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Panasonic, Yahoo, more admit defeat, sign deal with Klausner
It's easy to mock the little guy when he takes a handful of giant corporations to court. Such litigious overzealousness usually gets tangled up or tossed out altogether -- Klausner Technologies, however, is laughing all the way to the bank, with a stellar track record taking on some of tech's biggest names over the past few years. To date, the company has scored wins in visual voicemail patent battles with Apple, Google, Verizon, LG, and Vonage -- the company also struck a deal with Sprint, though presumably with less teeth-pulling. This week, Klausner added four more big wins to the list, inking deals with Panasonic, Yahoo, Qwest Communications, and Avaya in the wake of suits against the tech firms. The company still has ongoing battles with RIM and Cisco that will hopefully stay civil. We'd hate to see someone send a visual voicemail they'd regret later.
Qwest's wireless service says goodnight on October 31
They've taken their time, but Qwest is finally winding down its Sprint-based MVNO offering and kicking subscribers off the last shreds of its network over the next couple months. To be exact, every last customer will have be off the airwaves by October 31 -- and to really drive the point home, outgoing calls will be rerouted to customer service for friendly reminders starting next month (don't worry, you're allowed to complete your call after the reminder's over). The good news is that Qwest is waiving ETFs for folks porting away -- they frickin' better be -- and the company has hooked up with Verizon as an affiliate, so you can still work with 'em to manage your wireless life if you're so inclined.
Is Netflix putting caps on computer-based Watch Instantly users?
Depending on your choice of computing platform, possession of dedicated streaming hardware, and love of otherwise forgettable '80s films, Netflix's Watch Instantly service is either a godsend or a gimmick. Regardless, nobody likes arbitrary bandwidth caps, and that's what Riyad Kalla at The "Break it Down" Blog claims to have spotted, finding that Watch streams on his Xbox take multiple minutes to buffer, but that those on his PC (using the same connection) can take hours -- if they work at all. Doing a little snooping he found he was being capped to about 50 KB/sec per download thread on his PC, but if he spawned ten such threads he was able to get over 700 KB/sec. Something, it seems, is issuing a per-thread cap, but is it really Netflix? Or, rather, is it his Qwest DSL line doing a ham-fisted job of managing bandwidth? We've seen similar issues intermittently, but nothing consistent, so we're not quite ready to call this an internet-wide conspiracy just yet, but would love to hear about your streaming experiences lately. Update: Based on the volume of "It's working just fine for me" comments both here and elsewhere it seems safe to say that if there is a conspiracy at work here, it's not Netflix's. [Via Slashdot]
Qwest lights up Verizon offerings
Hey, Qwest customers, ever hear of Verizon? No? Good, because your landline operator would just love to facilitate that little introduction for you. Following news earlier in the year that Qwest would be euthanizing its Sprint-based MVNO in favor of just simply reselling Verizon-branded equipment through its own channels, news has spread that the goods are now available from Qwest's kiosks, retail locations, and telesales line. For the time being, legacy Qwest Wireless subscribers can soldier on if they so choose, but the operator intends to put on the full-court press to get people converted by offering to waive the termination fee (golly, how very kind of them) and hooking up special deals.
Qwest follows up with details on Verizon partnership
After yesterday's revealing of a sweeping new partnership with Verizon, Qwest took an opportunity during its earnings call today to go into detail on exactly what the deal means. The Baby Bell confirmed that Qwest branding will completely go away -- Verizon devices sold will be Verizon through and through, with no hint of rebranded MVNO action like the old setup with Sprint (which, in some cases, had meant Qwest exclusives like the Fusion). They also say that they're looking forward to implementing Verizon's next-gen (read: LTE) network just as soon as it's available, but really, here's our question: just what would Qwest be implementing, anyway? For all practical purposes, the company's doing nothing more than becoming a glorified authorized Verizon reseller; big wigs on the call said that the terms of the deal are "much, much better" than the old one with Sprint, and considering that they won't actually have to go through the daily grind of running an MVNO, it's no wonder. It's still unclear how Sprint customers are going to be transitioned, but we imagine Sprint proper would be happy to take 'em off Qwest's hands if it came down to it.
Qwest makes it official: Sprint out, Verizon in
It looks like the price was right, because that possible deal mentioned by Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg a while back to supplant Sprint as Qwest's wireless provider of choice has now materialized in the form of a gargantuan five-year deal. From what little has been said so far, it seems that the company might be abandoning the MVNO model it currently uses with Sprint and will simply be marketing Verizon Wireless devices through its website, telesales, and in-store channels, giving customers the option of being billed directly by Big Red (how very kind of them!) or having the charges bundled in with the remainder of their service. Also remaining to be seen is how the transition of Qwest's existing Sprint-based customers -- some 800,000 of them -- would be transitioned, if at all. More details are expected to emerge during its earnings call on Tuesday, and we'd imagine current Qwest wireless customers are on the edges of their seats.
House bill proposes ban on in-flight cellphone use
This could -- at least temporarily -- put an end the nightmarish scenario involving you, lack of sleep, and some freakish chatty Cathy plopped next to you by the airline. Lead co-sponsor Rep. Peter DeFazio, hopes the "Hang Up" -- madly clever name here -- bill will stop Airlines from finding yet another avenue to gouge you and maintaining peace and harmony by banning any in-flight calling. Of course, the door will remain wide open for SMS, mail, IM, and other types of electronic conversation, but we're hoping Skype and friends are on the muzzle list, too.
Qwest in talks with AT&T; iPhone possible
I'm a bit late to the party on this one because I just found this Xchange magazine article about Qwest talking with AT&T today. As Qwest considers dumping Sprint Nextel, its wireless partner over the last few years, its talks with AT&T might allow Qwest customers like me access to the iPhone. So why don't I just drop my Qwest service and head full-time onboard the AT&T/iPhone bandwagon right now? Two reasons. First, I'm grandfathered into a sub-$20 500-anytime-minutes per month plan with Qwest and second, I have One-Number service. Never heard of it? It's the best thing since sliced bread. When my Qwest cell phone is powered on, it is my home number. Calls come directly to my cell phone. When I power it down, calls go to my home. One-Number plus iPhone would probably be enough to convince me to drop all the prepaid iPhone minimalism and really jump fully on the AT&T bandwagon. The Sprint/Nextel agreement isn't due to expire for nearly a year but it looks like the AT&T-Apple exclusive agreement will still be in place when it comes time for Qwest to choose its next wireless partner. Here's hoping that it's AT&T.
Qwest looking at dumping Sprint; Verizon a possibility
Qwest runs its regional wireless carrier as a Sprint MVNO -- a venture that has apparently turned out to be an unprofitable one, not just because of the pricing Qwest receives on its minutes, but also because Sprint's exclusivity clauses have left the little guys feeling like they're offering an also-ran lineup (Fusion notwithstanding, we guess, since Qwest launched it eons before Verizon and Sprint still hasn't come to bat on that one). That has left Qwest looking to partner with someone else once its current contract with Sprint expires next year, and Verizon chief Ivan Seidenberg has spilled the beans that it has been in touch regarding a possible deal. Theoretically, a Verizon deal could make it easy for existing Qwest subscribers to stick with their existing handsets since they'd be switching from one set of CDMA airwaves to another, so it makes sense -- but really, with MVNOs dropping left and right and the current venture sucking money into thin air, why would it be in the black a few years from now?[Via Phone Scoop]
Qwest picks up HTC S720 as "Fusion"
If our brief time with the GSM variant (the S710 Vox) is any indication, Qwest subscribers should be pretty freakin' stoked about this. The regional carrier has just picked up HTC's S720 Libra, the CDMA radioed version of the manufacturer's slide-out QWERTY smartphone rocking Windows Mobile 6 Standard. The naming is a little confusing -- Qwest calls it the "Fusion HTC 5800" -- but whatever they want to call it, it's pure gold by HTC and Windows Mobile standards. The spec sheet tells of a 2 megapixel cam, A2DP, microSD expansion, and EV-DO all packed into a pleasantly compact (we know from our experiences with the Vox) shell. Grab it now for two bills on contract.[Via Phone Scoop]
Qwest to resell EV-DO from Sprint
Qwest will be re-selling wireless data access using Sprint's EV-DO network, according to the company. Although subscribers to Qwest's new mobile data plans will be able to take advantage of newer EV-DO Rev. A territories, the plans aren't something that reflect significant discounts over the same service offered directly from Sprint. Although Qwest high-speed Internet customers will receive a $20 monthly discount on this new mobile broadband service (cheapest plan is $70/month), the cards will still set a customer back $50 unless a contract for two or three years is signed (Pantech's PX-500 EV-DO card is free after rebates from Sprint). Value here? There's a little, but it's not night and day or anything.[Via Phone Scoop]
Qwest's pink Sanyo phones for breast cancer awareness
Just like in 2006, Qwest is teaming with Sanyo to bring pink-colored wireless phones to the public while supporting the Susan G. Komen for the cure of breast cancer. A minimum of $50,000 (max of $100,000) will be donated to the Susan G. Komen foundation as Qwest sells the pink-hued handsets through 100 locations in its 14-stare service area. Want something easier? They'll also be available at www.quest.com. Pink Sanyo handsets to be made available include the Katana slim flip and the more entry-level SCP-2400 and SCP-3100 models. If you're in the market for a new Sanyo phone with Qwest and like to support cancer research and outreach programs, this is a great way to do it.
DirecTV testing the broadband over power line waters
While analysts have long questioned how satellite television providers would answer the challenge of cable companies offering up bundled services with such little hassle, both DirecTV and EchoStar have traditionally partnered with DSL providers to tempt users to the dish, but change may finally be on the way. Reportedly, DirecTV's CEO recently suggested that it "may test delivering high-speed internet service through power lines in a major US city within the next year," meaning that broadband over power lines could be comin' down the pike. Notably, the company fessed up and stated that it "wasn't the only one" in talks to get such a plan in action, and while prospective test areas weren't named, the firm did say that it would probably aim for a "top 50 city where you're covering at least half the city." Of course, the talk of mergers was quickly shot down, but it's hard to think that a partnership isn't at least in the cards.
Sprint loses $20 billion government contract to rivals
The US government and Sprint Nextel have hung up their respective gloves and Sprint has claimed a big loss, as the government has apparently kicked Sprint's telecom-providing butt out the door. Sprint, which has provided various telecom services for the feds for 18 years, was displaced by AT&T, Verizon Business and Qwest as part of the largest telecom contract ever cobbled together by the government. The newly-coined "Networx Universal" contract has a period of 10 years and makes provisions for wireless voice, video and data services to 135 federal agency across 191 countries. That's what we call a contract, and a stout one at that. Until then, Sprint may still be in the running for another contract for providing secure, IP and managed network services to the U.S. Government. That contract will be awarded in May, but in the meantime, losing $20B has gotta sting.
Unofficial patch for Treo vulnerability loosed
If you've been a bit paranoid of late after hearing that a blatant security hole was found in the now-deceased Palm OS, help has unofficially arrived. Reportedly discovered by Symantec, the vulnerability entailed a hole that allowed the operating system's Find functionality to be accessed even when the device was set to Locked, allowing ill-willed hackers to sift through text message history, calendar entries, tasks, etc. The hole had been confirmed on the Treo 650, 680, and 700p, but now users of the handsets can rest a bit easier after applying this patch. As expected, the update simply disables the Find feature, which essentially closes off the last remaining security loophole and protects prying eyes from seeing that backlog of steamy Valentine's Day texts. So if you're looking to unofficially patch things up with your Palm, be sure to hit the read link and get that install completed, but we're not the ones to come crying to if something goes awry.[Via PalmInfoCenter]
Qwest offering pink Katana for a good cause
Following up its pink variation on the Sanyo 3100 handset, Qwest is now also offering a slightly more subdued "Cherry Blossom Pink" version of Sanyo's slim Katana handset, just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As with the 3100, 10% of the sales from the phone (up to $100,000) will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which is focused on research and community outreach programs. The phone itself is otherwise the same old Katana handset, weighing a slight 3.4 ounces and packing a 2.2-inch QVGA display, VGA camera, and Bluetooth, but unfortunately lacking EV-DO support. Going pink will cost you the same as the Katana's less colorful brethren, setting you back an even $100 (with a Qwest contract, of course).[Via Techie Diva]
Qwest and Sanyo go pink to benefit breast cancer foundation
Qwest and Sanyo have announced a stylin' -- and more importantly, tasteful -- "Always Pink" rendition of Sanyo's SCP-3100 to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Qwest is committing up to $100,000 of phone sales to the foundation from now through October 31 in support of research and community outreach programs. For what it's worth, the low-end SCP-3100's specs mirror those of its, uh, less pink siblings: 160 x 128 color internal and 96 x 32 monochrome external display, VGA camera, speakerphone, and a promised talk time of up to 3.6 hours. Throwing your support behind breast cancer research and awareness will run you $50 with a 2-year contract; if the 3100 doesn't excite you, two additional as-yet-unannounced models (presumably clad in pink) are promised in the series later this summer. Or, you know, you could always choose more traditional (and direct) means of charitable donation.[Via Mobileburn]
