Microsoft is testing out a Skype application for Windows Phone that could make its debut by the end of next month. That’s according to the Verge, which reported today that the app would have a Metro UI-style look, keeping it consistent with the rest of the Windows Phone user interface. This version of Skype reportedly …

With patent lawsuits all the rage nowadays, one term is popping up more frequently: “frand.” Apple, Google Frand–also known as “rand” in the U.S.–is an obscure legal acronym that stands for “fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory,” and is based on the principle that fair licensing of intellectual property is often needed because sometimes certain ideas and patents just need to be …

Details of Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 were prematurely outed thanks to a leaked video obtained by Pocketnow.com. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at Nokia’s press conference during CES. Nokia figures to play a major role in Windows Phone’s resurgence. CNET/Lori Grunin The next big iteration of its Windows Phone platform appears to address many of the early concerns and brings it …

Best Buy hopes the Super Bowl will bring super-sized crowds of smartphone buyers to its stores. The retailer plans to run its second-ever Super Bowl spot, this year placing the spotlight solely on mobile and creating a short-term deal that will dole out $50 gift cards to customers who buy smartphones this year. The push is part of Best Buy’s …

commentary Nokia needs to embrace the radical, if its smartphone business wants to thrive. Over the past year, the Finnish company has undergone some dramatic shifts–embracing Windows Phone, dropping Meego, and relegating its longtime Symbian platform to lower-end devices–all in an effort to turn itself around. The company’s recent line of Lumia Windows Phone, featuring clean, colorful designs and the …

Verizon has filed a lawsuit against a Web site and domain name registrar, alleging that they are exploiting its name by placing ads on Verizon-like Web addresses. The complaint, filed in a Los Angeles federal court and reported on by Paid Content, calls Parked.com and DNLtd “serial cybersquatters” who control more than 600 Web sites with names such as 2verizon.net, …

Former Research in Motion co-CEO Mike Lazaridis still believes a comeback is in the works for BlackBerry and is willing to put his money where his mouth is. Mike Laziridis addresses the crowd at BlackBerry DevCon 2011. Jessica Dolcourt/CNET Lazaridis, who alongside fellow co-CEO Jim Balsillie stepped down from RIM a week ago, said in an interview posted Friday by …

Former Palm CEO and principal architect of the WebOS platform Jon Rubinstein has left Hewlett-Packard, effective today. HP’s Jon Rubinstein and the TouchPad tablet. James Martin/CNET Rubinstein is leaving after completing a commitment to stay with HP for 12 to 24 months. All Things D first reported on the departure, and said Rubinstein has no immediate plans. “Jon has fulfilled …

Samsung Electronics reigned supreme among Android vendors in the fourth quarter, as its successful smartphone business helped drive an uptick in the company’s fourth-quarter profit. The Korean consumer electronics giant today reported a profit of 4 trillion Korean won, or $3.56 billion, up 8.5 percent from a year-earlier profit of 3.42 trillion Korean won. The company’s revenue advanced more than …

Okay, now Research In Motion is all about change. Research in Motion CEO Thorsten Heins RIM That’s according to new CEO Thorsten Heins, who backtracked and clarified earlier comments that he didn’t believe RIM need to make any real changes to the business. In an interview with Crackberry, Heins said that there have been plenty of ongoing changes with the …