Hasta La Gadget!

AT&T’s making no secret of the fact it wants to snatch up as much spectrum as it possibly can, so news of the company’s proposed acquisition of NextWave Wireless doesn’t result in much of a shock. AT&T has agreed to purchase the company — and all of its WCS (Wireless Communication Service) and AWS spectrum licenses and equity along with it — for $25 million, pending FCC approval. If you count $25 million in contingency costs and the outstanding debt the big blue globe has also picked up, however, the total bill climbs to $600 million.

The deal comes shortly after AT&T partnered with Sirius XM to petition the FCC in the hopes that it would allow WCS (2.3GHz) spectrum to be opened up for LTE use — mobile data is currently restricted by the federal body to prevent any interference with satellite radio. The government hasn’t given the green light for this proposal yet (additionally, the NextWave deal isn’t likely to be approved until later this year), but that’s not stopping AT&T from its preparations just in case — it plans to have WCS LTE ready for deployment in three years if everything works out in the carrier’s favor.

Continue reading AT&T agrees to acquire NextWave for $600 million, gobbles up WCS and AWS spectrum

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

AT&T agrees to acquire NextWave for $600 million, gobbles up WCS and AWS spectrum originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 10:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If it feels like yesterday you read our in-depth review of the dual-core Meizu MX, you’re not too far from the truth. In reality, it’s been just over seven months and we’ve already moved onto the smartphone’s quad-core sequel, aptly named the Meizu MX 4-core. Not only is it easy to confuse the two phones by name, but good luck trying to tell which one is which. Indeed, the two handsets are quite similar both inside and out, with the exception of some improvements in a couple rows on the ‘ol spec sheet.

The biggest surprise isn’t necessarily the speed with which the company cranked out a second MX, and it’s not even the reasonable price (HK$3,099, or US$400, or the 32GB version, and HK$4,099 / US$530 for the 64GB). Nope, it’s seeing Meizu, a manufacturer known for its copycat products, evolving into a relevant player beyond its native China. So how does this latest effort stack up? Read on to find out.

Continue reading Meizu MX 4-core review

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Software

Meizu MX 4-core review originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple‘s new Dock Connector, expected to debut on the iPhone 5, could use MagSafe-style design for increased flexibility, new sources claim, while iOS 6 is tipped to include better inter-device communication support. The new port for iOS devices will be an 8-pin design, so iLounge‘s insiders say, rather than 16- or 19-pins as rumored, and may well be accompanied by a change of name for the connection.

As for the MagSafe-style tweak, that could include the ability to plug in the connection in either orientation, reducing the number of “which way is up” confusion that can prove annoying with existing Dock Connector cables or, indeed, microUSB.

Bluetooth 4 Link is arguably more interesting – and in keeping with Apple’s attempts to vanquish wires altogether – with suggestions that the company is planning to take advantage of the new, low-power wireless link to push messages, notifications and updates between iOS devices. Believed to be an as-yet unreported part of iOS 6, the system would allow, for instance, an iMessage to be flagged up on an iPod nano display, or calls on an iPhone to be triggered via an iPad.

That’s reminiscent of the Bluetooth functionality between the HP TouchPad and the Pre3, but according to the source Apple’s system goes further than what webOS could achieve.

iLounge’s insiders say that the new Dock Connector has not, in fact, been seen in leaked photos or video so far. The most recent leak showed what was tipped to be the external housing of the iPhone 5, though didn’t actually include the connector itself but merely the cut-out for it.

iPhone 5 MagSafe-style Dock Connector and TouchPad-style Bluetooth 4 tech tipped is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

In May of last year, our free ride came to an end. US carriers started blocking third party tethering apps in the Android Market. Not long after, the built in feature was turned off on most phones. Our fortune may be reversing, however. The FCC has ruled that Verizon violated the rules governing the C Block of LTE spectrum by preventing consumers from using any application of their choice. The end result: Big Red will have to open up its airwaves and allow customers to circumvent its $20 a month tethering plan using apps from the Play store — so long as you’re on a “usage-based pricing plan.” Though it’s not explicitly stated, we assume that means those of you lucky enough to be grandfathered in to the unlimited data plans are left out. In addition to unblocking apps such as PdaNet and Barnacle, Verizon must pay a $1.25 million settlement to put an end to the investigation. For a few more details of the plan put in place to ensure compliance with the ruling, check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading Verizon to stop blocking tethering apps, settles with FCC for $1.25 million

Filed under: Wireless, Software

Verizon to stop blocking tethering apps, settles with FCC for $1.25 million originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung’s come a long way from the days of its first Galaxy S device. Relying back then, out of necessity, on third parties like 7Digital and Kobo to provide a white label content platform. Time, fortune and the popularity of its Android devices has changed the company’s tack and with the unveiling of the Galaxy S III, it’s heading for a streamlined user experience that integrates hardware with in-house software. Although Music Hub has already launched overseas in several European countries as part and parcel of its latest flagship, that service is now finally ready for primetime in the US.

Built upon the mSpot tech it acquired this past May, the company’s freemium service combines the best of both worlds, offering non-paying users access to a digital storefront loaded up with millions of tracks from all four major labels (and some indies, too), a web-based player, as well as the ability to store purchased music remotely and offline for “registered devices.” Whereas, the subscription version builds upon those gratis goods by adding personalized radio stations, free streaming and an iTunes-like “Scan & Match” feature to the mix for $10 monthly.

Ever cognizant of the already crowded digital music platforms provided by rivals, Samsung’s tricking out this stateside debut with some goodies for the curious: a 30-day trial and one free album of their choosing. It’s a nice incentive, for sure, but with so many already entrenched in the musical realms of rivals — iTunes, Google Play and Spotify, for starters — adoption of this new ecosystem’s going to be a hard sell indeed. Click on past the break for the lowdown on this me-too, mobile music offering.

Continue reading Samsung Music Hub launches on Galaxy S III stateside with free trial in tow

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Software

Samsung Music Hub launches on Galaxy S III stateside with free trial in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 12:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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