By: Jesse Cryderman

AT&T U-verse recently updated its U-verse App to include 41 additional live channels and compatibility with a wearable. The U-verse App has more live channels available to watch outside the home than any cable provider with 236 live channels inside the home and 173 channels available outside the home. The new channels build upon U-verse’s existing channel lineup available outside of the home, which already includes channels like ESPN, Fox News, HBO and USA Network.

“We’re proud of our leadership in the TV Everywhere space and the extensive lineup of content we’re able to offer customers today,” said GW Shaw, Vice President of U-verse and Video Products, AT&T Home Solutions. “This is just the beginning of what we can do—we’ll continue to add more content and features to fully mobilize the TV watching experience.”

In addition to new live content, the update to the U-verse App includes new compatibility with Samsung Gear S, the first 4G wireless network-connected wearable by Samsung and AT&T. Customers can pair their Samsung smartphones with their Gear S to:

• Use as a remote to control the TV;
• Access the U-verse TV guide;
• Search for shows; and
• Manage their DVR.

It's Lights Out for the Comcast-TWC Merger

When the proposed Comcast-Time Warner Cable merger was announced over a year ago, many analysts feared that the deal would prove too megalithic for competition-sensitive regulators in Washington. These opinions were spot on: today, the deal is dead. 

Comcast Corporation announced on April 24 that its merger agreement with Time Warner Cable and its transactions agreement with Charter Communications, Inc. have been terminated.

Comcast Chairman and CEO, Brian L. Roberts, issued the following statement: 

"Today, we move on. Of course, we would have liked to bring our great products to new cities, but we structured this deal so that if the government didn’t agree, we could walk away.  Comcast NBCUniversal is a unique company with strong momentum. Throughout this entire process, our employees have kept their eye on the ball and we have had fantastic operating results. I want to thank them and the employees of Time Warner Cable for their tireless efforts. I couldn’t be more proud of this company and I am truly excited for what’s next." 

The proposed $45-billion merger, which Comcast ardently pursued for more than a year, is now kaput. Comcast will not have to pay any "breakup fee," nor will it have to endure a lengthy court battle with the federal government. 

Consumer advocates will hail this as a victory for net neutrality and competition. Comcast, on the other hand, will probably blame this decision on an alleged anti-business environment in Washington. Although consolidation certainly creates efficiencies that often benefit consumers, most people in the U.S. do not have access to a variety of terrestrial service providers. Choice, being an inherent component of competition, is likely the operative word in the minds of decision makers at the FCC.

Sprint Competes with Free International Mobile Data, Messaging 

Mobile data is a precious commodity when traveling abroad. It can deliver directions, recommendations, and enable travelers to purchase tickets, check bank accounts, and manage affairs back home. The problem, however, has been cost--varying costs per country, and a generally large overall bill. This has been a pain point for years.