FirstNews
First News Briefs for December 7, 2012
December 7, 2012 10:07 am | by Wireless Week Staff | News | CommentsAmazon today announced that it is bringing “Voice Guide” and “Explore by Touch”—two new accessibility features previously available on Kindle Fire HD 8.9”—to its new standard definition Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD 7”. The features aim to help vision-impaired customers to more easily navigate the menus and content on the device.
Carriers Commit to Text-to-911 Initiative
December 7, 2012 9:43 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsAll four major U.S. carriers have agreed to accelerate the availability of text-to-911, with major deployments expected in 2013 and a commitment to nationwide availability by May 15, 2014. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced initiative as part of an agreement with the Association of Public Safety (APCO).
Apple's Softer Side Emerges Under CEO Cook
December 7, 2012 9:37 am | by Peter Svensson, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsThough the metal edges of its PCs and mobile devices are as sharp and severe as ever, Apple is emerging under Cook's leadership as a kinder corporate citizen. Cook's announcement this week that the company is moving the production of one of its Mac computer lines to the U.S. is just the latest step in a softening of the company's image following the October 2011 death of CEO and co-founder Jobs.
Calif. Sues Delta Airlines over Mobile App Privacy
December 7, 2012 9:33 am | by Don Thompson, Associated Press | News | CommentsCalifornia sued Delta Airlines Inc. on Thursday, alleging the Atlanta-based company is breaking state law by not warning users that the airline is collecting sensitive information each time customers contact the company on its "Fly Delta" mobile application. Attorney General Kamala Harris filed the suit in San Francisco Superior Court in the first legal test of the state's 8-year-old Online Privacy Protection Act.
T-Mobile, Apple Partnering on Products in 2013
December 6, 2012 1:07 pm | News | CommentsDeutsche Telekom today announced that its subisidiary T-mobile USA is partnering with Apple to "bring products to market in 2013." The news comes almost as a side note in a press release covering from the German company's financial investments for the coming year.
Amid Troubles, Nokia Gets Boost from China
December 6, 2012 11:18 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsIn the same week that Nokia sold the building that has been its main headquarters as part of cost-cutting measures, the Finnish handset maker also announced that China Mobile will begin carrying the Lumia 920T. The Lumia 920T is the first TD-SCDMA Windows Phone in China and for Nokia represent ...
Kajeet Signs Wholesale Agreement with Clearwire
December 6, 2012 10:57 am | by Ben Munson | News | CommentsKajeet has signed a wholesale agreement to operate its wireless broadband services, which are geared toward children and educators, on Clearwire's WiMax network. Kajeet offers kids lower-priced texting, voice and data plans that come equipped with stringent parental controls.
Ahead of the Bell: Apple
December 6, 2012 9:42 am | by Associated Press | News | CommentsApple shares continued to slide for a second day before the opening bell, a day after the company posted its worst one-day stock drop in four years. On Wednesday, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company's shares closed down 6 percent at $538.79, erasing $35 million in market capitalization. Speculation abounded as to the cause.
First News Briefs for December 6, 2012
December 6, 2012 9:37 am | by Wireless Week Staff | News | CommentsMitek’s Mobile Deposit technology makes it possible for consumers to use their smartphone or tablet camera to snap a picture of their check and make an instant deposit. Mitek is now bringing that service to paying bills anytime, anywhere. The company has partnered with U.S. Bank to offer Mobile Photo Bill Pay, a service that will be offered beginning in 2013.
Dish Concedes 5 MHz of Uplink Spectrum
December 5, 2012 10:49 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsDish Network says it's willing to accept a 5 MHz guard band on its AWS spectrum that would protect the H Block from interference. In a filing with the FCC, Dish said it recognizes that the commission desires to retain flexibility in the future use of the H Block...
First News Briefs for December 5, 2012
December 5, 2012 10:37 am | by Wireless Week Staff | News | CommentsAT&T announced the launch of AT&T Alerts, a free opt-in, location-based text messaging alerts service that allows AT&T wireless customers nationwide to save money with relevant offers from nearby retailers on their mobile phones. AT&T Alerts uses geo-location technology and consumer preferences to deliver offers and rewards, without having to download an application.
De la Vega: Record Q4 Device Sales
December 5, 2012 10:08 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsAT&T is moving more devices than expected in the fourth quarter, according to comments from Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T Mobility. Speaking this morning at the UBS Investor conference, De la Vega said AT&T is headed for record fourth quarter smartphone sales. AT&T has already sold 6.4 million smartphones in the first two months, with December sales still to be recorded.
Amazon Launches Kindle Content Service for Kids
December 5, 2012 9:58 am | by Barbara Ortutay, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsAmazon is launching a subscription service for children's games, videos and books aimed at getting more kids to use its Kindle Fire tablet devices. Amazon.com Inc. plans to announce Wednesday that the Kindle FreeTime Unlimited service will be available in the next few weeks as part of an automatic software update...
Samsung Promotes Chairman's Son to Vice Chairman
December 5, 2012 9:28 am | by Youkyung Lee, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsSamsung Electronics Co. promoted its chairman's only son to vice chairman, putting the 44-year-old closer to the top leadership position at the world's largest maker of memory chips, mobile phones and TVs. Samsung, South Korea's largest industrial conglomerate, announced Jay Y. Lee's promotion to vice chairman just two years after he was named president. He assumes his new post Wednesday.
AT&T to Offer Personalized "Video Bills" to Wireless Customers
December 4, 2012 3:13 pm | by Ben Munson | News | CommentsGoing it alone against a long, winding wireless bill can be scary and confusing. It’s an affliction AT&T will look to alleviate as it rolls out “video bills,” personalized online videos explaining account statements with soothing voiceover, graphics and music.
Facebook Updates Messenger for Android
December 4, 2012 12:25 pm | by Ben Munson | News | CommentsSMS took another hit today, as Android users will now be able to sign up for Facebook Messenger with only a name and phone number. The update to the OTT service opens up direct messenging, photo sharing and more to users still holding out on diving into social networking...
Struggling Nokia Sells Headquarters Building
December 4, 2012 12:24 pm | by Associated Press | News | CommentsNokia Corp. plans to sell its head office near the Finnish capital to real estate investors for $220 million as the struggling cellphone maker continues to cut costs. CFO Timo Ihamuotila says the deal, to be concluded later this month, is in line with aims to shed non-core activities, adding that Nokia will continue to operate from the Espoo headquarters "on a long-term basis."
US Seeks to Drop Internet from U.N. Telecoms Talks
December 4, 2012 12:22 pm | by Associated Press | News | CommentsAmerican envoys say they are working with other nations on a proposal to drop all discussions on possible Internet regulations from a U.N. telecommunications conference in Dubai. The U.S. is leading calls to reject possible new codes on the Net by the International Telecommunications Union.
Report: Qualcomm Stands Out in Weak Semiconductor Market
December 4, 2012 12:20 pm | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsQualcomm has managed to leverage its wireless chip business to finish third in the semiconductor market for 2012, according to research released today from IHS iSuppli. IHS calls the 2012 semiconductor market "miserable" and characterized by revenue decline at seven of the world’s top 10 semiconductor suppliers.
McAdam: Everyone Else is Playing Catch Up
December 4, 2012 11:45 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsDuring a presentation at the UBS Investor conference that was broadcast online this morning, Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam wasn't shy about where he feels his company's network is in relation to competitors, saying that other tier one carriers are playing "catch up" in the LTE race.
ISIS, USA Technologies Trial NFC in Vending Machines
December 3, 2012 11:18 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsUSA Technologies (USAT) today announced a partnership with ISIS to enable up to 7,500 vending machines in Austin and Salt Lake City to accept mobile payements via USAT’s NFC-enabled ePort technology and ePort Connect service. According to a press release, the technology will work with the sis Mobile Wallet product.
Advances In Interference Management Make LTE HetNets a Reality
December 3, 2012 10:53 am | by Ilan Vardi, vice president, product management and marketing, AirHop Communications | Articles | CommentsThe dramatic success of the iPhone, data hungry smartphone competitors and other wireless devices is placing an ever increasing capacity demand on wireless networks which is only expected to worsen with the accelerated deployments of 4G networks worldwide.
Clashes over Internet Rules To Mark Dubai Meeting
December 3, 2012 10:40 am | by Brian Murphy, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe U.N.'s top telecommunications overseer sought Monday to quell worries about greater Internet controls emerging from global talks in Dubai, but any attempts for major Web regulations will likely face stiff opposition from groups led by a high-powered U.S. delegation.
First News Briefs for December 3, 2012
December 3, 2012 10:29 am | by Wireless Week Staff | News | CommentsCompanies in today's news briefs: Alcatel-Lucent, Askey Computer Corporation, Ceragon Networks, Retarus, Apple. Alcatel-Lucent said today that it will license product software to the Taiwan-based manufacturer of broadband and wireless products, Askey Computer Corporation.
Mobile Devices Continue to Drive Social Media Usage
December 3, 2012 10:16 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsA new report from Nielsen and NM Incite found that while the computer remains as the predominant device for social media access, consumers’ time spent with social media on mobile apps and the mobile web has increased 63 percent in 2012, compared to the same period last year.
