SoftBank CEO Critical of U.S. Wireless Market

SoftBank CEO and Sprint Chairman Masayoshi Son spoke to lawmakers today about the state of the U.S. wireless market. According to Son, the networks aren't fast enough and consumers are paying too much for them. "American consumers use less data traffic, but pay more. Is that a good situation?" posed Son. Son pitched the idea of entering the home broadband market as an alternative for consumers to companies such as Comcast, Time Warner, AT&T, and Verizon. "We need an alternative. I would like to volunteer, we would like to be the alternative," said Son. "We got the technology, we have to deploy many cells, it requires a lot of capital expenditure, it requires a lot of scale. We are bringing new technology to the States. Speed matters, with better speed we can bring next-generation applications and content." Son hopes his remarks help change the minds of those who might otherwise shoot down Sprint's possible acquisition of T-Mobile.

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T-Mobile Files Cease and Desist Against Verizon Over Ads

T-Mobile today said it has taken legal action against Verizon Wireless for what it claims are misleading advertisements. Verizon has run a series of TV commercials that pit the nation's four largest network footprints directly against one another via coverage maps. According to T-Mobile, Verizon is minimizing T-Mobile's actual coverage. "Verizon's ink blots massively understate our coverage and don't begin to represent the actual customer experience on T-Mobile's network," said T-Mobile CEO John Legere. "So we're setting the record straight - both by demanding an end to the misinformation, and by going straight to the people with the truth." T-Mobile filed a cease and desist demanding that Verizon halt the network map advertising campaign. It accuses Verizon of "cherry-picking a single network technology to depict in its ads rather than accurately reflecting the many technologies widely in use today." T-Mobile is launching a new ad campaign of its own in order to combat Verizon's ads.

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Apple Releases iOS 7.1 with Bug Fixes and New Features

Apple today made iOS 7.1 available to iPhones, iPads, and iPods Touch. The operating system update resolves a significant bug that soft reset iOS devices when being used. iOS 7.1 also adds support for CarPlay, Apple's recently-announced in-car software. The update tweaks the behavior of a wide range of functions, such as the ability to control Siri manually by pressing and holding the home button. Siri gains more natural-sounding voices for Chinese, UK English, Australian English, and Japanese. iTunes Radio was improved with new placement of the search bar, and the ability to buy albums directly from the Now Playing screen. The Calendar app gains the ability to display events in the month view, as well as view country-specific holidays. Accessibility has been improved with a bold font option, and the Reduce Motion function now applies to more apps, including weather and messages. iOS 7.1 also adds new HDR camera tools, improves iCloud Keychain support, automatically clears FaceTime calls, improves Touch ID on the iPhone 5s, improves performance of the iPhone 4, and provides other UI teaks. iOS 7.1 is free to download from Apple.

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Straight Talk Now Selling Nano SIM Cards

Straight Talk, an MVNO that runs a bring-your-own-device service, is now offering nano SIM cards. Nano SIMs are the smallest SIM cards available, and fit devices such as the iPhone 5/5s/5c, Moto X, and select Droids. The nano SIM cards cost $6.99. Customers can buy the SIM cards directly from Straight Talk and use them in unlocked GSM handsets. Service plans for smartphones start at $45 per month and include unlimited voice minutes and messaging, and 2.5GB of high-speed data. Straight Talk's service runs on the networks of both AT&T and T-Mobile around the U.S.

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Google Lowers the Cost of Google Drive

Google today rearranged what it charges for its Google Drive cloud storage service. Beginning immediately, monthly storage plans cost $1.99 for 100GB, $9.99 for 1TB, and $99.99 for 10TB. Google still offers the base 15GB of storage space for free. Google Drive works across Drive, Gmail, and Google+ Photos. Google said that customers who already pay for storage will be moved to a better plan at no additional cost. Google Drive can be accessed online from Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, as well as PCs.

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Ting Now Supports Apple iPhone 5

Ting, an MVNO that uses Sprint's network, is now allowing customers to bring their own iPhone 5 and activate it on Ting. The iPhone 5 must be a Sprint-compatible version. Ting offers refurbished iPhones through its partner, Glyde. Ting does not yet support the iPhone 5s or 5c, but will later this year.

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Apple Remote App Updated with More Tools

Apple recently updated its Remote application, which lets iOS devices interact with and control the Apple TV. The new version of the app adds the ability to access iTunes Radio on the Apple TV, as well as browse through purchased movies and TV shows directly on the device before playing them back on the Apple TV. Apple Remote 4.2 is free to download from the iTunes App Store.

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SoftBank on T-Mobile: 'We Have to Give It a Shot'

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son is convinced the only way Sprint and T-Mobile can compete against AT&T and Verizon is for the two smaller carriers to merge. Speaking on television with Charlie Rose, Son indicated that even though U.S. regulators have warned such a deal would face stiff opposition, Sprint is going to pursue T-Mobile anyway. "We would like to make the deal happen, but there are steps and details that we have to work out," said Son. "We have to give it a shot." AT&T and Verizon together control two-thirds of the U.S. wireless market. Even combined, Sprint and T-Mobile would be smaller than AT&T and Verizon Wireless by tens of millions of customers. Son said if the deal goes through, he'll launch a price war against the two larger carriers in order to break up the duopoly. Son and his team are actively engaging people in the wireless industry as well as in the government in order to convince them the deal has merit. Only after Son feels he has swayed their opinions will the company make an official bid for T-Mobile.

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Yahoo Integrates Yelp Into Search Results

Yahoo announced that beginning today it will include information from Yelp when users search for information regarding U.S. businesses. Results will include details such as user reviews, general business information, and star ratings from Yelp. The results will be available to searches performed on smartphones, tablets, and PCs. Further, search results will include high-quality photos from Yahoo's partners to enhance the experience.

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Europe Mandates Interoperable Charger for Phones, Tablets

The European Parliament today approved legislation that will require all mobile device makers to use a single, interoperable charger that works with any smartphone or tablet. Europe already requires that all mobile phones use the same charge port (microUSB), and today's legislation expands that to tablets, as well. Individual countries in the European Union have two years to adopt the EU legislation internally, and then manufacturers will have another year after that to comply. Toine Manders, with ALDE Group, said, "This legislation will bring benefits to consumers and will reduce waste." Those who introduced the legislation believe it will save European consumers 300 million Euros annually, as well as cut down the amount of electronic and paper waste. The rules also help to ensure that mobile devices and their chargers don't interfere with one another, while also maintaining Europe's safety requirements. Many manufacturers have already adopted microUSB as the standard for charging their devices, but some, such as Apple, use their own, proprietary ports and cables. In order to comply with European law, Apple now supplies an adapter with iPhones. It's unclear how it will comply with the new laws.

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T-Mobile To Repurpose EDGE Network for LTE Expansion

T-Mobile today revealed more details about the growth of its LTE network. According to T-Mobile, its LTE now covers 210 million people in 273 metro areas nationwide, with its HSPA+ network covering 230 million. T-Mobile said its LTE network will reach 230 million people by mid-year and 250 million by year's end. Right now, T-Mobile is deploying LTE on its AWS spectrum assets. The company today said that it will begin upgrading the remainder of its 2G/EDGE network with LTE 4G. T-Mobile expects about half of its 2G/EDGE network will be converted to LTE by the end of the year, with the rest following by mid-2015. Last, the company said it plans to begin deploying LTE in the 700MHz A Block spectrum as soon as the transaction with Verizon Wireless is complete. Verizon agreed to sell T-Mobile a wide swath of 700MHz late last year. T-Mobile didn't say when the transaction will close. T-Mobile claims to cover 96% of Americans with its network, be it EDGE, HSPA+, or LTE. Once these network upgrades are completed in 2015, T-Mobile will offer LTE in the 700MHz, 1700MHz, and 1900MHz bands.

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Republic Wireless Lands the Moto G

Republic Wireless today announced the availability of the Motorola Moto G. The 8GB version costs $149 and the 16GB version costs $179. Both are sold contract-free, though customers can choose from several different financing options if they so wish. Republic Wireless, which is a Sprint MVNO, uses a combination of cellular data and Wi-Fi to pass VoIP-based calls through the internet rather than through traditional voice networks. It offers several plans. The first includes unlimited talk, text, and data on Wi-Fi only for $5 per month. The second includes unlimited talk and text on Wi-Fi and cellular, and unlimited data on Wi-Fi for $10 per month. The third includes unlimited talk, text and data on Wi-Fi, plus 3G cellular for $25 per month. The G has a 4.5-inch 720p HD screen, 5-megapixel camera, and 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor. It runs a stock version of Android 4.4 KitKat. The Moto G will be available beginning in April.

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Google Wallet Updated with Package Tracker

Google updated both the Android and iOS versions of its Google Wallet app today with one shared new feature. Google Wallet will now provide shipping and package tracking for items purchased using Google Wallet. This feature is already available through Google Now, but has percolated down to the mobile Wallet app. The updates also includes minor bug fixes and performance tweaks. Google Wallet is free to download from the Google Play Store and iTunes App Store.

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Instagram for iOS Updated with Lux Control

Instagram pushed out a minor update to its app for iPhones recently. The only change to the app is improved lux control, which now has a slider rather than a toggle. The slider lets users fine-tune the brightness of their photos. Instagram is free to download from the iTunes App Store.

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FCC Approves AT&T's Purchase of Cricket with Conditions

The Federal Communications Commission today approved AT&T's proposed purchase of Leap Wireless and its assets, including Cricket Wireless. The acquisition includes 4.6 million customers, as well as spectrum, network equipment, and other assets, all of which will be transferred from Leap to AT&T. However, based on the FCC's analysis of the proposal, AT&T has to agree to a handful of conditions. First, AT&T has to divest some spectrum in select markets in southern Texas. Second, AT&T has to deploy LTE on Leap's unused spectrum within three to 12 months after the deal closes. Third, AT&T has to deploy LTE in six Texas markets within 18 months. Fourth, AT&T has to offer certain low-cost rate plans. Fifth, AT&T has to offer a device trade-in program for both smartphones and feature phones. Further, AT&T has to maintain Cricket's current CDMA-based roaming agreements for as long as it continues to operate the CDMA network. Last, AT&T has to divest ownership that Leap has in a competitive wireless telecommunications provider (if Leap doesn't divest them before the deal closes). As long as AT&T does all these things, the FCC believes the proposal will have minimal impact on the competitive nature of the market and will be a net benefit to customers who will eventually gain access to AT&T's LTE 4G network. Neither AT&T nor Cricket has said exactly when they expect the deal to close.

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Bluetooth SIG Looking to Create Profile for Hearing Aids

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group today said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (EHIMA) that will eventually lead to a new profile to connect mobile devices to hearing aids. The groups will use low-power Bluetooth to create a link between devices such as smartphones, tablets, PCs, and TVs with hearing aids. The groups believe using Bluetooth Smart technology can benefit the population of hearing aid users, and allow them to take further advantage of today's mobile technology offerings. The groups will start with a hearing aid profile that allows streaming of audio sources at mono speech or stereo music quality to hearing aids, with other profiles and uses to follow. Working groups are forming now, and the Bluetooth SIG and EHIMA encourage industry players to participate.

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Instagram Overhauls Android App, Improves Performance

Instagram today made a new version of its photo-sharing application available to Android devices. Instagram said that it worked hard to reduce the size of the app and the resources it needs to run, which means it is faster and more nimble on a wider range of devices. Instagram says users' profile screens should load twice as fast, for example. Instagram also said that it simplified visuals and design elements to make them more intuitive to use - while still retaining all the power and features that have always been part of the app. Instagram 5.1 is free to download from the Google Play Store.

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Apple Halves iPhone Return Window, Now 14 Days

Apple recently cut the trial period during which consumers can return an iPhone with no financial penalty. Apple used to offer a generous 30 days, but cut that down to 14 days effective today. The 14-day window mirrors that offered by wireless network operators to sample new devices and service before they are locked in.

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Opera Mini 8 Brings Private Browsing to Feature Phones

Opera Software today released Opera Mini 8, a new version of its browser for feature phones and other devices that run Java, such as older BlackBerries. According to Opera, the new features include a night mode for browsing in the dark, improved data savings reports, and a private browsing mode. The privacy tool lets users hide their browsing habits by deleting the history each time the private tab is closed. Opera Mini 8 also includes an improved Speed Dial start page with redesigned tiles. The browser is free to download directly from Opera.

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Starbucks App for iPhone Updated with Tipping Feature

Starbucks today announced that a brand new version of its mobile application for the iPhone will be available March 19. The biggest addition to the app will be the ability to make digital tips, ranging between 50 cents and $2. Customers will be able to add a tip up to two hours after their transaction, so it doesn't need to be made at the time of payment. All transactions are saved in digital form in the app. Digital tipping will be available at 7,000 U.S. stores. The app also adds a new "Shake to Pay" feature, which will bring up the barcode of the owner's Starbucks Card anytime by shaking their mobile device. Starbucks said the new app includes a number of user interface changes as well, which are meant to make the app quicker and easier to use. The Starbucks app is free to download from the iTunes App Store. The new version arrives next week. Starbucks said similar changes will come to the Android mobile app later this year.

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