trade

FTC official: Do not count on Do Not Track just yet

WASHINGTON--A Federal Trade Commission official says that industry hasn't yet done enough to implement Do Not Track and that legislation to mandate it may still be necessary.

"I don't think we're quite there yet," Julie Brill, a Democratic FTC commissioner, said this week at a conference organized by the Online Trust Alliance.

As interest-based advertising, sometimes called behavioral advertising, has spread, so has interest in some form of Do Not Track mechanism inspired by the federal Do Not Call Registry. Developers have added tools to Chrome, Firefox, and Safari to implement different versions of Do … Read more

iPhone 4 sale prices plummet

If you were hoping to get top dollar for your old iPhone before upgrading to the new 4S or perhaps one of the first Android Ice Cream Sandwich phones, it's now safe to say you've missed the boat.

It's not exactly a surprise, but still interesting to see just how quickly the trade-in and resale values of even pristine iPhone 4 models has fallen in just a few weeks. Right after the iPhone 4S was unveiled, I reported on a special offer from eBay's Instant Sale site offering $357 for a 32 GB iPhone 4 in excellent condition. The offer price for a unit fitting the same description has since dropped by over a hundred bucks.

On the regular eBay auction site, an iPhone 4 might have fetched over $400 that same week--more if it were unlocked. Now a used iPhone 4 isn't getting much more than $275 tops.… Read more

Free-trade pacts export U.S. copyright controls

President Obama called the approval of free-trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea this week "a major win for American workers."

What he didn't add is that the deals, which were given final approval on Wednesday by the U.S. Congress, are also a major win for the motion picture industry and other large U.S. copyright holders. Other portions specify that consumers can have their choice of computer software, but "subject to the needs of law enforcement."

You won't find this highlighted on the administration's Web site (really, Web sites), but … Read more

The 404 918: Where a phone by any other name would smell as sweet (podcast)

The band is back together again, just in time for the release of the Apple iPhone 4S. Like everyone else in the first world, we have our share of complaints, but to whine about its aesthetics is to downplay the exciting changes to iOS 5, so we'll try to keep it posi without coming off as fanboiz.

We'll review CNET's First Take of the iPhone 4S at the start of the episode, beginning with a pedestrian explanation of its network connectivity options, and go over some of the more exciting features about iOS 5, things like Newsstand, iCloud with Find My Friends, Cards, and a new AppleCare+ accidental protection package.

And just to explore the playful side of yesterday's announcements, we'll tell you why Japanese customers are chuckling at the name Siri and show you a Steve Jobs Soundboard that could offer useful buying suggestions for potential upgraders.

After the first bathroom break, we'll move onto the general tech stories of the day, including a money dispute that could finally kill "The Simpsons" after 23 seasons, Google's first adult daycare center, a batch of rereleased Disney movies in 3D, and NASA seeking applicants for its next astronaut class in 2013.

The 404 Digest for Episode 918

CNET's complete coverage of the Apple iPhone 4S. Get $200 back for your iPhone 4. Money dispute may end 'Simpsons' Google opens first retail store for Chromebooks. Seriously, Apple? In Japan, Siri fans bottom jokes.

Are Disney's 3D rereleases helping people change their minds about 3D? NASA seeking applicants for next astronaut candidate class. Bathroom break 1: Nancy Grace might have farted on last night's Dancing With the Stars. Bathroom break 2: The Museum of Obselete Objects Presents: The Fax Machine.

Episode 918 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

3D space trader game done right

Galaxy on Fire 2 is a fully 3D space trader game with sleek graphics, fun missions, and an engrossing storyline--as long as you can stomach the less-than-stellar voice acting. Cut scenes early in the game explain your situation: a malfunction in your hyperdrive has somehow managed to warp your ship across the galaxy and 30 years into the future. With only your basic ship and the help of friendly people at various space stations you visit, you'll slowly learn the ins and outs of equipping your ship, buying and selling commodities for cash, mining for minerals, and how to … Read more

Where to unload your old iPhone for top dollar (Ask Maggie)

Apple's next iteration of the ever-popular iPhone is expected to be announced today. And eager fans are already asking questions in anticipation of buying the new device.

Where is the best place to sell old iPhones to fund the purchase of a new one? And will an AT&T version of the device that's expected to support the faster network technology HSPA+ really offer a noticeable performance boost over 3G versions of the same phone from Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel?

These are just two questions I tackle in this installment of the Ask Maggie column. Look … Read more

PlayBook price slashed to compete with Kindle Fire

Groupon starts selling goods, lawmakers seek FTC probe of Facebook, Nokia hands out more pink slips, and Amazon lights a fire under the BlackBerry PlayBook.

Links from Thursday's episode of Loaded:

Kindle puts a fire under PlayBook Groupon Goods launches Lawmakers seek FTC probe of Facebook Twitter revenue to skyrocket Nokia lays off 3,500 Firebird X is one geeky guitar Subscribe:  iTunes (MP3) |  iTunes (320x180) |  iTunes (HD) |  RSS (MP3) |  RSS (320x180) |  RSS HD

Trade-in service sees big boost ahead of new iPhone

With the release of Apple's next iPhone expected to be just around the corner, at least one third-party trade-in service is seeing what it calls an unusually high amount of trading activity from people trying to offload last year's model.

Gadget buyer Gazelle, which purchases iPhones, iPads, and devices from other manufacturers, today said it's seen an 84 percent "spike" in people trying to sell off their used iPhones to the service compared to the same time two weeks ago.

"This launch has been so delayed and overdue, there's definitely a lot more of a hype," said Anthony Scarsella, Gazelle's "chief gadget officer" in a phone interview. "For us, this is really an unprecedented behavior, as gadget owners always wait--usually until a new product is announced--to trade in."

Scarsella suggested that the spike is even more peculiar given that the iPhone is a type of device where people usually only sell it after getting their hands on a replacement.

"This is especially true with mobile phones, because you can't really trade in your phone and go without it. With a tablet, and other categories, you can trade in your camera, wait two months, and buy a new camera. But with a cell phone, it's kind of like you need one on you at all times," Scarsella said. … Read more

Verizon offering $100 to smartphone upgraders

Verizon Wireless is offering some incentives to convince basic feature phone owners to upgrade to a smartphone.

Verizon spokeswoman Brenda Raney told CNET that customers with basic phones who are eligible to upgrade between now and the end of the year can currently upgrade to a smartphone. Such customers have until September 30 to make the switch.

In return for trading in their current feature phone, subscribers will receive a $100 gift card from the carrier via its Wireless Trade-In Program. The gift card can then be used for any type of purchase at Verizon, including paying off a bill. … Read more