HTC promises KitKat for U.S. One phones; Cricket to offer 5 lines for $100

Quick news from around the Web.

> Microsoft recorded relatively solid quarterly earnings, but didn't offer much new news on its forthcoming acquisition of Nokia's devices business and its search for a new CEO. Article

> Sprint said it will sell the ZTE Optik 2 tablet for $29.99 with a contract. Article

> Leap Wireless' Cricket will offer five smartphone lines for $100. Release

> HTC promised the Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade will soon head to its One smartphone. Article

> In South Korea, smartphone users are now allowed to delete pre-installed Android applications. Article

> Google and Intellectual Ventures are now facing off against each other in a patent-infringement trial. Article

> LG will reportedly release the Optimus G Pro 2 during the upcoming Mobile World Congress trade show. Article

Mobile Developer News

> Developers offer their view of the Samsung-Apple court battle. Article

Telecom News

> Juniper Networks reported that fourth-quarter 2013 earnings rose 12 percent year-over-year to $1.3 billion, slightly beating its guidance of $1.20 billion to $1.23 billion due to a rise in service provider and enterprise sales. Article

> AT&T is bringing its U-verse TV and broadband service to McAllen and Mission, Texas, as part of its ongoing Project Velocity IP (VIP) effort to enhance its IP-based wireline networks. Article

Cable News

> Liberty Media Chairman John Malone endorsed the bid Charter Communications made to acquire Time Warner Cable, insisting in a statement issued Thursday that the deal is needed to draw developers and innovators to the cable industry. Article

> Comcast said Thursday that it signed a wide-ranging contract with the San Francisco 49ers which will see it provide free Wi-Fi access during NFL games and concerts, a 10-Gig Ethernet connection and a cloud-based voice and unified communications service for employees. Article

European Wireless News

> Deutsche Telekom questions WiFi's use as an offload solution. Article

> EE plans "white label" WiFi services for retailers and other venues. Article

And finally… Facebook offered a scathing rebuttal of a Princeton study that found users will soon flee the social networking service. Article