Leap cuts 120 positions; RIM continuing to consider software licensing

Quick news from around the Web.

@FierceWireless: RT@CNETNews: Apple's iPhone nabbed 51 percent of U.S. smartphone sales in Q4, says report. Article | Follow@FierceWireless

> T-Mobile USA will reportedly increase the amount of data available in its $50 plan. Article

> Apple's CEO, along with other executives, will be questioned about hiring practices. Article

> HTC's One SV is headed to Sprint Nextel, according to FCC documents. Article

> Huawei unveiled its Ascend G615, with a 4.5-inch screen. Article

> LG is expanding the availability of its Optimus G. Article

> Ericsson acquired IT capabilities from Devoteam. Release

> The iPhone has captured 51 percent of U.S. smartphone sales. Article

> Cricket provider Leap Wireless fired 120 employees, or 3 percent of its workforce. Article

> Analysts are speculating that Apple could face its first decline in profits in a decade. Article

> Sony plans to release an Xperia tablet. Article

> Research In Motion continues to considering licensing its BlackBerry software. Article

Mobile Content News

> Samsung purchased a stake in mobile security company Fixmo. Article

> Microsoft will update its Windows Phone 8 mobile operating system to support Google's CardDAV and CalDAV calendar and contact syncing protocols, enabling mobile users to continue accessing the full range of Gmail messaging services on their Microsoft-powered smartphones, The Verge reports. Article

> With its updated BlackBerry 10 operating system slated to launch January 30, Research In Motion unveiled an overhauled version of its BlackBerry App World storefront, rebranded simply "BlackBerry World." Article

Mobile Developer News

> Android developers may be starting to catch up with their iOS counterparts in winning over customers, based on a global survey of app store activity over the last four months of 2012. Article

> The California Attorney General issued guidelines for mobile app developers, but questions remain. Editor's Corner

Broadband Wireless News

> ZTE issued an earnings warning for 2012, saying it may lose as much as $460 million for the full year, a reversal of 221 percent to 241 percent from 2011's results. Article

European Wireless News

> What is the future for multinational corporations? Industry Voices

> Mobile payments service provider Bango will develop a direct-to-bill mobile payment platform with Telefónica. Article

> O2 UK will eventually stop providing mobile chargers with new handsets after a consumer trial suggested more than 80 per cent of buyers would purchase phones without charging units. Article

And finally… Samsung attacked BlackBerry with a "unicorn apocalypse" ad. Article