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How Univision is beating the competition to 4K sports streaming
4K is everywhere. The technology is rapidly making its way into people's homes, in the form of a wide assortment of 4K-ready devices that include cameras, TVs and smartphones. Then there are the Netflixes and Amazons of the world, which are on a mission to make Ultra HD the norm, starting with original shows such as House of Cards and Mozart in the Jungle. But for some reason, the same can't be said about sports. Here's where Univision Deportes and NeuLion, a company that provides broadcasting services to television networks, are ready to step in.
Twitter bots are trying to silence Mexican protesters
Many activists thrive on Twitter, both to get their messages heard and to coordinate their on-the-ground action. However, it looks like there's a growing, sophisticated effort to dismantle Mexican anti-corruption and anti-violence protests through the same social network. Journalists have noticed that Twitter-based bots are trying to drown out Mexican activists' posts, issue death threats and promote counter-protest messages. They've been present as far back as 2012, when bogus accounts backed President Enrique Peña Nieto during his election campaign, but they've kicked into high gear following the September 2014 disappearance of 43 students that sparked a massive outcry.
Uber narrowly evades a ban in Canada's largest city
Uber might be facing its worst nightmare in Europe, but it just got a big break in Canada. A Toronto judge has tossed out the city's attempt to ban Uber (and by extension, other ridesharing services) on the grounds that it's operating without a taxi license. It's all about how Uber takes customers, according to the court. Local laws require that drivers accept communication from passengers looking for a lift, but Uber doesn't do that -- you're simply sending a request that automatically pairs you up with a nearby driver. It's arguably a technicality (the city contends that Uber still dispatches drivers like other cab services), but the decision is enough to keep app-hailed cars moving in Canada's largest metropolis. The Toronto City Council now has to change bylaws if it wants to take Uber off the streets.
Fruit scraps and algae: It's what's for dinner
Supercomputers are dreaming up crazy new ways to cook the food that we have today, but will we eat the same things in the future? For instance, when news of California's drought began to hit, people wondered if switching to a diet rich in insects would be the only way to survive. A variety of factors, most notably the face you pulled when someone suggests insects in place of a McCheeseburger, was why that idea crashed and burned. So what sort of food will we be eating in our resource constrained, population-heavy future, aside from, you know, people? Here's two companies exhibiting at Hello Tomorrow in Paris that have very different ideas on the snacks of 2020.
Apple Watch finally arrives at Apple Stores in two weeks
Apple says the Watch will finally hit its US retail stores in two weeks, and it expects to clear up most of its May pre-order backlog by then, as well. The wearable is also coming to seven more countries starting June 26th, namely Italy, Mexico, Spain, Taiwan, Singapore, Switzerland and South Korea. Folks there will also be able to grab it at Apple's online and retail stores, along with other select upscale outlets. The news is a pretty good sign that Apple is beginning to clear its order backlog, though it emphasized that demand had "surpassed our expectations."
AT&T buys Nextel Mexico to create 'North American Mobile Service area'
AT&T has acquired another Mexican carrier in what seems to be an effort to conquer the continent... well, two of its countries anyway. Ma Bell has snapped up Nextel Mexico for $1.875 billion, shortly after its Iusacell (also a Mexican carrier) acquisition was approved by the country's telecom regulator, Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT). This time around, the IFT quickly approved the sale and transfer of Nextel's spectrum licenses, network assets, retail outlets and subscribers to AT&T, so the carrier can execute its plans ASAP. According to the company's official announcement, it will merge Iusacell and Nextel into a single company for wider coverage and as part of its plan to create "the first-ever North American Mobile Service area." Despite its name, that area only encompasses the US and Mexico, but it will cover over 400 million consumers in both countries once the merged company's up and running. [Image credit: JeepersMedia/Flickr]
AT&T plans to expand into Mexico by snapping up local carrier for $2.5 billion
AT&T has just revealed a new expansion plan -- one that involves crossing the border into Mexico. Apparently, the company's in the process of acquiring Mexican carrier Iusacell for $2.5 billion, which includes the amount needed to pay off the latter's debts. By snapping up this carrier, AT&T's gaining its network infrastructure, licenses, retail stores, 8.6 million subscribers and its potential to grow further. Iusacell's network covers 70 percent of the country's 120 million residents, and Ma Bell hopes it can take advantage of that fact by getting more people to sign up for smartphone plans, now that more and more affordable models are hitting the market. Subscribers will have to make do with 3G connections, though... at least until AT&T decides to expand its LTE service, as well.
Google is bringing Chromecast to Mexico for 699 pesos
We've been enjoying Google's HDMI dongle for awhile here in the US, and now the Chromecast is making its way south. That's right: Mountain View's streaming stick will soon be available in Mexico for 699 pesos (around $50) at Best Buy, Liverpool and Linea stores, as spotted by Android Central. The gizmo costs a bit more there than it does in the States but at least Mexico can finally try out one of our favorite features -- beaming Google Play Music to a home theater system with a few taps on a smart device. If you have any playlist recommendations, leave 'em in the comments below, yeah?
LG's bringing Ultra HD OLED TVs in more sizes to CES, ramping up production
Last year LG and Samsung did battle with their first few commercially released OLED HDTVs, and now at CES 2014 we're moving on to round two. The curved 77-inch Ultra HD OLED shown as a concept late last year will return, this time rocking a model number (77EC9800) and focus on specs (3D, upscaling, apps and processing of 4K video) that makes it seem due for release very soon, along with 55- and 65-inch sizes. It's also showing off a second gen 55-inch curved OLED HDTV (no ultra) that it claims has "more recyclable materials and considerably fewer parts" than its predecessor. While being green is nice, we're most interested in knowing if the 55EB9600 can ship for a price well below $10,000. Flat TV fans will have to live with the same 55-inch "Gallery OLED" from a few months ago (and possibly US release information?), however the most important news will probably not be seen on the show floor. LG closes its press release with word that it's expanding production in a number of countries outside Korea, with plants in Brazil, Poland, China and Thailand already built. Of particular interest to us is a facility in Mexico opening later this year specifically meant to serve the North American market. Now that OLED TVs are a reality the race has moved to who can produce an affordable version, and these new plants will go a long way towards helping LG do that.
LG unveils the Fireweb, its first Firefox OS smartphone (video)
So far, Firefox OS has been limited to ultra-basic smartphones like the ZTE Open. LG is expanding the platform's reach today by releasing its inaugural Mozilla-powered handset, the Fireweb. The 4-inch device is still designed for newcomers between its 480 x 320 display, 1GHz Qualcomm processor and 4GB of expandable storage. However, its 5-megapixel camera is a big improvement over shooters in preceding phones -- this is the first Firefox OS phone with both autofocusing and an LED flash. Appropriately, LG is pricing the Fireweb above its simpler counterparts. Vivo Brazil is selling the Fireweb today for $449 BRL ($207 US) to pay-as-you-go customers, or $129 BRL ($59 US) to regular subscribers. It's now more expensive than LG's cheapest Android device, the $399 BRL ($184) Optimus L3 II. Hop past the break for both a video demo of the Fireweb and details of a Firefox OS market expansion that now includes Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay. Update: We've tweaked the post to reflect that the handset has 4GB of storage, not 2GB as previously noted.
Google Play Music All Access hits Mexico, Canada jealous in most friendly way possible
Another week passes, another country gets Google's blessing for its music locker and streaming service. This time out, Google Play Music All Access is hitting our neighbors to the south, Mexico. Just try not to brag about how awesome streaming 20,000 songs from your cloud library is, amigos -- Canada is still getting the, ahem, cold shoulder from Mountain View.
Boost Mobile now offers unlimited calling to Mexico for $15 per month
We've seen US-based wireless operators offer low-cost calling to Mexico before -- and frankly, creations like Google Voice and Skype have made it cheaper than ever to make a cross-border voice call -- but it's not everyday that you see an MVNO launch a dedicated calling plan to MX. That said, Boost Mobile is today introducing a $15 per month add-on that allows its users to phone up every single landline and mobile number in the country immediately south of America, assuming that it's added on to a monthly unlimited plan. Curiously, the offer is only designed to stand through June 6th, and the company isn't mentioning what that sum will rise to after said date. For those who indulge, that $15 also includes limitless calling to landlines in over 45 nations (including Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Argentina and Colombia), unlimited calling to Canada, unlimited international text messaging worldwide from the United States and reduced calling rates to over 200 other destinations. Of course, this is assuming you still communicate via voice, which may or may not be true at this stage.
Google Play movies now available in India and Mexico
Google Play's book collection opened up in India and Mexico just a few weeks ago, and now Mountain View's movie hoard is available in both countries on the web and through the content's Android app. It's no coincidence that the video service has gone live this week either -- we reckon that Page and Co. would love to see folks pair their new Nexus 7 slates with their favorite flicks. To get your mitts on the application, hit the second source link below. Update: In another addition for Indian users, Gmail is ready to support six Indic languages in featurephone browsers: Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Tamil, and Telugu.
Google Play Books now available in Mexico
Despite going on quite the world tour, Google Play Books hasn't been available as close by as Mexico. That's been rectified: the online bookstore is now open in the country, with both local titles and prices in Pesos. As with some other countries, the expansion also gives Mexicans their first real taste of Google Play content beyond Android apps. Those who have a Galaxy in Guadalajara just need to start browsing. [Image credit: Luis Medina, Google+]
Apple loses 'Ifone' appeal case in Mexico
Apple has lost its appeal case in Mexico over the naming rights to the iPhone in the country, according to the Wall Street Journal. As we reported in November, in 2009 Apple asked Ifone, a Mexican telecommunications company which registered its name in 2003, to change its name to avoid confusion. The company refused and Apple sued it, saying Ifone had lost its naming rights due to letting the brand lapse. Apple lost its request in court and was subsequently counter-sued by Ifone for damages. Ifone then also sought to cease sales of any iPhone-branded Apple product, which prompted Apple to file its injunction. According to the Wall Street Journal, "The [Mexican] Supreme Court this week rejected Apple's appeal against the decision at the request of Ifone. Ifone's corporate lawyer Eduardo Gallastegui said the decision frees the company to continue with its claims, already submitted to the Industrial Property Institute IMPI, for damages resulting from the use of its name by Apple and by three Mexican mobile phone service providers: America Movil unit Telcel, Spain's Telefonica SA and Grupo Iusacell." There is no word yet on how this will affect Apple's ability to sell its iPhone in Mexico. However it's possible that the two companies will come to a financial agreement that benefits them both.
Apple's claim to iPhone trademark in Mexico gets a nail in the appeals coffin
Apple's already lost hope for exclusive rights to the name "iPhone" in Brazil, and now it's been defeated in another battle south of the border. Cupertino and Mexican company iFone S.A. have a long history, stretching back to 2009 when Apple tried to have the firm's "iFone" trademark revoked. The electronics giant claimed that the mark had expired since it was registered in 2003. However, the Wall Street Journal reports that a Mexican federal court ruled last year that the small company's claim to the name was valid, and that Cook and Co. can't make it their own. Now, Mexico's Supreme Court has put another nail in the coffin, upholding the previous decision. iFone intends to seek some coin in the form of damages, but all is not lost for Apple: it still has two trademarks to the iPhone moniker in the country and can keep selling its hardware.
Surface RT coming to six more countries in late March, Pro in the 'coming months'
Microsoft's Surface is continuing its global retail rollout, expanding its reach well beyond the western hemisphere. In late March the RT model of Redmond's in-house tablet effort will begin popping up in Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore and Taiwan, (though, not necessarily at the same time) adding to the pile of European nations where it's already launched. Meanwhile, the Surface Pro will finally be leaving the Americas and heading for Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, New Zealand and the UK sometime in the coming months. Unfortunately Microsoft isn't getting any more specific about when its full-blown Windows 8 machine will appear in countries other than the US and Canada. All we can do now is await the promised follow up post on the Surface blog for more details about availability. If you're a fan of press materials (even those that don't provide a ton of information) you'll find some after the break.
Nokia Lumia 505 gets official for Telcel in Mexico
Folks, there's a new entry-level handset on the market from Nokia, but no... it's not a member of the Asha family. As expected, the Lumia 505 is now official in Mexico. The Windows Phone 7.8 handset combines a 3.7-inch WVGA (800 x 480) ClearBlack AMOLED display with an 8-megapixel rear shooter that captures video at a rather paltry VGA (640 x 480) resolution. Nokia is uncharacteristically tight-lipped about the chipset within, but it was previously tipped that a single-core 800MHz CPU is running the show. The Lumia 505 includes just 256MB of RAM -- another sign of its low-end aspirations -- along with 4GB of internal storage and a 1,300mAh battery. You'll find quadband GSM support on this one, along with WCDMA access (topping out at 7.2Mbps HSDPA) over the 850MHz and 1900MHz bands. As if things weren't official enough, the Lumia 505 is now sitting happily over at Telcel's website. For the moment, neither pricing nor a release date have yet been established. Stay tuned, ya hear?
Low-end Nokia Lumia 505 gets outed, coming as an exclusive to Mexico
It's not exactly often that our neighbors down south get any handset exclusives to call their own, but according to Guerrero Móvil's Facebook page, there's a Mexico-only Lumia 505 well on its way to Telcel's mobile lineup. Aside from touting an 8-megapixel camera, though, the regional carrier doesn't really reveal any other details -- however, rumor has it this Nokia handset will be running Redmond's en-route Widows Phone 7.8 and come sporting a 3.5 or 4-inch WVGA display with an 800MHz, single-core processor, 256MB RAM and 4GB of built-in storage. Of course, it's still a tad bit early to say these specs are set in stone, but the social network post does note that the WP slab will soon be official, and thus it's only a matter of time before we find out what the Lumia 505 really has to offer.
Google Maps Navigation for Android comes to Mexico
For the past few months, Mexico has been sitting in limbo as far as Google's mapping services were concerned: you could see Mayan ruins in Street View, but you couldn't get directions to them from your phone. Google has redressed that balance now that Google Maps Navigation is reaching the country. Anyone with an updated version of Google Maps on Android can get turn-by-turn directions, traffic and nearby points of interest as they cruise towards Veracruz. Mass transit navigation appears to be the lone (if glaring) omission for Mexican use. While we'd like all mapping options to be available, it's good to know that drivers can more smoothly cross the vast expanses of Mexico City. [Thanks, Luis]
