T-Mobile Pushing Android 4.3 to HTC One
T-Mobile today said that Android 4.3 may be downloaded and installed on the HTC One. The update adds features to the base Android operating system, as well as to HTC's Sense user interface. It can be downloaded and installed via Wi-Fi.
BBM for Android and iOS Relaunching Today
BlackBerry today announced that it is restarting its aborted launch of BlackBerry Messenger for the Android and iOS platforms. The application should appear in the Google Play Store and iTunes App Store later today. In order to manage demand for the app, BlackBerry has established a sign-up process for it. Mobile device users interested in the messaging application will need to download the app and register to reserve a place in line. BlackBerry will then email people who've downloaded/installed the app when it can bring them aboard the service. BlackBerry said people will be able to monitor their "spot in line" to see how long it will take to activate the service, but it didn't provide any sort of estimate on how long that might be. According to BlackBerry, more than 7 million Android/iOS device owners have already registered to receive more details about the app. BlackBerry originally attempted to launch the app last month, but ran into trouble with the rollout and postponed it.
FCC Moves H Block Spectrum Auction to Jan. 22
The Federal Communications Commission today rescheduled a spectrum auction that was originally planned to begin January 14. The new date for the auction has been pushed eight days to January 22. The FCC plans to license spectrum in the H Block, which includes the 1915-1920MHz and 1995-2000MHz bands. Companies interested in participating in the auction will need to apply by November 15. This auction is expected to draw interest from Sprint and Dish Networks, which own spectrum that abuts the H block, among others. The FCC was forced to revise the auction start date due to the partial government shutdown, which interrupted the FCC's operations.
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HTC CEO Sheds Some Responsibilities to Focus on Products
HTC CEO Peter Chou has shifted some of his management responsibilities to the company's chairwoman, Cher Wang. In a statement, HTC explained, "At this crucial time, it is important for HTC to remain focused. That means that Peter is focusing on creating the best products and ensuring the best execution across the company. He has invited Cher to participate more in certain areas such as operations, sales and marketing. With Cher's involvement Peter will have more time to focus on product innovation. Peter remains the CEO with full and final decision-making responsibilities." HTC has seen its share of the smartphone market drop over the last two years and recently reported its first-ever quarterly loss as a public company. HTC said the change in Chou's responsibilities will be temporary, but left the timeframe open-ended.
Boost Mobile to Sell iPhone 5s/5c November 8
Boost Mobile today announced that it will sell the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c to its prepaid customers beginning November 8. Boost did not immediately offer details on how much it will charge for the iPhones.
AT&T; Strikes $4.85B Cell Tower Deal with Crown Castle
AT&T; today announced that it has agreed to lease 9,100 of its cell towers to Crown Castle for $4.85 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, AT&T; will also sell 600 cell towers to Crown Castle outright. Crown Castle will have exclusive rights to operate and maintain the cell towers, with most towers leased for a period of 28 years. After the leases expire, Crown Castle will have the option to purchase them for an additional $4.2 billion. AT&T; will sublease the towers for at least 10 years beginning at $1,900 per month. Rent increases will be capped at 2% per year. AT&T; may also reserve additional capacity on the towers for potential future use. AT&T; called the deal a good move for the company, as it brings in a significant chunk of cash while leaving room for AT&T; to add capacity to its network over time.
AT&T; Will Fold Aio Wireless into Cricket After Acquisition
AT&T; has indicated that it will close its brand new Aio Wireless brand if it successfully acquires Leap Wireless. Leap owns and operates Cricket, and AT&T; announced plans to acquire the pre-paid operate earlier this year. AT&T; said through FCC filings that it would effectively merge its Aio Wireless operations with those of Cricket and continue to offer pre-paid services under the Cricket brand. Earlier this year, AT&T; said to the FCC, "Aio still faces significant challenges to establish nationwide retail distribution, build brand recognition, and develop a significant customer base." It followed that statement this week by saying, "After the transaction's close, AT&T; intends to combine the nascent operations of Aio with Leap's existing operations under the Cricket brand name."
Google Hangouts for iOS Gains Voice Calls
Google updated its Hangouts app for iOS devices and added the ability to place free voice calls from the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch to other lines in the U.S. and Canada. Google Voice users can also receive calls through Google Hangouts. The app also improves visibility of who's online, makes it possible to send animated GIFs, and turns down music volume when incoming calls arrive. Hangouts for iOS is free to download from the iTunes App Store.
U.S. Cellular Lands the iPhone 5s/5c November 8
U.S. Cellular today announced that it will offer the Apple iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c beginning November 8. U.S. Cellular didn't announce pricing details. It is already for sale from most other U.S. carriers.
from U.S. Cellular
Review: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 for Verizon
The Galaxy Note 3 from Samsung is a powerful Android smartphone for Verizon thanks to the S Pen and multitasking.
Texas Senator Blocks Confirmation of FCC Chair
Texas State Senator Ted Cruz has prevented the Senate from voting to confirm Tom Wheeler as the new chairperson of the Federal Communications Commission. The Senate was prepared to vote on Wheeler's nomination this week, but Cruz wants answers from Wheeler on donor disclosures. "The Senator is holding the nominee until he gets answers to his questions regarding Mr. Wheeler's views on whether the FCC has the authority or intent to implement the requirements of the failed Congressional DISCLOSE Act," said Cruz spokesman Sean Rushton. "Mr. Wheeler had previously declined to give specific answers, but as he's now expressed his readiness to revisit the Senator's questions." Cruz hopes to speak with Wheeler about the issue soon. Wheeler was nominated by President Barack Obama to lead the FCC. Cruz, a republican, opposes the President's Obamacare initiative and recently played a role in forcing the U.S. government shutdown, which, among other things, shuttered the FCC. The FCC has been led by commissioner Mignon Clyburn on a temporary basis since May after the departure of former chairperson Julius Genachowski. The FCC needs to install the new chairperson in order to move forward with projects such as spectrum auctions.
Sony Engineers Faster Wireless Charging Tech
Sony has developed new technology that dramatically shortens the time it takes to charge mobile phones wirelessly. Sony's charging device uses 10-15 watts, instead of 5, and can push twice the electricity of today's wireless chargers. According to Sony, cell phones can reach a full charge in one hour instead of two. Sony's charging device is based on the Qi standard, which is being finalized by the Wireless Power Consortium. Sony's semiconductor division developed the technology, reports Nikkei. Another company, called Rohm, has developed similar technology also based on the Qi standard. The improved wireless charging technology is expected to reach consumer-grade devices during the second half of 2014. The WPC's Qi standard is just one of three competing standards for wirelessly charging devices. Other standards are being finalized by the Power Matters Alliance and the Alliance for Wireless Power.
New York Takes Another Step to Curb Phone Theft
New York State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein plans to introduce a bill today that would require businesses to obtain proof of ownership before buying used cell phones. According to the New York Times, flea markets, laundromats, and neighborhood stores often resell mobile devices that have been stolen. The law would make it illegal for any businesses in the state to sell devices unless they can prove they were legally obtained from the original owner through documented receipts. "The goal of this legislation is to scare black market retailers out of this terrible business," said Klein. "If you're a retailer making a few extra bucks by selling stolen phones, you're now going to think twice before you open up your wallet and pay one of these criminals." Klein's law does not apply to individuals. Phone theft has increased in recent years despite lawmakers' attempts to halt it. U.S. carriers created a database of stolen phone IDs that should prevent the devices from being usable on mobile networks, but law enforcement says the database has proven ineffective.
Nexus 5 Appears in Google Play Store for $349
The Nexus 5, which has yet to be officially announced by Google, appeared in the Google Play Store this evening. A small photo of the device is visible alongside the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets, with the price listed at $349. There are no further details available in the Play Store at this time. A similar device manufactured by LG was approved by the FCC several weeks ago. The Nexus 5 is expected to run Android 4.4 KitKat.
Lenovo Mulling Bid for BlackBerry
Lenovo is weighing whether or not it should purchase BlackBerry. The company has signed a non-disclosure agreement with BlackBerry in order to gain access to its financial details, according to the Wall Street Journal. BlackBerry already has an offer on the table from Fairfax Financial Holdings, a private equity firm. Cerebus, another private equity firm, has also signed an NDA with BlackBerry to go over its books. Cerebus, Lenovo, and others have until November 4 to counter Fairfax's offer. Lenovo, based in China, makes laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
FCC Reveals Samsung L500 for Virgin Mobile
Documents seen on the Federal Communications Commission web site provide details about a previously unannounced handset from Samsung. The SPH-L500 is a slab-style smartphone that runs Google's Android operating system and looks similar to some of Samsung's Galaxy-branded phones. The FCC confirms that it has rear and front cameras, NFC, and a memory card slot. Based on the spectrum support and draft user manual, the Samsung L500 will eventually be sold by Virgin Mobile. Neither Samsung nor Virgin has officially announced this device.
Play Music App Adds 'I'm Feeling Lucky' Radio
Google today pushed out an update to its Google Play Music app for Android devices. Among the new features, Play Music has an "I'm Feeling Lucky" radio station that builds and plays a custom radio station based on the user's stored music and listening history. The app also makes it easier to differentiate between music stored locally on the device and music stored in the cloud. Play Music is free to download from the Google Play Store.
Facebook for BlackBerry 10 Lets Users Delete Posts
BlackBerry today announced a minor update to Facebook for its BlackBerry 10 devices. There are a handful of new features in the application, including the ability to delete status updates and other posts from within the app itself. Facebook for BlackBerry also now lets users preview links before posting them; use the app and view videos in landscape mode; see when chat messages have been read; as well as share wall posts on a friend's wall, in a group, in a list, or in a message. Facebook 10.2.2 for BlackBerry 10 is free to download from the BlackBerry World app store.
