2013

ZTE jumps into the high-end with the Grand S (hands-on)

LAS VEGAS--Though it has been on the show floor since CES 2013 opened its doors to the public this morning, ZTE officially announced its newest flagship phone, the anticipated Grand S, at an afternoon press conference today.

As part of ZTE's high-end line of Grand Series handsets, which include the Grand Era and the Grand X, the Grand S is equipped with a 5-inch full HD touch screen, which features 440ppi and is made out of Corning Gorilla Glass.

During my brief time with the handset, the display looked pleasingly bright and crisp, and it's the biggest display … Read more

Parrot jazzes up sleek Philippe Starck speaker

LAS VEGAS--Wireless peripheral maker Parrot is showing off an update to its Philippe Starck-designed Zikmu Solo wireless speaker system. Due sometime this year, the system doesn't differ much aesthetically from the original model introduced back in 2009. The latest version, does, however, offer improved innards, powerful sound, and a lower price point.

The $999 Zikmu Solo has 2x100-watt output and a built-in 1GHz ARM A8 processor that the company says "controls the path of the coil of the bass loudspeaker in real time" to greatly reduce distortion during playback.

The 2.1 stereo audio speaker system features built-in Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC (for quick pairing). Aside from the array of connectivity features, the Zikmu also jives with DLNA for networked streaming and can even connect with another Zikmu (over Wi-Fi) for even more output. A built-in speaker dock at the top of the device works with older iPhones and iPods with a 30-pin power port.… Read more

LG EA83 ColorPrime monitor aims to show you its true colors

LAS VEGAS--LG showcased a trio of monitors at CES 2013 including the 27-inch EA83 ColorPrime. The monitor is geared toward professional use with its 2,560x1,440-pixel IPS display, 90-degree rotating display and dedication to accurate color reproduction.

LG calls the monitor a "graphics powerhouse" with its ability to reproduce a wide variety of colors that accurately represents 100 percent of sRGB and 99 percent of the Adobe RGB. The EA83 ColorPrime offers a hardware calibrator and True Color Pro calibration software to adjust the monitor's color accuracy.

The other two LG monitors announced at CES 2013 … Read more

LG's Touch 10 monitor optimized for using all 10 fingers

LAS VEGAS--LG showed off a trio of monitors at CES 2013, and one of the more impressive models is the Windows 8 optimized 23-inch ET83 Touch 10 monitor. The monitor is optimized to run Windows 8 with its touch capabilities and 1,920x1,080-pixel IPS display.

The monitor has 10-point touch capability and allows the user to use all 10 fingers on the touch screen simultaneously, providing an easier and faster experience when interacting with the Windows 8 onscreen keyboard.

The other LG monitors announced at CES 2013 were the 27-inch EA83 ColorPrime, which is geared toward graphic designers and … Read more

Want free wireless? Check out T-Mobile's 4G Connect-powered laptops

T-Mobile unveiled a program today that allows consumers who buy certain laptops or tablets to access a free cellular connection.

The program, called 4G Connect, includes a built-in connection in select laptops, Ultrabooks, and tablets. The cell connection is free, but there are some catches. Consumers only get 200 megabytes of data each month, and free cellular connection lasts 12 or 24 months, depending on the manufacturer.

The Dell Inspiron 14z Ultrabook and the Hewlett-Packard Pavilion dm1 are the first two devices to get 4G Connect.

4G Connect represent a new way to sell wholesale capacity to companies. Manufacturers are … Read more

T-Mobile rips up contract on unlimited data plan

LAS VEGAS--Take that, Sprint.

With T-Mobile USA and Sprint Nextel jockeying for customers with their respective unlimited data plans, T-Mobile today upped the ante by offering its plan without a contract.

For $70 a month, T-Mobile customers can get unlimited data, text messages, and phone calls.

The no-contract option represents T-Mobile's desire to further expand into the prepaid business -- a move that will be accelerated by its pending merger with regional prepaid carrier MetroPCS. The company has been aggressive as it works to re-spark customer growth.

In August, T-Mobile opted to follow Sprint's lead and offer an unlimited data plan without any strings. … Read more

T-Mobile expands iPhone-compatible 4G service, unveils HD voice

T-Mobile USA said today that it had enhanced its coverage in several cities, allowing unlocked iPhones to tap into the network's highest speeds.

The carrier said it has built out its HSPA+ network in four cities -- Los Angeles, San Diego, Denver, and Virginia Beach, Va. -- utilizing the 1900MHz spectrum. That's important because the iPhone is compatible with 1900MHz, but not the other frequencies that T-Mobile uses.

In total, T-Mobile's 1900MHz footprint covers 46 metro area and about 126 million people.

T-Mobile also fast-tracked the carrier's 4G LTE plans and plans to cover 100 million … Read more

LG EA93 UltraWide monitor features four-way screen split for increased productivity

LAS VEGAS--LG has announced the 29-inch EA93 UltraWide monitor for its U.S. release at CES 2013. The 21:9 aspect ratio monitor has an IPS display with a 2,560x1,080-pixel resolution.

The monitor features a four-screen split function that encourages easy multi-tasking by dividing the screen into four sections with a few clicks of the mouse. The EA93 UltraWide also has a Dual-Link function to connect the monitor to two external devices.

Asus also announced an ultrawide monitor at CES 2013, and its screen specifications rival LG's EA93 UltraWide. The Asus MX299Q and the EA93 monitors both … Read more

CNET's Next Big Thing: Are we all too connected?

LAS VEGAS -- Pervasive Internet connectivity has changed the world, connecting people and objects and countries like never before. Data is the new oil. Sensors are ubiquitous. Electricity? Expected.

Is this trend healthy or harmful? Key players in the technology industry assembled here at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show to discuss just that. CNET's Molly Wood and Brian Cooley hosted entrepreneur Mark Cuban, LG Electronics executive James Fishler, Ford futurist Sheryl Connelly and Sprint executive Fared Adib in a rollicking, sometimes raucous debate on the connected revolution.

The discussion addressed three topics: how connected devices will evolve, how … Read more