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printed July 6, 2012
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Google to Offer YouTube Android Player API to Devs

Today, 7:34 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Google plans to provide developers with a new application programming interface that will make YouTube videos playback seamlessly within Android applications. Developers currently have three choices when it comes to embedding YouTube-based content within their app, none of which provides a truly seamless experience. The methods include a plugin Flash-based embed, an iFrame-based embed, or forcing users to view the content in the YouTube app itself. The new YouTube Android Player API, which itself is just three lines of code, will let developers embed YouTube content in their apps with full support for playback controls, orientation changes, fullscreen playback, ad monetization, and quality-of-stream controls. The API was discussed by Google at its recent I/O developer conference, and is slated for full availability to developers later this year.


Apple Says App Update Bug Resolved

Today, 7:15 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Apple indicated late Thursday that a bug causing updated apps to crash on iOS devices has been fixed. "We had a temporary issue that began yesterday with a server that generated DRM code for some apps being downloaded," said Apple in a statement to AllThingsD. "The issue has been rectified and we don’t expect it to occur again." Apple said that only a small number of users were affected by the bug.

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Google to Resume Galaxy Nexus Sales Soon with Jelly Bean Fix

Yesterday, 1:40 PM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Yesterday, 1:41 PM

Google confirmed to ABC News that it will resume sales of the Galaxy Nexus starting next week. The device was pulled from the Google Play Store's virtual store shelves earlier this week due to a judicial ruling related to patent lawsuits between Samsung and Apple. Google told ABC News that the Galaxy Nexus will be updated to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and the update will address the issue behind the sales ban. The patent in question relates to how the Google search bar parses through multiple applications on Android phones at the same time. Apple has a patent for this type of search related to its Siri service.


Motorola Outs the Kevlar-Lined Atrix HD with 4.5-Inch Display

Yesterday, 6:51 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Motorola revealed the Atrix HD on its web site, a follow-up to its Atrix line of devices that joins the RAZR family in overall design and appearance. The Atrix HD runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and features a Kevlar back cover for added strength and a water resistant interior. The Atrix HD has a 4.5-inch 1280 x 720 HD display, with what Motorola calls 'ColorBoost" technology and Gorilla Glass. The device is powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, which is accompanied by 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, and expandable storage up to 32GB via microSD cards. Other features of the Atrix HD include an 8-megapixel camera with autofocus, flash, and 1080p HD video capture; 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi with mobile hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0 LE+EDR, USB 2.0 and microHDMI; and LTE Band 04/17, HDSPA 21.1Mbps, HSUPA 5.76Mbps, and 850/1700/1900/2100 WCDMA. The Atrix HD is powered by a 1780mAh embedded battery and measures 8.4mm thick. Motorola's web site did not indicate when the device might go on sale, nor which carriers might sell the device. However, the device supports AT&T;'s 3G network, and the image of the Atrix HD on Motorola's web site includes AT&T;'s globe icon and branding.


Judge Lets Galaxy Nexus Sales Ban Stand

Tuesday, 11:01 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

U.S. District Court Judge Lucy Koh on Tuesday rejected Samsung's request to lift an injunction imposed against it that bans it from selling the Galaxy Nexus device in the U.S. Judge Koh granted Apple a preliminary injunction ahead of the patent-related trial between the two companies, but required Apple to post a $95 million bond, which will be used for reparations to Samsung should Apple eventually lose its case in court. Samsung was hoping Judge Koh would stay the decision until after it has a chance to appeal. In response to the decision, Google and Samsung revealed that they have a software patch in the works that should allow the Galaxy Nexus to avoid the sales ban. The software patch has to do with the search bar that's usable from the home screen. The patch, which is to be distributed to all variants of the Galaxy Nexus, reduces the power of the search bar to searching only the web and not the device as well. For example, Galaxy Nexus owners will no longer be able to use the search bar to scour through their email or contact apps. Google didn't say when the patch will be delivered. Last, Google has apparently ceased offering the Galaxy Nexus for sale via the Google Play Store. The device was available for purchase throughout the day Tuesday, but beginning Tuesday evening was listed as "coming soon." Google didn't say why the device was no longer available for purchase. The Galaxy Nexus is still available from Verizon Wireless's web site.


FCC Says T-Mobile Subsidiaries Can Bid on Spectrum

Tuesday, 3:27 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

The Federal Communications Commission today announced that it granted T-Mobile USA's petition to have a handful of its subsidiaries designated as eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs). The ETC designation in and of itself doesn't mean much for the subsidiaries, but it will eventually give them the right to participate in the Mobility Fund Phase 1 reverse spectrum auction planned for later this year. The subsidiaries involved include PowerTel/Memphis, T-Mobile Central LLC, T-Mobile South LLC, and T-Mobile Northeast LLC. The FCC will award $300 million in one-time Mobility Fund Phase I support to ETCs that commit to provide 3G or better service to areas where such services are not available. The FCC reformed the Universal Service Fund and Intercarrier Compensation systems to allocate the necessary funds.


Review: HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE for Verizon Wireless

Tuesday, 2:58 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

HTC's third take on the Incredible goes for the triple 4s: It adds 4G, Android 4.0, and Sense 4.0. The Incredible 4G LTE also fills a much-neglected spot in Verizon's smartphone lineup. Here is Phone Scoop's full report on this compact concoction from HTC.

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Google Killing Off Symbian Search App, iGoogle, Others

Tuesday, 2:38 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Google today announced that another batch of services and/or apps will be shuttered in the weeks and months ahead. In a "spring cleaning" blog post, Google indicated that it will retire its Symbian Search App so that it may better focus its efforts on mobile web search. Google recommends that users of the Symbian Search App use m.google.com instead when it becomes necessary to perform searches from their Symbian smartphones. Google also announced plans to discontinue iGoogle on November 1, 2013; move all Google Video content to YouTube by August 20; kill off Google Talk Chatback; and discontinue Google Mini. Google believes these products have run their course and have been replaced by newer services.


Spotify App Now Available to BlackBerries

Tuesday, 2:25 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Research In Motion today revealed that the Spotify application is available to BlackBerries for the first time via BlackBerry App World. Spotify is a music streaming service that integrates with Facebook and offers social networking features. It is free to use on desktop computers, but requires a monthly fee of $10 in order to be used on mobile devices. The application itself is free to download from App World. Spotify is already available to Android and iOS.


Verizon's Galaxy S III Arrives July 10

Tuesday, 1:49 PM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Tuesday, 2:19 PM

Verizon Wireless today announced that its variant of the Samsung Galaxy S III will be available for sale starting July 10. As with other carriers, Verizon is charging $199.99 for the 16GB version and $249.99 for the 32GB version. The 32GB will be online starting July 10, but won't reach stores for several more weeks. Verizon is offering both the white and blue colors. A new two-year service contract is required for those price points. The Galaxy S III is already available from AT&T;, Sprint, and T-Mobile USA.


YouMail for iOS Adds Customizable Greetings

Tuesday, 12:54 PM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Tuesday, 12:54 PM

YouMail today provided an update to its iOS application that adds the ability to set customized greetings for individual contacts from within the app itself. YouMail says iPhone users can choose from 25 million different greetings in addition to setting their own. The application also sports a new look and theme, makes it easier to set the reply-to-voicemail function, offers built-in feedback support, allows users to set default audio output, and offers various bug fixes and enhancements. YouMail for iOS is a free download from the iTunes store.


Verizon Closing Call Center, Cutting 950 Jobs in Houston

Tuesday, 7:40 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Verizon Wireless has indicated that it plans to close one of its call centers located in Houston, a move that will result in the loss of 943 area jobs. The facility will shutter by the end of August. Verizon indicated earlier this year that it would close several call centers, the others being in Seattle and Detroit. Verizon Wireless expects the total number of job losses in Houston to be mitigated as call center employees take other positions within the company, but it didn't indicate how much the total number of losses might be affected.


Verizon and MetroPCS File More Grievances with the FCC

Tuesday, 7:27 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Verizon Wireless and MetroPCS have taken new legal action against the Federal Communications Commission's net neutrality rules. It filed a brief in federal court this week seeking to overturn the FCC's regulations, which Verizon and MetroPCS argue the FCC never had the authority to implement in the first place. "The FCC has acted without statutory authority to insert itself into this crucial segment of the American economy, while failing to show any factual need to do so," said Verizon in its filing. The company asserts the rules violate the constitution, both the First Amendment and the Fifth Amendment. "Broadband networks are the modern-day microphone by which their owners engage in First Amendment speech." The FCC is expected to respond officially in September.


Kodak Given the Green Light for Patent Sale

Tuesday, 7:14 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

A U.S. bankruptcy court has given Kodak permission to auction off more than 1,100 digital imaging patents, despite the objections of Apple and Flashpoint. The two companies claim ownership of a handful of Kodak's patents and were seeking to block the sale. "The Apple and FlashPoint claims are baseless and Kodak will still seek dismissal on summary judgment in July," said Timothy Lynch, Kodak Vice President and Chief Intellectual Property Officer. "Today's ruling provides a court-approved process allowing buyers to acquire the patents free and clear of all ownership allegations." Kodak filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. It hopes the auction will help lift it out of its financial troubles. More than 700 of the patents pertain to image capture, processing, and transmission technologies for digital devices, such as smartphones and tablets.


AT&T;'s Samsung Galaxy S III Arrives in Stores July 6

Monday, 12:51 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

AT&T; announced that the Samsung Galaxy S III will be available at its company-owned stores starting Friday, July 6. It will cost $199 for the 16GB version and $249 for the 32GB version. Some AT&T; pre-orders of the GSIII have already been delivered.


HTC's One V to Be Sold By Wide Selection of U.S. Carriers

Monday, 12:44 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

HTC today announced that the One V Android smartphone has been picked up by a significant number of regional cellular network operators in the U.S. The One V went on sale through Virgin Mobile USA last week, but can soon be expected to grace the store shelves of U.S. Cellular and carrier members of the Associated Carriers Group (ACG) in the coming days and weeks. Some of the ACG's members include Alltel, C Spire Wireless, Pioneer Cellular, and Appalachian Wireless. Pricing and availability will be determined by each individual carrier.


GreatCall Officially Announces the JitterBug Plus

Monday, 8:52 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

GreatCall today formally revealed the JitterBug Plus, an entry-level flip phone that includes a 1.3-megapixel camera, dual displays, speakerphone, messaging features, and access to GreatCall's health- and wellness-based services. The JitterBug Plus, which was, spotted on Samsung's web site in June, will cost $119 when purchased from GreatCall, though it is being offered at $99 for a limited time. It is available in red and silver.


Samsung Intensity III for Verizon Includes 'Fake Call'

Monday, 8:44 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Verizon Wireless today announced the Samsung Intensity III, a sideways slider that runs a feature phone operating system and offers a full QWERTY keyboard for messaging. The Intensity III includes a 2-megapixel camera, 2.4-inch QVGA (240 x 320) TFT screen, voice commands, VZ Navigator, microSd support, and a batch of messaging services, such as social networking. It also features a "fake call" feature to help the owner escape awkward social situations, and meets mil-spec 810F for shock, vibration, radiation, water, sand, and dust ingress, and salt fog. The Samsung Intensity III is available online starting today for $79.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year service contract. It will be in Verizon Wireless stores in the coming weeks.

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