Hasta La Gadget!

While Brits still languish at the back of the queue for LTE, there is at least a sliver of hope that regulator Ofcom is moving forward with plans for 4G provision. It’s announced today that carrier Everything Everywhere (the combined network of Orange and T-Mobile) will be allowed to use its 1800 MHz spectrum to push out next-generation phone services. Ofcom decided that the change to the UK network’s license would deliver “significant benefits to consumers, and that there is no material risk that those benefits will be outweighed by a distortion of competition.” Auctions for additional 800 and 2.6 GHz bands are still on track to happen later this year, aiming for a roll-out through 2013. Everything Everywhere will be allowed to use LTE and (bizarrely) WiMAX starting 11 September 2012, although this may not be the launch date for any commercial service — which could be unfortunate. The UK’s comms regulator goes into the specifics after the break.

Update: Vodafone UK has issued a statement regarding the decision (hint: it’s not happy), which can be read in full after the break.

Continue reading Ofcom approves Everything Everywhere’s early 4G plans, starting next month (update)

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Internet

Ofcom approves Everything Everywhere’s early 4G plans, starting next month (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 02:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The web has an origin story, one that predates any cozy trip in the wayback machine. That’s because where we’re going, there is no internet — at least, not as you now know it — only Bulletin Board Systems. And to help guide curious digital natives on this journey back to the time tech forgot, a programmer by the handle of Proppelerpowered has whipped up a how-to that leverages nothing more than a microcontroller-based microcomputer and BASIC knowledge. The brief step-by-step, listed over on Instructables, requires intrepid geeks to build a Pocket Mini computer, which purportedly takes only “an evening,” after which they’ll have to tinker with some low-level coding to complete the connection setup, hitch a ride online via PC and then link up with any number of active BBSs around the world. For the purposes of this beginner guide, you’ll have instructions for access to a Canada-based Commodore 64 clearly laid out. But the more adept are encouraged to swap out the standard setup for an ANSI terminal and wade into serious retro-gaming waters (Trade Wars, anyone?). Hit up the source below to peek the blow-by-blow and see if this hack’s made for you.

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Back in the BBS days: how-to helps newbs navigate to a pre-internet playground originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 02:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Michael Vick keeps taking his lumps. His Philadelphia Eagles keep winning.

The star quarterback was leveled after throwing a long pass in the first quarter and underwent X-rays for the second straight game – negative again. Then backup Nick Foles led the Eagles to a 27-17 preseason victory over the New England Patriots on Monday night.

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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — Meles Zenawi, Ethiopia’s long-time ruler who held tight control over this East African country but was a major U.S counter-terrorism ally, died of an undisclosed illness after not being seen in public for weeks, Ethiopian authorities announced Tuesday. He was 57.

Meles died Monday just before midnight after contracting an infection, state TV said. Hailemariam Desalegn, who was appointed deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs in 2010, is now in charge of the Cabinet, state TV said.

Meles hadn’t been seen in public for about two months. In mid-July, after Meles did not attend a meeting of heads of state of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, speculation increased that his health problems were serious. Ethiopian officials gave no details and said the prime minister was in “very good” health and would return to office soon, but international officials said quietly it was unlikely he would recover.

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Draft language for the 2012 Republican Party platform includes support for a constitutional ban on abortion without specifying exclusions in the cases of rape or incest, according to CNN.

The news comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding Rep. Todd Akin’s (R-Mo.) suggestion that victims of “legitimate rape” rarely get pregnant. The GOP Senate candidate running against Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) has faced calls to abandon his campaign from both parties despite attempting to walk back his remarks.

Details on the party’s position also come with the Republican National Convention just one week away.

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