Dialed In

Sony Xperia Z, Xperia ZL pop up on Web site ahead of CES

Sony's Xperia Z and Xperia ZL have been found hiding on Sony's Web site, hinting at things to come for next week's CES show.

Known in other circles as the Yuga and Odin, these two Sony devices have been tied to numerous rumors over the last few months.

The Sony Xperia Z (Yuga) is the larger of the two smartphones however, the Xperia ZL may possess similar internal hardware specifications. Reportedly, the Xperia Z will possess a quad-core 1.5GHz processor, a 5-inch 1080p HD display, 2GB RAM, and a 13-megapixel camera.

Both are expected to offer … Read more

Ubuntu OS smartphones tapped for late 2013

Ubuntu OS, long a favorite open-source platform for computing, is getting ready to move to the smaller smartphone screen.

Ubuntu-run smartphones will using the same drivers as Android smartphones, a boon to developers, but will also run well on entry-level smartphones, the organization says. Ubuntu for phones eschews Java in favor of native code.

In fact, Ubuntu's Web site pushes HTML5 and native code apps, a benefit for developers who can create a single app for both the desktop and the PC.

The OS favors swiping gestures to reveal navigation strips and overview pages, similar to RIM's BlackBerry … Read more

RIM expands licensing deal with InterDigital to cover 4G LTE tech

Research In Motion and InterDigital have extended an existing patent licensing agreement to cover 4G LTE technology.

Under the deal announced today, RIM will be able to use InterDigital's patents in its upcoming line of BlackBerry 10 products, which are set to debut later this month.

The deal comes just a few weeks after RIM settled a patent dispute with Nokia. In that case, RIM agreed to a one-time payment to Nokia and ongoing royalties for the use of its technology.

RIM is clearing the decks of any complications as it focuses on what is possibly the most important … Read more

Wireless trade group CTIA to drop one conference

Wireless trade group CTIA said today that it will go from two shows a year to a single conference in the fall starting in 2014.

The group, which is primarily focused on the U.S. wireless industry and includes carriers, handset manufacturers, and other related companies, has traditionally held two shows each year: a larger main show in the spring and a smaller, more business-focused event in the fall called MobileCon. The group will continue to hold both events this year.

Pressured by competing trade shows and its own members, CTIA will merge the conferences into a single "super … Read more

Red and brown Samsung Galaxy Note 2 discovered in Korea

According to the Japanese mobile news site Blog of Mobile, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is sporting two new colors: red and brown.

However, the version colors officially go by the name Ruby Wine (pictured above on the left) and Amber Brown (right).

Because the new looks were discovered in a South Korean publication, it'll be a while before these models reach the United States, assuming it'll even reach our shores at all.

Currently, the 5.5-inch phone/tablet hybrid (or "phablet") is available here in Marble White and Titanium Gray.

Considering that the Samsung Galaxy S3 … Read more

ZTE Wombat from T-Mobile makes its way to FCC

It definitely has been a busy week for ZTE and T-Mobile.

Another device slated for the carrier has appeared under FCC listings.

According to the paperwork, the phone's model name is F555, but it also goes by the label "Wombat." The device looks to be a simple feature phone with a candy bar construction.

External pictures also reveal branding from T-Mobile and an onboard four-row keyboard.

Other features include a 2-megapixel rear-facing camera, a shortcut camera key, a 1,000mAh battery, and microSD card slot.

In addition, the handset comes with Bluetooth, a native music player, and … Read more

BlackBerry 10 device appears at FCC

In case you needed more clues that RIM's latest handsets based on the long-awaited BlackBerry 10 software are really just around the corner, you've got it. A new device, referred to as model RFH121LW, has now shown up within the FCC's official database. Tech site Engadget noticed RIM's mysterious gadget, along with another product called the RFF91LW which reportedly is cleared to operate on AT&T's LTE and GSM airwaves. … Read more

Samsung to sell first Tizen smartphone next year, report says

Samsung Electronics will be the first to sell a smartphone running on the Tizen operating system through Japanese carrier NTT Docomo and other partners next year, according to Japan's Daily Yomiuri.

Samsung, NTT Docomo, and their partners hope to build a platform that will rival the major operating systems from Apple and Google. Other carriers interested in Tizen include the U.K.'s Vodaphone and France Telecom, according to the report.

CNET has contacted Samsung for comment, and we'll update the story when the company responds.

Tizen is a Linux-based operating system that emerged from the death of … Read more

Android rumor roundup

Android rumor roundup is a weekly column that gathers the top rumors each week in the Android space.

The winter holidays have put the freeze on Android rumors this week, but a few trickled out regardless. Check out this week's newest Android whispers and brush up on other alleged devices and updates that could come down the pipeline.

December 22-28, 2012 T-Mobile's HTC One S getting Jelly Bean soon (December 26, 2012) Although Android 4.1 is now available for global HTC One S phones, T-Mobile's version isn't part of the rollout yet.

However, it's … Read more