Verizon closes deal with U.S. Cellular; Google removes privacy feature from Android

Quick news from around the Web.

@FierceWireless: RT@phonescoop: Sprint Spreads LTE to 70 New Markets, Covers 300 Total. ArticleFollow@FierceWireless

> Microsoft's CEO hunt isn't getting any easier. Article

> Verizon Wireless closed a deal to purchase spectrum from U.S. Cellular. Release

> Intel said it acquired the wireless infrastructure division of Mindspeed Technologies for key network communications capabilities. Post

> The New York Times profiled how Google came to dominate mapping. Article

> After a rush of subscribers from China Mobile, Apple will likely need to fight for customers in China. Article

> AT&T has developed and patented technology that detects and blocks file-sharing software. Article

> Google removed a privacy feature from its Android platform to the consternation of privacy advocates. Article

> A leaked Windows Phone 8.1 screenshot reveals new on-screen buttons. Article

> Motorola Mobile's touchless control feature now works better with PIN codes that lock the Moto X. Article

> Cisco Systems plans to add 1,700 jobs as part of a Canadian expansion. Article

> Fearing they may be arrested, InterDigital said its executives won't meet with China's antitrust agency. Article

> Amazon is pushing an installment payment plan for its Kindle Fire HDX tablets. Article

> Google bought military robot-maker Boston Dynamics. Article

> Boston Police are halting license plate scanning program. Article

> Samsung introduced a new low-end Galaxy smartphone, the Galaxy Core Advance. Article

WirelessTech News

> Verizon Wireless is struggling to meet a surge in online video traffic, which has caused the carrier's network performance to drop in key metropolitan areas and is costing the operator millions of dollars in network upgrades. Article

> The need for self-organizing networks (SON) continues to grow and is being extended from LTE networks to 3G networks, according to market research firm Infonetics Research. Article

> Network virtualization's fans urge carriers to embrace change. Editor's Corner 

European Wireless News

> After being granted a TD-LTE license in China last week along with rivals China Telecom and China Unicom, China Mobile has now opted to deploy metro cells--small cells deployed in public areas--from Alcatel-Lucent in its TD-LTE network following a small cells trial in several Chinese cities. Article

> Telefónica and KPN could face a much longer probe into their $11.7 billion German deal than they may have anticipated, after reports suggested that the European Commission plans to reject Germany's request to oversee the planned merger of KPN's E-Plus with Telefónica Deutschland. Article

> While a recent from UK telecoms regulator Ofcom that UK consumers pay less for mobile services than others is welcome reading from the perspective of consumers, the industry also understands that a race to the bottom with prices is not a sustainable way to maintain growth. Editor's Corner

And finally... Apple CEO Tim Cook accepted an achievement award from his alma mater, Auburn University, and spoke about racism and gay rights. Article