wireless

Lockitron: Let a smartphone open the door for you

Apps and devices have been designed to turn smartphones into light switches, medical tools and even satellites. For people who wish to extend a little less effort in their daily lives, they could even replace the traditional house key you use to get into your home.

Consider Lockitron, a keyless entry device that attaches to a door's deadbolt. The small battery-powered box is equipped with Bluetooth 4.0, has NFC capabilities and communicates with a user through Wi-Fi.

To open a door, you swipe your phone past the Lockitron box.The device is compatible with every kind of smartphone, according to Lockitron maker Apigy. If you have an old model, text messaging can be used as an alternative to Wi-Fi in order to control access to your home. With the "Sense" feature, smartphones that include Bluetooth 4.0 -- such as the iPhone 4S or iPhone 5 -- can grant you access when you simply walk up to the door. … Read more

LightSquared tries to keep its 4G LTE dream alive

The hedge-fund backed LightSquared isn't giving up on its plan to build a nationwide 4G wireless network. But the path forward is likely to be a long one.

Last week, LightSquared, which was backed by billionaire Philip Falcone and his hedge fund Harbinger Capital, filed proposals with the Federal Communications Commission that would help it satisfy interference concerns and allow the company to build its nationwide 4G LTE wholesale network.

Specifically, LightSquared has promised to permanently vacate the upper 10MHz of its radio spectrum. And it said it wouldn't use the lower 10MHz of spectrum until the FCC … Read more

iPhone 5 or Samsung Galaxy S3? And why Sprint LTE isn't enough

There are so many factors to consider when buying a new smartphone and choosing a wireless service. The truth is that what's good for one consumer may not satisfy the needs of another.

In this edition of Ask Maggie, I offer some buying advice for a consumer considering the iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S3. It's not an easy decision. These devices are both excellent choices. I also explain to a different reader why I didn't even consider Sprint's network when buying my iPhone 5. And I talk about the importance of network coverage in … Read more

Apple wireless adapter patent could resolve cable woes

A new patent granted to Apple could eliminate issues with incompatible cables and adapters should the technology ever appear in the real world.

The U.S. patent awarded today -- No. 8,280,465 -- describes the ways in which a wireless adapter could interface between a device and an accessory.

Such an adapter could include one wireless interface to talk to the device and a second wireless interface to talk to the accessory. The adapter would be able to handle different wireless protocols, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

"A user may encounter a situation where she has multiple … Read more

iPhone Wi-Fi glitch may affect users on other carriers

The software glitch that gobbled through the monthly data allotments of some iPhone 5 users may be affecting subscribers on carriers other than Verizon Wireless.

Last week, iPhone 5 users on Apple's online support community complained that they were blowing through their data plans even when they were spending the majority of their time on Wi-Fi. Over the weekend, Apple issued a software update that fixed the problem for Verizon Wireless customers. Verizon issued a statement saying that the glitch had been fixed and no one would be charged for any overages related to the glitch.

It's still … Read more

Verizon won't penalize iPhone 5 owners for Wi-Fi bug

Verizon iPhone 5 owners bit by Apple's Wi-Fi bug won't be charged for any excess cellular data used as a result, the carrier said today.

iPhone 5 and iOS 6 owners have been complaining of various problems with Wi-Fi networks since their release last month. For certain Verizon subscribers, the iPhone would actually use up cellular data while connected via Wi-Fi.

In response, Apple rolled out a software fix yesterday, at least for Verizon iPhone 5 users, that lets them update their devices to resolve the issue.

The bug could've easily racked up data overage charges for … Read more

Apple fixes data usage snafu on Verizon iPhone 5

Apple issued a software update for the iPhone 5 on Verizon Wireless's network Sunday that will fix a problem that causes some Verizon iPhone 5 customers to use their Verizon data allotment when they they're connected to a Wi-Fi network.

Apple issued a the software update on Sunday and posted instructions for getting the update.

1. Tap Settings > General > About.

2. Wait for the following alert to appear:

3. Tap OK to install the update.

4. Hold the Sleep/Wake button down until you see "slide to power off".

5. Slide to power off.… Read more

Bank of America tests QR code mobile-payment service

Bank of America is testing a new mobile-payment service that lets customers use their Apple or Google smartphones to scan pictures to pay for things.

The bank is testing technology developed by a company called Paydiant. The solution uses Quick Response or QR codes. The way it works is that users use their smartphones to scan the QR code, which unlocks the users' bank information stored in Bank of America's network to complete the transaction.

The QR codes could be displayed at the register in a store when a customer is checking out, or a restaurant could print the code on the check, allowing patrons to scan their bills right at the table and pay without ever handing over a credit card or cash.

Because the technology doesn't require any special hardware on the device, it can be used with any smartphone running Apple's iOS or Google's Android software.… Read more

CNET Exclusive: Gogroove BlueSync STX Bluetooth Wireless Stereo over 50% off

Liza Maloy isn't a CNET editor, but she has a pretty fun job: She's the CNET Marketplace associate partnership manager, which means she hunts high and low for tech bargains to bring to the CNET audience. Each week, she blogs about deep discounts she brokers. Whenever she can, she gets discounts on products CNET editors love.

This week we have teamed up again with our friends at Accessory Genie to bring the CNET Exclusives members an awesome deal on a great budget Bluetooth speaker system. The Gogroove BlueSync STX Bluetooth Wireless Stereo Speaker System pairs easily with most … Read more

T-Mobile exec says firm 'lost something' awaiting merger

LAS VEGAS -- T-Mobile lost its focus on customers while its $39 billion deal to be acquired by AT&T was being reviewed by regulators, said T-Mobile Chief Operating Officer Jim Alling.

On Tuesday, Alling addressed executives at the Competitive Carrier Association conference here. He explained how T-Mobile's long history of providing great customer service to its subscribers was interrupted by the merger and employees lost their focus.

"We lost something after the AT&T merger was announced," he said. "We fell out of balance. And now we have to regain the trust of … Read more