ie8 fix

android

Switching to Android? Read this first

With the recent flood of new Google Android phones, some of you may be thinking of making the switch. You're right to consider it, as there are many advantages to the operating system, not the least of which is the growing line of attractive handsets. But for the uninitiated, Android can be a bit of a mess. It's supposed to be a uniform operating system across all devices, but in practice, the user interface on each device varies slightly. It offers third-party applications, e-mail syncing, and a media player; however, the capabilities of those features also will differ by handset. Lastly, while Android promises a high degree of user customization, that may not mean a whole lot to the average person.

Understanding the operating system Fear not, as Android takes only a brief period of acclimation. Even after a few minutes, you'll get the hang of the interface and you'll be able to navigate your way through your phone. Yet, you need to know a few things about Android before making the jump. Below I've told you what to expect, because I'd hate for you to be surprised by what you find. And equally as important, because your Android experience will vary by device, I'll break down the current U.S. handsets and give you the basic scoop of the Android features on each device.… Read more

HTC Passion rumors heat up

We've seen the Motorola Droid and the HTC Droid Eris from Verizon Wireless so far, but apparently there is a third Verizon Android handset waiting in the wings, if rumors are to be believed.

Rumors are that it will be the HTC Passion, which is supposedly powered by a 1GHz Snapdragon chipset (the Passion might also be called the Dragon). The rumor mill (from Boy Genius, Phone Arena, and elsewhere) claims that the HTC Passion will feature a 5-megapixel camera, a large WVGA-resolution screen with multitouch, a 3.5mm headset jack, 256MB RAM, and it's said to run … Read more

It's OK, iPhone, the Droid can be good, too

Last June, I complained about the overused phrase "iPhone killer." I argued that it elevates the iPhone to a place that it doesn't deserve. Yes, it's a great device in many ways, but it's not the pinnacle of cell phone achievement.

As it turns out, I was a little ahead of myself. In the two-and-a-half years since the first iPhone , was born, I've seen quite a few supposed iPhone rivals pass through CNET. But I had to wait until two weeks ago before a real challenger finally landed on my desk.

The Motorola DroidRead more

Vega Tablet is real, has Android 2.0 and a Webcam

As if Apple and Microsoft didn't already make it clear (editor's note: by Apple, we mean the ever-pervasive rumors of their upcoming "slate"), 2010 looks like the Year of the Tablet. First viewed sitting on a table of an Nvidia executive, the Vega tablet will try to beat Apple's tablet (if the rumors are true), Microsoft's in-process Courier concept, and the semievaporated Crunchpad to the punch.

ICD, the manufacturer of the Vega, has confirmed the existence of the tablet as a real product, whose details will be more fully revealed at CES. Vega...Vegas...… Read more

HTC expects rough fourth quarter

After a string of weak quarters, mobile phone maker HTC is eyeing more of the same for the current quarter but is hoping for better results next year.

The Taiwan-based company expects sales for the fourth quarter to drop to between 40 billion and 42 billion Taiwan dollars (between $1.23 billion and $1.3 billion), around 15 percent lower than in last year's fourth quarter.

Competition from other smartphones, especially the iPhone 3GS released this summer, has tempered demand for HTC's products, which include the Hero, Droid Eris, Tilt 2, MyTouch 3G, Snap, and Ozone.

Prices on … Read more

Hands-on: Samsung Behold II, plus release details

On Thursday, Samsung and T-Mobile announced that the Samsung Behold II will be available starting November 18 for $229.99 with a two-year contract.

First announced at CTIA Fall 2009, the Behold II is Samsung's second Android device. It uses Samsung's TouchWiz interface and includes a 3D cube navigation menu for the phone's multimedia features.

The smartphone also has a 3.2-inch AMOLED capacitive touch screen and a 5-megapixel camera. While we're all about the AMOLED display, we think the price is a little high, considering that the Behold II is running Android 1.5 and … Read more

Canadian Carriers adding to their Android repertoire

Canadian smartphone enthusiasts soon will have their pick of multiple new Google Android handsets. Both Motorola and LG recently announced deals for two different carriers.

LG's first Android handset, the GW620 Eve, is headed for Robers. The handset boasts a 3.2-inch touch screen, a 5-row slideout QWERTY keyboard and 5-megapixel camera. Based on the commercials and promotional videos that we've seen it appears that LG is going right for the social networking enthusiast.

The Eve has a few unique features built into a stock Android 1.5 build that might appeal to younger demographics or people buying … Read more

Dialed In Podcast 104: Visit from Asia

We have special guest Damian Koh from CNET Asia joining us on today's show. He answers our questions about the cell phone market in Asia, and surprisingly, he tells us he actually envies us for the phones that are available only in the U.S. We also discuss the Motorola Droid, Verizon's AT&T-bashing ads, Samsung's Bada, and more.

Subscribe now: iTunes (audio) | iTunes (video) | RSS (audio) | RSS (video)

News Initial Motorola Droid sales look good New Verizon ad calls iPhone 'misfit toy Verizon reveals Casio G'zOne Brigade T-Mobile to phase out MyFaves Samsung launching its own mobile OSRead more

Vimeo's videos get iPhone, Android-friendly

Video host Vimeo on Wednesday is launching support for users on iPhone/iPod Touch and Google Android devices. The company has re-encoded the entirety of its staff picks and HD video showcase, both of which are the most heavily trafficked areas of the site from Vimeo's members, and referrers like Twitter.

"We've been working on it for the last few weeks," Blake Whitman, Vimeo's director of community told CNET News. "This is sort of the prelude of offering Plus members iPhone support; and in the future, an app," he said. In the meantime, … Read more

Will Samsung's Bada affect Android?

With the announcement of its new Bada operating system, Samsung promises to shake up the mobile OS market in the next few years.

According to a Seoul-based brokerage firm, the cell phone giant plans to gradually abandon its use of Microsoft Windows Mobile OS and increase the number of devices running Android and Bada.

While Windows Mobile accounted for nearly 90 percent of Samsung' smart phone line in 2008, it's estimated to drop to 50 percent in 2010 and 20 percent in 2011. This move echoes a recent HTC decision to devote over half of their 2010 product line … Read more