nexus 4

Nexus 4 already on sale at one retailer

Lately, it seems an increasing number of mythical tech devices are becoming reality before their makers actually make them official.

The iPad Mini was a foregone conclusion before Apple finally made it so this week, for example. And now a U.K. retailer is pushing the Nexus 4 into the world before its existence has been confirmed by the officialdom at Google and LG.

Carphone Warehouse is already offering preorders for the next Google Android reference design -- days before it's expected to be announced at a media event -- and is promising delivery on October 30.

Google has … Read more

iPad Mini won't be the only Apple news

Monday's CNET Update dusts off the crystal ball:

Everyone is eager to learn about the rumored iPad Mini, but today's tech news roundup looks at what else Apple will be announcing. We're expecting to see at least one new computer, such as an iMac or Mac Mini. Apple CEO Tim Cook has said that the Mac Pro will get an update in 2013, so it may be too soon to announce that. As for laptops, there have been reports that Apple will give the 13-inch MacBook Pro a retina display.

When Apple does unveil the iPad Mini, … Read more

Google to unveil Android 4.2, Nexus 4 phone, Nexus 10 tablet

Update, October 27: Google's October 29 Android event has been canceled because of Hurricane Sandy. We'll update you with a separate post when we know more.

Google is betting even bigger on Nexus.

The search giant is set to debut the latest version of its Android operating system, known as Android 4.2, at an event scheduled for October 29 in New York. Rather than the rumored Key Lime Pie, it will be known as Android 4.2+, or an updated version of Jelly Bean, according to a person familiar with the announcement.

Google will also be showing … Read more

LG's Nexus 4, tech's worst-kept secret, gets outed again

LG's Nexus 4 might just be the worst-kept secret in the technology world.

Jason Parks, a Texas-based software engineer who works for Google, published photos on his Google+ page over the weekend of his son sleeping. Although that might seem innocuous enough, after users clicked the "Photo details" link to the side of the images, EXIF data contained in that pane revealed it was taken with the Nexus 4.

An LG Electronics employee also posted images to Google+ that contained mention of a Nexus 4 camera. However, unlike Parks' images, the LG photos have been removed from … Read more

Latest launch rumor re Nexus 4 from Google, LG: October 29

The LG Nexus 4 rumor hurricane is beginning to gain strength off the coast of Android-land. The latest word is that a new Google phone could make landfall October 29.

The source of this speculation is unusual -- a French paper not known for tech scoops -- but if nothing else, the product name cited by Le Figaro lines up with the name of the rumored phone we saw outed on Carphone Warehouse earlier.

Making the date all the more interesting is the fact that it overlaps with the start of the AllThingsD "Dive Into Mobile" conference in … Read more

Google and LG's Nexus 4 outed by Carphone Warehouse

Google and LG's Nexus smartphone is getting closer to reality after it popped up Carphone Warehouse's inventory system.

A listing for an LG Nexus 4 appeared in the U.K. retailer's system, according to a picture posted by The Verge.

The listing is just the latest indication that LG will be at least one of the companies releasing a Nexus smartphone, which Google uses to showcase the latest version of its Android mobile operating system. On Friday, CNET confirmed that the phone would be coming out later this month, and purported pictures of the device popped up … Read more

How to get access to Verizon's 3G network at big discounts

Looking to slash your smartphone bill? Prepaid services that resell service from the nationwide carriers at big discounts may be your answer.

There are now several prepaid services available that resell nationwide carriers' 3G wireless services. The benefits to these plans are huge. Customers can still get access to hot new smartphones and reliable networks with nationwide coverage at a fraction of the price that they'd pay subscribing to a service from AT&T or Verizon Wireless. Of course, there are a few downsides to these prepaid services. Still, as I explain in this edition of Ask Maggie, … Read more

Verizon's 4G LTE blankets two-thirds of U.S. population

Verizon Wireless continues to put its foot on the pedal when it comes to its 4G LTE deployment.

On Thursday, the company plans to expand into 27 new markets and improve coverage in 44 existing markets, blanketing two-thirds of the U.S. population.

Such a rapid deployment underscores the importance of offering a high-speed wireless service, particularly as more consumers browse the Internet, watch videos, and exchange messages on increasingly sophisticated mobile devices. For Verizon, LTE has been its premium product, and it continues to maintain a significant lead over its competitors. With the new cities, the carrier will have … Read more

Samsung offers extended-life battery free with Galaxy Nexus

Buyers of Samsung's 4G LTE Galaxy Nexus smartphone can now score a free extended-life battery with the usual two-year contract.

The free battery bundle consists of the i515 2100 mAh battery and a special cover for added protection. This package normally sells for $49.99 directly from Samsung and runs anywhere from $30 to $40 from various online retailers.… Read more