U.S. Cellular offered additional details on its next-generation LTE network yesterday when a company executive said it would begin testing early next year. According to Steven Campbell, CFO and executive vice president, the regional carrier will select its first trial market in late 2011 with full commercial deployment following in 2012. Campbell made the remarks …

It’s a big day Dialed In for as we hit our 150th episode, Bonnie makes it back to San Francisco for a special visit, and Jessica marks the day before her birthday. We also have a lot to get through today as the usual preholiday deluge of new phones is reaching its height. As it always does, Samsung is spinning …

Editor’s note: This app is available only in the United States. Though CNET’s always been here to rate the latest cell phones, your handset is only half the story in the search for a great wireless experience. Strong coverage from your carrier is equally important, but finding that reception, and keeping it, isn’t easy. That’s why we’ve partnered with Root …

In February 2010, Microsoft introduced Windows Phone 7 to the world. With the complete overhaul of its mobile operating system, Microsoft got the tech world excited about the OS again with its fresh user interface, added features, and promises of improved performance. We’ve had to wait a long time since then to see if Windows Phone 7 actually delivers everything …

One of the best things about flying is the chance to leaf through the Skymall catalog. Indeed, there’s no better celebration of our nation’s obsession with consumerism. Where else can you find a tacky table-and-chairs set that’s disguised as a bookcase or a quirky baking pan that ensures everyone gets an end piece? Gadgets have also made their way into …

Sprint took a break from a string of Android announcements today by unveiling its new Samsung M360. The midrange flip phone is available today for free with a two-year service contract and a $50 mail-in rebate. Like last year’s Samsung M330, the M630 doesn’t go out of its way to impress. On the outside it has a simple flip phone …

If you live in the United States and have used your cell phone on a European holiday, it’s very likely you became acquainted with Orange. I’m not talking about the color or the fruit, but rather the cell phone carrier. Incorporated in 1994 and now a division of France Telecom, Orange is the fifth largest telecom operator in the world …

Make no mistake that Sprint’s iDEN network is not long for this world. In an interview with Fierce Wireless today, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse said eventually the carrier will replace its iDEN 800MHz spectrum with enhanced CDMA coverage. Though Hesse didn’t give a specific time line for the transition, he characterized it part of the carrier’s natural network evolution. “Over …

The tale of the not-yet-announced PlayStation phone continued today after Engadget posted photos of a Sony Ericsson slider handset sporting full gaming controls and the Android OS. Sony Ericsson has yet to confirm the existence of such a device, but the photos certainly look like the real thing. From the outside, the GSM smartphone shares only a passing resemblance to …

Last week I asked you whether you consider the carrier or the cell phone first when you’re buying a new handset. In my experience, I expected most respondents to say that the carrier was top of mind, but I was surprised by just how many people fell into that camp. Of the 4,443 respondents (at the time of this writing), …