Wireless

AT&T is relying more and more on its Wi-Fi networks to help off-load data traffic, which should ultimately lead to better network performance for its wireless customers.

This week the carrier said it has seen Wi-Fi usage on these networks triple in the last year. In the third quarter, AT&T said its customers made 301.9 million AT&T Wi-Fi connections or about 37 connections every second. The company added that on average, its users make about 100 million connections to its Wi-Fi networks every month. In fact, Wi-Fi connections in a single month now … Read more

Is Apple working on its own Internet-connected TV? According to The Washington Post, which is reviewing an advanced copy of the authorized biography of former CEO Steve Jobs, Apple has been working on such a device.

Tidbits from the biography written by Walter Isaacson have been trickling out the past couple of days before the book's debut on Monday. These latest cited passages describe how Jobs hoped to change the TV industry in much the same way he transformed the computing, music, and telecommunications industries.

The Washington Post article quoted Isaacson's book:

"He very much wanted to … Read more

Sprint Nextel is getting rid of its all-you-can-eat 4G wireless broadband plan for tablets, Netbooks, notebooks, USB cards, and Mobile Hotspot devices.

On Thursday the company informed subscribers in a notice on its Web site that it will stop offering its unlimited 4G mobile broadband offering. The wireless broadband service, which is used for the aforementioned devices, will no longer bundle unlimited 4G wireless access into existing plans, which limit usage for 3G service to 3GB, 5GB, and 10GB monthly usage.

Sprint said that as of the next billing cycle, customers already subscribed to these services will continue to pay … Read more

A controversial study holds to an earlier claim that mobile phone use does not increase a person's risk of developing a brain tumor.

The study, which was published in the British Medical Journal yesterday, argues that even after using a cell phone for more than a decade, a person's chances of getting a brain tumor are about the same as they would be without cell phone use. The study, which is an update to previous research that found no link between mobile phone use and cancer, examined the instances of brain tumors among long-term cell phone users in … Read more

Verizon Communications' revenue and profits edged slightly ahead of analyst expectations for the third quarter, but the company's growth in wireless subscribers missed expectations during the period.

Today, Verizon reported that its profits increased to $3.54 billion, or 49 cents a share, compared with $2.7 billion, or 23 cents a share, during the same quarter a year ago. Adjusted profits for Verizon were 56 cents a share. Analysts had expected 55 cents a share.

Revenue increased to $27.91 billion from $26.5 billion during the same quarter a year ago. And analysts had expected the company … Read more

It was only a few years ago when Verizon Wireless customers complained they didn't have enough choices when it came to cool new phones. Now it looks Verizon is the place to be for the latest and greatest in smartphones.

But what's an average smartphone consumer to do? It seems like every week, Verizon is adding a new "flagship" device to its offering. While Verizon representatives say they are simply trying to offer customers more choice, they're also creating some confusion. In this Friday's Ask Maggie, I help one reader get a handle on … Read more

Disgruntled Verizon Communications and Verizon Wireless workers and members of the labor union Communications Workers of America will be joining the "Occupy Wall Street" protest Friday in protest of "Verizon's corporate greed."

In a press release issued Thursday afternoon, the CWA said that about 1,000 Verizon workers will meet at Verizon's headquarters in downtown Manhattan near Wall Street at 4 p.m. ET and march past Liberty Plaza/Zuccotti Park where "Occupy Wall Street" protesters are gathered. The march will end at a Verizon Wireless dealer on Broad Street. Many of … Read more

Chinese cell phone maker ZTE has introduced another device for the U.S. market. The new ZTE Memo is an advanced feature phone available on Leap Wireless' Cricket service.

The ZTE Memo is a low-cost, 3G bar-style feature phone. It offers full Web browsing, a QWERTY keyboard for quick messaging, MP3 player, and access to popular Cricket services, such as its Cricket Navigator service.

The phone costs $99.99 and is available for Cricket's prepaid service.

"The ZTE Memo brings Cricket customers a great QWERTY data phone with features they want at an affordable price," Matt Stoiber, … Read more

NEW YORK--Motorola's ultrathin Droid Razr may be just the device to take on the Apple's latest iPhone 4S.

Motorola today took the wraps off the new Droid Razr, the thinnest smartphone ever made, in a move that revives what some would call an iconic brand, the Razr. Motorola's Razr, introduced in 2004, was the hottest-selling cell phone for years. It's super-thin design was the envy of industry and helped push Motorola to a top spot in the world cell phone market.

The company is hoping to strike gold once again with the brand and with the … Read more