Four months after Microsoft previewed its new Windows Phone 8 operating system for mobile phones, the Redmond crew returned to San Francisco today to reveal even more details. Microsoft’s CEO, Steve Ballmer, at today’s Windows Phone 8 event. Josh Miller/CNET Windows Phone 8, which is characterized by its newly expanded Start screen, maintains the distinctive …

CNET’s live Windows Phone 8 coverage begins here Monday at 9:30 a.m. PT. The keynote kicks off at 10 a.m. PT. With Windows 8 launched and the holiday shopping season upon us, the time has come for Microsoft to show the world all that Windows Phone 8 can do. Back in June, Microsoft previewed a handful of Windows Phone 8 …

This story originally published August 23, 2012, and updated on October 26, 2012. commentary Here’s a list of people who tell me they want a simple phone: my retired parents who have easy access to a computer and two clunky laptops at home, my nonagenarian grandmother, and the tech-savvy CNET reader who recently thanked me for my review of the …

Now playing: Watch this: Huge Galaxy Note 2 has specs to spare 5:03 Verizon has finally come forward with a release date for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, but for customers fervently waiting for the 5.5-inch “phablet,” delivery is still several long weeks off. Related stories Samsung Galaxy Note 2 review Camera test: Galaxy Note 2 iPhone 5 opens the …

Now playing: Watch this: Huawei Ascend Y: Uber-budget Android 1:31 Today, Huawei and U.S. Cellular announced the Huawei Ascend Y, a budget Android smartphone for first-timers. A few weeks ago, I got to briefly handle the Muve Music device. Related stories Global Chip Shortage and $53B Subsidy Boosts US Manufacturing Your Phone Screen Is Gross. Here’s How to Clean It …

Related stories Samsung Galaxy S3 review Torture test: Does the Samsung Galaxy S3 survive? How to root the Samsung Galaxy S3 Samsung is making good on its goal of turning its flagship Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone into a household name. Today, prepaid carrier MetroPCS announced that it would sell the Android 4.0 smartphone for $499. The 4.8-inch Galaxy S3 will …

Now playing: Watch this: Bring on the abuse for the Galaxy Rugby Pro 3:28 Samsung’s rough ‘n’ ready Galaxy Rugby Pro is ready to rumble starting Sunday. The Rugby Pro may be equipped to ward off the elements, like fog, dust, shock, salt, temperature, and fumbling 2-year-olds, but it also promises to be quite the accomplished smartphone. It runs Android …

Microsoft and Nokia may have vowed to support one another through thick and thin, but Redmond’s newfound vocal support of HTC’s Windows Phone 8X device means Microsoft isn’t relying on one partner to see its platform through. Our invitation to Microsoft’ official launch of the Windows Phone 8 operating system cleverly wraps event details into HTC’s premier Windows Phone. It …

If you’re looking for a simple cell phone, it’s hard to find one simpler — or cheaper — than the simple Samsung M400. The basic flip phone comes free with a new two-year service agreement, after a $50 mail-in rebate. Related stories: T-Mobile to shut Sprint’s 4G LTE network, Sony sees end to PS5 shortage Beyond the 5G hype: Searching …

SAN DIEGO–We knew all along that MobileCon, with its enterprise focus, would be a quieter show for consumers, but what we didn’t know was how the players who did show up would engage us. LG used the event to showcase the midrange LG Optimus L9, which it announced just before the show, and the LG Mach, a dual-core QWERTY device …