The Wireless Web

July 2008

Apple Server Meltdown Foils Launch of iPhone 3G

newser | Associated Press | Jul 11, 08 3:56 PM CDT

The launch of Apple's hotly anticipated iPhone 3G turned into an IT meltdown today, as customers were unable to get their new phones working. A global problem with Apple's iTunes servers prevented the phones from being activated in-store, as planned. Employees implored buyers to perform the last step on their own computers, but iTunes servers were equally hard to reach from home, leaving the phones unusable except for emergency calls. More »
Hottest Digital Music Sites

newser | Wired | Jul 9, 08 12:22 PM CDT

The Wired Listening Post blog names its favorite digital music websites based on how they benefit music fans, as well as their impact on the industry. Imeem: for music embedding IVideoSongs: for guitar lessons Omnifone: unlimited access on the go Mog: for music blogs Muxtape: create MP3 mix "tapes" in minutes More »

June 2008

'Dress Rehearsal' Tomorrow for American's Wi-Fi

newser | Fort Worth Star-Telegram | Jun 24, 08 4:12 PM CDT

American Airlines will offer a trial of its in-flight wireless Internet service tomorrow, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. "Gogo" will be installed on 15 of American’s 767s, and available on flights departing New York’s JFK for Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami. Free tomorrow, the service will eventually cost $12.95 on flights longer than 3 hours, and $9.95 on shorter flights. More »
Nokia Moves to Counter iPhone

newser | Wall Street Journal | Jun 24, 08 2:16 PM CDT

In a move aimed at bolstering its ability to compete with Apple's iPhone, Nokia is acquiring smartphone software-maker Symbian and moving toward increased cooperation with other mobile-phone industry veterans. Top handset makers and providers will participate in a nonprofit foundation to handle marketing and coordination for developers, and Symbian will combine its software into one open-source platform, the Wall Street Journal reports. More »
Samsung's Instinct: Smart, if Not an iPhone

newser | New York Times | Jun 12, 08 10:25 AM CDT

It isn’t an iPhone. But, says New York Times technology writer David Pogue, Samsung’s soon-to-be released touchscreen phone, called Instinct—while a little less sleek than the iconic iPhone—isn’t a bad effort. The newest iPhone wannabe debuts June 20 when Sprint Nextel rolls it out at half the price of a $199 iPhone, after the $100 rebate. More »
Gaunt Jobs' Health Gets Buzz

newser | Wall Street Journal | Jun 11, 08 2:08 PM CDT

Apple watchers are expressing concern over the gaunt appearance of CEO Steve Jobs at the iPhone 3G coming-out party Monday, the Wall Street Journal reports. Apple says Jobs, who underwent successful surgery after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 4 years ago, was simply suffering from a “common bug” and is on the mend. More »
Early iPhone Buyers Are Left With Memories—and Debt

newser | Wall Street Journal | Jun 10, 08 3:06 PM CDT

The new 3G iPhone makes one thing obvious, writes Brett Arends in the Wall Street Journal : Consumers who bought the earlier models were chumps. The fans who stood in line a year ago are out $300, and for what? Apple says the new phone is twice as fast. “What that says about last year's model is painfully obvious,” writes Arends. More »
Don't Assume iPhone 2.0 Will Be a Smash

newser | Forbes | Jun 4, 08 10:00 AM CDT

With more than a 27% market share after just a year on the market, and a new iPhone expected to be released in the next week, Apple watchers are hoping the next-generation device delivers the same, simple functional beauty of its predecessor. But, Forbes cautions, the lumpy original iBook is a reminder that Apple's flubbed these kinds of things before. More »
Apple Ready With June 9 iPhone Splash

newser | Forbes | Jun 2, 08 9:54 AM CDT

The much-anticipated next generation of iPhones, which are expected to be faster and built around a more robust communications chip, may already be positioned in major US markets, Forbes reports. Analysts believe the 3G version will debut—or, given unprecedented secrecy even for Apple, be uncloaked—at a conference next Monday; Apple's aiming to sell 10 million this year. More »

May 2008

WiFi Startup Wants to Share the Love

newser | New York Times | May 25, 08 3:16 PM CDT

WiFi hot spots should be anywhere and everywhere, says Martin Varsavsky. The 48-year-old Internet guru founded FON, a company that's built a WiFi network on members' shared wireless connections. Analysts say such global WiFi is only years away, but FON could still lose out; despite $55.2 million from giants like Google and BT, FON may fall to better-funded competitors. More »
For Some US Towns, Internet Access is DIY

newser | Wall Street Journal | May 19, 08 3:07 PM CDT

Around the world, firms and governments are ramping up the speed and availability of internet access. But in the US, telecoms are focusing mainly on big-city markets. To avoid professional brain drain, some smaller cities and towns are investing in more powerful infrastructure, the Wall Street Journal reports. But the risks, and burdens, are great, and some private providers are resisting new competition. More »
BlackBerry Holds Its Own Against iPhone

newser | Forbes | May 14, 08 1:21 PM CDT

The release of the new 3G BlackBerry Bold Monday sent Research in Motion’s shares up 6.93%, to $141.97. The reason, according to Forbes , is the BlackBerry’s business focus, which lets it maintain its edge over the popular but business-weak iPhone. The Bold apes the iPhone in design, but integrates smoothly with business email and other systems, unlike its smartphone rival. More »
Sprint, Clearwire Close to Joining Forces

newser | Wall Street Journal | May 6, 08 5:13 PM CDT

Sprint and Clearwire are close to a long-awaited deal that would allow superfast wireless access for cellphones and laptops, the Wall Street Journal reports. Investors gave their final approval to the deal today, but the venture still needs regulators' approval. Comcast, Google, Intel, and Time Warner Cable are some of the entities funding the new venture, which takes some pressure off Sprint but doesn't resolve the question of Nextel's fate. More »

April 2008

Russians Must Register Their WiFi Devices

newser | Wi-Fi Networking News | Apr 15, 08 3:33 PM CDT

WiFi users in Russia better get ready for mounds of red tape—every capable device will now have to be registered, the country’s Mass Media, Communications and Cultural Protection Service has ruled. Individuals must register, Wi-Fi Networking News reports, and licenses won't be transferable. Until now, indoor use of WiFi in certain bands has been exempt from Russia’s registration requirements. More »
Wireless Makers Work Out Deal for Faster Net

newser | Wall Street Journal | Apr 15, 08 2:26 PM CDT

Big wireless equipment companies have worked out a royalty deal allowing for the adoption of new technology that should speed up the wireless web. The companies have agreed to limit the royalties they charge each other for patents related to a technology called long-term evolution, or LTE, reports the Wall Street Journal . The competing patents could have held off development of new, faster networks. More »
Is a New iPhone on the Way?

newser | New York Times | Apr 3, 08 12:58 PM CDT

Yes, there’s an iPhone shortage at Apple stores. No, that doesn’t mean a new iPhone is on the way, reports the New York Times . Apple product shortfalls usually presage new-model introductions, but experts say there’s no certainty that the 3G iPhone will arrive before its scheduled mid-year release, and point out that AT&T stores have plenty of iPhones available. More »

March 2008

Comcast, Time Warner Weigh $1.5B WiMax Investment

newser | Wall Street Journal | Mar 26, 08 3:13 PM CDT

Sprint Nextel and Clearwire, looking for funding in their bid to build a nationwide high-speed wireless network, may have found partners in Comcast and Time Warner, reports the Wall Street Journal. The country’s two largest cable operators are weighing a combined pledge of $1.5 billion to the project; Sprint and Clearwire hope to raise $3 billion overall. More »
Google Still Wants Unused TV 'White Space' for Wireless Web

newser | Wall Street Journal | Mar 24, 08 4:25 PM CDT

Google is re-doubling its efforts to get the FCC to allow the development of unused space in the TV spectrum for wireless Internet service, the Wall Street Journal reports. "The vast majority of viable spectrum in this country simply goes unused," the tech giant wrote to the commission. "There is no benefit to allowing this spectrum to lie fallow." TV broadcasters, fearful of interference, oppose the co-opting of the white space. More »
Hopes for Wifi Cities Fizzling Fast

newser | New York Times | Mar 22, 08 12:48 PM CDT

Hopes for wireless cities are flickering out one by one as Internet providers run up against mounting logistics and small profits, the New York Times reports. Ambitious plans to provide free or cheap high-speed service to poor residents of cities such as Philadelphia, Houston, and San Francisco have ground to a halt as the providers, most notably Earthlink, pull out of the projects. More »
Fly the Tech-Friendly Skies

newser | PC World | Mar 18, 08 2:42 PM CDT

Travelers who want to stay connected while they're on the move get an assist from PC World , which finds that some airlines and airports are soaring ahead in the technology stakes while others are stuck on the runway. Virgin America leads the way, with a power port in every seat, in-flight WiFi rolling out this year, high-tech entertainment, and an on-board system that lets you IM other passengers—or order a meal. More »