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Microsoft today released a statement that echoes that of a request made by Apple for a set of guidelines that determine how companies license patents that are considered "essential" for certain products. "Industry standards are vitally important to the development of the Internet and to interoperability among mobile devices and other computers," the company said in a statement. "Consumers and the entire industry will suffer if, in disregard of this promise, firms seek to block others from shipping products on the basis of such standard essential patents." Microsoft pledged that it will: adhere to promises to make its standard essential patents available for fair terms; not seek injunctions against firms on the basis of essential patents; and will not transfer its standard essential patents to other firms unless those firms agree to its conditions. Microsoft licenses its smartphone patents to manufacturers of Android smartphones.

The Justice Department is set to approve Google's proposed acquisition of Motorola as early as next week, reports the Wall Street Journal. Citing people familiar with the Justice Department's plans, the Journal reports that the government greenlight the deal, but will keep close watch on how Google uses the 17,000 patents it wins with the acquisition of the U.S. smartphone maker. The European Commission has already cleared the deal, as have the shareholders of Motorola and Google. Google announced plans to purchase Motorola for $12.5 billion in August 2011. Separately, the Justice Department is also prepared to approve Nortel's sale of patents to a collection of companies, including Apple, Microsoft, and Research In Motion. The Justice Department originally feared the consortium of Nortel patent winners would use their power to strangle Google's Android platform.

Transportation Department Deputy Secretary John Porcari met with members of congress today with a proposal that would ban any service that interferes with the nation's GPS systems. Porcari said that the DOT would with the National Telecommunications Industry Associate to create the necessary regulations and the ability to police the airwaves in question. "It would let operators know in advance which uses in adjacent bands would and would not be compatible with GPS," he said. "GPS was put in a quiet piece of spectrum on purpose because it fundamentally needs to have quiet neighbors." LightSquared's proposed LTE 4G network has been shown to interfere with GPS signals. LightSquared is still seeking government approval to run its network. Separately, representatives from the aviation industry also met with congress and said LightSquared would have "ruinous effects" on aviation because of signal interference. Thomas Hendricks, senior vice president at Airlines for America, said today, "This matter needs to be put to rest."

FourSquare has pushed out new versions of its application for the Android and iOS platforms. New features include menus and hours for nearby restaurants and a revised Explore function, making it even easier to find nearby points of interest.

Google today moved to reassure the IEEE and government regulators that it will be reasonable when it comes to licensing Motorola's standard essential patents once Google owns Motorola. When the acquisition is finalized, Google will own some 17,000 patents, many of them centering on wireless technologies such as 3G and H.264. Google said that it "understands that, pursuant to IEEE rules, [Motorola Mobility] is prepared to grant licenses for Essential Patent Claims with a maximum per-unit royalty of 2.25%." Apple has called into question Motorola's patent licensing terms, and believes that the company is not following the fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) policy. It has asked the European Telecommunications Standards Institute to set guidelines that determine how companies license patents that are considered "essential" for certain products, including smartphones. This is the same issue that has caused the European Commission to examine how Samsung is using its own patents to fire off litigation at competitors.

Verizon Wireless today refreshed its Usage Controls service to give account managers more granular control over monthly data usage. The new Usage Controls, which cost $4.99 per line per month, will let parents or account holders set data limits by the megabyte, as well as block game, application, or ringtone purchases. The Usage Controls also still allow account holders to manage voice and messaging features.

MapQuest today announced the availability of new mapping APIs (application programming interfaces) for the Android and iOS platforms. Developers will be able to drop the MapQuest APIs into their Android and iPhone applications rather than use the native platform APIs. With the new mapping APIs, developers will be able to build features such as routing and map displays, geo-coding, map rotation, smooth map animations, and image and shape overlays into their own applications. Developers can choose to use free OpenStreetMap data or MapQuest licensed datasets. The mapping APIs have no limits on maps with the Community Edition license.

Vonage today announced the availability of a new application for Android and iOS devices that lets users call or text other Vonage users for free. The application works worldwide over 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi networks. Vonage says that calls to international cell or landlines cost 30% less than they would through Skype. Vonage Mobile uses the native address book, and the app runs in the background so users won't miss calls or messages. The app uses the device's actual phone number for the user ID, and uses in-app purchasing (both through iTunes and Android Market) in $4.99 or $9.99 increments when funds are needed to make calls. Vonage Mobile app users will be able to call Vonage Home lines for free, and for a limited time users can make free calls to any mobile or landline in the U.S., Canada, or Puerto Rico.

LG has posted a teaser video to its corporate blog that offers a peek at the Optimus Vu. The only details shared by LG indicate that the Optimus Vu will have a large 4:3 aspect ratio screen that measures 5 inches.

Sprint today announced the addition of Baltimore and Kansas City to the list of markets that will be among the first to access its forthcoming Long Term Evolution 4G network. In addition to launching LTE, Sprint will also enhance the 3G network in those markets. Sprint expects to launch LTE in Baltimore and Kansas City by the middle of 2012. Sprint is also launching LTE mid-year in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.

Microsoft recently made a version of its OneNote note-taking application available to Google's Android platform. The application allows users to take notes on their phone (up to 500), which are then automatically synced in the background to a user's SkyDrive account. OneNote for Android requires a Windows Live ID and a device running Android 2.3 and up. In order to sync notes to a PC, users will need a copy of Microsoft Office 2010. The application is free.

Apple has requested that the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) set guidelines that determine how companies license patents that are considered "essential" for certain products, including smartphones. The request, which was submitted in November, notes that patents are not licensed in a consistent manner. "It is apparent that our industry suffers from a lack of consistent adherence to FRAND principles in the cellular standards arena," said Apple in a letter to ETSI. Apple wants the European body to devise a way for technology companies to set appropriate rates for essential patents used industry wide. Apple also believes that FRAND-based patents should not be used to enforce injunctions against competitors. Apple and many other smartphone makers are embroiled in patent-based litigation in courts around the world.

Nokia today announced that it is making changes to its production facilities located in Komarom, Hungary; Reynosa, Mexico; and Salo, Finland. Nokia has used these plants to manufacture smartphones, but will now push its manufacturing from these facilities to its Asian factories, which are closer to its component suppliers. The three facilities will remain open, but will focus on smartphone product customization, serving customers mainly in Europe and the Americas. As a result, Nokia intends to eliminate about 4,000 jobs between the three plants. Personnel reductions are planned to be phased through the end of 2012.

LightSquared has requested that the Federal Communications Commission create a standard for GPS devices. Such a standard, says LightSquared, would help GPS devices and 4G networks co-exist in peace. The process involved in creating such a standard would likely take years to shape and implement. LightSquared is seeking FCC approval for its own proposed LTE 4G network, but has run into roadblocks in the form of GPS interference. LightSquared maintains that GPS equipment encroaches on the spectrum for which it paid billions of dollars.

Adobe today posted a reminder that it is no longer developing its Flash Player for mobile devices. As such, Adobe's plug-ins are not available for the newly-released Chrome Beta browser for Google's Android 4.0 platform. Flash content will not play in the Chrome beta browser on Android phones or tablets. Adobe is, however, working with Google and others to bring HTML5-powered content to Chrome and other browsers.

T-Mobile USA today announced a one-day sale that will take place on Saturday, February 11. During the sale, T-Mobile will offer all its smartphones and select tablets for free (via mail-in rebate) with the purchase of a qualifying voice and data plan.

Google today provided an update to its Google Voice product for Android devices. The new version includes a new user interface for Ice Cream Sandwich smartphones and Honeycomb tablets. It now allows offline queuing of SMS messages for sending later, and also adds a feedback menu on most screens within the app. The update is free.

Google today announced the availability of its Chrome browser for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich devices (smartphones and tablets) in beta form. Chrome and the stock Android browser are now both based on the open-source Chromium Project, which means it will be easier for Google to share features back and forth in the future. Google says that Chrome on Android focuses on being fast and easy to use. It renders web pages quickly, and has a brand-new way to sort through tabs while browsing. Other tweaks include a refreshed user interface, syncing tabs and bookmarks between desktop and mobile browsers, and support for private browsing sessions. Chrome for Android also features a place-shifting tool. It keeps track of open browser tabs on the desktop, for example, and will then open those same tabs to the same pages when the user pulls out their phone. Chrome for Android also offers better handling of URLs with a link preview tool that makes it easier to select and copy web addresses. The application is a free download for Android 4.0 devices, and Google says its ultimate goal is to merge both Chrome for the desktop with Chrome for Android devices.

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group today announced the creation of the Sports and Fitness Working Group. The new working group's focus will be to improve the way Bluetooth-enabled sports and fitness sensor products interact with devices such as smartphones, smart watches, and gym equipment. All the sensors and devices involved in the effort with use the Bluetooth 4.0 specification, which allows them to operate on small batteries but still share information in real time. The Sports and Fitness Working Group is accepting new members. The working group may eventually yield news use scenarios for fitness-related sensors and mobile devices.

Verizon Wireless is resurrecting its double data promotion for its LTE 4G devices. Starting Friday, February 10 customers who subscribe to a 4G smartphone data plan will receive double the amount of monthly data, said Verizon in an email to Phone Scoop. For example, someone who chooses the 2GB plan for $30 per month will receive 4GB of data per month for the same $30. New customers and customers upgrading from a 3G smartphone or basic phone to a 4G LTE smartphone are eligible for the double data plans. Verizon Wireless is also offering a buy-one, get-one promotion for the Droid RAZR and RAZR MAXX. Customers who purchase either device will receive a second one for free (with a new contract).