Smartphones

Top 5 best cell phones

Cell phones are the hottest tech items of the year, and one of the most frequent questions we get at CNET is: what's the best phone?

We conferred with Mr. Kent German, who sees every phone created, and worked up a list to count down. And don't forget you can post an answer to the lame prize question in the comments for a chance to win the signed iPhone cases! So watch the show and come back.

Amazon now offering Palm Pre for $99.99

The Palm Pre got a nice little $50 price cut when Palm introduced its second WebOS device, the Palm Pixi. Sprint now offers the Pre for $149.99 with a two-year contract and $100 mail-in rebate, but there's a better deal to be had over at Amazon. You can now get the smartphone for just $99.99 with a two-year contract without any fussy rebates. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me!

Intel's Moblin 2.1 to compete with Windows

Could Intel's new Moblin 2.1 OS make a dent against Windows in the mobile and desktop markets?

At this week's Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco, the chipmaker debuted a beta version of its Moblin 2.1 open-source operating system targeted to run on a variety of devices, including smartphones, Netbooks, nettops, Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), and in-car systems.

Moblin 2.1 will compete with other open-source operating systems like Google's Android and bump up against Microsoft in the burgeoning nettop arena.

Originally developed for Netbooks, Moblin 2.1 (short for mobile Linux) will come in three flavors--one for handhelds, another for Netbooks, and a third for nettops.

In the market for handheld gadgets such as smartphones and MIDs, Moblin 2.1 will run on Atom chip-based devices. The beta demoed by Intel at IDF showed off capabilities for touch-screen and gesture input. The new interface will also let users switch among different open applications and will provide shortcuts to social-networking apps.

The Moblin 2.1 Web browser will also support Flash and Microsoft's Silverlight 3 technology to run interactive Web-based apps.… Read more

Report: No Palm Pre for Verizon Wireless

The Palm Pre may not be coming to Verizon Wireless after all.

According to a report from TheStreet.com, Verizon Wireless execs are reconsidering whether to begin offering Palm's touch screen smartphone in January as many have anticipated.

The Pre was announced at CES in January amid much fanfare. And after months of anticipation, Palm launched the device in June exclusively on Sprint Nextel's network. Shortly before the device was launched on Sprint's network, Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam said it would offer the Pre on the Verizon Wireless network within six months.

Sprint's CEO Dan Hesse said the device was exclusive to Sprint through 2009, which left many market watchers expecting a Verizon version to land sometime in January 2010. Hopes for a Verizon version of the Pre were bolstered recently when Palm's new CEO Jon Rubinstein said he expects the device to be offered on other networks very soon.

But now it looks like Verizon is having a change of heart. The Street.com said its sources have cited several reasons why Verizon execs may be getting cold feet. For one, the Palm Pre has had modest sales compared to sales of competing devices such as Apple's iPhone or Research In Motion's BlackBerry devices. According to story, Sprint has not sold more than a million Pre phones so far, which has spooked the Verizon execs.

Another issue is that Verizon supposedly wants its VCast application and download store to be featured on the phone. But this will compete directly with Palm's own app store.… Read more

Palm announces pricing, availability for GSM Pre in Europe

Finally, our friends in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany are getting their moment with the Palm Pre, as Palm and European carrier O2 announced pricing details and availability dates for the GSM version of the WebOS smartphone.

Germany will be the first to get the Pre, with sales starting on October 13, while the U.K. and Ireland will follow on October 16. The various price plans for each country is listed below, and just like Sprint and Bell Mobility in Canada, the Pre will be an exclusive to O2 for an undisclosed amount of time.

The European version … Read more

Dialed In Podcast 97: What's a femtocell?

You may have heard the term "femtocell" being tossed around lately, but what exactly is it? In this week on Dialed In, we discuss how femtocell products can help to improve your cell phone signal and list some of the devices available on the market today. We also check out the Sprint HTC Hero and a Bluetooth headset from Sound ID that has environmental awareness. Wait, what?

Subscribe now: iTunes (audio) | iTunes (video) | RSS (audio) | RSS (video)

Rumor of the week LG VX8575 Chocolate Touch nothing like BL40

News LG Chocolate BL20 video debut Alltel launches the LG AX310 … Read more

Microsoft to launch more than 30 Windows Mobile 6.5 devices by end of year

Earlier in September, Microsoft revealed that the first batch of smartphones running Windows Mobile 6.5 would start shipping on October 6. Since then, we've already learned the identities of some of the devices, including the HTC Touch2 and the Sony Ericsson Xperia X2. LG said it will introduce three new Windows Mobile phones in the next few weeks, and Samsung has revamped its Omnia line with Windows Mobile 6.5. Not a bad showing, but it looks like it's only the beginning.

According to Benjamin Tan, senior director of the GCR Mobile Team Unit at Microsoft China, … Read more

Five iPhone apps that can save you money

As I often tell people, it's not the price of the iPhone that bothers me--it's the monthly fees! (Grumble, grumble, AT&T, grumble.)

Alas, while there's no way to get around that $70/month minimum, at least I can use my iPhone to save money on other things: gas, groceries, books, DVDs, and even energy. Let's take a look at five killer apps that can help you pocket extra cash.

BetterDeal Next time you find yourself standing in a supermarket trying to figure out which size box of corn flakes provides the best bang for … Read more

Digital City Podcast 50: Microsoft's tablet plans; an HD Wii; and AT&T's Microcell scheme

Episode 50 of the Digital City, where we discuss Microsoft's plans to take on Apple in both smart phones and tablet PCs; the rumor of an HD refresh of the Nintendo Wii console; and AT&T's Microcell device for improving cell phone reception in your home through a $150 gadget (that they'll be happy to sell you).

Also noteworthy, this is our very first show in our new prime timeslot of 3pm EST on Mondays, rather than the old Friday afternoon slot -- so set your Outlook calendar reminders appropriately. Plus, if you're a fan … Read more