LightSquared Files Report, Squarely Blames GPS Industry

LightSquared, the planned satellite-based LTE network meant for wholesale access has filed its expected report to the FCC on the results of its interference testing after missing its initial deadline at the beginning of the month. The results of the report are unsurprising to those with experience with satellite-based communications, but LightSquared’s position on the reasons for its issues will do very little to convince regulators or consumers that the operations waiver it received earlier this year was the right decision.

In its report, LightSquared essentially blames the GPS industry for everything from failing to build proper filters into its devices in order to avoid interference for the past eight years, blocking it from operating the network by filing FCC complaints during construction and initial testing as well accusing the industry of relying on government subsidies by stating that the industry receives the equivalent of an $18 billion subsidy by relying on the Department of Defense’s GPS network instead of using its own infrastructure.

"The interference is caused by the GPS device manufacturer’s decision over the last eight years to design products that depend on using spectrum assigned to other FCC licensees. GPS device manufacturers have been largely uninterested in finding a win-win solution. Rather, their only answer to a problem of their own making is to demand that the government simply block LightSquared from using the company’s own spectrum to roll out the first wholesale-only wireless broadband network for the entire nation. This is a problem that the GPS industry could have avoided by equipping their devices over the last several years with filters that cost as little as five cents each.”

LightSquared has now decided to rely on its backup plan of cutting power output to its cellsites and operating on a lower part of the L-Band that it was assigned that was originally set aside for further expansion, but is still asking for the cooperation of the GPS industry for help in resolving the interference issues while sidestepping how it plans to resolve more issues raised by the FAA and Department of Defense.

LightSquared recently signed a 15 year deal with Sprint that would provide it with the assistance it needs to rollout its wholesale LTE service.

GSM turns 20 today, still rocking the world

Happy birthday, dear Global System for Mobile Communications! 20 years ago today, on July 1 1991, the world's first GSM call was made by Finnish Prime Minister Harri Holkeri. The historic call used Nokia gear on GSM's original 900MHz band. Today GSM is all grown up and ruling the world -- connecting 1.5 billion people in 212 countries and serving 80% of the planet's mobile market. GSM gave us a number of firsts. It was the first fully digital cellular system using TDMA to cram more information into less spectrum and provide better sounding, more reliable calls using less power. It introduced the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), the idea of switching handsets at will (something carriers have sought to subvert by locking phones), and the reality of international roaming. Short Messaging Service (SMS) was first launched on GSM networks, along with packet data (GPRS and later EDGE), which made internet access practical on mobile devices. Eventually, GSM expanded to the 400, 800, 1800 and 1900MHz bands and evolved into WDCMA-based UMTS (3G) and later HSPA and HSPA+, followed by LTE (4G) networks. So next time you're at the coffee shop sipping on that latte while uploading that video to YouTube at 10Mbps using your LTE phone, remember to be thankful for that first GSM call 20 years ago -- that's when the mobile revolution really started.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Today’s Mobile News in Brief (June 30, 2011)

As reported here on Cell Phones Etc. and across the Web, here’s your daily brief on what happened in the world of mobile phones this Thursday, June 30th 2011.

Annual Mobile App Downloads To Jump To 182.7 Billion By 2015, IDC Says
According to a new report from research firm IDC, annual mobile app downloads are expected to jump from just 10.7 billion in 2010 to 182.7 billion in 2015. The company noted that that developers should keep a close eye on in-app purchases as the primary focus for monetizing applications – a far different approach than the standard method of relying on the initial app purchase. “This shift is most evident in the free app category, where in-app purchases allow users to buy a more functional version of the app or to turn on additional features,” the report said.
BGR

Nokia Sells Off Branded Messaging Business To Synchronica
It’s not the rumoured Microsoft buyout of their mobile business division, but Nokia has announced the conditional sale of their messaging business unit to UK-based Synchronica. Pending both regulatory and shareholder approval the deal is expected to close sometime in Q3 and financial were not disclosed. Nokia’s operator-branded messaging (OBM) business has over 6 million users and provides email and IM to 10 North American carriers such as Bell, Rogers, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.
MobileSyrup

How Phones Get Phished [INFOGRAPHIC]
How much do you know about protecting the computer you carry with you every day — your mobile device? As mobile gaming, mobile commerce and mobile computing in general explode, so do the opportunities for mobile exploits. Put simply, tapping the wrong link on your phone can land you in just as much trouble as clicking the wrong link from your laptop or other computer. A phishing attack — wherein a user is prompted by a seemingly legitimate page to enter certain log-in credentials such as PayPal or banking information — isn’t a sophisticated hack that programmatically sifts through your data or bricks your hardware.
Mashable

Apps Fuelling Sharp Growth For Mobile Gambling Industry
There have been great expectations for mobile gambling ever since the days when it was one of the “three G’s” expected to make big money for mobile operators from their 3G customers. The other two were games and girls (i.e. adult content). It seems mobile gambling may be doing rather better from the apps era, at least according to new figures released by bookmaker Paddy Power and betting exchange Betfair this week.
Guardian

Unlocked, SIM-Free Nokia E6 Goes Live On Amazon’s Site For $439
The Nokia E6 saw a $7 price-cut as it became available today on Amazon’s site, listed at $439 instead of its pre-order price of $446. The unlocked, SIM-free phone is available and in-stock, and shipping is free from Amazon. The unbranded Nokia E6 will work with both AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks, and with a pentaband 3G radio on board, the E6 can get 4G support, too.
MobileCrunch

Acer Introduces New Line of Color-Inspired Netbooks for U.S. Consumers

Acer Netbooks, Aspire One Happy 2, stylish netbook

Acer America today expanded its popular line of netbooks to include the Aspire One Happy 2, a series of stylish netbooks in four fun and flavorful colors. With unique names such as “Banana Cream,” “Blueberry Shake,” “Papaya Milk,” and “Strawberry Yogurt,” the Aspire One Happy 2 netbooks bring a new sense of fun and style to the ultra-light, mobile PC experience. 

Sporting a new look, the Aspire One Happy 2 netbook’s cover features a bright and shiny finish with a textured liquid “water ripple” pattern, heightening visual and tactile appeal. Like its predecessors, the streamlined and ultra-compact 10.1-inch netbooks are light and portable enough to tote anywhere and come packed with powerful features and performance to boost productivity. Utilizing the latest Intel dual-core technology for netbooks, the Acer Aspire One Happy 2 series consumes less power, allowing users to stay mobile longer with better battery life. The netbook also provides the computing performance needed to tackle Office applications, stay in touch with social networks and enjoy web-based video.

 

“We’ve made our industry-leading netbook line more personal by giving consumers a wider variety of colors and style treatments,” said Pete Dailey, senior product marketing manager for netbooks. “The new Aspire One Happy 2 offers users fresh and bright color options, while maintaining the Aspire One’s legacy of offering PC productivity for mobile consumers.”

Mobile Performance and Connectivity

Designed for easy mobility and connectivity, the Aspire One Happy 2 netbooks feature the Intel® Atom™ N570 dual-core processor, integrated Intel graphics, up to 8 hours of battery life and fast Wi-Fi connectivity. All this power and functionality comes in a package that is only 1-inch thin and weighs just over 2-1/2 pounds.

 

Supporting power savings and longer battery life, the Aspire One Happy 2 netbook has a 10.1-inch CrystalBrite™ LED-backlit display that saves 22.2 percent power compared with other netbook displays and offers an optimal viewing experience. Further enhancing the product’s usability, it has a stylish white keyboard that is 93 percent of a standard size keyboard for convenient typing on the go.

 

To remain connected, the netbook features 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ and fast Ethernet LAN connectivity. For further communications needs, the line is equipped with a built-in 0.3 megapixel Webcam, delivering smooth video streaming and high quality images for online chats and video conferences. A built-in digital microphone conveys superior voice quality, keeping background noise levels low and minimizing echoes.

 

Rounding out its feature set, the Aspire One Happy 2 netbooks come with 1GB of DDR3 memory and a large 250GB internal hard drive to store plenty of digital albums, music and documents. It also includes Windows® 7 Starter and Microsoft® Office Starter 2010, offering the latest software with the familiarity and compatibility of Windows.

 

Pricing and Availability

The Acer Aspire One Happy 2 Series Netbooks are available now at leading U.S. retailers for a MSRP of$269.99.

 

Limited Warranty

The new Acer Aspire One Happy 2 Series comes with a standard one-year parts and labor warranty, which can be extended to three years with the Acer Advantage service. All Acer notebooks and netbooks are backed by toll-free service and support.

 

V-MODA Premieres True Blood V-80 On-Ear Headphones

V-MODA Blood V-80, On Ear Headphone, headphone, V 80 onear headphone

V-MODA, the authentic music lifestyle brand and manufacturer of award-winning headphones, announced the availability of the V-80 on-ear headphones, part of the V-MODA for True Blood line developed in partnership with HBO. The V-80 is a lightweight, high-fashion headphone that is poised to redefine the headphone industry by fusing life-like 3D sound, timeless materials, ultimate durability and the unique ability to shapeshift its style. 

The V-80 offers a great deal of customization options for True Blood fans. They can choose from a range of designs that showcase their fanatical passion for the show as a badge of distinction. The two iconic V-MODA metal ear shields, on either side of the ear cushions, can easily be switched out to exhibit a variety of options featuring popular images and icons from the show – from the night club, Fangtasia, to the Japanese symbols featured on the Tru Blood beverage. Users can even choose their blood type to laser etch their name into immortality. Active fans, fear not, the V-80 is built to pass the MIL-STD-810G military standard guidelines!

 

The V-80 headphone is the progeny of a select group of legendary producers, DJs and artists who, over the course of thousands of nights around the world and countless hours in studio, added their audio and design expertise to carefully craft the sound and create a headphone for those with heightened and sophisticated senses. The final product is crafted from steel, aircraft-grade aluminum, Kevlar, microfiber suede, 24k Gold, unique textiles and an exoskeleton hard case, all essential elements to its DNA.

At the heart of the V-80 is its patent-pending and biggest-in-class 40mm Dual-Diaphragm High-Fidelity Drivers that deliver multi-driver sound with the efficiency of a single driver. This results in a sinister combination of vibrant bass, a vivid organic mid-range and vivacious clarity on portable devices without the need for batteries. The headphone also offers long-play comfort through a tailored, fashionable fit without unsightly gaps and minimal pressure on the head and ears, the result of relentless research and hundreds of variations to find the precise shape and materials.

 

V-80 features:

Detachable Kevlar-reinforced cables with 24k gold-plated plug

One 3.5mm fabric cable with a one-button remote control and microphone compatible with all iPhone, Android, Blackberry, tablets and all 3.5mm port smartphones

One 3.5mm audio fabric cable for universal audio device compatibility

Distinctive exoskeleton carrying case with an exclusive blood vial zipper, ensuring headphones are protected in style

Two-year V-MODA premier warranty

Immortal Life Replacement Program – 50 percent off lifetime discount to replace consumer-damaged headphones

 

 

“The True Blood phenomenon mirrors the edgy, seductive values of the V-MODA Tribe,” said DJ and Chief Visionary Officer for V-MODA, Val Kolton. “HBO and True Blood were a natural fit with V-MODA in creating a groundbreaking, industry changing product that is a creation of acoustic visionaries.”

 

The “V-MODA for True Blood” line is now available at select retailers, V-MODA.com, http://store.hbo.com , Amazon.com, Newegg.com/ and the HBO Shop located at 42nd St. & 6th Ave. in New York.

 

A New Sight to See with Samsung Galaxy Z

If an iPhone Nano is what you can call a smaller version of the iPhone 4, or 3GS, or something with lesser features, but what do you call a smaller Samsung Galaxy SII? Well, you don’t need to think since Samsung has already created its mini version, not called the SII mini, but a Samsung Galaxy Z. Its specifications, appearance, and performance can be compared that of the SII, just included on a smaller frame. Do not expect to see it pretty soon since the Korean based company plans to have it released in Sweden.

The screen is a 4.2-inch Super Clear LCD touchscreen with standard pixel display of 480×800. It runs on a 1GHz dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2, comparable to SII’s 1.2 GHz dual-core Exynos. The camera can capture pictures on 5 megapixels, which can also capture HD video at 720p. As you may look at the device, you will feel that this is more of a late issued prologue, which is usually seen in movies these days.

Source: GSMArena

Opera Mini and Opera Mobile Introduces Auto-complete and Auto-suggest

Opera today launched new versions of their browsers for mobile devices to make its users’ lives easier.

Search suggestions from Google and Yandex complement smarter domain recognition in this version update. With the Opera Mini 6.1 and Opera Mobile 11.1 browsers, using the Web on your phone is even easier, as the built-in search field will now show suggestions as you type and save you hassle on the go.

The Opera Mini and Opera Mobile browsers not only complete your search queries, they also adapt to your surfing habits. With the new top-level domain learning feature, new top-level domains such as .uk, .ru and .id are picked up by the browser so you can type less, next time around.

Starbucks Merges Their Two iOS Apps, Lets You Gift Your Friends Coffee From Your Phone

Oh, how great it is to live in the future. Sure, we may never explore the galaxy in our personal space cruisers (single tear.), but we can buy our friends coffee without even being at a coffee shop. From our phones!

I’m getting ahead of myself. Up until this point, Starbucks has had two applications for iOS: myStarbucks, and Starbucks Card Mobile. The first let you find nearby stores, explore Starbuck’s menu, view store hours, etc — all the basics. The second, however, was pretty neat: you went to a Starbucks store, bought a gift card, punched that card’s details into your phone, and bam: the Starbucks Card Mobile appbecame the gift card, showing a scannable code that the cute girl behind the counter could scan whenever it came time to pay up.

Today, they’re merging the two apps into one, with the aptly titled “Starbucks for iPhone“. It brings all of the features from both apps into one, with one new cool trick thrown into the mix: mobile gifting. With just a click or two, you can send any of your contacts or Facebook friends an eGift card, which they can in turn use from their iPhone or at starbucksstore.com.

The best part about all of this: next time someone you’ve just met says “Let me buy you coffee some time!”, you can respond by saying “Okay, go ahead!”, and staring at them awkwardly until the eGift alert arrives.