Smartphones

HTC Touch Pro2 coming to T-Mobile on August 12

On Tuesday,T-Mobile answered the prayers of many smartphone fanatics and officially announced the upcoming release of the HTC Touch Pro2 smartphone. The Touch Pro2 will be available starting August 12 and will come in a mocha finish, but pricing was not revealed at press time.

First announced at GSMA 2009 as the successor to the HTC Touch Pro, the Touch Pro2 will finally bring T-Mobile customers a much-needed update to the T-Mobile Wing, which has been in circulation since 2007.

While the smartphone will still run on Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, it brings a number of notable improvements, … Read more

T-Mobile Sidekick LX gets Microsoft Exchange support

As promised back in May, T-Mobile is bringing Microsoft Exchange support to the T-Mobile Sidekick LX 2009. Starting Tuesday afternoon, Sidekick LX owners will be able to download the Sidekick Sync app from the handheld's Download Catalog and get real-time push e-mail, attachment viewing, and full sync capabilities. In addition, you'll also be able to sync your contacts and Exchange calendar to the Sidekick. Developed by Remoba, Sidekick Sync costs $4.99 per month and requires you have a Sidekick data plan.

Android-based Creative Zii Egg gets official

We knew Creative was up to something when that Zii Egg FCC application flew past us earlier this month, but we had no idea it would be this awesome, or this confusing. Turns out the Zii Egg (what an unfortunate name) is a multitouch-wielding, HD video-playing, dual-camera-having (front and back) rival to the iPhone and iPod Touch, running on Google's Android OS (see all the official specs over at Zii.net).

You can grab a 32GB model now for $400, but don't expect it to be fully baked. Creative is announcing this as a "developer edition" … Read more

Hints of an iPhone or tablet device for Verizon?

As the rumors of an Apple tablet-like device intensify, so too do the rumors of the iPhone coming to Verizon. In the keynote speech at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple barely mentioned AT&T when talking up the successes of the iPhone. The relationship between the partners, some say, isn't what it once was, though we have word from AT&T that everything between them is kosher.

The key factor between the two--and for iPhone customers--has been the exclusivity AT&T has to the device in the U.S. While it doesn't look … Read more

VTech's LS6245 Bluetooth cordless phone takes cell and landline calls

Vtech has released Bluetooth cordless phones in the past, but it says its new LS6245 is the "first system of its kind capable of connecting landline and cellular phone calls simultaneously."

Like most new cordless phones these days, the LS6245 is a DECT 6.0 model, but the key feature here is the capability to pair your Bluetooth cell phone with the unit and take calls on either the slim handset or via the built-in speakerphone. VTech is calling it "a virtual two-line phone system," and says you cannot only take a landline call and cell … Read more

T-Mobile introduces RIM BlackBerry Curve 8520

On Monday, T-Mobile announced the upcoming availability of its latest smartphone, the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8520. The Curve 8520 is slated for release on August 5 for $129.99 with a two-year contract and will come in two colors: frost or black.

This will be RIM's first model with dedicated media keys, which are integrated along the top of the handset, and also replaces the trademark trackball navigator with a touch-sensitive optical trackpad (think Samsung Omnia). Also of note, the BlackBerry Curve 8520 touts Mac compatibility out of the box (via desktop software).

The rest of the smartphone's … Read more

Digital City No. 42: It's a love 'n' hate (tech) thang

It's a free-for-all gripe fest as we talk about our personal frustrations with the PS3, AT&T, the iPhone, and whatever else was crossing our minds at that point.

From cyberdoormen and using your baby's mama for an iPhone replacement at the AT&T store, to Scott finding pleasure in getting Julie so worked up that she accidentally drops a naughty word and Joseph's failed attempt to pit Scott and Julie against each other...it's all on the table.

We're also holding a contest for the best Digital City desktop wallpaper creation (not … Read more

How to load music onto a mobile phone

As CNET's Senior Editor for MP3 player reviews, you'd think I'd be losing sleep over the fact that the majority of the mobile phones on the market include some form of integrated music playback. But in spite of manufacturer's efforts to fashion the mobile phone into a portable music powerhouse, there's still a lot of confusion out there when it comes to transferring music from a computer to your phone. Sure, most of us can figure out how to transfer music from iTunes to an iPhone, but what about loading music on your sister's … Read more

Verizon Wireless proposes roaming deal for smaller carriers

After having just modified its stance on cell phone exclusivity deals last week, Verizon Wireless said it is also willing to compromise on roaming service agreements with smaller mobile providers.

Currently, carriers are not required to offer roaming services to competing providers in areas where the rivals own spectrum but have not built out network coverage. However, some of the smaller carriers, such as Leap Wireless, say this only hurts customers and they need roaming service while they build out their network. As a result, they have lobbied for lawmakers to address this home roaming issue.

Hoping to appease government … Read more