Smartphones

Dialed In Podcast 101: Verizon launches Droid attack

The Droid is coming! The Droid is coming! In case you haven't heard, Verizon's first Google Android phone is on the way and the carrier isn't holding anything back, taking some not-so-subtle swipes at the beloved iPhone. We're not going to lie; it's pretty fun to watch. Also on this week's episode, we take a look at the new BlackBerry Bold 9700 and some new senior- and wallet-friendly cell phones from Consumer Cellular.

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Rumor of the week Motorola Calgary to be Verizon's second Android phone? … Read more

Motorola Calgary to be Verizon's second Android phone?

While the Motorola Droid might be hogging the spotlight at the moment, rumors of Verizon's second Google Android device are starting to bubble to the surface.

According to the Boy Genius Report, a handset code-named the Motorola Calgary will be the carrier's other Android smartphone. It'll be a lower-end device than the Droid and have a lower-resolution touch screen and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard that BGR calls "workable."

Below the display, there will be three touch-sensitive buttons while the traditional d-pad will be replaced by an optical trackpad. Other reported features include a 3-megapixel camera, … Read more

On Call: Hello, Moto

Sixteen months ago I wrote in On Call that I was not prepared to dance over Motorola's grave. While some analysts and tech journalists weren't sad to see Moto go, I wouldn't savor a cell phone world without a company that had such a pioneering role.

Over the following year, however, Moto has done little to step up its game. Besides a few decent handsets like the ZN5, its product line mainly stuck to the tried and true of rugged and thin designs. It was all getting a bit worrisome until the Google Android operating system became … Read more

iPhone app shares your whereabouts with ease

During a recent visit to a friend's house in backwoods Kentucky, I got lost while jogging on deserted country roads. I had my iPhone, luckily, but no good way to tell my buddy where I was so he could talk me back.

What I needed was Glympse, a fantastic new app that shares your location via e-mail, text message, and/or Twitter--and does so for a set amount of time.

Tapping Google Maps, Glympse quickly zeroes in on your current location, then gives you the option of sending it to one or more e-mail addresses and/or phone numbers. If you elect to link your Twitter account, you can just type in "Twitter" in the To field.

From there you choose a duration: anywhere from 0 minutes (meaning Glympse sends your current location and that's it) to four hours. For anything higher than zero, the recipient can track your movement in real-time, in Google Maps, for the designated period.

Recipients don't need to sign up for anything or install any software; they just click a link.… Read more

Also in Android news

It's been a big day for Google Android news, but Verizon's upcoming Droid phone (and the accompanying TV commercial) are only part of the story. T-Mobile put its Cliq handset on preorder and juicy tidbits leaked out from other sources.

We told you last week that a GSM version of the Motorola Sholes cleared the FCC, but we failed to notice that a CDMA handset also got the government's nod (the FCC ID is IHDP56KC5 instead of IHDP56KC2). The consensus in the tech world is that this device is the Droid. Unfortunately, specs are few and there … Read more

BlackBerry watch in the works?

As if checking e-mail on your BlackBerry wasn't addicting enough, there may be an accessory in the works that may just fuel your habit. CrackBerry.com has posted images of what it's claiming to be actual renderings of a BlackBerry watch.

The site claims that the Bluetooth accessory is being developed by a new, dedicated BlackBerry accessory company and will be branded as the inPulse Smartwatch. It's not meant to be a replacement for your BlackBerry but rather shows your notifications and previews of incoming messages for those times when you can't pull out your BlackBerry; … Read more

Preorder your Moto Cliq

The hubbub over Verizon's upcoming Droid smartphone isn't the only Google Android news Monday. T-Mobile also launched a preorder site for its new Motorola Cliq. The handset won't be available to take home until November 2, but you can reserve your Cliq now for $199 with service.

We had a chance to review the Cliq last week and discovered much to like about the handset. The hardware is great and Moto made some welcome interface tweaks to the OS. On the downside, performance wasn't completely perfect and some basic organizer features are missing, but the Cliq … Read more

MetroPCS nabs its first Windows Mobile 6.1 smartphone

On Monday, MetroPCS introduced its first Windows Mobile 6.1 smartphone, the Samsung Code. Though it's not running the latest Windows Mobile 6.5, the Code does give MetroPCS customers another smartphone choice, which is a bit lacking to say the least (the carrier's only other smartphone is the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330).

The Code offers the standard WinMo features, including Outlook synchronization and the Microsoft Office Mobile Suite, as well as 3G support, stereo Bluetooth, and a 2-megapixel camera. It also has a full QWERTY keyboard, up to 32GB expandable memory, and an optional WizPro interface, which … Read more

Droid is coming to Verizon

Could the new Droid finally be the smartphone to knock the Apple iPhone off its pedestal? Droid partners Verizon, Motorola, and Google are positioning it as such.

The latest Android-based smartphone, the Droid, could debut as early as October 30, according to a cryptic countdown code on Verizon's Web site that promotes the new device.

Verizon has set up its Droid promo page with direct challenges to the iPhone, with such slap-in-the face headlines as: "iDon't have a real keyboard," "iDon't run simultaneous apps," and "iDon't allow open development." And &… Read more