Corporate and legal

Foxconn looks to branch out, reduce reliance on Apple

Foxconn, the company that has become best-known for working with Apple to produce iPhones and iPads, is looking to dramatically expand its product services, according to a new report.

As Apple's product shipments start to slow, Foxconn, which produces the company's mobile products, has decided that it's looking to move into media content and software, as well as electronics accessories, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing people who claim to have knowledge of its plans.

In an interview with the Journal, a Foxconn executive said the company needs to "actively expand our client base to … Read more

LG unveils white Nexus 4, says no plans for for Nexus 5

LG unveiled on Tuesday a white version of its blockbuster Nexus 4, while an executive nixed plans for a sequel device.

An LG executive told Dutch Web site All About Phones that it has no plans to build the Nexus 5, citing Kim Wong, head of LG's Europe business. The report was translated by Android Beat.

An LG representative confirmed the executive comments, but noted that the company wouldn't rule out another Nexus in the future. The representative said that the executive intended to convey the belief at LG that it didn't need the Nexus name to … Read more

Ending the headaches of Wi-Fi

Soon wireless subscribers won't even have to think about signing on to a Wi-Fi hot spot. New standards that will be included in the latest generation of products will take the headache out of Wi-Fi.

Millions of wireless customers access public Wi-Fi hot spots every day. Some people get free access to Wi-Fi through their mobile operator and use the networks to avoid going over their data caps. Others subscribe to Wi-Fi services to get access to higher-speed data wherever it's available. Whether you use free Wi-Fi or you subscribe to a service, getting on to whatever Wi-Fi … Read more

Yahoo said to press play on Hulu bid

Yahoo has reportedly made a bid to buy online video service Hulu.

The veteran media company, just days after announcing a $1.1 billion takeover of Tumblr, submitted an offer Friday morning to snatch up the popular Web and mobile streaming app for TV and movie content, according to AllThingsD.

Yahoo joins others such as Directv, Time Warner Cable, and The Chernin Group in making a play for Hulu, which is jointly owned by Walt Disney, News Corp., and Comcast. Guggenheim Digital, headed by former interim Yahoo CEO Ross Levinsohn, is also in the mix.

The Internet titan's interest … Read more

Google may build wireless networks in emerging markets, WSJ says

Google's bid to connect everyone to the Internet may have it entering the wireless service business.

The company is looking at building cellular networks and offering service to emerging markets such as sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, according to The Wall Street Journal. Citing anonymous sources, WSJ reported that the networks would be available outside of big cities, where service is spotty or not available. Google is reportedly working with local companies on a possible deployment and thinking up business models to support the networks.

Google is also looking at building low-cost phones using its Android operating system, considering … Read more

Sling, Belkin settle patent dispute over place-shifting tech

Sling Media and Belkin this week reached a settlement in their patent dispute related to place-shifting technology.

Sling on Monday asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to dismiss Belkin from its complaint filed in January.

Sling and Belkin declined to comment Friday.

Sling, a subsidiary of EchoStar, also has filed suit against other rivals, including Monsoon Multimedia. The company has accused its competitors of patent infringement related to technology used in its Slingbox, a device that allows users to watch and control their home television from anywhere. Belkin and Monsoon make products that compete with the Slingbox at lower … Read more

Nokia files new suits in patent fight with HTC, says reports

Nokia filed additional patent infringement claims against HTC on Thursday, according to reports.

All Things D reports that Nokia has filed a second complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission, as well as a federal suit in Southern California, against the Taiwanese handset maker.

The federal suit involves three patents related to "terminal, method and computer program product for interacting with a signaling tag," according to the court filing. It asks the court for a halt of the alleged infringement and unspecified damages.

Patents blog Foss Patents reports that the ITC complaint involves at least two patents, … Read more

AT&T adds 61-cent 'mobility' fee to wireless bills

AT&T customers should expect to pay a little more on their bill this month. The company has added a new 61-cent monthly administrative fee for all of its contract wireless customers.

The new "Mobility Administrative Fee," which went into effect May 1, applies to consumer and Individual Responsibility User (IRU) lines. The "below the line" fee appears with taxes and other surcharges at the bottom of a customer's phone bill, below the service charges.

While this may not sound like much, The Wall Street Journal reports that the fee could "bring in … Read more

In risky new tack, Microsoft stacks Surface against iPad

Microsoft's "iPad vs. Windows" campaign now includes iPad vs. Surface RT. Is Microsoft picking the right fight?

On the back of new ads that zero on the iPad's (purported) weaknesses, Microsoft has thrown up a comparison page that stacks the iPad against four Windows 8 tablets.

Microsoft isn't using the Surface RT in the anti-iPad ads. Rather, the Asus VivoTab is its weapon of choice.

But Surface RT is front and center on the comparison page. One small problem: the (highly-selective) Microsoft feature chart doesn't necessarily portray Surface RT as the clear winner (see … Read more

Microsoft cleared in Xbox patent spat with Google

The U.S. International Trade Commission on Thursday said it won't review a final ruling that found Microsoft to be in the clear of infringing on patents held by Motorola Mobility, which Google acquired last year.

The ruling (PDF) follows an initial determination in favor of Microsoft on March 22 of this year, as well as a final initial determination from last month from an ITC administrative law judge.

At stake were potential future sales of the console in the U.S., which could have been halted if Motorola had won.

"This is a win for Xbox customers … Read more