05/25, 12:05pm
FCC may require Verizon to divest some AWS spectrum, marketing conditions may see deal fall
Verizon's $3.6 billion buy of AWS spectrum may be approved by the FCC after all, analysts believe, though it will require a number of conditions. For one, it may have to give up some of its spectrum, and has already offered to give some up in the past. What may stand in the way is the conditions of the sale, with all involved trying to get the most of it, CNET reported.
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05/22, 1:25pm
Libelium tech allows tracking congestion, speeds of mobile devices
Libelium has revealed a new technology that can track the amount of foot or vehicle traffic by counting the number of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radio signals from user's smartphones. Integrated into its Meshlium Xtreme multiprotocol router, it will allow the tracking of vehicles as well as their speeds, the amount of time people stand in front of store windows or landmarks, and can even differentiate between local residents and tourists. Any mobile device with a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi radio can be tracked, and no app needs to be installed on the devices.
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05/22, 12:35pm
Global-ready Verizon Jetpack 890L 4G hotspot will cost $20 on contract, after rebate
Verizon Wireless will begin offering the ZTE-made Jetpack 890L 4G LTE hotspot online and in stores on May 24. The device was introduced at CES in January and was since approved by the FCC. It is made for world travelers thanks to support of multiple bands, including CDMA, EVDO, 3G, and Verizon's 4G LTE.
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05/22, 11:58am
Viewdini platform will aggregate video content from free, paid services
At The Cable Show in Boston, Verizon Wireless on Tuesday announced it will soon release a new platform called Viewdini that will allow streaming of video content to subscribers of Comcast Xfinity, Hulu Plus, mSpot, Netflix, and TV sites to their mobile devices. Also, 4G mobile plans are required, and the service will only be available to Android-powered devices first, though support for other platforms is promised, as is content from Verizon FiOS.
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05/21, 7:01pm
Voyager Mobile launches after 'malicious attack'
Following a delay of nearly a week after repeated denial of service attacks, low-cost Sprint reseller Voyager Mobile has launched in 22 states. Voyager provides Sprint's 3G and WiMAX network for $39 a month, contract free. Alternatively, a $19/month unlimited-talk plan is available.
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05/21, 12:32pm
New social-networking tool designed to help informal learning
Microsoft has launched its previously detailed social-networking site So.cl. The software giant bills the site as an experiment, and has no immediate plans to release it as a commercial product.
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05/16, 1:25pm
Japanese researchers break records in the terahertz band
Researchers at the Tokyo Institute of Technology have demonstrated transmission speeds of 3Gb/s at 542GHz, the BBC reports. This development could mean greatly increased wireless transmission speeds, up to 20 times faster than 802.11n Wi-Fi transmission rates and slightly faster than the 1.7Gbps speeds that Netgear claims for its new 802.11ac equipment.
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05/16, 12:29pm
Sprint memo reveals the company will no longer offer early upgrades
A leaked memo shared by TechnoBuffalo indicates that Sprint will put an end to its early upgrade program. Basically, the carrier let some users who were close to their hardware upgrade eligibility date -- say two weeks -- upgrade to a new phone. The change is due to "high costs," Sprint explained in the memo, and four other options are given to staff in order to appease customers.
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05/16, 10:46am
Verizon announces another 4G network expansion on May 17
Verizon announced it will begin offering its 4G network services in 28 new cities on May 17. At the same time, it will expand coverage in 11 cities. This will bring the total 4G coverage of the carrier at 258 cities, covering over two thirds of the US population.
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05/15, 5:40pm
Netgear announces new router and Wi-Fi adatpter using new standards
Netgear has released its first 802.11ac router using the new Wi-Fi specification. The R6300 router, which is said to be capable of combined Wi-Fi speeds of up to 1750Mbps, ships at the same time as announcements for a more budget-conscious R6200 router and the A6200 Wi-Fi dongle, aiming to be the first 802.11ac dual-band USB adapter to market.
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05/14, 9:02pm
Amped claims industry's most powerful indoor router
Today Amped Wireless, which specializes in high-range wireless equipment, announced the availability of what it claims is the industry's most powerful indoor Wi-Fi option. The R20000G High Power Wireless-N Gigabit Dual Band Router boasts a Wi-Fi coverage area roughly the size of a major league baseball diamond.
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05/14, 4:31pm
Roughly 15 million people affected
A Monday morning iCloud outage affected 12 percent of subscribers, or about 15 million people, according to the service's status page. Between 8 and 9:30 AM Pacific time, iCloud email was inaccessible for the affected group. As of 9:42 AM, all services were listed as online.
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05/14, 3:28pm
LightSquared
LightSquared, the company that attempted to build out a nationwide 4G network, has filed for bankruptcy in a Manhattan court on Monday. The project was met with resistance from regulators, who argued that the proposed spectrum would interfere with GPS signals. The company was facing other troubles, with its chief Philip Falcone, stepping down at the end of April at the request of the company's shareholders.
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05/14, 9:04am
Buffalo releases new-gen 802.11ac wireless router, media bridge
Buffalo has announced that its 802.11ac next-generation Wi-Fi solution is now on the market. It has jointly made available its AirStation WZR-D1800H wireless router and its WLI-H4-D1300 wireless media bridge available so users can hook straight up to Wi-Fi speeds 3 times faster than 802.11n and 30 percent faster than Gigabit Ethernet. The new router is also dual-band capable and will support older Wi-Fi devices.
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05/14, 5:05am
New system tracks and shuts down infringing torrents
Microsoft has joined with a Russian startup in an effort to crack down on online copyright infringement. The resulting partnership could prove a boon for Hollywood, which has long sought to curtail illegal filesharing on the Web. Pirate Pay, as the startup calls itself, may be the answer to copyright holders' prayers, as it targets torrents directly and takes them down.
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05/12, 11:53pm
Facebook to push mobile, advertising, online apps
Mark Zuckerberg has spoken up in the midst of Facebook's ongoing IPO roadshow, giving investors a better idea of what they can expect to be key revenue drivers for the largest social network in the world after it goes public. Zuckerberg says Facebook will set its sights on improving its mobile application, tying other online apps into Facebook, and creating a "transformative" advertising experience.
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05/12, 6:31pm
Google sets sights on chat, social sharing service
Google is rumored to be considering an acquisition of chat and social sharing service Meebo. Details are scarce, but sources tell AllThingsD that the deal is in the works, and Meebo could see a significant payday. Meebo was founded in 2005 as a Web-based instant message client, duplicating the functionality of AIM, Yahoo IM, and similar offerings.
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05/11, 6:02pm
Defendant's domains contained Google name, linked to porn
Today, the National Arbitration Forum ruled in Google's favor, giving the search giant control of more than 750 domain names deemed to be infringing on trademarks and handing Google a victory in a case Google dubbed "one of the most aggressive campaigns of domain name infringement" the company had ever encountered. The defendant in the case was using domain names containing "Google" to link to a web of pornographic sites.
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05/11, 1:35pm
Sprint outs Tri-Fi hotspot
Sprint and Sierra Wireless have announced the availability of the first mobile router to combine LTE and WiMAX 4G connections alongside 3G connectivity. The Sierra Wireless 4G LTE Tri-Fi Hotspot will connect to Sprint's 4G network and will become available to customers starting May 18.
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05/11, 12:40pm
T-Mobile brand Simple Mobile gets bought out by América Móvil's TracFone
Regional wireless provider América Móvil and its TracFone subsidiary and prepaid provider have purchased T-Mobile brand Simple Mobile on Thursday. While the financial details of the sale weren't revealed, TracFone is the largest mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in the US, with about 20 million subscribers. Simple Mobile, which sells only SIM cards and service to those with their won smartphones, has about one million subscribers and 2.5 million device activations.
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05/10, 8:45pm
Social network to let users share multiple file types
Facebook may be moving into the file sharing sector, crowding a space already occupied by Dropbox, Box, and, newly, Google. Sources have told Mashable that the social networking giant is preparing to allow users to share a number of file types some time very soon. The feature will be integrated into Facebook's Group pages.
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05/10, 1:44pm
T-Mobile still opposed to Verizon spectrum buy, says Philipp Humm
T-Mobile CEO Philipp Humm went on record on Thursday to say the carrier isn't interested in acquiring Verizon's 700MHz spectrum if it can buy its own. During a conference call, SlashGear reported, Humm told investors and reporters that the 700MHz block C spectrum isn't enough for T-Mobile to expand its offerings. He added that incorporating it into its business and hardware would take between three to six years.
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05/10, 10:25am
HP uses 3M technology to combine network and power into one cable
HP has teamed up with 3M to release the T410 One Wire PC. Aimed at enterprise and education, the all-in one thin client computer uses an Ethernet cable for both networking and drawing power, removing the dedicated power cable from the system.
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05/09, 7:38pm
Lower costs will enable more 3G tablets
In light of a steady decline in the cost of integrating 3G hardware, AT&T President of Emerging Devices Glenn Lurie believes tablet makers will eventually stop producing Wi-Fi only models, instead opting to make only tablets featuring both 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity. Speaking at the CTIA Wireless trade show, Lurie said he believes this sort of wireless consolidation would work out well for carriers, consumers, and manufacturers.
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05/09, 7:28pm
Bars deep packet inspection, wiretapping data
The government of the Netherlands has become the first European country to pass a net neutrality law. The legal precedent prevents internet service providers from traffic management except in the cases of congestion and network security, and also includes restrictions on ISPs performing deep packet inspection and other similar wiretapping techniques.
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05/09, 11:00am
Local server's storage easily converted to cloud
Leveraging the popular home and SOHO Pogoplug network and internet storage system, Pogo is unveiling Pogoplug Team. Pogoplug Team is a cloud enabled server system designed to be installed on existing IT assets, creating a private cloud for group access to files on any computer, web browser, mobile device, or tablet.
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05/08, 4:31pm
Lenovo DisplayLink dock ships May 15 for $180
Lenovo has just detailed its ThinkPad USB 3.0 dock that contains DisplayLink's DL-3900 graphics chip. It connects to PCs with a single USB 3.0 cable and provides five USB 3.0 ports along with dual DVI inputs for adding multiple displays. There is also a single gigabit Ethernet port and an audio output.
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05/08, 3:47pm
Google+ gets deeper integration with Gmail
Google has just detailed a new update to Gmail and its Google+ social network. From their Gmail web client, users can now respond to Google+ notifications in real time. They can comment, share and +1 items as soon as they get them, while responses from others also instantly appear in Gmail as part of the notification.
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05/08, 3:04pm
802.1aq is meant to eliminate human error, bump throughput
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has approved a new standard on Tuesday, called 802.1aq. Known by a few names, including the Shortest Path Bridging (SPB) standard, it helps to reduce the complexity of Ethernet networks while increasing their scale. It takes on all functionalities of existing technologies, including Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Multiple MAC Registration Protocol (MMRP) into a single, easy-to-use link state protocol.
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05/08, 12:00pm
Launch date still up in air
AT&T is approaching the announcement of its long-anticipated shared data plans, hints a comment from AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega. "I'm very comfortable with the plan that will be offered to our customers," he told CNET yesterday in an interview at the ongoing CTIA trade show. The executive in fact said that the carrier knows how the plan will be structured, but declined to say when it might launch, including whether or not it will be out in the next few months and/or arrive before an expected Verizon alternative.
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05/08, 11:39am
WiMAX 4G network launches at Virgin, Boost on May 31, hardware detailed
As promised late last month, Sprint's WiMAX 4G network will soon come to Virgin and Boost Mobile, with the two providers releasing more details on Tuesday. The initial 4G-capable devices were announced, with the ship dates and live date for them being May 31. Virgin will get data devices: the Broadband2Go-branded Sierra Wireless Overdrive Pro hotspot and the Franklin U600 USB modem.
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05/08, 1:18am
Carrier pushes digital home interactions
AT&T at Mobile World Congress announced its home automation system, known as Digital Life, however the company has finally revealed additional details at CTIA's New Orleans expo. Electronista checked out the new system, which was demonstrated at a 19th-century mansion in the city's affluent Garden District.
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05/08, 12:23am
Genie makes printers AirPrint compatible
Networking accessory maker Netgear is now offering a free app called Genie that allows USB printers on the users' home network to used as an AirPrint printer, making it possible for them to print wirelessly from iOS and Android devices. The mobile app works with a variety of Netgear routers, and a companion home program provides users with other home-networking utilities such as diagnosing and fixing network issues and more.
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05/07, 7:00pm
IEEE revises 802.11 Wi-Fi stanards
The IEEE has published expanded standards for increased speeds and simpler communications in Wi-Fi. The revision, called IEEE 802.11-2012, increases the scope of the existing networking standards to include more supported devices and improve cellular network hand-offs. This is the fourth revision of the standard since the original publication in 1997.
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05/05, 9:31pm
Protesters point finger at coal-powered cloud
Apple's ongoing issues with environmental groups were thrust to the forefront today in Catawba County, NC, WCNC News reports. Protesters in Catawba blocked the train tracks leading to the Marshall Steam Station, which powers a data center Apple uses for its iCloud service.
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05/04, 4:35pm
Samsung patent revealed, would forward vital data to hospitals
Samsung has filed a patent some time ago with the USPTO for a phone with built-in biometric scanners that is hooked up to the Internet. The so-called biological analysis device would monitor a user's health and could send that data to a hospital, diagnosis service, or a doctor located in another city, country, or continent.
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05/04, 4:29pm
Yahoo claims Facebook infringes by using open source code
Facebook, in the run-up to its much-anticipated initial public offering, has amended its IPO filing four times to reflect new information from its ongoing legal battle with Yahoo. Now the social network has filed a fifth amendment, in which it releases a letter wherein Yahoo claims that Facebook risks violating 16 Yahoo patents in operation of its data centers and servers.
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05/03, 3:43pm
Google hosts star-studded event for advertisers
Google is making a big push to try to shake up the worlds of advertising and television. On Wednesday, the company drew advertisers to the Beacon Theater in New York for a star-studded show centering around a $100 million investment in channels across YouTube. The search giant intends to turn its popular video sharing service into the portal for 21st-century video entertainment, replacing cable television much in the same way that cable once overtook broadcast television.
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05/03, 2:36pm
Cisco Connect Express released
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games have announced the launch of LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 for iOS devices. The game takes players through the finale of the Harry Potter story and features a special interface that has players use touch gestures to cast spells, change characters, and duel. Additionally, the game includes Dueling Club expansion that allows players to to master advanced dueling skills against a host of famous witches and wizards including Professor Snape, and Lord Voldemort. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 App is available in the App Store for $5.
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05/03, 2:01pm
RIM commits to NFC technology for future devices
Canadian smartphone maker RIM reveled that 80 percent of NFC phones sold during the first quarter of 2012 in the UK are its own. In an interview with the Inquirer, RIM's senior director of sales and operation Gerry Kelliher revealed the information, though didn't discuss other market, but the UK numbers represent a bump from the 72 percent in 2011. The company began incorporating the radios that can be used for wireless payments since August of last year because it believes in the technology and its consumer adoption.
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05/03, 12:23pm
AT&T increased prices by 30 percent after T-Mobile deal died
The failed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile will mean higher prices for consumers, AT&T Chairman and Chief Executive Randal Stephenson said in an interview. According to the Wall Street Journal, Stephenson said at the Milken Institute's annual global conference that the US wireless cellphone market can't support the number of providers as there simply isn't enough wireless spectrum for all of them. He said current stats suggest wireless data usage will grow by 75 percent every year for a minimum of the next five.
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05/03, 11:30am
EchoStar DVR has 500GB capacity, Freeview+ support
EchoStar has taken the wraps off what it calls the world's slimmest DVR. The HDT-610R is just over half an inch tall (14mm exactly) and houses a 500GB hard drive along with two tuners, allowing recording one shows while watching another. There is Freeview+ support that gives subscription-free access to 50 SD digital channels and four HD ones.
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05/02, 11:33am
Verizon HomeFusion LTE rolls out from pilot scheme
Verizon is making its HomeFusion residential LTE boadband available across the US from May 3. The service has moved from a pilot program to a full product as an alternative to typical cable and DSL connections.
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05/02, 2:15am
Meet Homeplug AV networking spec, available now
TP-Link detailed the new AV200 Mini Powerlink Adapter starter kit. With one button 128-bit AES encryption synchronization to a paired device, the AV200 turns a single spur of household electrical cabling of up to 300 meters into an encrypted network connection capable of 200Mbps.
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05/01, 10:40am
Google patent for data network control by auction
The USPTO has awarded Google a patent relating to wireless data network management through ongoing real-time auctions. Participating devices would bid against each other for access to the network, forcing power users to pay more.
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04/30, 7:30pm
New prepaid plan, 4G hotspot due on May 1
Verizon Wireless has added new tiers to its phone and data prepaid offerings starting on May 1. A new $80 smartphone plan includes unlimited talk and text messaging while allotting 1GB of data use per month. At the same time, the carrier will ship the Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi 4510L with prepaid mobile packages.
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04/30, 5:15pm
Verizon and Comcast offer double data plans
Verizon and Comcast are expanding their cross-promotional activities into six new markets. The cross-selling gives customers of both companies various incentives including prepaid Visa cards and an offer to double their data package sizes.
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04/30, 10:50am
Huawei focuses on cloud storage research, more
Chinese mobile hardware maker Huawei has boosted its research and development budget to $4.5 billion for this year, representing a 20 percent increase from 2011, ComputerWorld reported. The money will go towards introducing new technologies to smartphones, including inexpensive cloud storage and gesture control. The tech would use the front camera to capture the motion of a user's hands for three-dimensional interaction.
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04/28, 4:45pm
Google Street View gaffe result of lack of checks
Google has given an advance copy of the FCC's report on its Street View Wi-Fi scraping incident. Details posted by the LA Times confirmed Google's initial story of an engineer writing code that collected data wholesale, but revealed a lack of attention that let the code get on Street View cars. The engineer, whose name was censored, told two coworkers and even gave the team a document in October 2006 that detailed what he did, but none of those monitoring the document or the code claimed to have known what it collected.
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04/27, 8:40pm
Carrier accuses rival of hypocrisy
Earlier this month, T-Mobile went to Washington to protest Verizon's planned purchase of Advanced Wireless Services airwaves from cable companies, writing a letter (PDF) to the FCC urging the regulatory body to block the spectrum sale. Now, Verizon is turning the tables on its competitor, accusing T-Mobile of hypocrisy in a letter of its own.
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