Why Nokia Sueing Apple? Explained.

Nokia Sue Apple snapvoip.blogspot.com
The patent infringement case in which Nokia is seeking monies from Apple for GSM, UMTS (3G) and WiFi patents.engadget went on a digging safari to find out facta and came out with fact to show us it is a simple case of Nokia asking what is due from Apple. But more I read these patent cases, more I get confused. Why are we making standards based on patents? even if  "fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory" terms (or FRAND terms) are in place to stop companies like Nokia from gauging the rest of the world who ever makes a cell phone.
But I guess Apple would do the same if they owned the patent :).
So read and learn more about how these patents and law suits work.
engadget

Verizon Enhances Broadband Services With Free Wi-Fi

Free WiFi To Verizon Customers
Verizon is offering its broadband customers with free WiFi services through hotspots in their communities as well as they travel, provided that the WiFi service is available. The service will go into effect July 27, 2009, today.
"Wherever they go - across town or across the country -- Internet users today want the freedom and flexibility of staying connected online whenever they want," said Mike Ritter, chief marketing officer for Verizon Telecom. "In addition to providing in-home broadband networks and the nation's most reliable 3G wireless network, we're now offering even more connections with fast, free Wi-Fi that customers can use in their local communities and when traveling across the country."

New Verizon FiOS Internet customers with 25/15 Mbps or faster connection, And new HSI customers who get 3 Mbps/768 Kbps or 7.1 Mbps/768 Kbps connection, can connect to the new Verizon Wi-Fi hot spots, at no additional charge as part of their broadband service.

The new Wi-Fi service is also available free of charge for existing FiOS Internet customers with up-to-20 Mbps or faster packages and existing HSI customers who have either an up-to-3 Mbps or up-to- 7.1 Mbps package.

NEW YORK, July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon continues to enhance its broadband service capabilities for consumers to offer competitive advantages over rival communication providers.

Since the beginning of the year, Verizon has introduced faster downstream and unprecedented upstream speeds for its all-fiber-optic FiOS Internet service; expanded the reach of its digital subscriber line-based Verizon High Speed Internet (HSI) service; and started offering mini netbook computers to customers as part of select bundle promotions.

And starting Monday (July 27), the company will expand Internet connection capabilities for millions of Verizon broadband customers by providing them free access to thousands of Wi-Fi connections across the U.S., reflecting the company's sharp focus on developing and deploying broadband and entertainment services.

"Wherever they go - across town or across the country -- Internet users today want the freedom and flexibility of staying connected online whenever they want," said Mike Ritter, chief marketing officer for Verizon Telecom. "In addition to providing in-home broadband networks and the nation's most reliable 3G wireless network, we're now offering even more connections with fast, free Wi-Fi that customers can use in their local communities and when traveling across the country."

New Verizon FiOS Internet customers who order an up-to- 25/15 Mbps(* )(megabits per second) or faster connection, or new HSI customers who order an up-to- 3 Mbps/768 Kbps(*) (kilobits per second) or up-to- 7.1 Mbps/768 Kbps(*) connection, can connect to the new Verizon Wi-Fi hot spots, at no additional charge as part of their broadband service.

The new Wi-Fi service is also available free of charge for existing FiOS Internet customers with up-to-20 Mbps or faster packages and existing HSI customers who have either an up-to-3 Mbps or up-to- 7.1 Mbps package.

Free Verizon Wi-Fi hot spot locations include hotels, airports, restaurants, coffee shops, retailers, convention centers and public locations across the U.S. For a list of hot spot locations, visit www.verizon.net/hotspots.

"Our new free Wi-Fi connections are an ideal complement to our current netbook promotion that really enhances the value and functionality of the netbook," said Ritter. "We're making it more enticing for customers to want to use Verizon broadband services by giving them the mobility tools they need to stay connected more often and in more places."

Wi-Fi Access Made Easy For Verizon Broadband Customers

Qualifying FiOS Internet and HSI customers can log on to www.verizon.net and use their Verizon username and password to download software for free Wi-Fi access at the Verizon hot spots.

Verizon broadband services are available to more than 25 million homes in parts of 24 states and the District of Columbia.

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

SOURCE Verizon

Tags: Verizon Wi-Fi hot spots, FiOS Internet customers, Verizon, FIOS, Free WiFI, HSI

AT&T Customers Can Get Edgy With BlackBerry Curve 8900 Soon.

Blackberry Curve 8900
AT&T today announced the early summer availability of the BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone. AT&T consumer, small business and enterprise customers will enjoy new features and enhanced performance, including both Wi-Fi and GPS, a fast next generation processor, rich multimedia capabilities, microSD/SDHC expandable memory card slot supports up to 16GB¹ per card and ample memory for applications with the BlackBerry Curve 8900. Users will be able to get a faster, richer experience surfing the Internet and accessing their social networking or line-of-business applications via AT&T’s wireless and Wi-Fi networks.
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 is a world phone, allowing customers to access data in more than 170 countries and make calls in more than 200. The smartphone supports quad-band EDGE (850/900/1700/ 1800Mhz) and Wi-Fi 802.11 b and g. The BlackBerry Curve 8900 also comes with a removable/rechargeable battery that provides a talk time of 5.5 hours and approximately 15 days of standby time. But no 3G!
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone will be available in AT&T stores and online in the early summer.
AT&T Press

Tags: ATT, blackberry 8900, Free WiFI

Comcast Testing Free WiFi.

http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
After all the misgivings and protests, Comcast seem to have given into WiFI and is offering free WiFi on a beta test near NJ Transit commuter rail stations throughout the New Jersey region.
Comcast spokesperson Mary Nell Westbrook confirmed the trial. "We're reviewing all aspects of wireless data networks and gauging user interest as a value-added service to Comcast High-Speed Internet," says Westbrook. "Comcast Wi-Fi is a limited local trial -- a beta test service that is available at no additional charge to existing Comcast Internet customers," she says.
DSLReports News Article

Tags: Free WiFI, comcast, dslreports

Skype™ 1.0 Beta for Intel-based Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs).

http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
Basically in other words, that is Skype for your devices like, iPhone, Nokia NXX, Blackberry and UMPCs. But the initial focus seem to fall on Intel Atom Processor and Moblin-based Linux OS (www.moblin.org) As they stand to sell in large quantities, in short time period.
MIDs are an emerging category of small, truly mobile consumer devices enabling a rich Internet experience, coupled with the capability to communicate with others, enjoy entertainment, access information, and be productive on the go - all without sacrificing mobility or performance. MIDs typically come with 4"-7" screens, a camera, GPS and WiFi connectivity. Select MIDs also provide WiMax or 3G/4G support for wireless broadband connectivity on-the-go. ABI Research expects 86 million Linux-enabled MIDs to ship by 2013. For more information about Intel Mobile Internet Devices, please visit www.intel.com/products/mid.

"Today's introduction of the first, complete Internet communications offering for MIDs bridges the gap between the phone and PC and underscores our vision of 'Skype everywhere' and our commitment to open access," said Scott Durchslag, Skype's Chief Operating Officer. "By supporting WiFi, WiMax, 3G and 4G, this development expands Skype's mobile portfolio and further illustrates the broad accessibility to Skype that we offer on a multitude of mobile devices."

"Mobile Internet Devices enable users to enjoy the full Internet experience and stay connected with their friends and family wherever they go," said Pankaj Kedia, director of global ecosystem programs in the Ultra Mobility Group at Intel Corporation. "Our collaboration with Skype to deliver Skype 1.0 Beta for Mobile Internet Devices based on the Intel® Atom™ processor and Moblin-based Linux OS will provide new ways for users to communicate anywhere, anytime."

Tags: Mobile Skype, MIDs, VoIP, Free WiFI, wimax, Linux-enabled MIDs, Moblin-based Linux OS

Get Free WiFi With Your iPhone And BlackBerry From AT&T

http://snapvoip.blogspot.com/
It is getting easier to get VoIP Services with more mobile devices (Mobile VoIP) now that AT&T has decided to deliver AT&T free WiFi services to it's BalclBerry and iPhone customers. I have all my business conducted from an BlackBerry when I am out of the office and now the life might get easier, so to millions of other users of iPhone and BlackBerry. But make sure that you have the unlimited data plan, that is one requirement from AT&T.
AT&T announced today that it will begin offering free AT&T Wi-Fi(SM) service to current and new Mobile customers. Mainly iPhone and BlackBerry customers. In addition to the iPhone, iPhone 3G, BlackBerry devices like BlackBerry Bold, the BlackBerry(R) Pearl(TM) 8120 and the BlackBerry(R) 8820 will follow later this year, will have free AT&T Wi-FI service. AT&T plans to make the offer available to more mobile devices in the future. AT&T has the nation's largest Wi-Fi network, with more than 17,000 hot spots including Starbucks, Barnes & Noble,and thousands of other locations to access free wifi.
Additional details, including instructions on how to access the hot spots, are available at attwifi.

"AT&T is committed to providing its customers with the best connectivity at the best value," said David Christopher, chief marketing officer of AT&T's mobility business unit. "We have the industry's leading lineup of smartphones, along with the nation's largest Wi-Fi network. It only makes sense for us to bring these unique capabilities together for our customers."

Tags: Mobile VoIP, Free WiFI, AT&T, BlackBerry, iPhone, voip service