Smartphones

At CNET, we look at so many cell phones and smartphones throughout the year that many of them tend to look the same after a while. Therefore, it's easy to remember the ones that looked especially interesting. I've compiled a list of the most eye-catching phones we've seen this year, be they short stubby phones like the Kin One or the giant handset that is the Motorola Droid X.

They're listed in no particular order. We're sure we've missed a few, so let us know in the comments if there's any phone that … Read more

With some 175 handset reviews in the bag, we can tell you it's been a pretty busy year for cell phones and smartphones. However, it hasn't been all about devices.

Several companies revamped their mobile operating systems, next-generation technologies were introduced, and there were even some scandals--all of which are sure to make for an interesting 2011.

Before we look forward, though, we thought it'd be fun to look back at some of the top headlines from the cell phone industry in 2010.

We'd also love to hear from you, so use the comment section below … Read more

Bringing in Swedes as mercenaries to reverse a coup in the smartphone world isn't such a bad idea.

Today Research In Motion announced it is buying The Astonishing Tribe (TAT), a Swedish mobile software design house. It's known for making shiny, slick interfaces for a variety of phone makers, especially for Android-phones. But RIM is smartly conscripting the company into focusing on the BlackBerry's tried and true but, frankly, boring interface, as well as the yet to be fully revealed tablet, called the Playbook. Full details of what RIM has in mind were not disclosed.

This is … Read more

Acer claims its new 4.8-inch Android smartphone has the "soul of a tablet." Seriously? At that size, maybe they should just call it a tablet, soul and all. We also discuss the Dell Venue Pro, Motorola Olympus rumors, the burgeoning 4G market, and all the latest reviews.

News Dell Venue Pro now on sale Acer unveils 4.8-inch Android smartphone AT&T Facebook account confirms Motorola Olympus Content ratings latest feature on Android Market Snap up the AT&T R225 for $20, contract-free … Read more

Research In Motion has been butting heads with foreign governments over its tight security, but its latest BlackBerry 6 OS has won approval from the U.S. government for those same standards.

RIM announced today that its BlackBerry 6 operating system is now FIPS 140-2 certified. FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standard) is a series of standards set up by the U.S. government to ensure that computer products meet certain high-level security requirements. The standard is used by government agencies, regulated industries, and other organizations that store and send data dealing with sensitive information.

The FIPS 140-2 standard (PDF) specifically … Read more

On Call runs every two weeks, alternating between answering reader questions and discussing hot topics in the cell phone world.

Almost every day we're presented with a new study that tracks the success of various smartphone operating systems. Like so many pre-election polls, they make grand conclusions about which OS is ahead and which is not. And like so many political reporters, industry watchers scramble to expand on the narrative.

Loyalty Just yesterday, for example, the research firm GfK published a survey that asked smartphone users if they were loyal to a particular operating system. The main finding--that 56 … Read more

Saving the best for last? Well, we'll have to see about that, but the Dell Venue Pro is finally available for purchase directly from Dell.

The Windows Phone 7 device is available in two configurations: 8GB or 16GB. The former costs $99.99 with a two-year contract with T-Mobile or $449.99 without contract, and the latter goes for $149.99 and $499.99. Both have an estimated shipping date of December 9.

The Venue Pro features a portrait slider design that offers a full QWERTY keyboard and a 4.1-inch Gorilla Glass AMOLED display. A 1GHz processor and … Read more

It should come as no surprise that Apple and Android are the two "most desired" smartphone systems, according to a new Nielsen survey of mobile phone users. But the results vary a bit based on the people who were surveyed.

Among current smartphone owners questioned by Nielsen, the survey results out today show that 35 percent are looking to buy an iPhone as their next device, while 28 percent plan to go for an Android phone. But among those who currently own a feature phone and want to upgrade to a smartphone, 25 percent are eyeing an iPhone … Read more

If you've been eyeballing a smartphone but couldn't stomach the idea of paying $60 to $70 per month (minimum) for service, have I got a deal for you. Like, a Best-of-the-Year kind of deal.

For a limited time, Best Buy has the Android-powered Virgin Mobile Samsung Intercept smartphone for $189.99 shipped (plus sales tax in most states).

That may not sound terribly cheap, but hear me out. The Intercept normally sells for $249.99, and that's what I paid for one (for Mrs. Cheapskate) just over a month ago. D'oh!

Furthermore, it's not about … Read more