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Spotify Car Thing at the FCC looks very different

Ewdison Then | Jan 14, 2021

Every music and audio provider naturally wants to be anywhere it would be safe to listen. Cars are definitely one of those places, especially compared to watching videos or even looking at notifications. Thanks to automotive infotainment platforms like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, it's almost too easy for these services to become available to drivers and passengers. Spotify, however, might be cooking up something a tad different but its "Car Thing" might end up looking more like a weird abomination than something like a Spotify for Cars.

SpaceX gains FCC permission for polar Starlink satellite launch

Shane McGlaun | Jan 10, 2021

The FCC has agreed to allow SpaceX to launch ten Starlink satellites into a polar orbit later this month. The FCC published the order on January 8 granting permission for the ten satellites to be placed into a 560 kilometers orbit with an inclination of 97.6 degrees. The satellites will be launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 no earlier than January 14.

FCC filing suggests Microsoft Surface 8 will feature LTE and Wi-Fi 6

Shane McGlaun | Jan 5, 2021

It's not uncommon for the first hint that a product is getting ready to launch to come in the form of filings made with the FCC. Any new electronic device that launches publicly in the US must have FCC approvals for various components inside the device. A recent FCC filing for the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 suggests that the new PC could launch soon.

FCC docs hint at new Nest Hub smart display from Google

Brittany A. Roston | Jan 4, 2021

It looks like Google may be gearing up to launch another smart display, possibly a Nest Hub model joining its existing Hub and Hub Max offerings. The hints surfaced in some FCC documents, which don't reveal exactly what we can expect but do drop enough indications to give us a pretty good idea about what Google is working on.

New FCC robocall rules promise monthly limits and new blocking tools

Chris Davies | Dec 31, 2020

The FCC is hoping to better crack down on persistent unwanted robocalls, with new rules putting more responsibility on phone companies to prevent them getting through. It's the latest escalation in an ongoing battle against unwanted and illegal robocalls, particularly those which aren't telemarketing, with new limitations being applied and extra tools for blocking repeat offenders.

It sure looks like the Galaxy S21 Ultra is getting S Pen support

Eric Abent | Dec 23, 2020

For quite some time now, we've been hearing rumors about Samsung potentially bringing S Pen support to high-end phones with a large display outside of the Galaxy Note lineup. With the reveal of the Galaxy S21 line purportedly coming up in just a few weeks, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is expected to get such support. Now, new regulatory information is suggesting that the phone will indeed pick up S Pen support when it's revealed (and subsequently launched) in January.

FCC starts process to remove Huawei, ZTE equipment from US networks

JC Torres | Dec 10, 2020

It seems that the year won't be ending well for Huawei and ZTE even though the two's smartphone businesses remain somewhat stable for now. The Chinese companies' networking businesses, on the other hand, might be dealt with a rather devastating blow based on the FCC's latest orders. Removing Huawei's and ZTE's networking equipment will hurt rural carriers the most but the FCC promises help will be coming, provided the US Congress finally gets the funds needed to subsidize the costs.

SpaceX’s Starlink scores $885m for high-speed Internet rollout in rural US

Brittany A. Roston | Dec 7, 2020

SpaceX has received $885.5 million in federal subsidies as part of an FCC effort to expand rural Americans' access to high-speed Internet services. The Starlink platform involves small satellites that will be able to deliver Internet services to regions where traditional cable services aren't available or are prohibitively expensive.

Bose Sport Open Earbuds appear in FCC photos with unique design

Brittany A. Roston | Dec 4, 2020

Bose hasn't officially announced its upcoming Sport Open Earbuds model, but we know the product is inbound due to newly published FCC documents, one of which includes several photos of the earbuds and their companion charger. The Sport Open Earbuds' FCC debut indicates that we'll see an official launch from Bose in the near future.

It sure seems like Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro are almost ready to go

Eric Abent | Nov 30, 2020

Following rumors earlier this month about a new version of Samsung's Galaxy Buds called Galaxy Buds Pro, we're now getting more evidence of their existence. A new pair of Samsung earbuds have made a stop at the FCC, suggesting those Galaxy Buds Pro rumors were right on the money. Not only that, but this FCC listing suggests that their release could be imminent.

Ajit Pai FCC tenure leaves a mixed legacy – but it was mostly bad

Chris Burns | Nov 30, 2020

This morning Ajit Pai announced he'd be leaving the FCC for good on January 20, 2021. Pai was first appointed as a Commissioner to the FCC in 2012, then made Chairman of the FCC in 2017. Pai made this announcement via the FCC (dot gov) as of November 30, 2020 with the statement title "Chairman Pai Announces his Intent to Depart FCC."

ZTE is still a security threat according to FCC decision

Ewdison Then | Nov 25, 2020

Some might presume that recent political changes in the US government might weaken the campaign against certain US companies but it is far too early to count those eggs. The current government still holds the power and, as far as the Trump administration is concerned, nothing has really changed. Huawei is still on its entity list and TikTok still risks getting banned next month. And according to a recent FCC order, ZTE remains a national security threat because of its potential to be used for state-sanctioned espionage.