Research In Motion will have to learn from the mistakes of the PlayBook tablet if it wants to see any success with its next generation of BlackBerry smartphones. With disappointing sales and plunging profits, how could the company not feel the urgency to rush out a phone using slick its new QNX software? But that …

After a disastrous first few months, Research In Motion’s PlayBook tablet will get a price cut. During the company’s second-quarter earnings call today, RIM Co-Chief Executive Mike Lazaridis said the company would start up several programs to drive PlayBook sales, including an incentive program for businesses, as well as rebates and deals for existing BlackBerry customers. Lazaridis didn’t spell out …

Clearwire enlisted some big help in its effort to switch to another flavor of 4G technology. The upstart high-speed wireless provider said today that it had formed a partnership with China Mobile to work together to develop products and equipment using a standard of 4G technology called TD-LTE, which is incompatible with what the other major U.S. carriers are using. …

Sprint Nextel may be getting an iPad of its very own. Could the iPad 2 be coming to Sprint’s network? Apple Web site 9to5mac reported today that Apple and Sprint have completed work on an iPad that is compatible with Sprint’s wireless network. This comes on the heels of reports that Sprint will also carry the iPhone. If true, the …

Lance Whitney/CNET Verizon Wireless plans to launch a cheaper contract-free plan nationally this week, allowing it to better compete for bargain-seeking consumers. The nation’s largest wireless carrier will offer the plan, which includes unlimited calling, text messages and Internet use for $50 a month and is known as “Unleashed,” on Thursday, according to the Dow Jones Newswires. The offer will …

A software data analysis firm disputed the validity of Google patents sold to HTC in its defense against Apple, although documents show the company may be incorrect in its conclusions. Tyron Stading, founder and chief technology officer of Innography, a software company that pores through data related to intellectual property, said his company’s analysis found that Google may not have …

HTC is keen on buying its own mobile operating system, a move that could help differentiate the smartphone manufacturer from its competition. HTC Chairwoman Cher Wang, speaking to the Economic Observer of China in a report picked up by Taiwan’s Central News Agency, confirmed the company’s interest. “We have given it thought and we have discussed it internally, but we …

To: HTC Chairman Cher Wang Re: Your interest in potentially acquiring a mobile operating system I imagine after your comments about HTC’s internal discussions over potentially buying a mobile operating system, you’re getting a lot of calls and advice. If I may be so bold, I’d like to offer my two cents as well. DON’T DO IT. It may be …

The mass adoption of HTML5 as a way to create applications may be coming sooner than you think. Rob Chandhok, president of Internet services at Qualcomm. Qualcomm At least, that’s what Rob Chandhok, president of Qualcomm’s Internet services division, thinks. He recently sat down with CNET to talk about where apps are headed. And the direction solidly points to HTML5. …

The mobile world moves at a breakneck pace, and it’s difficult to keep up–even without the technical jargon most industry insiders throw around. And they do love to toss those terms around. This week, I explain what the difference between a computer chip and chipset is, the difference between regular and Enhanced 911, and why for companies, breaking up is …