Smartphones

As we pack our bags to leave Las Vegas, It's time to reflect on the CTIA that was. After a sleeper of a show last year, 2010 was quite eventful. The show floor was busier, the announcements were bigger, and there was more of a buzz permeating the Las Vegas Convention Center. It can be hard to keep track of it all, so here's a summary of what we saw.

4G Sprint and HTC grabbed most of the spotlight when they announced their new HTC Evo 4G. The Evo is more than just hype; it's slick and powerful and Sprint has a growing WiMax network (it might switch to LTE, however). Indeed, we liked it so much that we named it the top phone at CTIA. Yet, Sprint was not alone in pushing 4G; MetroPCS and Samsung announced the LTE-equipped SCH-r900 for Las Vegas and other markets later this year. Read Maggie Reardon's recent take on 4G for a great perspective on how the technology could develop. T-Mobile tried to counter the 4G news by promoting its 3G network and AT&T execs advocated for more spectrum.

Android Just like at CES and Mobile World Congress, Android went big at CTIA this year. We saw the first Android phone from Nextel, Kyocera's first Android handset, a Dell Android device, and the promising Samsung Galaxy S. Oh, and did we mention that the Evo 4G runs Android 2.1? Nice.

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Late last year I told you about CNET's new tool to accurately rate wireless coverage across the United States. With our partner Root Wireless, we're able to show average signal strength, data throughput, dropped calls, and failed data connections for the four major carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless) in great detail, even down to a city block.

Though we've received positive reader feedback about the service since its launch, we also know that you've wanted more coverage (no pun intended) beyond the current 16 metro areas. Well, the good news is that … Read more

One thing we've been hearing a lot about at CTIA this week--whether we like it or not--is the coming of 4G.

The United States' CDMA carriers, Verizon Wireless and Sprint, are pressing the notion that they have 4G networks ready while their GSM counterparts--AT&T and T-Mobile--are struggling to keep their 3G networks turned on or even installed.

But does anybody care? For many people, their 3G connection is fast enough, and people are confused enough by the different standards. 4G, for some, will only be more confusing, even to those who think they need … Read more

LAS VEGAS--CTIA 2010 has come to a close, and the show produced some really awesome smartphones, cell phones, and applications. However, it's one thing to read about these devices and services, and it's another thing to actually see them live.

Since we couldn't take all of you to Las Vegas with us, we're bringing the action to you. Here is a collection of our First Look videos from CTIA, which includes a hands-on look at the HTC Evo 4G, LG Remarq, and Opera Mini 5 for the iPhone. What are you most excited about?

Smartphones … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Opera Software submitted its mobile proxy-based browser, Opera Mini 5, to the iPhone App Store this week, but whether Apple accepts Opera's proposed alternative to Safari is still up in the air.

Either verdict could benefit Opera's hand. If Apple accepts the browser, Opera wins and can begin making a name for itself on yet another mobile platform. If Apple rejects Opera Mini, Opera gets a chance to play the victim, perhaps setting the stage to mount a similar European antitrust claim against Apple as Opera did against Microsoft for its Internet Explorer browser several years back.… Read more

Now more than ever our interpersonal relationships are dictated by electronic communication, which in turn depends upon some form of the written word. Text is of course a great way to express oneself, whether in an e-mail, an instant message, or a text message. However, when it comes to interacting with your friends, family, and business associates in this way, there are a few things you may want to keep in mind:

DO send a text to convey quick details, such as a time and address for meeting with a colleague or friend. Texts are also a great way to … Read more

LAS VEGAS--In addition to the Kyocera Zio, Cricket Wireless is set to bring a new BlackBerry to its lineup. The carrier confirmed at CTIA 2010 that it will offer the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8530, but pricing or a specific availability date was not released at this time.

The AWS (Advanced Wireless Service)-compatible device is largely similar to the CDMA versions of the Curve 8530 available from Verizon Wireless and Sprint. For more information about the device, check out our review of the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8530.

Here's an interesting solution to a problem you may not have known you had. How to share the moments of your life, live, with others. Knocking Live Video is a free video-sharing app for iPhone, and now for Android, that broadcasts live video from one smartphone to another.

There's nothing new about live streaming video on these platforms or others. Qik is a free service that similarly broadcasts live video from smartphones and feature phones to the internet. However, Qik can be public or private , whereas Knocking Live Video is currently only private, and Qik streams to the … Read more

Verizon Wireless announced today that the Motorola Devour is now on sale in the carrier's stores for $149.99 with a two-year service contract and a $100 mail-in rebate. Verizon originally introduced the Devour in February, but only made it available in select Best Buy stores.

As we say in our review, there's much to admire about the Devour. We love its sturdy casing, the feature set is functional, and the performance is agreeable. We also dig the quirky thumbpad next to the bright, though somewhat small, display. On the downside, we're wondering why we only got … Read more