. The Faves Gallery is an extension of myFaves, and by touching a dedicated soft button, you can instantly see and communicate with up to 20 of your favorite contacts. In addition, you'll receive a special alert in your notifications tray and a custom green light will illuminate any time one of your Faves contacts you and updates his or her status. The whole idea is to make it easier to stay in touch with the people you care about the most. … Read more

Hands-on Twitter's official Android app

It's been about a month since Twitter began contributing its official apps to the BlackBerry marketplace, rather than sitting back and letting third-party developers take the reins. We checked out Twitter's new, free, official in-house Android app over the weekend and for the most part, we've been liking what we see.

While there's no shortage of third-party Twitter apps in the Android Market, Twitter's has an edge that the others don't--integrating contacts with the Android address book. That means you'll be able to view your buddy's Twitter photo and most recent update … Read more

LG Ally officially announced with May 20 release

Though just a rumor a few days ago, LG Mobile officially introduced its Android-powered LG Ally on Monday by announcing a marketing partnership with Marvel Studios and its upcoming "Iron Man 2" movie.

Though the Ally won't be available till May 20, the handsetmaker has already kicked off the advertising campaign, starting with a commercial that began airing on Friday. The TV spot features five individuals caught in the midst of a battle between Iron Man and alien drones. Each user finds different ways to help himself by taking advantage of Android applications on the Ally.

LG … Read more

The 404 572: Where it's time for a downgrade (podcast)

Jeff Bakalar is out sick today but luckily Natali Del Conte is back from her sojourn to San Francisco and fills in on today's episode of CNET's The 404 Podcast. I hope you had a better weekend than mine; I almost had a sleepover at the Apple Store after my iPhone inexplicably broke...again! The display on my 6-month-old phone stopped working, so I've decided to stick it out with a budget Samsung flip phone until the fourth-generation iPhone comes out.

Downgrading to a single-function handset from an iPhone requires some adjustment, but I'm quickly getting used to (and even enjoying) the simplicity of having separate dedicated devices for music and phone calls.

Boredom arrives much quicker without a smartphone, of course, but who really needs all those silly apps? I'm having a great time rediscovering the simple mundane pleasure of scrolling through "settings and options." What time increment should I set my auto-dimmer to today? The possibilities are endless!

Last night CBS' "60 Minutes" aired an interview with Conan O'Brien to get his personal take on the "Tonight Show" fiasco that left poor CoCo without a network to call a home.

Unfortunately, neither NDC nor I had a chance to check it out, but Wilson gives us the rundown on Conan's amicable responses and explains why Conan starts crying halfway through the segment. Check out CBS News for the full interview.

There are also plenty of hilarious Calls From the Public to play today including one listener who finally debuts an impression of Jeff that you won't want to miss. If you have something to tell us, leave us a message at 1-866-404-CNET or shoot us a line at the404(at)CNET(dot)com!

Episode 572 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video

Monitor money matters on Android with Mint

Article updated 5/3/2010 at 1:28 pm with new details about operating system compatibility.

About a year and a half after releasing a mobile version of its personal-finance service for the iPhone, Mint.com is bringing its free credit-card and budget tracker to Android phones.

As with the iPhone app, passcode-protected Mint.com on Android has you monitoring credit card, bank, and investment accounts; your budget; and your cash ebb and flow. The app presents your money matters in summary form, with the ability to drill down to the item level of a purchase. Follow the trail to … Read more

Crave giveaway of the week: YouMail visual voice mail subscription

If your friends are talkers, you're going to want listen up. YouMail is a visual voice mail service that lets you view and listen to missed calls on your mobile phone or online in any order you like. Some other features include customized greetings and call blocking.

This week's illustrious giveaway graces not 1, but 10 lucky winners with a six-month subscription to YouMail's $17.99 per month Read-It 150 plan, which goes a step further to translate up to 150 voice messages per month into text.

YouMail will work with any mobile phone, and there are … Read more

Rumor: LG's first Android superphone headed to Verizon in May

Verizon is slowly beginning to solidify its spot as the provider of top Android handsets. Between the launch of the Motorola Droid and today's release of the Droid Incredible, Big Red is starting to resemble the preferred carrier for high-end smartphones. If the latest rumors prove to be true, next month will see yet another powerful offering from the nation's largest wireless provider.

It's being reported today that Verizon is readying the release of the LU2300 from handsetmaker LG. Known internationally as the Aloha, the U.S. version will be called the Ally and pack some heft. … Read more