In June, the US Federal Communications Commission certified Google to operate the national database detailing which particular patches of “white space” spectrum were usable for wireless communications. Now, the company has opened a service that lets programs tap into that database, an automation step that Google expects will make it easier to squeeze as many …

Make sure your seatbelt is fastened, your setback is upright and tray table stowed away — but your phone? It’s A-OK to keep playing Angry Birds as the plane takes to the skies, according to new rules about the use of electronic devices during take-off and landing. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has announced in a press release that …

The Federal Communications Commission released an app on Thursday that the agency hopes will help it generate an accurate comparison of wireless carriers’ mobile broadband speeds. The app, dubbed Speed Test App for Android, is designed to collect information about the performance of participating smartphone users’ mobile broadband services nationwide. The four major US carriers have agreed to participate. The …

Intel is trying to give a much-needed boost to Windows 8.1 tablets with a new holiday “Buying Guide.” Front and center are tablets (PDF) like the Dell Venue 8 Pro, HP Omni 10, and Lenovo Miix 2. All of the tablets in the guide use new Intel Atom Z3000 quad-core “Bay Trail” processors. The 8-inch Dell Venue (see CNET’s hands-on …

BBM is coming to the iPod touch. Reports say that in the next day, you’ll be able to download and install the app and start chatting to your BlackBerry Messenger buddies on both the iPod touch and the Wi-Fi-only iPad tablets. The update will happen in the next 24 hours, a spokesperson for BlackBerry told SlashGear. That means you can …

Android KitKat features are taking a break from the Google Nexus 5 and coming to Jelly Bean phones. Google is updating older phones with Search version 3.1.8 to give you a taste of KitKat. In KitKat, Google Now is integrated into the home screens so the latest information is right at your fingertips. Although this Google Experience Launcher isn’t officially …

Republic Wireless finally has its flagship smartphone in the Motorola Moto X. Related stories: Hands-on with the Republic Wireless Moto X Moto X coming to Republic Wireless for $299 unsubsidized Moto X review The Moto X is attractively priced at $299, and can be had without signing any contracts. Try to buy the smartphone directly from Motorola in the same …

Want to stand out in the Kindle crowd? You can design your own Origami or flat Kindle case from the Amazon website. (Credit: Amazon) Amazon’s Kindle cases come in a variety of colours, but if you wanted to get more fancy, you had to find another case elsewhere. Amazon has now launched custom Kindle cases, allowing you to put a …

Verizon subscribers can slash the price of Motorola’s Moto X smartphone in half by purchasing it via Motorola’s Moto Maker Web site. Normally $100 with the usual two-year contract, the phone is selling for $50 until the end of Monday. Verizon customers can find the deal at the Moto Maker Web site. There you can pick the front and black …

During his quieter moments — assuming they even exist any more — outgoing Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer might be excused for wondering why the company he has led for the last decade, blessed with enormous wealth and so many smart people, has had to struggle so long and hard for its tech cred. Even if Microsoft’s board lucks into …

In a compact San Francisco office suite equipped with soldering stations and swipe-testing machines, Coin’s team of seven has been working furiously to perfect the final prototype of an unlimited credit card. No, not one that will let you charge with abandon. Rather, a device as slim as a standard piece of payment plastic that can hold countless credit, debit, …

Owners of the Wi-Fi-only iPad and iPod Touch will be able to download and use BlackBerry Messenger before the end of the day. BlackBerry confirmed Thursday that updates to BBM for Android and iOS will start to roll out as free downloads during the day. Available through the Apple App Store, the iOS edition of BBM will offer several enhancements. …

BlackBerry’s BBM messaging app needs a little help from its friends. Since launching on Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android last month, the popularity of BBM has been a rare bright spot in an otherwise messy situation at the company. But while BBM has done well in select foreign countries where its phones are still popular, it has had less luck …

Windows Phone continues to eke out gains in a landscape dominated by Android and iOS. During the third quarter, Microsoft’s mobile OS share rose to 3.6 percent globally from 2.3 percent in the year-ago quarter, Gartner said in a report on Thursday. Shipments grew to 8.9 million from 3.9 million over the same period. Though Android’s market share surged to …

Nokia likes its smartphones shaken, not stirred. Related stories Windows Phone Blue: Microsoft’s next tablet OS? Microsoft posts details of next Windows Phone 8 update The company is working on two new handsets that will run Windows Phone 8.1 Blue, according to a new leak on mobile-leaking Twitter account @evleaks. Although neither device has an official name yet, they’re currently …