Cell phones, smart phones, and PDAs

Wireless subscribers looking for the fastest data network available have been waiting with bated breath for Verizon Wireless's first 4G smartphone. And now the HTC Thunderbolt is here. But one reader wants to know if he should wait for what might be an even snappier 4G phone on Verizon.

In this week's Ask Maggie column, I answer the age-old question of whether to buy now or wait. I also help another reader determine if he should compromise luxury phones for more affordable service fees. And I discuss whether I think we'll all be buying stuff with our … Read more

I am asked all the time by readers, friends, and family members to offer my predictions on what I think is coming in the mobile market, as if I have some crystal ball hidden in my office.

It's true that I follow this market closely, but I must admit that I did not go to the Hogwarts School of Wizadry. And as such I have no crystal ball hidden anywhere to give me the answers.

That said, I am happy to offer my best guess based on what I know and have seen in the market. So with that … Read more

BARCELONA--The battle for the mobile consumer is no longer about who has the coolest device, but rather who has the most compelling ecosystem. That's the message from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who took the stage to kick off this year's Mobile World Congress.

A year ago, Ballmer was here to launch the company's revamped mobile operating system, Windows Phone 7. This year, devices with the OS have been on the market for four months, and the company has about 8,000 apps in its market. Microsoft also just announced a partnership with the world's largest phone … Read more

BARCELONA - Nokia CEO Stephen Elop used the company's Mobile World Congress press conference here to pitch Nokia's new partnership with Microsoft.

Nokia, which typically launches a bevy of products at Mobile World Congress every year, had no new products to announce. Instead, Elop took the stage here this evening to highlight the benefits of Nokia's new strategy to make Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 its predominant mobile platform. The company announced the new strategy two days ago at its investor conference in London.

Elop explained how Nokia is using its huge market share to "swing&… Read more

Nokia and Microsoft have inextricably hitched their wagons to each other in the mobile market. Could this be a precursor to a mega technology merger?

Rumors of a Nokia-Microsoft merger first percolated last year, even before former Microsoft executive Stephen Elop took the reins at the troubled cell phone giant. And while many expected the company to at least be in discussions with Microsoft over a potential partnership, few had predicted the tight relationship announced in London this morning.

During a press conference at its annual investor meeting, the Nokia CEO and Microsoft's Steve Ballmer announced that Nokia will ditch its Symbian and Meego operating systems for Microsoft Windows Phone 7. … Read more

What should disgruntled AT&T iPhone subscribers do with their old iPhone when they move to Verizon Wireless?

I offer one reader some advice in this week's Ask Maggie column. I also ease another's apprehension about using a Google Android phone with a MacBook Pro and accessing Gmail on an iPhone. And I provide some thoughts on Verizon's limited time offer of an unlimited data plan for the iPhone and other Verizon smartphones.

Ask Maggie is a weekly advice column that answers readers' wireless and broadband questions. If you've got a question, please send me … Read more

The wait is finally over for the Verizon Wireless iPhone. Starting today, Verizon's version of the iPhone 4 will be available in retail stores.

Apple and Verizon Wireless stores, along with Best Buy and selected Wal-Mart stores, will start selling the Verizon iPhones at 7 a.m. local time. And even with a high of 28 degrees forecast for New York City, eager iPhone fans are expected to line up around the block at stores throughout the city.

It's unclear how many iPhones will be available today. Apple and Verizon quickly sold out of the initial batch of iPhones … Read more

To: Nokia CEO Stephen Elop Re: Nokia's turnaround

Dear Stephen:

It's clear from your "burning platform" memo--where you compared Nokia to a man on an oil platform in the North Sea who wakes to explosions and fire, but who survives after choosing to leap into the icy sea--that you're upset. And I don't blame you.

While Nokia is still the No.1 seller of mobile handsets in the world, its lead is quickly eroding, especially at the high end of the market. Research firm Gartner reported today that smartphone sales rose 72 percent … Read more

Verizon Wireless is promising improved voice quality on phone calls when its able to deliver voice services over its new "4G" LTE network, according to a story on CNN.com.

CNN spoke to Brian Higgins, executive director for ecosystem development at Verizon Wireless, who said that the company will be offering voice over LTE service sometime next year. The improved voice quality will be considered "high-definition" audio fidelity.

Verizon Wireless launched its LTE network in December and will soon begin selling smartphones that use the network. When the first LTE phones hit the market, they will … Read more