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cable posts

Comcast could serve TV over WiMAX, inflate your bill even higher

by Darren Murph posted Sep 16th 2009 @ 5:03PM

Think you're good at turning down the upsell? Try saying no to adding WiMAX to your home internet service for the low, low price of whatever Comcast wants to charge. Thanks to a multi-billion dollar tie-up with Clearwire, Comcast has been offering WiMAX-based internet services in a few markets, but now that On Demand Online is a go, it makes sense to think that the operator would use that as leverage to get people hooked. For those unaware, ODO enables Comcast pay-TV subscribers to watch a vast array of programming from any internet connection, which of course means that any ole 3G / 4G data connection would work just as well as Comcast's own. Oh, and while mobile TV is pretty good -- and we're going to let Comcast finish -- watching HDTV at home with a DVR is definitely the best scenario of all time.

Update: Just to be clear, this service won't deliver TV straight to phones.

When a squid loves a USB cable, you get this

by Chris Ziegler posted Apr 16th 2009 @ 9:13PM

What do you call a guy who can charge a Nokia, a Samsung, an LG, and a Sony Ericsson at the same time, all from the comfort of his laptop's USB port? A hero, that's what -- a hero who's purchased Brando's USB Multi-Charge Cable. Actually, we're fairly certain you'd run into a brick wall trying to charge any more than one device at a time, but at least you'll be prepared regardless of what kind of portable device gets thrown your way. At $13, it's going to run you a hell of a lot less than cables for each of those stupid proprietary connectors, too.

Possible new FCC chair could focus on net neutrality, not cable pricing

by Darren Murph posted Jan 13th 2009 @ 5:00PM

Make no mistake, we have all ideas that Julius Genachowski is very much concerned with cable pricing, but according to analysts, putting pressure on operators isn't apt to be his focus. Jules, as he's known around the Engadget offices, is expected to be named the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. His primary concern? Network neutrality. As with most things in politics, the appointment is likely to be a double-edged sword for consumers; on one hand, we'll greatly benefit from a higher-up pushing open internet development and increased deployment, but on the other, we can pretty much kiss any faint hopes of à la carte pay-TV arrangements goodbye. Of course, before he tackles any of that, he'll first have to deal with the impending digital TV transition, which should be immensely riveting to watch from the sidelines.

Matias' Tune Blocker alleviates the need to ever push "cancel sync" again

by Jacob Schulman posted Jan 7th 2009 @ 6:41PM

If hitting that "Cancel Sync" button in iTunes is just too terrifying of a task, the Tune Blocker from Matias is here to save your day. For the low price $24.95, you get the three-foot cable which allows you to toggle between data syncing and charging only modes. For another five bucks, you can score another three-feet of mouseless anti-syncing bliss, or you could just take the economical high road and stick to the included cable that comes with your iPod or iPhone out-of-the-box and save your cash for a much more useful purchase later on.

Singapore's StarHub launches first commercial 3G femtocell service

by Darren Murph posted Dec 13th 2008 @ 11:27AM

Generally speaking, when cable providers offer up "triple-play" packages, that third leg is a digital phone that acts as a standalone landline. Singapore's StarHub has a better idea, and it's calling it Home Zone. Hailed as the first commercial 3G femtocell service, the setup puts a MaxOnline-enabled router (free on loan) in the home "so that users can make voice and video calls and send SMS over StarHub's cable network from their mobile phones." Any 3G phone is compatible, and up to four calls can be made simultaneously on a single box. Moreover, all outgoing local voice calls, video calls and SMS are free, though the Home Zone subscription will run customers $30 per month -- unless they get in prior to the start of '09, which will give them half off for the next twelve months. Better hurry, too, as the whole shebang is only available to the first 200 customers at present time.

[Via RCRWireless]

Cox to enter cellphone biz, link handsets to other cable-related services

by Darren Murph posted Oct 27th 2008 @ 9:54AM

We know, you're just dying to say this is a complete shock, but we're here to inform you that it's not. If you'll recall, Cox dug deep to snatch up a decent block of spectrum in this year's 700MHz auction, and it even went so far as to promise a differentiated product that would eventually integrate with its other content and services. Sure enough, it's keeping its word. After spending $500 million on wireless capacity in its markets, president Pat Esser says it's time to turn things on. By relying on Cox's own 3G network (along with Sprint's, initially), the carrier will offer up an undisclosed amount of handsets that will "include a network address book that automatically synchronizes with home PCs" and allow remote programming of one's DVR. Furthermore, users will be able to access e-mail and voicemail that they receive at home right on their mobile, and ideally, subscribers could watch TV shows right on their handsets. Get ready for an awkward new rival in the wireless space beginning, um, anytime now.

Sprint bows out of wireless spectrum joint venture

by Darren Murph posted Aug 2nd 2007 @ 1:08AM

Sprint sure has been backing out of and sashaying into quite a few deals of late, and the schizophrenic trend is continuing as it opts out of SpectrumCo, one of two joint ventures with cable operators Comcast, Time Warner Cable (parent company of AOL, which owns Engadget), Cox Communications, and Brighthouse (Advance/Newhouse). Reportedly, the firm is still remaining a part of the Sprint/Cable venture (now known as Pivot) as it focuses on "integrating wireline and wireless services offered by the cable partners with itself." We're led to believe that Sprint simply had different plans for investing its capital, but it apparently sees value in hanging in there with the whole Pivot endeavor. Interestingly, when TWC's CEO was questioned over SpectrumCo's possible involvement in the forthcoming wireless auction, he casually proclaimed that "it would be inappropriate for him to make any comment on it one way or the other," but if you'll recall, it most certainly picked up a few licenses the last go 'round.

Samsung Ubicell base station to extend in-home CDMA coverage

by Darren Murph posted Mar 27th 2007 @ 6:50PM

Intel's not the only chap on the block loosing long range connectivity options on the world at CTIA, as Samsung is apparently aiming for the consumer market with its forthcoming Ubicell base station. While details are scarce at the moment, we do know that this "micromini BTS" will provide CDMA 1x services in the home by "enlarging the coverage area to shadow areas by connecting with DSL / cable modems." Essentially, this unit will help folks who live on the fringe of service areas to ditch their landline and finally enjoy the full benefits of their cellphone service. And while we're not entirely inclined to believe it, Samsung also states that its new creation will actually provide voice quality that's superior to VoIP. Nevertheless, we're still not sure when the Ubicell is expected to land, but those yearning to cut the cord on their landline can start sharpening the scissors.

[Via BoyGeniusReport]

Nokia triumphantly enters 21st century, offers USB charging

by Chris Ziegler posted Jan 18th 2007 @ 6:08AM

We kid, we kid; with devices like the N95 kicking around, Nokia came into the 21st century long ago. But only now offering USB charging cables? Really? Better late than never, we suppose. Look for the CA-100 to recharge models with 2 millimeter jacks, while the CA-70 will replenish older 3.5 millimeter handsets. No official word on availability, but these can't possibly be too hard to produce.

[Via Tech Digest]

VDC Live brings all of cable's lamest channels to your phone

by Paul Miller posted Apr 13th 2006 @ 12:30PM

It's less of a mobile TV service than it is a convenient way to receive infomercials on the go, but VDC seems to be the new player in town either way. The service transmits "live cable TV" to your Windows Mobile or Windows XP system, with data rates up to 3000Kbps, though more EV-DO-friendly speeds are available as well. The subscription is a mere $12 a month, but the 20 channels of "cable" programming are fairly awful, including such gems as "The Pentagon Channel" and "ShopNBC." The service just went live today, and has more channels planned, including "Celebrity Shopping Network" and "AP Newswires & Newsbites." Where do we sign up?

[Via Windows For Devices]