unlimited

Sony announces cloud-based music service

BERLIN--Sony announced a new service Monday called Music Unlimited that will turn many of its electronics products into online libraries for streaming music.

"It is a cloud-based digital music streaming service that gives music lovers access to millions of tracks stored and synced with your devices," said Fujio Nishida, president of Sony Europe, at a press event here. The service "will be going live by the end of the year," he said.

Music Unlimited joins the already available video-on-demand service of Sony's Qriocity service, which now sports a two-part tagline: "Music that follows you. Instant blockbuster movies."

Sony announced Music Unlimited at the IFA electronics show here. The timing, though, illustrates just how hard it will be for Sony to fulfill its ambitions: on the same day, Apple refreshed its dominant iPod and iTunes product line that has thwarted Sony's music ambitions for years. This isn't the first time it's tried, either: Sony closed down its Connect music store, after years of effort. … Read more

Verizon keeps unlimited data for new Droid X

Verizon Wireless is holding onto to its unlimited data plan for smartphones just a little longer as it dukes it out with AT&T for more wireless smartphone subscribers.

Verizon on Wednesday introduced the updated Motorola Droid X, the latest version of the Google Android phone that Verizon has pitted against AT&T's iPhone. The new phone will go on sale starting July 15 for $200 with a $100 rebate.

During the press conference to introduce the new device, Executive Senior Vice President John Stratton emphasized the new device will come with a $30 unlimited data plan. … Read more

Verizon Wireless eyeing tiered data service

Verizon Wireless is toying with the idea of eliminating its unlimited data plans and switching to tiered pricing, according to its parent company's chief financial officer, John Killian.

In an interview with Bloomberg's BusinessWeek, Killian said, "We will probably need to change the design of our pricing where it will not be totally unlimited, flat rate."

A jump to tiered pricing would mimic a similar move by AT&T, which put the brakes on its unlimited data plan earlier this month.

Under AT&T's DataPlus plan, customers will now pay $15 a month … Read more

The 404 594: Where we live to 100 (podcast)

Jeff's unwavering pessimism and general distaste for life might finally take a turn in his favor, according to research that claims grumpiness is good for you. If that's true, then Jeff will definitely outlive all the cockroaches in New York and New Jersey, combined.

An experiment conducted by an Australian psychologist suggests overly-pessimistic personalities are more prone to attentive, careful thinking as a result of examining issues from all possible perspectives--but mostly the negative ones.

Yesterday AT&T announced a series of new data plans for its smartphone and tablet devices that could generate savings for the … Read more

T-Mobile announces new prepaid plans

T-Mobile announced two new prepaid calling plans Monday--Unlimited Text and Unlimited Talk & Text. Unlimited Text is $15 a month for unlimited text, while voice calls will remain 10 cents a minute. Unlimited Talk & Text will cost $50 a month, but will have unlimited voice and messaging (SMS/MMS/IM and e-mail). The plans do not include data, however.

(Via Phone Scoop)

Joule to make diesel at solar fuels plant

Start-up Joule Unlimited plans to open a test facility later this year that will use micro-organisms, fed only sunlight and carbon dioxide, to make diesel fuel.

The Cambridge, Mass.-based company, which changed its name from Joule Biotechnologies, said on Tuesday that it has secured $30 million to build the plant in Texas where it is already testing ethanol production. The money for this round came from existing funder Flagship Ventures as well as institutional and private investors.

Joule is a biotechnology company that has genetically engineered a photosynthetic micro-organism, which it has yet to disclose, to excrete hydrocarbons. Unlike … Read more

AT&T-Verizon price war debunked (FAQ)

Some people are calling the new tweaks to AT&T and Verizon Wireless' pricing plans the start of a mobile price war, but for many wireless consumers, they'll actually be paying more each month.

The companies each revised pricing late last week in separate announcements. The price cuts follow new aggressive pricing from Sprint Nextel, which last year introduced plans that allow customers to call any cell phone in the U.S. for free.

AT&T's and Verizon's new plans were supposed to simplify pricing for consumers. But the fact is that the new plans … Read more

U.S. Cellular gets in on unlimited fun

In case you haven't heard, it's all about unlimited plans these days as both AT&T and Verizon Wireless have revamped their calling and messaging options. And Tuesday, as if to prove it enjoys a challenge, U.S. Cellular unveiled changes of its own.

Beginning January 19, new and existing U.S. Cellular customers can select an individual unlimited voice calling plan for $69.99 per month. Families also get an option with an unlimited voice plan for $119.99 per month. That option includes up to two lines of service, with additional lines at $49.99 … Read more

AT&T rolls out unlimited text, voice, and data plans

AT&T on Friday joined Verizon in revamping its calling plans, announcing a series of new unlimited plans across all devices, especially high-end smartphones.

The new plans include:

Feature Phone customers now have the option of unlimited talk plans for $69.99 a month per person or $119.99 a month for a family plan with two lines included. The unlimited texting plans remain $20 a month for individuals or $30 a month for the Family Talk plan.

Quick Messaging Device customers may now choose unlimited talk for $69.99, and Family Talk customers may choose unlimited talk for $… Read more

Verizon Wireless revamps unlimited calling, data plans

Verizon Wireless today changed prices for its monthly unlimited and prepaid calling plans. The plans will be available to new and current customers; existing subscribers can adopt a new plan without extending their current contract.

Beginning Monday, Nationwide Unlimited Talk plans for individuals (that's voice calls only) will cost $69.99 per month. If you want messaging, you'll need to pay for them individually or add a texting plan. On the other hand, you can get both voice and messaging with a Nationwide Unlimited Talk & Text plan for $89.99 per month.

Groups on a family plan … Read more