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Moto Cliq, Samsung Moment on sale

It's shaping up to be another big week in the Google Android universe, starting with the official release of the Motorola Cliq and the Samsung Moment.

T-Mobile's Cliq went on sale Monday for its promised price of $199 with a two-year contract. When we reviewed the Cliq last month we found a lot to like about the device. The MotoBlur interface can be somewhat overwhelming, but the user-friendly design and loaded feature set round out T-Mobile's other Android offerings.

The Moment went on sale November 1. Samung's initial Android phone for the U.S. market is … Read more

Leaked docs confirm Droid Eris details: November 6, $99

New leaked documents suggest all the Droid Eris grumblings we've heard were true: it should launch November 6, and it will supposedly run $99 after rebate. That's pretty cheap considering it matches the specs of the $180 Hero.

What we've heard about the HTC Eris being a slightly reshaped Hero is pretty much right. The spec sheet claims it's packing a 528MHz Qualcomm, a 320x480 screen, and Android 1.5, exactly what you'll get in the Hero. There's also mention of a bundled 8GB MicroSD card. Guess I shouldn't have expected a 16GB … Read more

At $99, HTC Droid Eris might be cheapest Android phone

A lot of attention has been lavished on the Motorola Droid today--and rightfully so--but it's merely the "cornerstone" of Verizon's Droid family. HTC's Droid Eris is gonna be the cheap stepbrother, at 99 bucks.

Though it's been speculated that the Droid Eris will run Android 1.6 and sport a hard-to-get-excited-about 528MHz Qualcomm CPU, it would be the cheapest Android phone yet in the U.S. Verizon didn't mention it at all today, so we might be a touch skeptical of it making that rumored November 6 launch date, but we'll see. … Read more

Droid Eris: Verizon's other Android phone?

We're learning a lot about Verizon's Motorola Droid (with more to come soon), but what do we know about the Droid Eris?

Also called the HTC Desire, the Eris (and the Moto Droid) will be a part of a series of Google Android devices for Verizon Wireless. According to Gdgt, preliminary specs include a 5-megapixel camera, a microSD card slot, EV-DO, a 3.2-inch display, and (thanks to the Boy Genius Report) a 528MHz processor. Official photos are nonexistent at this point, but the Eris should have a HTC Hero-like a trackball for navigation.

Verizon hasn't announced … Read more

The 411: No smartphone without a data plan

This is the 411, my Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have the same questions, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.

I'm looking into purchasing a new phone and possibly upgrading to a smart phone with AT&T. The hitch is … Read more

Sprint Nextel has the HTC Hero Sprint PDA for $179.99, after $200 Instant savings and $100 mail-in rebate.

Save $300 on the HTC Hero Sprint PDA from Sprint Nextel >> Regular price is $479.99 >> Sale price is $179.99 >> Savings $300 (62.50%) >> Click here for deal

The 411: Touch-screen durability

Welcome to the 411, my Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of queries about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might be wondering about the same things, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.

Hi Nicole, I'm thinking of upgrading my mobile phone in the near future. I've been a BlackBerry user for the past couple of years, and I've really given this thing a beating. I have dropped it more times than I can count, sometimes at a great enough velocity to send the battery cover flying well past the rest of the phone. What I am wondering is, how durable are today's touch-screen phones? I've heard that the Pre is particularly fragile. Are the OLED devices any better or worse? Would you recommend someone like me sticking with a non-touch device, since once you crack a touch screen, you are left with an expensive paperweight? -- Jay, via e-mail.

If you abuse your phone that much, I would say touch-screen phones are probably not the best for you. Touch-screen phones usually have a glass surface as the display, which, of course, is particularly susceptible to cracking. You might consider a durable case of some kind to prevent everyday nicks and scratches, though. There are also many manufacturers that make scratch-resistant screen overlays, like the Zagg invisible shields, for example. But if you're truly concerned, then yes, perhaps a more durable phone is in order. You can check out phones like the Sonim XP3 Quest or the Casio Exilim C721, both of which are rugged enough to withstand the elements. Check out our reviews of other durable phones, too, if you want more options.

I am due for an upgrade in October and was seriously considering a BlackBerry Tour on Verizon Wireless. The only thing is that I have big hands and while some people might laugh it makes for an uncomfortable experience on those BlackBerry devices. My question is this: Does RIM have any plans on coming out with a BlackBerry device that has bigger keys? Or am I doomed to never be able to use a BlackBerry device at all? -- Stu, via e-mail

RIM has been pretty consistent with the size and shape of its BlackBerry handhelds, so I don't think RIM will enhance the size of its keyboards any time soon.… Read more

Hands on with the HTC HD2

Of all the Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphones announced this week at CTIA Fall 2009, the HTC HD2 is arguably the sexiest and most powerful of the bunch.

The HD2 boasts a 4.3-inch WVGA (480x800) capacitive touch screen and is powered by Qualcomm's new 1GHz Snapdragon mobile processor, all while measuring just 0.43 inches in thickness. It also offers an HTC Sense user experience, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, a 5-megapixel camera, a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack--the works.

With those kind of impressive specs and sexy looks, can you blame us for being disappointed when it was … Read more

Qualcomm chips rule Windows Mobile roost

Consumers won't see a "Qualcomm Inside" sticker on new Windows Mobile phones, but the chip supplier is playing a big role in powering the first crop of phones based on Microsoft's new operating system.

Microsoft announced on Tuesday the first phones to carry the Windows Phone brand and run the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system--which offers Adobe Flash support, an upgraded browser, and menus that can be navigated with a finger. AT&T has already announced smartphones, with dozens more expected to be rolled out by the end of the year.

The Tilt 2 … Read more