Quick news from around the Web.
Auction Watch: After 230 rounds, the last of which included 9 new bids, the FCC's AWS-3 auction has raised a total of $44.707 billion in provisionally winning bids. Page. AWS-3 auction primer.
A Beginner's Guide to Understanding the Internet of Things http://t.co/GxQUdzXnly by @BonnieSCha
— Re/code (@Recode) January 15, 2015
> Vodafone's chief technology officer, Steve Pusey, will retire this summer. Article
> China's Xiaomi released the Mi Note, which sports a 5.7-inch screen. Article
> RadioShack may be preparing to file for bankruptcy. Article
> Alcatel-Lucent hired an Oracle executive, Bhaskar Gorti, to oversee its NFV efforts. Article
> According to new reports, online ad company Turn is resurrecting tracking cookies that Verizon users have deleted. Article
> Facebook is offering free access to a handful of web services to users in Colombia. Article
> Johan Wibergh, the head of Ericsson's network business, will leave his position and take on a role outside Ericsson, the company announced. Release
Wireless Tech News
> With the help of Mobile Beacon, libraries in the five boroughs of New York City will be lending out 10,000 high-speed hotspots to low-income residents who qualify. The Johnston, R.I.-based nonprofit is partnering with Sprint to distribute the hotspots. Article
> Marriott is no longer working to block personal Wi-Fi networks. Article
Telecom News
> Unite Private Networks has armed itself with a $273 million credit facility to support ongoing fiber network expansions that will support its growing base of enterprise and wireless operator customers. Article
Cable News
> In preparation for what it hopes will be an FCC-approved takeover of Time Warner Cable, Comcast Cable EVP and COO David Watson circulated an internal memo, announcing a new executive structure based on three core regions. Article
> Atlanta technology company Clearleap says it's stuck a deal with A+E Networks to power set-top-based VOD programming across all of the conglomerate's channels. Article
And finally… Google announced it is partnering with auto makers to develop self-driving cars. Article