In case you didn’t hear, last week was a busy one in the tech world. First, Google announced its intention to acquire Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion and then just three days later, HP said it was ending development for the WebOS mobile operating system and WebOS devices. Both developments left a lot of people …

Just when you thought the legal battles between the CTIA and the city of San Francisco were over, it appears that the fight may continue. In an interview today, a spokesman for the wireless industry’s trade group told CNET that the organization is strongly considering challenging a new city law that requires San Francisco retailers to post informational notices that …

If you know Bonnie Cha, you know that she’s not happy about today’s news that HP was discontinuing support of WebOS smartphones and tablets just over a year after acquiring Palm. Bonnie was a big fan of the mobile operating system from the moment she first saw the original Palm Pre at CES 2009. And her passion continued while reviewing …

If you were a bit shocked by Monday’s news that Google was shelling out a cool $12.5 billion for Motorola Mobility, we don’t blame you in the least. Indeed, the acquisition was unexpected considering Google has spend its life building anything other than hardware. The changes for consumers, Android’s Nexus line, the supply of mobile patents, and the smartphone market …

Editors’ note: This story was originally published June 2. It has been updated with new information. Though the science on the possible health effects of cell phone radiation is far from conclusive, several state and local governments are proposing legislation to address public concerns. And though no law has been implemented yet, it’s clear the issue isn’t going away. How …

Though battery life is an important point to consider when buying a cell phone, it often gets buried under the flashy features that today’s devices offer. Manufacturers like to make promises, but those claims may not pan out during everyday use. Big displays, fast processors, and a high-speed data network can zap your battery quickly, and it doesn’t help when …

Google and Motorola Mobility’s impending nuptials may be grabbing a huge amount of newsprint this week, but Research In Motion is doing everything it can to assert its presence in the mobile world as well. First it released the first BlackBerry OS 7 devices with Verizon’s BlackBerry Bold 9930, AT&T’s BlackBerry Torch 9810, and Sprint’s BlackBerry Torch 9850, and tonight …

Kent German/CNET Sprint today announced the availability of two McAfee security apps for select Android smartphones and tablets. Now in the Sprint Zone in the Android Market, the McAfee Mobile Security and McAfee Family Protection Android Edition promise additional virus protection, parental controls, and the ability to secure information on lost or stolen devices. McAfee Mobile Security will support both …

On Call runs every two weeks, alternating between answering reader questions and discussing hot topics in the cell phone world. As you’ve heard many times over, a new iPhone is due from Apple by the end of the year. Depending on who you talk to, it will come in September or October, and it will be a small upgrade or …

Verizon Wireless announced today that a new software update is available for its Motorola Xoom tablet. The biggest wins from the HTJ85 update are microSD card support and a screen scaling compatibility mode, but users should appreciate the smaller features as well. With a microSD card you’ll now be able to use the file manager to view files stored on …