Russian search and software company Yandex is offering a collection of free tools to turn the Android open-source foundation into a usable phone operating system. The software, called Yandex.Kit, gives a Yandex-flavored experience by linking to the company’s own services — e-mail, maps, contacts, online storage, and app store — rather than Google’s alternatives. It’s …
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The HTC Desire 8 should provide a large, albeit mid-range, Android experience when it makes its debut. Related stories: 5.5-inch HTC Desire 8 leaks on eve of Mobile World Congress Leaked HTC One 2 ‘Mini’ promises a smaller, but still powerful phone HTC’s next flagship will launch on March 25 According to a fresh set of leaked specs out of …
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Overall, the wireless purchase experience is getting better. But as with most rankings, there’s one company that wins and many more that lose. This time around, AT&T is the winner. In J.D. Power’s 2014 study on wireless purchase experiences, AT&T scored the top ranking, earning a score of 806 out of a possible 1,000. That was just above the industrywide …
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Now playing: Watch this: The gigantic Samsung Galaxy Note 3 2:57 Samsung’s Galaxy Note 3 will soon be updated to Android 4.4 aka KitKat, Sprint has confirmed. The carrier on Thursday published an update to its Galaxy Note 3 support page, saying that the KitKat rollout has commenced and that Galaxy Note 3 owners will soon see Google’s latest mobile …
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The Alliance for Wireless Power wants to cut another cord: the power cable that lets people charge their laptops. The A4WP announced Thursday that it’s added a new version of its Rezance wireless charging technology that can deliver 20 to 50 watts — enough to charge laptops. Not coincidentally, it also announced its first PC maker has joined the consortium: …
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Alongside a new pricing structure, Telstra will offer customers who sign up to 24-month plans the option of receiving a new phone upgrade every year. (Credit: Telstra) By opting into the new feature and paying an additional AU$10 per month, users will have the option to upgrade their existing handset after 12 months. Certain caveats apply, with the new phone …
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Fledgling UK-based mobile maker Kazam — formed last year by two former HTC execs — has conjured up more reasonably priced Android phones. Its new Thunder 2 brings 4G LTE, while the Trooper 2 tweaks the company’s midrange options. Fully embracing Samsung’s “a phone for every price and screen size” philosophy, Kazam has three designs — Thunder, Trooper and the …
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BARCELONA, Spain — The wait for Samsung’s Galaxy S5 is now over. Samsung on Monday will host its “Unpacked 2014 Episode 1” event during the Mobile World Congress trade show here. The Korean electronics giant will kick off the event at 8 p.m. local time, or 11 a.m. PT, and you can calculate the start time in your own location …
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opinion Vodafone has some big issues when it comes to its image in Australia. Can the company get customers back? Can Vodafone get customers back on its revamped network? (Credit: Vodafone) The question isn’t whether Vodafone can fix its network; that process has been well underway for some time now. For the majority of customers, the “Vodafail meltdown” that occurred …
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It’ll be like this $16 billion deal never even happened. At least, that’s according to a blog post on Wednesday from WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum, reassuring customers that despite Facebook’s acquisition of the company, nothing about the service will change. Related stories Facebook’s $90 Million Data-Tracking Settlement: There Are Only Days Left to File a Claim Before the Deadline Tech …
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We may have a first glimpse of Huawei’s next flagship, thanks to a leaked picture. Related stories: Huawei sneers at Apple and Samsung (Yes, Huawei) Huawei next up, with smartwatch planned for Mobile World Congress Firefox OS sinks its teeth into low-end smartphones Web site Nowhereelse.fr has a supposed image of the the Ascend P7. The phone could make its …
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More subway stations in New York City will get Wi-Fi and mobile service this year. Wireless hardware provider Transit Wireless has unveiled the start of Phase Two of its wireless rollout project with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The new phase will start by setting up wireless service for 11 stations in midtown Manhattan, including Grand Central Terminal, 34th St. Herald …
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With just a few days to go before it’s announced, rumors via ZDNet Korea suggest that the Samsung Galaxy S5 will be waterproof and dustproof. Anyone who’s ever sacrificed a phone on the altar of a toilet or swimming pool can appreciate the possibilities of a waterproof phone. The current Samsung flagship isn’t waterproof but does have a water-defying spin-off: …
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HTC plans a private demonstration next week of a smartwatch, the first of three wearable devices next week, a well-placed source told Bloomberg. The troubled handset maker will preview a prototype smartwatch based on Qualcomm’s Toq smartwatch for wireless carriers during the Mobile World Congress, a source described as having direct knowledge of the company’s plans told the news agency. …
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Android rival Ubuntu Touch takes a step closer to reality today as the first manufacturers commit to making Ubuntu-powered phones. The first mobile device manufacturers to greenlight Ubuntu phones are BQ in Spain and Meizu in China, who not only rhyme but also have plans for phones billed as “mid- to high-end” devices. They’ll be on sale this year. Now …
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