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UK regulator names Microsoft, Google and others for white space wireless trials
Though rural dwellers are often broadband-poor, there seems to be plenty of companies lining up to serve them in the UK. Regulator Ofcom just announced participants for its "white space" or unused spectrum trials, including Microsoft, Google, Click4Internet and British Telecom. Redmond's going to test WiFi-like services to underserved Glasgow, while Click4internet will assess rural broadband in remote or tricky locations. Google has signed on as a potential database provider, and other use cases like traffic management will be tested by BT and others. Ofcom wants to launch such services by next year and released a blueprint detailing how existing mobile and digital terrestrial TV spectrums could be divvied up. To see all the companies and what each plans to do, check the source.
FFXIV extends free game time (again) after rocky launch (again)
After another rocky start for the revamped Final Fantasy XIV, Square Enix has announced that it will be extending the 14 days of free time by another seven days. "Users who have yet to enter their registration codes will receive an additional seven-day trial should they register before 11.59 pm (PDT) on September 9, 2013." Square Enix said in a statement. "Moving forward, we will continue monitoring the servers to ensure that quality service and support are provided in a timely manner." The servers will be taken down tonight at 8pm EDT with an expected downtime of 10 hours. This downtime will introduce new Worlds to increase the number of concurrent logins allowed for each server.
Judge Koh denies Samsung a retrial following USPTO patent decisions (updated)
After the USPTO decided to take a second look at a bunch of Apple's patents, including the pinch-to-zoom claims later invalidated by the USPTO, Samsung was understandably pressing for a retrial. However, since then the court has certified most of the other IP in question, including the famous claim 19 or "bounce-back" of patent 7,469,381, a lynchpin in the $1 billion judgement favoring Cupertino. As a result, judge Lucy Koh has decided to ignore the Korean company's pleas and press on with Apple vs. Samsung II, meaning that the trial scheduled for November 12th 2013 will proceed as planned. What does that mean for all of us? Yet more legal wrangling and a prolonging of Samsung's California nightmare. Update: The article originally stated that the rubber-banding claim 21 in 7,469,381 was invalidated, but it was actually the pinch-to-zoom claim in patent 7,844,915. We apologize for any confusion that may have caused.
ArenaNet offering GW2 Heroic Edition
You already know about Guild Wars 2's free trial that starts tomorrow. Did you know about the game's new Heroic Edition, though? The bundle includes the base game as well as "a number of digital items ideal for new players," according to an ArenaNet press release. These items include legacy armor, 10 XP boosters, and an 18-slot mithril box. The Heroic Edition will set you back $49.99. Guild Wars 2's free trial runs from August 23rd through August 25th. [Source: ArenaNet press release]
What you need to start playing WoW
So your friends have been talking about World of Warcraft, and you've finally decided to jump in and give the game a try. But when we're talking about a massively multiplayer game with five expansion packs to date, just where does a new player get started? Trust us, it's not as difficult as it seems: we'll walk you through everything you need to get going with World of Warcraft. System requirements World of Warcraft will run on both Mac and Windows PCs, and before you buy the game you should definitely make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements. They're fairly modest, so there's a good chance you're fine unless you're using an older computer.
Facebook to trial PayPal-style mobile payment system (update: more details)
We've had the chance to rent movies and otherwise purchase content through Facebook; wouldn't it make sense if we could sign in to Facebook to buy goods elsewhere? The social network certainly thinks so, as it just confirmed to AllThingsD that it will be trialing a mobile payment system in about a month. The service is reportedly very PayPal-like -- Facebook users with credit cards on file would just have to log in to make purchases inside of a mobile app. Only the flash sale outlet JackThreads is participating in the test at this stage, and there's no mention of when the trial period expires. However, a full-fledged launch is potentially a major advantage for the House That Zuck Built. The payment system would give Facebook both a larger foothold in e-commerce and more insight into what members are willing to buy from advertisers. Update: Our colleagues at TechCrunch have shed a little more light on the subject. They claim that the payment system is more of a complement to existing services than a competitor: it would only fill out the forms for another payment provider, including PayPal. Facebook reportedly sees this more as an extension of its advertising system, as it would both speed up sales and let marketers know when their ads are effective.
Trion offering 72-hour all access Defiance trial for PC users
So that ultra-cheap Steam sale still wasn't enough to get you to spring for Defiance, eh? Well, fear not because Trion is now offering a free trial of its MMO shooter for PC users. The trial includes access to the full game but it is time-limited to 72 hours. Don't delay once you've created your account, either, as the clock starts ticking "as soon as users sign up," according to Trion's press release. There's also an EGO rating cap (200). Finally, you'll be able to carry over all your progress, rewards, and store purchases to the full game if you decide to pony up for the client once the trial period ends. [Source: Trion press release]
Judge finds Apple guilty of fixing e-book prices (Updated)
According to Reuters, US District Judge Denise Cote has ruled against Apple in its big e-book price-fixing trial. The judge found that Apple conspired to raise the retail price of e-books and will now face a trial to determine damages. Update: Both Apple and the Department of Justice have released statements about this decision, according to AllThingsD. Not surprisingly, Apple is disappointed with the ruling and will appeal, while the DOJ is pleased. Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr confirmed the company will appeal and says, "Apple did not conspire to fix e-book pricing and we will continue to fight against these false accusations. When we introduced the iBookstore in 2010, we gave customers more choice, injecting much-needed innovation and competition into the market, breaking Amazon's monopolistic grip on the publishing industry. We've done nothing wrong and we will appeal the judge's decision." Assistant Attorney General Bill Baer writes, "This result is a victory for millions of consumers who choose to read books electronically ... Companies cannot ignore the antitrust laws when they believe it is in their economic self-interest to do so. This decision by the court is a critical step in undoing the harm caused by Apple's illegal actions."
Dish and nTelos start testing fixed LTE broadband in rural Virginia (video)
The test run supplies 2.5GHz wireless internet access to a handful of homes near Afton and Waynesboro, with speeds hovering at a respectable 20Mbps to 50Mbps.
Apple/DOJ e-book price-fixing trial begins today
The Apple e-book price-fixing trial is set to begin today in New York, according to Reuters. The trial begins 14 months after the US Department of Justice accused Apple and five other book publishers of fixing the cost of e-books. In April 2012 the DOJ accused Apple, Penguin, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, the Hachette Book Group and MacMillan of conspiring to fix the prices of e-books in order to break the stranglehold Amazon had on the market. Though the five book publishers decided to settle out of court, Apple has refused to do so. When asked about a settlement, CEO Tim Cook has said Apple was "...not going to sign something that says we did something we didn't do." The Department of Justice is not seeking financial damages from Apple if the government wins the case. Instead they are looking for a legal ruling that will block Apple from making similar arrangements with third-party companies in the future.
Trade panel to look at split ruling in Apple/Samsung patent battle
The International Trade Commission has announced it will take a look at a split ruling made by one of the judges in the long-running Apple/Samsung patent battle, according to Reuters. Specifically, the ITC will review a ruling that found Samsung had infringed on Apple's text-selection process in iOS. It will also look into a decision that ruled that Samsung did not infringe on an Apple patent related to external microphone detection. A new ruling could have important significance to Apple as the ITC has the power to ban importation of products into a country if that product is found to infringe on another company's patents. Reuters says a final decision is due August 1.
UK regulator wants white space wireless service in 2014, starts trials this fall
While there have been white space test runs in the UK, these were private trials that weren't going to get the ball rolling without government help. Thankfully, local regulator Ofcom is of a like mind. It now plans a trial for data on the in-between frequencies this fall, with full-fledged service going live as soon as 2014. The agency expects to settle on the final locations for the pilot after it chooses partners. No, Ofcom can't guarantee that all the stars will align for rural broadband or other long-range wireless projects -- but its involvement at least means those stars are within reach.
Google starts a TV white space trial in South Africa to wirelessly link schools
Google has been a strong advocate of white space wireless as democratizing broadband access: its long-range nature can bring people online when the local internet framework isn't always reliable, if it exists at all. The company is about to illustrate that potential through a new trial in South Africa. A trio of base stations at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town will supply ten nearby primary and secondary schools with internet access to prove that white space access can work without affecting TV signals. To make sure it won't, Google is picking the safest frequencies from a database and is measuring the results for the sake of both nervous broadcasters and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa. If all goes well, it (and similar efforts from Microsoft) should make a case for full approval of white space use across the country and deliver internet access to remote areas that risk being left by the technological wayside.
AT&T Plus trial winding down on March 31st
AT&T has been testing the viability of loyalty rewards through a limited AT&T Plus trial over the past year. Unfortunately, time's up: as you can see in the letter above, the carrier is shutting down the Plus experiment on March 31st, with discounts and fee waivers ending for existing members on May 31st. We wouldn't expect a follow-up in the near future when AT&T isn't moving past the trial level "at this time," according to a spokesperson we reached. Most of us won't be affected when the Plus test has been limited to a handful of areas, but perks are perks -- it's sad to see them go away. [Thanks, Drew]
Tesco experiments with free movie and TV streaming for Clubcard members
Brits who shop enough at Tesco to be on a first name basis with the clerks may soon have a reward that doesn't require leaving home. The UK retail chain is currently testing Clubcard TV, a web-based movie and TV streaming hub that would be a free perk of Clubcard membership. As it exists in beta form, the Blinkbox-derived service won't have Lovefilm or Netflix quaking in their boots: there's a limited slate of mostly family-oriented fare, and Tesco's notion of TV streaming involves the video output on a laptop. While neither is an issue as long as the trial is limited to staff, we hope there's a richer platform by the time Clubcard TV is open to anyone with a lot of grocery shopping in mind.
BBC to try offering shows on iPlayer before TV
We've clearly crossed a psychological barrier to digital media adoption when major content providers are going online-first on a regular basis. The BBC, despite its sometimes stuffy image, is revealing that it's just as eager to break with tradition: it's been given the go-ahead for a trial that will offer content on iPlayer before it appears on TV. The year-long test will offer up to 40 hours of regular BBC shows in advance, with no TV license fee required. While the selection of shows isn't yet public, the offering should be a bolder experiment than usual in showing whether or not iPlayer can serve as more than a catch-up tool or repository for exclusives. Let's hope it does -- we'd like to see online services treated as first-class citizens.
Dutch court says Samsung Galaxy tablets don't copy iPad
Apple hasn't had a lot of success in proving that Samsung's products infringe on its designs, in Europe at least. Last year Apple lost a suit in the United Kingdom accusing Samsung's Galaxy Tab of infringing on its popular iPad design. As a result, the UK judge ruled that Apple had to advertise that Samsung did not copy Apple on its homepage at Apple.com/uk. Now comes news that Apple has lost another case where it alleged Samsung's Galaxy tablet infringed on the iPad's design, this time in the Netherlands, according to AllThingsD: "On Wednesday, a district court in the Hague ruled that Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 8.9 and Galaxy Tab 7.7 don't infringe Apple's registered design for the iPad. While the devices might share a similar rectangular shape with rounded corners, the overall impression they present is different, the court said." Apple has had more luck in the US where it won a $1 billion compensation verdict from Samsung in August.
Amazon stops testing monthly Prime subscriptions, leaves the results a mystery
Amazon's trial periods must be as quick as its shipping -- just days after we first learned that it was testing monthly subscriptions for Amazon Prime, the online retailer has already put a halt to the program. A spokesperson says only that the company has "completed" its testing and has stopped taking sign-ups. We haven't been told whether or not the test was successful, although it's not hard to see the math working against Amazon's experiment when a $79 yearly Prime subscription is unquestionably the better deal. Chalk up the rapid-fire testing to the competitive heat in the streaming video world.
Guild Wars 2 is getting a refer-a-friend free trial weekend
If you have friends that have been on the fence about playing Guild Wars 2 with you, ArenaNet is offering the perfect opportunity to get them in to check out the game for themselves. Starting on Monday, November 12th, players will be able to invite up to three friends to join them in the world of Tyria. The friends can then enjoy a free trial period running Thursday, November 15th through Sunday the 18th, conveniently coinciding with the Lost Shores event. All accounts in good standing created before 2:59 a.m. EST November 7th are eligible to participate. We'll keep you posted as more details come in.
Mastercard previewing smartphone web payment system with in-person security strength
Mastercard is already a big fish in the still tiny NFC contactless payment pond, and now it wants to take that same technology to a veritable ocean -- internet sales. The plastic purveyor is tag-teaming with ING in the Netherlands for PayPass-based smartphone internet payments that would have a "comparable level of security" to bricks and mortar purchases -- by transmitting an EMV-compliant cryptogram or QR code to merchants. That would theoretically make online shopping less risky, and the system would also allow coupons and vouchers to be applied, giving a "similar user experience in both the physical and digital world." The Dutch trial has already started and will continue until early 2013, but there's no word if new users can still jump in -- check the PR after the break to read the tea leaves for yourself.
