Quick news from around the Web.
Samsung, the world's No. 1 smartphone maker, has a China-sized problem—and no quick fixes. http://t.co/jQApEM9liD
— Jonathan Cheng (@JChengWSJ) October 28, 2014
> T-Mobile US MVNO Ultra Mobile announced users can now customize their international mobile services using the company's UltraUp option. Release
> Google filed a trademark for the name "Ara," possibly for its modular smartphone effort. Article
> Sprint announced its new PocketWiFi portable hotspot device, which it will sell for 24 monthly payments of $9. The carrier also said that, through December 2015, it will waive the $20 per month access charge on Pocket WiFi or other eligible mobile broadband devices added as a new line of service to any Sprint Family Share Pack 20 GB or higher. Release
> According to Bloomberg, AT&T sold around $1.3 billion of dollar bonds in Taiwan. Article
> Microsoft announced new upgrades to its Office 365 offering, including new options for iOS and Android developers (post) and plans to offer mobile device management for free to its Office 365 users. Article
> Huawei announced its first major U.S. sponsorship effort, with the Washington Redskins. Release
> ZTE is now the official smartphone sponsor of the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors basketball teams. Release
Mobile Developer News
> What if mobile game blockbusters never leave the app store charts? Editor's Corner
> Secret and Whisper are gaining traction for letting smartphone users share information privately. The makers of Cloaq, Vent and SoulGap are discussing how the competitive landscape is evolving. Article
Telecom News
> Consolidated Communications has named Bob Udell as its next president and CEO, a role he will formally take on in January. Article
> ShoreTel's board of directors has rejected Mitel Networks' $540 million unsolicited bid to acquire the company, saying that it undervalues the company and its growth prospects. Article
Cable News
> According to new Parks Associates research, consumers in broadband-equipped U.S. homes now watch 17.4 hours of TV programming a week through digital video recorders, pay-TV VOD and online SVOD services. Conversely, these consumers only watch, on average, about 11.5 hours of live, linear TV per week. Article
> While competition for pay-TV services is pushing subscriber fees down worldwide, both pay-TV revenue and subscribers are expected to grow significantly over the next five years. Article
And finally… Tidal is the latest streaming music service in the United States. Article