ie8 fix

How we test: Cell phones

From the most basic handsets to ultra-advanced smartphones that are essentially pocket computers, mobile phones are complex devices. They reach out to the cloud, surf the Internet, play music, run countless apps, connect to social-networking services, are messaging masters, and, yes, they even make voice calls. … Read more

AT&T adds four markets to 4G LTE network

AT&T announced today that it has added four new markets to its 4G LTE network.

Now, customers in Albany, N.Y.; Calhoun and Dalton, Ga.; and Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Va. will be able to experience the carrier's faster network speed.

With these four new areas, this brings AT&T's total coverage to 141 markets, which includes 170 million people.

While it's great to see AT&T's network expanding, the numbers still lag behind those of Verizon Wireless. Its 4G LTE network covers 476 markets and 273.5 million people.

Buying a new mobile phone? Best Buy will give you a $50 gift card

Thinking of buying a new cell phone sometime in the next few weeks? How about the next few months? Before the calendar strikes 2014? If you're willing to part with a few bits of information, Best Buy will give you a $50 gift card when you buy a new phone -- even if it's not for another 11 months.

Interesting, no? I've seen retailers offer gift cards for purchases made within a small window, but never anything quite like this. All you do is give Best Buy your existing and active mobile or landline number and your e-mail address, … Read more

The top six wireless charging handsets (roundup)

Whether you think it's just a trendy party trick or the next feature we should all come to expect from high-end handsets, wireless charging is catching on and has been featured in a number of top-tier devices.

And while the future of its popularity still hangs in the air, we rounded up the best phones (in no particular order) that are available now and feature the technology. All these handsets, save for one Lumia, feature the capability natively and don't require a special phone case.

In addition, if you're looking at this list with envy while holding … Read more

Powertrekk fuel cell charger to be released in spring

While it's been circulating around at trade shows for a while, including Mobile World Congress 2011 and CES 2012, the PowerTrekk phone charger is slated to finally come to the U.S. at the end of this quarter.

Although the $229 device is peddled as a charger that can simply juice up your phone on water alone, it's not quite that simple.

To use the PowerTrekk, you also have to purchase a $4 PowerTrekk Pukk. Once you add a small amount of water (about half a shot), and add a one-time-use Pukk, the latter will immediately begin separating … Read more

Intel plans big splash for Mobile World Congress

Intel will be on hand later this month at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona with some smartphone technologies in hand.

The company yesterday announced that at its booth at Mobile World Congress it'll show off "a new dual core, dual graphics platform." Intel also plans to have Android-based handsets on display that will be running its Atom Z2420 platform -- a low-powered, low-cost chip for smartphones designed for emerging markets.

Intel has been left behind in the mobile processor market. ARM, which develops chip architecture that's produced by a wide array of companies, has taken … Read more

LG Spirit 4G now available on MetroPCS

Today, MetroPCS and LG announced their newest handset, the LG Spirit 4G for $199.

The 4G LTE device features Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, a 4.5-inch Corning Gorilla Glass touch screen, and a 1.2GHz dual-core processor.

It also houses a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash that's capable of shooting 1080p HD video. On the front is a 1.3-megapixel camera for video chatting and vanity shots.

Powering the Spirit 4G is a 2,150mAh battery, which has a reported talk time of 4 hours and a standby time of 200 hours. Users will also get 4GB … Read more

Rumor Has It: Will Apple go plastic for a low-cost iPhone?

The iPhone is a pricey device, a luxury item, a status symbol, and that's exactly how Apple wants it. But as long as the iPhone has existed, we the people have called upon Apple to make a less-expensive version. Rumors are in overdrive at the moment that Apple may be finally planning such a dramatic move. How will it cut costs, though?

We discuss on this week's show. We also check out an image of what may be -- but probably isn't -- the back piece for the fifth-generation iPad, and YouTube may be asking for your credit card number this year.

At the end of the show we make a sad announcement about a change that's coming. We won't give it away here, but let us just say: it's not the end of the world. Modern technology will bridge even the vastest distances! (Hint: Emily will finally find a reason to use Google+ Hangouts.)

Watch to the end, and then send us your comments.

Thanks for watching!

Heard a tech rumor you think we should cover? Leave a comment below; ; send us a tweet (@EmilyDreyfuss, @karynelevy, and @CNETRumorShow); or call and leave us a voice mail at 1-800-750-CNET. … Read more