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Softbank confident of Sprint deal, despite Dish’s $25B bid

Calling Dish Network’s rival bid for Sprint Nextel “highly conditional,” Softbank said tonight it is going ahead with its merger proposal for the troubled carrier and expects to close the deal this summer. The satellite TV provider submitted a merger proposal this morning valued at $25.5 billion, a 13 percent premium over the Japanese wireless …

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Samsung probed for allegedly bashing rival HTC online

The Taiwanese Fair Trade Commission has reportedly launched an investigation into Samsung on allegations that the phone-maker was paying students to post negative online comments about HTC devices, according to AFP. HTC is one of Samsung’s most staunch rivals. Related stories Best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Cases TV in the Bathroom: Technically Doable but a Very Bad Idea Samsung …

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Kobo unveils Aura HD, ‘Porsche of e

The dedicated e-reader market, hurt by the rise of the tablet and large-screen smartphones, is widely regarded as being on the downswing. But that hasn’t stopped Kobo from announcing the limited-edition $169.99 Kobo Aura HD, a “premium” e-reader with a 6.8-inch screen that the company says is the highest-resolution display available in an e-reader today. The specs list the resolution …

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4G auction result to be probed by government watchdog

Whitehall wonga watchdogs are to probe the 4G sell-off. The National Audit Office will investigate the £2.3bn raised in the auction of 4G spectrum to see if the government got value for money. The government has drawn stick for the amount earned from phone networks buying airwaves to use for extra-fast LTE Internet connections to mobile phones and tablets. Even …

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Nokia Lumia 520 review: One of the best budget phones around

When Nokia first unveiled its Nokia Lumia 520 this past February, the Windows Phone proved that Nokia could achieve new lows. Related stories Read all about the Nokia Lumia 520 Nokia Lumia 720: Fully reviewed Nokia’s confusing Lumia family tree That’s only when it comes to price, though, not features. As CNET UK discovered while fully reviewing the Lumia 520, …

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Google Glass units are coming off the production line

The device will begin shipping to the early-access “Glass Explorers” within the next few days. Glass Explorers will get their units any day now. (Credit: James Martin/CNET) Google has made the interesting decision to not wait until enough products are in supply to meet the demand of its Explorer community, but to begin shipping in waves immediately. A letter obtained …

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Xiaomi finds big success selling high

The high-end Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has no marketing budget and no flashy retail stores. And yet it is one of the most successful handset makers in the coveted Chinese mobile market. Speaking here today at the All Things D conference, president and co-founder of the 3-year-old company, Bin Lin explained how the company has grown so rapidly from its …

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Verizon Wireless pitches $1.5B for Clearwire spectrum

In the latest twist on the Sprint-Clearwire saga, Verizon Wireless apparently has entered the picture as a suitor for Clearwire’s spectrum. Verizon Wireless has offered to pay as much as $1.5 billion to acquire spectrum leases from networking company Clearwire, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cites people said to be familiar with the matter. The move would give …

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