Quick news from around the Web.
Chipmakers Battle For Their Share of the Spotlight in Barcelona / by @InaFried / http://t.co/5EolWMw5Xv
— Re/code (@Recode) February 24, 2014
> Google is reportedly set to unveil plans for its smart watch-centric operating system in March, and is working with LG Electronics on a smart watch. Article
> Apple and Samsung Electronics told a judge they tried to settle their patent litigation dispute via mediation but again failed, and their next trial in federal court in California is set to begin March 31. Article
> Netflix has agreed to pay for more-direct access to Comcast's broadband network to improve speed and reliability for its streaming service. Article
> LG said its "Knock Code" feature, which allows users to power on and unlock their smartphones with simple "knocks" on the screen to a wide range of smartphones this year. Release
> Making good on its promise from earlier this month to push less expensive phones, HTC announced two mid-range smartphones in its Desire family here at the Mobile World Congress trade show. Article
> WhatsApp plans to introduce voice calling services sometime in the second quarter. Article
> Microsoft announced a number of new firms are planning to use its Windows Phone software, many of which were initially skeptical about the mobile OS. Article
> Intel unveiled a 2.1 GHz Atom processor Z3480 ("Merrifield") as well as a chip that supports LTE Advanced. Release Intel also said it will work with Lenovo on more smartphones and tablets. Release
> Chipmaker MediaTek is targeting what it calls the "super-mid market" for smart devices, which the company said is being driven by a rising global middle class and a vision of markets worldwide where literally anyone can become connected. Article
> Qualcomm announced an LTE Advanced chip for the automotive market (Release), is conducting live demonstrations with Ericsson of LTE Advanced Category 6 connectivity with download speeds up to 300 Mbps (Release), unveiled the Snapdragon 615 chipset, an octa-core solution with integrated LTE and 64-bit capabilities (Release), and also launched the world's first multimode, multiband chip featuring an integrated CMOS power amplifier (PA) and antenna switch on ZTE's new flagship smartphone, the Grand S II LTE (Release).
> AT&T said it will work with Qualcomm, Red Bend and Quickplay at the AT&T Drive Studio, a first-of-its-kind connected car center. Release
> Sony Mobile Communications announced updates to its flagship mobile products at Mobile World Congress, including new premium devices the Xperia Z2 smartphone and Xperia Z2 tablet. Release
> Nokia Solutions and Networks is demoing "5G" technology at Mobile World Congress. Release
> Ford Motor Co. will reportedly base its next-generation Sync system on BlackBerry's QNX and no longer use Microsoft's Windows. Article
> Huawei unveiled a new high-end LTE Android smartphone smartphone that will sell for around $300 on an unsubsidized basis, the Ascend G6. Release
> Huawei also announced a mobile hotspot capable of delivering downlink speeds of 300 Mbps (Release) and two new tablets (Release).
> Huawei moved into the wearable computing market with the TalkBand B1, a smartphone accessory that can work as both a fitness tracker and a Bluetooth headset. Release
> Accenture and KPN have developed a proof of concept using Google Glass and the Accenture Video Solution for interactive television viewing, storage and control. Release
> Altar Semiconductor and WNC launched a new router designed to offer high-speed internet connectivity over 3.5 GHz LTE bands in markets where wired Internet connections such as cable or DSL are not feasible or economical. Release
> InterDigital has developed a 3.5GHz shared spectrum radio solution with Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees that are negotiated with spectrum databases. Release
> Wiko Mobile, a local phone maker in France, has just launched Europe's first smartphone running Nvidia's Tegra 4i chipset. Article
> Axell Wireless launched a new in-building coverage solution that it said will let carriers allocate capacity to locations only where and when it is needed. Release
WirelessTech News
> Ericsson announced it is working with Philips to develop LED street lights that can be outfitted with small cells and backhaul. Article
> Nokia Solutions and Networks intends to further expand its presence in IP routing, said NSN CEO Rajeev Suri. However, he also downplayed rumors that NSN and networking giant Juniper Networkshave discussed some sort of merger. Article
> Verizon Wireless and Sprint far outpace AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile US when it comes to the percentage of customers with LTE-enabled smartphones who see 91 to 100 percent of their mobile usage going over LTE rather than 3G, according to a new report from Mobidia and Informa Telecoms & Media. Article
> Artemis Networks is putting together an ecosystem of suppliers that will help trial its unique interference-drive approach to enhancing wireless capacity and performance. Article
European Wireless News
> A senior Orange executive, Benoit Scheen, said he believes developments in Internet of Things and wearable devices on display at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona are an opportunity for operators to reclaim credibility with consumers. Article
> Mozilla is partnering with Shanghai-based Spreadtrum to help drive down the costs of chipsets for smartphones and make the $25 price point a reality. Article
> NSN's European executive vice president, Rene Svendsen-Tune, said it is too early to talk about fifth generation (5G) technology, and that the infrastructure vendor's future structure will be decided once parent Nokia completes the sale of its devices business. Article
Cable News
> Aereo plans to announce that it'll launch in Austin, Texas, on March 3, according to a report Monday from the Austin American-Statesman. Article
> ThinkAnalytics has recruited former Comcast and Arris executive Rich Soucie to lead a new office that the Scotland-based recommendation engine vendor is opening in Silicon Valley. Article
Telecom News
> AT&T unveiled its new user-defined network cloud concept, which it says will give customers more control and the ability to add services on-demand. Article
> CenturyLink is employing Ericsson's next-gen OSS/BSS platform in an effort to improve service delivery times and control for the services it delivers to its growing enterprise customer base. Article
And finally... After 25 years, Moviefone is shutting down its phone service within the next month. Article