Quick news from around the Web.
@FierceWireless: Is #Verizon using Redbox Instant and Ellipsis to build a virtual pay TV platform? Article via @FierceCable | Follow@FierceWireless
> Alcatel-Lucent plans to invest more heavily in its patent-licensing business. Article
> Sprint will offer at least $20 for recycled phones. Article
> Sprint is selling the HTC One Max for $149 with a contract. Article
> Sprint waived fees for U.S. calls and text Messages to the Philippines in the wake of the disaster there. Post
> Smartphone data consumption is 44 percent higher on phones with larger screens, according to new findings from NPD. Release
> Google released an iOS app for its Play Music service. Article
> Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer said it will move away from BlackBerry's phones. Article
> Samsung said it will invest in research into ice chemistry and next-generation computing cells. Post
> Microsoft said it will support Facebook Login in its Windows Phone platform. Article
> Nokia said it will add Bluetooth LE to all its Lumia smartphones. Article
> BlackBerry updated its BBM app for Android and iOS users. Article
> Samsung is reportedly at work on a Galaxy smartphone with a three-sided display. Article
> European regulators have agreed to allow LTE and 3G connections on airplanes. Article
> The FCC released its Android mobile speed test app. Article
Telecom News
> Cisco reported that fiscal Q1 2014 switching sales rose 3 percent to $3.75 billion as it saw an increase in the Americas and EMEA regions. Article
> AT&T said it hired 30 workers to support its broadband and cloud efforts in Connecticut. Article
Cable News
> Charter Communications said it will begin marketing its pay TV and broadband services under a new brand, Charter Spectrum, early next year. Article
> Comcast is taking on Disney and Viacom with its NBCU buyout of Sprout. Article
And finally… Coin promises to replace your plastic cards with a single digital one. Article