Wireless news from across the Web.
"The FBI wants to see into every smartphone & app. Security luminaries came out against the proposal. http://on.wsj.com/1JMmflY via @WSJD"--@FierceWireless
> TracFone has launched its first AT&T-based Android phone designed to be used on TracFone's pay-as-you-go service. Prepaid Reviews article
> AT&T is launching a promotion that offers customers up to $300 in bill credits if they buy a Samsung Galaxy smartphone on AT&T Next. Post
> The four Tier 1 carriers agreed to waive charges for sending messages to a crisis hotline called the Crisis Text Line (and the charges for the hotline itself). Re/code article
> Services like Twitter and YouTube would be required to report videos and other content posted by suspected terrorists to federal authorities under legislation approved this past week by the Senate Intelligence Committee. Washington Post article
Online Video News
> The second half of 2015 is bringing a flurry of announcements as over-the-top video providers--both new to the segment and established alike--put into motion strategies to improve their competitive edge. That includes Showtime, which, like HBO before it, launched its new standalone OTT service, Showtime Anytime, on July 7--five days ahead of its original launch date. Article
> Looks like Netflix has got it right when it asks, "Are you still watching?" after two to three episodes of a single series have streamed. The majority of binge-watchers, 87 percent, can handle viewing just three or fewer shows in one sitting. But keeping those viewers coming back is becoming increasingly important to content providers' bottom lines. Article
Cable News
> Comcast said it created a new system that allows its tech support staff to take over the screens of befuddled users. The company said the offering, dubbed "Co-Pilot," will roll out to users later this year. Article
> As part of its efforts to get federal regulators to approve its proposed $49 billion acquisition of DirecTV, AT&T told the FCC that it's prepared to offer discounted broadband services to Americans who are already qualified to receive government aid. Article
Telecom News
> Cisco is acquiring privately held MaintenanceNet for $139 million, enhancing its cloud portfolio with a set of software data analytics and automation to manage renewals of recurring customer contracts. Article
> A number of Windstream's customers in Alabama aren't happy about the wireline DSL speeds they are getting from Windstream, and they are suing the company in the hopes the telco will respond by upgrading its wireline infrastructure. Article
European Wireless News
> The European Commission (EC) pumped €8 million ($8.8 million) into a new industry-led 5G research program that aims to produce a new air interface for sub-6 GHz networks. Article
> Alcatel-Lucent and Telefónica agreed to carry out further tests on network functions virtualization (NFV) as the operator investigates how it can prepare its mobile network to meet future demands placed on it by the Internet of Things (IoT), machine-to-machine (M2M) communications and increased customer connectivity. Article
And finally... The Russian government has issued a set of rules for safe self-photography. Article