Mobile broadband speeds can vary widely, but now the Federal Communications Commission is turning to the smartphone community to get a more accurate picture of how wireless carriers compare. The FCC is expected to hear a presentation this week on the FCC Speed Test App for Android, which will record smartphone users’ data speeds nationwide …

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8: This tablet comes with a stylus. Josh Miller/CNET The tablet market had its breakthrough moment when Apple’s iPad arrived sporting a nearly 10-inch screen. Later, much of the significant action among tablets centered on those in the 7-inch realm. In general, the 7-inch size marks the border between so-called phablets and proper tablets. The group …

One of the Nexus 5 smartphone’s best new features is the always-listening, touchless control over Google Now, the name by which the platform’s personal assistant is known. By saying the words “OK, Google” when the phone is unlocked, you can launch any of Google Now’s actions — like searching the Web or dialing a number — without having to touch …

Three, Tesco Mobile and HTC are among the big winners in this year’s uSwitch Awards, awarded by phone fans and industry experts to the best manufacturers and mobile networks for value, coverage, customer support and extras. Three scooped the most awards, taking home four gongs. Customer satisfaction ratings were tallied up to name Three as the network giving the best …

AMSTERDAM — How does a national-scale carrier go from nonexistent to profitable in five years? There’s probably no single, simple path. But in the case of YTL Communications in Malaysia, the answer combines aggressive construction of a 4G network, a government boost for new network operators, and a business that embraces the services that many carriers don’t like. That’s according …

O2 4G is coming to Edinburgh, Newcastle, Wetherby and Huddersfield in the next few weeks — and the oxygenated network is closing the gap on EE as it now covers a quarter of Britain’s population with 4G speed. It’s been 9 weeks since O2 threw the switch on its 4G network, and it now reaches over 15 million people in …

Now playing: Watch this: Google Nexus 5 souped up with Android KitKat, LTE, and… 3:16 T-Mobile announced today that it will begin selling the Nexus 5, Google’s flagship handset of the season, starting November 14 online. The device will then be available in carrier stores a few days after that on November 20. Related stories LG once out-iPhoned the iPhone. …

Now playing: Watch this: Google Nexus 5 souped up with Android KitKat, LTE, and… 3:16 Sprint customers who’ve been waiting for the Nexus 5 can now buy the new phone. As of Friday, the 16GB Nexus 5 is available through both Sprint and Best Buy. Sprint seems to have the better deal, selling the phone for just $50. But that …

No, T-Mobile isn’t hosing customers who buy its Nexus 5. T-Mobile on Friday said it would offer the Nexus 5 starting November 14 with a down payment of $42 and 24 monthly payments of $17. Add that up, and you get $450, which happens to be $100 more than what Google is charging for the phone at its Google Play …

MetroPCS on Friday added its latest Android smartphone, the waterproof and shock-proof Kyocera Hydro XTRM. Priced at $169.99, the no-contract handset is a rugged Android 4.1 Jelly Bean experience designed to take accidents in stride. In addition to standing up to water and the occasional drop, the Hydro XTRM is also dust-proof. Related stories Kyocera Hydro review Splash away with …

US Cellular subscribers can now purchase the new iPhones. The carrier, which launched the phones on Friday, is offering the iPhone 5S in all capacities from 16GB to 32GB to 64GB and in all colors from silver to gold to space gray. The 5C is available in 16GB or 32GB and in its full array of colors. Related stories iPhone …

I can’t say enough good things about TT Games’ Lego series, which have brought everything from Batman to Harry Potter to “Star Wars” to life in glorious brick form. And last year’s Lego Lord of the Rings was among the best yet, an epic and thoroughly entertaining game version of the entire three-movie series. Of course, you needed a PC …

Now playing: Watch this: Google Nexus 5 souped up with Android KitKat, LTE, and… 3:16 Available from the Google Play store, Sprint, and T-Mobile, the Nexus 5 is one of the most highly anticipated and low-cost Android phones of the year. For customers on T-Mobile who use a Wi-Fi connection to make phone calls, however, the carrier has confirmed with …

The Nokia Lumia 1520 is now officially available for preorder through both AT&T and Microsoft with a launch date of November 22. AT&T’s preorder page shows the phone selling for $199 with the standard two-year contract, $584 with a month-to-month plan, or $27 per month for 20 months through the carrier’s Next installment plan. The Lumia 1520 is available in …

BBC iPlayer is set to come the Xbox One — but not in time for the new console’s launch this month. “We are working to bring BBC iPlayer to Xbox One in the future,” a spokesperson from the Beeb told me today, but the catch-up service isn’t on Microsoft’s list of video apps that will be available at first. “We …