Launch

Motorola introduces the customizable Moto X

As expected, Motorola unveiled its new Moto X handset today at an intimate event in New York City. Though Motorola has unveiled a few new devices since it was purchased by Google last year, this is said to be the first true product of their collaboration.

Initial feedback on the phone has been positive. In line with previous leaks, the X has a 4.7-inch display, a number of customizable hardware options and some unique software features. But will it be enough to make a dent in the crowded smartphone market?

AT&T launches new LTE-based home phone and Internet service

AT&T launched a new home phone and Internet service this week, which relies on the carrier's LTE and HSPA networks. The service works through a modem (free with a two-year contract) that needs only a power outlet and decent AT&T coverage to work.

The carrier refers to the new offering as its "Wireless Home Phone and Internet service," and it runs $20 a month for the phone, and $60 per month for Internet. That's only for 10GB though—you'll pay as much as $120 for 30GB, and $10 for every GB over...

Sprint sold 1.4 million iPhones during Q2, launches 41 new LTE markets

Sprint has released its financials for its second quarter of 2013, and once again the carrier saw strong smartphone sales. According to the company, smartphones accounted for some 86% of its postpaid handset mix, and approximately 1.4 million of them were iPhones.

But not all of the numbers fell in Sprint's favor. The carrier lost nearly 2 million subscribers during the quarter, due in large part to the recent shutdown of its Nextel network. And it also posted a staggering $874 million operating loss due to charges related to the closure...

Motorola introduces the Droid Maxx with 48-hour battery life

Despite the fact that it's gearing up to launch the Moto X next week, Motorola joined Verizon on stage this morning at a very low key event in New York City to introduce a trio of new Droid smartphones: the Droid Mini, the Droid Ultra, and the Droid Maxx.

All 3 handsets seem like decent offerings, but the Mini and the Ultra were most decidedly overshadowed by the Droid Maxx. In addition to its 5-inch, HiDef OLED display and 8-core processor, the Maxx promises up to 48 hours of 'typical use' battery life...

AT&T introduces new 300MB and 2GB data plans

AT&T has introduced two new Mobile Share plans this morning, rounding out its family of Mobile Share rate options it first introduced in the summer of last year. The offerings are designed to allow users to share monthly data allotments across multiple devices.

Previously, the plans started at 1GB of data per month and then jumped straight to 4GB. But today, AT&T announced that it would be adding 300MB and 2GB plans to the mix, giving users that don't require much data a wider selection of options to choose from...

AT&T introduces new ‘AT&T Next’ device upgrade program

Well that didn't take very long. Just hours after a report surfaced regarding Verizon's plan for a new device upgrade program, AT&T announced a new upgrade plan of its own. It's called 'AT&T Next,' and its description sounds awfully familiar.

The AT&T Next program will allow subscribers to purchase a new smartphone or tablet every twelve months with no activation, upgrade or financing fees. The catch is, they'll have to make monthly payments equal to 1/20th the device's retail cost...

Plants vs. Zombies 2 lands in Australia and New Zealand App Stores

Good news this afternoon for those looking forward to the highly anticipated Plants vs. Zombie sequel. Plants vs. Zombies 2: It’s About Time has started hitting App Stores around the world, despite EA's warning that the game wouldn't make its July 18th deadline.

Don't get too excited though. Apparently, today's release is just a limited soft launch to help the developers fine-tune the game's new free-to-play experience. For now, only folks in Australia and New Zealand (or with iTunes accounts in either country) can download it...

p0sixninja’s ‘openjailbreak’ website now up and running

Late last month, Joshua Hill—aka p0sixninja—unveiled a new project he's been working on called 'openjailbreak.' From what we've gathered, it's an open source jailbreak repository that will allow hackers and developers to work collectively on future jailbreak releases.

It's not just Hill. There's a whole team of people working on the project, including popular graphic designer Surenix, who has been working on the website. And while we're still not sure what to make of the whole thing, it appears that the site has just gone live...

Radio Shack to start offering Virgin Mobile iPhone 5 tomorrow

We've been hearing for a while now that the iPhone 5, Apple's flagship handset, was on its way to popular Prepaid carrier Virgin Mobile. Last week a report claimed that the device would launch this Friday, and today comes further confirmation of that.

9to5Mac is reporting that it has learned from a reliable source that retail giant Radio Shack will begin offering Virgin Mobile-flavored iPhone 5 models tomorrow. They'll come in both black and white, and start at $499  with the trade-in of a compatible device...

AT&T rolls out and expands LTE in several markets

In a recent study by PC Mag, AT&T's LTE network was found to be the fastest among the top 4 carriers. But Verizon was found to be the most reliable. That's because Big Red has 4G coverage in nearly 200 more markets than AT&T does.

But it's working hard to change that. This morning, the nation's second largest wireless provider posted a number of press releases announcing that it has rolled out LTE to new markets, and expanded coverage in several existing markets...

Apple launches online retail store in Russia

It's been nearly a year since we heard of Apple's plans to begin direct sales in Russia, and this week it's finally putting that plan into action. The company has opened a web store in the country, allowing consumers to order iPhones, iPads and more.

Believe it or not, this is actually the first time that folks in Russia will be able to order products directly from Apple. Previously, the company's devices were only available via third-party retailers, as it doesn't have any physical stores in the country...

AllThingsD confirms Facebook will unveil Instagram video sharing on Thursday

Last week, Facebook started sending out mysterious invitations to press members via snail mail for a June 20th event. At the time, no one knew what it was planning to unveil at the presser, since it's already taken the wraps off its Home project.

Today, though, it looks like we finally have our answer. According to a new report from AllThingsD, the rumors are true—Instagram has been working on a new video sharing service. And Facebook is going to show it off during Thursday's event...