Two years before the first iPhone, Apple applied for a patent that has become one of the staple gestures of the iOS platform. I recall when we first received the original iPhone at the Apple Store (where I was the Lead Specialist). We unboxed and powered-on a demo unit and the first thing we did …

Clearwire announced a new pay-as-you-go brand for its 4G wireless service on Monday. The new brand is targeting 18- to 24-year-olds who are recently out of college, urban, and looking to stay connected. The service will not require a contract, and customers can sign up for unlimited data usage for just $5 per day, $20 per week, or $50 a …

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Josh Miller/CNET If you own a Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, you’re probably not too fond of the fact that it’s stuck running Android 1.6. Sony Ericsson’s projected Q4 release for an Android 2.1 update doesn’t sit well either when other devices are already getting Android 2.2, but there might be some good news on the horizon. …

We apologize for not posting FCC filing on this blog for the last few weeks, but the end of August was a good time to come back. Last week, a lot of cell phones passed through the Federal Communications Commission’s certification process including two Windows Phone 7 devices from LG. Phonescoop sighted the LG GW910 on August 23, and CNET’s …

Microsoft’s Bing for Android may not technically be the first Microsoft-made app for Android phones (that honor belongs to the rather obscure Microsoft Tag Reader,) but the Bing is its highest-profile app. Released on Monday, Bing for Android closely resembles Bing for iPhone, with an image of the day marking the backdrop, and a pop-up menu to search by images, …

Research In Motion, the maker of the popular BlackBerry smartphone, has averted yet another ban of its e-mail and messaging service, according to news reports Monday. The Indian government said it will not shut down the service for at least another 60 days as it evaluates proposals RIM has offered that would allow the government to monitor wireless subscribers’ communications. …

We knew the BlackBerry Curve 3G would be available from T-Mobile, but we didn’t know when.  T-Mobile has announced via its Facebook page that it will begin offering the BlackBerry Curve 3G–also known as the Curve 9300–on September 8 for a very affordable $80 with a new two-year contract. The Curve 3G is an entry-level smartphone, but it does have …

After months of leaks and ill-fated speculation, Motorola has announced three new Ming series Android phones destined for China. You may recall seeing these phones pop up as far back as April, rumored at one point to be 3D-capable. Though they’lll end up at different carriers, each device features a full touch screen with the signature Ming flip design and …

Popularity of Apple products has always brought out scammers, hoping to prey on the wish list’s of potential targets. Currently, a Facebook scam promises to send consumers a brand-new iPhone 4 or iPad 3G for testing. In return for your opinion, you get to keep the device. A free iPad sounds amazing, but chances are you will never get it. …

AT&T AT&T AT&T isn’t shy when it comes to padding its lineup of quick messaging phones. These are typically cell phones in the middle of the feature range, with a healthy quantity of social media apps on board in addition to optional AT&T services like the AT&T Navigator and a music store. We’ve rounded up five top picks of AT&T …

If I were a technology acquisition matchmaker, I’d definitely set tech giant Cisco Systems up with Skype. The companies complement each other so well, it seems as though they’d be a match made in heaven. In fact, I’d argue they are much more compatible than Skype and eBay ever were. eBay acquired Skype in 2006 for $2.6 billion. Apparently, I …

As some of you know by now, Apple is hosting a “special event” Wednesday, September 1, 2010, to unveil something–perhaps several somethings. According to the rumor mill, Apple might take the wraps off an iPad with a 7-inch screen or a new-and-improved version of the Apple TV–which many people are guessing the company will call the iTV. Traditionally, September is …

Welcome to the 411, my column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have similar queries, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I’m stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at [email protected]. If you …

Cisco Systems may be making a play for Internet phone service Skype, according to a TechCrunch report. The blog cited an unnamed source who claims that Cisco has made an offer to acquire Skype before the company completes its initial public offering. Skype filed for an IPO with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this month. TechCrunch admited that …

Germany will soon be able to say hello to the Samsung Wave 723, the newest model of the smartphone built on Samsung’s open Bada platform. Samsung will release the Wave 723, also known as GT-S7230E, in Germany in September, and then it will gradually release it to other countries in Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The Wave …