Mobile

This week Google's Project Glass team released a video demonstrating just how good the augmented reality specs are at what Google does best, search.

Much of the hype around Glass has centered on its ability to capture a true first-person perspective (we've already seen the first marriage proposal through Glass), but the 20 sample searches in the embedded vid below showcase the power of what's essentially Google Now at its best, integrated into the new hardware.

We've heard plenty of rhetoric from Sergey Brin and others at Google about using Glass as a means of getting the device out of the way; providing a more seamless experience that allows a user to search without having to translate a query into a series of swipes and taps. The video shows off some of the most realistic uses for a Glass search, such as accessing flight information while driving, checking last night's sports scores, and even the requisite pictures of cats in pajamas.… Read more

Starting Friday, MetroPCS customers will already be able to feel the effects of T-Mobile's buyout in the form of three new phones that customers can start using right away on T-Mobile's 4G network.

The Android-running LG Optimus L9 ($149) and Samsung Exhibit ($129), and Alcatel 768 flip phone ($49) run on T-Mobile HSPA+ 4G network and go on sale today.

Things look up for people seeking an even heartier features experience. Beginning June 17, MetroPCS will also stock its version of the Samsung Galaxy S3, riding T-Mobile's much faster 4G LTE than Metro's own network.

Today, … Read more

We know you've been wondering about Nokia's return to metal body plates in its new flagship Nokia Lumia 925.

Well, our sister site CNET UK has the full review of the unlocked, global version. The verdict? This Windows phone is light and slim, and its sixth camera lens seems to do the trick with slightly better photos than even its Lumia 920 cuz.

The Lumia 925 is eventually coming to T-Mobile. We'll review it for U.S. readers here. In the meantime, check out CNET UK's 925 review.

In just two short months we've seen the debut of five Samsung Galaxy S4 phones: the Samsung Galaxy S4, the Galaxy S4 Active, the Galaxy S4 Google Edition, the Galaxy S4 Mini, and the Galaxy S4 Zoom. There are already rumors of a sixth, the 6.3-inch Galaxy S4 Mega.

Making matters more confusing is that the phone specs vary, and some Galaxy S4 phones may offer an experience that's quite different from the original top-rated S4's. From my perspective, Samsung is simply muddying its S4 brand name with too many Galaxy S4s.

When I think of … Read more

AT&T has a new set of options for its prepaid customers.

The Dallas telecommunications company introduced three tiers of prepaid plans, replacing an older set of plans it had deemed too complicated. Starting June 21, prepaid users with a compatible phone also can jump on the faster 4G LTE network.

The most expensive plan is $60 a month, and includes unlimited calling and text messages and 2 gigabytes of data. Additional data is $10 for each 1GB. It's a better deal than the previous $65 plan, which only included 1GB of data.

There's a $40 monthly … Read more

Verizon and T-Mobile USA have been a tad bit of a headache for the National Security Agency when it wants to collect data, according to a new report.

Because both Verizon and T-Mobile USA have owners that are based outside of the U.S., the U.S. government is not allowed to collect data directly from the carriers, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people who claim to have knowledge of the collection.

But before you get too excited, be aware that this doesn't really mean much. According to the sources, while the NSA is not able … Read more

Google has faced some European Union antitrust scrutiny as of late, but the company's troubles might have only just begun.

The Financial Times reported Thursday, citing EU documents it claims to have seen, that the governing body's competition watchdogs are conducting an informal investigation into whether Google is violating competition regulations with its Android operating system. According to the documents, Microsoft and Nokia, among other competitors, have complained to the EU that Google is violating competitive rules with its handling of Android.

The Financial Times story follows a report from The New York Times in April, saying that … Read more

Acer is looking at wearable technology as its next big opportunity, a high-level executive told tech Web site Pocket-Lint.

The wearable technology market could be worth billions of dollars to the industry, ST Liew, president of the smartphone business group at Acer, told Pocket-Lint in an interview. He teased some wearable tech product to emerge in 2014.

Acer is just the latest company to look into wearable tech, a burgeoning market that is starting to see interest from major players. From Google Glass to the Nike Fuelband, the category has begun to pick up steam. The products are often seen … Read more

Google may get its second-generation small tablet into consumers' hands before Apple does.

Market researcher IHS told CNET that Japan Display Inc. and AUO are expected to make the display for the next-gen Nexus 7, while Quanta will make the tablet itself.

"As far as I know, JDI and AUO didn't start to supply this panel to Quanta yet. However, they are saying it will start from June and July," Ricky Park, who heads research for TV, Tablet, Monitor and Notebooks display at IHS, told CNET. He is based in South Korea.

The "launch...of the … Read more