The metal-framed Samsung Galaxy Alpha in testing before it’s sent out into the world. Samsung The Samsung Galaxy Alpha is the toughest Galaxy yet. Drop tests of the new metal-framed phone — Samsung’s first ferrous foray for the popular line of smartphones — reveal the curved corners mean it can take a licking and keep …

Virgin Mobile What’s the sweet spot for smartphone screens? Some users prefer smaller ones that can be tapped and swiped with a single thumb, while others want the equivalent of a dinner plate. Me, I read a lot on my phone, so I’m definitely leaning toward a bigger screen — even if it means a slightly less comfortable addition to …

Google+ communities can be invaluable to all types of Android users. Screenshot by Scott Webster/CNET Let’s face it, Google+ is a divisive topic. Depending on whom you ask, it can be either the fastest growing social network of all time or simply a dead man walking. Just about everyone has an opinion about it, including me. Related Links 11 stunning …

The iPhone 5S smartphone. CNET A hiccup in the supply chain has slowed production of Apple’s anticipated iPhone 6, leaving suppliers scrabbling to produce enough displays to prepare for the expected launch of the device, Reuters reported Friday. The news agency, citing supply chain sources, said production of display panels for the new device was interrupted after the backlight used …

Matt Elliott/CNET Learning how to live on your own and schedule your time effectively in college can be as big as challenge as your course work. With the iStudiez app for iOS and Macs, students can stay on top of their classes and assignments. iStudiez is available in free and paid versions. The free iStudiez Lite is a universal app …

Pebble smartwatches get a native ESPN app. ESPN Sports enthusiasts now have to look no further than their wrist to get an update on a game. ESPN unveiled its native app for Pebble smartwatches on Thursday that comes filled with football, basketball, baseball, and more game scores. “The ESPN watch app is a perfect example of how Pebble can take …

Sprint’s unlimited data plan lives on. as the company takes its new pricing assault to rival T-Mobile. On Thursday, Sprint unveiled a $60 Unlimited Plan for individual customers. The new service offers unlimited voice, text messaging, and data for $60 a month. Sprint is marketing the new plan as the cheapest around, beating T-Mobile, its only national competitor offering unlimited …

This chair goes wherever you go. Noonee Swiss company Noonee has declared a “chairolution.” Think of it as an industrial-and-factory-focused counterpart to the standing-desk craze that is so popular with office workers. The foundation of the movement is the Chairless Chair, which Noonee describes as “a powered, lightweight and energy efficient lower limb (legs) posture support device.” The Chairless Chair …

Shutterstock If you want to post that beach selfie to Facebook faster than ever, EE now offers 4G roaming in 14 new destinations around the world. Customers of UK network EE, formed by the merger of Orange and T-Mobile, can now enjoy faster Internet connection on their 4G LTE phone. 4G costs slightly more than a regular contract or pay …

Google Multi-linguists rejoice. Google on Thursday updated its Voice Search app — which lets users say search queries aloud instead of typing them — to support more than one language at a time. That means that a speaker who knows multiple languages can switch among them when making voice searches without having to change the settings on the app. The …

Qualcomm is struggling through rough waters in China, but the chipmaker still sees enormous potential there. Amon discusses his company’s chip sales effort in China during an interview Monday in Manhattan. Sarah Tew/CNET Cristiano Amon, co-president of the Qualcomm CDMA Technologies division, said in an interview Monday that the company will be in a strong position to expand its chip …

The newest Windows Phone on the scene is the HTC One M8. Sarah Tew/CNET It’s been two years since HTC made a Windows Phone, but now the company is back with the best phone it has to offer, the flagship HTC One M8 . This time, the phone is running Windows Phone 8.1 , but still includes well-known HTC features, …

The Motorola Moto X runs stock Android, with a few extra features. Screenshot by Sarah Mitroff/CNET If you thought you’ve heard a lot about Motorola over these last few weeks, you haven’t seen anything yet. According to a report stemming from TKTechNews, Moto is going to make up for a quiet first half of 2014 by prepping up to eight …

Sky British broadcaster Sky has given its set-top box interface a fresh lick of paint, adding “Suggestions” — a new option that recommends programmes to watch based on what you’ve been recording and downloading. For instance, Sky says, if you’ve been watching a lot of a Kevin-Bacon-em-up “The Following”, you’ll be advised to investigate crime dramas like “Luther.” Sky, which …

If your Windows Phone’s battery drains before you can squeeze in a few lunchtime rounds of Super Sweet Crush, it may be time for a power check-up. Decreasing brightness and disabling Wi-Fi when it’s not in use are a couple obvious tips, but (like almost any piece of Windows software), there are other settings buried deep in your phone’s system …