Smartphones

Japanese pop star Leah Dizon joins the guys on today's episode of CNET's The 404 Podcast, and Mark Licea also joins the fun to talk about his personal history with the international sensation.

It's not every day we get a chance to interview a Japanese pop star, so when we found out that Mark Licea of CNET's The Green Show grew up with host/model/singer Leah Dizon, we booked her right away. Mark hangs out in the studio as well and we get the inside scoop on their childhood friendship, Leah's rise to fame in the States and abroad, and Japan's advanced technology that makes our iPhone look like the Jitterbug.

In the second half of the show, Wilson tells us a strange story about a man who claims that a booty call cell phone ruined his life. Apparently a Canadian woman found a series of lewd photo messages on her boyfriend's phone. After she confronted him about the pictures, the guy blamed Virgin Mobile for selling him a used phone with preloaded media. Nothing fishy here...

We also can't ignore the big news of the day: Google is testing out its new Internet service that promises speeds of 1Gbps. The fiber-optic network is set to humiliate Verizon FiOS, but at a more "competitive price," whatever that means. If you want Google to test out the service in your home town, you can sign up online anytime before March 26.

Thanks to Leah Dizon for chatting with us today! Check out her Web site and buy her music! Also, be sure to send your Valentine's Day questions to the404(at)cnet[dot]com, because the girls of Sugar Rock Catwalk will be in the studio tomorrow to offer tips on how to impress your boo bear this Sunday!

Looks like we've got another case of someone pulling the trigger a little too early. After posting a Facebook update on Monday stating that an Android 2.1 update would be coming to Droid owners this week, Motorola is now backtracking and saying that it's coming soon.

The bad news came when a Motorola Owners' Forum manager said on Wednesday that the company "jumped the gun" on posting details of the update, which have now been removed from the forum and Moto support site. Motorola didn't have any more to say, other than a rollout … Read more

Next week, Bonnie and I are off to Barcelona with Maggie Reardon of CNET News and CNET TV's Ariel Nunez for the annual Mobile World Congress (MWC) brouhaha. As the global show for the cell phone industry, MWC (nee GSMA and 3GSM), sets the stage for what will happen in the cell phone world. And 2010 will be no different.

This week on Dialed In, we devote the entire podcast to what will happen in Spain. In comparison to years past, we expect software to usurp hardware as the focus of MWC. As Bonnie explains, we should see the … Read more

Much like last year, Garmin-Asus got a head start on Mobile World Congress 2010 and introduced two new additions to its line of GPS-enabled smartphones, the Nuvifone M10 and the Nuvifone A50.

Promised since 2009, the Garmin-Asus Nuvifone A50 is the company's first Google Android device and features all the usual Google and Android services, including Google search by voice, Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, and Android Market. In addition, the A50 offers Microsoft Exchange support for e-mail, calendar, and contacts.

Of course, as a Garmin device, the handset will ship with the company's navigation software, complete with maps, … Read more

It seems just like yesterday that we unpacked our bags from Las Vegas and CES, but here we are again, gearing up to head off to Barcelona (I know, it's a rough life we lead) for Mobile World Congress 2010. The show is put on by the GSM Association (GSMA) and brings together handset manufacturers, mobile operators, software companies, and many more wireless industry experts from around the world where they can showcase their new products and services as well as discuss and learn about the latest mobile trends and technologies.

At last year's event, we saw new devices from most of the major players, including Samsung, HTC, Sony Ericsson, and LG, and even some fresh faces, such as Acer. Touch-screen phones were (and still are) all the rage; being green meant more than shipping a phone in a recyclable box; and phones took another step toward being that all-in-one gadget in your life. We also saw the debut of Windows Mobile 6.5 and the surging trend of app stores and 4G and LTE. The show never fails to produce exciting product launches and often sets the tone for the rest of the year. So what's in store for MWC and 2010? Plenty. … Read more

A unit of Samsung has licensed technology from U.K.-based Peratech that could help it build smartphone handsets with the ability to navigate via the amount of pressure applied to a touch screen. So if you're scrolling through a list or playing a game, your input could change depending on how much pressure you apply.

Read more of "With quantum physics, Samsung aims to make smartphones smarter" at ZDNet's The ToyBox.

On Wednesday, T-Mobile announced a new version of the myTouch 3G that brings additional features, such as a 3.5mm headphone jack, more preloaded apps, and Swype technology. It will replace the original model but still carry the same name and price tag of $149.99 with a two-year contract.

Like the recently released limited-edition Fender myTouch 3G, the revamped smartphone is equipped with a 3.5mm jack so you'll no longer have to use an audio adapter to plug in your headphones. In addition, the smartphone has an updated music player, ships with an 8GB microSD card, and … Read more

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

Of all the GPS applications for the iPhone, Navigon's MobileNavigator has arguably been the most comprehensive. It already has a lot of features, and Navigation is about to add a few more.

The company announced another major update Tuesday, version 1.5.0, that will add in-app connections to Facebook and Twitter, Panorama View 3D with 3D terrain views powered by NASA data, and personalized route delivery via Navigon MyRoutes.

The in-app connection to social media Web sites lets you report your current position, destination, and estimated time of arrival via a single tap on an icon on the … Read more