Carrier's Lofty Speed Claims Put to the Test
16 Aug 2011 - 14:37 by soullezz    Industry News |

Between all of the competing technologies (Mobile WiMax, HSPA+, and LTE) and lofty speed claims by the carriers, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. That's why Laptop decided to extensively test the four major carriers in five cities nationwide — using phones, USB modems, and mobile hotspots — to tell you which networks truly deliver on the 4G promise.

Tests were conducted in Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, Orlando and San Francisco. In three locations within each city, every product was tested to find out how quickly it loaded websites, and how fast it uploaded and downloaded files (using both real-world and synthetic tests). In each location, all tests for each carrier were performed during one sitting.

Speedtest.net was used for the synthetic upload and download tests. We averaged 10 test results for each device in each location. To get real-world benchmarks, we downloaded a 155MB file (OpenOffice.org) from our FTP server. We also uploaded a 6.7MB Handbrake file to the same FTP. If it took more than 7 minutes to perform either of these tasks, it was counted as a failed attempt.

THE RESULTS



Speedtest.net results compared


As you can see from the above results, Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network crushed the competition in the Speedtest.net app, a synthetic test that measures throughput. In our five cities nationwide across three devices Verizon averaged 12.3 Mbps down and 4.7 Mbps. T-Mobile turned in a solid 4.7 Mbps average download, but that's 2.6X less than Verizon.



Large file download/upload speed results compared

Verizon's lead wasn't nearly as pronounced in our large file download and upload tests. When pulling down a 155MB file from an FTP server, Verizon averaged 4.4 Mbps. That's 1.35 Mbps better than second-place T-Mobile. We also uploaded a 6.7 Mbps file to the same server, and Verizon finished 670 Kbps ahead of T-Mobile. Sprint and AT&T weren't even close.



Website load times compared

A few seconds here and there doesn't sound like a lot, but over the life of your device it definitely adds up. Verizon Wireless once again proved fastest in our Site Load Time test, averaging 10.18 seconds when loading popular sites on a 4G LTE phone and on a laptop connected to a 4G hotspot and with a 4G modem attached. T-Mobile turned in a good 12.59 seconds, followed by Sprint and AT&T.

VERDICT

There's a reason why AT&T and (presumably) Sprint are moving to LTE. It's a superior technology. As a result, Verizon Wireless' 4G network consistently delivered better speeds than the other big three national carriers in our testing. We'd like to see less dropped connections and smoother 3G-4G hand-offs from Verizon's devices, but overall the provider offered much faster speeds. Although you'll pay more for Verizon's 4G phones versus competing carriers, to us the speed boost is worth the premium.



The Google Effect - More Verizon Conflict - Leaked Info Dooms AT&T-Mobile
16 Aug 2011 - 14:13 by soullezz    Industry News |

$$$: Markets loved the Google bid for Motorola Mobility sending the stock up 55.78% yesterday on volume of almost 122M shares. --- Interpublic Group is selling about 1/2 of its stake in Facebook for $133M in an undisclosed transaction. --- Thanks to its latest financing round, Buddy Media – a firm assisting advertisers in managing their Facebook presence – is now valued at $500M. --- UTStarcom's board of directors approved a stock repurchase program of up to $20M of its outstanding stock during the next 12 months. The company's "management team" will also purchase up to $.5M using personal funds during the same time. --- WSJ says AOL isn't selling enough ads across its 800+ website footprint to cover costs for a profitable biz.

M&A: As previously reported in Monday's Morning BRIDGE Bulletin, Scripps Interactive Nets agreed to buy 50% of British cable-co UKTV from Virgin Media for about $552M.

In Court: Local reports say current and former Tribune employees who sued the company over their failed employee stock ownership plans are close to reaching a settlement worth less than $50M.

Gov't: The FTC fined mobile app company W3 Innovations $50K for violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting more than 30K email addresses and personal info of kids younger than 13.

Labor: Loopholes lead to "funny" (not for Verizon) unintended consequences. Since the striking Verizon employees work for the landline (and FiOS) side of the business, they would not be allowed to picket Verizon Wireless retail outlets... except, some 70 or so employees of the old NYNEX are members of the union and can picket. So look for them in your neighborhood.

Programming: Time Warner Cable reached a deal with Fox for VOD programming sans Fox's TV Everywhere online service. --- AMC and Sony finally settled on a deal for "Breaking Bad," but the show's future is still murky. Company Town has details.

4G: LightSquared inked a multi-year 4G-LTE wholesale deal with Texas-based EarthComm Solutions.

Wireless: JD Power says Boost Mobile ranks highest in customer service performance and purchase experience among non-contract wireless providers.

Research: In-Stat says that while the technology is still in its infancy, 3D mobile devices will surpass 148M units sold by 2015.

Ratings: So much for fans being fed up with the whole billionaires vs. millionaires thing... The NFL Network enjoyed a 767% increase in viewers for a preseason special w/ live "look-ins" of various games going on around the league.

SkyREPORT: DISH said it would pursue a Supreme Court review of last week's SF federal appeals court decision which upheld a lower court's ruling not to issue an injunction blocking the mandate that says DBS providers must air PBS stations in HD.

Up, Down & Over There: The Dutch branch of Vodafone is launching a triple-play service via
Reggefiber's fiber network in the Netherlands. --- Orange TV launched 7 new channels to its
Arab-language bouquet on its French IPTV service dubbed Arabe Max.

D'oh!: An AT&T law firm accidentally posted a partially-redacted document - since removed - on the FCC website that seemed to outline AT&T's T-Mobile bid was simply to keep it out of Sprint's (or others) hands ... not for spectrum but for market share.



Symantec unveils free anti-virus app for Android
15 Aug 2011 - 13:50 by soullezz    Industry News |


Anti-virus giant Symantec has thrown its hat in the ring to keep Android's millions of smartphone owners safe and secure.

Symantec has released Norton Mobile Security Lite, a free Android app that automatically scans downloaded apps and app updates for potential threats, detects and blocks phishing websites or other compromised sites, and "eliminates mobile threats before they can infect your phone," according to its description in the Android app market. Norton Mobile Security Lite is currently available for download in the Android Market.

To further protect its users against cybercrime and infected Android apps, the anti-virus app includes several aftermarket features that allow users to lock their smartphones via text message, remotely locate stolen or misplaced phones and remotely wipe the contents of their phone. These extra features come with an additional charge of $29.99 per year, the Tech Herald reported.

While this is unquestionably a positive move on Symantec's part, its new mobile security app is not the first free anti-virus app available for Android phones. In the Android Market, there are several free apps from companies including Lookout Mobile, ESTsoft and AVG.

It's a good thing anti-virus software vendors are focusing their attention on Android; in recent months, the smartphone operating system has been plagued by Trojan viruses including "GGTracker" and " DroidDream," nasty bugs that harvest users' phone info and download malware to their phones from remote servers.

Along with Symantec, AT&T and security firm Juniper Networks are getting into the mobile security game. Thursday, AT&T announced that it has teamed up with Juniper Networks to develop a mobile security platform for businesses and consumers, the Tech Herald said.

The joint venture's first product will be the AT&T Mobile Security Application, which promises to offer malware protection, threat monitoring and remote data wiping and encryption. The app is scheduled to be rolled out later this year.


Bids For Hulu Coming - UK to Block Social Media? - Retail #'s Up Slightly
15 Aug 2011 - 13:45 by soullezz    Industry News |


$$$: Bids for video service Hulu are expected the start coming in this week, sources say. Hulu's owners are supposedly expecting bids of $1.5B (and up) for the site and its licenses. --- TiVo's board authorized a repurchase of up to $100M of outstanding common shares over a 2-year period funded through company cash. --- Bloomberg says "Angry Birds" developer Rovio is in talks to receive funding that would value the company at about $1.2B w/ likely investors including News Corp. and Disney. --- Knology's board authorized a repurchase of 2M shares of the company's common stock.

Gov't: U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron hinted that the gov't may block social-networking services such as Twitter and Facebook during violent unrest in light of the country's worst riots in decades. That's after praising their use during the Arab Spring.

Online: Google+ is giving Facebook even more competition by adding online games to its social-media platform. --- Now you can check in on foursquare from 28K Redbox kiosks nationwide. Why you would is beyond us - who wants to be 'mayor' of a kiosk?

In Court: ActiveVideo filed for an injunction against Verizon to prevent the wireless company's use of AV's technology in FiOS TV. The "cease and desist" request comes on the heels of AV's $115M judgment in its patent infringement case v. Verizon last week.

Programming: NBCU will run a 1/2hr. promo show teasing its fall line-up (including The Playboy Club) across broadcast, digi and cable platforms. --- NYT says DVRs and increasing competition is breaking up the latenight audience, with George Lopez being the latest casualty. --- Syfy's The Haven is going integrate a storyline that incorporates Twitter into several episodes. Read about the innovative details at LostRemote.

Retail: AT&T held a ribbon-cutting event with NY Yankee 2B Robinson Cano to open its new wireless store in Washington Heights, NY. --- The National Retail Federation says retail industry sales in July increased 0.3% over June and 4% y/y.

Up, Down & Over There: Sky Deutschland has hit 4 consecutive Qs of sub growth, adding 100K so far this year, totalling 2.76M. --- PBS is making its UK debut on Nov. 1 as part of Sky's entertainment package.



Is your ISP cheating you out of bandwidth? New gov't test offers a hint
14 Aug 2011 - 13:40 by soullezz    Industry News |


When you hear a politician, a lobbying group, or a corporate executive yammering on about leaving the free market alone, don’t fall for it. Many businesses today are built around finding that industry -- or that particular anomaly within an industry -- where market forces simply don't apply. Then, they exploit the heck out of it for big profits. Late fees on credit cards, for example -- who shops around for those? Or hotel safe fees that get automatically tacked onto your bill. Call this the "un-free market" at work.

Broadband Internet access has long existed in this un-free market. For a long time, many U.S. consumers had only one Internet access provider, the very definition of an un-free market. Now, most people have two options -- an improvement, but duopolies rarely behave like free markets.

More important, when people shop for broadband, they usually don't know what they are getting. What does 10 Mbps speed really get you anyway? Is it five times better than 2 Mbps? Should you pay five times more for it? And most important, since the ISPs guarantee none of this, what do consumers really get for their $59.99 per month?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Imagine pulling up to a gas station and paying by time rather than volume. A 60-second shot of gas costs $20 -- sometime you get 5 gallons, and sometimes you get 3 gallons, but there no scale telling you how much you get. That's pretty much how things work in the Internet access world right now.

Finally, government regulators have stepped in and begun making the purchase of Internet access fairer. The Federal Communications Commission released the results of a year-long, scientific study of 13 U.S. broadband providers, focused on whether firms like AT&T, Verizon, Qwest, Frontier, and others live up to their marketing materials when delivering high-speed Internet service. For the first time, the firms are being held to their promises, and consumers can find out if they are getting what they are paying for.

The results weren't bad. Most firms hit 90 percent of their advertised upload speeds. Download speeds were another story, however. Only four of the 13 reached their promised download speed (Charter, Comcast, Cox, and Verizon), while most of the other firms hovered around 80 percent. Cablevision fared worst, with download speeds that fell to 50 percent of advertised rates at peak periods. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture with Microsoft and NBC Universal, the latter of which is a division of Comcast.)

Overall, the tests also showed that consumers aren't getting dramatically cheated by their ISPs, and time-of-day tests showed there is no longer a massive web traffic jam every evening when consumers get home and log in. The tests showed that once-dreaded peak period slowdowns are now uncommon.

Disney Takes Nod from Fox - Groupon "Unprofitable" - Lopez Canceled
13 Aug 2011 - 13:10 by soullezz    Industry News |


Strategy: GigaOm says Fox might not be the only one to restrict access to content... Disney is said to be negotiating deals with distributors that would allow viewers to watch shows sooner if they logged in with a TV Everywhere-type ID. Details here. --- SiriusXM wants to license music directly from record labels and avoid paying royalties to SoundExchange. Billboard has more. --- ABC affiliate WABC New York will start using sportscast from ESPN Radio into its morning news. Sharing: it's a thing now.

$$$: Groupon updated its IPO filing from June this week, omitting an odd accounting practice that was said to hide company losses, and the new numbers aren't good. The company now admits what many already knew... Groupon isn't profitable. The painful details at CNNMoney. --- AOL says it will buy back $250M of stock during the next 12 months.

Rules & Regs: Today is the deadline for the FCC to deliver a "how-we-did-it" version of the gestation of the Net Neutrality "Lite" set of rules to the House Energy & Commerce Committee led by newly appointed gang of 12 SuperCongressperson Fred Upton (R-MI).

Gov't: National Journal has details on how Congressional decisions to name Senate Commerce
Communications Subcommittee Chair John Kerry (D-MA) and Energy and Commerce Chair Fred Upton (R-MI) will affect the debate over spectrum legislation and finding $1.5T in deficit savings. --- The FCC won't reverse its earlier arbitration decision in favor of cable-op Armstrong Utilities in its dispute with DIRECTV over the cost of Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh.

4G: Towerstream is targeting Verizon subs during the latter company's union workers' strike by
waiving install fees for customers who switch to Towerstream's high-speed broadband service. --- LightSquared says the GPS industry's failure to comply with DoD filtering standards is the root cause of potential interference with the company's 4G-LTE wireless network. --- The NetAmerica Alliance said Panhandle Telephone of Oklahoma is joining the rural 4G-LTE consortium.

Research: Leichtman Research says connected TVs represent 10% of all sets in US HHs. Including video game consoles, 30% of those homes have at least one net-connected TV device, the firm says. --- IMS says the share of STBs shipped to emerging digital TV markets (China, India, Russia and Latin America) will blossom to more than 45 percent of global STB shipments between 2011-15.

Programming: TBS is canceling George Lopez's late-night talk show "Lopez Tonight" - the final episode aired last night. --- The LA Times reports Cinemax green-lit "Banshee," a new series from Alan Ball, the creator of HBO's "True Blood" as part of the premium net's new emphasis on original programming. --- Lions Gate's first run of premium VOD? "Abduction" starring Taylor Lautner will be available on pay-TV 3 months after its theatrical release for $6.99.

Mobile: Weather on the go... The Weather Channel and Twitter are launching The Weather Channel Social - an integration of local weather tweets across TWC's TV, web and mobile platforms. --- Facebook launched Facebook Messenger, an app for iPhone and Android allowing users to IM and text w/o having to go through the Facebook.

Starbucks mobile app offer takes patience
11 Aug 2011 - 13:16 by soullezz    Industry News |
A Starbucks coffee card barcode posted online by an app developer has been making the rounds online, promising anyone who swipes the account info at the checkout line a free coffee.

However, walking out with a free treat from the coffee giant today isn't as easy as it seems: The mission takes time, a cashier with quick hands and patience when dealing with a long line of customers behind you.

Mobile app consultant Jonathan Stark posted his Starbucks account barcode — loaded with $300 — online for anyone to use. Stark set up a Twitter account, which now boasts more than 10,000 followers, to inform the Internet of the card's remaining balance.

Once the balance drops to zero, Stark posts a link with instructions on how to donate dollars to reload the card, similar to a "give a penny, take a penny" campaign. Mashable reported that nearly $9,000 has been donated by strangers to the card so far.

Stark said he is in no way affiliated with Starbucks.

Although you might be itching to run out the door to try this for yourself, the account balance is far more likely to be at zero when the cashier swipes your order. With so many people competing for free drinks nationwide, the balance is gone just seconds after its refreshed.

In fact, TechNewsDaily swiped a positive balance on the card three of the 20-something times it tried. However, the account repeatedly dropped back to zero by the time the cashier typed in the price. We continued this for about 20 minutes, letting customers pass every few swipe tries.

Although that attempt never worked, another staffer tried their luck 30 minutes later and walked away with two pieces of pound cake for free after their first try.

For Starbucks fans with lots of time on their hands and with access to a location without much of a line, it may be worth your while. Otherwise, the few dollars you'd save might not be worth having a whole line of angry people behind you.


Facebook launches Messenger app for iPhone, Android
10 Aug 2011 - 15:37 by soullezz    Industry News |

Facebook Tuesday introduced a mobile app that lets Android and iPhone users send instant messages to individuals and to groups. It's called Facebook Messenger.

Messenger "is a separate app, so it only takes one click to get to your messages or send a new one," said Facebook engineer Lucy Zhang on the social networking site's blog. "Messages are delivered through notifications and texts, so your friends are more likely to get them right away."

The program, she said, can be used "to reach all of your friends — whether they're on Facebook or in your phone contacts. All you have to do is type the person's name."

The app is free, available for the iPhone through the App Store, and for Android via the Android Market. There's also more info about Messenger on Facebook's Help Page.

"More and more of us rely on our phones to send and receive messages. But it isn't always easy to know the best way to reach someone on their phone," Zhang wrote. "Should you send an email or text? Which will they check first? Did they even get your last message?

"We think messaging should be easier than that. You should be able to write a message, click 'Send' and know that you will reach the person right away."


Facebook

Zhang should know. She was a co-founder of Beluga, the group messaging startup that Facebook bought last spring that is the basis for Messenger.

On Facebook's blog, she says:


The Messenger app is an extension of Facebook messages, so all your conversations are in one place, including your texts, chats, emails and messages. Whether you're on your phone or on the web, you can see the full history of all your messages.

When you're on the go, coordinating a bunch of people can be tricky, especially if plans change at the last minute. With Messenger, you can quickly start a group conversation and message everyone at once.

If you choose to add your location, the people you're messaging with can easily find each other on the map. You can also attach photos, so everyone else can see and comment on what you're looking at.

You also can still message friends who aren't using Messenger; those messages will show up as texts on their phones, Facebook says.

Another nice feature: You can name and choose a picture for your group conversations, and that's definitely welcome — it's something you'll probably need as you start to add more and more groups to your Messenger menagerie.

CableCARD Warning - FCC to Combine Reviews - Judge Denies Comcast's Request
10 Aug 2011 - 15:26 by soullezz    Industry News |


D.C.: Never mind the fact that the CableCARD program is a widely acknowledged loser, the FCC has issued an enforcement advisory requiring "cable operators to provide accurate information about retail set-top boxes and ensure that consumers are treated similarly, whether they choose to buy a retail device or rent a device from their cable provider." It's a response to consumer complaints, they say.

Rules & Regs: The FCC said it would combine the review of AT&T's purchase of spectrum from Qualcomm with the agency's review of the once, and maybe future, Ma Bell's purchase of T-Mobile. The decision is being seen as an examination of consolidating too much spectrum in the hands of one company.

In Court: A federal judge in Illinois denied Comcast's request for a temporary restraining order against DIRECTV in the cable company's lawsuit alleging DIRECTV is falsely advertising its NFL Sunday Ticket for free.

Quarterly Reports: DISH reported a 13.3% y/y rev increase to $3.59B with net income attributable to common shareholders on $335M (+30.3%). Diluted earnings were $.75 per share during the period while net subs sank by 135K. --- E.W. Scripps reported an 8.1% Q2 increase in TV revs while consolidated revs dipped 3% to $183M. --- Lions Gate Entertainment posted its Q1 results with a $12.2M profit compared to a $64.1M loss during the same period last year. --- Cablevision reported 2Q consolidated net revs of $1.689B, up 9.1% y/y. Total customers dipped by 17K to 3,641K driven by basic video losses of 23K which left the cable provider with a total of 3.3M video subs. --- Disney reported FQ3 earnings of $.77 per share, a 15% y/y increase. Revenue reached $10.7B with net income hitting $1.5B, up 7% and 8%, respectively.

Research: Global connections to mobile services will increase 11% this year to 5.6B with mobile data service revenue could increase 22.5% y/y from $257B to $314.7B, according to new data from Gartner. --- A new MRG report says the global IPTV market will grow to $49B in service revenues and 113M subs in 2015 "as multi-screen video usage drives wireless services to new highs." Systems revenue will grow to $4.8B in 2015 with STBs representing about 60%, the firm says. --- August's Consumer Reports Index, a measure of overall consumer sentiment, fell to its lowest level since December 2009 and registered its sharpest drop in two years.

Deals: Nexstar agreed to purchase ABC affiliate WEHT from Gilmore Broadcasting for $18.5M. To help finance the deal, Nexstar is selling its one-time FOX affiliate WTVW to Mission Broadcasting for $6.7M (plus $11.8M in borrowed funds via a senior credit facility). --- LodgeNet extended its relationship with Starwood Hotels & Resorts through a multi-year agreement for iTV, high def, free-to-guest and other communications services.

$$$: Charter's board authorized a repurchase up to $200M of its Class A common stock and outstanding warrants.

Online: DISH confirmed Tuesday that Blockbuster will begin providing a subscription movie-streaming service to compete with Netflix. No timetable was given for service launch. --- GameFly, the Netflix of video games, is launching a new digital service which gives subs unlimited access to Windows/Mac PC games online.

Technology: Cablevision launched its new Optimum App that delivers more than 300 channels of live TV and VOD titles, DVR management and interactive guide info to subs' iPhones and iPods.

Retail: IHS says internet-enabled CE devices will outpace PCs for the first time in 2013 with shipments surging to 503.6M, up from 161M in 2010. By comparison, the firm forecasts 253.3M PCs will ship in 2012, up from 222.3M in 2010. --- AT&T opened a new high-tech retail outlet in Pleasant Prairie, Wis.

Programming: Cablevision notified subscribers that while it is working to renegotiate its carriage agreement with the Tennis Channel, the network "may no longer be available after Sept. 3." Customers likely remember the two sides' carriage dispute 2 years ago that led to them missing the net's U.S. Open coverage...

SkyREPORT: Arianespace says it is preparing the Ariane 5 launch vehicle for the Sept. 9 delivery of SES World Skies' SES-2 hybrid C- and Ku-band satellite and the Arabsat-5C built by EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space.

Folks: Broken by The Wrap, E! network manager Sherman Dion Dorsey is being held in a California jail on $2.7M bail accused of fatally stabbing his estranged wife (and former E! editor) Gina Reano. The pub says Dorsey stabbed himself in the stomach and cut his wrists and Reano's sister Grace Reano, a production supervisor at E!, suffered minor injuries in the attack. --- The RIAA named current president Cary Sherman chairman and CEO following the resignation of Mitch Bainwol.

Apple iOS 5 may include hearing aid mode
9 Aug 2011 - 15:33 by soullezz    Industry News |


The next major version of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS 5, may improve the iPhone's speech recognition capabilities and include a hearing aid mode.

The update, due out this fall, is in beta, or test mode, for software developers. Over the weekend, a fifth release to developers was made.

NatesTechUpdate, on YouTube, shared some of the changes in the software, including the hearing aid mode. Apple notes that it's a new feature "which may improve compatibility between Apple devices and hearing aids in some circumstances," but may also have the effect of reducing 2G, or second-generation, cellular coverage.

Other improvements, in the speech-to-text area, are also likely; website 9 to 5 Mac shared a screenshot that from "a reliable source" that shows "how the iOS 5 speech-to-text functionality will be activated. As you can see, it is quite simple. Just click the microphone icon next to the space key and start talking. Once the key is clicked, a new microphone overlay will appear as long as you are talking. After that, the text will appear in the text field as you can see in the screenshot above."

The updated operating system includes more than 200 new features, "such as a revamped notifications system, an improved lock screen, Newsstand, Twitter integration, multitasking gestures, over-the-air software updates and more." wrote msnbc.com's Rosa Golijan, when iOS 5 was first announced in June.

When it does become available, it will work with the iPhone 4, iPhone3GS, and the last two generations of the iPod Touch.

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