Verizon to hit over 145 LTE markets by end 2011
US operator Verizon Wireless today unveiled an additional 59 markets that will have LTE services by the end of this year. This will see the carrier serve at least 147 US cities with LTE technology by the close of 2011. The operator began switching on LTE in 39 markets in December 2010 and announced plans for a further 49 markets at the CES show in January.
Solacia to provide mobile money smartcards for 4G services
The three major US mobile phone carriers - AT&T Wireless, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile - jointly created ISIS, a national mobile commerce network that will enable users with USIM cards to access popular transit ticketing applications, mobile credit card applications, membership loyalty programs, and mobile banking services that enable subscribers to make contactless withdrawals from ATMs and to trade stock and coupons.
No 3D-only games for 3DS, says Nintendo
The Nintendo 3DS may have made headlines for its 3D capabilities, but Nintendo is steering the console away from games in which the 3D element is essential. When quizzed over the disappearance of prototype games in which the 3D display had to be active in order to see crucial elements of the game, Nintendo 3DS platform producer Hideki Konno said: "We want to get software out to as many people as possible, and there are some people who just can't see 3D. We're moving away from any stance that says if you don't use the 3D functionality you can't play this game."
HTC outs updated HD7S Windows Phone 7 handset
HTC has served up a modest update to its primary Windows Phone 7 device with the new HD7S handset. The HD7S, as the name suggests, is a slight upgrade to the HD7 device, which launched with Microsoft's new operating system last autumn. The tagged-on 'S' stands for the new Super LCD screen, while there's a new version of WP7 that will feature copy and paste out of the box. Aside from that, everything else remains the same. It still boasts the 1GHz processor, a 4.3-inch screen, 16GB of internal storage and a 5-megapixel camera.
Facebook policy chief admits site needs to improve deletion tools for a minority of users
Richard Allan, talking at a Westminster Media Forum debate entitled, ‘Social media, online privacy and the ‘right to be forgotten’', said that the majority of Facebook’s 500 million users around the world were more concerned that their data, such as photos and videos, remained on the service rather than being deleted. Allan, who was en route to Brussels to take part in continued discussions on the European Union’s plans to force social networks to completely erase personal data, said that it would be a mistake to amend data protection laws on the basis of a few exceptional cases.
Apple iPad 2 will cost less than iPad 1 in the UK
The iPad 2 will go on sale in Britain at 5pm on Friday with prices starting at £399 for the 16GB wifi model - £30 less than the launch price for the same model of the original iPad last year. The most expensive iPad 2, the 64GB wifi and 3G model, will cost £659 - £40 less than the same model of the original iPad. Despite claims that the iPad 2 launch might be delayed because of shortages, Apple said the tablet computer will go on sale in 25 countries on Friday, including Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain.
LinkedIn has 100 million members
The social network for business people and, more likely, recruitment consultants said it add around one million new members every week, with Brazil and Mexico among its fastest growing countries. Now, LinkedIn wants to raise up to $175m in an IPO to cash in on the hype around Facebook, Twitter and Groupon. The company launched in May 2003, and took six years to reach 50 million users. It hit 85 million members in October 2010.
Shazam adds Facebook sharing with new Shazam Friends feature
Mobile discovery service Shazam has launched a new music-related feature, using the Facebook API to let users see what their friends are tagging. The new feature is called Shazam Friends, and adds a new Friends tab to the Shazam iPhone and Android apps. Users can browse friends' tags in a real-time feed, while also checking out what individuals have been tagging.
Motorola Acquires IPTV Software Company Dreampark
Motorola Mobility has acquired Dreampark, a Swedish IPTV software provider. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Motorola says it expects the acquisition to close in the second quarter. Dreampark is the company behind Dreamgallery, a software suite for operators aiming at providing services over TV networks. Its middleware platform takes advantage of open standards like HTML and scalable vector graphics, and combines that technology with SDKs to allow operators to obtain control of their TV portals for complete customization and regionalization.
Nanotech nerds assemble überfast-charge battery
Three researchers have come up with a technique they claim will allow laptop and smartphone batteries to be recharged in two minutes. Huigang Zhang, Xindi Yu and Paul Braun of the University of Illinois created a new battery cathode - the negatively charged one - formed "from a self-assembled three-dimensional bicontinuous nanoarchitecture consisting of an electrolytically active material sandwiched between rapid ion and electron transport pathways".
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