AT&T’s GoPhone prepaid wireless service has increased the amount of high-speed data on its $45 and $60 plans. Users on the $45 plan will now receive 3 GB of data, while customers on the $60 plan will receive 6 GB of high-speed data. Customers on both plans are eligible for a $5 per month discount when they sign up with Auto Refill. Users on the $60 plan also have access to unlimited talk and text from the U.S. to Mexico and Canada, as well as talk, text and data usage in Mexico and Canada.
Twilio, the cloud communications platform for developers, has partnered with T-Mobile to unveil Twilio Programmable Wireless, the first communications platform designed for developers to easily program cellular connectivity. The announcement was made the SIGNAL, the developer conference for communications.
Through API’s, developers and businesses can now enable a wide range of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and customized communications for any device that is connected over the cellular network. With programmable cellular capabilities, developers and enterprises can now create their own customized carrier solution with the ability to program every call, text and data packet that interacts with a mobile device.
Twiliio’s new ‘Devices’ API enables developers to provision Twilio SIM Cards directly from their applications. Software can now remotely control SIM activation, data usage and bandwidth limits. The commands API provides machine-to-machine connectivity even in areas without data coverage or to preserve battery power. The same API provides granular usage data.
Twilio SIM Cards will also fully support Twilio Programmable Voice and Programmable SMS, giving developers access to the power of the Twilio cloud for both machine and human communications.
Twilio said the developer kit will be available broadly in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam hinted on Tuesday the ongoing strike of nearly 40,000 union wireline and wireless workers may hurt the carrier’s second quarter figures. McAdam said while Verizon has been able to keep pace with maintenance requests, it has fallen behind on new Internet and TV installations.
Verizon is set to release its second quarter earnings results on July 26.
Energous Corporation, the developer of the WattUp over-the-air wireless charging, announced FCC approval of its Miniature WattUp transmitter reference design. The approval enables the immediate adoption of the WattUp technology for verticals such as wearables, Internet of Things and other electronic devices.
The Miniature WattUp transmitter design, first demonstrated at CES earlier this year, can be as small as a USB thumb drive. Energous said all WattUp-enabled products will support seamless transitioning from charging via Miniature WattUp transmitters, to future stationary in-room transmitters that will offer wire-free charging with mobility at a distance. The company said its goal is to create a complete wireless charging eco-system.
