Sprint takes another look at T-Mobile deal
After meeting with various members of the FCC and U.S. Dept. of Justice, Sprint is said to be rethinking its intentions to acquire T-Mobile. As CEO Dan Hess and Chairman Masayoshi Son have learned first hand, the deal would face certain scrutiny and quite the resistance. According to the Wall Street Journal, officials have told the Sprint duo that customers are better served with four national wireless providers, not three. This is not to suggest, however, that Sprint is ready to throw in the towel. We might just be looking at a few more weeks before any more noise is made.
Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
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Themer by MyColorScreen Missing in Action After Apple Complaint
Copyright infringement is never a word that any of us ever like to hear. Whether is be for the look of a device, how an icon looks, some technology or software that is built into a device or any of a million other things that could lead to a claim and/or lawsuit. The powers that be do a fairly great job at finding things and raising red flags and are quick to send out DMCA complaints. The popular Themer App by MyColorScreen is the latest to come under fire in the last week for a DCMA complaint filed by Apple.
Many of you know Themer quite well. It is a n app that lets you sift through hundreds of preconfigured themes for your Android device. Choose the one you like, install it and you are off to the races with a completely new look and feel for your device. It is quite a brilliant app and one that is extremely user friendly, even for the newest of Android users. Apple didn’t go after MyColorScreen for the app, but rather one theme that was in the “Most Popular” category of the app called “Seven”. Apple’s complaint ..
This application violates Apple’s copyrights, in addition to other Apple IP rights. (This app developer’s unauthorized reproduction of Apple’s multiple copyrights may be viewed in-app by first downloading and installing the app, allowing Themer to create widgets on one’s device, and loading the “Seven” theme from the list of the “Most Popular” category under the Browse Themes.)
The end result, Themer is no longer available in the Play Store for download. Obviously MyColorScreen was quick to rectify the DMCA complaint and removed the offending theme from the lists. However, it is now a waiting game to see how long it takes Google to get back around to clearing them and allowing the app back in the Play Store.
Until it does make its way back, don’t go uninstalling it if you happen to have it still. This won’t stop the development of the app of course. The app went from closed beta to open beta in near the end of October last year and is rapidly headed towards v1.0 where it will exit all beta tags.
Source: Droid-Life
UPDATE: We found a letter with various bits of information from the CEO of Themer. Feel free to read through it on their Themer G+ page.
FreedomPop Slashes Unlimited Calling and Text to $4.58 per Month Add-On
FreedomPop has announced the release of an oldy, the Samsung Galaxy S II, for prospective customers to pick up for $169. While that is good news for the Sprint MVNO company, it is just the beginning. They have also taken the cut the cost of the unlimited calling ans text plans in half, now at $4.58 per month.
“With these new pricing plans we are declaring war on an industry that has for too long taken advantage of consumers and only widened the digital divide,” said Stephen Stokols, FreedomPop CEO. “We not only offer 12 months of comparable service for the price of 1 month, but all the billing complexity that frustrates users is gone. There is no need for an annual contract when the total annual cost is under $100.”
Demand for the what the MVNO company is offering is skyrocketing. Nearly half a million users signed up for the beta invites that went out in October. They now offer a bring your own device plan and are planning to bring in more devices, and some LTE devices, later this quarter with plans to expand past Sprint only service and be able to pass through a second carrier. No word on which company they might be in talks with right now. T-Mobile is a likely candidate though.
I haven’t investigated FreedomPop too much. I do know that the unlimited calling and text package was a value add-on for the free 500MBs data service that they offer currently. Letting you have access to 500GB of data a month for no charge at all, with the exception of the upfront cost of a dongle or hotspots device. After reading through the source and the press release I am also finding out that another add-on lets you roll over any data not used for $3.50 a month.
Anyone out there have any experience with any of the FreedomPop service? How is it? Does it work out for your needs?
Source: FierceWireless 1 & 2
LG cuts the price of its curved OLED TV to a vaguely reasonable $7,000
The US price of LG’s first curved OLED TV dropped from $15,000 to a slightly less stratospheric $10,000 late last year, but that five-digit sticker was still bound to scare away all but the richest buyers. It’s a good thing, then, that LG has cut the 55-inch set’s price a second time. You can now pick up the curved screen for $7,000 — or rather, $8,000 plus an instant $1,000 rebate. It’s not a great bargain when you can buy a larger 4K display for less, but those who insist on having an exotic-looking TV in the living room will likely appreciate the savings.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, LG
Via: CNET
You can now play most embedded YouTube videos on your Chromecast
You no longer have to jump through hoops to stream embedded YouTube videos through your Chromecast. Google has quietly rolled out support for sending most web clips to its media stick, regardless of the site they’re on; you just need to choose the device as your playback target. About the only clips that won’t work on the Chromecast are live streams, private footage and desktop-only videos. If you’re looking for an excuse to test the new feature, you can check out a highly relevant sample video below.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD, Google
Via: Android Police
Source: Google Support
Nokia is reportedly unveiling its low-end Android phone this month
If you’re eager to get an officially sanctioned glimpse at Nokia’s rumored Android cellphone, you may not have to wait long. Sources speaking to the Wall Street Journal claim that Nokia will unveil the low-end handset, currently nicknamed Normandy, at Mobile World Congress later this month. The tipsters haven’t shed new light on the hardware itself, but they support beliefs that the device’s customized interface will revolve around Microsoft and Nokia services while stripping out Google content. If the leak is accurate, Microsoft may be in an awkward position once it closes its acquisition of Nokia’s phone business — it might have to sell a phone using the very platform it has been trying to destroy.
[Image credit: @evleaks, Twitter]
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Nokia
Source: Wall Street Journal
Verizon will offer Google’s Nexus 7 tablet starting this Thursday
As reported yesterday, Google’s Nexus 7 tablet will soon become available on Verizon Wireless with support for the carrier’s LTE network. And soon means very soon; the 7-inch Android slate will go on sale at Verizon this Thursday, February 13th, with the 32GB model priced at $350. Apparently, the Nexus 7 will also be available on a two-year contract for $250, though only for a limited time. If you already own a 2013-edition Nexus 7 — as many of us do; it did come out almost six months ago — you’ll be able to access Verizon’s LTE network once you’ve downloaded the latest software update. Adding the tablet to your plan will cost $10 per month.
Filed under: Tablets, Mobile, Google, Verizon
Via: The Verge
Source: Verizon Wireless
Apple’s iTunes Radio Streaming Music Service Launches in Australia
Apple has launched its iTunes Radio streaming music product in Australia, the first non-U.S. country to get the service after it was launched alongside iOS 7 in September. It was reported in October that Apple was looking to launch iTunes Radio in the U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand in early 2014.
Apple today announced iTunes Radio™ is now available to music fans in Australia. iTunes Radio is a free Internet radio service featuring over 100 stations and an incredible catalog of music from the iTunes Store, combined with features only iTunes can deliver. When you tune into iTunes Radio on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, PC or Apple TV, you’ll have access to stations inspired by the music you already listen to, Featured Stations curated by Apple and genre-focused stations that are personalized just for you. iTunes Radio evolves based on the music you play and download. The more you use iTunes Radio and iTunes, the more it knows what you like to listen to and the more personalized your experience becomes. iTunes Radio also gives you access to exclusive “First Play” premieres from top selling artists, plus the ability to tag or buy anything you hear with just one click.
Apple’s Eddy Cue has said that launching iTunes Radio worldwide is a top priority for the company, with Apple ultimately aiming to have the service “in more than 100 countries.”
iTunes Radio is ad-supported but iTunes Match subscribers (AU$34.99/year) get to use the service ad-free. The service is available on all iOS 7 products in the Music app.
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New Apple TV Hardware References Found in iOS 7 Software Builds
Recent rumors have indicated Apple is planning to release a redesigned set-top box in the near future, and hints of the new hardware have already appeared in iOS 7 software builds, according to 9to5Mac and developer Hamza Sood.
There is a reference to the AppleTV4,1 listed in the iOS 7 Apple TV framework that handles AirPlay. AppleTV4,1 does not correlate to an existing Apple TV device, thus pointing to new hardware.
The current Apple TV (which was tweaked in 2013) is listed internally as AppleTV3,2, while AppleTV3,1 refers to the 1080p device released in 2012. AppleTV2,1 references the first ios-based Apple TV released in 2010.
According to 9to5Mac, references for AppleTV4,1 first appeared in the original version of iOS 7 released in September, but were not discovered until recently. AppleTV4,1 appears to be a reference to an entirely new device that is more than just an iterative update to Apple’s existing set-top box.
An updated Apple TV has been expected for quite some time, as Apple’s last refresh of the device was a minor tweak last year that saw the device upgraded to a smaller A5 chip. The device has otherwise retained the same look and functionality since the third-generation Apple TV was released in March of 2012.
Rumors have suggested that the revamped box might include game support, an Apple TV-based App Store, and support for Bluetooth controllers. Apple is also said to be testing a set-top box that combines the Apple TV with wireless router functionality and the company may also be testing a version of the device with a TV-tuner component allowing users to pull in content from their existing cable boxes, overlaying channels with an Apple interface.
Recently, Apple revised its online storefront to give the Apple TV greater prominence, suggesting it has moved past the “hobby” status that Apple executives have long assigned it. Over the course of the last several months, Apple has worked hard to boost the content it offers on the Apple TV, adding a number of channels including ABC, Bloomberg, Crackle, KORTV, Redbull TV and The Beatles channel, which was just added today.
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Plex for Android app on Sale for 50% Off
If you have been on the fence about picking up the Plex app and giving a go, now is a good time to go ahead grab it. Plex has just put the Plex for Android app on sale for 50% off. That takes it from the normal $4.99 down to just $2.49. With the app and the associated free Plex Media server, you can easily stream all your videos, music and pictures from your computer to your Android device.
The standard Plex app gives you a ton more than just streaming your own content. You can easily share the media with friends and family, access online channels such TED, Revision3 and TWit and que up online videos from Vimeo and YouTube to watch later.
While the media server and the app on your device is one powerful combination, a Plex Pass subscription is easily the best way to go. With 3 different options, Monthly for $3.99, Yearly for $29.99 or a Lifetime for $74.99. The Plex Pass subscription takes the Plex for Android app out of the equation and offers you the Plex Pass app for free. With Plex Pass you gain Chromecast support (which will come to the regular PLex for Android app at a later date), Plex Sync, CloudSync, Early access to new features and multi-user control. Plus a whole lot more.
If you are undecided on what you want to do, that is ok. Pick up the Plex for Android app while it is half off, install the media server and give it a run for a little while. I personally have a lifetime Plex Pass subscription and have the app on my Google TV box, both tablets and my phone. I use it daily and it is one of the reasons I was able to cut the cord on cable so many years ago.
Plex for Android app
Price: $2.49 on sale from $4.99
AIVAnet 