HTC settles with FTC over software security vulnerabilities

Mobile handset maker HTC has agreed to settle a complaint filed against it by the Federal Trade Commission accusing the company of failing to take “reasonable steps” to patch a security flaw in software running on its smartphones. As part of this settlement, HTC has agreed to patch handsets that were left vulnerable to the …

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Sony Xperia SP is a mid

We’re only days away from the biggest date in the mobile phone calendar, and we’ve had a glimpse of another new phone to look forward to: the Sony Xperia SP. Details of the the SP have leaked ahead of its launch. It’s a 4.6-inch phone with a high-definition 720p screen for crisp and detailed films, games and websites. Under the …

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Nokia plans smartphone fight at low end of market, report says

Nokia has its sights set on the lower end of the handset market, according to a new report. The company next week at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona will unveil cheap basic phones and low-price Lumia smartphone models aimed at budget-conscious shoppers, Reuters is reporting today, citing sources from within Nokia. The Lumia smartphones will run on Windows Phone …

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Apple watch that talks to your iPhone appears in patent

Apple is definitely working on a watch that talks to your phone. The iPhone 5 and iPad manufacturer has patented a design for a smart watch — but will it ever actually reach shops? The existence of an Apple watch appears to be confirmed by a patent filed by the California company, spotted by the AppleInsider blog. With Samsung also …

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HTC One vs iPhone 5 camera duel: Ultrapixel tech tested

With the HTC One, HTC made the bold decision to opt for a lower-megapixel camera sensor, in the hope that larger individual pixels on a third-of-an-inch sensor would let in more light, and make for better photos. Has it paid off? Our pals over at CNET Asia have got their mitts on an HTC One, and pitted its ‘Ultrapixel’ sensor …

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RootMyNook vs. N2A Cards: Battle of the Nook

Right out of the box, the Barnes & Noble Nook HD and Nook HD+ are pretty sweet tablets. CNET commended the Nook HD for its “light, comfortable screen and sharp design,” while dubbing the Nook HD+ a “fantastic tablet value.” Beyond the box, however, both tablets can do so much more. Thanks to customized microSD expansion cards from RootMyNookHD and …

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Where to find CNET’s coverage of Mobile World Congress

We’re all going to sunny Spain for Mobile World Congress, the annual trade show for phones, tablets, apps and mobile services. Held in Barcelona, over 65,000 people are expected to show up to see what the latest trends are. You don’t need to go anywhere, though: for the first time the different CNET sites around the world are combining forces …

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Vodafone chief unsure about changing Verizon ownership

Vodafone, the European wireless carrier that owns 45 percent of Verizon Wireless, isn’t sure if its stake will change in a year’s time. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal in an interview published today, Vodafone CEO Vittorio Colao said “I don’t know” if it’s possible for Vodafone’s stake to be changed a year from now, but he’s willing to keep …

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Is Republic’s $19 cell phone service too good to be true?

Owning a smartphone usually means being stuck in an expensive two-year contract, but Republic Wireless is offering an unlimited everything service that will cost you as little as $19 a month. Most smartphone services start at about $70 a month on one of the major carrier networks. Prepaid providers, like MetroPCS, offer similar unlimited everything deals for $50 a month. …

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Samsung tops Apple in connected device sales in ’12

Samsung surpassed Apple in the market for smart connected devices last year as the Korean electronics giant’s shipments of smartphones, tablets, and PCs more than doubled, a new report says. Related stories: Samsung TV Discovery service launches this quarter Apple, Samsung gobble all 2012 handset profits, and then some Apple, Samsung get knocked down a peg IDC today noted that …

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CNET’s Twitter team for Mobile World Congress 2013

CNET editors from around the globe are headed to Barcelona to bring you everything under the Catalan sun from Mobile World Congress 2013. Some of the top mobile companies in the world are gathering to reveal the future of smartphones, and we’ll be there to bring you all the latest. Here are the accounts to follow for all the best …

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LG Optimus F7 and F5 are cheap 4G phones for Europe

LG is serving up two new Android smart phones for hungry phone fans. The LG Optimus F7 and F5 are two mid-range mobiles that pack 4G and a recent version of Android. The F7 has a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, which bubbles away beneath the phone’s 4.7-inch display, alongside 2GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. The F5 meanwhile is a …

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LG announces Optimus F5, F7 ahead of Mobile World Congress

LG today announced a pair of Optimus F series smartphones on the eve of Mobile World Congress. The two will bridge the gap between the entry-level Optimus L and high-end Optimus G series of phones. Both will run the Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and will feature 4G LTE connectivity. Related stories LG updates Optimus L-Series handsets for MWC 2013 LG’s …

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Sprint Force LTE expected on March 1

Sprint may soon announce an entry-level Android smartphone, the Sprint Force LTE, according to Engadget. Manufactured by ZTE, the phone should run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and feature modest hardware specifications. Related stories: Sprint Flash review Android rumor roundup Sprint shopping for more wireless spectrum Details include a 4-inch display, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 4GB of …

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FCC institutes new rules on cell phone signal boosters

The Federal Communications Commission yesterday announced new regulations for cell phone signal boosters. Under the new rules, anyone who has a signal booster or plans to buy one must obtain permission to use it from their carrier. If permission is obtained, the signal booster must be registered with the carrier to ensure it meets specifications and all parties are aware …

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