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Yandex suite of free Android tools sidesteps Google

Russian search and software company Yandex is offering a collection of free tools to turn the Android open-source foundation into a usable phone operating system. The software, called Yandex.Kit, gives a Yandex-flavored experience by linking to the company’s own services — e-mail, maps, contacts, online storage, and app store — rather than Google’s alternatives. It’s …

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Leaked specs paint fuller picture for HTC Desire 8

The HTC Desire 8 should provide a large, albeit mid-range, Android experience when it makes its debut. Related stories: 5.5-inch HTC Desire 8 leaks on eve of Mobile World Congress Leaked HTC One 2 ‘Mini’ promises a smaller, but still powerful phone HTC’s next flagship will launch on March 25 According to a fresh set of leaked specs out of …

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AT&T pulls ahead in J.D. Power buying experience survey

Overall, the wireless purchase experience is getting better. But as with most rankings, there’s one company that wins and many more that lose. This time around, AT&T is the winner. In J.D. Power’s 2014 study on wireless purchase experiences, AT&T scored the top ranking, earning a score of 806 out of a possible 1,000. That was just above the industrywide …

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Samsung Galaxy Note 3 next up for KitKat upgrade at Sprint

Now playing: Watch this: The gigantic Samsung Galaxy Note 3 2:57 Samsung’s Galaxy Note 3 will soon be updated to Android 4.4 aka KitKat, Sprint has confirmed. The carrier on Thursday published an update to its Galaxy Note 3 support page, saying that the KitKat rollout has commenced and that Galaxy Note 3 owners will soon see Google’s latest mobile …

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Wireless charging group expands from phones to laptops

The Alliance for Wireless Power wants to cut another cord: the power cable that lets people charge their laptops. The A4WP announced Thursday that it’s added a new version of its Rezance wireless charging technology that can deliver 20 to 50 watts — enough to charge laptops. Not coincidentally, it also announced its first PC maker has joined the consortium: …

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New Telstra plans offer yearly phone upgrades

Alongside a new pricing structure, Telstra will offer customers who sign up to 24-month plans the option of receiving a new phone upgrade every year. (Credit: Telstra) By opting into the new feature and paying an additional AU$10 per month, users will have the option to upgrade their existing handset after 12 months. Certain caveats apply, with the new phone …

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Kazam Thunder 2 brings lightning

Fledgling UK-based mobile maker Kazam — formed last year by two former HTC execs — has conjured up more reasonably priced Android phones. Its new Thunder 2 brings 4G LTE, while the Trooper 2 tweaks the company’s midrange options. Fully embracing Samsung’s “a phone for every price and screen size” philosophy, Kazam has three designs — Thunder, Trooper and the …

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Can Vodafone turn around its public image?

opinion Vodafone has some big issues when it comes to its image in Australia. Can the company get customers back? Can Vodafone get customers back on its revamped network? (Credit: Vodafone) The question isn’t whether Vodafone can fix its network; that process has been well underway for some time now. For the majority of customers, the “Vodafail meltdown” that occurred …

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WhatsApp: Don’t sweat, Facebook buy won’t change us

It’ll be like this $16 billion deal never even happened. At least, that’s according to a blog post on Wednesday from WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum, reassuring customers that despite Facebook’s acquisition of the company, nothing about the service will change. Related stories Facebook’s $90 Million Data-Tracking Settlement: There Are Only Days Left to File a Claim Before the Deadline Tech …

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