Rumors

HTC has a press event scheduled for October 6 in London where a "surprise headliner" is promised. Though a focus on HTC's Beats Audio could mean that the special guest is an actual musician, HTC may just be playing coy about a coming new phone as well.

One device rumored to take the stage is the Runnymede, a Beats Audio-equipped phone with a 4.7-inch display. Mirroring HTC's Windows Phone-powered Titan, additional specifications are expected to include a single-core 1.5GHz processor, an 8-megapixel camera, and 16GB internal storage.

According to a trusted source to Pocketnow, … Read more

The hardware specifications for the rumored Droid Razr surfaced over the weekend at This is My Next, painting the image of a slightly evolved Droid Bionic.

The seemingly reliable details include a 4.3-inch display, a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, 1GB RAM, an 8-megapixel camera, and 4G LTE support. Although the processor's manufacturer has not been identified, it's definitely a step up from the Droid Bionic. What's more, the Super AMOLED Plus display certainly is a departure from the PenTile matrix found in other recent Motorola smartphones.

According to This is My Next's source, the handset had a code name of Spyder, but the name "Droid Razr" is referenced in the handet's "About" screen. What's more, the tipster indicates that the phone features an "HD" front-facing camera, though its resolution was not immediately known.

Comparing these new images to one that first surfaced in August, it's highly like that this is the same phone once also known as the Droid HD. Indeed, the other details match up pretty closely with each other so I wouldn't be surprised to learn that this phone has multiple names. … Read more

Details of an unannounced LG handset have landed online, giving a clear indication as to MetroPCS' next Android smartphone.

Called the LG Esteem, the handset will closely mirror Verizon Wireless' LG Revolution, right down to the 4G LTE support. Specifications include a 1GHz processor, 512MB RAM, 8GB of internal storage, and a 5-megapixel camera.

Known previously as the M910 Bryce, the handset recently cleared the FCC and looks to be ready to launch. Additional specifications include Android 2.3 Gingerbread, a 4.3-inch display, and support for HDMI, DLNA, Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n), GPS, and Bluetooth 3.0. … Read more

Verizon Wireless doesn't like to use the word "throttle" when describing how it will restrict heavy data users, but it has no problem with the word "choke." And as Jessica tells us, that's exactly what the carrier is starting to do for the "most active five percent of its 3G data customers." No, it's not very convenient, but at least the carrier is trying to be polite about it.

Elsewhere in the podcast, we tackle a new female-oriented phone from HTC that may have Rhyme, though it's without any real … Read more

Our friends at TmoNews got their hands on a very interesting document that foretells how current T-Mobile service plans will be affected if the proposed AT&T merger goes through. Though we've always known that AT&T's will honor T-Mobile's contracts through the end of their life, this employee FAQ says that customers can keep their plans "as long as they want to, even when their term ends and the service continues on a month-to-month basis."

Exactly what that means remains to be seen. In previous carrier mergers, customers were allowed to keep … Read more

HTC, fresh from announcing the Rhyme and Sense 3.5 user interface, should have plenty of reasons to get back on stage come its October 6 press event.

With expected devices in the Vigor (Droid Incredible HD), Amaze 4G, Holiday, and Runnymede (Bass), there is plenty to look forward to from the manufacturer. So why not toss in at least one more phone for good measure? Say hello to the HTC Explorer.

Along with the standard connectivity options, the diminutive device is said to feature a 600MHz processor, a 3.2-inch display, 384MB RAM, and a 5-megapixel camera. Looking very … Read more

Sprint Nextel may be getting an iPad of its very own.

Web site 9to5mac reported today that Apple and Sprint have completed work on an iPad that is compatible with Sprint's wireless network. This comes on the heels of reports that Sprint will also carry the iPhone.

If true, the products represent a strengthening of ties between Apple and Sprint, and would put Sprint on par with its larger rivals AT&T and Verizon Wireless. Sprint has the added benefit of offering more attractive rate plans with the devices.

The site reports that the Sprint version of the iPad is completely separate from the Verizon model, which runs on the compatible 3G CDMA technology. It's unclear whether the Sprint iPad would run on the 3G or 4G WiMax network, which is run by Sprint partner Clearwire, according to 9to5mac. But it's unlikely that Apple would invest in building a WiMax device when most companies are looking to alternative 4G technology LTE.

A Sprint representative declined to comment to CNET. An Apple representative wasn't immediately available for comment.

Without an iPad of its own, Sprint had resorted to pitching its mobile hot spot as a way to provide a Wi-Fi connection to the blockbuster tablet. … Read more

The folks who bring you the specifications for Bluetooth may have just outed the next Facebook phone. Now visible on the Web site for the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the Motorola EX225 doesn't look like much at first. Yet, if you peer closely at the handset's boring candy bar design, you'll see a dedicated Facebook button like we got on the HTC Status.

The Bluetooth SIG doesn't list any features save for a 3-megapixel camera, a full keyboard (of course), and the possibility of a dual SIM card slot. The tiny 2.4-inch screen would … Read more

LG, gearing up for the important preholiday season, has a number of Android-powered smartphones on the horizon.

One model in particular, the Univa, has appeared in a pair of real-world outings recently. Carrying a model number of e150 and looking production-ready, the handset may ultimately arrive Stateside as an Optimus One successor.

Rumored specifications for the Univa include an 800MHz processor, 512MB RAM, a 3.5-inch HVGA display, and a 5-megapixel camera. It is expected that the handset will run Android 2.3.4 and offer support for Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth.

While these details might sound uninspiring to seasoned … Read more