Archive for the ‘fcc’ category

Apple’s Magic Trackpad/Magic Slate gets approved by FCC?

July 20th, 2010

That Magic Trackpad/Magic Slate that we expected to be announced back at WWDC finally seems to have gotten the green light from the FCC and received approval. As Engadget points out, Apple generally keeps all of their device filings with the FCC locked down and with this filing being released there is great possibility we may see this new device hit the stores later this week.

This new Magic Trackpad/Magic Slate has long been rumored to be a large, flat surface with iPhone/iPad-like capacitive multitouch input to the Mac. Possibly supporting the full range of gestures that the iPhone and iPad currently support. If you look at page 45 of the FCC test report you will see the device is described as a “Bluetooth Trackpad”. Something even more telling about the test report is the fact it was completed back in October of 2009.

Why would Apple be holding this device back on us for almost a year now?

[Engadget]

Apple’s Magic Trackpad/Magic Slate gets approved by FCC? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Posted in Apple, News, approval, fcc, magic slate, magic trackpad

More surprises in iPhone 4? Apple asks FCC to keep details secret

June 18th, 2010

Apple iPhone 4 FCC letter

Could Apple have more technical surprises in store for the iPhone? They’ve asked the FCC to keep photographs and details secret for 45 days, so who knows? We’ve already heard about the 512MB of RAM hiding inside, but Apple is still playing it coy:

“Although Apple has begun to market the device publicly, these documents reveal technical and design information that has not been publically disclosed in such marketing and that is protected by Apple as confidential and proprietary secrets.”

Speculate away. Come next Thursday, there ought to be tear-downs aplenty to find out.

[Patently Apple]

More surprises in iPhone 4? Apple asks FCC to keep details secret is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Posted in News, fcc, iphone, iphone 4, secrets

AT&T Encourages Employees to Cry About Net Neutrality to FCC

October 22nd, 2009

att_iphone_3g_s_hate_you_cant_leave

Gizmodo is reporting that AT&T sent out a letter to employees encouraging them, along with their families, to protest the FCC’s net neutrality rules. It was said the letter even encouraged the use of the employees private email instead of their company email. For them to stoop this low makes it pretty obvious they are not hip to the idea of net neutrality. Gizmodo later updated their post with the following:

AT&T says that the letter was sent to “U.S. managers only” and that they “were providing important information to our employees, and it was up to them to respond personally. If they use their company email that is fine, too.”

Their reply is pretty laughable as if sending this letter to “U.S. managers only” makes it any better. While I don’t have issues here in Chicago with AT&T’s service, some of their antics really are mind boggling.

Have thoughts regarding this news? Please share in the comments below!

[Via Gizmodo]

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

AT&T Encourages Employees to Cry About Net Neutrality to FCC


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Posted in AT&T, News, fcc, net neutrality

Skype Comments on AT&T Policy Change Allowing VoIP over 3G Network

October 7th, 2009

Skype log post: good move, AT&T

Following up on a rumor earlier today that AT&T would be announcing a new, friendlier policy towards Skype and Google Voice, Skype President Josh Silverman posted on the official Skype blog, saying “Good move, AT&T”:

All of us at Skype applaud today’s announcement by AT&T (in an FCC filing to be published shortly) that it’ll open up its 3G network to Internet calling applications such as Skype. It’s the right step for AT&T, Apple, millions of mobile Skype users and the Internet itself.

Silverman reveals that 10% of all iPhone and iPod touch devices have downloaded the Skype app (which makes roughly 5 million installs, if our math is right), and while they give AT&T the requisite kudos, Silverman states that it’s the government and industry regulation that should ensure open networks — in line with the FCC’s recent move to establish “net neutrality“.

Of course, AT&T announcements and Skype enthusiasm are one thing, let’s see how long it takes to get Skype 3G into the App Store.

(And, of course, that still leaves Google Voice)

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Skype Comments on AT&T Policy Change Allowing VoIP over 3G Network


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Posted in 3g network, AT&T, App Store Apps, Development, News, VoIP, att approves voip, fcc, net neutrality, skype

AT&T Strikes Back: Asks FCC to Investigate Google Voice

September 26th, 2009

google_voice_jawa

AT&T, according to the WSJ, has asked the FCC to investigate Google Voice for violating federal call-blocking rules. Basically, Google isn’t letting Google Voice users connect to pricy adult chat lines and conference services. (The nerve!)

Slapped around by the FCC a couple of years ago on the same charges, AT&T wants Google to get a taste of that medicine, and likely wants to throw some of the heat they caught over the whole Apple rejection/still-studying Google Voice debacle right back Google’s way.

Google’s blog responds thusly:

AT&T is trying to make this about Google’s support for an open Internet, but the comparison just doesn’t fly. The FCC’s open Internet principles apply only to the behavior of broadband carriers — not the creators of Web-based software applications. Even though the FCC does not have jurisdiction over how software applications function, AT&T apparently wants to use the regulatory process to undermine Web-based competition and innovation.

Ah, new technology and the laws that trail far back behind it. Google may be technically right in that they’re something new and different than what the law was originally designed to govern. Clearly the spirit of openness — which Google pays enormous lip-service to when it suits them — is what’s important, though. Isn’t it Google?

[Via Gizmodo]

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

AT&T Strikes Back: Asks FCC to Investigate Google Voice


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Posted in AT&T, News, fcc, fcc response, google google voice

Poll: FCC to Announce “Net Neutrality” Today. You Want?

September 21st, 2009

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the FCC is set to announce what amounts to “net neutrality” today, something that will make users and technology companies like Google, Amazon, and Apple’s iTunes ecstatic, while roshambo’ing Big Telco right where it hurts.

Basically, net neutrality means data carriers like cable and DLS providers and wireless/mobile telephone companies can’t restrict what travels over their lines or airwaves. Data is data. Disallow SlingPlayer or Skype? Sorry, not allowed.

It’s not all good news for consumers, however, as carriers like the iPhone’s AT&T are already buckling under the existing data load, and allowing bandwidth gulping apps like SlingPlayer could bring down more towers, faster. It could also cause Big Telco to respond by raising their rates.

Also, the proposal would only prevent networks from blocking legitimate websites and services, not those deemed illegitimate (i.e. torrent sites).

Of course, an FCC proposal is a long way from a new network order, and AT&T and other ISPs, as well as those who oppose government regulation on principle, will likely continue to oppose it.

Hit the poll above and let us know what you think.

[Via Macworld]

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Poll: FCC to Announce “Net Neutrality” Today. You Want?


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Posted in News, Poll, fcc, net neutrality

Apple Approves Rhapsody App, Palm Rejects NaNPlayer

September 10th, 2009

Rhapsody [free - iTunes Link] is now available in the iTunes App Store. It was less than a month ago that we told you about the submission of RealNetwork’s Rhapsody iPhone app, well Apple may have been scared straight by the FCC because it’s been approved and is now available as a free download.

Now don’t don’t forget there is a $15/month subscription fee you must dish out if you want all of that music streaming goodness over AT&T’s data network or Wi-Fi. Sorry folks, no off-line access like Spotify here.

In a strange twist of fate, PreCentral.net tells us Palm has rejected their first App Catalog app, NaNPlayer, a (superior according to PC) replacement for the built-in Pre music player. Why did they do this? The developer used an undocumented API and that violates the SDK agreement. Sound familiar, iPhone users? Will Palm now get the same grief Apple does?

Sound off in the comments!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Apple Approves Rhapsody App, Palm Rejects NaNPlayer


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Posted in App Store Apps, Apps, Music, News, Rhapsody, Streaming, app catalog, app store, fcc, iphone, iphone vs palm pre, nanplayer, palm pre, rejected apps

TomTom’s Car Kit Gets FCC Approval

August 31st, 2009

tomtom_user_guide

While the wait for TomTom’s iPhone software to hit the App Store has come and gone, most of you are still eagerly awaiting the arrival of TomTom’s iPhone car kit, first shown off at WWDC back in June. Engadget Mobile is now reporting that your wait may be coming to an end as TomTom’s car kit has received its FCC approval. Included in that link, for your viewing pleasure, is the kit’s manual, some images, and a few test reports.

Since it’s announcement TomTom has kept pretty quite about the kits full capabilities. Well, a quick look in the user manual gets us all of the official details.

Your TomTom car kit for iPhone is designed to provide you with the best possible navigation experience. A built-in GPS receiver enhances your iPhone’s GPS signal, ensuring the most reliable navigation, wherever you are. Using the car kit, you get loud and clear voice instructions, can make hands- free calls, as well as charge your iPhone while you drive. The car kit is a safe and secure dock with the award-winning fold-and-go EasyPort® mount.

Are those the features you’ve been waiting for?

[Via Engadget Mobile]

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TomTom’s Car Kit Gets FCC Approval


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Posted in Accessories, Car Kit, GPS, News, accessory, fcc, navigation, tomtom

Apple, AT&T, and Google FCC Response/Google Voice Rejection Roundup

August 24th, 2009

apple_google_att_usual_suspects

Apple “rejected” Google Voice for iPhone from the iTunes App Store, the FCC asked Apple, AT&T, and Google to answer some questions about that rejection. Now those questions have been answered-ish, and boy did it result in a flurry of posts here on TiPb and more importantly — an impressive and penetrating degree of analysis from our commenters.

Have trouble keeping track? Or just want to know what you happily avoided? No worries, we have you covered:

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Apple, AT&T, and Google FCC Response/Google Voice Rejection Roundup


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Posted in AT&T, Apple, Google, News, fcc, fcc response, google voice, roundup