Verizon Communications swung to a second-quarter profit as consumers flocked to its speedier 4G service, the carrier said today. Verizon reported a second-quarter profit of $1.61 billion, or 57 cents a share. A year earlier, the company posted a loss of $1.19 billion, or 42 cents a share due to charges made related to its …

Verizon’s Lowell McAdam (left) and Apple’s Tim Cook (right) at the company’s launch event for the Verizon iPhone. Sarah Tew/CNET Incoming Verizon Communications Chief Executive Lowell McAdam said he expects the next iPhone to launch in the fall, although even he isn’t sure. “You will have to ask Apple that, but we expect that probably sometime in the fall, and …

Lowell McAdam gets a new title on August 1. Sarah Tew/CNET Verizon Communications said today that Lowell McAdam will officially take over as chief executive on August 1. McAdam takes the reins from longtime Chief Executive Ivan Seidenberg, who will retain his chairman title. McAdam was widely known as the heir apparent when he was promoted to president and chief …

T-Mobile USA began selling a Micro SIM card today, necessary for people who want to bring their iPhones or iPads over to its network. T-Mobile’s Micro SIM card. T-Mobile USA It’s an awkward offer as T-Mobile is openly encouraging iPhone customers–of the AT&T variety, and not Verizon Wireless–to switch carriers. At the same time, AT&T is attempting to acquire T-Mobile …

AT&T reported a slight decline in second-quarter profit today, although revenue ticked up amid the continued strength of iPhone and other smartphone sales. The Dallas-based telecommunications giant posted a profit of $3.6 billion, or 60 cents a share, compared with a year-earlier profit of $4 billion, or 67 cents a share. The year-ago results were helped by the sale of …

It may not be good enough for the likes of AT&T or Verizon Wireless, but the U.S. government is giving a thumbs-up to Research In Motion’s BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook. RIM RIM said today that its PlayBook has received Federal Information Processing Standard certification, which means it can be deployed within U.S. federal government agencies. RIM said no …

commentary Apparently, there is life after being the exclusive iPhone carrier. Smartphones such as the Motorola Atrix helped AT&T diversify its product offering after Verizon Wireless began selling the iPhone. Motorola So how did AT&T fare following Verizon Wireless’ first full quarter selling the iPhone? Pretty well, actually. The wireless business was a highlight of the company’s second-quarter results, as …

Marketing and design company SapientNitro unveiled an app today that allows smokers to see exactly what cigarettes are doing to their lungs. SapientNitro’s AR Lungs application can provide a virtual simulation of a smoker’s lungs using augmented reality. SapientNitro The AR Lungs app uses augmented reality and a database of medically correct digital lungs to illustrate the effects of cigarettes. …

Sprint Nextel’s unlimited data plan will eventually face its limits. Dan Hesse at Sprint headquarters yesterday. Kent German/CNET As the only carrier that can now boast of offering an all-you-can-eat buffet of data with no strings attached, Sprint has become a haven for bandwidth hogs. It’s a boon to customer growth and gives the company a competitive edge beyond pricing …

Sprint Nextel is looking at the potential for rolling out a family plan-like bucket for data services that can connect phones, tablets, cameras, and other devices. Fared Adib, vice president of product development for Sprint. Engadget “You’ll see this from us,” Fared Adib, vice president of product development for Sprint, said during a roundtable discussion with reporters today. Adib’s comments …