Topping tech headlines on Thursday, a divided FCC voted to proceed with Chairman Tom Wheeler's net neutrality proposal, which is now open for a 120-day public comment period.
The proposal approved on Wednesday would require broadband providers to adhere to "commercially reasonable" standards. For example, the proposal prohibits network operators to slow speeds below what the customer paid for, or to block access to lawful content. The FCC will accept comments until July 15; reply comments will then be accepted until Sept. 10.
In other news, the overwhelmingly popular, yet short-lived Flappy Bird mobile game will return in August with multiplayer mode. CNBC anchor Kelly Evans tweeted the announcement Wednesday night, following an interview with game creator Dong Nguyen. The developer has made no formal announcement, but told Evans the upcoming release will be "less addictive."
Meanwhile, the University of California Irvine med students will get a pair of Google Glass for use in labs, operating rooms, and lectures. By integrating the high-tech headset into various courses, skills training, and hospital rotations, pupils are equipped with what the college called a unique ability to perform hands-free tasks.
Be sure to check out PCMag Live from Thursday in the video, as well as a few other stories making headlines in the links below.
- Xiaomi Eyes Rivals With $240 Mi Pad Tablet: The 7.9-inch slate looks suspiciously like an iPad, if it were built out of iPhone 5c materials.
- Schmidt: EU Search Decision Struck the Wrong Balance: A ruling to allow people to be removed from search results has upset a natural balance, Eric Schmidt said.
- Autodesk Tips 3D Printer, Spark Software: Both the Spark software and hardware will be available to manufacturers.
- Univision, T-Mobile Partner for Wireless Service: The new service was developed specifically to meet the needs of the U.S. Hispanic community.
- Microsoft Dives Into Home Automation With Insteon Deal: Microsoft will sell Insteon digital home products, which will link up to Windows-based apps.
- Elon Musk Pledges to Help Fund Tesla Museum: Musk is also eyeing a $5 billion electric car battery "gigafactory" to bring down Tesla car costs.
- Comcast Exec Predicts Data Caps Within 5 Years: Comcast is still experimenting, but EVP David Cohen sees some sort of usage-based billing in the next five years.
- Microsoft Offers Xbox Live Gold Refunds: If you bought Xbox Live Gold to access apps that will soon be available without a subscription, you're in luck.
- Philips Sues Nintendo Over Patents, Wants Wii U Banned: Philips alleges that Nintendo has infringed on two of its patents, and it wants the Wii U banned.
- Report: PS4 Beats Out Xbox One in April: Sony's PlayStation 4 was the top-selling game console in the U.S. last month, marking four months of outselling the Xbox One.