Mobile & Wireless

OpenSignal has released a report on Thursday looking at the state of LTE coverage and speeds around the world, revealing that, contrary to what you might expect, not all LTE networks perform comparably. While 4G is a convenient term for consumers to get their heads around, the performance of networks being rolled out in different Continue Reading →

Facebook’s surprise $16 billion acquisition of WhatsApp on Wednesday might not have been part of the only offer the messaging company received. Fortune reports that Google offered to buy WhatsApp for $10 billion. In a brief report on the rumored offer, Fortune notes that two separate sources have confirmed Google offered to purchase WhatsApp, but Continue Reading →

HTC, the Taiwanese smartphone maker struggling with sliding sales, plans to demonstrate the first of three wearable devices next week in Barcelona, according to a person with direct knowledge of the plans. A smartwatch prototype based on Qualcomm’s Toq device will be previewed to carriers at the Mobile World Congress trade show, with no plans Continue Reading →

Google is working on a new WiFi app that could take a lot of the drudgery out of accessing public hotspots. According to our sources, the search giant has built Android and iOS versions of an app that automatically authenticate and connect to its free hotspots inside Starbucks stores or wherever they are available. Google Continue Reading →

Facebook announced on Wednesday afternoon that it had reached an agreement to buy popular mobile messaging startup WhatsApp for an upfront total of $16 billion, including $4 billion in cash and about $12 billion in Facebook shares. Co-founder and CEO Jan Koum will join Facebook’s Board of Directors, but WhatsApp will continue to operate independently Continue Reading →

If you’re unhappy with your current mobile service, the new Glove app for Android wants to find you something better. Launching today in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City, the free app logs your location and phone usage for three days before serving up recommendations for the carrier that best suits you. Continue Reading →

The FCC has announced its intention to pursue a new version of the Open Internet order that was struck down by a judge last month. In a statement, agency chair Tom Wheeler says that he will begin taking public input on an updated set of net neutrality rules. The FCC will not pursue an appeal Continue Reading →

A security firm revealed Wednesday that a vulnerability on the popular dating app Tinder made it possible for an attacker with some know-how to pinpoint users’ precise locations. Tinder was made known of this security flaw Oct. 23 and the hole was patched up before the new year, according to Max Veytsman from the Include Continue Reading →

You can now use Amazon Coins, the online retailer’s virtual currency, to purchase apps, games, and in-app content on Android devices. Unsurprisingly, those purchases must all be made within Amazon’s standalone Appstore; Google Play is sticking with more traditional payment options. Amazon first unveiled Coins last year and gave every Kindle Fire owner $5 in Continue Reading →

Square is debuting a special-edition reader in partnership with AIDS organization (RED). The new ‘SQUA(RED) Reader’ is red in color, and for every order via the device, 97.25 percent of the $10 donation amount will go to the fund to fight AIDS. When consumers swipe their cards on a (RED), customers can donate right from Continue Reading →