Quick news from around the Web.
@FierceWireless: Consolidating Smartphone Market Putting Pressure on Second-Tier Makers - Article by @inafried | Follow@FierceWireless
> Sprint Nextel said it partnered with Orange Business Services to provide global machine-to-machine connectivity outside the United States. Release
> The Femto Forum said 17 vendors will use its small cell LTE APIs. Release
> HTC announced its new Studio design team. Article
> Nokia released its Belle platform to Symbian users. Article
> The head of Apple's iPhone engineering left the company last year. Article
> Halliburton said it dropped its BlackBerrys in favor of iPhones. Article
> Samsung announced an event March 22, where it could announce the Galaxy S III. Article
> MetroPCS will use Apkudo's Device Analytics software for testing new Android smartphones as part of prepping those devices for launch to mobile subscribers. Release
> Elevate inked an MVNO deal with Sprint Nextel. Article
> AT&T Mobility's LTE network beat Verizon Wireless' LTE network in a recent test. Article
> A Cablevision patent hints at a potential Wi-Fi mobile phone service. Article
> Samsung has managed to reduce the cost of its LTE by half. Article
Mobile Content News
> Facebook will reportedly launch mobile ads in the coming weeks. Article
> Research In Motion said that 13 percent of BlackBerry developers earn at least $100,000. Article
> The U.S. mobile app industry accounts for nearly half a million jobs. Article
Mobile Developer News
> Nokia reportedly plans to halt production of smartphones based on the legacy Symbian operating system earlier than previously announced. Article
> Mobile application analytics provider Flurry is adding support for HTML5 apps in response to growing developer and technology executive interest in the web standard. Article
> IBM has acquired mobile application platform and tools provider Worklight. Article
And finally... A Chinese company is suing Apple over the iPad trademark. Article