zte

Intel sets Windows 8 tablet event with HP, Samsung, others

Intel is going to kick off the season of the Windows 8 tablet by hosting an event next week attended by virtually all of the major PC players.

The September 27 event will highlight products using Intel's "Clover Trail" Z2760 (PDF) power-efficient system-on-a-chip (SoC) processor.

"A media event to showcase the latest Intel-based tablet and tablet convertibles, and announce details about the next generation Intel Atom processor (formerly code-named 'Clover Trail')," Intel said in a note sent out to journalists.

Intel's Erik Reid, general manager of Application Processor Platforms in the Mobile and Communications … Read more

The quad-core ZTE Grand Era U985 debuts in China

Even though the title of the "slimmest" phone changes hands almost every other week, ZTE has claimed the superlative (for now) with its ZTE Grand Era U985. Unveiled recently at a tech expo in China, the phone is a quad-core device with a 0.31-inch profile.

The Nvidia Tegra 3-equipped handset also has a 4.5-inch HD display with 1,280x720-pixel resolution and an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera.

The phone operates on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and will be made available to Chinese customers in the next few days.

In addition to the Era U985, ZTE will … Read more

Lawmakers frustrated by Huawei, ZTE during hearings

The House Intelligence Committee brought executives from two Chinese telecommunications gear makers to Capitol Hill today to press them on potential threats they pose to national security, but came away with little satisfaction.

"I can say that I am a little disappointed today," committee chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) said at the end of the hearing investigating Huawei and ZTE. (CNET viewed the hearing via Webcast.) "I was hoping for a little more transparency... Other inconsistencies worry me greatly."

Rogers and his fellow committee members pressed executives from the two Chinese companies repeatedly, raising allegations that the … Read more

ZTE debuts Intel-powered Grand X IN

ZTE today used the IFA consumer electronics show to announce its first smartphone to employ Intel's Atom Z2460 "Medfield" mobile processor.

Called the Grand X IN, the handset runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and features a single-core 1.6GHz processor, a 4.3-inch qHD display, and 8-megapixel camera. Like most higher-end Android phones, the ZTE comes with 1GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, a front-facing camera, NFC, and microSD expansion. At first blush, the Grand X IN closely resembles its recent Grand X, save for its processor.

Although pricing and carrier details are still unclear, the … Read more

T-Mobile announces contract-free T-Mobile Concord

Today, T-Mobile unveiled its no-contract, entry-level Android device tailored to first-time smartphone users. Manufactured by ZTE, the T-Mobile Concord will sport a 2-megapixel camera, ship natively with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and will be equipped with a 3.5-inch touch-screen display.

Interested users can get their hands on it now at Wal-Mart, for $99.98, along with a Wal-Mart Family Mobile no annual contract plan. Starting August 26, the Concord will be sold at Target for $99.99, with a Monthly4G plan. Unfortunately, the Concord is not a 4G-enabled device.

Phones to avoid (2012)

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Not every phone can be great. Sometimes, in the rush to get a phone to market, the final product comes out a little half-baked.

A few weeks ago, CNET's Jessica Dolcourt published a blog post called "Don't buy these phones." Being the math whiz that I am, I noticed that her list had five phones and I promptly rehashed it to fit my purposes.

Now, these aren't terrible phones. Most are rated between 2 and 3 stars. They work as advertised, they won't fall apart … Read more

ZTE reaches high with Grand X

Though it doesn't boast any flagship specs, the ZTE Grand X is one of the more ambitious phones coming out of the Chinese phone manufacturer yet. CNET UK recently reviewed the handset, and was pleased to see that it ran a skinless version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. In addition, it sports a dual-core 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor and comes preloaded with Nvidia's Tegra Zone gaming portal.

There are some pitfalls, however. The Grand X's 4.3-inch screen is unresponsive, and its 5-megapixel camera has noticeable shutter lag. And despite ZTE touting that the … Read more

Sprint's ZTE Flash could have 12-megapixel camera, 4G LTE

Sprint and ZTE appear to becoming fast friends as details for yet another collaboration surfaced over this past weekend. Apparently called the ZTE Flash, the handset's specs could rival those of other high-end Android smartphones.

According to TalkAndroid, the ZTE Flash will run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and feature a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, a 4.5-inch HD (1,280x720 pixels) IPS display, and offer support for Sprint's 4G LTE network.

The Flash is expected to have a standard 1-megapixel shooter, but the rear-facing camera will feature a huge 12.6-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED … Read more

FBI takes aim at ZTE over alleged Iran dealings, report says

The FBI is investigating Chinese telecommunications company ZTE for its alleged dealings with an Iranian telecom, according to a new report.

The Smoking Gun is reporting, citing sources, that the FBI is investigating ZTE for allegedly acquiring hardware and software from U.S.-based technology companies and then illegally shipping them to Iran's government-controlled carrier, the Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI).

Reuters, which first reported on the allegations back in March, said at the time that ZTE bought surveillance equipment that could have been used by TCI to spy on Iranian citizens. The contract, according to Reuters, was inked … Read more