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Intel and Mobileye announced on March 13 that they have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Intel will acquire Mobileye. Under the terms of the agreement, a subsidiary of Intel will commence a tender offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Mobileye for $63.54 per share in cash, representing a fully-diluted equity value of approximately $15.3 billion and an enterprise value of $14.7 billion.

The acquisition will couple the best-in-class technologies from both companies, including Intel’s high-performance computing and connectivity expertise and Mobileye’s leading computer vision expertise to create automated driving solutions from the cloud through the network to the car.

The combination is expected to accelerate innovation for the automotive industry and position Intel as a leading technology provider in the fast-growing market for highly and fully autonomous vehicles. Intel estimates the vehicle systems, data and services market opportunity to be up to $70 billion by 2030. The transaction extends Intel’s strategy to invest in data-intensive market opportunities that build on the company’s strengths in computing and connectivity from the cloud, through the network, to the device.

Oracle today announced the expansion of its Startup Cloud Accelerator program. The initiative will continue to fuel cloud-enabled innovation around the globe by opening new centers in Bristol, Delhi–NCR, Mumbai, Paris, São Paulo, Singapore and Tel Aviv.

Run by members of the Oracle research and development team, the program provides six months of mentoring from technical and business experts, state-of-the-art technology, a co-working space, access to Oracle customers, partners and investors, and free Oracle Cloud credits. It also offers an ever-expanding global network of startup peers.

Rooted in its own entrepreneurial beginnings, Oracle believes that supporting invention and entrepreneurism among emerging companies is critical in furthering enterprise tech innovation.

“After a successful launch in Bangalore, India, we’re committed to building a supportive ecosystem for startups across the globe,” said Thomas Kurian, Oracle’s president of product development. “Cloud is enabling incredible innovations across every aspect of business and across every industry. We want to support this next technology revolution powered by cloud.”

With its modern cloud platform, optimized for high-performance, high I/O, and high availability, and breadth of platform services, Oracle has democratized enterprise-grade technology to support startups. Oracle’s full cloud stack provides startup developers with the building blocks to get started immediately and scale as they pivot, expand and change their businesses, whether they are three-tier or cloud native, scale up or scale out. With a global footprint, Oracle delivers more than 50 integrated cloud services to support companies of all sizes.

The program, which launched its Bangalore pilot program in April 2016, attracted a diverse mix of applicants from hundreds of companies, and many participants have already seen success.

“The Oracle Startup Cloud Accelerator has been—without a doubt—the greatest launch pad for us,” said Aardra Kannan Ambili, co-founder and CTO of healthcare IoT startup Riot Solutions, a participant in the pilot program. “Thanks to Oracle, we are now a fast-growing startup with seed investment.”

Oracle Senior Vice President of Product Development Reggie Bradford, a serial entrepreneur himself, will lead the program expansion alongside Oracle Group Vice President of Development Sanket Atal, who first launched the pilot program in India.

“The next five to ten years promise innovations and growth that will drive new business ideas enabled by the cloud,” said Bradford. “Oracle understands that startups are at the heart of innovation, and through this program we aim to give startups access to extensive resources and support when they need it most.”

The Oracle Startup Cloud Accelerator is open to early-stage technology and technology-enabled startups. The call for applications will open later in 2017 in each of the seven new hubs. Interested startups can sign up to receive more information at www.oracle.com/startup.

Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced the top three winners of its first edition of the Qualcomm Design in India Challenge (QDIC), which was launched in December 2015, in association with the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM). Over the last 12 months, ten shortlisted companies were incubated with initial prize money of USD 10,000 each and engineering support at Qualcomm India’s Innovation Lab in Bangalore where they could transform their ideas into prototypes. In the final round, the companies were judged by the jury members consisting of Industry, Government and Qualcomm executives. In addition,
the selected winners were awarded USD 100,000 each as part of the Challenge.

The winners are Carnot Technologies, IFuture Robotics and Uncanny Vision.
Qualcomm also announced investment of USD 8.5 Mn for expansion of their design initiatives in India, to be called henceforth the ‘Qualcomm Design in India Program’ (QDIP). Under this program two key initiatives were announced:

The Qualcomm “Design in India Challenge II” will support companies in the areas of Rural technology, Biometric Devices, Payment Terminals, Agri Technology, Medical Technology and Smart Infrastructure
Enable India mobile and IoT vendors by providing advanced Camera, Audio, and RF design in India with the launch of a new Innovation Lab at Hyderabad and expansion of the current Innovation Lab in Bangalore
Speaking on the occasion, John Han, senior vice president and general manager, Qualcomm Technology Licensing, said, “Qualcomm is passionate about innovation, every year we invest billions in risky R&D to invent technologies that bring advancements in various aspect of our lives. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society, Qualcomm is committed to offering support to help India’s ecosystem to grow and cater to increasing consumer choices.”

“Qualcomm Design in India Challenge is one of the most successful initiatives by Qualcomm to nurture some of the talented startups in India. After seeing the overpowering response during the 2016 edition, we decided to go ahead with a second year, as well as expanding the number of participants Qualcomm nurtures through this program from 10 to 16 participants in 2017.” said Jim Cathey, senior vice president & president, Asia Pacific & India, Qualcomm Technologies Inc.

More information on Qualcomm Design In India Challenge II is available on http://www.qualcomm.co.in/design-in-india

About Qualcomm
Qualcomm’s technologies powered the smartphone revolution and connected billions of people. We pioneered 3G and 4G – and now, we are leading the way to 5G and a new era of intelligent, connected devices. Our products are revolutionizing industries including automotive, computing, IoT and healthcare, and are allowing millions of devices to connect with each other in ways never before imagined. Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, all of our engineering, research and development functions, and all of our products and services businesses, including our semiconductor business, QCT, and our mobile, automotive, computing, IoT and healthcare businesses.

CHICAGO – Motorola Solutions and RapidSOS announced they will work together to increase the data available to public safety agencies and first responders, providing critical information to accelerate response times and improve emergency outcomes.

Imagine if first responders arrived at an incident armed with precise location information, real-time medical information for those involved and live video of the scene. Yet today, the estimated 500,000 mobile 911 calls coming into U.S. public safety answering points (PSAPs) daily provide only the basics about the caller’s location and nature of the emergency.

With RapidSOS, third-party data collected by smartphones, connected cars, wearables and other connected devices will flow through Motorola Solutions’ emergency response systems, from 911 call-takers and dispatchers to police officers and emergency medical personnel in the field, creating end-to-end emergency data connectivity.

“We believe in technology that gets the right information to the right person, at the right time and in the right way,” said Eduardo Conrado, executive vice president, Strategy & Innovation Office, Motorola Solutions. “Our work with RapidSOS adds a new dimension to our software solutions for the command center, enabling critical information to be shared with the people who need it most.”

RapidSOS’ technology takes in information from any properly credentialed connected device and transmits it in a way that is compatible with existing 911 and emergency response systems. It can transmit data related to voice, location, multimedia including photos and videos from scene, type of emergency, medical and demographic data, real-time health information from wearables (heart rate, blood oxygen level, glucose) and vehicle telematics (airbag deployment, occupancy, speed before impact).

Data delivered by RapidSOS will be available as modules across Motorola Solutions’ command center software solutions, allowing PSAP personnel and first responders to choose the data they want, including wireless location, multimedia or health information.

“RapidSOS has advanced information about users in an emergency, and working with Motorola Solutions makes all of this rich data actionable,” said Michael Martin, chief executive officer, RapidSOS. “Our combined efforts provide the public safety community with the option for what, when, and how data is conveyed to them in an emergency to save lives.”

This relationship enhances Motorola Solutions’ portfolio of Smart Public Safety Solutions, which enables public safety agencies to turn data into intelligence.

About Motorola Solutions
Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) creates innovative, mission-critical communication solutions and services that help public safety and commercial customers build safer cities and thriving communities. For ongoing news, visit http://www.motorolasolutions.com/newsroom or subscribe to a news feed.

About RapidSOS
RapidSOS is an advanced emergency technology company. Formed in 2012 and backed by some of the world’s leading Silicon Valley technologists, RapidSOS is partnering with consumer technology companies and the public safety community to provide transformative data in emergencies. RapidSOS is developing technology to predict and preempt emergencies before they occur, dynamically warn people in harm’s way, and link data from any connected device directly to first responders in an emergency. Learn more at www.RapidSOS.com

FORT MILL, S.C., – Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced that it will collaborate with Intel to develop new Internet of Things solutions for the retail industry to enhance logistics, improve inventory visibility and drive supply chain efficiencies.

The Honeywell and Intel collaboration will focus on developing solutions that improve operations for retail businesses, which are faced with enormous challenges to maintain profitability and compete in an environment where consumers are more often shifting to online shopping.

“To succeed in the e-commerce world, retailers need to invest in connected solutions and harness the power of the Internet of Things (IoT) to track inventory and gain insights into customer shopping habits,” said John Waldron, president and CEO of Honeywell’s Safety and Productivity Solutions business. “The collaboration between Honeywell and Intel will provide a platform for future technology developments to leverage both firms’ expertise in capturing and analyzing enterprise data. We look forward to working with Intel on industry-leading solutions this year.”

“Technology can help transform retail, making stores more responsive to customer needs by connecting physical and digital retail environments,” said Joe Jensen, vice president and general manager, Retail Solutions Division at Intel. “By working with Honeywell, Intel plans to enable retailers to benefit from IoT solutions by having the visibility of real-time accuracy of on-shelf inventory. This will help delight shoppers with better inventory accuracy and in-store pickup of products ordered online.”

The Honeywell and Intel collaboration will focus on solutions that utilize the two companies’ technology offerings, including sensors, handheld computers, processors, bar code scanners, RFID tags and readers and cloud-based software. These solutions can help businesses track, monitor and assess the condition of goods moving through the supply chain as well as in brick-and-mortar stores.

By working together, Honeywell and Intel seek to address a range of challenges that retail and supply chain firms face as consumers are more often turning to online shopping. Retailers need greater visibility into their in-store inventory to ensure items ordered online are available for in-store pickup and to enhance customer service.

Honeywell helps retailers maximize retail marketing efforts, improve the productivity of store associates, accelerate the checkout experience and make the in-store pickup of online shopping orders a profitable venture. Retailers benefit from Honeywell’s portfolio of enterprise handheld computers, scanners, printers and sensors as well as managed mobility services and cloud-based software platforms.

The two companies are demonstrating how they are helping retailers leverage their brick-and-mortar stores to drive profitability at the National Retail Federation Big Show, running Jan. 15-17 in New York City’s Javits Center.

Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions (SPS) provides products, software and connected solutions that improve productivity, workplace safety and asset performance for our customers across the globe. We deliver on this promise through industry-leading mobile devices, software, cloud technology and automation solutions, the broadest range of personal protective equipment and gas detection technology, and custom-engineered sensors, switches and controls. We also manufacture and sell a broad portfolio of footwear for work, play and outdoor activities, including XtraTufTM and Muck BootTM brand footwear.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

Happy New Year!

And thank you for making 2016 an amazing year for Windows 10 across PCs, tablets, all-in-1’s, 2-in-1’s, mixed reality, and Xbox One. As we move toward the release of the Windows 10 Creators Update, I’ve spent the week at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, seeing all kinds of innovation firsthand. It’s incredible to see the creativity of our partners and so many teams around the world who are building devices for each of us.

Empowering you to create and play continues to be at the core of how we build Windows, whether you’re a student, educator, gamer, creative or mobile professional. This week our partners announced some fantastic new devices at CES.

Key themes among partner devices include VR-ready gaming PCs featuring the latest NVIDIA graphics cards, increased power and performance with Intel’s latest 7th Gen Core i7 processor, lighter devices with longer battery life for greater portability than ever, OLED and 4K screens for the most stunning visuals, infrared cameras and fingerprint readers that unlock Windows Hello, and much more.

Here are some highlights:
Acer launched cutting-edge gaming PCs that deliver performance, design innovation, and immersive experiences

Acer introduced the highly anticipated curved-screen Predator 21 X gaming laptop. It offers a curved 21-inch IPS display and delivers a truly immersive gaming experience, especially when combined with the notebook’s Tobii eye-tracking technology. The curved screen features NVIDIA G-SYNC technology, ensuring smooth and sharp gameplay. Acer also introduced a VR-ready PC: the Aspire GX desktop that delivers stunning 4K resolution visuals and can support up to four displays at once for a maximized gaming experience. To learn more about what Acer announced at CES, visit this link.

Dell Canvas
Dell unveiled a series of innovations built with Windows 10 to redefine personal computing – including the Dell Canvas, a horizontal smart workspace with touch, totem and pen capabilities; a 13-inch 2-in-1; XPS and Precision All-in-Ones; the Dell UltraSharp 32 Ultra HD 8K Monitor; Dell’s most powerful VR-ready mobile workstation, and a wireless charging 2-in-1 for the ultimate “no wires” experience. The Dell Canvas with Windows 10 is a new category of smart workspace technology that expands creative productivity for content developers and designers; the 27-inch QHD smart workspace can be used at an angle or flat on a desk so you can create, communicate, and express your ideas as naturally as you do with pen on paper. Powered by virtually any Windows 10 device, Dell Canvas also plugs seamlessly into software solutions from partners including Adobe, Autodesk, AVID, Dassault Systems, SolidWorks, and Microsoft to unleash the creative genius in everyone.

Dell also introduced an all new XPS 13 2-in-1 that offers a 360-degree hinge for multiple productivity and viewing options, up to 15 hours of battery life, and eye-popping clarity with a gorgeous QHD+ (5.7M pixels) InfinityEdge touch display. The fanless design keeps it silent and it can be configured with 7th Gen Intel Core vPro processors. To learn more about what Dell announced at CES, visit this link.

HP delivered power and innovative design in the redesigned Sprout Pro, and their latest 2-in-1 for business

The new Sprout Pro by HP powered by Windows 10
HP introduced the redesigned Sprout Pro, an immersive all-in-one PC that incorporates advanced technologies and new features that empower you to create highly visual content and interactive experiences by blending the physical and digital worlds. HP has evolved Sprout Pro’s software to make it easy to interact between Windows 10 Pro and Sprout’s unique HD resolution projector, touch mat, and 2D/3D cameras. The Sprout Pro now features a hefty Intel Core i7 processor, 1TB of SSHD storage, up to 16GB of RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M graphics for faster 3D scanning, and Windows 10 Pro with its innovative and secure experiences.

HP also announced the HP EliteBook x360 1030, an incredibly thin 14.9mm business-class convertible, featuring the iconic Elite design and durability, this device is built for performance with Intel 7th Generation Core processors and runs Windows 10 Pro. Integrated collaboration capabilities enhance productivity with dedicated conferencing keys, audio features bring new life to meetings and a 13.3-inch diagonal optional 4K UHD display with webcam and pen support makes creating content easier than ever. To learn more about what HP announced at CES, visit this link.

Lenovo introduced a new gaming brand and powerful state-of-the-art gaming laptops
Lenovo launched a dedicated sub-brand for Lenovo gaming, called Lenovo Legion. Lenovo’s new Legion offerings come in the form of two powerful gaming laptops designed for mainstream and enthusiast players. The Lenovo Legion Y720 and Y520 laptops offer gamers state-of-the-art technology to fully immerse in the game. These new PCs allow for a greater gaming experience in every sense—powering VR through the latest NVIDIA graphics, better sound with Dolby Atmos, and increased power with Intel’s latest 7th Gen Core i7 processor. In addition to these new gaming laptops, Lenovo announced updates to the ThinkPad X1 family of devices that are thinner, lighter, and more powerful than previous models. To learn more about what Lenovo announced at CES, visit this link.

LG delivered superior portability and battery life
The feather-light LG Gram’s feature 7th generation Intel Core i7 processors, up to 512GB SSD and max 16GB DDR4 Dual Channel Memory and Full HD IPS panels that supports In-Touch Display technology. The newest LG Gram laptops come in three different screen sizes – the 13.3-inch and 14.0-inch models weigh in at 940 grams and 970 grams, respectively, while the largest model only weighs 1,090 grams despite its impressive 15.6-inch screen. Super slim bezels frame the screen to create a sophisticated, near-edgeless touchscreen that is great for interacting naturally with Windows 10 and using Windows Ink to make notes and annotate directly on webpages in Microsoft Edge. To learn more about what LG announced at CES, visit this link.

MSI
MSI launched a brand-new lineup of gaming devices powered by Windows 10, the latest Intel 7th generation CPUs, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10 GPUs. Brand-new VR-ready gaming laptops, gaming motherboards, ultimate gaming graphics cards equipped with TWIN FROZR VI, gaming desktop PCs and Gaming Gear peripherals to bring gamers all over the world the latest and greatest technologies. New MSI GT83VR, GT73VR, GS73VR, GS63VR, and GS43VR gaming laptops are powered by Windows 10 and Intel 7th generation CPUs and NVIDIA GeForce GTX1050 Ti & GTX1050 gaming graphics cards, feature enhanced audio experiences and offer gamers the power of a desktop including fast and smooth VR experiences to gamers on the go. To learn more about what MSI announced at CES, visit this link.

Samsung
This week Samsung unveiled their first ever gaming PC, the Samsung Notebook Odyssey powered by Windows 10. Available in 17.3-inch and 15.6-inch models, the Samsung Notebook Odyssey packs power in a beautiful design with premium features to offer a premium gaming experience. Powered by a 7th Generation Intel Core i7 processor (Quad Core 45W), both models of the Samsung Notebook Odyssey offer lightning fast performance with premium graphic technologies. In addition to its high-performing engine, the Samsung Notebook Odyssey 15-inch offers a beautiful viewing experience including a backlight that goes up to 280 nits in brightness for crystal clear images. Samsung also showcased their recently updated Samsung Notebook 9 15-inch laptop. The Notebook 9 15-inch is equipped with the latest 7th Generation Intel Core i7 Processor, features a vibrant full HD display, has a built-in fingerprint reader that unlocks password free sign in with Windows Hello, and is packed with a battery that can last as long as 15 hours on a single charge. To learn more about what Samsung announced at CES, visit this link.

The Portégé X20W with Windows 10
Toshiba introduced the new Portégé X20W, a premium 2-in-1 convertible PC running Windows 10 Pro. Measuring 15.4mm thin and weighing less than 2.5 pounds, the Portégé X20W has a battery life of up to 16 hours, features multi-directional microphones to support Cortana, a pair of IR cameras to allow easy and secure log in with Windows Hello, and a touchscreen for digital inking with Windows Ink or marking up webpages in Microsoft Edge. The Portégé X20W is designed for mobile professionals, educators, and students. To learn more about what Toshiba announced at CES, visit this link.

These great new devices are just the beginning of how Windows will enable more creativity in 2017. As we announced in October, the Windows 10 Creators Update will let customers access amazing mixed reality content with the Universal Windows Platform catalog on head mounted displays from hardware partners like Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and 3Glasses. And as we announced in December, with Windows 10 on ARM, we are addressing the growing desire for more lightweight, portable, more battery efficient PCs. By partnering Qualcomm hardware with the Windows 10 Creators update and emulation technology, we’re opening the doors for our partners to build innovative devices that will create diversity in the marketplace and bring more choice to people and businesses that are looking for always-connected mobile computing experiences.

I want to thank all our partners for the great work they are doing to develop hardware that is designed to maximize all the benefits of the Windows 10 Creators Update. These partnerships ensure an entire ecosystem of devices to choose from so that each of us can unleash our inner creator, and 2017 is shaping up to bring even more exciting and compelling options than ever before.

By Terry Myerson / Executive Vice President, Windows and Devices Group

Following a recent investigation, we’ve identified data security issues concerning certain Yahoo user accounts. We’ve taken steps to secure those user accounts and we’re working closely with law enforcement.

What happened?
As we previously disclosed in November, law enforcement provided us with data files that a third party claimed was Yahoo user data. We analyzed this data with the assistance of outside forensic experts and found that it appears to be Yahoo user data. Based on further analysis of this data by the forensic experts, we believe an unauthorized third party, in August 2013, stole data associated with more than one billion user accounts. We have not been able to identify the intrusion associated with this theft. We believe this incident is likely distinct from the incident we disclosed on September 22, 2016.

For potentially affected accounts, the stolen user account information may have included names, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, hashed passwords (using MD5) and, in some cases, encrypted or unencrypted security questions and answers. The investigation indicates that the stolen information did not include passwords in clear text, payment card data, or bank account information. Payment card data and bank account information are not stored in the system the company believes was affected.

Separately, we previously disclosed that our outside forensic experts were investigating the creation of forged cookies that could allow an intruder to access users’ accounts without a password. Based on the ongoing investigation, we believe an unauthorized third party accessed our proprietary code to learn how to forge cookies. The outside forensic experts have identified user accounts for which they believe forged cookies were taken or used. We are notifying the affected account holders, and have invalidated the forged cookies. We have connected some of this activity to the same state-sponsored actor believed to be responsible for the data theft the company disclosed on September 22, 2016.

What are we doing to protect our users?
We are notifying potentially affected users and have taken steps to secure their accounts, including requiring users to change their passwords. We have also invalidated unencrypted security questions and answers so that they cannot be used to access an account. With respect to the cookie forging activity, we invalidated the forged cookies and hardened our systems to secure them against similar attacks. We continuously enhance our safeguards and systems that detect and prevent unauthorized access to user accounts.

What can users do to protect their account?
We encourage our users to visit our Safety Center page for recommendations on how to stay secure online. Some important recommendations we’re re-emphasizing today include the following:

Change your passwords and security questions and answers for any other accounts on which you used the same or similar information used for your Yahoo account;
Review all of your accounts for suspicious activity;
Be cautious of any unsolicited communications that ask for your personal information or refer you to a web page asking for personal information;
Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from suspicious emails; and
Consider using Yahoo Account Key, a simple authentication tool that eliminates the need to use a password on Yahoo altogether.

Ofcom has today announced that it is proceeding with a formal notification to require the legal separation of Openreach from BT, after BT failed to offer voluntary proposals that address our competition concerns.

Openreach is the division of BT Group that develops and maintains the UK’s main telecoms network used by providers such as Sky, TalkTalk, Vodafone and BT’s retail business.

Ofcom is pressing ahead with its plans to improve broadband and telephone services for people across the country, pursuing better service quality and encouraging greater investment in networks. Creating a more independent Openreach – which works in the interest of all providers, not just BT – is an important part of achieving this.

We are disappointed that BT has not yet come forward with proposals that meet our competition concerns. Some progress has been made, but this has not been enough, and action is required now to deliver better outcomes for phone and broadband users.

Plans to reform Openreach
In July, we set out our competition concern that BT has the incentive and ability to favour its own retail business when making strategic decisions about new network investments by Openreach. This concern arises because BT runs the national network, Openreach, as well as its own retail business.

We proposed reforms to address this structural issue, to provide regulatory clarity and confidence to the industry, and ultimately better outcomes for people and businesses. A more independent Openreach would be well placed to invest in ‘full fibre’ broadband for everyone.

Our proposal requires Openreach to become a distinct company with its own Board. This would comprise a majority of non-executive directors, including the Chair, who are not affiliated with BT. Openreach would be guaranteed greater independence to make decisions on strategic investments, with a duty to treat all of its customers equally.

We are now preparing to notify the European Commission of our intention to implement these plans, requiring the legal separation of Openreach to make it more independent. Throughout this process, we remain open to BT bridging the gap between its proposal and what is required to address our strong competition concerns.

Responses to our July consultation
Ofcom has today published the non-confidential responses to our July consultation on Openreach. These responses reflect a wide range of views.

Around 94,000 people responded to our consultation via an online campaign. Some 90,000 of these were identicalresponses written by the campaign, calling for action to improve the UK’s telecoms infrastructure; including the full, structural separation of BT. A few responses shared positive experiences of BT and urged no further action.

A significant number of the 4,000 non-standard responses raised concerns about slow broadband speeds, the availability of fibre broadband and the quality of service from major service providers. Most concerns related to BT, with a smaller number of complaints about other providers including Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media.

These views underline the critical role that digital communications play in people’s lives, and the importance of the steps Ofcom is taking to deliver better telecoms services for people and businesses. We will be taking into account all of the views as we finalise our proposals.

Across the range of consultation responses, two issues featured particularly heavily: calls for the structural separation of Openreach; and the potential costs of any action, notably how BT’s pension deficit could be affected.

We have today provided an update on our initial views on both of these issues, in light of the consultation responses.

Separation models
We have considered carefully the calls for the structural separation of Openreach, which would split BT and Openreach into two entirely separate companies, under different ownership. Stakeholders have also provided a range of views on how our July proposal for legal separation could be enhanced to address the competition concerns identified.

Responses to our consultation also make clear that structural separation could generate materially greater costs and risks compared to models based on legal separation. This includes the costs of physically separating the two businesses, and effects on the BT pension scheme. Structural separation is the most intrusive form of regulatory intervention available.

BT’s pension scheme
In response to our consultation, BT told us that our proposed model would trigger substantial costs, and highlighted the impact of our proposals on the BT Pension Scheme Trustees. The Trustees of the scheme echoed this concern, as did the unions who represent most BT employees. However, most stakeholders who responded to our consultation took the view that the concerns raised by BT, the unions and Trustees relating to the BT Pension Scheme have been overstated.

We have today published a note setting out some background on the BT Pension Scheme, and our initial views as to how we might take forward the questions raised in these consultation responses.

Ofcom’s current view
Our current view is still that an effective and robust form of legal separation, with Openreach as a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT, is likely to achieve the greatest improvements for everyone in the shortest amount of time. Therefore, this is the approach with which we are minded to proceed.

Our model will include proposals to publicly scrutinise and monitor its effectiveness against several measures of success. The most direct will be whether Openreach Board decisions are taken independently, without undue influence from BT Group. If Ofcom’s monitoring suggests that legal separation is not delivering sufficient benefits for the wider telecoms industry and its customers, we will return to the question of structural separation – fully breaking up the companies.

BT’s voluntary proposal
In July, alongside our proposals, we published BT’s voluntary plan, which the company argued should address our concerns. We were clear that BT’s plans did not go far enough.

We have continued to discuss with BT potential changes to its voluntary proposal. Although we have made some progress, BT has so far failed to offer proposals that would adequately address our concerns. BT’s proposals still fall short in important areas. These include the transfer of people and assets, and the level of influence that BT Group executives could exert over the management of Openreach.

Preparing a notification to the European Commission
We remain open to further voluntary proposals from BT that address these outstanding concerns. However, we are now preparing a notification to the European Commission to require the changes to increase Openreach’s independence.

We have already discussed this with the European Commission and expect to consult publicly on a submission to the Commission in the early part of next year.

We then intend to proceed quickly to submit a detailed plan to the Commission and, subject to its decision, implement the reforms of Openreach so the UK can benefit as soon as possible.

Samsung Electronics announced on November 29 a detailed roadmap of actions with the objective of enhancing the Company’s long-term, sustainable value creation for shareholders.

Under the roadmap, which builds on the shareholder return program announced in October 2015, Samsung Electronics will further enhance its shareholder returns policy, capital management and the operation of the Board of Directors while also ensuring that the Company can continue to direct the required investment resources to compelling opportunities and to nurturing future growth drivers to the benefit of all of its stakeholders.

“We are committed to enhancing sustainable long-term value for our shareholders and to remaining good stewards of capital,” said Dr. Oh-Hyun Kwon, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics. “Today’s announcement extends the actions we initiated last year and represents the next phase in the evolution of our shareholder policy and governance.”

The details of the roadmap are as follows:
Enhancements to the Shareholder Return Program
Following the introduction of the three-year shareholder return initiative in 2015 that was well received by the market, Samsung Electronics today announced five further enhancements to its shareholder return program.

For 2016 and 2017, the Company will allocate 50 percent of free cash flow (“FCF”) to shareholder returns, which is at the top of the 30-50 percent range announced in 2015.
The Company will increase total dividends in 2016 by 30 percent compared with 2015, bringing the annual dividend amount to 4 trillion won. Taking into account the recent share buybacks and cancellations, this will result in a 36 percent rise in 2016 dividends per share, to 28,500 won.
The remaining portion of 50 percent of FCF after the dividend payouts, plus 0.8 trillion won from 2015, will be used to repurchase shares starting at the end of January 2017. The repurchased shares will be cancelled.
Samsung Electronics will initiate quarterly dividend payments starting in April 2017.
The Company will seek to further enhance its capital allocation policy to improve shareholder returns beyond 2017.

These actions represent a significant improvement in the Company’s dividend yield as well as a substantial expansion to its repurchase program.

Capital Management and Cash Position Review
Samsung Electronics has a proven track record of successful long-term capital management, which has enabled the Company to seize compelling opportunities, withstand challenges and pursue strategic goals throughout all economic cycles.

The Company has concluded that achieving these business objectives on a sustained basis will require maintaining a net cash balance of 65 to 70 trillion Korean won, based on its historical and expected capital expenditures, working capital requirements, M&As and other financing needs.

Going forward, the Company plans to review its cash position every three years in light of business and economic developments and return any excess cash beyond the target balance to shareholders. This new policy will enable Samsung Electronics to increase shareholder returns on a continuing basis while maintaining the financial flexibility to execute its long-term business strategy and seize attractive opportunities as they arise.

New Board Members and Governance Committee
In recognition of the ever more global nature of Samsung Electronics business, the Company’s Board of Directors is pursuing plans to invite new independent board members with international corporate experience. With the help of outside advisors, the Board is in the process of identifying a number of highly qualified candidates and plans to nominate at least one new Board member with robust global C-Suite experience for approval at the next annual shareholder meeting in March 2017.

The Board aims to further strengthen corporate governance procedures by creating a new Governance Committee, comprised solely of independent board members. The Committee will address Board decisions and proposals linked to enhancing shareholder value. It will also assume the responsibilities of the current Corporate Social Responsibility Committee.

The Board believes that these changes and ongoing efforts to enhance the diversity and breadth of experience on the Board will further strengthen Samsung Electronics’ governance structures and its commitment to shareholders.

Corporate Structure
Samsung Electronics has taken steps to simplify its business to concentrate on core capabilities in the past several years and the Company continues to review opportunities to optimize long-term value. This includes the possibility of creating a holding company structure and the potential benefits and feasibility of listing the Company’s shares on additional international exchanges.

As determining the optimal structure is a highly complex undertaking involving important strategic, operational, legal, regulatory and financial considerations, the Company has retained external advisors to conduct a thorough review of the optimal corporate structure.
The review does not indicate the management or the Board’s intention one way or another. The process is expected to require at least 6 months and Samsung Electronics will make a decision only after the review is complete.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and TEMPE, Ariz.— Symantec Corp. (NASDAQ: SYMC) and LifeLock, Inc. (NYSE: LOCK) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Symantec to acquire LifeLock for $24 per share or $2.3 billion in enterprise value. The deal, which was approved by the boards of directors of both companies, is expected to close in the first calendar quarter of 2017, subject to customary closing conditions including LifeLock stockholder approval.

In the last year, one third of American citizens and over 650 million people globally were the victims of cybercrime. Consequently, more and more consumers are concerned about digital safety, an estimated $10 billion market growing in the high single digits. In the United States alone, the estimated total addressable market is 80 million people.

“As we all know, consumer cybercrime has reached crisis levels. LifeLock is a leading provider of identity and fraud protection services, with over 4.4 million highly-satisfied members and growing. With the combination of Norton and LifeLock, we will be able to deliver comprehensive cyber defense for consumers,” said Greg Clark, Symantec’s CEO. “This acquisition marks the transformation of the consumer security industry from malware protection to the broader category of Digital Safety for consumers.”
Symantec’s acquisition of LifeLock brings together the #1 leader in consumer security with a leading provider of identity protection and remediation services. The combination will create the world’s largest consumer security business with over $2.2 billion* in annual revenue based on last fiscal year revenues for both companies.

“People’s identity and data are prime targets of cybercrime. The security industry must step up and defend through innovation and vigilance,” said Dan Schulman, Symantec’s Chairman of the Board. “With the acquisition of LifeLock, Symantec adds a new dimension to its protection capabilities to address the expanding needs of the consumer marketplace.”

“After a thorough review of a broad range of alternatives, our board of directors unanimously concluded that Symantec is the ideal strategic partner for LifeLock and offers our shareholders a significant premium for their investment, at closing,” said Hilary Schneider, CEO of LifeLock. “Together with Symantec we can deploy enhanced technology and analytics to provide our customers with unparalleled information and identity protection services. We are very pleased to have reached an outcome that serves the best interests of all LifeLock stakeholders.”
By offering each of the company’s respective customer bases a broader digital safety solution, Symantec expects to achieve additional revenue upside through higher ASPs and improved retention rates.

Symantec expects to finance the transaction with cash on the balance sheet and $750 million of new debt. Symantec’s board of directors has also increased the company’s share repurchase authorization from approximately $800 million to $1.3 billion, with up to $500 million in repurchases targeted by the end of fiscal 2017.
Given the expected closing in the first calendar quarter of 2017, Symantec expects the transaction to have no impact to its quarter ending December 30, 2016. The transaction is also not expected to have a material impact to Symantec’s fiscal year 2017 financial results, and the company is reaffirming its prior fiscal year 2017 financial guidance at this time: non-GAAP revenue of $4,040 – $4,120 million; non-GAAP operating margin of 27-29%; and non-GAAP earnings per share of $1.12-$1.18. The company is also reaffirming its prior fiscal year 2018 non-GAAP earnings per share guidance of $1.70-$1.80. Symantec expects the transaction to be accretive to non-GAAP earnings per share in fiscal year 2019.

The transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval in the United States and LifeLock stockholder approval.
Citi and J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC are serving as co-lead financial advisors to Symantec’s Board of Directors (in alphabetical order). Barclays, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Citi, J.P. Morgan, and Wells Fargo are acting as financial advisors and are providing debt financing commitments to Symantec (in alphabetical order). Fenwick & West LLP is acting as legal advisor to Symantec in connection with the acquisition, and Fenwick & West LLP and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP are acting as legal advisors to Symantec in connection with the debt financing. Goldman, Sachs & Co. is acting as financial advisor to LifeLock. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP are acting as legal advisors to LifeLock.

* Rounded down from $2.3 billion to $2.2 billion following first issue of this press release.
Conference Call
Management will discuss the details of this transaction on a conference call scheduled for Monday, November 21, 2016 at 5:30 AM PT/8:30 AM ET. Interested parties may access the conference call on the

Internet at http://www.symantec.com/invest. To listen to the live call, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For telephone access to the conference, call (877) 475-6198 within the United States or (970) 297-2372 from outside the United States. Please call 15 minutes early on November 21 and give the operator conference ID number 24263402. A replay and our prepared remarks will be available on the investor relations home page shortly after the call is completed.

About Symantec
Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ: SYMC), the world’s leading cyber security company, helps organizations, governments and people secure their most important data wherever it lives. Organizations across the world look to Symantec for strategic, integrated solutions to defend against sophisticated attacks across endpoints, cloud and infrastructure. Likewise, a global community of more than 50 million people and families rely on Symantec’s Norton suite of products for protection at home and across all of their devices. Symantec operates one of the world’s largest civilian cyber intelligence networks, allowing it to see and protect against the most advanced threats. For additional information, please visit www.symantec.com or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About LifeLock
LifeLock, Inc. (NYSE: LOCK) is a leading provider of proactive identity theft protection services for consumers and consumer risk management services for enterprises. LifeLock’s threat detection, proactive identity alerts, and comprehensive remediation services help provide peace of mind for consumers amid the growing threat of identity theft. Leveraging unique data, science and patented technology from ID Analytics, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary, LifeLock offers identity theft protection that goes significantly beyond credit monitoring. As part of its commitment to help fight identity theft, LifeLock works to train law enforcement and partners with a variety of non-profit organizations to help consumers establish positive habits to combat this threat.

SEOUL, Korea and STAMFORD, CT – Samsung Electronics (KRX: 005930) (“Samsung”) and Harman International Industries, Incorporated (NYSE: HAR) (“HARMAN”) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Samsung will acquire HARMAN for $112.00 per share in cash, or total equity value of approximately $8.0 billion. Upon closing, the transaction will immediately give Samsung a significant presence in the large and rapidly growing market for connected technologies, particularly automotive electronics, which has been a strategic priority for Samsung, and is expected to grow to more than $100 billion by 2025[1]. HARMAN is the market leader in connected car solutions, with more than 30 million vehicles currently equipped with its connected car and audio systems, including embedded infotainment, telematics, connected safety and security. Approximately 65% of HARMAN’s $7.0 billion of reported sales during the 12 months ended September 30, 2016 are automotive-related, and its order backlog for this market at June 30, 2016 was approximately $24 billion.

HARMAN’s experience designing and integrating sophisticated in-vehicle technologies, as well as its long-term relationships with most of the world’s largest automakers, will create significant growth opportunities for the combined business by enabling it to leverage Samsung’s expertise in connected mobility, semiconductors, user experience, displays and its global distribution channels. In addition, the combination of HARMAN’s brands and audio capabilities and Samsung’s expertise in consumer electronics will deliver enhanced customer benefits and elevate user experiences across Samsung’s complete portfolio of consumer and professional products and systems.

“HARMAN perfectly complements Samsung in terms of technologies, products and solutions, and joining forces is a natural extension of the automotive strategy we have been pursuing for some time,” said Oh-Hyun Kwon, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Samsung Electronics. “As a Tier 1 automotive supplier with deep customer relationships, strong brands, leading technology and a recognized portfolio of best-in-class products, HARMAN immediately establishes a strong foundation for Samsung to grow our automotive platform. Dinesh Paliwal is a proven global leader and, in our extensive discussions, we have developed deep respect for him, his strong senior leadership team and HARMAN’s talented employees. HARMAN’s sustained track record of rapid growth fueled by technology leadership and an unmatched automotive order pipeline reflects its commitment to innovation and customers.”

“The vehicle of tomorrow will be transformed by smart technology and connectivity in the same way that simple feature phones have become sophisticated smart devices over the past decade,” added Young Sohn, President and Chief Strategy Officer of Samsung Electronics. “We see substantial long-term growth opportunities in the auto technology market as demand for Samsung’s specialized electronic components and solutions continues to grow. Working together, we are confident that HARMAN can become a new kind of Tier 1 provider to the OEMs by delivering end-to-end solutions across the connected ecosystem.”

Dinesh Paliwal, HARMAN Chairman, President and CEO, stated, “This compelling all-cash transaction will deliver significant and immediate value to our shareholders and provide new opportunities for our employees as part of a larger, more diversified company. Today’s announcement is a testament to what we have achieved and the value that we have created for shareholders. Samsung is an ideal partner for HARMAN and this transaction will provide tremendous benefits to our automotive customers and consumers around the world. Combining Samsung’s strengths in leading-edge displays, connectivity and processing solutions with HARMAN’s technology leadership and long-standing customer relationships will enable OEMs to provide new offerings for their customers. Partnerships and scale are essential to winning over the long term in automotive as demand for robust connected car and autonomous driving solutions increases at a rapid pace. This transaction will bring HARMAN and Samsung’s complementary strengths together to accelerate innovation in this space. More broadly, this investment underscores the strength of HARMAN’s employees, as well as our success and leadership across our markets. We look forward to working together with Samsung to elevate experiences for consumers worldwide.”

Customer Benefits and Significant Growth Opportunities
Samsung expects the combination to deliver significant growth opportunities and benefits to customers by leveraging Samsung’s and HARMAN’s complementary technologies, resulting in increased market penetration across important end markets.

Automotive: Combining HARMAN’s leadership in new connected car technologies, including its top positions in infotainment, cyber security, over-the-air updates and telematics, with Samsung’s significant expertise and experience in connectivity technologies, including 5G, UX/UI, display technology and security solutions, will enhance HARMAN’s automotive and connected services businesses to drive greater sales and provide significant benefits as automakers speed the adoption of next-generation connected cars.

Audio: HARMAN’s leading brands and cutting-edge audio systems include JBL®, Harman Kardon®, Mark Levinson®, AKG®, Lexicon®, Infinity®, and Revel®. The company also licenses Bowers & Wilkins® and Bang & Olufsen® brands for automotive. All of these brands will greatly enhance the competitiveness of Samsung’s mobile, display, virtual reality and wearable products to deliver a fully differentiated audio and visual experience for customers.

Professional: The combination will also expand the combined company’s business-to-business platform through its ability to deliver integrated, large-scale audio and visual professional solutions at stadiums, concert facilities and other performance centers such as The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and STAPLES Center – home of the GRAMMY Awards®.
Connected Services: Samsung will gain access to HARMAN’s 8,000 software designers and engineers who are unlocking the potential of the IoT market. This collaboration will deliver the next generation of cloud-based consumer and enterprise experiences, as well as end-to-end services for the automotive market through the convergence of design, data and devices.
Operating Structure and Leadership

Upon closing, HARMAN will operate as a standalone Samsung subsidiary, and continue to be led by Dinesh Paliwal and HARMAN’s current management team. Samsung is pursuing a long-term growth strategy in automotive electronics, and plans to retain HARMAN’s work force, headquarters and facilities, as well as all of its consumer and professional audio brands. Samsung believes the combination will increase career development and advancement opportunities for the employees of both companies.

Samsung’s Automotive Electronics Business Team, which was established in December of 2015 to identify opportunities for Samsung in the automotive sector, will work closely with the HARMAN management team to realize the full growth potential of the combination.

About Samsung
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.

About HARMAN
HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions, and connected services. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Bang & Olufsen®, Bowers & Wilkins®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 30 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. The company’s software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia and reported sales of $7.0 billion during the 12 months ended September 30, 2016. The company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYSE:HAR.

SINGAPORE and SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 02, 2016 – Broadcom Limited (Nasdaq:AVGO) and Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:BRCD) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Broadcom will acquire Brocade, a leader in Fibre Channel storage area network (“FC SAN”) switching and IP networking, for $12.75 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $5.5 billion, plus $0.4 billion of net debt. Broadcom expects to fund the transaction with new debt financing and cash available on its balance sheet. Broadcom, with the support of Brocade, plans to divest Brocade’s IP Networking business, consisting of wireless and campus networking, data center switching and routing, and software networking solutions.

“This strategic acquisition enhances Broadcom’s position as one of the leading providers of enterprise storage connectivity solutions to OEM customers,” stated Hock Tan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Broadcom. “With deep expertise in mission-critical storage networking, Brocade increases our ability to address the evolving needs of our OEM customers. In addition, we are confident that we will find a great home for Brocade’s valuable IP networking business that will best position that business for its next phase of growth.”

“This transaction represents significant value for our shareholders, who will receive a 47% premium from the Brocade closing share price on Friday, October 28, 2016, and creates new opportunities for our customers and partners,” said Lloyd Carney, Chief Executive Officer of Brocade. “Our best-in-class FC SAN solutions will help Broadcom create one of the industry’s broadest portfolios for enterprise storage. We will work with Broadcom as it seeks to find a buyer for our IP Networking business which includes a full portfolio of open, hardware and software-based solutions spanning the core of the data center to the network edge.”

Upon closing, the transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Broadcom’s non-GAAP free cash flow and earnings per share. Broadcom currently anticipates that Brocade’s FC SAN business will contribute approximately $900 million of pro forma non-GAAP EBITDA in its fiscal year 2018.

The board of directors of Brocade and the Executive Committee of the board of directors of Broadcom have unanimously approved the transaction, which is presently expected to close in the second half of Broadcom’s fiscal year 2017 which commenced on October 31, 2016, subject to regulatory approvals in various jurisdictions, customary closing conditions as well as the approval of Brocade’s stockholders. The closing of the transaction is not subject to any financing conditions, nor is it conditioned on the divestiture of Brocade’s IP Networking business.

About Broadcom Limited
Broadcom Limited (Nasdaq:AVGO) is a leading designer, developer and global supplier of a broad range of analog and digital semiconductor connectivity solutions. Broadcom Limited’s extensive product portfolio serves four primary end markets: wired infrastructure, wireless communications, enterprise storage and industrial & other. Applications for our products in these end markets include: data center networking, home connectivity, broadband access, telecommunications equipment, smartphones and base stations, data center servers and storage, factory automation, power generation and alternative energy systems, and displays. Broadcom is co-headquartered in Singapore and San Jose, Calif. For more information about Broadcom please visit http://www.broadcom.com.

About Brocade
Brocade (Nasdaq:BRCD) networking solutions help the world’s leading organizations turn their networks into platforms for business innovation. With solutions spanning public and private data centers to the network edge, Brocade is leading the industry in its transition to the New IP network infrastructures required for today’s era of digital business. Brocade is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. For more information about Brocade please visit http://www.brocade.com.

WASHINGTON, October 19, 2016 – The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau today announced that T-Mobile will pay a fine and provide benefits to consumers totaling at least $48 million as part of a settlement resolving an investigation into whether the company adequately disclosed speed and data restrictions for its “unlimited” data plan subscribers. The FCC’s investigation found that company policy allows it to slow down data speeds when T-Mobile or MetroPCS customers on so-called “unlimited” plans exceed a monthly data threshold. Company advertisements and other disclosures may have led unlimited data plan customers to expect that they were buying better and faster service than what they received. The Commission’s 2010 Open Internet transparency rules require broadband Internet providers to give accurate and sufficient information to consumers about their Internet services so consumers can make informed choices.

“Consumers should not have to guess whether so-called ‘unlimited’ data plans contain key restrictions, like speed constraints, data caps, and other material limitations,” said FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Travis LeBlanc. “When broadband providers are accurate, honest and upfront in their ads and disclosures, consumers aren’t surprised and they get what they’ve paid for. With today’s settlement, T-Mobile has stepped up to the plate to ensure that its customers have the full information they need to decide whether ‘unlimited’ data plans are right for them.”

Today’s settlement includes $48 million in total financial commitments from T-Mobile. This includes a $7.5 million fine in addition to $35.5 million in consumer benefits offered to T-Mobile and Metro PCS customers with “unlimited” plans and at least $5 million in services and equipment to American schools to bridge the homework gap facing today’s students. Eligible subscribers will be offered discounts on accessories and additional data.

The Commission has received complaints from T-Mobile and MetroPCS customers who felt misled when they discovered their “unlimited” data plan included “de-prioritized” data speeds after using a fixed amount of data each month. Under its “Top 3 Percent Policy,” T-Mobile “de-prioritizes” its “heavy” data users during times of network contention or congestion. This potentially deprived these users of the advertised speeds of their data plan. According to consumers, this policy rendered data services “unusable” for many hours each day and substantially limited their access to data. The bureau believes that the company failed to adequately inform its “unlimited” data plan customers that their data would be slowed at times if they used more than 17 GB in a given month.

Under the settlement, T-Mobile will update its disclosures to clearly explain the “Top 3 Percent Policy,” who may be affected by it, what triggers its application and the impacts on data speeds. T-Mobile will also be required to notify individual customers when their data usage approaches the threshold. The company will also adopt the FCC’s “Consumer Broadband Label” to provide more information and clarity on service terms, including speed, reliability and cost, such as fees and other add-on charges.

Under the settlement, T-Mobile is required to update and improve its disclosures regarding its “unlimited” plans. It must either: provide clear and conspicuous disclosures about all restrictions on the amount and speed of data provided for “unlimited” data plans; cease the use of the term “unlimited” to label such plans; exclude “unlimited” data plan customers from the “Top 3 Percent Policy” or any similar practice; or limit any speed reductions for “unlimited” data plan customers to the minimum speed advertised for that plan.

In addition to the $7.5 million fine to be paid to the U.S. Treasury, the settlement requires T-Mobile to fund a $35.5 million consumer benefit program for T-Mobile and MetroPCS “unlimited” mobile data customers. Eligible T-Mobile and MetroPCS customers will be offered both:
• Discounts of 20 percent off (up to $20) of the regular price for any in-stock accessory.
• 4 GB of additional data if they have a mobile Internet data line – specifically T-Mobile’s “Simple Choice MINT” plan – or a tablet plan under the MetroPCS brand.

Eligible T-Mobile and MetroPCS customers will receive notice about these benefits by December 15, 2016. Consumers can obtain more information on the companies’ websites: www.T-Mobile.com/customerbenefit and www.MetroPCS.com/customerbenefit.

The FCC settlement also requires T-Mobile to spend at least $5 million dollars – plus any unredeemed funds from the consumer benefit program – to address the “homework gap” in low-income school districts. T-Mobile will provide free devices, such as tablets, to eligible public schools that students may take home and use for school work. They will also provide mobile broadband to the devices at a reduced cost to the schools, and at no cost to the students or their families. T-Mobile is expected to start the program in October 2017 and enroll 5,000 students per quarter over four years, totaling up to 80,000 students.

This is the FCC’s second action addressing disclosures for “unlimited” data plans that are subject to fixed data thresholds and speed reductions. In June 2015, the Commission proposed a $100 million fine against AT&T Mobility for misleading its customers about “unlimited” mobile data plans.

Today, we announced for the first time a family of products that brings people the best of Google through hardware and software made by Google. We’re excited that the lineup features the first phone made by Google inside and out — Pixel.

For those of you who have followed Google closely, that name may sound familiar to you because we’ve used the Pixel name in the past for consumer hardware products that represented an overall premium Google experience. Many of you may also be familiar with the Nexus program. Since 2010, we’ve partnered closely with mobile handset partners around the world to bring you the best of Android. Through Nexus, the goal was to work with these various partners to push the boundaries of what’s possible with a smartphone. We’ve now decided to take the next step and provide our take on the best Google experience, by bringing hardware and software design together under one roof.

With Pixel, we obsessed over every detail, from the industrial design to the user experience. We carefully sculpted the surfaces of the phone, and rounded the edges to make it easy to grip. We used 2.5D Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4 on the front display and back glass to accent the aerospace grade aluminum body. The glass on the back also features Pixel Imprint, our fingerprint sensor, which is placed on the back of the phone where your finger expects it. You can even swipe it to access your notifications. And no matter what you’re using your phone for, you’ll need a battery that lasts all day and charges fast — up to seven hours in 15 minutes.

Meet your Google Assistant
Pixel is the first phone with the Google Assistant built in. With your Assistant, you can have a natural conversation with Google to find answers or get things done on the go. Say “Ok Google” or touch and hold the Home button and your Assistant is ready to help. Ask it for a brief update on your day or to play a video on YouTube. Look up traffic on the way home from work or when the nearest pharmacy closes. You can even say “show me my camping photos with Andrew” and it’ll instantly display the photos you’re looking for. Your Assistant can also offer help with what’s on-screen in any app. So if your friend texts you to meet up at a new restaurant, you can just say “navigate there.”

The best smartphone camera. Ever.
The Pixel camera is not only the best smartphone camera we’ve ever made, it’s the highest rated smartphone camera anyone has ever made. Our DxOMark Mobile score of 89 is a great example of what’s possible when great hardware meets great software. Pixel puts cutting-edge computational photography in an ultra-fast and easy-to-use camera.

Pixel has a 12.3MP camera, featuring an f/2.0 aperture and big 1.55 micron pixels to capture lots and lots of light. Our team of photography gurus and image processing experts have spent the last year designing and tirelessly optimizing our entire camera stack.

Pixel’s camera lets you take stunning photos in low light, bright light or any light. Catch action shots as they happen with Smartburst, which takes a rapid-fire sequence of shots and automatically selects the best one. Use Lens Blur to achieve shallow depth of field and bokeh effects, making your subject pop. You can capture dramatic landscapes or make faces glow with new exposure controls.

And as a special bonus for Pixel owners, we’re including free unlimited storage for original quality photos and videos at full resolution in Google Photos.

More to love
Pixel ships with the newest Android operating system, Android 7.1 Nougat. Phones will get software and security updates as soon as they’re available, directly from Google. We’ve also made the update process easier. When a new update is available, it can download and install in the background — no more waiting around for your phone to update.

The Pixel also comes with Google Duo and Allo pre-installed so you can video call and text with all your friends, whether they’re on Android or iOS.
Make it yours

Pixel comes in two sizes, 5” or 5.5”, and three colors: Very Silver, Quite Black and our limited edition for the U.S. only, Really Blue. And whatever you choose, we’ve got cases to match. In addition to customizing Live Cases with your favorite photos and places, we’re introducing a new Artworks collection that features exclusive designs from artists like Justin Maller, and photographers like Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield. We’re also excited to offer a new collection of silicone and clear cases.

Pixel is available for pre-order today starting at $649 in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Germany and Australia. Pre-orders in India will begin October 13. In the U.S., we’re teaming up exclusively with Verizon to make Pixel available nationwide at all Verizon retail outlets, including Best Buy stores. We’re also offering Pixel unlocked on the Google Store and, for you Project Fi fans out there, you’ll be happy to know that Pixel is the latest device to work on the Fi network.

Personally, I’m rocking the 5.5” Quite Black with a Live Case centered on 1060 W Addison. Go Cubs!

Posted on Google by Brian Rakowski, VP, Product Management

We have confirmed, based on a recent investigation, that a copy of certain user account information was stolen from our network in late 2014 by what we believe is a state-sponsored actor. The account information may have included names, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, hashed passwords (the vast majority with bcrypt) and, in some cases, encrypted or unencrypted security questions and answers. The ongoing investigation suggests that stolen information did not include unprotected passwords, payment card data, or bank account information; payment card data and bank account information are not stored in the system that the investigation has found to be affected.

Below are FAQs containing details about this issue and steps that users can take to help protect their accounts.
What happened?
A recent investigation by Yahoo has confirmed that a copy of certain user account information was stolen from our network in late 2014 by what we believe is a state-sponsored actor. We are working closely with law enforcement authorities and notifying potentially affected users of ways they can further secure their accounts.

Was my account affected?
We are notifying potentially affected users by email and posting additional information to our website. Additionally, we are asking potentially affected users to promptly change their passwords and adopt alternate means of account verification.

Is the state-sponsored actor still in Yahoo’s network?
The ongoing investigation has found no evidence that the state-sponsored actor is currently in Yahoo’s network.

What information was stolen?
The stolen user account information may have included names, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, hashed passwords (the vast majority with bcrypt) and, in some cases, encrypted or unencrypted security questions and answers. The ongoing investigation suggests that stolen information did not include unprotected passwords, payment card data, or bank account information; payment card data and bank account information are not stored in the system that the investigation has found to be affected.

What is a “hashed password”?
Hashing is a one-way mathematical function that converts an original string of data into a seemingly random string of characters. As such, passwords that have been hashed can’t be converted into the original plain text password.

What is “bcrypt”?
Bcrypt is a password hashing mechanism that incorporates security features, including salting and multiple rounds of computation, to provide advanced protection against password cracking.

I think I received an email about this issue. How do I know that it is really from Yahoo?
Click here to view the content of our notice to affected users. Please note that the email from Yahoo about this issue will display the Yahoo Purple Y icon icon when viewed through the Yahoo website or Yahoo Mail app. Importantly, the email does not ask you to click on any links or contain attachments and does not request your personal information. If the email you received about this issue prompts you to click on a link, download an attachment, or asks you for information, the email was not sent by Yahoo and may be an attempt to steal your personal information. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from such suspicious emails.

What is Yahoo doing to protect my account?
We have taken action to protect our users, including:

We are notifying affected users.
We are asking affected users to promptly change their passwords and adopt alternate means of account verification.
We invalidated unencrypted security questions and answers so that they cannot be used to access an account.
We are recommending that all users who haven’t changed their passwords since 2014 do so.
We continue to enhance our systems that detect and prevent unauthorized access to user accounts.
Our investigation into this matter continues.
How do I change my password or disable security questions and answers?
You can change your Yahoo password or security questions and answers by clicking here.

Is there anything I can do to protect myself?
We encourage all of our users to follow these security recommendations:

Change your password and security questions and answers for any other accounts on which you use the same or similar credentials as the ones used for your Yahoo Account.
Review your accounts for suspicious activity.
Be cautious of any unsolicited communications that ask for your personal information or refer you to a web page asking for personal information.
Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from suspicious emails.
Additionally, please consider using Yahoo’s Account Key, a simple authentication tool that eliminates the need to use a password altogether.

What additional steps can I take to protect my information?
Although the affected account information did not include unprotected passwords, email content, payment card data, or bank account information, we encourage you to remain vigilant by reviewing your account statements and monitoring your credit reports. Below is contact information for the three consumer reporting agencies from which you can obtain a credit report.

You also may wish to place a “security freeze” (also known as a “credit freeze”) on your credit file. A security freeze is designed to prevent potential creditors from accessing your credit file at the consumer reporting agencies without your consent. There may be fees for placing, lifting, and/or removing a security freeze, which generally range from $5-$20 per action. Unlike a fraud alert, you must place a security freeze on your credit file at each consumer reporting agency individually. For more information on security freezes, you may contact the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies or the FTC as described above. As the instructions for establishing a security freeze differ from state to state, please contact the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies to find out more information.

The consumer reporting agencies may require proper identification prior to honoring your request. For example, you may be asked to provide:

Your full name with middle initial and generation (such as Jr., Sr., II, III)
Your Social Security number
Your date of birth
Addresses where you have lived over the past five years
A legible copy of a government-issued identification card (such as a state driver’s license or military ID card)
Proof of your current residential address (such as a current utility bill or account statement)
You have the right to obtain a police report and request a security freeze as described above. The consumer reporting agencies may charge you a fee of up to $10 to place a security freeze on your account, and may require that you provide certain personal information (such as your name, Social Security number, date of birth, and address) and proper identification (such as a copy of a government-issued ID card and a bill or statement) prior to honoring your request for a security freeze. There is no charge, however, to place, lift or remove a security freeze if you have been a victim of identity theft and you provide the consumer reporting agencies with a valid police report.

For U.S. residents, you can contact the FTC to learn more about protecting your personal information. The contact information for the FTC is below:

Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580
1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338)
www.ftc.gov/idtheft/

For Rhode Island residents, you may obtain information about protecting your personal information from the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General at:

Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Unit
150 South Main Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401)-274-4400
Are Tumblr accounts affected?
No. The systems from which the data was stolen contained no Tumblr user data at the time of the theft.

How can I get help with my account?
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San Francisco — Apple today introduced iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, the best, most advanced iPhone ever, packed with unique innovations that improve all the ways iPhone is used every day. The new iPhone features new advanced camera systems that take pictures like never before, more power and performance with the best battery life ever in an iPhone, immersive stereo speakers, wide color system from camera to display, two new beautiful finishes, and is the first water and dust resistant iPhone. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in more than 25 countries beginning Friday, September 16.

“iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus dramatically improve every aspect of the iPhone experience, reaching a new level of innovation and precision to make this the best iPhone we have ever made,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “The completely redesigned cameras shoot incredible photos and videos day or night, the A10 Fusion chip is the most powerful chip on any smartphone while delivering the best battery life ever in an iPhone, and an entirely new stereo speaker system provides twice the sound, all within the first water and dust resistant iPhone.”

New Advanced Camera Systems
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus take the world’s most popular camera and make it even better with entirely new camera systems. The 12-megapixel camera includes optical image stabilization on both iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, and a larger ƒ/1.8 aperture and 6-element lens enable brighter, more detailed photos and videos, and a wide color capture allows for more vibrant colors with more detail. iPhone 7 Plus features the same 12-megapixel wide angle camera as iPhone 7 and adds a 12-megapixel telephoto camera that together offer optical zoom at two times and up to 10 times digital zoom for photos.

Coming later this year, the dual 12-megapixel cameras also enable a new depth-of-field effect, using both cameras on iPhone 7 Plus to capture images, while sophisticated technology including Machine Learning separates the background from the foreground to achieve amazing portraits once possible only with DSLR cameras.

Additional Camera Advancements Include:
New Apple-designed Image Signal Processor, which processes over 100 billion operations on a single photo in as little as 25 milliseconds, resulting in incredible photos and videos;
New 7-megapixel FaceTime HD camera with wide color capture, advanced pixel technology and auto image stabilization for even better selfies; and
New Quad-LED True Tone flash that is 50 percent brighter than iPhone 6s including an innovative sensor that detects the flickering in lights and compensates for it in videos and photos.

More Performance & Battery Life
The new custom-designed Apple A10 Fusion chip features a new architecture that powers these innovations, making it the most powerful chip ever in a smartphone, while also getting more time between charges with the longest battery life ever in an iPhone. The A10 Fusion’s CPU now has four cores, seamlessly integrating two high-performance cores that run up to two times faster than iPhone 6, and two high-efficiency cores that are capable of running at just one-fifth the power of the high-performance cores. Graphics performance is also more powerful, running up to three times faster than iPhone 6 at as little as half the power, enabling a new level of gaming and professional apps.

Both phones include support for up to 25 LTE bands, for the best worldwide roaming in the industry, and LTE Advanced for three times faster data rates than iPhone 6 at up to 450 Mbps.1 For customers in Japan, iPhone will now support the leading FeliCa contactless technology, bringing the ability to use credit and prepaid cards, including on iD and QuicPay domestic networks, and Suica, Japan’s dominant transit card issued by JR East, the world’s largest transit operator.
An Amazing Audio Experience

New stereo speakers offer amazing and immersive sound that is two times louder than iPhone 6s, offering increased dynamic range of sound and a higher quality speakerphone. The new iPhone comes with EarPods with Lightning connector to deliver incredible sound, as well as a 3.5 mm headphone jack adapter that allows customers to use old headphones and accessories.

New AirPods, Apple’s innovative new wireless headphones, weave simplicity and technology together to reinvent the wireless experience making headphones easy to use. Featuring the new Apple W1 chip, AirPods have extremely efficient wireless communication for a better connection, improved sound and industry-leading battery life. AirPods harness the power of Siri, allowing you to access your favorite personal assistant with just a double tap.

Design That Makes a Splash
The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus come in a gorgeous design in silver, gold and rose gold finishes and introduce two all-new black finishes, a beautiful black finish that has an anodized matte appearance, and an innovative jet black finish that has a deep, high-gloss look. The new jet black finish is accomplished through an innovative nine-step process of anodization and polish for a uniform, glossy finish. An entirely reengineered enclosure results in a water resistant iPhone offering protection like never before against spills, splashes and dust.2

The new iPhone features the brightest, most colorful Retina HD display ever in an iPhone, now with a wide color gamut for cinema-standard colors, greater color saturation and the best color management in the smartphone industry. An all-new, advanced, solid-state Home button on iPhone 7 is designed to be durable and responsive, and working in tandem with the new Taptic Engine, provides more precise and customizable tactile feedback.

Featuring iOS 10, the Biggest iOS Release Ever

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus come with iOS 10, the biggest release ever of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system. iOS 10 introduces a huge update to Messages that delivers more expressive and animated ways to message friends and family, the ability for Siri to do more by working with apps, new ways to interact with apps and even more places to use 3D Touch, beautifully redesigned Maps, Photos, Apple Music and News apps, and the Home app, delivering a simple and secure way to manage home automation products in one place. iOS 10 also opens up incredible opportunities for developers with Siri, Maps, Phone and Messages APIs, allowing customers to do more than ever with the apps they love to use.
Pricing & Availability

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in silver, gold, rose gold and the new black finish in 32GB, 128GB and 256GB models starting at $649 (US), and the new jet black finish will be offered exclusively on the 128GB and 256GB models from apple.com, Apple Stores, Apple Authorized Resellers and select carriers.

Through Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program, customers in the US, and for the first time in the UK and China, can get an unlocked iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, with the protection of AppleCare+, choose their carrier and have the opportunity to upgrade to a new iPhone every year. The iPhone Upgrade Program is available at apple.com and Apple Stores in the US with monthly payments starting at $32.3

Customers will be able to order iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus beginning Friday, September 9, with availability beginning Friday, September 16, in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, the UK, US Virgin Islands and the US.

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in Andorra, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Maldives, Malta, Monaco, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia and Slovenia beginning Friday, September 23. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will also be available to customers in India beginning Friday, October 7.

The new Apple-designed wireless AirPods including charging case will be available for $159 (US) from apple.com and Apple Stores beginning in late October. All iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models will include EarPods with Lightning Connector and a Lightning to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter, also sold separately at apple.com and Apple Stores, for $29 (US) and $9 (US), respectively.

Apple-designed accessories including leather and silicone cases in a range of colors will be available starting at $35 (US) and iPhone 7 Smart Battery Case will be offered in black and white for $99 (US) from apple.com and Apple Stores. Lightning Docks in several color-matching metallic finishes will also be available for $49 (US).

Every customer who buys iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus from Apple will be offered free Personal Setup, in-store or online4, to help them customize their iPhone by setting up email, showing them new apps from the App Store and more.

Anyone who wants to learn more about iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus or iOS 10 can register for the free workshops offered at every Apple Store

Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Apple’s four software platforms — iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple’s 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

REDMOND, Wash., and BEIJING, China — Microsoft Corp. and Lenovo announced on Friday a deepening of their strategic relationship. Lenovo will load Microsoft’s productivity apps — including Microsoft Office, OneDrive and Skype — on select Lenovo devices that use the Android™ operating system. Lenovo expects to ship millions of these Android-based devices worldwide over the next several years. This expanded collaboration between Microsoft and Lenovo also includes a patent cross-licensing agreement that covers Lenovo and Motorola devices.

“Microsoft’s thrilled that our productivity apps will be pre-installed on Lenovo’s premium devices,” said Nick Parker, corporate vice president OEM Division, Microsoft. “The marriage of Microsoft’s apps and Lenovo’s Android-based devices will enable customers around the world to be more productive, more connected and achieve even more.”

“Our collaboration with Microsoft will create new opportunities for our customers to take advantage of some of Microsoft’s most popular apps,” said Christian Eigen, Leader of Corporate Alliances, Lenovo. “Installing Microsoft apps and services on our devices will bring additional value to consumers around the globe.”

Microsoft’s commitment to licensing IP
The patent agreement is another example of the important role intellectual property (IP) plays in ensuring a healthy and vibrant technology ecosystem. Since Microsoft launched its IP licensing program in December 2003, it has entered into more than 1,200 licensing agreements. More information about Microsoft’s licensing programs is available at http://www.microsoft.com/iplicensing.

About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$45 billion global Fortune 500 company and a leader in providing innovative consumer, commercial, and enterprise technology. Our portfolio of high-quality, secure products and services covers PCs (including the legendary Think and multimode YOGA brands), workstations, servers, storage, smart TVs and a family of mobile products like smartphones (including Motorola), tablets and apps. Join us on LinkedIn, follow us on Facebookor Twitter (@Lenovo) or visit us at www.lenovo.com.

About Microsoft Technology Licensing
Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC was formed in 2014 to acquire, manage and license Microsoft’s patent portfolio.

About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

NEW YORK – AUGUST 31, 2016 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today unveiled the Gear S3, a striking and innovative smartwatch that further expands Samsung’s diverse wearables portfolio. With the new Gear S3 joining Gear Fit2 and Gear S2, Samsung will continue to meet the varying needs of consumers. Inspired by traditional timepieces and the art of watchmaking, the Gear S3 combines timeless design with the latest in mobile technology, including LTE and Bluetooth connectivity, mobile payments, IP68 water resistance, and built-in GPS.

“With the Gear S3, we continue to build on our wearables heritage of offering diverse choices to enhance consumers’ unique lifestyles,” said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung Gear S2 achieved meaningful progress in the smartwatch category with a personalized watch face and a versatile rotating bezel that provided an intuitive smartwatch experience. Now with the new Gear S3, we expand our Gear collection and introduce not only a great smartwatch, but a great watch. With smart capabilities and sophisticated, elegant design, the Gear S3 marks a significant addition to our smartwatch portfolio.”

Gear S3 frontier and Gear S3 classic: Timeless Design
The Gear S3 draws inspiration from the world’s great watchmakers and evokes the contours of traditional timepieces, from buckle to bezel. It is available in two brilliantly bold designs to suit any lifestyle: frontier and classic.

The Gear S3 frontier evokes an active, sporty look with an enduring style that blends form and function – perfect for business or leisure. The Gear S3 classic features the minimal, elegant style of many iconic timepieces. The classic model was designed meticulously to attain the same consistency and balance of a well-crafted luxury watch. Both Gear S3 wearables fuse design with cutting-edge technology. With a full-color, Always On Display, the Gear S3 tells time at a glance just like a traditional watch.

With both Gear S3 frontier and classic, users can customize the Always On circular UX to complement their personal style. The Gear S3 is compatible with standard 22mm watchbands, so consumers can easily make a switch to match any outfit or special occasion. Samsung will also introduce unique and artistic watch faces and band designs through a special partnership with renowned artist and industrial designer Arik Levy.

Unprecedented Standalone Connectivity
The Gear S3 frontier with LTE further establishes Samsung’s leadership in connected smartwatches. Untethered from their smartphones, users can receive and answer calls in HD, send messages, and use connected apps on the go1.

With built-in GPS functionality on both the frontier and classic, users can accurately monitor their daily fitness activities, while the Alti/barometer and Speedometer allow users to track everything from distance traveled to sudden changes in weather. The Gear S3’s built-in speaker activates voice messaging and the ability listen to music on the go.

Enhanced User Experience
With the Gear S3, Samsung continues the UI innovation that defines its wearables portfolio. With just one rotation of the bezel, Gear S3 users can answer or reject calls and access other key functions. By writing or drawing on the display, messages automatically convert to texts and emojis. Users can also create short reminders and to-do lists to manage even the most hectic schedules with the Reminders application.

Everyday Ready—And Everywhere Ready
The Gear S3 combines the stylish design of a luxury watch with rugged construction. In addition to its sleek look, the Gear S3 meets IP68 standards for water and dust resistance2 so consumers can get through their day, regardless of weather conditions. For the first time on the Gear series, the Gear S3 features Corning® Gorilla® Glass SR+, which is specifically designed for wearable devices to provide a tough, scratch resistant and crisp display.

Smart and Secure Payments from Your Wrist
Gear S3 delivers unprecedented mobile payment integration. Users will be able to make a purchase almost anywhere they can swipe or tap a card with Samsung Pay for the Gear S3. With Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) and Near Field Communication (NFC) support, Gear S3 users will be able to make a purchase with Samsung Pay at over 90 percent of the top 250 merchants across the U.S.3
Samsung Pay for the Gear S3 also delivers the enhanced security of the industry-leading Samsung Knox platform so users should feel safe and secure knowing that their credit and debit information will remain safe.

Samsung App Ecosystem
Consumers can access a diverse range of apps, including fitness, music, news, sports and travel apps—all optimized for the Gear lineup of devices, including the Gear S2 and Gear S3. Through an open collaboration with developers and partners, Samsung continues to enrich its wearable app ecosystem and provide users with a unique smartwatch experience.

For the first time ever on a smartwatch, the Samsung Knox Tizen Wearable SDK will be available to third parties, enabling the development of customized applications for Samsung’s wearable ecosystem.

U.S. Availability

The Gear S3 will be available later this year at major retailers, including Best Buy, Amazon, Macy’s and Samsung.com, as well as wireless providers. AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon will carry the LTE connected version of the Gear S3 frontier. Wireless providers will announce availability and pricing.

In June, we shared a variety of ways that Twitter is investing in video, including longer video, new ways to explore video, and better ways for creators to connect with their fans. Today, we’re excited to announce the expansion of our creator revenue programs, which will provide creators of all sizes with the ability to monetize content in multiple ways and generate revenue at scale.

Earn revenue at scale with Twitter pre-roll ads
The Amplify Publisher Program provides approved creators in the US with the ability to monetize their videos, which is as simple as “checking a box” prior to Tweeting. Pre-roll ads will then run against the content and a portion of the ad revenue is then shared back with creator.

Program benefits include:
Industry leading revenue share model
Complete opt-in control / flexibility. Program participants can either elect to opt-in videos Tweet-by-Tweet, or pre-set monetization for all of their videos
Content can be opted-in for monetization 100% non-exclusively, meaning creators can elect to monetize it on Twitter as well as other platforms

Earn revenue by creating content with brands
Niche is the creator-first platform that provides creators with the ability to grow, understand, and monetize their social presence across all networks. Niche, a part of the Twitter family since 2015, works with 35,000 creators worldwide alongside top brands to develop authentic and resonating branded content.

Program benefits include:
Work with industry leading brands on a campaign-by-campaign basis
Attend exclusive meet-up’s / events with creators from all over the world
Access analytics across all of your major social networks
Seamless product support across desktop & mobile
Today, we’re announcing product upgrades that will make publishing and monetizing on Twitter as effortless as sending a Tweet. Creators can now upload, manage and publish media more efficiently and effectively than ever before across both Desktop (via the new Media Studio) and Mobile (via the Twitter Engage app).

Media Studio, which replaces video.twitter.com, provides a comprehensive Desktop destination where you can access all of our publishing tools and resources.

Key upgrades include:
A new unified media library (videos, GIFs, and images)
New Tweet scheduling / planning capabilities
Team management and multi-account support
Improvements in stability and upload performance
Twitter Media Studio Library

To make things even simpler, we’ve added an “Earnings” section to the Twitter Engage Mobile app that we launched in June. This new section allows creators to easily track their earnings for not only Twitter, but Niche programs as well.

How to get started? Easy!

For Desktop, visit studio.twitter.com for Media Studio access. For those not already signed-up, you can apply for access here.
For Mobile, download the Twitter Engage app, click on the “Earnings” tab, and sign-up for the Amplify Publisher Program and Niche directly within the app to see if you are eligible. The updates will be reflected in the App Store in the coming days.

Rackspace (NYSE: RAX), the #1 managed cloud company, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with affiliates of certain funds (the “Apollo Funds”) managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Apollo”) (NYSE: APO), a leading global alternative investment manager, to be acquired for $32.00 per share in cash. In connection with the transaction, funds managed by Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P. will make a strategic equity investment in the acquired company. The transaction has a total value of $4.3 billion, which includes the assumption of $43 million of net cash. Upon completion of the transaction, Rackspace will become a privately held company.

The $32.00 per share cash consideration represents a premium of 38% when compared to Rackspace’s unaffected closing stock price on August 3, 2016, the last trading day prior to news reports speculating about a potential transaction. The Rackspace board of directors unanimously approved the agreement with the Apollo Funds and recommends that Rackspace stockholders vote in favor of the transaction.

Graham Weston, co-founder and chairman of the board of Rackspace, commented, “This transaction is the result of diligent analysis and thoughtful strategic deliberations by our board over many months. Our board, with the assistance of independent advisors, determined that this transaction, upon closing, will deliver immediate, significant and certain cash value to our stockholders. We are also excited that this transaction will provide Rackspace with more flexibility to manage the business for long-term growth and enhance our product offerings. We are confident that as a private company, Rackspace will be best positioned to capitalize on our early leadership of the fast-growing managed cloud services industry.”

Taylor Rhodes, president and CEO of Rackspace, said, “We are presented with a significant opportunity today as mainstream companies move their computing out of corporate data centers and into multi-cloud models. Apollo and its partners take a patient, value-oriented approach to their funds’ investments, and value Rackspace’s strategy and unique culture. This is an exciting transaction for Rackspace and we look forward to working closely together.”

“We are tremendously excited about the opportunity for our managed funds to acquire Rackspace,” said David Sambur, Partner at Apollo. “We have great respect for the company’s talented employees and their commitment to deliver expertise and exceptional service for the world’s leading cloud platforms. We look forward to working with Taylor and the entire management team and Searchlight to help advance Rackspace’s strategy and continue the company’s strong heritage of innovation.”

Transaction Details
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year. The transaction is subject to the conclusion of the applicable antitrust waiting periods in the United States, the European Union and Israel, stockholder approval and other customary closing conditions.

Advisors and Financing Providers
Financing is being provided by Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Barclays and Royal Bank of Canada. PSP Investments Credit USA LLC has also committed to provide a portion of the financing. Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Barclays and RBC Capital Markets, LLC are acting as financial advisors to Apollo and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is acting as legal advisor to Apollo.

Goldman, Sachs & Co. is acting as financial advisor to Rackspace and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation is acting as its legal advisor. Morgan Stanley also provided services in connection with the transaction.

About Rackspace
Founded in 1998 in San Antonio, Rackspace is the only company that provides businesses with expertise and exceptional customer service for the world’s leading cloud platforms, including AWS, Microsoft, and OpenStack (the open-source cloud platform that Rackspace co-founded in 2010, along with NASA). Rackspace has been publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 2008. It serves business customers in more than 120 countries, from offices and data centers on four continents. Its customers include a majority of the enterprises on the Fortune 100 list. Rackspace has been recognized as one of the best places to work by Fortune magazine, Glassdoor, and other organizations in Europe and Australia. Rackspace has posted consistent growth in revenue and profit through its history. It reported 2015 revenue of $2.0 billion.

About Apollo
Apollo is a leading global alternative investment manager with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Bethesda, Toronto, London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Luxembourg, Mumbai, Delhi, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Apollo had assets under management of approximately $186 billion as of June 30, 2016 in private equity, credit and real estate funds invested across a core group of nine industries where Apollo has considerable knowledge and resources. For more information about Apollo, visit www.agm.com.

About Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P.
Searchlight is a global private investment firm with offices in New York, London and Toronto. Searchlight seeks to invest in businesses where its long term capital and strategic support accelerate value creation for all stakeholders. For more information, please visit www.searchlightcap.com.