SAN DIEGO–We knew all along that MobileCon, with its enterprise focus, would be a quieter show for consumers, but what we didn’t know was how the players who did show up would engage us. LG used the event to showcase the midrange LG Optimus L9, which it announced just before the show, and the LG …

Now playing: Watch this: CNET News LG Nexus 4 leaked 1:21 LG’s rumoured Nexus phone could be with us by the end of the month, as reports suggest the raw-Android smart phone will reveal itself on 29 October. French site Le Figaro says that’s when LG’s Nexus effort will get a “worldwide release”, which could just mean outside of France, …

Now playing: Watch this: Sony Xperia T 1:52 The name’s T — Sony Xperia T. Sony’s new flagship phone is issued to James Bond in new film Skyfall, but is it licensed to thrill? For your eyes only, our own top agent Rich Trenholm reveals all in this top-secret video. The Xperia T is Sony’s flagship phone, packing Android software …

Last update: 8:20 a.m. PT Sprint Nextel has confirmed that it’s holding discussions with Softbank regarding a “substantial investment” by the Japanese mobile carrier. The confirmation came several hours after a report in the Wall Street Journal said, citing sources, that Softbank is in advanced talks to acquire the U.S.-based carrier for $12.8 billion. Beyond that, details are slim, and …

HTC just can’t make up its mind about tablets. The smart phone maker has revealed it’s watching the tablet market closely, but has yet to decide if it’s to challenge the iPad or the Google Nexus 7. So what does that say about the tablet game? With Windows 8 about to shake up the world of tablets and the Nexus …

A Web site in Belarus has posted images of what it claims is the upcoming LG Nexus 4. The site, Onliner (translate), today said it has obtained an LG Nexus 4 unit and released several pictures to prove it. The image appears to show a device that looks similar to the LG Optimus G, but not exactly the same. According …

Now playing: Watch this: The Motorola Droid Razr Maxx HD rocks both massive, sharp… 1:43 The wait for Motorola’s new Droid Razr HD and Droid Razr Maxx HD phones will soon be over. Verizon officially confirmed that Moto’s fresh devices will hit store shelves on October 18. Via Verizon’s blog, the company locked down pricing and availability for both models. …

Samsung today unveiled a smaller version of its popular Galaxy S3 smartphone as the Korean electronics giant ramps up competition with Apple’s iPhone. The device, dubbed the Galaxy S3 Mini, features a 4-inch screen and the latest version of Google’s Android operating system. By comparison, Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S3 smartphone has a 4.8-inch screen. The iPhone 5 also features a 4-inch …

Google’s tablet partnership with Samsung could yield some cutting-edge component tech, not the least of which is the pixel-packing display. The 10.1-inch tablet — expected in the first half of next year — should boast a pixel density that is higher than any tablet on the market now. That includes the 8.9-inch display on the Kindle Fire HD and the …

In a potential sign of things to come, Google has tapped a third-party company to help staff a Nexus call center. According to details uncovered by Geek.com, recruiters have been floating around the San Francisco Bay Area, seeking out Android “afficionados.” The reason? Someone in the Mountain View, Calif., area needs help providing phone and e-mail support for an Android …

From overly muscled aliens to horror meta-commentary, from zombie cats to lost-and-found babies — these are the Blu-rays you should be buying this week. Remember, David: you break it, you bought it. (Credit: Fox) Ah, Prometheus: a bit like the actual Prometheus, you were a little divisive. You brought fire to humanity and angered the gods, but your filmic namesake …

SAN DIEGO–A year ago at CTIA (now known as MobileCon), Huawei announced plans to become a top-five vendor in three years’ time. A year into its push to crack the U.S. market, Huawei is only baby steps closer to reaching its goal. When I met with Huawei in San Diego earlier this week, company spokespeople said that consumers’ brand awareness …

Now playing: Watch this: CNET News Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini 1:07 Fancy a Samsung Galaxy S3 — but think it’s just too big? Put that iPhone down and back away from the Apple Store, because Samsung has announced a 4-inch version of the best-selling S3. The smaller version of the S3 will be released tomorrow in Germany. Samsung says that …

Now playing: Watch this: Best budget 7″ Android Tablets 2:53 The iPad Mini has yet to be officially announced, but it’s kind of the worst-kept secret in tech right now. There’s a very good chance it’ll be revealed later this month (although what its final name will be remains to be seen) and even if you’ve no plans to purchase …

Sprint appears to be taking a wait-and-see approach on a possible acquisition bid for MetroPCS. The No. 3 wireless carrier is delaying a counteroffer in an effort to examine Deutsche Telekom’s plan to merge the prepaid carrier with T-Mobile, sources tell Bloomberg. The company is reportedly holding its counteroffer for a chance to see Deutsche Telekom’s proxy filing to examine …