smartphone

Updated Feb. 4, 12:13 p.m., PT: This post has been updated with more details about the fixes and new features included in the RC33 firmware update.

On Tuesday, T-Mobile announced that it will start rolling out maintenance release (1.1 RC33) to T-Mobile G1 customers this week. The update will be delivered over the air and should reach all owners within the next two weeks, the carrier said.

Unfortunately, what it didn't reveal are the exact details of what's included in the release, simply stating that it would provide "new features and software updates." … Read more

A company called PINoptic says it has a new picture-based security mechanism to make smartphones more secure.

The company claims that its new software will make a smartphone 37 times more secure than using a simple four-digit personal identification number.

As smartphones become increasingly popular, experts warn they could be targets for hackers. These devices provide access to corporate networks, e-mail accounts, and sometimes corporate data. Stolen smartphones can also provide criminals with plenty of information to steal personal identities. And because they're made to be portable, smartphones can be lifted easily from pockets or purses or even left … Read more

We've heard rumors of the T-Mobile G2, but we're always weary of such speculation until we get the official word from the carriers or cell phone manufacturer. However, the likelihood of a T-Mobile G1 successor is high and now, it's all but just been about confirmed by T-Mobile.

In an interview with Fierce Wireless, Neville Ray, T-Mobile's senior VP of engineering, revealed that the carrier is planning to release more 3G-capable smartphones and Google Android devices in 2009. "As the year progresses there will be a significant number of HSPA-capable smartphones. We will be launching … Read more

OK, so Dell and Apple have been locked in a marketing war for years. Dell has long been considered the default PC for enterprise, while Apple has positioned itself as the most influential consumer computer brand in the world. But Apple has branched out from computing with the iPod and, of course, the iPhone.

Now it's looking more and more likely that Dell might be going the way of the smartphone, as well, but don't look for an iPhone competitor, at least not at first. Dell tried something similar to take on the iPod, but the effort felt … Read more

We've been hearing rumors of a Dell smartphone for a while now, but The Wall Street Journal gave more shape to the speculation with a report Thursday that the PC maker "has had a group of engineers working on the phones for more than a year from an office in the Chicago area."

The paper quoted sources close to the plans as saying the team produced prototypes built on Google's Android operating system and Microsoft Windows Mobile (which would you prefer?). One model has a touch screen but no physical keyboard, a la Apple's iPhone, … Read more

Correction, 4:03 p.m. PST: This story misstated the day the company announced subscriber figures. It was Thursday.

Competition is heating up in the wireless market and it looks like T-Mobile USA is getting singed.

Deutsche Telekom, which owns the wireless company T-Mobile International and T-Mobile USA, reported earnings on Thursday citing slower subscriber growth for its U.S. wireless entity.

During the fourth quarter, T-Mobile USA, which is the fourth largest wireless operator in the U.S., added 621,000 new customers. This was down from the previous quarter when the company added 670,000 new subscribers. And … Read more

Market research firm iSuppli has taken apart the BlackBerry Storm and discovered that the sum of its parts is worth more than those of Apple's iPhone 3G.

Components used to build new Research In Motion smartphone cost about $203, according to iSuppli. Verizon Wireless, the exclusive carrier of the Storm, sells the device for $199 after rebates and with a two-year service contract. Meanwhile, the total cost of components in Apple's 8-gigabyte iPhone 3G, which was introduced last summer, is $174. AT&T, the iPhone's exclusive carrier, sells the 8GB device for $199 with a two-year … Read more

There's one obvious lesson learned from the earnings news of America's biggest wireless carriers: people can't do without their cell phones, even when times are bad.

This week AT&T and Verizon Communications each reported strong growth in their cell phone businesses. Verizon saw a profit gain of 15 percent, largely boosted by its growing wireless service. Despite a 26.3 percent drop in profits, which was mostly attributed to increased expenses, AT&T managed to grow revenue across the board with wireless providing the biggest benefit.

Executives running the two largest phone companies say … Read more

T-Mobile hit us with a triple whammy today when it released the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900, T-Mobile Shadow and the Nokia 7510. Bonnie managed to secure the two smartphones for full reviews, and she gave us the full details in today's Dialed In. We also dish on the the latest Palm Treo Pro rumors, a camera phone-hating Congressman, texting in the sky, and why service rebates really stink. And if reviews are all you're after, we also give you the scoop on the latest handsets that we put to the test. Listen now: Download today's podcast