The term "Google Phone" is often used to refer to devices running the Android OS designed by Google. In this case we’re talking about a phone running Android on a device also designed by Google from top to bottom. It’s a rumor that has survived ever since the announcement of Android, and it has resurfaced with renewed vigor. TechCrunch posted some tantalizing information about the Google Phone, claiming the Google Phone is real and currently in development. Michael Arrington says the Google Phone has been designed by Google but will be manufactured by a third-party company, most likely HTC who was first to market with an Android phone. “There won’t be...

Flash has long been the holy grail for manufacturers of smartphones and other mobile web browsing devices. Flash is a type of media-oriented programming that powers a large portion of internet content, especially animations and videos, so having Flash compatibility is key to a good browsing experience on phones. And yet Flash remains an elusive feature on so many phones. Adobe has plans to fix that with Flash 10.1, and has announced WebOS phones like the Palm Pre and Palm Pixi will have Flash compatibility early next year. Adobe’s Flash Player site announced Flash Player 10.1 availability in the first half of 2010. This jibes well with the news we heard about the Flash 10.1 beta...

Apple has overtaken Nokia as the most profitable cellphone manufacturer, according to research firm Strategy Analytics, further cementing the iPhone’s reputation as a powerhouse in the smartphone industry. "With strong volumes, high wholesale prices and tight cost controls, the PC vendor has successfully broken into the mobile phone market in just two years," Strategy Analytics analyst Alex Spektor said. While Apple doesn’t divulge iPhone profits, the company sold 7.4 million iPhones in the third quarter of this year alone. Currently, Nokia still makes more phones than Apple; Nokia and Samsung together account for 60 percent of cellphones sold worldwide. However,...

The operating systems for smartphones are already confusing enough. We’re just getting to the point where people recognize Android as an operating system, not a Google robot. And even though Samsung already puts three of the major mobile OSes, Windows Mobile, Symbian and Android, on their phones, the company has deemed it necessary to create their own. Get ready for “bada.” The word bada means Ocean in Korean. And that’s about all we know about the bada OS. Samsung made the official announcement but failed to offer any concrete details other than it will be launched at an event in London sometime in December. What we can infer from all the press release mumbo...

The Palm Pixi smartphone has promised to offer all the WebOS goodness we loved in the Palm Pre but at a more budget-friendly price. Of course, we haven’t actually seen much of the Pixi, until now. Wirefly managed to get a Sprint Palm Pixi to unbox, and gives us an extended view of the phone and how it functions. As the narrator points out, the Palm Pixi has some reduced specs compared to its big brother, the Pre. The Pixi has a less powerful processor, and the screen is a bit smaller, but the phone itself is lighter than the Pre. It looks a bit underwhelming until the phone is actually turned on and we get to see the WebOS in action. It looks to be almost exactly the same as the...

If you’ve ever wanted a soundtrack for your life, now’s your chance. Music cell phones combine the connect-me-anywhere cell phone with the take-me-anywhere MP3 player. But music phones vary as widely as the music you listen to. Some offer little more than a music player. Others boast internet, email, PC syncing and more. Remember why you want a music phone—for the music—but a few extras never hurt either. Read ahead to see which features are worth pausing the music for, and for which features you can keep your earphones in.Features to Talk AboutAre You Compatible: Supported Music FormatsDigital music comes in various file formats. MP3 and AAC are extremely...

Multimedia cell phones are all-in-one packages of functionality and frivolity. The best of both worlds, multimedia phones boast features from internet and email to music and video players. Some even include productivity options like PC syncing and document viewing. So whether you’re looking for a day planner or an MP3 player, multimedia phones handle it all.But know not all multimedia phones are identical. Your service provider should carry a wide selection of multimedia phones, each swanking different features. But read ahead to find out which features are worth talking about and which ones are just mentionable.Features to Talk AboutBrain Space: MemoryMultimedia phones come with...

To keep up with the speed of business in today’s world, you have to stay connected—always—and smartphones are stepping up to the plate. Not only can you talk, you can text, instant message, email and more. Smartphones also store contact lists, addresses and email addresses—information you need to keep business going while you’re on the go. But some of the features salesmen tote as must-haves are more show than substance. Read ahead to learn what really works at the speed of business, and what simply works.Features to Talk AboutKeep in Touch: PhonebookBetween personal life and work life, you have a lot of phone numbers to remember. Contacts add up quickly....

Buying a budget cell phone doesn’t mean settling for a featureless phone. Most service providers offer budget cell phones for free, or at a discount, if you sign a contract. And most budget cell phones come packed with features from digital cameras to GPS receivers. But cell phone selection comes down largely to personal preference. Some favorite features are more frivolous than functional. So read ahead to find out which features are worth talking about and which ones are only worth a mention.Features Worth Talking AboutTalk Isn’t Always Cheap: PriceBefore you buy a cell phone, determine a budget. Service providers offer budget cell phones for free or as high $200-plus. If you...

Prepaid cell phones come in handy when starting up in the world of mobile communication. Pay-as-you-go programs help teenagers learn the responsibility that comes with owning a cell phone without the risk of faulting on a contract. Prepaid cell phones are also simple gadgets usually—ideal for senior citizens who are intimidated by technology.Most prepaid cell phones forego the bells and whistles of smartphone, and focus on the core purpose of cell phones—talking. But prepaid cell phones vary from carrier to carrier, as do their prepaid plans. Read ahead to learn what features are worth talking about, and which ones aren’t.Features to Talk AboutLonger Lasting: Battery...