Quick news from around the Web.
'Net neutrality' debate wasn't enough to keep the FCC busy? It now has AT&T-DirecTV deal http://t.co/YmPbZQ2MWc
— FierceWireless (@FierceWireless) May 19, 2014
> Apple and Google's Motorola Mobility unit have agreed to settle all patent litigation between them over smartphones. Article
> Samsung Electronics wants to put biometric sensors in its mobile security system even for low-end smartphones. Article (sub. req.)
> Walmart will start selling T-Mobile US tablets. Release
> Sprint entered into a facility agreement of up to $1.3 billion for the securitization of its wireless service accounts receivable, which should help it with device financing. Release
> The Tizen Association will give out a free Samsung Gear 2 smartwatch and an Intel NUC mini PC to developers who attend its developer conference. Article
> Google's YouTube is reportedly buying game streaming startup Twitch for $1 billion. Article
> AT&T said it will honor net neutrality principles for three years if regulators let it buy DirecTV. Article
> Sprint launched Total Equipment Protection Plus, a protection service that covers loss, theft, damage and device malfunction, as well as antivirus security and automatic backup of photos and videos. Release
> Cisco Systems CEO John Chambers said the Obama administration should change how it is conducting National Security Agency surveillance since disclosures are hurting its business. Articles
> WhatsApp was removed from the Windows Phone Store, but will return after fixes are made to the app. Article
Cable News
> AT&T's bid to acquire DirecTV for $48.5 billion poses multiple challenges for the cable industry and, specifically, for Comcast's ongoing effort to acquire Time Warner Cable for $45.2 billion. Article
> The sheer size of a merged AT&T-DirecTV entity should result in overall better video offerings and prices for consumers, executives from both companies suggested during a webcast detailing the deal. Article
Telecom News
> Openreach, BT's local access network business, is ramping up its employee base, announcing that it will create 1,600 new engineering positions to keep up with its ongoing rollout of its fiber-based broadband services. Article
> As part of the deal with DirecTV, AT&T has committed to expand its broadband services footprint to 15 million customer locations, particularly in unserved rural areas where the telco does not provide service today, using a combination of fiber to the premises (FTTP) and wireless local loop technologies. Article
European Wireless News
> Orange confirmed it is exiting Uganda after reaching an agreement to sell its local business to Africell Holding for an undisclosed amount. Article
> South Africa-based mobile operator Vodacom has agreed to buy 100 per cent of Neotel for/$676 million from India's Tata Communications in a deal that will see the company gain fixed network assets as well as some additional spectrum. Article
And finally... A firm based in the UK, OwnFone, has released what it says is the world's first Braille phone. Article