handset

When 'luxury' phones go bad

Just one look at this phone explains why people came up with phrases like "do it right or don't do it at all." As obnoxious as many ultra-blinged handsets may be, most leave little doubt upon closer inspection that qualtiy materials were used in their construction. This "Louis V2" phone, however, looks like something that might be given away for free with a bottle of men's cologne at a department store. The unimpressive specs listed on TechFresh match its design, but that's what you get for a "luxury" phone that goes … Read more

Google's Android work far from finished

As a wise man once noted, the waiting is the hardest part.

It's been nearly six months since Google sent ripples through the mobile phone industry with the announcement of its plans to develop Android, a Linux-based operating system. But after an initial splash, Google has been pretty quiet. So much so, in fact, that several representatives of companies within Google's Open Handset Alliance professed frustration at the ambiguity of some important details at the CTIA 2008 conference this week in Las Vegas.

Much is still up in the air, just a few months before the first phones … Read more

'Iron Man' gets his own phone

It seems as if the hype over Iron Man has been going on forever, so we're surprised that it's taken this long for someone to release a phone dedicated to the movie. (Side note: Are we the only ones who think Robert Downey Jr. is totally miscast?)

Like other promotional movie phones, including Homer Simpson's cellie, this customized LG Shine will bear the colors of its hero and include exclusive footage from the film. The main difference is that this handset is finished in 18k gold (not iron) and will be given away in an online drawing, … Read more

BenQ to introduce super-slim phone in Asia

BenQ has never really been known for its stylish handset designs or, for that matter, slim phones. But it seems that the company is looking to change that impression with its upcoming T60 mobile phone.

Initially, the most striking thing about the T60 is its profile. It measures less than 9 millimeters thick (0.35 inches), which makes it one of the thinnest handsets in the market today besides the Samsung Ultra Edition phones.

However, what really captured our attention was the T60's beautifully crafted design. Its glossy stainless-steel back plate combined with smooth curves and a minimalist button … Read more

Porsche's phone gets bleached

As believers in the universal worship of gadgetry, we at Crave do our level best to tolerate products that are restricted to certain geographic regions even if they're outside the United States. But sometimes there are products that deserve to be shared equally--especially those that don't include us. Case in point: The Porsche phone.

We're not talking about one of those pimped-out Goldstriker numbers that just use Porsche leather, but the real thing in all its solid aluminum-block goodness. After all, our U.K. counterparts have already gotten their grubby continental mitts all over one, and they'… Read more

Levi's comes out with 'Red Tag' phone

It's hard enough to distinguish a new product in the ridiculously crowded mobile phone market, and even more so when it comes from an outsider--such as a clothing company. But rather than just make another phone whose only difference is a logo, Levi's is at least trying something different that capitalizes on one of the trademarks of its jeans: the red tab. No, it's not a cloth tag sticking out of the keypad, but a red section of the limited edition "Red Tab" phone being sold by French retailer Colette for 550 euros (about $870).… Read more

Splitting Motorola: Will this make Icahn happy?

You have to hand it to corporate raider Carl Icahn: He sure knows how to stir it up.

Wednesday morning, ailing Motorola announced that it will split into two companies next year. The news doesn't come as a shock to the many who believed something dramatic had to be done to fix Motorola's troubled handset business. And it probably doesn't surprise Icahn, who has been hounding Motorola for nearly a year.

The question that's now bound to be on the mind of people who watch Wall Street like most people watch Sunday football: What does Icahn … Read more

Is Motorola putting lipstick on a pig?

Motorola said Wednesday it plans to split off its handset business, but the move might just be a last attempt to pretty up the failing business unit to make it more attractive to potential buyers.

Since Motorola said in January that it was considering "options" for its handset business, there's been speculation that the company was preparing to sell it to a third party.

But word on the Street is that the company couldn't find a buyer. After all, Motorola is trying to unload the business for a reason. The company currently has no hit products, … Read more

Motorola hits redial on handset biz

Motorola is hoping two is better than one.

On Wednesday, the company, whose cell phone business has been in a death spiral for several quarters, announced that after a two-month formal analysis, it has decided to split the company into two publicly traded entities.

One will handle handsets and accessories while the other will continue to concentrate on wireless broadband and enterprise communication products.

"Creating two industry-leading companies will provide improved flexibility, more tailored capital structures, and increased management focus--as well as more targeted investment opportunities for our shareholders," CEO Greg Brown said in a release.

The Mobile … Read more

Motorola to split in two

Updated 7:35 AM PDT. News.com's Richard Defendorf contributed to this story.

Under pressure from investors, Motorola has decided to split into two publicly traded companies, one handling handsets and accessories and the other taking on wireless broadband networks and enterprise-level communications services.

"Our decision to separate our Mobile Devices and Broadband & Mobility Solutions businesses follows a review process undertaken by our management team and Board of Directors, together with independent advisers," CEO Greg Brown said in a release. "Creating two industry-leading companies will provide improved flexibility, more tailored capital structures, and increased management … Read more