Dialed In Podcast

Dialed In 61: Macworld and CES previews

Kent German — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:26:00 PST

Join us for our last Dialed In podcast of 2009. In addition to the latest reviews and cell phone news, we'll give you a preview of Macworld and CES. See you in 2009!

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Rumor of the week
Rumor? Casio to release Exilim phone in U.S.

News
AT&T launches Wi-Fi-enabled RIM BlackBerry Curve 8320
Sprint finally releases RIM BlackBerry Curve 8350i
Garmin Nuvifone passes FCC
Sony Ericsson C905a, Nokia N79 clear FCC
Pantech C630 makes a late-breaking holiday debut
Verizon G'zOne Boulder now with front speaker?
LG Vu officially in burgundy
iPhone 3G now with in-home activation
Palm to preview Nova OS and first device at CES
Cell phones and smartphones CES preview
Jobs to skip Macworld keynote as Apple backs out
iPhone Nano rumors surface once again

Reviews
LG Invision
Pantech C630

Upcoming reviews
Nokia N96
Motorola i576
LG HBS-250 Bluetooth headset

On Call: Hanging up on 2008

Kent German — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:03:00 PST

Though many people dread the approach of the holidays, I relish them. And it's not because I have a thing for eggnog (except when it's served with brandy). Rather, the arrival of December means the end of the very busy fall phone season. Between Labor Day and Thanksgiving, most manufacturers release a torrent of new phones in preparation for the holiday-shopping season. Though it's certainly interesting to see all the new models companies like Samsung, Nokia, and LG have to offer, following all those phones can be a little exhausting. Now, with CNET's holiday break just a week away, I have the time to reflect on what this year brought us in the world of cell phones. And be sure to tell me what you saw this year, as well.

The iPhone 3G made big news.

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)

iPhone 3G and T-Mobile G1
Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't lead off with the two biggest phones of the year: the iPhone 3G and the T-Mobile G1. Though the 3G version didn't quite reach the stratospheric hype of its predecessor, buyers still stood in line at Apple and AT&T stores on its July 11 release date. And despite some well-publicized problems with dropped calls and shaky 3G connections, buyers still flocked to buy the iPhone; Apple sold 5 million handsets in the third quarter alone. Apple continues to add new features through software updates, and I'm excited to see what 2009 will bring. I just hope one of the new features is something basic like multimedia messaging. And speaking of Apple, MacWold 2009 is only a couple of weeks away. We may just see an iPhone Nano.

The G1 put power in the hands of consumers.

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)

The G1 came a few months later on October 22. Though its design wasn't quite as slick as Apple's device, the G1 is more than notable in its own right. As I said in a previous column, the Android platform offers a new way to think about the cell phone industry. Instead of a carrier or a manufacturer controlling how you use the phone and what applications you can add, Android and the G1 give that power to users. Unlike with Apple and the iPhone, Google doesn't require developers to submit their applications for approval. And once developers are in the Android community, they can be kicked out only for malicious software. Such policies go a long way toward making the G1 more like a computer than a cell phone--in other words, a device that you can customize as you wish.

The Storm got mixed reviews.

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)

Touch screens
If there was any cell phone design trend in 2008, it was the touch screen. Sure, touch handsets have been around for a long time, but the iPhone helped make them mainstream. In the latter half of the year, we saw a long list of touch-screen phones, including four models from Verizon, the nifty Motorola Krave ZN4, and the first touch-screen BlackBerry. Though some of the phones didn't pull the feature off well--the RIM BlackBerry Storm being the prime example--touch screens aren't going anywhere. In 2009, I imagine we will see many more such models, including more basic phones with touch displays and full HTML browsers. I also imagine that CES 2009 will show us a few models to kick off the year.

Keyboards
Messaging phones were a big trend in 2008, particularly during the fall phone season. Perhaps their popularity is a sign that the United States has finally discovered texting. I imagine that we'll see that trend continue in 2009, as well.

The Moto ZN5 was a hit.

(Credit: Nicole Lee/CBS Interactive)

Spiffy camera phones
In 2008 we also saw a new crop of cool camera phones, as the number of megapixels continued to creep up. Though most of the handsets were unlocked models not offered by a U.S. carrier, the 5-megapixel Motoroloa Zine ZN5 landed at T-Mobile. Armed with Wi-Fi for easy uploading and a cool set of camera features, the ZN5 made it on our Best cell phones of 2008 list and it beat the 8-megapixel Samsung Innov8 in a Prizefight.

The Bold emerged as one of the best smartphones of 2008.

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)

Smartphones
Just ask smartphone guru Bonnie Cha and you'll know that 2008 delivered on smartphones. Besides the aforementioned Storm, other notable smartphones included the RIM BlackBerry Bold, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1, the Samsung Omnia, the Nokia E71, and the HTC Touch Diamond. She covered those handsets in her slide show of the top smartphones of the year.

What other cell phone trends did you see in 2008? And what are you excited for in 2009?

Kent German, CNET's cell phones guru, answers your questions about cell phones, services, and accessories and reports on the state of the industry. Send him a question.

Dialed In 60: The T-Mobile G1 may have some company

Nicole Lee — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:56:00 PST

This week we discuss the latest news that the T-Mobile G1 may not be the only Android phone for very long. We also talk about the latest BlackBerry Storm update, new Nokia handsets, calendar syncing for the Instinct, a new Bluetooth profile, AT&T femtocells, and the best phones of 2009. And of course we go over the latest reviews and listener questions.
Listen now: Download today's podcast

News
Sony Ericsson, HTC to release Android phone
Non-G1 Android phone to hit Australia in January
Verizon Wireless officially rolls out BlackBerry Storm firmware update
Nokia 2605 debuts on Verizon
Calendar syncing comes to the Instinct
Nokia E63, 5130 Xpress Music clear FCC
Bluetooth 3.0 to debut next year?
AT&T to start testing out femtocells
Best phones of 2009

Reviews
Nokia 5800 first take
HTC Touch Pro (Verizon Wireless)
Samsung Delve (U.S. Cellular)
Jabra BT530
Jabra SP700

Upcoming reviews
Motorola i576
LG Invision

On Call: Finding 3G

Kent German — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:20:00 PST

Pick your C905 carefully.
(Credit: Sony Ericsson)

Q: I currently have an iPhone 3G but I'm considering purchasing the Sony Ericsson C905. This would be my first time using an unlocked phone and I'm a bit skeptical that it will work. What steps do I need to take in order to make the switch go as smoothly as possible? And will I be able to use AT&T's 3G network?
- Nacor
A: Buying an unlocked phone needn't be complicated as long as you consider a couple of points. Most importantly, the phone will need to support the GSM bands used in the United States. Since the C905 is a quad-band GSM phone, you'll be able to make calls here without any problem. Just pop in your AT&T SIM card and you can start dialing. Yet, the 3G compatibility is another story. Sony Ericsson makes two versions of the C905, each with support for different 3G bands. The C905i will support only European 3G bands, while the C905a will work with AT&T's 3G network. So when buying your phone, you'll need to make sure you have the correct model.
Once you get the phone, you'll also need to program it with the correct multimedia settings to send picture messages and browse the Internet. The settings are unique to every phone and carrier but you should be able to download them from the support section on Sony Ericsson's Web site.
Q: I'm new here in the United States, and I would like to know if I can use a prepaid SIM from Verizon Wireless. Is that possible?
- Chaya
A: Verizon Wireless is a CDMA carrier, which means that its phones don't use SIM cards. Verizon does offer prepaid phones, but you'll need to purchase a phone from the carrier if you want to use the service. And in any case, Verizon does its best to downplay its prepaid service.

If you already have a prepaid SIM, I would recommend using it with either an unlocked GSM phone or a handset purchased from AT&T or T-Mobile. The two carriers also offer prepaid SIM cards of their own.

The 6555 is a 3G phone.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)

Q: I have just purchased a Nokia 6555, but I'm confused about whether it has 3G. While FIDO (my retailer) says it doesn't have 3G, Nokia's Web site says it does. Can you help? And what constitutes a 3G phone? - Ed
A: Rest assured, Ed, the Nokia 6555 is indeed a 3G phone. But there is one important point to consider. While it is compatible with AT&T's 3G network, it is not compatible with T-Mobile 3G network (the two carriers use different bands). You will be able to make calls with both networks, but you'll only be able to use 3G at AT&T.
In answer to your second question, 3G, which stands for third-generation, is a wireless technology for transmitting voice and data at broadband speeds. While your average cell phone is comparable to a dial-up connection, a 3G handset will surf the Web and download data at about the same speed as you might find on a computer with a DSL or cable Internet connection. The benefit is a faster connection and a phone that can deliver more content and services. For example, a 3G phone can offer streaming video and wireless music downloads, while a 2G or 2.5G handset can't offer much beyond a basic Web browser and multimedia messaging. There are several types of 3G, but any phone that supports UMTS, HSDPA, or EV-DO technologies is a 3G phone.
Kent German, CNET's cell phones guru, answers your questions about cell phones, services, and accessories and reports on the state of the industry. Send him a question.

Dialed In 59: Piping-hot phones and Thanksgiving leftovers

Bonnie Cha — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:23:00 PST

Everyone's back from Thanksgiving holiday, and we hope you've left some room for a nice helping of cell phone news. This week we're serving up the latest on the just-announced Nokia N97, BlackBerry Storm updates, and outrageous G1 roaming charges. All this, plus Kent tells us about blogging from 35,000 feet in the air and of course, the latest reviews and listener questions.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Rumor of the week
T-Mobile Shadow
News
Nokia's mystery device? The Nokia N97
Verizon drops price on Samsung Omnia
Verizon gets its own HTC Touch Pro
HTC focuses on phone design; acquires One & Company Design Inc.
LG Vu in wine color
Alltel takes a hint
The best thing about the iPhone 2.2 software update
Blogging from 25,000 feet
Reviews
RIM BlackBerry Storm
Motorola i776
Samsung SGH-A777
Nokia 6650
Samsung Renown
Samsung Omnia (Verizon Wireless)
Samsung Gravity
LG Incite
AT&T Quickfire
Upcoming reviews
Motorola i576
HTC Touch Pro (Verizon Wireless)

Dialed In 58: It's a touch-screen explosion!

Kent German — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:10:00 PST

In case you haven't noticed, touch-screen phones are red hot this season. In this episode of Dialed In, we run through the latest touch-screen phones, including the LG Delve and Samsung Eternity. We also dish on other new handsets including the BlackBerry Storm and the AT&T Quickfire.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Rumor of the week
LG Prada 2

News
Samsung Saga, Renown debut for Verizon Wireless
AT&T launches Samsung Eternity
Alltel launches the LG Swift and the Samsung Hue II
HTC Touch Diamond for Alltel
LG Incite is LG's first U.S. smartphone
BlackBerry Storm gets official pricing and release date
RIM Curve 8900 passes FCC
HTC Touch Pro rumored for Verizon

Reviews
Samsung Eternity
Samsung Delve
Technocel T10 Bluetooth headset
Mophie iPhone 3G Juice Pack
Technocel T6000 Bluetooth speakerphone
Nokia 2600

Upcoming reviews
Nokia 6650
Samsung SGH-A777
Samsung Renown
Samsung Gravity
AT&T Quickfire
LG Incite
Samsung Saga

Dialed In 57: How much for the Xperia X1?

Bonnie Cha — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:12:00 PST
Who doesn't love to gossip, right? This week, we introduce a new segment to Dialed In called Rumor of the Week and kick it off with talk about the Samsung Eternity. Plus, we finally get our hands on the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 and nearly fall out of our chairs when we see the price tag. All this plus more reviews and listener e-mails in this episode of Dialed In.
Listen now: Download today's podcast

Rumor of the Week
Samsung Eternity
News
Samsung unleashes another Boeing phone
Samsung Behold
More Samsungs from T-Mobile
T-Mobile halts Nokia 5610 sales
LG CP150--basic flip from AT&T
AT&T Quickfire now on sale
ClarityLife phone goes on sale
iPhone crowned most popular phone in the U.S.
Google starts fixing Android reboot bug
MetroPCS starts nationwide service
Nokia E63 announced
Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 pricing and release date Aliph introduces accessories for the Jawbone
Reviews
Nokia 1680
Samsung Behold
Sony Ericsson Xperia X1
HTC Fuze
Motorola H780 Bluetooth headset
LG VX5500
Upcoming reviews
Nokia 2600
Samsung Delve
Technocel T10 Bluetooth headset
Mophie iPhone 3G Juice Pack

Dialed In 56: The BlackBerry Bold is here

Nicole Lee — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:58:00 PST
The BlackBerry Bold is finally in our hot little hands! Bonnie is in love with it, and she tells us why. Then we discuss the BlackBerry Storm and new messaging and camera phones. We also go over our latest reviews of the HTC Touch Pro, the Motorola Zine ZN5, and more.
Listen now: Download today's podcast

News
RIM BlackBerry Bold officially on sale
Waiting for the BlackBerry Storm
Bang & Olufsen hangs up cell phone biz
Alltel delves into touch screen
LG VX5500 now on sale
Sony Ericsson C902
AT&T starts selling the Pantech Slate

Reviews
HTC Touch Pro
RIM BlackBerry Bold
Motorola Rapture VU30
Motorola Zine ZN5
Sony Ericsson C902
Pantech Slate
Motorola Pure H15 Bluetooth headset

On Call: iPhone or T-Mobile G1?

Kent German — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:00:00 PST

T-Mobile G1
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

I'm a month-to-month T-Mobile customer with a Nokia 6133 that is on its lest leg. I want to get a phone with a full Internet browser and I'm deciding between the iPhone and the T-Mobile G1. I'd also like access for my Yahoo mail, but I don't need my work e-mail. Which do you recommend? Also, I don't own an iPod or use iTunes (I usually use Amazon to purchase music), so I'm concerned about moving to an all-iTunes environment.
- EJ
That's a a very good question, EJ, and the answer depends on your individual needs and desires. Though the iPhone is the better overall device (at least right now) a person in your situation should seriously consider the G1. Here is why.
I always tell people who are considering purchasing an iPhone 3G that there are three reasons to buy one. Forget the slick design and the flashy and user-friendly interface; I recommend buying the iPhone for its Web browser, its media player, and (to a somewhat lesser extent) its support for third-party applications. These three areas are where the iPhone performs very well, so I advise basing your decision on a comparison of those points. Sure, the design and interface are important, but I'd treat them and the e-mail integration as secondary motivators. And of course, I wouldn't base my decision on call quality alone, as the iPhone 3G still suffers in that area.
When boiled down to those three points, the G1 offers a compelling alternative to the iPhone. It also has a Web browser and media player and it supports third-party apps. While those apps are limited for now, more will come in the future. And as Bonnie Cha and Nicole Lee reported in their G1 review, the media player and browser offered satisfying performance. Sure, they may not be as good as on the iPhone, but they may be good enough for you. And here's another advantage for you: the G1's integration with the Amazon MP3 store means you wouldn't have to switch over to iTunes. And on a similar note, the G1 would enable you to stay with T-Mobile if you're happy with its service.

As for those secondary motivators, the G1 also does a good job. It offers good call quality with a lightning-fast 3G network. Of course, that depends on if T-Mobile has adequate coverage in your area, but our reception in San Francisco was excellent and an improvement over AT&T. With other features, the G1 matches the iPhone, for instance Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (both lack a stereo profile), and GPS, and it beats the iPhone by offering multimedia messaging, voice dialing, a physical keyboard, and a higher resolution camera (also without video recording). For e-mail, the G1 offers good support for POP3 e-mail, but full Outlook exchange support outside of Outlook Web Access isn't an option yet. But as you mentioned, that's not a concern for you.
But on the downside, the G1's hardware pales in comparison to the iPhone. While its interface is attractive, it isn't quite as slick. And more importantly, its physical design is pretty drab. As Bonnie and Nicole said in their review, the G1's hardware is its biggest drawback, but design is largely subjective. Also, you may not have a problem with some of the ergonomic issues that they found and you may not care about the proprietary headphones jack. In other words, it's all up to you.
Finally, I think the G1 deserves a good look simply because of its potential. The Google Android OS marks a new way to think about the cell experience. As I said in my last On Call column, the G1 changes the "walled garden" concept that even the iPhone represents. It deserves notice for that alone. While Android's first incarnation (the G1) may not be perfect, it's a good start.

Apple iPhone 3G
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

How can I get an iPhone with T-Mobile service?
- Lorrie
Unfortunately, your prospects are pretty slim. You either would have to buy an unlocked iPhone 3G, which are pretty difficult to find in this country, or unlock a handset obtained from AT&T. For the first option, I have seen new unlocked handsets sold by at least by one third-party retailer, but that was the exception to the rule. I have also seen fleeting offers from online retailers and on eBay, but either way you will likely pay far more than the existing AT&T price of $199 to $299 with a contract. Across the Pacific, a carrier in Hong Kong sells unlocked iPhones, but you have to sign a contract to get one.
Alternatively, it is possible to unlock an iPhone bought with AT&T, but that would require a significant investment and a lot of hassle on your part, so I would recommend against it. First off, you'd have to buy the phone (again, $199 to $299) and then end your contract by paying an early termination fee ($175). That is at least $374 right there, and that doesn't include either the first month of service or the activation fee. If you went this route, there are ways to unlock the phone and take it over to T-Mobile. I can't recommend any kind of unlocking service (try an online search for examples), but I can almost guarantee you'll have to pay for the privilege. And don't think that the inconveniences stop there. Apple has been very successful at clamping down on unlocked phones. Each time you download an iPhone software update to an an unlocked model it will "lock" the phone again. And while someone typically finds a way to "jailbreak" the iPhone soon after, it just adds up to a lot of time, money, and effort.
Much of the above is also true with the iPhone Classic. Apple and AT&T no longer sell them, but you can buy them online or take a hand-me-down from a family member or friend. But here again, even if you are successful in unlocking it, you will be subject to the same restrictions described above.
Finally, there are a couple of functionality points to consider. Only AT&T supports the iPhone's visual voicemail service. If that's important to you, you'll want to stick with AT&T. Also, the 3G bands that the iPhone uses are not compatible with T-Mobile's 3G service. You'll be able to make calls, but when you're not using Wi-Fi you'll be stuck with using the molasses-like EDGE network.
I'm looking to purchase an unlocked LG KU990. Is it better to purchase the phone from a dealer in the United States or from a dealer in another country, say Hong Kong or elsewhere in Asia?
- Wesley
When purchasing an unlocked phone, you'll want to consider a few things before deciding on a retailer. First, you need to make sure the phone supports the GSM bands used in the United States (850 and 1900). It will work here if it supports only one of those bands, but support for both is best. Secondly, you'll want to make sure the phone supports English-language menus, and to a lesser extent, comes with English user manuals in the box. And finally, make sure you get a proper U.S. electrical outlet adapter, if one isn't included. For those reasons, I would buy the phone from a U.S.-based retailer. But if you can get everything you need from a foreign retailer, then you should be OK.

Dialed In 55: The fall phones come fast and furious

Kent German — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:18:00 PDT

As we inch closer toward the holiday season, a wave of new cell phones is upon us, from messaging phones to touch-screen smartphones. This week, we plow through a pile of latest reviews and highlight recent from both the T-Mobile G1 and Sprint.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

News
Wal-Mart to sell T-Mobile G1 at lower price
Sprint releases availability dates for HTC Touch Pro
Sanyo Katana Eclipse X to get One Click
Virtual keypads set to grace Android phones
Sprint CEO says Android not good enough yet
Sprint to start prorating early termination fees

Reviews
Samsung Epi
Sony Ericsson W980
Motorola VU204
Motorola Active W450
Samsung SGH-A637
LG Lotus
Samsung Propel

Upcoming reviews
RIM BlackBerry Bold
HTC Touch Pro (Sprint)
Motorola Rapture VU30
Sony Ericsson C902