Dialed In (MP3)

Top 5: Reasons not to buy the Galaxy S4

dialedin@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:53:47 PDT

Reasons not to buy the Galaxy S4

If you're an Android fan with a short temper, please turn back now. Watching this video will just send you into hysterics.

Part of my job here at CNET is to play the devil's advocate, and sometimes that requires me to talk trash about products you love. This time around, I'm going to take a poke at a phone that we love as much as you do, the Samsung Galaxy S4.

You'd be hard pressed to find a smartphone on our site that comes more highly recommend than the S4, but that doesn't mean that it's right for absolutely everybody. So if you're about to press the "add to cart" button on a new Galaxy S4 and you need a friend to talk you down, I'm here for you. Now, go watch my video.

Originally posted at Top 5

Mozilla CEO: Android, iOS leave lots of room for Firefox OS

dialedin@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 01:51:53 PST

Mozilla CEO Gary Kovacs speaking about Firefox OS at Mobile World Congress 2013

(Credit: Stephen Shankland/CNET)

BARCELONA, Spain--With another 2 billion people hooking up to the Internet in the next five years, there's plenty of room for another mobile operating system, Mozilla Chief Executive Gary Kovacs said today in a sales pitch for his new Firefox OS.

Apple and Google have led the way in the smartphone market but can't cover the whole thing, he said in a speech to thousands at the Mobile World Congress show here, though he didn't mention the companies by name.

"I find it impossible to understand how 3, 4, 5, or 6 billion people are going to get their diverse needs satisfied by one or two or five companies, no matter how delicious those companies are," Kovacs said. "Is the farmer in the Indian countryside going to have the same needs and requirements as a lawyer sitting in New York?"

Firefox OS makes its debut (pictures)

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Mozilla has a mammoth challenge, though. Working in its favor is the fact that Firefox is a browser-based operating system, meaning that Web applications such as Facebook already work for it without the need for Mozilla to marshal an army of programmers to write apps.

But even that running start has its limits: even many static Web pages don't work well on mobile browsers, and making dynamic Web apps is a lot harder. New technologies such as camera-phone interfaces and hardware-accelerated 3D graphics help, and Mozilla is pushing hard to advance those standards and spread them to other mobile browsers.

Mozilla has rounded up a solid list of Firefox OS partners, including 18 carriers across the world and handset makers LG Electronics, Huawei, ZTE, Alcatel, Geeksphone, and possibly Sony. The allies plan to bring Firefox OS to developing markets starting in the second quarter and to the United States in 2014.

The app development and distribution ecosystem of iOS and Android is strong, but Kovacs had a slogan to counter that strength: "There's a Web for that." Many mobile apps simply repackage data already available on the Web, he said, pointing to an example of searching for a nearby restaurant, checking reviews, looking at menus, and making reservations.

"This is the Web. We're just taking it to mobile," Kovacs said. "Incumbent with that is 10 million developers already ready to go."

Predictions for MWC 2013

dialedin@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:33:57 PST

Mobile World Congress predictions

We are just one month away from the 2013 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, where the biggest names in the mobile industry will unveil new products.

We're having a difficult time containing our anticipation, especially since CES offered relatively few smartphone announcements. Year by year as the mobile industry grows, so to does the scope and importance of Mobile World Congress.

So what are our CNET editors expecting to see when they touch down in Barcelona next month? Well, I quizzed Senior editors Jessica Dolcourt and Brian Bennett on their predictions and used them as the basis of this week's CNET Top 5.

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Originally posted at Top 5

Features you want in iPhone 5

dialedin@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:59:04 PDT

Features you want in iPhone 5

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Two years ago, on the heels of the iPhone 4, CNET's David Carnoy asked readers to vote for their most-wanted features in the next iPhone. When Apple introduced the iPhone 4S a year later, we just kept this wish list going.

With over 40,000 votes collected at this point, I think it's safe to say that we have an adequate sample of what iPhone 5 features you want most. In this Top 5 video, we count them down. Simple as that.

iPhone 5: 15 most-wanted features (photos)

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Originally posted at Top 5

Top 5 Android smartphones (summer 2012)

dialedin@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:48:12 PDT

Android phones (Summer 2012)

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There's never been a better time to buy an Android smartphone. Device manufacturers such as Samsung, HTC, LG, and Motorola are at the top of their game, pushing the limits of screen quality, battery life, and design.

CNET always keeps an up-to-date list of the best Android smartphones, and it's a list that sees a lot of turnover. But as smartphone manufacturers gear up for their iPhone 5 retaliation this fall, I figured it would be a good time to take a snapshot of the best Android smartphones for the summer of 2012.

For more phone recommendations, check out CNET's constantly updated list of top phones. And for more Top 5 videos, head over to our Top 5 blog, or subscribe in iTunes.

Originally posted at Top 5

Smartphones under $50

dialedin@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 11:31:34 PDT

Smartphones under $50

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Smartphones are practically essential in this day and age. I mean, how else are we expected to upload pictures of our lunch on Facebook?

Unfortunately, there's still a misconception that smartphones are an expensive luxury item. Not true. I mean, data and messaging plans may bankrupt you, but the phones themselves can be found for next-to-nothing so long as you're on contract.

In this episode of Top 5, I'll count down CNET Senior Editor Jessica Dolcourt's favorite smartphones under $50, for June 2012. Not only that, but I'm using CNET's new interactive video player to show them off. Feel free to click on the review links mid-video, and then bounce back over to keep watching. Cool, eh?

For more phone recommendations, check out CNET's constantly updated list of top phones. And for more Top 5 videos, head over to our Top 5 blog, or subscribe in iTunes.

Originally posted at Top 5

Dialed In No. 218: The final episode

dialedin@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:20:38 PDT

Dialed In Ep. 218: The Final Episode

It's so hard to say goodbye...but goodbye we must say. For CNET's Final Episode of Dialed In, we get the band back together, old guard and new. Bonnie and Nicole reminisce about old days when Dialed In was audio-only and they had to wrestle with the sound controls. Meanwhile, Brian recounts his clairvoyance, Lynn sets the record straight, and Kent keeps it real -- like, really real. I fulfill a final request, and nearly dent my thumb doing so.

And of course, we bring you CNET's review of the HTC One X and news about the Nokia Lumia 900 and of the mystery device that Sprint will finally announce this week. Because that's what we do.

Listen Now: Download Today's Podcast

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News
HTC One X review
HTC One X camera shoot-out
HTC Evo One to Sprint this week?
Nokia Lumia 900 available for preorder

Video goodbye
Jonathan blew us away with this thoughtful video goodbye he made us:

We're still here
Dialed In may be closing shop, but we're still here! We write mobile stories daily at http://dialedin.cnet.com. You can always send your questions and comments to dialedin@cnet.com, and reach out to us on Twitter, Google+, and Facebook.

Brian Bennett -- @boliverbennett
Bonnie Cha -- @bonnieCNET
Jessica Dolcourt -- @jdolcourt
Kent German -- @KentGerman
Lynn La -- @lynnlaaa
Nicole Lee -- @nicole
Stephen Beacham -- @stephenbeacham

Dialed In No. 217: It's now or never for Windows Phone (podcast)

dialedin@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:27:25 PDT

Dialed In #217: It's now or never for Windows Phone

First, the bad news. Saying goodbye to this weekly Dialed In podcast isn't something that any of us expected to do for some time, but it's true: this week marks the second-to-last episode of CNET's cell phone podcast, and of most of CNET's podcasts in general, save the hilarious 404 with Jeff Bakalar and Justin Yu.

CNET is taking a new direction with our video programming. We're going to collectively try out new formats and styles, including an exciting new show that Molly Wood is producing, called Always On. In the meantime, Brian, Lynn, and I aren't going anywhere. You'll be able to interact with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+, and see us on CNET.com and CNET TV.

Next, the good news. This week's episode isn't the goodbye. We focus on Windows Phone's important moment in the U.S. with the release of two major handsets and review three new devices before hitting the e-mail. But if you do want to say goodbye, we'll be playing your voice mail and reading your e-mail next Monday, our last episode. E-mail us at dialedin@cnet.com or send a voicemail at 1-866-402-2638 (hint: that spells "CNET.")

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It's do or die with Windows Phone
AT&T to sell Nokia Lumia 900 for $100 on April 8
HTC Titan II officially coming to AT&T April 8th
Microsoft, Nokia spending $24 million to educate developers
Nokia quietly establishes U.S. beachhead at T-Mobile

Headlines
Verizon: Capacity crunch coming to big cities next year
RIM, having lost its lead in Canada, looks to weak earnings
Leaked document details Verizon's LG Lucid
AT&T announces slew of other devices getting ICS update
T-Mobile will cut 1,900 jobs by closing 7 call centers

Reviews
ZTE Fury (Sprint)
Huawei Pinnacle (MetroPCS)
FitBit Ultra

Dialed In #216, Special Edition: All about ETFs (podcast)

dialedin@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:28:10 PDT

Dialed In #216: All about ETFS (early termination fees)

Early-termination fees got you down? ETFs are fees that phone carriers charge customers in case they want to cancel their contracts early. Agreements usually last two years, but if you want to leave a carrier before then, the company uses ETFs as a way to recuperate money from selling you a subsidized phone. Some argue, however, that these fees are grossly expensive and exploitative. Our main advice is to read the terms of your agreement carefully and drum up a lot of attention with your carrier if things aren't going exactly the way you think they should be. For more information on ETFs, be sure to check out Jessica Dolcourt's piece, "8 tips for ditching your cell phone contract early."

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8 tips for ditching your cell phone contract early

dialedin@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:26:39 PDT

Ditch your cell phone contract

We talk a lot about early-termination fees, or ETFs, here at CNET because we have a love/hate relationship with signing a two-year service agreement (or three years if you're in countries like Canada). On the one hand, who doesn't love being able to own a $500 or $600 smartphone for $200, $50, or even a penny? You just can't swing that in the unlocked phone market.

On the other hand, few people enjoy being tied to a carrier, and to their carrier's phone selection, over the course of two years or longer. What if you change your mind about the service quality, what if your dream phone just came out on another carrier -- what if? Once you sign your name on the dotted line, there's little you can do to avoid an up-to-$350 fee to jump ship.

Carrier's insurance
ETFs may seem evil when you're trying to break free of a contract (remember, though, you signed it), but for carriers, they're a practical business measure for recouping costs. After all, carriers are the ones buying phones from Apple, Samsung, HTC, Motorola, and so on, which they then sell to you at cut rate along with your full-price service. Charging you an ETF helps recover carriers' upfront phone costs should you want or need to break the contract before your time is up.

With that in mind, here are some facts and tips you should tuck away for a rainy day.

(Credit: CNET)

0. ETFs deflate
Your ETF may cost somewhere near $350 when you just buy the phone, but carriers like AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile will reduce your ETF a little each month, usually by $10 per billing cycle.

1. Keep an eye on that grace period
If you're new to a carrier and just bought a new phone you're unsure of, you'll usually have at least 14 days (or up to a month) to return it without penalty. The same applies to purchases from big-box stores like Best Buy. So if you're having second thoughts about that phone; don't wait to act.

2. A silver bullet you don't want
There is one ironclad way to get out of a contract without paying for your ETF: expire. I really, really don't recommend it (or faking your own death).

3. Report it
Carriers clearly want to offer you a great network experience, so you'll stick with their service rather than bail. If your service degrades over the course of your contract (or "materially changes") then you might be eligible for recourse like a signal booster or bill credit, or in extreme situations, a pronounced service drop-off might warrant releasing you from your obligations.

This snippet from Verizon's contract pretty much sums it up for all the post-paid carriers:

If you're a Postpay customer and a change to your Plan or this agreement has a material adverse effect on you, you can cancel the line of Service that has been affected within 60 days of receiving the notice with no Early Termination Fee if we fail to negate the change after you notify us of your objection to it.

In some cases, you may need to reach out in writing.

4. Freeze it
If you're more concerned about pausing service rather than abandoning it, you can temporarily freeze your account. Each of the Big Four carriers participates in seasonal suspension, usually without billing (your ETF won't budge) or with billing (you'll pay every month not to use your phone, but you'll work off your ETF cap). It's more ideal for long vacations (Verizon's offer tops out at 180 days), and it usually extends to people who have paid their bills in full.

For instance, Sprint charges $8.99 per month for up to six consecutive months, and AT&T charges $10 per month to suspend the account, and T-Mobile will hold your phone number and rate plan for six months without penalty.

5. Swap your service
One of the theoretically simplest, cheapest, and most clever ways to avoid breaking your contract is to pass it off to somebody else. You'll have to go through some paperwork and phone calls with customer service, but if you can find someone to pay out your contract for you, you can avoid the fee and still be free.

Carriers won't charge you to swap the deed, called a transfer of responsibility, but finding a replacement can be tricky. There's always Craigslist or eBay, but a surer solution is to go through a service like CelltradeUSA. You can think of the Web site and others like it as a brokerage for buying up and selling contracts. The business will collect a $20 fee to move ahead with any swaps, but it will walk you through the legal steps. "Sellers" often offer the phone and accessories at cut rates, or as part of the deal.

Dialed In #216: All about ETFS (early termination fees)

I have not personally tried any services like CelltradeUSA or any others, but I did spend some time looking into the business a while ago, and found positive writeups. (Disclosure: The Celltrade service is powered by CNET cell phone reviews.)

6. When all else fails, escalate
I want to idle on hold for a customer service representative as much as the next person, but I'd rather invest a half hour of my day to settle an issue or clear up confusion than suffer in silence. In my experience, asking to speak to a supervisor can open new doors or supply critical additional information. Being a squeaky wheel--but a polite one--often pays off.

Carriers often respond speedily to Twitter complaints.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET)

7. Take it to Twitter
In addition, carriers have become extremely responsive to Twitter and Facebook queries, and often have a customer care account in addition to their regular online persona. For carriers, social media offers a chance to interact with -- and with luck, assuage -- disgruntled subscribers on a more personal level.

8. Arbitration, your last resort
Consulting a lawyer is another angle I wouldn't encourage outside of rare, extreme situations. About a year ago, the Supreme Court decided that carriers could shield themselves from class action suits (full PDF) by offering arbitration instead. When you sign a contract, you waive the right to levy a class action suit. Yet, if you do think that you're unlawfully being charged, you could approach a lawyer to sue in small claims on your own, or approach the carrier to arbitrate a case. The carrier generally shoulders arbitration costs.

Dialed In (MP3)

Top 5: Reasons not to buy the Galaxy S4

Reasons not to buy the Galaxy S4

Mozilla CEO: Android, iOS leave lots of room for Firefox OS

Firefox OS makes its debut (pictures)

Related stories

Predictions for MWC 2013

Mobile World Congress predictions

Features you want in iPhone 5

Features you want in iPhone 5

iPhone 5: 15 most-wanted features (photos)

Top 5 Android smartphones (summer 2012)

Android phones (Summer 2012)

Smartphones under $50

Smartphones under $50

Dialed In No. 218: The final episode

Dialed In Ep. 218: The Final Episode

Dialed In No. 217: It's now or never for Windows Phone (podcast)

Dialed In #217: It's now or never for Windows Phone

Dialed In #216, Special Edition: All about ETFs (podcast)

Dialed In #216: All about ETFS (early termination fees)

8 tips for ditching your cell phone contract early

Ditch your cell phone contract

Dialed In #216: All about ETFS (early termination fees)