FCC set to approve 5G spectrum swath (USA Today)
When the FCC convenes its monthly meeting, the commissioners are expected to vote to designate a huge block of spectrum for the use of next-generation wireless broadband, services that are up to 100 times faster than current wireless connections. These applications, called 5G, promise not only faster, but also more robust capabilities.
Playing Pokémon Go while black: Fear stifles the fun (USA Today)
For the most part, Pokémon Go is all fun and games. Yet for some African Americans, especially African-American men, their enjoyment is undercut by fears they might arouse suspicion with potentially lethal consequences. The smartphone game sends people out in the world to capture monsters from the Japanese cartoon franchise.
Sen. Franken Takes Aim at Pokémon Go (Broadcasting & Cable)
Sen. Al Franken has fired off a letter to Pokémon Go game developer Niantic raising alarm bells over the smartphone game app’s collection, use and sharing of user data in what Franken calls potentially concerning ways. Since the augmented reality app launched July 6, it has been downloaded over seven million times.
ACA to Senate: FCC Privacy Regime Is Overly Burdensome (Broadcasting & Cable)
American Cable Association president Matt Polka boiled down ACA’s response to the FCC’s broadband privacy proposal into four groups, which he planned to serve up to Senate Commerce Committee members. Polka says his members are already subject to privacy and data security obligations and have an “excellent track record.
Copyright Office Concerned About FCC Set-Top Proposal (Broadcasting & Cable)
As expected, the FCC’s set-top proposal got a lot of attention at the House Communications Subcommittee FCC oversight hearing. Among the takeaways were that the U.S. Copyright Office is concerned about the proposal, and FCC chair Tom wheeler is committed to working with the office to allay those concerns.
Suing Facebook, families of terrorist victims (Media Life)
Are social networks liable for what’s written on them? This issue has been debated before and will no doubt continue to come up until there’s a definitive legal decision. And we could be on our way to one. The families of five victims of attacks in Israel filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court, suing Facebook for $1 billion.
“Pokemon Go” may spark AR revolution in mobile gaming (Bloomberg)
Nintendo’s “Pokemon Go” augmented-reality mobile game, which uses location-mapping technology to help gamers find virtual Pokemon in the real world, has led to the first “mass adoption of an AR application,” said Joost van Dreunen of SuperData Research. Other developers are already looking to duplicate Nintendo’s success.
NBC Olympics’ Rio Live Digital-Video Deluge to Hit Connected-TV Devices, But Not For Cord-Cutters (Variety)
NBC Olympics will churn out an unprecedented 4,500 hours of live event coverage from Rio available across digital devices — a staggering avalanche across 34 sports that’s more than any single human being could possibly consume. It’s the first Olympic Games that viewers be available to watch live on connected TVs.
ABC Relaunches Streaming Service With Full Seasons of 38 Older Shows, 7 Original Digital Short-Form Series (Hollywood Reporter)
ABC has relaunched its streaming service with full seasons of 38 older shows and seven original digital short-form series. All of that content will be available to all viewers on ABC.com and the ABC apps for mobile and connected TV devices without signing in with a pay-TV subscription. The service also features a redesigned user interface.
Ads are coming to ‘Pokémon Go’ (Business Insider)
Ads are coming to “Pokémon Go,” the CEO of the company behind the wildly popular augmented reality gaming app has confirmed. Niantic chief executive John Hanke said “sponsored locations” are set to come to the app soon.
What Will Fox’s Live Prime-Time Streaming Mean For Advertisers? (Media Post)
For local Fox-affiliated TV stations, the Fox deal to start live streaming of its prime-time programming is a good one. But will it be enough to stir local viewers and advertisers in the near term? The new Fox Now Live will give the ultimate real-time option for those local TV stations looking for bigger presence in the digital media world.
Web Users Agree To Anything Online, Study Finds (Media Post)
Researchers at Michigan State University and the University of Connecticut have conducted a study that attempts to scientifically prove whether people read online privacy policies and other notifications. The results strongly suggest that most people don’t even attempt to do so.
SENS WANT USF MOBILITY FUND TO TARGET CROPLANDS (Telecompetitor)
A bi-partisan group of 26 senators is asking the FCC to establish new parameters for a Universal Service Fund mobility fund that would target broadband availability in croplands “or some other geographic measurement.” The goal would be to better support precision agriculture technology aimed at enhancing productivity.