Verizon CFO: Abandoning subsidies would be a mistake

Verizon has dipped its toes in the installment plan option with its Edge program, but the carrier’s CFO sees the subsidy model as still the safer option. In a presentation Monday at a Deutsche Bank conference, Verizon Communications Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo talked about the intricacies of offering customers subsidized phones versus those paid …

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The one real problem with Republic Wireless

Sorry, Republic Wireless users: You can’t yet receive short-code text messages like this one. Southwest Airlines Republic Wireless has attracted a lot of attention in recent months by offering one of the most attractive smartphone deals ever: a $299 Motorola Moto X and no-contract service for as little as $5 monthly. I’ve been using the phone and service for over …

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This holographic iPhone 6 concept could change everything

Like a holodeck in your pocket. Video screenshot by Eric Mack/CNET Over the years, I’ve taken some heat for saying that the iPhone jumped the shark years ago or predicting that the iPhone 6 will be more run of the mill than a runaway hit. So far, I’ve yet to see anything on the horizon that will prompt me to …

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Samsung videos give in

Samsung introduced the Gear Fit at MWC 2014. Andrew Hoyle/CNET Samsung’s giving us a closer look at its newest smartphone and wearables. The Korean electronics giant released a couple videos for the Galaxy S5, Gear 2, and Gear Fit to give users an in-depth look at some features of the new devices. Samsung frequently crams so many capabilities into its …

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Google paves the way for more wearable apps

CNET Update finds these drones stunning. Now playing: Watch this: Google paves the way for more wearable apps 2:52 In this episode of CNET Update: Get ready for more Android apps that work on smartwatches. Google is launching a software development kit for Android on wearable gadgets. Update to iOS 7.1, now that Apple added new features and bug fixes …

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SoftBank targets broadband to justify T

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son Stephen Shankland/CNET Fast mobile connection speeds, coupled with a strong third wireless carrier, could help improve US competition, not hurt it, SoftBank’s CEO plans to argue in Washington this week. SoftBank CEO and Sprint chairman Masayoshi Son will speak to policymakers on Tuesday and argue that if wireless carriers grow in size and invest in faster, …

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The Apple A8 ‘fab’ enigma: Is it TSMC, Samsung or both?

Samsung made the A7 processor. Who’s making the A8? Apple One thing is certain about Apple’s next-gen processor. Both Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and Samsung claim they’re making it. On Monday, Samsung laid claim to its participation, according to a report from ZDNet Korea. Related story Apple-Samsung silicon union still strong, chip expert says Samsung has signed a “foundry” agreement …

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Southwest (finally) rolling out mobile boarding passes

AUSTIN, Texas–Hallelujah! Southwest Airlines is starting to roll out mobile boarding passes, and for anyone who flies as much as I have over the last few years, this is very welcome news. I’ve been here at South by Southwest for the past week, and this afternoon, checking in for my flight home on Tuesday, I was surprised — and very, …

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Apple’s iOS 7.1 lands with CarPlay, improved fingerprint scanner

Apple’s iPhone 5S runs iOS 7, an overhauled version of the company’s mobile operating system. Sarah Tew/CNET Apple on Monday released an update to its iOS 7 mobile operating system — iOS 7.1 — that adds new features such as CarPlay and fixes bugs. With iOS 7.1, Apple also tweaked its Siri voice assistant, iTunes Radio, and its Touch ID …

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Sprint CFO Joe Euteneuer says early reaction to Framily better than expected

Lynn La/CNET Sprint’s Framily friends and family plan is off to a good start. So says Chief Financial Officer Joe Euteneuer, who spoke at a Deutsche Bank investor conference on Monday. At a time when the wireless carriers are either slashing prices or pushing for family members to sign up together to save money, Framily is Sprint’s most potent weapon …

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Apple rolls out iOS 7.1 update

Apple has released an update to iOS, bringing the latest version to 7.1. There are bug fixes and usability tweaks, including an update to Siri that gives the personal assistant a distinctly Australian voice. (Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET) This is the first major update to the operating system since iOS 7 was released in September 2013. The look and feel of …

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Sony Xperia Z2 comes with free Bravia TV on Vodafone

Phones really are getting bigger. Why, buy the new Sony Xperia Z2 from UK network Vodafone and it comes with a 32-inch screen! Well, sort of: the first 3,000 people to order the 5.2-inch Z2 from Vodafone get a 32-inch Sony Bravia television thrown in for free. You can pre-order the Z2 now, and it hits shops to buy on …

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How to completely turn off parallax wallpapers on iOS 7.1

Jason Cipriani/CNET iOS 7 launched with a revamped design and new features galore. Not all features were welcomed, with some users pleading for the ability to revert back to iOS 6 or turn off some of the more “annoying” features. One such feature was the motion found through iOS 7, including on the wallpaper background across all home screens. Apple …

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Watch this awesome recursive ‘Lego Movie,’ ‘Simpsons’ mashup

The third layer of a recursive video mashing up ‘The Simpsons’ and the ‘Lego Movie.’ Screen shot by CNET Love “The Simpsons” and love “The Lego Movie?” Then how can you not love this terrific video, which spoofs both in one simple recursive all-brick mashup? Made by YouTube filmmaker Monsieur Caron, the video depicts the famous opening title sequence of …

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Vimeo relaunches On Demand pay

Vimeo For the first birthday of Vimeo On Demand, the video-sharing site is giving its pay-for-play platform an overhaul. Monday, user-created-video site Vimeo released its refreshed version of Vimeo On Demand, which is a feature of its $199-a-year subscription known as Vimeo Pro. Vimeo Pro lets creators upload higher-quality video and get access to tools like Vimeo On Demand, which …

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