cellphones

New legislation could make number portability easier

New legislation has been introduced in the Senate to make it easier for people to keep their current telephone numbers when they switch carriers.

Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, and Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) on Wednesday introduced legislation that would expand the number portability rules.

The legislation would help expedite the number portability process, which allows people to transfer their existing cell phone number to another provider. Specifically, it proposes that the Federal Communications Commission establish timelines for cell phone operators and other voice providers to follow in porting phone … Read more

Motorola's train wreck of troubles continues

Things seem to have gone from bad to worse for the No. 2 mobile handset maker Motorola and its CEO, Ed Zander.

On Wednesday the company issued a profit warning citing weak sales in its mobile handset business. The company said that it expects second quarter sales of $8.6 billion to $8.7 billion, down from the $9.4 billion it had predicted earlier. The company also said it would report a loss between 2 cents and 4 cents a share. Some analysts predicted the company would actually report a profit of about 2 cents. Motorola is expected to … Read more

Your iPhone is disgusting

iSkin's latest antibacterial case made for Apple's iPhone reminds us that a product's coolness is no defense against deadly bacteria. In fact, studies have shown that cell phones happen to be one of the filthiest objects imaginable--dirtier than a toilet seat, computer keyboard, or the bottom of a shoe. There's just something magical about the combination of spittle and your text-crazy hands that make mobile phones a germ's best friend. The antibacterial iSkin Revo case for the iPhone is due out this month with a price of $39. Until then, think twice before passing your iPhone around … Read more

The Supreme Court won't hear telecom rate-setting case

The Supreme Court said Monday that it won't hear an appeal from an Iowa phone company that claimed Qwest Communications International owed it money for wireless phone calls that Qwest connected to its network, the Associated Press reported.

The issue centered around whether telecommunications rates should be set by federal regulators or state regulators. Specifically, Qwest was transmitting wireless traffic over Iowa Network Services network en route to its final destination. Qwest believed lower rates set by Iowa state regulators should be used. And INS believed that rates set by the Federal Communications Commission, which happen to be higher … Read more

Sanyo SCP-7050 is built to last

There aren't too many rugged cell phones out there that are built to withstand harsher climates. For those who favor the great outdoors, the brand new Sanyo SCP-7050 from Sprint may be right for you. The rugged rubberized exterior of the phone is built according to military standards and is stated to withstand the effects of dust, shock, and vibration. And if you have a penchant for grand adventures, the SCP-7050 even comes with a built-in GPS that works very nicely with Telenav Navigator to give you turn-by-turn directions to your destination. Hand an extra unit to your buddy, … Read more

Helio making waves with the Ocean

Yours truly is currently stuck in SFO for a mind-boggling eight hours, but that won't stop me from telling you about the latest in cell phone news. One of the hottest news items this morning is the release of the uber-sexy Helio Ocean, which is that Helio-branded QWERTY phone we mentioned in late February. This triple-decker wonder slides up to reveal a number keypad, and a separate layer slides sideways to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. At 0.86-inch thick, it certainly isn't the thinnest phone in the world, but we're willing to forgive its bulk for … Read more