mwc2012

Google puts Android on parade--literally

BARCELONA, Spain--Love Android or hate it, there's no denying it's been a hit with device makers and carriers.

Exhibit A was on display at Google's booth at the Mobile World Congress show here in Barcelona, Spain. Dozens and dozens of Android phones and tablets slid by on a curving track that looped them continuously.

The collection featured some notable models such as the first to come to market, the T-Mobile G1 from October 2008. But then there were members of that vastly larger collection of forgettable models--useful to customers, perhaps, but probably nothing deserving even a footnote … Read more

Windows 8 beta folds in 100,000 code changes (live blog)

Editor's note: We used ScribbleLive to cover Microsoft's presentation today at Mobile World Congress. You can see highlights in the story that follows, or skip down to the embedded ScribbleLive module to replay the event along with commentary from our readers and CNET reporters. You can also click here for a summary post of what was announced.

BARCELONA, Spain--Compromises are out when it comes to computers, Microsoft's Steven Sinofsky said here today as he unveiled the beta for the Windows 8 operating system.

Consumers have been faced with too many decisions, the president of Microsoft's Windows … Read more

Windows 8 apps: Get 'em while they're free

Microsoft just went a long way toward getting Windows 8 Consumer Preview users to download boatloads of apps.

The company said today at its address at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, that all applications in its Windows Store will be available for free. There is just one catch, however: the deal will only be available in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

Microsoft didn't say how many applications are currently available in its Windows Store, but did point out that more titles will be coming to the marketplace over time. Once the official retail version of Windows 8 launches, … Read more

Where to get the Windows 8 beta

Microsoft unveiled the Windows 8 beta today in Barcelona, Spain. If you're excited about interactive tiles for your apps, the Windows Store, or the future of Windows, Microsoft has made this "Consumer Preview" available for free--just as they did with Windows 7.

You can download it from Microsoft's own site or CNET's Download.com, and be sure to check out CNET's official First Take.

Windows 8 beta: Hands-on with Microsoft's tablet-friendly OS

Microsoft pulled back much of the scaffolding and secrecy surrounding Windows 8 today at Mobile World Congress. I've been using the Windows 8 beta (download), officially known as the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, for the past week, and it's by far the most integrated and capable operating system Microsoft has ever put out. The question is, will enough people care?

There's a phenomenal amount of change here to discuss, but if you're looking for a quick summary: Windows 8 is a breeze to use. It's tricked out with social networking and synchronization, it's robust … Read more

The global smartphone tipping point: '$100 or less'

BARCELONA, Spain--These days you'll be hard-pressed to find people who remember when personal computers were luxury items that few could afford. Now smartphones are increasingly headed in the same direction, continuing to become cheaper and more ubiquitous for everyone, not just for the global elite.

The mass market in question goes well beyond the budget-conscious living in developed markets, and focuses specifically on getting more smartphones and into hands in emerging markets. This was the topic of a panel discussion at MWC today.

Research numbers support the adoption trends of both developed and developing markets. Demand in the U.… Read more

Foursquare on why recycling your data is good for you

BARCELONA, Spain--When Foursquare co-founder and CEO Dennis Crowley talks about recycling data, he isn't talking about being green.

Crowley is referring to the wealth of data that comes in through its Foursquare mobile check-in app, which can be turned into a recommendation engine for consumers looking for new places to explore.

"We're enabling people to cut through the data stream in a way that no one has done before," Crowley said today during a keynote address at the Mobile World Congress show.

That kind of use of personal data may freak some users out, but Crowley … Read more

Nokia CEO takes aim at Android

BARCELONA, Spain--Nokia CEO Stephen Elop isn't shy about who he's going after with his Lumia Windows Phones. He has his sights set directly on Android.

"Our focus is on competing with Android," Elop said during a keynote address at the Mobile World Congress show here today. "We want to bring them to Lumia."

Elop struck a bullish tone when talking about the opportunities with and excitement about the Windows Phone platform. Nokia and Microsoft have each made their bets that their combined heft will be able to lift the two out of their respective … Read more

HTC One V: An almost hands-on (video, photos)

BARCELONA, Spain--When HTC announced its HTC One family of phones, it saved the HTC One V, the runt of the litter, for last. It may be less high-powered than its cohort, comprised of the HTC One X and One S, but it promises to be a good choice in its own right for the budget set.… Read more

Could the iPhone 5 ride on Clearwire's network?

BARCELONA, Spain--Apple's iPhone has been making the rounds at all the carriers. So why not Clearwire?

Clearwire's planned move to LTE means Apple wouldn't have any difficulties in building an iPhone that is compatible with its network, according to Clearwire CEO Eric Prusch. In fact, it would benefit Apple to have an iPhone that ran on its kind of network technology, he said.

Such a notion would have been unthinkable even a few months ago, when Clearwire was stuck on its WiMax network and struggling financially. But after some financing and a cash infusion from Sprint Nextel--simultaneously … Read more