unlimited

Editor's note: This story was updated at 12:33 PT with a correction. The error message preventing iPhone 4S buyers from keeping their unlimited data plans was limited to the company's mobile site. The story was also updated at 12:50 p.m. PT with a comment from AT&T and further clarification.

Are you one of the many iPhone-owning AT&T wireless users pre-ordering a new iPhone 4S today?

If so, you may want to hold off from ordering through AT&T's mobile Web site, for now anyway. Those looking to upgrade their existing iPhone 3G, 3GS, or 4 will notice that AT&T removes the option to grandfather in their existing Data Unlimited for iPhone plan when moving up to an iPhone 4S. Fortunately, everything seems to be fine when attempting the upgrade process in a non-mobile browser.

Even on the regular Web site, it seems the wording on the AT&T page is a bit confusing, according to GigaOM. Some users are getting tripped up over this statement they see while checking out: "Your new device requires a different Data Add-on Plan than you currently have. We selected a compatible Data Add-on Plan for you. If you want a different plan, you can change the Data Add-on Plan by selecting Change here or from within my AT&T after you receive and activate your new device."

An AT&T representative reached out to CNET regarding this story with this clarification: "We're working on making the online page more clear. We are not removing grandfathered unlimited data plans."… Read more

Subscription music services aren't all the same, but they're similar enough that it's becoming increasingly important for companies to figure out a way to entice users into trying out a limited version of their service so they can hook them on it and convert them into paying customers. This freemium model has worked well for Spotify and now Rdio is upping the ante with a free streaming offer for PCs that's also ad-free.

We had to read the fine print to figure out just how free this offer is, but here's the basic deal: you … Read more

Sprint Nextel confirmed today that its iPhone 4S will come with the option of an unlimited data plan.

Sprint representative Michelle Leff Mermelstein said the company wouldn't change its plans, which range between $69.99 and $99.99 a month.

The $69.99 plan comes with unlimited data, text messages, 450 calling minutes and unlimited calling to any cell phone in the country. An $89.99 plan comes with 900 minutes on top of the data, text and mobile-to-mobile calls, while a $99.99 plan features unlimited access to all services.

The company is banking that the lure of … Read more

The next iPhone will be unveiled tomorrow, Facebook partners with Websense to check for malicious links, and a major security vulnerability in HTC Android phones reveals a huge amount of personal data.

Links from Monday's episode of Loaded:

NEW YORK--Another day, another near-confirmation that Sprint Nextel would get the iPhone.

This time, Sprint Chief Executive Dan Hesse noted that the company's financial expectations for the year don't factor in the "rumored device," and hinted at a possible change.

"If we get it--if--we may have to adjust our guidance for that," Hesse said today during an investor conference sponsored by Goldman Sachs.

Hesse otherwise tiptoed around the iPhone rumors, and noted at the beginning of the presentation that he would not be talking about whether Sprint would carry Apple's iconic device. But … Read more

Sprint Nextel says it is ready to handle the iPhone, even if it isn't officially carrying it yet.

Sprint is watching the network and investing in the infrastructure as needed to ensure a good customer experience, regardless of the rumors, Chief Financial Officer Joe Euteneuer said during an investor conference yesterday. The comments were reported by Fierce Wireless.

It's widely believed that Sprint will sell the iPhone alongside AT&T and Verizon Wireless. While Apple has set no date for the next iPhone, it is expected to come in October.

Euteneuer didn't confirm that Sprint would … Read more

If Sprint Nextel sells the next iPhone with an unlimited plan, snap it up while you can, because it may end up as a limited time offer.

According to a Bloomberg report, Sprint plans to offer the next iPhone with an unlimited data plan, which would be consistent with its offering for other smartphones.

Such a plan, however, can't persist. The iPhone brings with it heavy data consumption, which can strain a network. AT&T and Verizon Wireless, meanwhile, were forced to switch to a tiered-pricing plan only after getting Apple's device. One analyst believes Sprint could offer the iPhone with an unlimited plan for another year, with others saying the window could be shorter.

"There's a good chance they will use this to pull subscribers from AT&T and Verizon," said Maribel Lopez, an analyst at Lopez Research. "After a certain time, they won't offer the unlimited option any more."

A Sprint representative declined to comment to CNET on potentially selling the iPhone, but noted that there haven't been any changes to the unlimited data component to its current smartphone plans. An Apple representative also declined to comment. … Read more

Verizon Wireless may not be getting Samsung's flagship Galaxy S II Android phone. But does it really matter? Word on the street is that the carrier may end up with something better.

Late last month, Verizon disappointed many of its customers when it confirmed it would not get the much anticipated Samsung Galaxy S II. The carrier didn't offer much explanation for why it was taking a pass on Samsung's hottest selling smartphone. Meanwhile, Verizon competitors AT&T, T-Mobile USA, and Sprint Nextel will each be offering the device.

But Verizon smartphone subscribers shouldn't fret … Read more

If you're a heavy data user, Sprint offers the most bang for your buck, according to a study released today.

For $1, you get 12.5 megabytes of data, which breaks down to 8 cents per megabyte, by far the best among the national carriers. Surprisingly, T-Mobile offers the worst deal at 4.3 megabytes for every dollar spent, or 23 cents per megabyte.

That's based on a study of "real world" prices conducted by Validas, which provides automated wireless bill analysis and reduction services to consumers and companies.

AT&T, meanwhile, came in second … Read more