Filed under: Networking

Broadband stimulus plan comes to life, rural teens ‘psyched’ originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re not sure what Acer is up to lately, but this is the second slightly-revised Aspire One we’ve seen in the past few days — it looks like that rumored slimmer model with the weird hinge VGA and Ethernet ports is in fact real and headed for our fair shores. No hard specs on this mysterious stranger just yet except for the presence of the 3G SIM slot, but the model number Z68 AO530 strongly suggests that there’s an Atom Z530 lurking in there instead of the usual N270. We’ll let you know if we find out anything else — hit the read link for some more pics and oodles of FCC test data.

Filed under: Laptops

Slimmer Acer Aspire One pops up in the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Those clever fiends at the FCC have apparently been having all sorts of good times with HTC’s upcoming Touch Diamond2 of late, recently putting through a “TOPA100″ handset that sounds quite a bit like the leaked codename “Topaz” phone that turned into the Touch Diamond2 at MWC. Unfortunately, it seems the FCC just has the Europe version of the phone (slated for Q2 of this year) at the moment — a US version for AT&T is supposedly in the works, as shown in the original leak, but we’re still in the dark as to when that might arrive.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

HTC Touch Diamond2 “Topaz” for Europe makes it past the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For all of you still waiting for a little governmental assistance in buying that DTV converter box that you should’ve purchased months ago (we kid… a little), we’ve excellent news. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which is overseeing the program, has announced that it has finally begun to ship $40 vouchers towards the purchase of these very boxes once more. The waitlist has grown some 4.1 million deep since the subsidy program ran dry back in January, but the agency is hoping to have that cleared within three weeks. Of course, you better not procrastinate on your second chance — who knows how quickly the $650 million it has left will last.

[Image courtesy of BreakItDownBlog]

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

DTV coupons begin flowing once more, waitlist should vanish in 3 weeks originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Look sharp, Julius: you may have thought the debate over white space internet was over since the FCC approved the Google- and Microsoft-backed plan and the industry’s gearing up to make it reality, but part of the new gig is learning that nothing’s ever over while NAB still has lawyers at its disposal — the prickly broadcasting organization has filed suit to stop the tech from hitting the market. As usual, NAB says that despite all the convoluted geolocation sensing and interference detection measures the White Spaces Coalition promises to implement, TV signals will be interfered with, and that’s not okay. Of course, we’ve heard all these arguments for years now, and while white space devices have had a rocky test history, they’ve been successful recently — it seems like NAB is taking advantage of confusion at the FCC following the delayed DTV transition to try and pull the rug out while no one’s looking. A bastard move, to be sure, but we doubt it’s going to be successful — going up against both the government and the heavy hitters of the tech industry is rarely a winning idea.

Filed under: Wireless

NAB throws down, sues FCC over white space internet originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As widely expected by most folks who speculate on such things, President Obama has now formally nominated lawyer and former venture capitalist Julius Genachowski to head up the Federal Communications Commission and fill the slot vacated by Bush appointee Kevin Martin. Among other things, Genachowski’s nomination is particularly notable given his support for net neutrality, which he made quite well known during the Obama campaign in his role as a top technology advisor. Of course, if and when he gets confirmed, he’ll also have his hands full with a few other tricky issues, including the widespread rollout of broadband services as a result of the recent stimulus package, and that small matter of the digital TV transition.

[Via Wired Epicenter]

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Networking

Obama taps Julius Genachowski to head the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the unlikely event that you needed a few final shreds of evidence to be convinced that the CDMA version of the BlackBerry Pearl flip — the 8230 — is real, feast your eyes on this heavy reading. Just-approved FCC documents show a device outline that can only be described as that of a clamshell, and sure enough, the SAR report indicates CDMA and EV-DO on the 850 and 1900MHz bands, so yeah, if this isn’t the 8230, we can’t imagine what it’d be. The timing on this development really couldn’t be any better since we’re expecting it to hit both Verizon and Telus in the near term, so quick show of hands: who’s buying?

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

BlackBerry Pearl 8230 flips its way into the FCC’s heart originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After Google had accidentally dropped the T-Bomb during its offline Gmail demo, we’d half expected (okay, hoped) that the version of the Sapphire passing through the FCC would rock T-Mobile’s 1700MHz AWS goodies for US 3G. Alas, it doesn’t — implying that there’ll be at least two versions of the phone launched around the world, which really doesn’t come as a surprise considering the G1 takes the same route. We figure this particular variant probably does 2100MHz HSDPA in addition to the usual array of GSM / EDGE bands, so rest easy, Vodafone customers, you’ll have a perfectly legal handset should you decide to cross the pond.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

HTC Magic stops by FCC for a quick ‘hello,’ no AWS in sight originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung has a history of pumping out Bluetooth speakers with unorthodox designs, so we can’t say we were totally taken off guard when this one popped up in the FCC’s database. That said, it’s hard not to be a little shocked when checking out a speaker that looks more like a pair of black flowers than an audio maker, but that’s exactly what’s presented in the BSP6000. This mobile companion not only allows for BT music streaming, but it also pairs with your handset in order to initiate / answer / end calls. Predictably, Sammy threw in a standard 3.5 millimeter auxiliary jack for connecting any other music source, and we’re told that it’ll work with your BT phone so long as it’s within a 30 foot radius. Obviously, there’s no mention of a price or release date (though that would be nice of you to find out, FCC), but we’ll be sure to keep an eye out for more. Shouldn’t be too hard to miss.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Samsung’s flower-inspired BSP6000 Bluetooth speaker hits FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Feb 2009 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Been hankering for a low-end Nokia XpressMusic device in a familiar and unthreatening form factor? Then you might want to check in with the 5630, a candybar the company just shuttled off to the FCC for review (and dissection, if these pictures are any indication). In case you forgot, the device will sport a 3.2 megapixel camera with built-in flash, GPS, S60 3rd Edition (a personal fave of Engadget Mobile), and the “active toolbar” which we’ve seen more recently on the Tube… er, 5800 XpressMusic. The phone also supports N-gage games, and though we’ve been led to understand the device rocks an HSDPA / HSUPA radio, the manual up on the FCC’s site only mentions GPRS and EDGE connectivity. For now we’ll just assume that some kind of crazy joke (or typical US neutering of Nokia handsets). Check a pic of the gutted device after the break, and hit the read link for the full Commission rundown.

[Via Electronic Pulp]

Continue reading Nokia’s 5630 XpressMusic hits the FCC

Filed under: Cellphones

Nokia’s 5630 XpressMusic hits the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Feb 2009 09:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After much wrangling, the DTV Delay Act has worked its way through the House of Representatives and will certainly be signed by President Obama, changing the cutoff date for analog broadcasts from February 17 to June 12. Don’t expect this to bring a sudden end to digital TV confusion, since stations can switch prior to that date, and according to the FCC up to 61% will be able to. Since simply powering analog equipment costs thousands of dollars a month, OTA TV watchers will want to check their local broadcaster’s plans as more than a few will be going ahead with the original date for better or worse. Got an unused, expired coupon? No need to head to Retrevo just yet, since you’ll now be able to reapply to the again-funded coupon program. Of course, the FCC still has to figure out how to implement the new law, with only a few days to prepare, tomorrow’s open meeting on the subject should be very interesting.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

It’s official: DTV “hard date” moved to June 12 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It looks like Acer’s 10-inch Aspire One D150 is getting set for a US debut, as it just popped up in the FCC’s all-knowing database. Nothing here we didn’t know or couldn’t guess — Acer’s own list of changes from the 8.9-inch Aspire One consists of the screen size and a new Bluetooth module — but it’s nice to see Uncle Sam giving this bad boy the once over before it starts beaming its WiFi terror rays into our homes. Or, you know, running XP to browse Facebook, whatever.

[Via mini-notebook-laptop]

Filed under: Laptops

10-inch Aspire One does a little government work at the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s a sad day for Cox internet subscribers, ’cause if the FCC or some other almighty agency doesn’t step in soon, your traffic could be slowed. The carrier has just announced a rather significant update to its data management policies, as it lays out plans to test a system next month that will “give priority to Internet traffic it judges to be time-sensitive, like web pages, streaming video and online games.” We’re also told that “file downloads, software updates and other non-time sensitive data may be slowed if there is congestion on the local network.” Thankfully, “streaming video” was listed in the category that’ll supposedly get first dibs on available bandwidth, but one always has to wonder what kind of juju is going on behind closed doors when a plan such as this is announced. If all goes well in the Kansas / Arkansas test markets, the system could be rolled out to all Cox internet customers (business users notwithstanding) by the year’s end. Lovely.

[Via HotHardware]

Filed under: Networking

Cox follows Comcast down the data discrimination road originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comcast and now-former FCC Chairman Kevin Martin haven’t exactly been the best of buddies during Martin’s tenure at the regulatory agency, and it looks like things weren’t about to change as he made his way out the door. As The Wall Street Journal reports, Martin announced yet another investigation into Comcast in his final hours on the job, with this one focused on allegations that Comcast is deliberately downgrading its rivals’ phone services — an allegation that may sound strikingly familiar to those that follow such things. For its part, Comcast simply says that it has “fully complied” with the FCC’s so-called congestion-management practices, and that it is “reviewing the FCC staff’s letter.” In related news, Martin has also proposed $500,000 in fines against several cable companies, including Comcast, saying that they have failed to provide enough information about whether they have improperly shifted channels from analog to digital tiers. Of course, all of this is still up in the air at the moment, and could possibly be rolled back if and when President Obama’s expected choice to head the agency, Julius Genachowski, takes the reins.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Former FCC Chair sets Comcast probe into motion on his way out originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We don’t have a lot to go on, but a machine called the VAIO GS just popped up in the FCC database, along with the usual nasty gub’ment photos. Doing some extremely rough back-of-the-napkin calculations, it looks like it’s Sony’s answer to the Dell Mini 12 — 11 inches wide with a 12ish-inch 4:3 screen. We’re also seeing an optional built-in optical drive, WiFi, Bluetooth, three USB ports, a PC Card slot (that’s what it’s marked — let’s hope it’s really ExpressCard), a Memory Stick slot, Ethernet and modem ports, and VGA out. We’re guessing the optical drive explains the netbook-ish hinge battery placement, but nothing explains how ugly this thing is — let’s hope the downgrade in style from the VAIO P comes with a corresponding downgrade in price. A few more shots after the break.

Update: As a few astute commenters have pointed out, this could be an updated US-bound version of the Japan-only VAIO G from 2006 — if things haven’t changed too much, you’re looking at a two-pound machine with a 12.1-inch display. We’ll see — the exterior is definitely a little different, and we don’t think the market is right for the VAIO G’s original $2,000 pricetag.

Continue reading Sony VAIO GS series pops up in the FCC — a cheap Sony ultraportable?

Filed under: Laptops

Sony VAIO GS series pops up in the FCC — a cheap Sony ultraportable? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Make no mistake, we have all ideas that Julius Genachowski is very much concerned with cable pricing, but according to analysts, putting pressure on operators isn’t apt to be his focus. Jules, as he’s known around the Engadget offices, is expected to be named the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. His primary concern? Network neutrality. As with most things in politics, the appointment is likely to be a double-edged sword for consumers; on one hand, we’ll greatly benefit from a higher-up pushing open internet development and increased deployment, but on the other, we can pretty much kiss any faint hopes of à la carte pay-TV arrangements goodbye. Of course, before he tackles any of that, he’ll first have to deal with the impending digital TV transition, which should be immensely riveting to watch from the sidelines.

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Networking

Possible new FCC chair could focus on net neutrality, not cable pricing originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shortly after Barack Obama’s transition team urged Congress to postpone the looming digital TV transition, FCC chairman Kevin Martin has hit back with suggestions to keep things on track. His primary concern is that delaying the cutover, which has been scheduled for years and advertised as such, will confuse consumers — and honestly, we think he has a point. If the February 17th changeover date suddenly becomes meaningless, we could definitely see consumer confusion about this whole ordeal hitting an all-time high. Martin was quoted at an interview at CES as saying that “there are options they can do without having to delay to get coupons flowing immediately,” suggesting that extra funding should be hastily given or that those 90-day expiration dates be marked null and void. Additionally, many broadcasters have already scheduled work to take down their analog equipment, and cancellations could be costly and disruptive. Oh, brother — just call us when this mess is over.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

FCC’s Kevin Martin proposes alternatives for delaying DTV transition originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 04:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We watch more FCC filings than we do episodes of Deal Or No Deal. Okay, that’s not entirely true, but we watch our fair share of RF approvals — and needless to say, when we saw a Palm handset cross the wires the day of the Pre announcement, we’d immediately assumed it was the approved device. On further analysis, though, it turns out that we’re actually looking at the CDMA version of the Treo Pro, a phone that’s been rumored for Sprint for a hot minute now. Actually, we’re pretty shocked it wasn’t announced at CES along with the Pre — anxiety that the announcement would be totally eclipsed and buried by the Pre buzz, maybe. At any rate, we’d expect it to break cover pretty shortly at this point.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Palm’s CDMA Treo Pro gets FCC approval originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First International Computer — which is a majority owner in Everex and the manufacturer of the first OpenMoko handset — has delivered an intriguing little machine to us courtesy of the oh-so-revealing FCC. The FIC CW001 Mini-note will arrive on US soil packing a 10.4-inch 1,024 x 600 resolution display, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 1.3-megapixel webcam, 2.5-inch SATA II hard drive, dual USB 2.0 ports, a single ExpressCard slot, Intel’s 945 GSE graphics, a 1.6GHz Atom CPU, an optical drive and a Windows-based (XP, presumably) OS. You’ll also find an inbuilt microphone, headphone jack, VGA output, Ethernet socket, a 4-in-1 multicard reader and a 4-cell Li-ion good for around 4.5 hours of battery life. No telling if this will surface as yet another Cloudbook, but everything here hinges on the price. Then again, doesn’t it always?

Filed under: Handhelds, Laptops

FIC’s 10.4-inch CW001 Mini-note splashes down in FCC database originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seeing how it’s the end of the year, it’s as good a time as any to formulate a list of 2008’s killer smartphones — and with an 8-megapixel cam rounding out a what’s-what list of awesome specs, the S60-based Samsung INNOV8 really needs to makes the cut. In fact, it’s so hardcore — arguably the most powerful S60 phone ever released — that it seemed like a forgone conclusion from day one that we wouldn’t be seeing it in North America (yeah, we’re jaded like that). Samsung might have other ideas, though, now that we’ve seen a version of the INNOV8 garner FCC approval with WCDMA (presumably 7.2Mbps HSDPA, to be specific) on the 850 and 1900MHz bands. Given that Samsung’s mobile division doesn’t really have a direct relationship with end users in the States, we’d expect this to be a branded set for either Rogers or AT&T — but at any rate, whichever carrier it happens to be, we salute your infinite wisdom.

[Via Symbian-Guru]

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Samsung’s mighty INNOV8 sk8s through FCC with US-friendly 3G originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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