The Nexus 5 isn't what you'd call the best kept secret ever, given the device manual and FCC filings have already revealed many of the technical specifics (Android 4.4 KitKat, 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 800, 4.95-inch display, in addition to a Google Play accidental leak showing a price tag of $349 for the base 16GB model.

Now EvLeaks has grabbed a hold of leaked images of the upcoming Nexus 5, Google's flagship smartphone made my LG. All that appears left to know is which carriers will be getting it first. That obviously won't include Verizon given their love of locked devices, something the device's leaked specs (a lack of 700MHz LTE support) appears to confirm.

Back in December NASA announced that the agency would be conducting a Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration (LLCD) they believe will someday be capable of delivering speeds up to 600 Mbps. The test was successfully conducted this week, and involved communicating with the LADEE robotic probe orbiting the moon using telescopes that are just under one meter in diameter.

The New Republic notes that one of the cornerstones of the GOP's technology agenda being firmed up at the convention this week (aside from censoring porn, opposing net neutrality and further eliminating consumer protections) is "spectrum reform." The New Republic argues that spectrum reform in GOP parlance is really just code for taking any and all spectrum you can find and selling it to AT&T and Verizon, so they can squat on it and prevent additional competitors from entering the marketplace (aka protectionism).

In addition to just throwing money at the GOP, the incumbents and the GOP sell the idea of further protecting the nation's duopoly from competition by insisting they're just super concerned about bringing broadband to rural users.

Last month the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology sent the Obama Administration a new report (pdf) requesting that the President make even more airwaves available for wireless services -- and that those airwaves be shared. The report gave a few vague suggestions for these shared spectrum trials, which could involve semi-exclusive licenses where carriers could share airwaves with government services, or some kind of unlicensed approach not unlike white space broadband.

Last month the National Preparedness Group released a report stating that national U.S. emergency networks still aren't up to snuff a decade after the events of 9/11 and recommendations by the 9/11 Commission.

• Obama and the smartphone wars: Unless president intervenes, the ITC could send wireless industry into a tailspin [wsj.com]

• Fox responds to "piracy" surge by answering different question [techdirt.com]

• Can big broadband inspire innovation [lightreading.com]

• Earthquake spurs calls for public safety broadband network [fiercewireless.com]

• ACA to FCC: Reject telco USF reform plan [lightwaveonline.com]

• Mobile broadband expansion means job growth: Experts [computerworld.com]

• Forget the 1st Amendment, BART messed with the phone system: Violates CA and federal law [wetmachine.com]

• T-Mobile to get iPhone, too: Report [cnet.com]

• What Web content reveals about cultural biases [mashable.com]

• Verizon customers lose court decision: No class, just individuals [foxbusiness.com]

• FCC asks AT&T for more info on merger [washingtonpost.com]

• NASA to test the ultimate space WiFi. New tech to bring high-def web streaming from Mars [discovery.com]

• Samsung Galaxy S phones hit by EU ruling [cnet.com]

• RIM's QNX phones will also run Android apps [fiercewireless.com]

• 'Devastating' Apache bug leaves servers wide open [theregister.co.uk]

• Google Sued Over Nexus One 3G Connectivity Issues [ubergizmo.com]

• Should public Wi-Fi access be 'free'? [zdnet.com]

• Global broadband cost disparity must be addressed [itpro.co.uk]

• NJ Transit hoping to add Wi-Fi to commute [northjersey.com]

• Apple's iOS beats Android 6:1 on the Web [networkworld.com]

• Is Falsely Being Accused Of File Sharing With An Automated Pre-Settlement Letter A Form Of Harassment? [techdirt.com]

• AT&T calls net neutrality advocate a conspiracy theorist [theinquirer.net]

• Intel goes all in on wireless with Infineon deal, but will it pay off? [fiercewireless.com]

• Rumor Mill: Verizon bringing prepaid to Blackberry. Android phones [fiercewireless.com]

For years, online radio outfits were worried that aggressive royalty payment structures designed by the entertainment industry could force them out of business. For now, at least, it appears that those worries are over.

Internet radio webcasters like Pandora have been struggling to stay in business because exorbitant royalty revenues mandated by Congress last year are making it too difficult to keep on operating. However, they’ve gained a small victory this weekend as the House of Representatives has approved a bill allowing them to negotiate a lower royalty rate with the entertainment industry. There had originally been strong opposition to this bill by the National Association of Broadcasters but that opposition has been dropped and it is believed that the Senate will likely approve the bill without problems. If the Senate does quickly approve the bill, it is believed that a deal for lower royalty rates could be worked out as early as next month.

Internet radio webcasters are nearing their "last stand," according to a piece today in the Washington Post. A company like Pandora, which has roughly 1 million daily listeners, pays nearly 70% of their $25 million revenue on royalties -- an arrangement that could force the company out of business, according to the company's founder. "We're approaching a pull-the-plug kind of decision," says founder Tim Westergren. "This is like a last stand for webcasting." While traditional and satellite radio pay far less (and in some cases virtually no) royalties, the Copyright Royalty Board drastically ramped up the costs paid by Internet broadcasters after being pressured by the entertainment industry. Negotiations are still underway, but the Post suggests that things aren't looking good for Internet radio.