We realize what day it is, but we're pretty certain the FCC isn't messing around on this one. Right on cue, regulators have "approved a rule that would ban exclusive agreements that cable television operators have with apartment buildings, opening up competition for other video providers that could eventually lead to lower prices." The move was apparently "unanimously approved," and Chairman Kevin Martin went on to say that there was simply "no reason that consumers living in apartment buildings should be locked into one service provider." Not surprisingly, a spokeswoman for Comcast proclaimed that "many consumers were likely to wind up paying more for services if the FCC's interference in the competitive marketplace stands," but it's fairly safe to assume Verizon and AT&T see things very differently.

The new Zune 80 has hit and passed the FCC and its rigorous series of emissions tests. Unfortunately you won't see the usual slightly beat up shots in the documents this time: just a series of charts and plenty of data about "radiated emissions." Microsoft made sure to request that the FCC hold back from posting external / internal photos, the user manual, schematics, antenna specification, and well, anything interesting at all. At least any Zune fans out there can sleep safe at night knowing that when they pick up their own Zune 80, it won't burn their hand off in a blast of radiation.

Apartment dwellers frustrated with the outright lack of choices when it comes to selecting a content provider may soon be feeling relief, as the FCC is expected to approve a new rule that would "throw out exclusive cable television service contracts with apartment buildings and open up competition to phone companies." Supposedly, the new regulation "could significantly lower cable prices for millions of subscribers who live in apartment buildings and have had no choice in selecting a company for paid television," and of course, the execs at Verizon and AT&T are likely licking their chops at the notion of being able to steal away precious market share while potentially providing a cost savings to boot. Granted, some states already have provisions in place to prevent landlords and tenant associations from inking exclusive deals with cable providers, but for those currently stuck in a "take it or leave it" situation, all that could be changing in the very near future.

[Via AP / Yahoo]

Worried that Verizon's complaints about the open-access rules in the upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction would shake things up in a negative way? As of now, your anxiety is apparently unfounded. According to The New York Times, Verizon Wireless has "abandoned its legal challenge of the Federal Communications Commission's rules for its auction of radio spectrum, removing a potential obstacle to the much-anticipated sale." Interestingly, there's not a lot of backstory as to why the carrier suddenly decided that pressing on wasn't in its best interests, but we'll accept the white flag, regardless.

[Via ZDNet]

You all laugh at us for religiously trawling the FCC site during our rare free moments, and yet every once in awhile those countless hours of tedium pay off big time: meet Dell's unannounced all-in-one XPS One. What we're seeing here is a likely 22-inch WSXGA (1,680 x 1,050) display flanked by stereo speakers (with media buttons running up one side), topped off by a webcam, and featuring a slot-loading Blu-ray burner along the right bezel. On the inside we've got a number of processor options from Intel (the FCC test unit had a 2.66GHz E6750 Core 2 Duo), integrated or ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2400 graphics, up to 4GB of RAM, four-flavor WiFi plus Bluetooth, and the usual slew of connectors including S/PDIF and a proprietary port for an optional breakout TV dongle. Input comes via the included wireless mouse and keyboard, and Dell's also loaded up a memory card reader, making for quite the capable multimedia PC. We'd expect this desktop to be priced well above the recent Gateway model with which it shares a moniker -- which isn't such a big deal, really, as $2,000+ price tags have never really stopped XPS customers before. For all the angles, make sure to hit up the gallery below...

It's taken nearly a full year, but Eye-Fi has finally gotten around to doubling the capacity of its multifaceted SD card. The Eye-Fi-2GB provides the same WiFi-enabling capabilities to any SD-ready digital camera, but this one looks to pack 2GB of capacity to handle even more snaps. From what we can tell by peeking the (apparently scanned in) user's manual, the card will be compatible with both Macs and PCs, but of course, we've no idea how much this thing will cost you when it finally hits shelves. Rest assured, we'll be finding out soon enough.

Details are a little sketch and there's only a shot of the device's battery compartment, but it looks like a new MyFi-branded XM2go receiver is on the way, cause that's what XM's telling the FCC and the FCC don't take kindly to lies. The unit, labeled as Delphi model number SA10113A and XM part number XMTSK01665-01, seems like it shares at least the same basic shape as the previous MyFi radio, but hopefully we'll get a better look at this bad boy soon.

We've spent some quality time with Panasonic's previously-Europe only Strada CN-GP50N GPS unit at IFA, but a quick peek in the FCC's secret-ruining database shows that Panny's about to bring the 5-inch QVGA unit Stateside as the CN-GP50U, with all the same features and "kinda fugly" interface we talked ourselves into getting with in Berlin: text-to-speech, voice commands, speed camera information, and Bluetooth handsfree calling. No big reveals in the FCC docs, but we're certain those of you who get hot for RF interference specs are already well past the read link by now.

As the constant battle between the National Association of Broadcasters and nearly everyone else continues on over the potential XM / Sirius merger, the entity is now asking the FCC to put a stop on the 180-day clock for considering the junction. Reportedly, all the NAB wants is "time to go through documents it said it is getting through a Freedom of Information Request filed in March," and it seemingly feels that some of the articles it's still waiting for contain proof of "serious apparent wrongdoing by XM and Sirius executive and senior-level employees regarding the operation of FM modulators / translators and / or terrestrial repeaters." Of note, both of the aforementioned sat radio providers shot back by stating that the NAB's "allegations are unfounded and its recent filing is just an attempt to stall the process." From the outside looking in, we'd say that sounds just about right. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via BroadcastingCable]

It seemed like the Deluo GPS-in-a-mouse combo was going to be a one-off deal, but our attitude is changing thanks to a recent discovery at the FCC. According to the agency's reports, GPS navigation mainstay Garmin is planning on producing a wireless mouse, and while the existence of a GPS receiver in the peripheral isn't clear, we'd have to assume that given the company's past, they're probably not just knocking out a regular old AA-battery-powered mouse to boost profits. Does this mean we'll be seeing a wave of mouse / GPS match-ups, and does the combination make any sense? What do you -- the clever, good-looking, and infinitely talented reader -- think about it?

Update: Thanks to a helpful reader, we've unraveled the mystery of this Garmin device, which appears to be this RF wireless mouse (or some variant of it), used to control the company's marine navigators... now, on to finding out who's really behind the JFK assassination.

Back in August, it seemed pretty certain that the 700MHz spectrum auction would go down on January 16th of next year. Now, however, the FCC has officially delayed the auction by eight days to "provide interested parties with additional time after this announcement of competitive bidding procedures to develop business plans, assess market conditions and evaluate the availability of equipment for new 700MHz band services." Reportedly, the aforementioned parties only have from November 19th to December 3rd to fill out a short-form license application, and if all goes as planned, a "mock auction" should commence on January 18th, 2008. If you'd like to get into all the reserve prices, upfront payment deadlines and top secret details about the hors d'oeuvres that will likely be served at the forthcoming event, feel free to hit the read link for all 122 mind-numbing pages. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via PhoneScoop]

As the long-running fight for US in-flight calling (or the lack thereof) rages on, it seems that we're finally getting a definitive answer on the matter -- for the time being, of course. According to Telegraph Travel, Les Dorr, of the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), stated that "proposals to lift the ban on in-flight mobiles had caused such an outcry [that] they had been dropped." Furthermore, it was noted that aviation authorities had "ruled out the use of mobile phones on planes for the foreseeable future." Unfortunately, there was little exaggeration beyond that, but it seems that in-flight calling on US flights is on hiatus for the time being.

[Via Textually]

For something as incredibly boring as the FCC's 700MHz spectrum auction -- look, large corporations battling it out over arcane regulations! -- Google and Verizon have somehow managed to hold our interest. They keep spouting off catty little remarks like the one Google posted on its public policy blog yesterday in response to all the lobbying Verizon's been doing lately. Responding to the big V's claim that open-access rules are met simply because consumers can potentially buy unlocked handsets from non-carrier parties, Google's team shot back that Verizon was ignoring "the realities of the US wireless market," and making arguments that are "simply contrary to what the FCC's new rules actually say." Verizon hasn't said anything in return yet, but we expect them to TP the Googleplex any day now.

[Via GigaOm]