An iPhone case that includes a separate screen that shows information like photos, boarding passes and maps from the phone sent through a Bluetooth connection isn't classified based on the Bluetooth capability, Customs and Border Protection said in an Aug. 3 ruling that was recently released. CBP responded to an advice request from a customs broker for popSLATE Media, which makes the case. The company told CBP it believes the cases are best classified based on radio transceivers as the agency classified the Apple Watch and other "smartwatches" (see 1606280059). CBP disagreed, saying "the most prominent feature" is the image display screen. That classification has a 2.6 percent duty rate. We couldn't reach popSLATE Friday.
Attendance at CES Asia in Shanghai in June was 38,531, including 1,258 members of the media, said CTA, announcing results of an independent audit by Vault Consulting. Attendance increased 13.7 percent from 2016 and 34 percent from 2015, it said. The show attracted 4,076 attendees from outside China, said Karen Chupka, CTA senior vice president-CES and corporate business strategy.
Local community networks are a key to bringing internet access to the half of humanity that's still unconnected, the Internet Society said Wednesday, highlighting a paper backing approaches governments and others can take. Policymakers can help communities connect "with innovative licensing and access to spectrum," said Raul Echeberria, vice president-global engagement, in a release that noted "100+ ministers" were attending an ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference in Buenos Aires through Oct. 20. It said network providers can help through fair backhaul rates, equipment and training, and sharing of infrastructure and spectrum. Community network costs can be low, often requiring something as simple as a router, it said.
U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy Rob Strayer told the ITU’s World Telecommunication Development Conference Sunday in Buenos Aires that U.S. proposals to the conference and pan-Americas proposals that the government supports “reflect our strong support” for a continued ITU telecom development sector role in broadband development and emergency communications. The U.S. supports the creation of “voluntary guidelines and best practices” to support efforts to increase digital inclusion, development of advanced networks and to create a “stable and predictable regulatory environment,” Strayer said. The U.S. is confident the WTDC conference will produce “sustainable and measurable results” because public-private partnerships and “multistakeholder cooperation” have aided in significant progress in global broadband and other network deployments in recent years, he said. Strayer joined the State Department last month as CIC and deputy assistant secretary of state-cybersecurity and international communications and information policy (see 1708220059 and 1709210062). The WTDC lasts until Oct. 20.
Nokia will halt development of future versions of the Ozo professional virtual-reality camera and hardware as part of a strategy shift to “reduce investments” in VR and focus its Nokia Technologies subsidiary more on “technology licensing opportunities,” the company said in a Tuesday announcement. Nokia Technologies will continue to service existing customers on the Ozo, it said. Nokia was prompted to act because the VR market has been slower to develop than expected, it said. The subsidiary expects to eliminate about a third of its 1,090 employees, mainly in Finland, the U.S. and the U.K., it said. Nokia will “sharpen the focus" of Nokia Technologies on “digital health,” while leaving its “successful patent licensing business untouched,” the company said.
Fair use and safe harbor provisions should be included in a renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement, the Re:Create Coalition said in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer Thursday. If NAFTA is going to include copyright provisions, it must include enforcement measures and provisions like fair use in order to support the American economy and jobs, the letter said. Safe harbor provisions such as those included in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act helped internet growth, and fair use adds $2.8 trillion to the economy annually, the group said. It took issue with music industry groups that fear safe harbors would permit trading partners to be havens for piracy for those who illegally infringe on American content (see 1709200038).
Amazon’s Alexa and Echo devices are available by invitation in India and will roll out in Japan later this year, the company announced Wednesday. Customers who want to help the development of Alexa and Echo devices can request an invitation to buy the devices at www.amazon.in in exchange for a limited-time 30 percent discount and a year of Prime membership, it said. Devices are to ship at the end of the month.
Samsung is “looking into” the Tessera Technologies complaint at the International Trade Commission alleging various Samsung mobile devices infringe two Tessera patents (see 1709290044), a Samsung spokesman said Monday. Samsung “will take necessary measures accordingly," said the spokesman. Tessera seeks exclusion and cease and desist orders at the ITC against Samsung devices containing “wafer-level” packaged semiconductors, including the “power management IC” chips used in the Galaxy 8 and Note8 smartphones.
Globalstar and IPmotion are starting a commercial mobile satellite service, Globalstar Japan, that will offer a variety of voice, data, asset monitoring, tracking and emergency capabilities aimed at consumer, enterprise and government customers, they said Friday. They said Globalstar expects to receive type certification to sell a variety of its products in Japan in coming weeks.
International Launch Services launched the SSL-built AsiaSat 9 satellite into orbit Friday on an ILS Proton, it said. It was ILS' third commercial launch this year, it said. The AsiaSat satellite will provide direct-to-home, video distribution, broadband and mobility services, and replace AsiaSat 4 with multiple C-, Ka- and Ku-band payloads, it said. The satellite will orbit at 122 degrees east and serve Asia.