JoikuSpot is one of our favorite S60 apps, turning what is otherwise totally capable smartphone into a pocket-sized WiFi hotspot. Now the company behind it, Joikusoft, is partnering with FON to release a new version called FONspot, which will turn Symbiotes into Foneros. (Symbreros?) Users will be able to share their mobile hotspots with up to 5 friends and, in keeping with FON's business model, access those provided by others Foneros free of charge. No word yet on up-front cost, but the updated app is due sometime in Q3 2008 which is... right now, actually.

[Via IntoMobile]

The US government and Sprint Nextel have hung up their respective gloves and Sprint has claimed a big loss, as the government has apparently kicked Sprint's telecom-providing butt out the door. Sprint, which has provided various telecom services for the feds for 18 years, was displaced by AT&T, Verizon Business and Qwest as part of the largest telecom contract ever cobbled together by the government. The newly-coined "Networx Universal" contract has a period of 10 years and makes provisions for wireless voice, video and data services to 135 federal agency across 191 countries. That's what we call a contract, and a stout one at that. Until then, Sprint may still be in the running for another contract for providing secure, IP and managed network services to the U.S. Government. That contract will be awarded in May, but in the meantime, losing $20B has gotta sting.

Qualcomm and Nokia, the two heavyweight fighters in a long and drawn out nasty battle over intellectual property rights are possibly burying the hatchet (just not in each other's backs.) Both companies are having a press conference along with Sprint Nextel a week from tomorrow (Feb. 28). Now, when you get Qualcomm and Sprint Nextel together, nothing seems out of place. Inject Nokia in there and there is something afoot -- but what? With Sprint Nextel committed to WiMax for its 4G plans and Nokia shaking hands with Sprint Nextel on that turf, maybe Nokia and Qualcomm are close to shaking hands in some form after years of issues that left Nokia holding an expensive but worthless 1xRTT bag of, well, nothing. Maybe WiMax will be the glue that reseals that relationship.