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FCC Republicans promise to limit net neutrality when 'possible'
If you're worried that the US government will stomp on net neutrality the moment Trump becomes President, your concerns are well-founded. The FCC's two Republican Commissioners, Ajit Pai and Michael O'Rielly, have sent a letter to carrier lobbying groups promising to "revisit" net neutrality rules "as soon as possible" -- that is, once Chairman Tom Wheeler leaves and the right wing gets majority control of the agency. They write that the requirements for traffic fairness and transparency create "unjustified burdens" for providers, and previously said that they intended to "undo" net neutrality and other policies opposed by their party.
Samsung tested its Galaxy Note 7 batteries in-house
The batteries that power Samsung's smartphones (including that Galaxy Note 7), are tested in a lab that's owned by the company. While it tests to ensure its phone batteries are certified by US wireless industry group the CTIA, Samsung's certified lab is housed inside its own testing facilities, unlike the likes of Apple and Lenovo, which get their tests done at third-party sites. (Update: We reached out to more smartphone makers: LG says it tests its batteries overseas, while Huawei tests both internally and externally.) The CTIA audits these labs to ensure personnel are qualified, that testing complies with standards, as well as checking that there is no undue influence from manufacturers.
US telecoms try to kill net neutrality by blocking key rules
The big US telecoms are trying every trick in the book to kill net neutrality, and that includes some very specific tactics. AT&T, CenturyLink and multiple industry groups have sent filings to the FCC asking it to block specific procedures, not the neutrality rules themselves. They want to stop the Commission from both reclassifying the internet as a utility and implementing a standard that prevents providers from "unreasonably interfering" with your internet access. Purportedly, these moves would require "crushing" costs and might chill investments in network upgrades -- arguments we've definitely heard before.
More telecom groups sue to kill the FCC's net neutrality rules
It's clearer than ever that the US telecom establishment really, really doesn't like the FCC's new net neutrality regulation. AT&T and multiple industry groups (all from cable and phone businesses) have filed lawsuits trying to kill the new utility-like rules, claiming that they violate everything from procedural laws to the Constitution. In some cases, the language is eerily similar to the US Telecom Association suit that kicked things off -- the American Cable Association even rehashes language describing the measures as "arbitrary" and "capricious." However the organizations word things, the FCC is definitely going to find out whether its attempt to protect the open internet is as lawsuit-proof as promised. [Image credit: Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images]
Verizon won't fight net neutrality without a little help from its friends
You know that bit at the end of a movie where the defeated villain turns up in the hero's hotel room for some revenge killing? If you do, then you won't be surprised to learn that the telecommunications industry is gearing up to fight net neutrality. This time out, however, it won't be Verizon leading the charge. Instead, trade groups like the CTIA and NCTA will wade into the fight with arms flailing. According to Reuters, Big Red won't lead this battle to avoid "drawing any fire individually." Presumably the company worked out that if you're trying to stifle a law that ensures a free market, you might come across poorly in the public's eyes. Not that that's ever troubled Verizon before, mind. [Image Credit: Pete Marovich/Bloomberg via Getty Images ]
The net neutrality war of words wages on
While you may have been doing a victory lap around your cubicle in the last few hours, not everyone is so enthused about the FCC's decision today. The commission voted to officially classify broadband internet as a Title II public utility, and it's already prepared for lawsuits from service providers. While court proceedings will take time to hash out, a war of words wages on in the immediate aftermath, so we've compiled comments from both sides on the matter.
US carriers make it (somewhat) easier to unlock your phone
If you've struggled with getting your carrier to unlock your phone so that you can easily travel abroad -- or, gasp, switch providers -- today is an important day. As promised, seven US networks (AT&T, Bluegrass Cellular, Cellcom, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Verizon) are now honoring a voluntary code of conduct that, among other things, lets you get your phone unlocked without a big fight. As a rule, carriers will agree to derestrict your phone after you've paid off your device or service contract. You'll have to ask most of them to do it, which could take up to two days. It's easier on a couple of carriers, however. Sprint will automatically unlock SIM-based cellular service on phones bought from today onward, while T-Mobile bundles an app with newer phones that lets you start the process yourself.
Google and Microsoft fight hotels' attempts to block personal WiFi
The battle between hotels and hotspot-toting travelers isn't over just because Marriott settled a complaint that it blocked personal WiFi -- far from it. Google, Microsoft and a US carrier lobbying group (the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association) are opposing a hotel industry petition asking the FCC to let them block guests' hotspots while they're on the premises. Google and its allies contend that the hospitality business is trying not only to make customers pay for expensive WiFi, but also to effectively take control of unlicensed wireless frequencies. Everyone has "equal rights" to use those airwaves, the carriers say.
AT&T says the connected car is the future of the wireless industry
Hot on the heels of AT&T's recent announcement that it would be beefing up its connected car offerings, Ralph de la Vega, who's now the chief executive of AT&T's Mobile and Business Solutions group, chaired a panel at CTIA earlier today to make the case for the internet-enabled vehicle. "The connected car will change the entire wireless industry," said de la Vega, adding that based on research by Strategy Analytics, nearly 10 million "four-wheeled smartphones" will be on the road in just a few years.
Alcatel OneTouch's Fierce 2 and Evolve 2 are now available on T-Mobile
Alcatel OneTouch may have displayed a number of new devices last week at IFA, but it turns out the company is not quite done showing off its goods just yet. Here at CTIA, the company showed us two more handsets -- the Fierce 2 and the Evolve 2 -- both of which were actually announced a couple of weeks ago but are only just going on sale today. The Fierce 2 is the slightly nicer mid-level model while the Evolve 2 is meant to be a budget entry-level smartphone.
Stephen Elop wants to put the 'entirety of the Microsoft experience' in your hands
"Our new CEO is taking us through a transformational phase," said Stephen Elop of Satya Nadella, Microsoft's recently crowned leader, to a rapt crowd at CTIA earlier today. In a talk given during an afternoon keynote session, Elop wanted to convey to the audience of wireless industry press and professionals that Microsoft's not standing still in the face of innovation.
Twitter thinks it's a good fit for the Apple Watch and other small screens
Moments after Apple announced its latest devices to the world, Twitter's President of Global Revenue, Adam Bain, came on stage at CTIA to give his thoughts on the integration of Twitter with that much talked about Apple Watch. Twitter was one of the apps given early access to Apple's WatchKit, and was prominently featured in today's keynote in Cupertino. Not only can you read tweets on your wrist, but tweeted images fill up the entirety of the tiny screen.
The FCC wants tougher net neutrality rules for mobile devices
When the FCC crafted its first set of net neutrality rules, it treated the mobile internet as a young space that needed less regulation to thrive; it only asked that carriers disclose what they were doing and avoid blocking apps. That directive may have been fine in 2010, when high-speed LTE barely even existed, but FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is concerned that this light-touch approach is no longer enough. He's now arguing that cellular internet access should be subject to the same rules as landlines. As Wheeler puts it, a lot has changed in four years. We're now in a "mobile first" world where the data on your phone is at least as important as what you get at home.
Cable companies are reportedly funding fake consumer groups to attack net neutrality
The public wants net neutrality so badly that it broke the FCC's website. But can the weighty voice of the people combat well-funded astroturfing? VICE believes that the nation's cable companies are funding groups that pretend to represent consumers, but are actually just parroting their own stance to shout down the general public. For instance, the outlet has learned that Broadband for America, which describes itself as a coalition involving "independent consumer advocacy groups," and which counts senator John Sununu amongst its members, is actually funded by the NCTA -- big cable's lobbyists. It's the same situation with the American Consumer Institute, another anti-net neutrality voice of the people, which just happens to receive the bulk of its funding from the CTIA, which represents the US wireless industry. Now, what was the thing our grandma told us about astroturfing? Oh right: if you have to invent spokespeople to represent the other side in the debate, you're probably not the good guys.
California's smartphone kill switch bill passes a second senate vote
Perseverance pays off, it seems. Just weeks after California's senate shot down a bill that would require a remote kill switch feature on smartphones, the legislature has passed an amended version of the same would-be law. Senate critics dropped their opposition after changes were made to both give companies more time to implement the technology and explicitly left tablets out of the regulation. Apple and Microsoft are also onside after initially objecting to the measure, too. There's still no certainty that the kill switch will become official and let you disable a stolen phone from afar, but it's now a realistic possibility -- much to the chagrin of big US carriers.
California's smartphone kill-switch bill flops in the state senate
US carriers can all collectively breathe a sigh of relief today: California's mobile kill-switch bill is dead, at least for now. The would have required all smartphones sold in the state to include a remote-kill feature designed to render stolen phones useless. The bill was designed to curb phone robberies by making the crime less lucrative. If carriers didn't comply, the state would have been able to fine them $2,500 for every unsupported device sold. Although the fine would have only been enforceable in California, the bill could have put the remote-kill feature in phones nationwide. In fact, it still might: though the bill failed to garner enough votes to move on to the state assembly, it still has the option to return to the senate in the future.
You can take your Sprint phone to other US carriers next year
If you're with Sprint, you don't have many options for unlocking your phone's SIM card slot; if you can do it at all, you're limited to service on foreign networks. You'll have far more flexibility in the near future, though. The carrier has revealed that it will unlock devices for American use starting with those launched on or after February 11th, 2015. The move will let you use SIM-based features (such as LTE data) on AT&T, T-Mobile and other US providers as long as your device supports the right frequencies. Sprint's prepaid brands, including Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile, will also offer the added freedom.
The TUAW Daily Update Podcast for April 16, 2014
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get some the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the player at the top of the page. The Daily Update has been moved to a new podcast host in the past few days. Current listeners should delete the old podcast subscription and subscribe to the new feed in the iTunes Store here.
8G iPhone 5c debuts in more countries and other news for April 16, 2014
That Mac Pro is still taking its sweet time getting to customers, and the 8 GB iPhone 5c reaches new countries in this morning's news roundup. Apple is now offering the 8 GB iPhone 5c in fourteen countries. Now customers in the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Spain, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Switzerland can pick up the bargain device. The Mac Pro is still seeing significant shipping delays. As of this writing, those buying a new Mac Pro from Apple's online store can expect the device to arrive in four to six weeks. As Computer World points out, the Mac Pro was announced four months ago. The 2012 iMac had similar problems, but its delay was trimmed to one to three days after three months of availability. Apple has agreed to make the CTIA's request for a "kill switch" on its iPhones a reality. Apple won't have to do much work beyond what Find My iPhone already does to reach compliance. The switch, if you will, renders a lost or stolen iPhone useless remotely.
Apple, Samsung and others to adopt anti-theft smartphone kill switch
Apple and Samsung are duking it out in court yet again, but there's at least one thing they (and a host of their smartphone making rivals) agree on: users shouldn't be helpless when their phones are stolen. That's why, starting in July 2015, all of the smartphones those companies sell in the United States will come with an anti-theft tool meant to help keep your data out of the wrong hands. The full list of backers includes the usual heavyweights: besides Apple and Samsung, there's Google, HTC, Huawei, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, along with the country's biggest wireless carriers. Those parties in total represent a tremendous chunk of the American wireless industry, so your next (or next next) smartphone will almost certainly let you stick it to the sticky-fingered. And what, pray tell, would such tools do? According to the CTIA, users will be able to remotely wipe and restore their devices (say, from a cloud backup), and prevent them from being reactivated or used by unsavory types. That seemingly simple move wouldn't just save us all anguish, it could save us a collective total of $2.5 billion a year in replacement costs and insurance fees. It sure sounds like a win for consumers, but some -- like Senator Mark Leno, who sponsored a bill to create a kill-switch for connected gadgets in the Golden State -- think such tools should be on by default rather than requiring users to opt-in. He's probably on to something, but at least all these companies have a few months to iron out the details.
