Personal communications

Verizon and AT&T could be teaming up to make a huge bid for the world's second-largest mobile carrier, Vodafone.

The deal, if it's signed, would see Verizon and AT&T offer 260 pence ($3.93) per share for Vodafone, representing about a 40 percent premium on the company's share price, Financial Times is reporting today, citing "usually reliable people" who claim to have knowledge of the deal. If signed, Vodafone would be valued at $245 billion.

According to the Financial Times, the deal would be quite complex. Verizon would acquire the 45 … Read more

Sprint today announced an Android 4.1 update for the Samsung Galaxy S2. Yes, you read that right. The flagship smartphone from 2011 is getting a new coat of paint.

As expected, the Android 4.1 software update brings about changes such as Google Now, Project Butter animations, and lock screen widgets. Also included are the requisite richer notifications, smarter keyboard, and improved Google Search.

In addition to the standard Jelly Bean features, the Samsung Galaxy S2 is getting some of the Galaxy S3's more popular options. Details include the Smart Stay eye tracking for keeping the phone awake … Read more

Starting April 16, U.S. Cellular customers will be able to preorder Samsung's newest flagship, the Galaxy S4.

The handset is joining the ranks of other Samsung devices under the regional carrier's belt, which includes the previous GS3, the Note 2, the Galaxy Axiom, and the Galaxy Note 10.1.

Currently, users can register with U.S. Cellular to receive a special preorder offer online.

The handset itself officially debuted earlier this month at a New York press conference.

It will have a 13-megapixel camera, run Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, and feature a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon … Read more

Our colleagues at CNET Asia just took the new Sony Xperia ZL for a complete test-drive and like how this elegant handset handles. While not as luxurious as Sony's current flagship the Xperia Z, the Xperia ZL offers plenty of smartphone goodies including a nimble processor, Android Jelly Bean, and even an IR blaster to function as a home theater remote. … Read more

Today, T-Mobile hyped how much easier bringing phones to its new network will be. As it turns out, however, it isn't as simple as you'd think.

Here's the deal. T-Mobile is in the middle of three major wireless transitions. Besides ripping up mandatory two-year contracts, the carrier is building a new 4G LTE network. If that wasn't enough, T-Mobile also is migrating its older 3.5G data service from the AWS band (1700/2100) where it currently lives over to the 1,900MHz GSM band.

But that's not all. T-Mobile is using that freed-up AWS … Read more

T-Mobile's new service plans mark a huge change for wireless carriers. In addition to ditching contracts, the nation's fourth largest wireless provider also has dropped handset subsidies completely. So now, when you buy a new phone from T-Mobile, you'll pay much more for your device than you did when you signed two years of your life away. You have the option of paying the full cost at the time of purchase, or paying a deposit with monthly installments, but the phone's price is the same either way. And, of course, you won't be tied to … Read more

T-Mobile just took a bold, new step by shredding the contracts for its plans plus launching its new 4G LTE data network. But what kind of speeds can you really expect to see on the carrier's hot, new devices? Judging from what I observed at T-Mobile's splashy press event in New York, apparently quite a bit. … Read more

There are endless options for battery backup devices for your smartphone. There are battery cases, battery packs, solar chargers, and hand-crank devices. But they all have a common enemy: bulk. You have to find the space in your pocket or purse to keep them with you. This is where the Fuel phone charger comes in. It's as easy to carry as your car keys.

Fuel is shaped like a little red gas canister. Inside the aluminum housing is a 220 milliAmp hour battery. It's just over an inch high and half an inch thick, leading its creator Devotec Industries to claim it as the world's smallest cell phone charger. Fuel isn't going to fully recharge your battery, but it will give you an extra 20 to 30 minutes of talk time when you need it most.… Read more

In addition to unveiling its contract-free data plan, T-Mobile announced a number of devices that will be available on its 4G LTE network, including the Sonic 2.0 mobile hotspot.

Available now for $149.99, the Sonic 2.0 is the carrier's first LTE hot spot and it can connect up to eight devices.

The device is manufactured by ZTE and features a 1.77-inch color screen (which displays information such as signal strength, battery level, and number of connected devices), a microSD card slot that is expandable up to 32GB, and it works with both Windows 8 and … Read more