john

Need noise? Print a pair of headphones

Design firm Teague knows a thing or two about making things. After all, the company's design portfolio includes (among many other creations) the Polaroid camera, the Xbox, and even the UPS truck.

John Mabry, a senior industrial designer at Teague, believes we're entering an age where we can print out working consumer electronics instead of buying them from major corporations. Built around the concept that we live a "life in beta," Mabry freely offers plans for a working pair of headphones that anyone can print with a MakerBot Replicator 3D printer. … Read more

Con man pleads guilty to selling fake Facebook shares

It was a simple scam that most recently landed John Mattera in jail. He was selling shares in companies -- including Facebook and Groupon -- that didn't actually exist. For this, Mattera pled guilty today to three criminal counts -- conspiracy, securities fraud, and wire fraud, according to Bloomberg.

In selling these shares that he didn't own and wasn't allowed to sell, Mattera raked in $11 million from naive would-be investors.

Mattera carried out these scams through a hedge fund he operated called Praetorian Global Fund, according to Bloomberg. For the two years he managed this fund, … Read more

New Zealand PM apologizes to Kim DotCom; case unraveling

Officials in New Zealand's government apparently believed the law gave them the right to spy on MegaUpload founder Kim DotCom because he was a foreign national.

They were wrong.

In New Zealand today, Prime Minister John Key apologized to DotCom for the spying conducted against him by the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB).

The United States has accused DotCom of criminal copyright violations. In January, New Zealand police raided his home and arrested him. Just ahead of the raid, the GCSB began collecting intelligence against DotCom to see if he posed any danger to the police who would later … Read more

Cisco's John Chambers eyes retirement, successor

John Chambers, who has served as Cisco Systems' CEO longer than many of today's hottest companies have been in existence, is hinting that his retirement may not be far off.

The 63-year-old Chambers has been running the networking equipment giant since 1995 and recently told Bloomberg that he envisions a scenario in which he could retire as chief executive in the next two to four years to assume the role of chairman. He also offered insight into who might be tapped to succeed him when that time comes, saying there are as many as 10 candidates on a list … Read more

EU telcos defend UN Internet takeover plans

A trade association of 41 European telephone companies responded last week to mounting concerns over its controversial proposal to turn Internet traffic management over to the International Telecommunications Union, a regulatory body of the United Nations.

The European Telecommunications Network Operators Association, or ETNO, made its proposal in June, part of a year-long process to revise an ITU treaty known as the International Telecommunications Regulations. Changes to the treaty, which has not been revised since 1998, will be finalized later this year in Dubai at the World Conference on International Telecommunications.

Only national governments can vote on the new treaty. … Read more

Apple union's 'Day of Solidarity' to protest working conditions

Apple stores selling the iPhone 5 today may see more than just customers outside their doors.

The Apple Workers Union wants store staffers to protest in front of Apple stores today to show solidarity for employees in France and at China's Foxconn plant. The union's "Day of Solidarity" is aimed at stores in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia, France, Germany, China, and Japan -- the same countries offering the iPhone 5 starting today.

Calling on workers to "demand a better Apple," the union is backing Apple Store employees in France who … Read more

New T-Mobile CEO plans to bring cool back to the carrier

Don't expect a lot of big strategic changes to come to T-Mobile USA with new CEO John Legere taking the reins.

The wireless carrier, which is a distant fourth-place player in an industry dominated by Verizon Wireless and AT&T, has the right plan in place to return to growth -- it just needs to execute, Legere told CNET in an interview today.

"There are no real missing components in the arsenal," he said of the turnaround strategy.

T-Mobile continues to face challenges in catching up to its rivals and slowing down the loss of its … Read more

T-Mobile names Legere as new CEO

T-Mobile USA is getting a new chief executive.

Deutsche Telekom today announced that John Legere will become CEO of its T-Mobile USA business unit on Saturday.

"John is a talented and proven executive who brings a successful track record of leading and operating consumer- and business-focused telecommunications and technology companies," Rene Obermann, CEO of Deutsche Telekom, said in a statement. "As T-Mobile moves forward with its strategic initiatives to improve its market position, including expanding its network coverage and initiating LTE service, John has obviously the right skillset to lead the business into the future."

In … Read more

Apple retail chief offers a pep talk to his troops

Apple retail head John Browett offered reassurance to store employees Sunday night following recent concerns within the ranks about store cutbacks, including reduced work hours and layoffs.

"You will see a number of improvements which are coming through which are going to make it better for the customer, easier for you to do your jobs and that's what my job is all about," Browett said, according to an audio recording of his address during Apple's quarterly meeting for every Apple Store. The audio was obtained by 9to5 Mac.

Browett, who became Apple's senior vp of retail five months ago, … Read more