Mobile & Wireless

VERIZON has filed a lawsuit looking to overturn the FCC’s rules for the upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction. The lawsuit claims that the auction rules are “arbitrary and capricious,” and overstep the powers of the Commission. The auction is scheduled to begin on January 16, 2008. VIACOM is finally getting into the social-networking game. This Continue Reading →

HULU will acquire MOJITI, a Beijing-based startup. Mojiti allows users to annotate videos, leaving comments at specific points for others to see. Its technology will be used extensively on Hulu.com, the joint online venture of News Corp. and NBC Universal. The deal is estimated to be worth $10 million. MYSPACE has signed a deal with Continue Reading →

I just received my invitation to a “special event” that Apple is having on September 5th.  The rumor mill is wild with speculation about what might be announced.  Pretty much everyone thinks there will be new iPods.  It would not surprise me.  As I open the drawer marked iPod Graveyard in my office, I am Continue Reading →

SPRINT NEXTEL has chosen SAMSUNG to provide the infrastructure for its WiMax service in New York. Samsung is also providing the infrastructure in Washington D.C., Boston, and other cities. The service, called Xohm, is expected to launch in Washington D.C. in April 2008, and will follow in NY towards the end of next year. AKAMAI Continue Reading →

ADOBE will add support for the H.264 standard to its Flash video player. An announcement is expected today, with a beta version of the upgraded software available for download immediately. Flash is installed on 98% of computers, and is favored by YouTube and other video-sharing sites. The move should help boost the quality of Internet Continue Reading →

MTV NETWORKS has signed a deal to use TNS Media Research‘s audience measurement service in Los Angeles. The service offers second-by-second audience data, using information collected from 300,000 Charter Communications boxes. Nielsen is working on a similar offering. MUSIC PUBLISHERS have joined a copyright infringement lawsuit against YOUTUBE. YouTube has signed licensing agreements with all Continue Reading →

THE FCC approved the “open access” provision for the upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction, which will allow consumers to use any compatible wireless device on 22 of the 62 available megahertz. However, the Commission will not require licensees to resell spectrum to other service providers. The auction will take place before January 28, 2008, and Continue Reading →

VIDMETRIX has launched its own multi-site video uploader. The tool will allow video publishers to automatically distribute their content to seven video-sharing sites: YouTube, MySpace, Metacafe, Google, Yahoo, Revver, and Veoh. Tubemogul, which announced a multi-site uploader last week, is adding 3 new distribution sites to its service today, bringing its total reach to 9 Continue Reading →

GOOGLE plans to participate in the upcoming auction for the 700 MHz wireless spectrum, provided the FCC adopts certain auction requirements. Google pledged to spend up to $4.6 Billion on spectrum if the auction rules require that winners allow open access to compatible wireless devices. In addition, Google wants auction winners to be required to Continue Reading →

VERIZON is partnering with VEOH to bring user-generated clips to cellphones, FiOS TVs, and Verizon’s broadband site. In exchange, Verizon will advertise on VeohTV, the planned online video aggregator. A Veoh channel will launch on Verizon’s V-Cast sometime this week. THE NHL has signed a deal with NEULION to stream live, ad-free games over the Continue Reading →