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Dialed In 149: No Facebook phone (podcast)

Well, so much for that rumor. Facebook held a mobile event at its Palo Alto, Calif., headquarters today, but it didn’t reveal the Facebook phone. In fact, the company pretty much shot down that idea. Still, there was plenty of mobile-related news surrounding the popular social networking site, and Jessica Dolcourt is here to give …

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Nokia N8 reader feedback: Why you’re all wrong

We had to be harsh with the Nokia N8, judging it the greatest touchscreen phone Nokia’s ever made, but still not good enough to take on the smart phone competition. Three stars. But Nokia fans didn’t like seeing us spank the object of their affection. We love our commenters and treasure every word that drops from their keyboards, so we …

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Wi

Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization tomorrow plans to unveil a breakthrough in wireless technology that will allow multiple users to upload content at the same time while maintaining a data transfer rate of 12 megabits per second (Mbps), all over their old analog TV aerial. The technology, named Ngara, allows up to six users to occupy the equivalent …

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The man behind the National Broadband Plan (Q&A)

Remember the National Broadband Plan? Blair Levin, former executive director of the National Broadband Plan, a report that was presented to Congress in March and was supposed to serve as a blueprint for policymakers to bring ubiquitous access for broadband to all Americans, does. Blair Levin, the former executive director of the National Broadband Plan. FCC Levin, who had served …

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Eclair holds slim margin over Froyo in latest Android report

Android phones running OS 2.1 or 2.2 now represent more than three quarters of all handsets on the market, says Google’s latest platform version report. Though handsets with OS 1.5 or 1.6 haven’t disappeared yet, yesterday’s report has led some to suggest that fragmentation is winding down. Released monthly, the report breaks down the various versions of Android to help …

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Stupid cell phone accessories

One of the best things about flying is the chance to leaf through the Skymall catalog. Indeed, there’s no better celebration of our nation’s obsession with consumerism. Where else can you find a tacky table-and-chairs set that’s disguised as a bookcase or a quirky baking pan that ensures everyone gets an end piece? Gadgets have also made their way into …

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Facebook introduces single sign

PALO ALTO, CA–Let’s get it over with. There is no Facebook phone. Mark Zuckerberg made that abundantly clear with a firm denial at a Facebook mobile event today at company headquarters in Palo Alto. But Facebook did announce a single sign-on. Single sign-on is roughly an extension of (and replacement for) services like Facebook Connect, connecting you to third-party social …

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Introducing the CNET Reviews iPhone app

The CNET Reviews iPhone app’s main screen lets you surf categories, launch a bar code scanner, search for products, and more. CNET We’ve all been there: standing, befuddled, in front of 30 blaring TV sets in a big-box store, struggling to decide which flat-screen TV would work in the living room. Or maybe you urgently need a new digital camera, …

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Skyfire’s iPhone browser ‘sells out’ due to shaky bandwidth

Skyfire for iPhone ($2.99) may be one of the shortest-lived apps in the iPhone App Store, surviving only five hours today before Skyfire pulled it from the marketplace after noticing strain on their servers that resulted in poor user experience. “The servers haven’t crashed,” a Skyfire spokesperson said, but they did stutter as customers who bought the browser streamed Flash …

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