Amazon may open retail store in NYC; Sprint opens sales of Sharp Aquos Crystal smartphone

Quick news from around the Web.

> Sprint's Boost Mobile will sell the Sharp Aquos Crystal smartphone for $149.99 starting today, while Sprint will sell it Oct. 17 for 24 monthly payments of $10. Sprint Prepaid will sell the phone starting today for $149.99. Page. Sprint's Boost Mobile is also selling Apple's new iPhones. Page

> Sprint is doubling the data allotments in is shared data plans for business customers. Release

> Nokia Networks and China Mobile inked a TD-LTE deal worth almost $1 billion. Release

> Sprint MVNO Republic Wireless announced support for short codes. Tweet

> According to NPD, phone accessory sales topped $249 million in the two weeks following the launch of Apple's new iPhones. NPD said the figure is "43 percent higher than the two weeks prior." Article

> Globalstar's CEO fought back against criticism of the company's plan to improve Wi-Fi network congestion with its spectrum. Article

> President Obama said he is "unequivocally committed" to net neutrality. Article

> GT Advanced Technologies, which has a deal with Apple to supply the iPhone maker with Sapphire crystal, is seeking bankruptcy court permission to shutter its manufacturing plant. Article

> A new patent filing from Apple appears to lay out the details of the company's forthcoming Apple Pay system. Article

> Verizon Wireless inked a ringtone deal with Slacker. Article

> Norton antivirus software maker Symantec will split into two publicly traded companies. Article

> Amazon is reportedly planning to open a retail store in New York City. Article

Telecom News

> Juniper Networks has issued lower Q3 2014 guidance, announcing that it expects revenues of $1.1 to $1.12 billion, down from its previous forecast of $1.15 to $1.2 billion. Article

> New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is hoping to dramatically increase the amount of fiber in his state. To do that, he is asking for $500 million in state funds for the NY Broadband Fund--concurrently, he's asking for matching funds from service providers or other parties that want to expand service in parts of the state. Article

Cable News

> Disney and Time Warner Inc. paid through the nose to lock up an additional nine years of NBA rights and secured access to one of the most coveted assets in what is now the Sports Age. But according to research company The Diffusion Group, the $24 billion deal left pay-TV--and consumers--vulnerable. Article

> Taking a major step forward in its bid to challenge Nielsen in the business of TV audience measurement, Rentrak has acquired the Kantar business unit from advertising conglomerate WPP for $98 million in common stock. Article

European Wireless News

> Orange is considering a separation of and initial public offering (IPO) for its operations in Africa and possibly also the Middle East, in what would form part of efforts to also raise funds to strengthen its European business. Article

> Voice over LTE (VoLTE) has the potential to open several new revenue streams for operators beyond just increasing data income, the VP of EMEA business development for Alcatel-Lucent said. Article

> The acting CEO of Oi has rebutted suggestions the Brazilian company will unwind its merger with Portugal Telecom, but told Reuters that it may consider selling some Portuguese assets acquired through the merger to reduce debt. Article

And finally… According to Apple's Jony Ive, companies that copy Apple's designs are stealing. Article