Smartphones

BlackBerry Torch gets software update

A software update is now available for the RIM BlackBerry Torch, and it should bring improvements to the overall performance of the smartphone.

The update (Release bundle v6.0.0.695, Platform v6.4.0.105/Application v6.0.0.246) will pushed out to users over the next week and a half and includes the following enhancements:

Quicker page loading and panning in the Web browser

Improved responsiveness after unlocking the phone

Faster launching, switching, and exiting of applications

Smoother transitions when switching between home screen panels

Faster rendering of thumbnails in the photo gallery

Improved audio quality

Smoother … Read more

WSJ: Apple prepping CDMA iPhone

Verizon Wireless is in San Francisco for CTIA Fall 2010 to discuss its LTE strategy, but a new report has surfaced to reignite rumors of a Verizon-bound iPhone.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple is beginning preparations to mass produce a CDMA--the wireless technology used by Verizon, as well as Sprint--iPhone by the end of the year, which would allow Big Red to start offering the smartphone in early 2011.

Sources say that the CDMA iPhone would feature a similar design to the iPhone 4, but also said Apple is developing a fifth-generation iPhone with a different design.

Though … Read more

Wi-Fi calling coming to T-Mobile Android phones

SAN FRANCISCO - A recent leak of training documents and screenshots created a swirl of rumors that T-Mobile would make Wi-Fi calling available on its Android phones, and now we have official confirmation from the carrier itself.

On the opening day of CTIA Fall 2010, T-Mobile announced that it will offer its Wi-Fi Calling service on a selection of Android smartphones, including the upcoming T-Mobile MyTouch and Motorola Defy, which will allow you to make calls and send text messages over a Wi-Fi network.

Powered by Kineto's Smart Wi-Fi application, the service is ready to use out of the … Read more

Symantec makes push to secure mobile devices

As people increasingly use their smartphones both for work and for pleasure, Symantec is now offering a range of tools designed to better protect mobile devices, no matter where or how they're used.

The security company today unveiled several updates to its mobile strategy to help companies, consumers, and carriers all better secure and manage smartphones, tablets, and other portable gadgets.

On the business front, companies face strong challenges in securing the mobile phones on their networks, especially as more employees try to use their own personal gadgets on the job. Many can't support the increasing array of … Read more

AT&T adds trio of Motorola Android phones

On Tuesday, AT&T announced the upcoming availability of three new Android handsets from Motorola--the Motorola Bravo, Flipout, and Flipside--pretty much doubling its Android offering in one fell swoop.

Ranging in price from $79.99 to $129.99, the trio will ship running Android 2.1 with Motoblur and feature Wi-Fi. However, each one offers a distinct design and caters to a slightly different audience.

Motorola Bravo: With features like an 800MHz processor, DLNA support, and a 3-megapixel camera, the Bravo is the higher-end device of the bunch. It sports a 3.7-inch WVGA capacitive touch screen with multitouch … Read more

MobiTV expanding beyond mobile video market

Video-content provider MobiTV is expanding beyond its familiar mobile market to reach the living room and office.

The company, which offers live and on-demand TV shows for mobile phones, is branching out into Internet-connected TVs, set-top boxes, and personal computers. The goal is to offer a TV-anywhere type of service in which subscribers can catch live news and sports as well as on-demand TV shows no matter where they are.

Beyond providing TV on different devices, the new service will sync and converge content. So baseball fans could watch a game on their smartphones, pause it, and then pick up … Read more

Microsoft, AT&T set Windows Phone 7 date

Mark your calendars, smartphone fans, as the debut of the first Windows Phone 7 devices is nigh. Microsoft just sent out formal invitations for an October 11 press conference in New York to be co-hosted by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega. The event will begin at 6:30 a.m. PT, and will be followed by an open house, at which Microsoft will showcase its current portfolio of products.

It's no surprise that AT&T will take center stage with Microsoft, as the carrier was named a preferred partner … Read more

2010 CTIA Fall Show is all business

SAN FRANCISCO--New 4G networks and cool wireless gadgets like the iPad aren't just for playing games and watching movies, companies large and small are looking for ways to leverage this technology to make it work for their businesses.

While many technology trends have traditionally flowed from the corporate environment into the consumer market (think e-mail and voicemail as just two examples), many of the latest trends in mobility over the past few years have originated for consumers.

The Apple iPhone and Google Android phones, and the mobile app craze that has followed, have predominately been focused on meeting the … Read more

A conversation with Nokia's Tero Ojanpera

To the casual observer, Nokia would seem to be a company with something to prove.

Executive changes, pressure from the Android OS and the iPhone, advanced new hardware from the likes of HTC and Samsung, and the company's lack of carrier relationships in the U.S. have watchers and analysts wondering how long Nokia can hang onto its global dominance in mobile phones. But the company's executive vice president of mobile services, Tero Ojanpera, doesn't seem to be feeling the heat. Either that, or he doesn't have a lot of answers.

In the questions you sent … Read more

New T-Mobile MyTouch coming this holiday season

T-Mobile's Android family is expanding once again, as the carrier announced a new MyTouch model that will arrive just in time for the holidays.

Like the other MyTouch models, the handset, which is currently known simply as the T-Mobile MyTouch, is made by HTC but is billed as more of a premium device compared with the current lineup. The smartphone will ship running Android 2.2 and includes some higher-end features like HSPA+ support, a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, and a front-facing VGA camera for video chat.

Though T-Mobile would not disclose information about its video chat client, the carrier … Read more