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Google+ patent app details myFaves-like carrier contacts integration with social network circles
With more carriers pushing unlimited calling plans, we can't say there's necessarily a need for the friends and family features of yesteryear on this side of the Atlantic, but plenty of networks beyond the good ole US of A are a bit more stingy when it comes to tallying talk time. The latest Google patent application to be published was filed last December and covers exactly this type of scenario, suggesting that the Google+ profile of the future could include an option to create a "Telco Co. Preferred Calling" circle, which would theoretically enable free calling between yourself and a small group of friends. According to the application, semi-public information, such as a telephone number, would be shared between Google and a registered service provider, and you would maintain discount calling relationships from within Google+, adding and dropping callers to and from your online contacts list. You could also dictate custom rules, such as ringtones for contacts in specific groups, or create carrier-branded circles that are populated with your friends on the same network, making it easier to determine whether or not you'll be billed for calls to a particular user. Like all patent applications, there's no guarantee that Google's submission with come to fruition, but if you're feeling optimistic, you can hit up the source link below for all the legalese.
Verizon announces Nationwide Unlimited Talk and Talk & Text plans
Yesterday we heard some rumblings about Verizon making alterations to its calling plans, and wouldn't you know it, here's the official PR setting the record straight. Firstly, there's an Unlimited Talk plan for $69.99 per month, which can be augmented with free text, picture, and video messaging by moving up to the Unlimited Talk & Text plan at $89.99. Family SharePlan varieties -- which cover the service costs for the first two lines -- are also going to be available, priced at $119.99 for Talk and $149.99 for Talk & Text. Monthly Unlimited Prepaid options complete the new unveilings, costing $5 more than contract-bound subscribers would have to pay -- i.e. $74.99 and $94.99. A less happy rumor confirmation is that all but the simplest of phones will require a $9.99 25MB mobile data add-on, while smartphone owners will have to pony up $29.99 for the Unlimited mobile data stuff. All these changes are coming into effect on January 18, as speculated, though current Verizon customers won't be affected unless they opt to move to one of the new plans. Hit the read link for the full announcement and more details.
AT&T leans harder on TDMA customer base
We kinda knew that AT&T was ready to start throwing the switches on its aging TDMA national network, but now the carrier is taking it to the customer with increased fees on older calling plans. Make that stiffing the customer, as those AT&T subs still using tried-and-true TDMA digital handsets on older AT&T "Blue" plans (non-GSM) are apparently now being charged $9.99 per month for sticking with those grandfathered calling and feature plans. So, if you're an "old" AT&T Wireless customer (pre-Cingular merger) using that Nokia 6160, be warned. We know some of those older plans have hard-to-beat prices for features, but AT&T really wants you off them. That, or pony up another $10 a month.
Verizon gets new premium calling plans, mobile email
Verizon Wireless is rolling out some new additions to its lineup of America's Choice calling plans. Dubbed "Premium" plans, the new offerings start at 450 minutes for a smidge under $80 per month and range up to 6,000 minutes for about $240 per month. What does that 'premium' price get you? Try this: unlimited messages and VCAST's VPak, Verizon's GPS Navigator and unlimited mobile email thrown in for good measure. In other words, just about the full suite of Verizon's handset-based offerings outside the smartphone arena. At the same time, Verizon announced its 'Mobile Email' product that connects to Yahoo! Mail, AOL Mail, AIM Mail, Windows Live Hotmail and others right on that mobile screen. Apparently, Verizon figured out that 2007 would be the appropriate time to launch mobile email access. Excellent, guys.Read - new Verizon PlansRead - mobile Email launch
T-Mobile preps for My Faves launch
It hasn't been too much of a secret that T-Mobile has been planning something big and it had nothing to do with UMA. We have had some bits of information roll in about the big pink T launching something similar to Alltel's My Circle, very hipply dubbed "My Faves." This would allow their customers to place and receive calls to any predetermined number of their choice, as much as they want. Not a bad deal. Now the catch, you have to get a new phone because the service needs "special" software to enable the feature. (Good thing for you Pearl users that this handset already includes the extraordinary functionality).[Via Pin Stack]Check out more pics after the break
