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LightSquared says it has fix to GPS interference problems

LightSquared, which is building a nationwide 4G LTE network, said today it has a fix that will ensure its network doesn't interfere with GPS navigation equipment.

The company said it is setting aside spectrum that is in the spectrum band adjacent to the one used for GPS or Global Positioning Systems. LightSquared has worked out a deal with satellite provider Inmarsat to use frequencies lower in the spectrum band that is further away from the GPS spectrum. These frequencies are not expected to interfere with GPS gear.

Originally, LightSquared had planned to move into that band of spectrum over … Read more

Mission (Almost) Impossible: The Impossible Game review

The Impossible Game, based on Xbox Live's (XBL) popular indie game, has finally been ported to Android to test your reflexive tapping skills.

Gameplay In The Impossible Game, players control an orange box speeding through an obstacle course that consists of blocks and spikes. The goal is to reach the end without colliding into oncoming objects and falling into pits. Hurdle over incoming obstacles by tapping the screen to jump. Crashing into any of the objects results in starting over at the beginning of the level.

The Impossible Game doesn't aim to be the prettiest game on the … Read more

Square vies with NFC for mobile payments

Start-up Square is looking to offer consumers and retailers its own unique mobile payments system through revamped versions of its iPhone/iPad app and its Android app.

Set up as a potential alternative to the much-touted but still emerging near-field communication (NFC) technology, Square's system would still let you pay for goods and services using your mobile phone without the need for cash or a credit card. But instead of having you tap your phone against an NFC-enabled register or terminal, Square's system would let "check into" a store through your phone, pick up your items, … Read more

B-Squares make electronics projects a snap

If a house of cards makes you think of old-fashioned aces, jacks, and diamonds, you obviously haven't heard of B-Squares.

A pair of Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates has developed a unique electronics construction kit comprised of the palm-size squares, which snap together via magnets embedded in the corners. There are a number of different types of B-Squares, including one that's a rechargeable battery. There's also a solar energy collector, a square lit by LEDs, and an Arduino microcontroller. A speaker square is in the works)

Like a rave-tastic deck of electric cards, B-Squares in combination can be used by creative types to make modular sound, light, or other structures or installations, with the electricity flowing through the entire array. The squares can be connected in any combination, and the constructions can be flat or three-dimensional.

B-Squares are the creation of Shawn Frayne, founder of Humdinger Wind Energy, and Jordan McRae, founder of Octo23 Technologies. This week, the pair put their project on peer-to-peer funding site Kickstarter.

The founders hope hobbyists and artists looking for new ways to incorporate unique power supplies into their lives or artwork will adopt B-Squares.

"We think that B-Squares will be a great tool for promoting the use of rechargeable batteries and solar energy to students, artists and all makers," McRae says. They cost $15 for a single Solar Square or up to $250 for a kit containing a mix of 15 squares.

Each B-Square has magnetic contacts on the corners so the squares easily connect to each other. The magnets also transmit electronic signals between squares, and how they're snapped together makes a difference: Depending on how the power squares touch neighbors, either the current or the voltage is increased. If you need more power, simply add more squares. Normally, hobbyists and builders need to custom-fit a battery into a solar array and then solder or wire the pieces together. … Read more

First Look at Madden 12: Enough to save the NFL?

It's a weird time for the NFL, to say the least. The league has been in a state of suspension since the Super Bowl in February, engaged in a lockout that seems, at the moment, to be lifted. And, of course, the NFL draft is about to kick off tonight amid the confusion. No better time to check out the latest edition of EA Sports' Madden franchise, which was unveiled today in playable form during an event in New York City's Times Square.

Enter EA Sports, which decided to engage in an unorthodox campaign of its own for this year's Madden 12 by putting the yearly cover athlete up for a bracket-based public vote.

In a shocker, the Cleveland Brown's gritty running back Peyton Hillis beat out the controversial Mike Vick, becoming the first cover athlete on EA's box in recent history who most people can't even recognize.

The cover photo shoot happened as a live event in Times Square, and alongside the session were the first playable versions of Madden 12, tucked away in a press tent. Needless to say, I stuck around to play (I'm a bit of a New York Jets fan, in case you didn't know).

I also spoke with Madden 12's art director, Mike Young, and executive producer, Phil Frazier, about how this year's version will fare amid a season that's still very much in flux. In addition, I asked about my continual pet peeve: Bill Belichick's mysterious absence from the Madden franchise. Check out the video above for the interview. Down below, I'll briefly discuss the game and my initial impressions.… Read more

LightSquared: The answer to U.S. wireless competition?

LightSquared, a company that most cell phone subscribers have never heard of, is building a nationwide wireless broadband network that it hopes will rival the nation's largest providers AT&T and Verizon Wireless.

The company has gotten a lot of buzz lately as the Federal Communications Commission and others see it as the answer for more competition in the wireless market. AT&T's announcement last month that it will acquire T-Mobile USA for $39 billion has raised eyebrows among regulators and consumer advocates concerned about too much consolidation in the wireless market.

LightSquared, which plans to sell its service wholesale instead of directly to consumers, has already signed up Leap Wireless and Cellular South as customers. Retail chain Best Buy has also committed to testing the service, and rumors are floating around that the company may be signing a deal with Sprint Nextel to share network resources.

And even though the network won't be up and running until early next year, there's already talk that the company may go public this summer.

But what is LightSquared exactly? And what are its chances of success? And finally, what does the potential success of this company mean for the average consumer? … Read more

Square lands in Apple Stores, online

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey's new company, Square, gives iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch owners the capability to accept credit card payments and charges a small percentage of each transaction only. No monthly or annual fees. No hardware expenses. And now, you can get a Square reader at an Apple Store or from Apple's Web site.

This is obviously a huge step for the start-up that has been offering a mobile payment solution for independent contractors and small businesses for almost a year now via its Web site.

Square's device is a small card reader plugs into the … Read more

Sprint, Clearwire reach deal on wholesale pricing

Sprint Nextel and Clearwire have settled their dispute over wholesale pricing, the companies announced today. Sprint uses the nationwide Clearwire network for its 4G WiMax wireless broadband service.

Under the new deal Clearwire will receive at least $1 billion from Sprint in 2011 and 2012. The minimum 4G usage commitment for this year is $300 million and $550 million next year. Sprint will pay $175 million in pre-payment for the service that will be used later this year and beyond.

The companies also worked out an agreement for devices that use both Sprint's 3G network and Clearwire's 4G … Read more

Jack Dorsey rejoins Twitter executive team

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, who served as the company's original CEO and has since gone on to co-found e-commerce start-up Square, will be returning to a day-to-day role at the company as "executive chairman." The move was formally announced in a tweet by Twitter CEO Dick Costolo this morning.

"Excited that Twitter Chairman @jack will be returning to the company day-to-day leading product as Executive Chairman," Costolo's tweet read.

Dorsey came up with the original concept for Twitter--something that has been very noticeable in the company's recent fifth-birthday commemorations--and served as CEO until … Read more