Orange has a new phone that uses its ‘Quick Tap‘ NFC tech that lets you pay for stuff in shops using your phone. The Samsung Wave 578 joins the earlier Samsung Tocco Lite Quick Tap in being able to transfer wonga when you slap it down on a special machine. The downside? It only works …

The largest cell phone carrier you may never have heard of is about to get a makeover. Starting next Monday, September 26, regional operator Cellular South will be known as C Spire Wireless. The company doesn’t explain the reasons behind the name change on its landing page, but it elaborates more in a press release (PDF) and fact sheet (PDF). …

Sprint has become the latest carrier to make changes to its data plans, although they are not as drastic as one might expect. So put the pitch forks away, at least for now. The carrier isn’t following Verizon by getting rid of its unlimited data plan, by come October 2 it will begin capping its mobile hostpot at 5GB per …

Here’s a rather convenient truth: two new iPhones will launch next month, says Al Gore. Yes, the same Al Gore who was vice president of the United States, and more recently has campaigned on environmental issues. Gore, appearing at a conference in Johannesburg, said, “Not to mention the new iPhones coming out next month. That was a plug.” Toby Shapshak, …

If you’ve got your hands on one of the Windows Phone 7 handsets launched last year, then good news — the update to Mango will be rolling out “in the next week or two”, according to Microsoft. The bad news? It won’t just come direct to your phone, you’ll have to install the correct software on your computer beforehand. Software …

Sprint was the first carrier in the country to venture forth into the uncertain waters of 4G with the HTC Evo 4G. Unlike the other carriers, it decided to opt for WiMax as its 4G technology, which gave it a significant head start in the speed race, as Verizon and AT&T scrambled to get their LTE networks up and running. …

Clearwire is in talks with a number of carriers, including AT&T and Verizon Wireless, about eventually providing wireless capacity with its planned 4G LTE network. “We’re talking to everybody,” Clearwire Chief Executive Eric Prusch said in an interview with CNET today. Prusch didn’t specifically name the two, but only said the company was talking to multiple companies when asked about …

Those last-ditch efforts that AT&T reportedly attempted in order to save its proposed bid for T-Mobile don’t look to have paid off. U.S. District Judge Ellen Huvelle has assigned a February 13 start date for a nonjury trial to decide whether AT&T’s proposed merger with T-Mobile, which would make AT&T the largest nationwide carrier, would violate antitrust laws. The Department …

The Japanese aren’t known for their sensible accessories, but this one takes the sashimi. It’s known as a ‘strap phone’, and as that suggests, it’s a mini mobile you can attach to anything you want — even your phone — and carry it as an accessory. Or you could be sensible and hook it round your wrist, but where’s the …

The Federal Communications Commission’s Net neutrality rules will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow and go into effect–barring legal challenges–November 20, according to a report. The commission made its announcement about the dates today, PCMag.com reported. On September 12, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget signed off on the rules, which meant the next step was publication …

Is it a phone? A tablet? We’ll have to decide pretty soon, as the gargantuan Samsung Galaxy Note is coming to the UK at the end of November, earlier than expected. Mega-phone? Oh, that’s already taken. Retailer Clove.co.uk has updated its page for the Galaxy Note, saying it’ll be on sale in the UK in late November. The official price …

Verizon Wireless doesn’t like to use the word “throttle” when describing how it will restrict heavy data users, but it has no problem with the word “choke.” And as Jessica tells us, that’s exactly what the carrier is starting to do for the “most active five percent of its 3G data customers.” No, it’s not very convenient, but at least …

AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson at Mobile World Congress 2011. Stephen Shankland/CNET The emergence of one–or even two–additional carriers selling the iPhone shouldn’t change the competitive dynamics for AT&T, according to the company’s chief executive. “Anytime there’s another competitor launching Apple’s hit device, the expectations for what would happen to the carrier that had it before is overblown,” AT&T Chief Executive …

The original was a true innovator, with its gang of docks transforming it into a netbook, a media centre, a sat-nav or even an alarm clock. So say hello to the sequel, leaked via Boy Genius Reports. And the good news is it has some pretty impressive specs. Known as the Motorola Atrix 2 — we know, not all that …

HTC’s phone for ladies prompts us to try to decide on a phone for me, Google Wallet is finally here (kinda), and an app helps you stay under your data plan cap. Now playing: Watch this: Ep. 65: The manliest Android show on the ‘Net 48:49 Listen now Your browser does not support the audio element. Subscribe: iTunes (MP3) | iTunes (320×180) …