Google’s Android runs on 80 percent of the world’s smartphones. CNET When consumers want to download applications on their smartphones and tablets, it’s usually Google or Apple that’s assigned the role of gatekeeper. But is that the way it has to be? Verizon on Wednesday denied a report by The Information that the carrier is …

Uber Uber is expanding its reach across a wide range of services. The company announced Wednesday that it has opened its application programming interface (API) to the public. APIs provide the basic information that lets different software programs talk to and work with each other, so with this move, developers can integrate Uber’s services, including bundling driver pickup, into their …

Microsoft Microsoft’s dual-SIM capable Nokia Lumia 530 will hit stores in Singapore on August 23 for a mere S$159 ($127) — making it one of the more affordable Windows Phone device in the region. The handset comes with the latest Windows Phone 8.1 update, which includes software features such as Action Center (similar to the Notifications center in Android and …

LG will bring features such as Smart Keyboard to more devices. Screenshot by Scott Webster/CNET LG this week confirmed that its upcoming smartphones and tablets will feature a more “consistent and uniform” user interface. Related Links LG G3 review LTE version of LG’s tablet launches LG’s second-quarter boosted by record phone shipments First introduced this summer with the flagship G3 …

LG LG’s two latest handsets, the L Fino and L Bello, aren’t exactly the top of the line products you’d expect the company to debut at the upcoming IFA tradeshow in Berlin. For one, it isn’t a flagship device that will go head-to-head with the upcoming Galaxy Note 4. Instead the L Fino and L Bello are “smartly-priced” (read: budget) …

HP Earlier this year, with no one looking (and almost no one noticing), HP unveiled an entry-level 8-inch tablet priced at a tempting $169.99. Cut to today: The HP Home & Home Office Store is offering the HP 8 tablet for $134.99, shipped, when you apply coupon code DEALNEWS15HP at checkout. How does that compare with, say, the original iPad …

The Omate X claims battery life of a week. Omate How do you follow “the most full-featured smartwatch we’ve ever seen?” Last year’s Omate TrueSmart, which makes phone calls and shoots video and chucks in the kitchen sink, is basically an Android phone on your wrist. It’s sequel, the new Omate X, is a simpler and cheaper smartwatch that acts …

Apple’s iPhone 5S (left) and iPhone 5C. Apple As the release of the alleged Apple iPhone 6 inevitably nears, retailers are dropping the prices of the iPhone 5S and 5C. A Walmart spokesperson told CNET that starting Thursday at 9 a.m. local times, the retailer is dropping the price of the iPhone 5S to $79 and the iPhone 5C to …

These specs look pretty normal from the outside. Google Google Glass has a bit of an image problem in some circles. While Glass Explorers proudly wear their gear, it’s hard to miss the hunk of technology hanging off the side of the glasses. That cyborg kind of look doesn’t sit well with people who prefer their wearables to be more …

LG If you’re right in the middle of your favourite song but you’ve just got to leave the house, LG’s new Music Flow system has you covered. The Music Flow sound bar, network bridge and wireless speakers connect to an app that seamlessly keeps playing as you leave the house. Clever, eh? And you can control it over IM! OK, …

Great-sounding new music is becoming increasingly rare, so when I find noteworthy efforts I’m happy to share the news. Granted, personal taste plays a big part in defining sound quality. That said, the sound trend of late leans toward being harsh and grating. I’m not opposed to grit that’s an intrinsic part of the music, I just can’t stand recordings …

RootMetrics issued its ‘State of the Mobile Union’ for the first half of 2014 Monday. RootMetrics Verizon topped the charts in network quality, according to the latest report from RootMetrics, a company that independently tests wireless networks. T-Mobile also jumped in RootMetrics’ rankings, beating Sprint for third place nationwide in terms of overall quality. “Verizon has recaptured the top spot …

Back in mid-February, Vodafone announced that it would be adding 4G roaming coverage in some select countries all set to be available by the middle of this year. The countries in question were the UK, “much of Europe” and New Zealand. While there have delays across the board on this, Vodafone today announced that 4G roaming was now live in …

The Sharp Aquos Crystal smartphone. Sarah Tew/CNET Sprint’s focus under new CEO Marcelo Claure looks to be all about affordability. After unveiling a handful of Sprint price and plan promotions on Monday, the company on Tuesday followed up by announcing an agreement to bring the Sharp Aquos Crystal smartphone exclusively to the wireless carrier. The phone has a modern-looking, nearly …

Jeff Dietel, a Verizon executive, at Tuesday’s HTC event. Sarah Tew/CNET HTC on Tuesday debuted the new HTC One M8 for Windows smartphone, bringing an operating system option other than Android to the handset maker’s flagship phone. For now, the device is a Verizon Wireless exclusive and only available in the US. It’s available for either a promotional price of …