net neutrality
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Sorry, guys, you didn't actually crash the FCC website (update: FCC responds)
The only thing more charming than John Oliver's 13-minute net neutrality explainer? The idea that we, his viewers, managed to crash part of the FCC website because we submitted too many comments about its proposed net neutrality regulations. In fact, though, while Oliver did indeed send fans to FCC's comments page, and though the site did indeed collapse soon after, it appears the comedian and his band of trolls aren't to blame. In a statement to Vice, the Federal Communications Commission confirmed that it was actually hackers who took down the site, using a database denial-of-service attack. In layman's terms, that means they were able to get at the infrastructure of the site -- not surprising, considering the FCC's comment system is 17 years old (yikes). The irony, of course, is that the attack temporarily made it impossible for anyone to leave a comment. Fortunately, the problem seems to be fixed, so head here if you didn't get your say in the first time around -- the site might be old and creaky, but it can probably handle a few of you complaining at once. Update: An FCC spokesperson contacted us to say its statement to Vice about the recent site crash was misconstrued. The commission says it has no evidence of a malicious attack; if anything, a high volume of traffic caused the collapse (precisely because of the aging website infrastructure we mention in our story). Now, does that mean John Oliver incited a crash after all? The FCC says it has no way of proving that, but we suspect many of you are convinced anyway. Update #2: Vice says it confirmed with a "high-level FCC source" that the FCC site suffered a database denial-of-service attack. The publication stands by its story.
Engadget Daily: life with self-driving cars, the world's largest video game collection and more!
Today, we investigate the pros and cons of self-driving cars, uncover some of the most intriguing devices from Computex 2014, celebrate Tetris' 30th birthday and learn about the world's largest video game collection. Read on for Engadget's news highlights from the last 24 hours.
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.
Engadget Daily: new features in iOS 8, Apple invades the connected home, and more!
Today, we explore Apple's push into the connected home, uncover a few lesser-known iOS 8 features, take a look a net neutrality and go hands-on with ASUS' Llama Mountain reference tablet. Read on for Engadget's news highlights from the last 24 hours.
Engadget Daily: Flip-phones in Japan, what you need to know about net neutrality and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Shocker: The telcos are not pleased about today's net neutrality vote
Earlier today, the FCC voted in a 3-2 split to move ahead with plans for fresh net neutrality rules. All told, this new set of proposed regulations differs somewhat from the commission's first proposal, which was shot down by a federal court earlier this year. In brief, the FCC wants to impose a "no blocking" rule, and is calling for a "fast and robust" performance baseline. Meaning, even if a company like Comcast wanted to charge Netflix for faster service, it would still have to deliver adequate speeds even for websites that weren't in the fast lane. Speaking of, these new rules do indeed allow for so-called fast lanes, though again, it's unclear how slow the "slow lane" will be. Finally, FCC chairman Tom Wheeler is also calling for an ombudsman to investigate complaints of abuse on the part of ISPs. As you can imagine, internet service providers aren't happy about that last one. Or any of it, really.
FCC votes in favor of new Net Neutrality rules, leaves room for 'fast lanes'
Five months ago, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals came down hard and essentially neutered 2010's Open Internet Order. Today, the FCC voted -- in a split decision along party lines -- to try again with a proposal for new Net Neutrality rules. Nothing's set in stone yet (the final vote on the matter will take place later this year) and that's a good thing: It sounds like the FCC could use as much input as it can get.
Feedback Loop: Running with watches, dissing on games and unpacking net neutrality
Welcome to Feedback Loop, a weekly roundup of the most interesting discussions happening within the Engadget community. There's so much technology to talk about and so little time to enjoy it, but you have a lot of great ideas and opinions that need to be shared! Join us every Saturday as we highlight some of the most interesting discussions that happened during the past week. The weekend is finally here! More importantly, it's time for the latest edition of Feedback Loop. This week, we ask some questions about net neutrality, look for recommendations on running watches, talk about the worst video games we've ever played and share some of our favorite characters we've encountered. You can read all this and more past the break.
Engadget Podcast 394 - 4.25.14
Ben and Terrence are serving up a big bureaucratic burrito this week, chock full of net neutrality, legalese and corporate self-interest. To help you digest this gut-buster of a mind meal, we've enlisted Engadget's Editor-in-chief and self-proclaimed armchair attorney Michael Gorman. It's refreshing to know that the Supreme Court is having an intelligent discussion about Aereo's conflict with the big wigs in broadcast TV, but the outcome is anyone's guess at this point. As always, laws are laden with doublespeak and nebulous terms, leaving lots of wiggle room for greedy corporations that favor the bottom line over customers desires. Please join us for this week's lawyerly edition of the Engadget Podcast. Hosts: Terrence O'Brien, Ben Gilbert Guest: Michael Gorman Producer: Jon Turi Hear the podcast:
The Engadget Podcast is live at 12PM ET!
When last we left our intrepid heroes they were changing all their passwords and wondering what weird gimmick would being the crux of their next smartphone. But, this week, they've got bigger fish to fry. The FCC, China, Russia, the Supreme Court... basically the whole f'ing world! As usual the fun all starts at 12PM (ish) ET. So click on through past the break, sit back, relax and forget about your troubles. It's Friday, after all.
Apple, Comcast, and net neutrality
Last night, the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple may be courting Comcast for a streaming TV service that would deliver content from the cloud to an Apple set-top box. The report notes that Apple's (alleged) plan would be for its video content to get priority treatment from Comcast to the customers, and that suggestion has run afoul with net neutrality advocates. Again, any details about the talks between Apple and Comcast, the largest communications company in the world, are entirely speculative at this point. But if the rumors are real, this is how Apple and Comcast could skirt the argument of net neutrality while still offering content with a higher priority than, say, your standard access to the web: First, Apple's service would be separate from the rest of the internet once it reaches what is called the "last mile." The last mile is the term cable companies use for the path your service takes from the the company's facilities to your home. If the WSJ report is accurate, Apple wishes for its streaming content to be carried independently of the public internet. A cable line isn't like a water pipe -- where a single stream is pushed through at once -- but more like a multi-lane highway. In this analogy, you might have a lane (or several) for public internet, a lane for cable phone service, and a lane for video on-demand. These are considered separate services, and as such they don't violate what most people consider to be neutral delivery of the internet. Comcast would, in theory, handle Apple's content the same way, sending it separately from public internet, cable TV, and phone services. This is different from the recent deal between Netflix and Comcast -- where Netflix agreed to pay Verizon to ensure congestion doesn't hamper Netflix content on its way to you -- because Apple's content wouldn't be actively competing with your public internet service. Of course, the end result is still the same: Apple's content is given its own lane on the broadband highway and the service is, hopefully, as perfect as it can be thanks to a deal between the two companies. So should net neutrality advocates be worried? It's hard to say. Apple is in a position to score a deal like this thanks to how massive and successful the company is, and other streaming services -- left jostling for position on the public internet -- would be at a disadvantage. However, unless Comcast took measures that hampered those competitors, the net neutrality argument doesn't quite fit.
Netflix to pay Comcast for better connection and speed [Update]
Pretty much every contemporary gaming machine - be it a tablet, smartphone, console, handheld or PC - has the ability to connect to the internet for streaming media content. If you're using such a device to watch Netflix on a Comcast network, your speed and stability should see a bump in the near future. Netflix and Comcast have announced a new joint partnership in which Netflix will pay the internet and cable service provider for direct access to its broadband systems. Netflix previously worked with a middleman company called Cogent through which they bought their bandwidth, but now that company has been cut out of future proceedings. The Wall Street Journal reports that the deal was originally struck in January, but it wasn't until today that the companies released a joint statement confirming the new relationship. January was also when a Washington, DC appeals court voided the anti-blocking and anti-discrimination rules that the FCC used to enforce net neutrality, which you can read more about thanks to our friends at Engadget. Update: To clarify, although the net neutrality ruling and Netflix/Comcast deal both occurred in January, the two are separate affairs. The Netflix/Comcast deal is a paid peering agreement securing Netflix's access to Comcast's network, but the deal does not grant them preferential access. The story's text has been changed to reflect this. [Image: Netflix]
Following court defeat by Verizon, the FCC will rework its net neutrality rules
More than a month after the bulk of its net neutrality rules were struck down in a case against Verizon, the FCC has announced that it will not appeal the ruling. The court decision was a significant victory for Verizon, as it essentially validated the company's right to favor some types of internet traffic (and services) over others, leaving it free to block or slow down websites such as Netflix. Though the FCC won't appeal the ruling, a spokesperson said chairman Tom Wheeler will work to establish new rules that prevent service providers like Verizon from charging companies a fee to get the highest performance speeds. These rules would work around the issue that got the FCC into a bind in the first place: its classification of broadband providers exempts Verizon and others from certain regulations that apply to wireless communications carriers. A reclassification of broadband may not be on the table, but new language would strengthen the organization's authority in regulating the industry. The FCC's new rules will reportedly debut in late spring or early summer of this year.
The FCC is working on a plan to fix net neutrality, save the internet
Remember when Verizon skewered the FCC's net neutrality rules? It may have won the battle, but Tom Wheeler doesn't believe that the carrier has won the war. The FCC chief has let slip that he's working on a plan to reinstate provisions for a free and open internet in the near future. He's backed by five Democratic senators, who are urging the head to be swift in restoring balance to the force US communications business. The belief is that, in order to get around the loophole Verizon used to such good effect, the commission will simply reclassify broadband providers as common carriers, liable to the same regulation covering phone companies. It wouldn't go down well with Big Red and the like, but at least it'd hamper their evil plans to penalize you for that Netflix subscription.
Daily Roundup: Sony Xperia T2 Ultra and E1, court blocks parts of FCC net neutrality rules and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Iran seemingly lifts restrictions on Facebook and Twitter access
It hasn't been outrightly confirmed by the government of Iran, but at least some within the nation's borders are now able to access both Twitter and Facebook. For those keeping score, public access to the networks has been banned since 2009, shortly after the reelection of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Iran's new president, Hassan Rouhani, seems fairly convinced that Iran itself should not be restricting its citizens to information available via social channels, and a number of trusted accounts -- including Rouhani himself along with The New York Times' Thomas Erdbrink -- have tweeted in recent hours without the use of a proxy. It's unclear whether the lift is intentional, or if it's scheduled to remain permanently, but we're obviously hoping it's a sign of meaningful change.
French regulator moving forward with Verizon / AT&T interconnection investigation
When you think about it, does anyone really know what's going on behind the scenes of the internet? While you're attempting to figure out how "42" is the obvious answer to that, French regulator ARCEP is moving ahead with an investigation into Verizon and AT&T. Specifically, the two have failed in an attempt to block the aforesaid entity from investigating interconnection agreements. For those unaware, these types of deals are widely viewed as being able to undermine net neutrality, and we've seen the FCC look into similar matters here in the United States. The long and short of it is as follows: with high-bandwidth services growing rapidly, ISPs far and wide are contemplating the move to extract additional revenue out of backbone providers by charging them to deliver heavy traffic to end users. It'll be interesting to see what ARCEP digs up -- something tells us the findings will be known well beyond the borders of France.
Free Press launches petition site against AT&T in the name of Net Neutrality
In the face of mounting pressure from Net Neutrality groups and threats of FCC complaints, AT&T recently unblocked use of Apple's FaceTime for some of its user base. Unfortunately, customers on unlimited data plans are still unable to use the popular chat feature over AT&T's cellular network. In response, Free Press has launched an initiative to allow customers to speak out against the practice. The site, which carries a banner boldly declaring "AT&T: Your World. Blocked," allows users to submit their name, email address and zip code to the growing list of disgruntled web denizens. At the time of this writing, the site already has more than 6,600 comments in the name of Net Neutrality.
EU stands with the US against proposed ITU internet changes: 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'
While Russia and some African, Asian and Middle Eastern countries want to tax foreign content providers and track web-based traffic, the EU has formed a bloc with the US to kibosh any such changes. The showdown will happen at the ITU in Dubai next month, during a meeting of the 193 member countries. All 27 EU states are stolidly opposed to the changes (though many of its network providers aren't), some of which were leaked from a draft Russian document proposing more control over traffic entering its networks. Other nations like Cameroon said that Google and other content providers should pay to have their traffic routed to the nation, which it said would help pay for network expansion there. But the European Commission believes "there is no justification for such proposals," that the internet functions fine as is and "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." The EC added what others were likely thinking, namely "some countries treat this as a euphemism for controlling freedom of expression."
Telia scraps plans to charge extra for mobile VoIP in Sweden, hikes overall rates in compensation
Telia raised hackles in March when it proposed charging Swedish subscribers extra if they wanted to use voice over IP. On top of the net neutrality issues, the proposed price premium would have been a slap in the face to Skype, the country's homegrown VoIP pioneer. While Telia's Spanish subsidiary Yoigo has no problems with such a split, Telia itself must have had a change of heart: as of now, all regular plans will continue to treat internet telephony as just another set of data packets. Only a new, ultra-basic Telia Flex Bas plan excises the option. Unfortunately, most everyone will have to pay the price for equality -- new subscriptions will have their data plans "adjusted" to compensate for increasing data use, and those paying daily will see their maximum rates jump from 9 SEK ($1.40) to 19 SEK ($2.90). As painful as the price hike might sound, however, we'd still endure it to avoid carving the mobile internet into pieces.
