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Netflix adds data-saving quality controls to its mobile apps
Back in March, Netflix revealed that it was working on a "data saver" feature for its mobile apps. Keeping its word, the streaming service announced today that the cellular data tool that allows users to adjust video quality to save data is available in its iOS and Android apps. In fact, we're seeing the new feature in both Netflix apps here at Engadget HQ. By default, the software adjusts video quality to allow for about 3 hours of streaming per gigabyte of data. The company says that tests showed this to be the best balance of data use and quality when streaming over a cellular connection.
Microsoft confirms Windows Phone's Twitter feature is causing excess data use, says it'll be fixed
Noticing that your Windows Phone device is using more data than usual? You're not alone. As The Verge reports, Microsoft has confirmed that a recent backend change on Twitter's part has caused the built-in Twitter feature of Windows Phone to eat up data a far higher than expected rate; specifically, it's caused it to frequently re-download profile images. In an effort to fix the problem, Microsoft has made a change to sync Twitter accounts just once a day, but a fix will need to be implemented on Twitter's end to completely remedy the problem -- that, Microsoft says, will take a few more weeks. In the meantime, the only other alternative is to unlink your Twitter account from the device -- or accept the data charges.
Facebook details proposed changes to its data use policies following court order
Facebook made some changes to its data use policy late last year (in addition to some changes to its actual process for making changes), and it's now back with another set of updates. As Facebook's Chief Privacy Office Erin Egan explains, the new changes affect two of its key documents -- its Data Use Policy and Statement of Rights and Responsibilities -- and they come as a result of a settlement in a court case concerning its use of personal data in advertising. Among the changes are a revised explanation of "how things like your name, profile picture and content may be used in connection with ads or commercial content," which Facebook says will now "make it clear that you are granting Facebook permission for this use when you use our services." The data use policy also encompasses data retention by third parties, who Facebook says you must contact directly if you wish to have your personal data deleted, even if you have deleted the third-party application itself. As AllThingsD notes, your profile picture will also now figure more prominently in Facebook's facial-recognition system for photo tagging, although you can still opt out of that if you like. These are also all still just proposed changes for the time being; under its new process, Facebook users have seven days to offer their comments, but no vote will take place.
Facebook proposes changes to its data use policy, shift away from voting during comment periods
There are few issues that stir up more debate about Facebook than privacy and data use, and the social network has today proposed some changes to its policies that affect both. That includes a more public role for its Chief Privacy Officer, Erin Egan, who will both be at the center of a new "Ask the Chief Privacy Officer" feature that's said to be launching in the coming weeks, as well as a new series of live events where she'll address "comments and questions about privacy, safety and security." It's also proposing changes to its site governance process, including a shift away from its current voting method for feedback on policy changes, which it says "incentivized the quantity of comments over their quality." The new method, it suggests, will lead to "more meaningful feedback and engagement." What's more, the company is also proposing some changes to its data use policy, including new filters that will replace the "Who can send you Facebook messages" setting in Messenger, and changes to how it refers to certain products like "instant personalization." It's also proposing some new reminders to inform people what's visible to others on Facebook, and various tips for managing your timeline. Of course, these are still just proposed changes, and it's giving users until November 28th to offer their feedback on them (Egan will then host one of the aforementioned live events to address the comments). You can find all of the proposed changes and details on how to have your say on them at the source link.
AT&T announces throttling changes, now kicks in at 3GB or 5GB for LTE
Anyone hoping for a truly unlimited "unlimited" data plan is still out of luck, but AT&T has announced some changes (or a clarification, as it puts it) to its throttling procedures today that will at least give you a bit more room to work with. For customers on an unlimited plan with a 3G or "4G" phone (i.e. HSPA+), you'll now be able to enjoy full data speeds up to 3GB, after which you'll then see your speeds decrease until the start of the next billing cycle. If you have a 4G LTE phone, however, you'll have a full 5GB to play with before the throttling kicks in. That's as opposed to the roughly 2GB of full data speeds that was available in both cases before -- and, as with the throttling that was imposed originally, these changes only apply to those still on an unlimited data plan, not those on AT&T's tiered data plans.
AT&T service in the works to let app developers pay for users' data use
AT&T has been making news all over MWC in the past couple of days. The most recent report from The Wall Street Journal says that Ma Bell is planning a service that will enable app devs and other content providers to pay the carrier for subscriber's data usage. AT&T's head of network and technology said today that "A feature that we're hoping to have out sometime next year is the equivalent of 800 numbers that would say, if you take this app, this app will come without any network usage." Donovan goes on to say that interest is swirling from companies that offer services like streaming music and video that feed on a steady diet of data and that the carrier's rollout of LTE would make the new service possible. Imagine if your Spotify habit didn't eat up a chunk of your precious monthly allotment. Sounds pretty good, eh? We're going to withhold judgment to see what mobile services adopt the new plan and continue to keep our Yacht Rock playlist(s) to a minimum.
Verizon's tiered data plans won't affect grandfathered customers after all?
Yesterday's revelation that Verizon may soon be enforcing usage-based data plans came as a slap in the face to many, but there may be at least one speck of sunlight shining through the dark clouds above. Screenshots appeared today, purportedly from employee communications, that would go a long way toward assuaging our worst nightmares: Verizon is indeed planning to mirror AT&T's policy of letting current customers hang onto their grandfathered data plans -- even when renewing contracts. It's probably best to keep your fingers crossed, but we understand if your hands are busy clutching those old plans as if your life depended on it.
