• LG has launched its "LG Text Ed" campaign to help educate parents about their children"s mobile phone usage. LG"s new Web site, www.lgtexted.com, provides advice on mobile misuse issues such as sexting and harassment. Other tools include www.lgdtxtr.com, a site that allows parents to familiarize themselves with common texting terminology and to decode cryptic text messages their kids may be using.
• Nokia has transferred 537,202 company-held shares to 375 participants of its equity-based incentive plans. Nokia had earlier announced plans to hand out shares to reward employee performance.
• U.S. Cellular"s parent company TDS has declared a first-quarter 2010 dividend of $.1125 per Common Share, Special Common Share and Series A Common Share. U.S. Cellular is slated to report its latest earnings figures before the market opens tomorrow.
• Alaska Airlines will offer Aircell's Gogo Inflight Internet service on all of its aircraft. The service will be available with any Wi-Fi-equipped laptop or electronic device. The Gogo system will be offered to customers at a cost of $4.95 and up, based on length of flight and device used. Last year Alaska Airlines successfully tested a satellite-based inflight Wi-Fi service offered by Row 44. However, the airline ultimately chose Aircell's Gogo service to speed fleet-wide installation and Wi-Fi availability for customers.
• Newport Media has raised $15 million in Series D financing. The round was led by Pinnacle Ventures with participation from previous investors Benchmark Capital, Venrock, Global Catalyst Partners, Oak Investment Partners and DAG. Newport Media develops semiconductor solutions for the mobile broadcast industry and supports all major mobile TV standards, including DVB-T/H, ISDB-T, FLO and CMMB.
• Global VoIP and communications convergence company VocalTec Communications made $0.7 million in the fourth quarter on $2 million in sales. For the full year 2009, the company posted sales of $6.4 million and a non-GAAP operating loss of $2.2 million.
• Unilava Corp. has released it 3G USB Laptop Stick, dubbed the Broadband Bullet. The device is compatible with HSPA and HSPA+ networks and has a micro-SD card slot which allows up to 8GB of storage. The company has already pre-sold the Broadband Bullet through its sales and distribution channels.
• Wi-Fi networking company Quantenna Communications has raised $15 million Series D round of financing from its current investors Grazia Equity, Sequoia Capital, Sigma Partners, Southern Cross, Swisscom and Venrock Associates. The cash will speed production of its 11n 4x4 Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Wi-Fi chipsets for wireless networks and devices.