unlimited

Sony releases Unlimited Music app for iPhone

Sony is taking on Spotify by releasing its first Music Unlimited app for iPhone this week.

The Music Unlimited app will launch by the end of the week after debuting more than 12 months ago on Sony devices.

At CES 2012, Sony initially announced the app would be released in summer.

The Music Unlimited app is only iPhone and iPod at the moment. Spotify released its official iPad app last month.

Other devices that currently feature Music Unlimited include Sony Bravia TVs, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and Android tablets, and smartphones.

In January 2012, Sony said it had 1 million … Read more

Spotify launches in Australia and New Zealand

Spotify launched its streaming service in Australia and New Zealand today, bringing the total number of countries served to 15.

"Australians are massive music fans and we've created a service that we know they'll love", said co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek in a press release.

As in the US, customers in the Southern Hemisphere will be able to choose between a free account, Unlimited (AU$6.99) or Premium (AU$11.99).

Spotify has also announced localized apps including one from youth broadcaster Triple J and licensing deals with all four major Australian music labels, APRA (… Read more

Friday Poll: Verizon killing unlimited data, what are you going to do?

Verizon customers with grandfathered unlimited data plans have been wearing their status with a sense of pride for a long time. New customers stuck with tiered plans look at them with envy and longing.

But that's all about to change.

Reports say Verizon will be killing off the already-endangered unlimited data plan species on its network soon. The company's 4G LTE subscribers will be moved to a new "data share plan" that is expected to go into effect this summer.

According to Fierce Wireless, Verizon CFO Fran Shammo said that this move would be "beneficial&… Read more

Should angry Verizon subscribers ditch Big Red?

Talk about kicking up a dog doo-doo storm. Verizon's chief financial officer Fran Shammo sure knows how to stir up a frenzy.

Comments the executive made earlier this week ignited a backlash among Verizon Wireless customers. Shammo said in an interview at a JP Morgan investor conference that the company plans to force its existing unlimited data plan customers to move to a tiered offering this summer in an effort to drive more data revenue for the wireless carrier. This is a switch from the company's current policy, which has allowed so-called "grandfathered" users to keep … Read more

Verizon: You can have unlimited data... just no device subsidies

Verizon Wireless now says that existing customers can keep their unlimited data plans. They just won't be able to get a new subsidized smartphone and still keep the unlimited data plan.

On Wednesday, Verizon Communications chief financial officer Fran Shammo told investors during an interview at a JP Morgan conference that the company plans to force many of its existing unlimited data customers to a tiered offering. Verizon Wireless got rid of its unlimited data plan for new subscribers last July. But the company allowed existing smartphones users to keep their $30 a month unlimited data even when they … Read more

Want 4G and unlimited data on Verizon? Better upgrade now

Yesterday, Verizon's CFO told a conference of investors that Big Red will be moving this summer to finish the job of shutting down its all-you-can-eat data buffet. Last year Verizon stopped offering an unlimited data option with new contracts, but those who already had them were grandfathered in.

When I first heard the news yesterday, I was led to wonder out loud (and later translate into bits) what it all meant for my own grandfathered 3G data plan, which I've recently upgraded to 4G.

In his remarks yesterday, Verizon CFO Fran Shammo explained that the carrier will be … Read more

Google adds factoids to search results

In today's show, Google search gets smarter, Verizon ends its unlimited data era, and E.T. tweet home?

Google search results will now look a bit different. Google has launched the Knowledge Graph, a database of 500 million people, places, and things, and it will show up in your search to give you more info on a topic and help you find related items. Google is rolling it out in the next few days to desktop, mobile and tablet users.

You can't always count on iPhone rumors being true, but here's one that's looking pretty solid: … Read more

The 404 1,049: Where so, it's come to this (podcast)

Here's another reason not to blow your cash on those Beats by Dr. Dre headphones: the NYPD is reporting that the headphones have become the new top target for thieves based on their $500 resale value. With dozens of Beats heists occurring over the last four months alone, your best bet is to avoid the red "b" altogether and invest in a better pair of cans.… Read more

Can Groupon grow up?

Every weekday afternoon, CNET Update delivers the top tech stories of the day. The show keeps a close eye on emerging trends, hot devices and new apps. And it's all in less than three minutes.

In today's show, we speculate on Spotify, shop online with cash, and crack open a beer to look mature:

It seems the controversial cyber security bill CISPA (short for Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act) is on shaky ground. The White House threatened to veto the bill, saying it endangers the privacy of Americans and gives Homeland Security too much power.

Groupon's … Read more