Mobile News - December 2011

AT&T and T-Mobile are searching for new direction after their failed merger, while Sprint sits in the wings for opportunities.

Research in Motion may lose the right to use its BlackBerry Messenger abbreviation, or BBM, putting the company's trademarks in jeopardy amid its ongoing struggles.

Christmas Eve means it's time to follow Santa your smartphone.

The Swedish people have taken over the @Sweden Twitter account with the blessing of the government, giving a "man on the street" perspective on the nation of nine million.

Volkswagen and other German businesses are turning off after-hour e-mails to give workers a break as they, like many people worldwide, become increasingly connected to their mobile devices.

Apple had a year that would stun any other company, but it came out on top through its trademarked combination of talent, business sense, and yes, balls.

Motorola is pushing the Droid 4 release to February 2, as Verizon spreads out the launch of its high-end smartphones to capitalize on sales.

People are increasingly reaching for a smartphone to snap pictures, as mobile devices emerge as a popular choice for recording life's everyday moments.

A 15-foot Christmas tree made from more than 2,500 unusable cell phones decorates an electronics store in Vietnam, raising awareness of the ecological impact of mobile devices.

The first product to use so-called "white spaces" between TV airwaves was approved by the Federal Communications Commission, as the spectrum shortage sparks alternative solutions.

The Federal Communications Commission approved AT&T's purchase of spectrum from Qualcomm, giving the carrier a boost after its failed merger with T-Mobile.

Upstart carrier Republic eliminated usage thresholds from its $20-per-month plan, creating a truly "unlimited" option to compete against larger providers and attract price-minded subscribers.

Research in Motion is delaying BlackBerry 10 phones due to delays in the development of its new operating system, casting further doubt on beleaguered company's chances of a recovery.

Day 20: Perfect for those prone to hitting snooze repeatedly and oversleeping, the Clocky alarm guarantees users get up in the morning and even get some exercise.

The average "happiness" of English-speaking Twitter users has been on a downward slide over the last two years, according to researchers, as scientists attempt to use social data to gauge public health.