U.S. broadband actually approaches advertised speeds

4G is a hot topic here on BGR and as such, we’ve likely become more numb than we should when it comes to advertised data speeds. We’re so used to seeing “theoretical limits” that are so far from reality we just chuckle and move along. The wireline broadband industry, however, is a different beast. According to a study recently conducted by the Federal Communications Commission, major broadband Internet service provides in the U.S. deliver data speeds that are generally between 80% and 90% of the speeds they advertise. The Associated Press reports that the FCC’s study measured data speeds delivered to thousands of U.S. broadband subscribers this past March from 13 of the nation’s top ISPs including Time Warner, Comcast, AT&T and Verizon. The three most popular wired broadband technologies were covered by the study — DSL, cable and fiber — and data rates were said to have been close to the advertised speeds during both peak and off-peak times. The AP notes that the FCC’s study didn’t delve into speeds delivered by wireless data services, which is a study we would love to see.

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Has your inkwell run dry? The AP Stylebook for BlackBerry gives you a refill

I have to be honest with you; some days it’s difficult to put two words together. These days seem to coincide with the days my brain decides to bubble, lose molecular stability and then decides to ooze out of my ears. It’s at that point when anything I decide to write begins to sound like the ramblings of a mad man, who also has issues spelling korektlee…I mean correctly. Thank goodness I have my better half to point out every. single. mistake. I. make. (love you!).

Besides dealing with writer’s block, as well as spelling/grammatical mistakes, it’s also helpful to get a grasp on what impact you are making with your words of wisdom. Why you are writing about it? Who are you looking to reach out to? Where should you be sharing your valuable insight? It’s a lot to think about – when you’re already thinking about what to write. The other day, the Associated Press unleashed an application they call “an essential tool for writers” – The Associated Press Stylebook mobile. It’s designed to help you find your voice, through guidelines. The 2010 AP Stylebook includes:

• A new Social Media Guidelines section, with information on using tools like Facebook and Twitter, as well as 42 separate entries on such terms as app, blogs, click-throughs, friend and unfriend, metadata, RSS, search engine optimization, smart phone, trending, widget and wiki.
• New terms like; Great Recession- referring to the 2007-08 economic downturn that was the worst recession since the Great Depression, and tea party, for the conservative political movement, along with new entries for Alcoholics Anonymous, Bluetooth, Blu-ray, bondholder, Breathalyzer, flu-like, GED, International Space Station, mic -as the shortened form for microphone, hard line, high-five, Taser, thumbs-up and Ultimate Fighting.
• The change in AP style from “Web site” to “website”

The app normally costs $24.99, but is discounted to $19.99 for early adopters- who will get the 2010 app, plus a free upgrade to 2011 this spring.

Pricing for the AP Stylebook is high, but if you’re looking to separate yourself from the rest of the pack, it may be worth a look. Check out the press release after the jump.

More information/download the AP Stylebook from BlackBerry Appworld

The Associated Press Launches 2 News Apps with Localized Content Delivery

 

American news agency the Associated Press launches two news apps on App World. AP Mobile world edition utilizes location-based services to deliver localized news. AP Móvil América Latina brings localized news to 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries in either Portugese or Spanish.AP Móvil América Latina delivers news to 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Upon choosing their region, users receive news, weather and other information in Spanish or Portuguese specific to their chosen location.

Both releases are built with Super App functionality and provide highly contextualized, efficient and tight integration with native BlackBerry apps. Leveraging the BlackBerry Push Service, the apps keep users informed of important breaking news. Users share news articles via e-mail or SMS, or post to social networking sites. The app will run in the background unless the user exits the app. While in the background, the content will be updated 3 times a day at 6 a.m., 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. to keep content fresh.

Download AP Mobile for free from BlackBerry App World[qrcode pix=150]http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/895[/qrcode]

Download AP Móvil América Latina for free from BlackBerry App World[qrcode pix=150]http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/13043[/qrcode]

Via: BC

The Associated Press Releases A News BlackBerry APP

Today the associated press released two new BlackBerry news apps for the BlackBerry. One of the Applications is called AP Movil America Latina, and the second app is the AP Mobile world edition. Now users can enjoy their news content in more languages. To download the application simply search for AP on App world.

For AP Mobile En Español click here[qrcode pix=150]http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/896[/qrcode]

For AP Mobile world edition click here[qrcode pix=150]http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/895[/qrcode]

Features:

• Configure Categories: Users can pre-select and organize news categories for quick and easy access.
• Set Local Preferences: Users can select one or multiple locations by zip code and get news from their local trusted source
• Ranked Stories: Users can view stories by the most highly rated
• Send to a Friend: Users can text or e-mail a story or image to a friend
• Send to Facebook: Users can post stories to their Facebook page to facilitate discussion
• Save Stories: Users can save stories to read later in the dedicated ‘Saved Stories’ category.
• Read Offline: Users can read stories offline, without depending on a network connection.

Press Release below:

The Associated Press Expands Audience with New Mobile News Applications for BlackBerry Smart Phones

New “Super Apps” Localize Coverage for Worldwide Users by Tailoring News and Language to Region

New York, NY, Sept. 28, 2010 – The Associated Press, the world’s leading source of news and information, today launched two new mobile “Super Apps” for BlackBerry® smart phones – AP Móvil América Latina, bringing users global news in multiple languages around the world, and a new version of AP Mobile, world edition. Both apps are available for free on BlackBerry App World™ (www.blackberry.com/appworld ).

The state of 4G wireless at a glance

updated 9/21/2010 5:29:46 PM ET

This is a summary of how U.S. wireless carriers are dealing with the transition to fourth-generation, or 4G, network technology, which promises faster data speeds:

— Sprint Nextel Corp. subsidiary Clearwire Corp. already has a 4G network up and running, and Sprint started selling the first compatible phone this summer. But Clearwire is using WiMax, a technology that’s imcompatible with LTE, which everyone else is using or plans to use.

— Verizon Wireless plans to bring LTE to 25 to 30 cities later this year, mainly for PC modems. Phones will come next year.

— AT&T Inc. plans to launch commercial LTE service in the middle of next year. In the meantime, it’s upgrading the speeds on its 3G network.

— T-Mobile USA hasn’t made any specific plans public. It’s focusing on upgrading its 3G network for now.

— LightSquared is a dark-horse entrant funded by a private equity firm. It plans to build an independent LTE network, with service starting next year, but financial and regulatory hurdles remain.

— MetroPCS Communications Inc. turned on LTE in Las Vegas on Tuesday, and plans to expand it to the rest of its coverage area by January.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

MetroPCS to customers: Bring your own phone

Company will program phones from other carriers to its network

By Peter Svensson

updated 6/27/2008 5:56:13 PM ET

NEW YORK — MetroPCS Communications Inc. has become the largest U.S. wireless carrier to say it will let customers bring cell phones from other carriers, which it will then reprogram for use on its own network.

This week’s announcement by the Dallas-based regional carrier is one of a series of moves in the industry that amount to a gradual opening of the U.S. wireless market, giving consumers more choice over what phones to use on what networks.

Carriers generally sell phones that are locked to their own service. This protects their business model, which is based on subsidizing the cost of the phone by hundreds of dollars, then making that money back on monthly service fees.

MetroPCS’s move threatens these traditional rules. It allows customers with certain models of phones from Sprint Nextel Corp., Verizon Wireless, Alltel Corp. and a few other carriers to bring their phones to MetroPCS stores, where they will be reprogrammed.

Saudi says deal reached on BlackBerry services!

A Saudi customer is served in a mobile shop at a market in the capital Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010. Some Saudis are trying to sell their BlackBerrys ahead of a ban on the smart phone’s messenger service in the kingdom _ but with few willing to buy, they’re having to slash

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia and the makers of the BlackBerry smartphone have reached a deal on accessing users’ data that will avert a ban on the phone’s messenger service, a Saudi official said Saturday.

The agreement, involving placing a BlackBerry server inside Saudi Arabia, would allow the government to monitor users’ messages and allay official fears the service could be used for criminal purposes, the official said.

The deal could have wide-ranging implications for several other countries, including India and the United Arab Emirates, which have expressed similar concerns over how BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd., handles data.

The Saudi regulatory official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the details of the deal with the media, said tests were now under way to determine how to install a BlackBerry server inside the country.

Saudi Arabia Banning BlackBerry Service This Friday

It seems like this is a growing trend. First India then the UAE and and others are in the game of banning BlackBerry service until they can monitor it. Now we also can add Saudi Arabia to the list which plans on banning BlackBerry service as of this Friday.

According to Yahoo and the Associated Press:

The Saudi state news agency SPA said in a report late Tuesday that the country’s telecom regulator has informed mobile service providers in the country that they must halt BlackBerry services starting Friday.

RIM still contends that they do not allow for monitoring yet they specifically word it to only mention the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution not regular BIS email for consumers and BlackBerry Messenger.