Quick news from around the Web.
U.S. Senate committee advances bill on cell phone unlocking http://t.co/arPu4laQFf via @reuters
— FierceWireless (@FierceWireless) July 11, 2014
> Amazon's new Fire phone could spark 3D app development. Article
> AT&T's Cricket Wireless announced a range of new discounts, including a free Nokia Lumia 630 4G. Release
> According to one analyst, Apple will begin production on its sapphire-protected iWatch in November, later than earlier rumors had predicted. Article
> Apple's iPhone has been branded a state security threat in China, according to state media. Article
> Samsung is rebranding its Samsung Apps store as the Galaxy Apps store. Article
> The three largest wireless carriers in China have formed a joint tower company to manage their respective tower portfolios. Article
> C Spire is now offering home automation services. Article
> Qualcomm has reportedly lowered the prices of its entry-level chips. Article
> According to a new report, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is shipping processors to Apple for the iPhone and iPad. Article
> Verizon Wireless will sell the LG G3 Android smartphone for $99 with a contract. Article
> Amazon is urging the FAA to give it permission to increase its research into drones. Article
> The LG G3, with Sprint Spark support, will be available July 18. Release
Telecom News
> A published report indicates that Google Fiber has begun its anticipated buildout in Austin, Texas, but that the company will miss its original deadline to start connecting homes by the middle of 2014. Article
> Verizon's stock popped after the carrier's CEO promised a solid second quarter performance. Article
Cable News
> While the nearly completed World Cup soccer tournament has delivered TV Everywhere its highest usage to date, it has also laid bare an issue related to any kind of video delivered over the Internet: latency. Article
> Verizon is accusing Netflix's transport providers for causing sluggish streaming video. Article
European Wireless News
> Irish pay-TV broadcaster Setanta could become the third company to set up an MVNO on the "new" 3 Ireland network after reports emerged this week that the company is in talks with the Hutchison Whampoa-owned operator. Article
> Germany's historic 7-1 defeat of FIFA World Cup hosts Brazil sent shock waves around the world, and also caused a huge spike in traffic volumes over mobile data networks. Article
And finally… Elon Musk is putting $1 million toward a museum for Nikola Tesla, as proposed by the creator of The Oatmeal. Article