Dialed In (MP3)

Dialed In No. 218: The final episode

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

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.

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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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 #215: The agony and ecstasy of Mike Daisey (podcast)

dialedin@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:57:09 PDT

Actor Mike Daisey's one-man show on his depiction of deplorable working conditions at Apple's iPhone factory took a sharp turn when Daisey's "facts" were revealed as partial fiction. It isn't just Daisey's shaky credibility that's on the line, nor the news outlets that publicized his work as first-hand source material--CNET included--but also the message he's worked so hard to drive home.

We also take a closer look at the benefits of unlimited data--or not--and check out one of the most intense workout accessories that does more than just play your music while you run.

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Separating fact from fiction
Apple fan's faith put to the test (Q&A)
Mike Daisey took aim at Apple, now challenges Chinese translator
This American Life retracts episode on Apple and Foxconn
Mike Daisey gets standing ovation at last N.Y. performance
Retraction and all, Foxconn still in crosshairs
Mike Daisey says radio show used out-of-context comments

News
Leave AT&T's unlimited plan and save
Verizon reconfirms 4G LTE for all future smartphones
Simple hack runs Verizon's LTE iPad on AT&T's 3G network
Sony Xperia Sola follows fingers, performs NFC tricks
HTC confirms slew of Ice Cream Sandwich updates
ICS upgrade hitting Samsung Nexus S shortly
Nokia Lumia 610 can double as Wi-Fi hotspot

Reviews
LG Connect 4G (MetroPCS)
Samsung Galaxy S II (U.S. Cellular)
Motorola MotoActv
ZTE Score (Cricket Wireless)

Special episode alert! Getting out of a contract isn't impossible, but it is really, really hard to do. Join us for a special episode of Dialed In this Wednesday, March 21 at 11 a.m. PT, 2 p.m. ET.

We'll be talking about why early termination fees, or ETFs, exist, the agony of being stuck in one you're desperately trying to shed, and how you can get out your contract early. We'll be taking live calls and reading e-mails. Share your rants, horror stories, and tips about early-termination fees and your cell phone coverage.

Dialed In #214: The iPad '3' shines a light on the iPhone '5'

dialedin@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:57:19 PDT

Even if you never plan to get one, the third-generation iPad is important for the wireless industry as a whole. Apple has once again set the bar when it comes to jaw-dropping screen resolution. That and its 4G LTE connectivity portend good things for the next-generation iPhone, which could carry some of the same (or similar) technology.

We also weigh in on T-Mobile's recent statement that all those carrier subsidies that make a $200 superphone purchase possible as "bad" for the industry. T-Mobile's CMO Cole Brodman is correct about some things, but as for "hurting" the industry...well, it just depends on where you sit.

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"New" iPad stirs things up
The new iPad has 4G LTE, but should you care?
Verizon's 4G LTE iPads will hot spot at launch, but not AT&T's
New iPad first tablet with Bluetooth 4.0: Should you care?
What the new iPad tells us about the next iPhone

News
T-Mobile exec: Subsidies are hurting wireless industry Apple's iPhone fails to close gap against Samsung in China Verizon officially dishing out ICS to more than 12 devices Sprint announces $20 smartphone, the ZTE Fury Messaging LG Rumor Reflex jumps on Sprint, Boost in March Sprint wants all your wireless connections, from phones to dog collars Quad-core HTC One X passes FCC en route to U.S. carrier

Reviews
Samsung Rugby Smart (AT&T)
Samsung Brightside (Verizon)
Sony Xperia S (unlocked)
Motorola Elite Sliver Bluetooth headset

Dialed In No. 213: Wrapping up Mobile World Congress, not wires (podcast)

dialedin@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:39:47 PST

Now that Mobile World Congress is officially over, we get a chance to discuss the most newsworthy items that came out of the expo (hint: you guessed it, we ended up mostly talking about Nokia and the 808 PureView... oops). We also chat about the future surrounding other means of wireless technology, including Bluetooth 4.0, NFC chips, and Google Wallet.

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Stories
Mobile World Congress awes and entertains
The power of Bluetooth 4.0: It'll change your life
Apple sends out invites for March 7 iPad event
NFC: More than just mobile payments
Samsung Galaxy S III to debut by April?
T-Mobile turns to Huawei for next MyTouch smartphones
Don't know Huawei or ZTE? You will soon
Square launches iPad app; adios, cash register
LG's WCD-800 goes wireless to power your phone
Sprint flaunts snappy Google Wallet video

Reviews
ZTE Chorus (Cricket Wireless)

Dialed In #212: Mobile World Congress madness begins (podcast)

dialedin@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:37:05 PST

Can't make it to Barcelona, Spain, this year for Mobile World Congress? Don't fret, just check out the latest episode of Dialed In. We chat about all the phone news to come out so far at MWC including quad-core handsets from HTC, Samsung, LG, Sony, and newcomer Huawei.

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Stories
Mobile World Congress day 1: What you missed
Huawei: Our Ascend D Quad is world's fastest smartphone
LG Optimus Vu--another 5-inch, pen-friendly Android phone
Samsung Galaxy Beam flexes projection power
HTC adds One S to lineup, coming to T-Mobile (hands on)
Compact One V last to join HTC lineup sans carrier
Sony shows off stylish new Xperia P and U
Huawei claims first ever quad-core 10-inch tablet
Nokia unveils Lumia 610 and the 900 goes global
Nokia's 808 PureView has a whopping 41-megapixel camera

Reviews
Jabra Sport stereo Bluetooth headset

Originally posted at Mobile World Congress

Dialed In #211: The Mobile World Congress lowdown (podcast)

dialedin@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:55:32 PST

Do you hear that? It's the sound of our quickening heartbeats as we wait for smartphone after smartphone to show its glossy black face at Mobile World Congress next month. Join us as we take you on a tour of the phones and tablets to expect, bring you some news that might make you mad, and help one reader find his perfect phone.

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Mobile World Congress preview
LG Optimus Vu
HTC Endeavor/HTC One X
LG X3
HTC Droid Incredible 3
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2, Galaxy Mini 2
Nokia: Something high-end?
Sony (Xperia Sola?)
ZTE Mimosa

Quick hits
Samsung Galaxy S II lovefest expanding to U.S. Cellular
U.S. Cellular pushing ahead its 4G plans
HTC to bless more U.S. phones with Ice Cream Sandwich
Feds to automakers: Block drivers' tweets, texts, surfing
Dish looks to FCC for cues on its spectrum strategy
BlackBerry Playbook OS 2 arrives, built-in e-mail and all

Review
Pantech Burst (AT&T)

Upcoming reviews
ZTE Score
ZTE Chorus

Contact us!
E-mail: dialedin@cnet.com
Voice mail: 1-866-402-2638
CNET podcasts: podcast.cnet.com

Dialed In #210: We kinda heart the Samsung Galaxy Note (podcast)

dialedin@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:14:46 PST

It's Valentine's Day, which means it's time to share a little love.

There's some of that for the top two phones we reviewed this past week: the keyboard-crazy Motorola Droid 4 for Verizon and AT&T's gigantic Samsung Galaxy Note. But just because Cupid's in the area doesn't mean he's shot the Scrooge in us, too. We still have plenty of quibbles--especially when it comes to carriers like AT&T and Sprint that are raising the price of upgrade fees when customers buy a new phone. All that plus more (and cupcakes!) on this week's episode of Dialed In.

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All about the jumbo Samsung Galaxy Note
Samsung Galaxy Note full review
Samsung Galaxy Note pocket test: 'The wrong type of bulge' (video)
Pink Samsung Galaxy Note en route, looking rosy

A pox on your upgrade fees
Down with upgrade fees
Sprint 'Upgrade Now' program to offer prorated fees

Quick hits
Will the PlayStation Vita OS land on smartphones, tablets?
HTC further details Ice Cream Sandwich for select devices
Apple will reportedly unveil iPad 3 in early March
Justice Department set to OK Google-Motorola deal, WSJ says
Sprint gets the Nextel monkey off its back
LG goes big with 5-inch Optimus Vu

Reviews
Motorola Droid 4 (Verizon)
LG Marquee (Boost Mobile)
BlackBerry Curve 9370 (Verizon)
Samsung SPH-M370 (Sprint)
Jabra Supreme Bluetooth headset