Mobile

Qualcomm's Q4 shows gap between mobile, PC chipmakers

In case the market needs more evidence of the strength of mobile versus PCs, all it has to do is look at Qualcomm.

The wireless-chip maker, which helped popularize the CDMA technology used in cell phones, today reported quarterly financial results that were better than it had anticipated, and it provided bullish projections for the current period and year.

Its strong results -- which sent shares up about 8 percent in after-hours trading -- contrast pretty sharply with the dismal forecasts from many other semiconductor companies, most notably PC chip giant Intel. Intel last month gave a fairly grim outlook … Read more

Sprint adds Multi Window View to Galaxy Note 2

Just two weeks after it introduced the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Sprint has begun issuing a software update for the king-size smartphone. A posting on the carrier's forum indicates that the update features a number of minor changes affecting various aspects of the user experience.

Most notable among the changes is Multi Window View, a feature that lets the user run and view two applications at the same time. Considering how much real estate the Galaxy Note II provides, this will likely be an oft-used and welcome addition for many.

Other details found in the change log include GPS … Read more

AT&T; drafts behind Microsoft's Windows 8 media blitz

AT&T hopes the third time's the charm when it comes to Windows Phone.

While the company isn't putting all of its marketing muscle behind its lineup of Windows Phone 8 devices, it expects to benefit from the massive promotional push of Windows 8 from Microsoft. The telecommunications provider believes the proliferation of Windows 8 computers and tablets in the market will drive previously unseen demand for the smartphones.

"We are coordinating together to make sure we have an effective launch," said Ralph de la Vega, head of AT&T's mobile arm, in … Read more

Xbox Smartglass app arrives for iPhone, iPad

Microsoft's new Xbox Smartglass app has made its way to the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Available as of yesterday, the app turns your iOS device into a second screen for the Xbox, letting you navigate the dashboard; control your videos and music; and browse the Internet.

You can use the keyboard on your iOS device to type on your Xbox 360. You can swipe across your phone or tablet to move across the screen on your console. Controls pop up on your mobile device to play, pause, stop, rewind, and fast-forward videos and music playing on your Xbox.… Read more

AT&T; execs are confident about spectrum position

NEW YORK -- AT&T is in a much better place when it comes to spectrum today than it was at the end of 2011, the company said during an investor meeting today. And the company is confident is has the resources to make a big push to compete with its next generation 4G LTE market.

AT&T announced today that it plans to spend $14 billion to build out its wireless and wireline networks, an effort that includes bringing its 4G LTE network to 300 million potential U.S. customers.

John Stankey, AT&T's chief … Read more

AT&T; Mobility CEO sees record customer loyalty by 2015

AT&T believes customers will stick even tighter to its wireless service over the next few years.

The company expects to hit a record-low rate of customer turnover by 2015, according to Ralph de la Vega, chief executive of AT&T's mobility arm. He was speaking today at the company's investor conference in New York.

De la Vega was his usual bullish self and threw out several stats to back up his optimism. In addition to the customer turnover rate estimate, he said he expects 90 percent of its customer base to own a smartphone by … Read more

Microsoft Office for iOS, Android could debut early next year

iOS and Android users may finally see a mobile version of Microsoft Office designed for their devices.

Citing "several sources close to Microsoft's plans," the Verge said today that the new apps are set to pop up early next year.

Office Mobile, as it's dubbed, would let Microsoft account users view Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files on their mobile devices. But, the Verge added, editing the documents would require an Office 365 subscription. The apps would reportedly provide basic editing functionality but nothing close to that of their desktop counterparts.

Last month, a press release from … Read more

AT&T; will spend $14B to pump up wireless, wireline networks

AT&T today laid out a broad plan to upgrade both its wireline and wireless networks and keep its growth moving.

Project Velocity IP, or VIP, consists of an investment of $14 billion over the next three years -- $8 billion for wireless and $6 billion for wireline -- and is designed to expand the company's 4G LTE coverage on the wireless side and faster service, more fiber-optic lines, and expanded U-Verse availability on the landline side.

Project VIP is significant because it represents the first time in many years that AT&T has significantly ramped up … Read more

Foxconn chief: We can't keep up with iPhone demand

Foxconn isn't churning out iPhones as fast as Apple would like, the Chinese company's chairman told reporters today.

"It's not easy to make the iPhones," Foxconn chief Terry Gou said, according to Reuters. "We are falling short of meeting the huge demand."

Gou didn't say which iPhones are actually difficult to produce -- Apple is still selling three models, the iPhone 5, the iPhone 4S, and the iPhone 4 -- but it's likely that he was talking about the company's latest smartphone.

Last month, an unidentified Foxconn official told the … Read more