Kik reportedly up for sale; T-Mobile ditches ALEC group

Quick news from around the Web.

"BlackBerry's Software Business: Scenarios That Could Impact The Stock Price http://onforb.es/1H52uDg  via @forbes" --@FierceWireless

> CTIA argued that the recent AWS-3 auction shows the need wireless carriers have for more spectrum, but not the potentially negative effects of net neutrality regulations. Post

> T-Mobile US said it discontinued its membership in the conservative ALEC group. Article

> Based on comments from Apple and analyst surveys, demand will likely outstrip supply for the forthcoming Apple Watch. Article

> China's Xiaomi said it sold $335 million worth of phones in 12 hours. Article

> Alcatel's Idol 3 phablet will be available later this month for $249. Article

> Zynga Founder Mark Pincus has returned as the company's CEO. Article

> Anite said a group within the METIS project has finished work on what the company said was the "world's first 5G radio channel models." Release

> OTT messaging provider Kik is reportedly up for sale. Article

> Intel is now offering a smartphone reference design for Android that the company said will speed up the delivery of Android software updates. Article

> Google said it would add Motorola's patents to Via Licensing's patent pool. Article

Wireless Tech News

> Amazon is adding new capabilities to its Wi-Fi-connected speaker and virtual assistant Echo, such as the ability to remotely operate lights and appliances. Article

> Stanford University scientists have invented a high-performance aluminum battery that's fast-charging, long-lasting and inexpensive. And a big plus: It's non-flammable. Article

Telecom News

> The FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) is giving incumbent telcos and their wholesale CLEC customers more time to file comments in response to the regulator's Special Access final notice of proposed rulemaking (FNPRM) in the special access rulemaking proceeding. Article

> Infinera has crafted a deal to acquire Sweden-based Transmode for $350 million, a deal that will help the vendor capitalize on the emerging growth in 100G metro aggregation deployments taking place at the largest service providers. Article

Cable News

> Microsoft may actually be doing cable operators a favor by adding over-the-air tuning capabilities to its Xbox One platform because it may reveal how difficult it actually is to be a Community Antenna TV (CATV) provider. Article

> Comcast settled a dispute with a Georgia town over utility poles. Article

And finally… Google Wallet users can now use the service to purchase donuts. Article