Michelle Maisto

Back-to-school sales helped the worldwide PC market achieve positive growth in the third quarter of 2009, according to a Dec. 17 report from IDC. Consumer mobile devices, which grew 33.5 percent from a year earlier, helped to propel the overall market, which, after three consecutive quarters of decline, increased by 2.4 percent. Sales of mini […]

The complaint filed by the Federal Trade Commission against Intel on Dec. 16 could affect Intel’s Atom processor business, according to a report from ABI Research. Specifically, the ABI report found that any action by the FTC could have a big impact on Intel’s different businesses, including its Atom line and allow competitors, in this […]

12 Notable Smartphones That Made a Splash in 2009 Looking at the market, 2009 may well go down as the year of the smartphone. When the Palm Pre arrived in June, the iPhone was its natural competition. While Apple’s darlings still dominate, the playing field has since become considerably more crowded, with competitors running Google’s […]

Within five years, more people will be connecting to the Internet via mobile devices than via desktop PCs. This good news for carriers, handset makers and software developers comes from Morgan Stanley’s “The Mobile Internet Report,” released Dec. 15. Other key points in the 424-page report-available free-are that the “mobile Internet cycle,” which the Morgan […]

Yankee Group has released its annual report on predictions for the new year. Offering a positive outlook for 2010, the firm reports that while the economic recession has changed attitudes in the communications sector, these changes are creating opportunities for businesses smart enough to recognize, and act on, them.“We cannot all remain scarred by the […]

Not even the Dollar Menu can top this deal. Beginning in January 2010, McDonald’s will offer its in-store Wi-Fi service for free, according to reporting from Wi-Fi Net News. McDonald’s currently charges $2.95 for 2 hours of Wi-Fi service, which is run by AT&T, since it bought Wayport. The free coverage will be available in […]

Cherrypal, a deliciously named and reportedly socially conscious PC maker, announced two new products on Dec. 15: a 7-inch netbook with a tempting $99 price tag, and a redesign of its 13.3-inch Bing laptop. The $99 netbook is geared toward developing networks and called the Cherrypal Africa, a tribute, the company said, to its “recent […]

If the rumors are to be believed, the Google Nexus One smartphone should be stocked high on retailer shelves come January.There’s no doubt that Google has given its employees a phone to try out – reportedly an HTC-made handset running a new version of Google’s OS, Android 2.1 – with a “we should eat our […]

As the world’s leaders talk “innovative solutions” and “clean energy” in Copenhagen, Sony Ericsson is doing its bit for the environment. On Dec. 14 it introduced three additional products to its GreenHeart line: the Hazel and Elm phones, plus a Bluetooth Noise Shield VH700, which is said to be akin to having a personal phone […]

Verizon Wireless gave some of its customers another way to connect with the introduction of the Verizon Wi-Fi service on Dec. 15. Customers with monthly subscriptions to Verizon’s Mobile Broadband or GlobalAccess plans, as well as supported devices-and here’s the bummer: no smartphones are included-can now access the carrier’s Wi-Fi hot spots, at no additional […]