FirstNews
First News Briefs for May 30, 2013
May 30, 2013 10:17 am | by Wireless Week Staff | News | CommentsBroadcom has announced the BCM4390, a new Wi-Fi SoC for embedded devices. The chip is part of Broadcom's Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Devices (WICED) portfolio. The single-chip design provides OEMs with an integrated, low-power and cost-effective solution designed to inspire a new range of consumer products in the "Internet of Things" market...
Report: Apple Taps Pegatron to Make Low-Cost iPhone
May 30, 2013 9:34 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsApple is moving to a new manufacturer to produce a low-cost iPhone, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. As it seeks to lessen its dependence on Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn in an effort to diversify its supply chain, Apple has reportedly tasked a company called Pegatron with producing a forthcoming version of the iPhone...
Americans Talk, Surf More than Europeans on Cells
May 30, 2013 9:06 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsAmericans pay more for their cell service than Europeans, but they're getting a lot more use out of their phones, a global wireless trade group said Wednesday. In releasing the report, GSM Association urged European regulators to take cues from the U.S...
Viva Móvil Could Be a Step in the Right Direction
May 29, 2013 5:13 pm | by Ben Munson | Blogs | CommentsWhen Jennifer Lopez last week showed up at CTIA to announce the new wireless Latino-targeted retailer Viva Móvil, the first question from the audience was about how this could translate to the retail experience for all Verizon customers. The question seemed to suggest, “It’s great what you’re doing for the Latino population, but what can be done do make the wireless retail experience more tolerable for all humans?”
First News Briefs for May 29, 2013
May 29, 2013 10:53 am | by Wireless Week Staff | News | CommentsAT&T is continuing its work with smart grid technology by offering prepaid applications that help manage energy usage and reduce costs. Through an exclusive agreement with PayGo, AT&T will be the sole U.S. provider for PayGo's utility payment solutions which includes near real-time processing of meter information for prepaid services.
CTIA 2013: Rhode & Schwartz, Testing for QoE
May 29, 2013 10:49 am | by Wireless Week Staff | News | CommentsWireless Week spoke with a lot of companies during CTIA 2013 last week. As part of our Let's Talk series from the show, we caught up with Rhode & Schwartz's Keith Cobler who gave us his take on the show, as well as his company's view of the market....
Give Locally Grows Through Gaming, Social Media
May 29, 2013 10:39 am | by Stacy A. Anderson, Associated Press | News | CommentsAndrew "Bo" Young III, son of former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young, is carving out his own path for social change courtesy of a mobile app designed to help real families through the purchase of virtual goods.Young and California lawyer Brad Newman have launched "Giv Galaxy," an iPhone game in which players buy...
Galaxy S4 to be First Device on Verizon’s AWS Spectrum
May 29, 2013 10:32 am | by Ben Munson | News | CommentsThe Samsung Galaxy S4 will be the first handset to take advantage of Verizon’s LTE network upgrade. Speaking with Bloomberg, Verizon vice president of network support Mike Haberman said the device will receive an over-the-air software update that will allow it to use Verizon’s AWS airwaves.
Sprint, SoftBank Strike U.S. Security Deal with Stipulations
May 29, 2013 10:30 am | by Ben Munson | News | CommentsSprint today announced that it and Japanese carrier Softbank have received clearance from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) to move ahead with the proposed $20 billion merger of the two companies. The CFIUS’ approval comes with stipulations.
Cook: Apple Focused on Quality, Not Quantity
May 29, 2013 10:23 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsTim Cook, Apple's CEO, doesn't have his head stuck in the sand. He's aware of the company's stock slide. He's aware of Android's popularity, but he's not particularly worried about anything more than creating great products. That was the word yesterday from Cook's talk at the Wall Street Journal's D: All Things Digital conference, which was posted online...
IDC: Tablet Shipments to Pass Laptops in 2013
May 28, 2013 10:48 am | by Ben Munson | News | CommentsIDC is predicting global tablet shipments to hit 229.3 million units in 2013, representing a 58.7 percent increase over 2012 and leaving predicted laptop shipments for 2013 in the dust. As the PC industry continues to suffer, IDC predicts that global tablet shipments will exceed the entire PC market by 2015.
First News Briefs for May 28, 2013
May 28, 2013 10:42 am | by Wireless Week Staff | News | CommentsThe Board of Directors of Clearwire today issued an open letter to stockholders in connection with its proposed transaction with Sprint recommending that stockholders vote ‘FOR’ the proposed transaction. The letter highlights the favorable recommendations of leading proxy...
LG Exec: Company Not Making Next Nexus Phone
May 28, 2013 10:26 am | by Ben Munson | News | CommentsLG’s European vice president Kim Wong said his company isn’t planning on making the next Google Nexus handset. Speaking with All About Phones, Kim cited LG’s wish to push its own version of the Android operating system as a reason to move away from the Nexus, which runs stock Android.
CTIA 2013: Tessco Talks Data Demand
May 28, 2013 10:14 am | by Wireless Week Staff | News | CommentsWireless Week spoke with a lot of companies during CTIA 2013 last week. As part of our Let's Talk series from the show, we caught up with Tessco Technologies' Robert Barnhill Jr. who gave us his perspective on the opportunities and challenges inherent in the increasing demand for mobile data...
Report: Hon Hai to Produce Firefox OS Phone
May 28, 2013 10:01 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsTaiwanese OEM Hon Hai is partnering with Mozilla on a new mobile device, according to a Reuter's report released this morning. The new device will run Mozilla's Firefox operating system, and is an attempt by Hon Hai to diversify away from its current dependence on Apple products. The report, which cites a Taipei-based...
Samsung Plans June 20 Event for New Galaxy, Ativ Announcements
May 28, 2013 9:44 am | by Ben Munson | News | CommentsSamsung Monday sent out invitations for a June 20 event in London where the company plans to let loose news on its Galaxy and Ativ brands. The Wall Street Journal’s All Things Digital said the event will likely be a forum for new devices. Samsung sells its Windows phone under the Ativ brand and, of course, releases its blockbusting Android devices under the Galaxy name.
CTIA 2013 Show Daily: Day 3
May 28, 2013 9:37 am | Articles | CommentsWelcome to the Thursday, May 23 edition of WIRELESS WEEK’s CTIA 2013 Show Daily featuring highlights from day three of this year’s conference and exhibition. Click here for complete coverage of today’s news and events. And for even more coverage of the wireless marketplace visit www.WirelessWeek.com....
Schumer Urges Look at Security in Sprint Deal
May 28, 2013 9:29 am | by Peter Svensson, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsSen. Charles Schumer urged regulators to "use extreme caution" when reviewing the proposed acquisition of No. 3 cell carrier Sprint Nextel by Japan's Softbank, saying the Japanese company's use of Chinese networking equipment could open up U.S. networks to snooping and hacking...
Dish, nTelos to Partner on Fixed-Mobile Broadband Service
May 24, 2013 10:35 am | by Ben Munson | News | CommentsAs Dish Network keeping trying to break into the wireless industry, today it announced a smaller but significant in-road. Dish and regional carrier nTelos have begun looking into co-developing a fixed-mobile broadband service inside of nTelos’ coverage area including Virginia, West Virginia and portions of Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky.
Sprint, SoftBank Earn Final State Approval for Deal
May 24, 2013 10:04 am | by Ben Munson | News | CommentsThe California Public Utilities Commission voted to approve the transaction between Sprint and SoftBank. This decision marks the final necessary state approval for SoftBank’s proposed $20 billion bid to acquire 70 percent of Sprint. In a statement, the California Commission said the deal should lead to increased competition that “will benefit consumers and the telecommunications marketplace.”
First News Briefs for May 24, 2013
May 24, 2013 9:33 am | by Wireless Week Staff | News | CommentsComcast announced Xfinity Wi-Fi, providing Comcast customer access to thousands of free public Wi-Fi hotspots, similar to the service AT&T provides for its wireline/wireless customers; M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc., a supplier of analog semiconductor solutions, today extended its industry position in diodes with a new family of broadband Shunt PIN Diodes for switching applications.
Review: Google Music Plan Solid, Serendipitous
May 24, 2013 9:17 am | by Ryan Nakashima, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsLOS ANGELES (AP) — Google's new music service offers a lot of eye candy to go with the tunes. The song selection of around 18 million tracks is comparable to popular services such as Spotify and Rhapsody, and a myriad of playlists curated along different genres provides a big playground for music lovers.
Pandora Posts In-line 1Q Loss, Upbeat Sales
May 24, 2013 9:13 am | by Ryan Nakashima, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsLOS ANGELES (AP) — Internet radio company Pandora Media Inc. reported higher-than-expected revenue in the latest quarter, with losses in line with analysts' forecasts, as the number of subscribers who pay for ad-free listening more than doubled to exceed 2.5 million.
CTIA Day 3: Kutcher Suggests Carriers Beware of the OTTs
May 23, 2013 2:06 pm | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsAshton Kutcher has some advice for wireless carrier executives: change is coming. The actor and investor mulled a range of issues relating to mobility during a Day 3 keynote at CTIA 2013 on Thursday. Kutcher, who is known for his acting talents, has also built an impressive resume of successful investments in technology companies...
First News Briefs for May 23, 2013
May 23, 2013 10:43 am | by Wireless Week Staff | News | CommentsGlobal Wireless Solutions, Inc. (GWS) today announced that the nation’s top tier of wireless operators has seen a 200-fold increase in data throughputs over the past 10 years. GWS wireless benchmarking drive tests showed that data throughput rates throughout the U.S. were averaging...
