smartphones

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

Q: When do you think iPhone 4.0 will arrive? - Dean

A: Since we didn't hear a thing about the iPhone during the launch of the iPad last month, I'm now betting that Apple will release a new iPhone, or at least a new iPhone operating system, at its annual Worldwide Developer's Conference this June in San Francisco. We don't know exact dates yet, but it should be about the middle of the month. On the other hand, Apple could surprise us with a special announcement later this spring.

Q: What's the real deal with 3G? Today I went into my local AT&T store to shop for a new Blackberry phone. When the store's staff saw that I liked the Curve 8900 better than the Bold 9700 model, they relented on pushing the benefits of the 3G. Instead, they said 3G is not really faster and is only good for receiving e-mails while making a phone call. Come on now...really? That's all this 3G thing is about? - Krisha

A: I can't understand why the AT&T reps would have downplayed the benefits of 3G. Though the service isn't for everyone, it is indeed faster than EDGE data and it is good for more than just making calls and sending e-mails. Though 3G will bring you faster e-mail service, it's best for customers who will be using a phone's Web browser and downloading apps and files. If that sounds like you, then I suggest getting a phone with 3G. … Read more

Just last week, the Motorola Droid got partial multitouch support with Google Maps 3.4, but that was little consolation for Droid customers who still had to look on in jealously as Nexus One owners got to enjoy multitouch in the browser and photo gallery as well as Google Goggles support. Well, retract your claws Droid owners because it now looks you're getting the whole shebang too.

On Monday, Motorola announced on its Facebook page that the Android 2.1 update will start to roll out this week. According to Engadget Mobile, the update won't bring live wallpaper … Read more

Time to check in on the pageviews report here at CNET to see which product reviews are getting the most traffic. We figure a high number of people looking at a review means it must be pretty popular. So this Top 5 counts down the most popular products based on how many people read our reviews. And all you read about these days is phones, at least in large numbers.

Of course, there is still a lame prize, so watch the video, then come back here and post your answer in the forums. We'll pick a winner from the … Read more

Google released an over-the-air update for the Nexus One on Tuesday that brought, among other things, multitouch and Google Maps 3.4 to the smartphone. This is great news for Nexus One owners, but what about the rest of the Android family?

Well, here's some partial good news for Motorola Droid customers. Google Maps 3.4 is now available for download through the Android Market, which brings star syncing, personalized page suggestions based on personal history, night mode, and yes, the use of pinch-to-zoom.

For now, it seems the multitouch capabilities are limited to just Google Maps, but hey, … Read more

I'm no expert when it comes to any phone except the iPhone (and even then I'm more of an "expert"), but I know that Android-powered models have earned a lot of praise.

For example, CNET gave the Motorola Cliq a four-star review and called it "proof that Android handsets are evolving and getting better all the time."

That phone was $199 when it debuted just a few months ago, but right now you can get the Motorola Cliq (Titanium) for just $9.99 shipped (with a 2-year T-Mobile contract). A $35 activation fee also … Read more

On Thursday, the Symbian Foundation announced that it had completed the open-sourcing of its mobile operating system--the largest such migration in software history.

ZDNet UK spoke to Lee Williams, chief executive of the Symbian Foundation, to learn more about the implications of the open-sourcing process for the venerable OS and find out what people can expect from upcoming versions--and when they might expect to see a Symbian-based tablet or Netbook.

There was a lot of third-party code in Symbian -- how much of that had to be stripped from the OS, and how much did the third parties agree to … Read more

On Wednesday, Verizon Wireless introduced the newest addition to its Android family, the Motorola Devour. Previously known as the Motorola Calgary, the Devour is a bit like the Motorola Droid's little brother and features a sideways slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a 3.1-inch HVGA capacitive touch screen, and touch-sensitive navigation pad. Similar to the Motorola Cliq, the smartphone also uses Motoblur software, which lets you merge contact information from various accounts and social networking sites and stream content from sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace, through a Happenings widget on your home screen.

The Devour will ship with Android … Read more

The launch of the Nexus One hasn't exactly been a smooth one, what with all the issues around upgrade pricing, early termination fees, and 3G issues. However, here's some news that's sure to bring smiles to Nexus One owners.

On Tuesday, Google announced that it has begun rolling out an over-the-air software update that will not only provide a general fix to the 3G connectivity issues, but also bring multitouch capabilities and support for Google Goggles to the smartphone.

The update is being released in batches, but Google expects most users will have it by the end … Read more

Is Motorola ready for a comeback? For much of the last decade, Motorola enjoyed a reputation for building great mobile phones -- like the clamshell StarTAC and the ultra-thin Razr -- that were must-have devices for style wonks as well as the high-tech elite. Then along came Apple's iPhone, and smart devices from companies like Research In Motion, HTC, and Palm, and Motorola found itself in the very uncomfortable position of playing catch-up to a pack of ambitious upstarts.

Motorola needs to get back to front of the pack. The Droid, a Motorola smartphone released late last year, is … Read more