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Verizon updates T&Cs to further redefine "unlimited" data usage
After Verizon's ambiguousness ended up hitting it right where it hurts (read: the wallet), the carrier cleaned up its act a bit and redefined "unlimited" in a hot-off-the-press version of its Terms & Conditions. While perusing through the legalese, you'll notice that checking out "continuous web camera posts or broadcasts / automatic data feeds (RSS)" are strictly prohibited, right along with P2P sharing or using your BroadbandAccess as a "substitute or backup for private lines or dedicated data connections." Moving on, you'll also see that exceeding 5GB of usage during any single billing period gives Verizon the right to "reduce throughput speeds of any application that would otherwise exceed such speed to a maximum of approximately 200Kbps." It gets worse -- these speeds are (unsurprisingly) "subject to change," so it sounds like your connection can be throttled right on down to a crawl should you pass the 5GB barrier. Have fun!*[Via jkOnTheRun]*...just keep it under 5GB if you know what's good for you.
Boost's unlimited plan now available in 10 more markets
Boost has been super quiet about its strategy for unlimited calling and world domination since rolling out plans to a handful of test markets many months ago, but the deal's still on the table and markets are getting added -- just at a glacial pace, that's all. Dubbed "Unlimited by Boost," the plan offers unlimited calling (hence the name) within the user's home market; outside that market, though, the voice runs a stiff 15 cents per minute. Subscribers in an additional ten states can get in on the action now, which comes contract-free like all other Boost offerings. Check it for $45 to $55 per month depending on location, while a plan that also includes unlimited data will be offered starting November 12 for $55 and up (again, depending on market).
Verizon pays up for disconnecting heavy users of unlimited data plans
Regrettably, Verizon Wireless isn't the only carrier out there that once (or still does) recognized a mighty skewed definition of "unlimited" when it came to data plans, but for those still jaded from being cut off for "excessive use" earlier this year, justice has finally been served. The company has recently agreed to "reimburse the terminated subscribers for the cost of the laptop cards or laptop-connected cellphones" they purchased in order to surf the mobile broadband highway, and moreover, it'll be shelling out $150,000 in "penalties and costs" to New York state. Of course, the firm now makes clear that BroadbandAccess customers can be snubbed if they continuously stream audio / video content, enable P2P sharing or exceed 5GB of data usage per month, but it sounds like reimbursement is on the way for those disconnected when terms were more ambiguous.
Bell brings unlimited data to Canada
Bell Mobility of Canada has announced that customers can sign up for its new unlimited data plans for $75 CAD (about $74) per month. The service is only available with wireless modems, so tethering is a negative. The data speeds are right up there with those in the States and is delivered via EV-DO Rev. A courtesy of Bell. Customers can choose between three different modems: the Sierra Wireless AC595, the Novatel U720, and the Novatel P720. Seeing how it used to cost $100 for 1GB of data, the boys and girls at Bell seem to be getting the bigger picture.[Via Boy Genius Report]
Sprint offers up 'unlimited' wireless plan for Puerto Rico, USVI
Those camped out in Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands (lucky...) now have yet another wireless plan option courtesy of Sprint, and although that "unlimited" keyword may look enticing, it's enclosed in quotes for a reason. The firm's newest unlimited calling plan was reportedly developed specifically for the Sprint Caribbean market and is available for new and existing customers. The $49.99-per-month plan "includes all local and long distance calls received or generated within the local Puerto Rico and USVI coverage area, as well as long-distance calls from [Sprint] mobile to mobile." Of course, one call to the US mainland, and you'll be hit with a $0.25-per-minute fee as well as an additional $0.69-per-minute if you're roaming, so we'd keep it local if we were you.
T-Mobile myFaves subs get unlimited SMS for $10
We're fans of cross-carrier calling plans like T-Mobile's myFaves calling feature, but we get even more excited when unlimited text messaging comes along for a bargain price. That's just what T-Mobile is now supplying, as subscribers of myFaves calling plans now have access to unlimited SMS and MMS for $9.99 per month. This is a $5 per month discount off T-Mo's $14.99 price for non-myFaves customers, so this discount is a very nice 33 percent decline. Word is that the promo will be available now until September 12th.[Via Boy Genius Report]
Cricket rolls out Pay by Week plan
Hot on the heels of other "unlimited" announcements, Cricket unveiled plans for an unlimited local and long distance calling, text, and picture messaging bundle all for only $18 (only sales tax isn't included) a week. The release goes on to mention that the plan also includes voicemail, caller ID, call waiting and three-way calling plus nationwide roaming for just 39 cents a minute. Expanding on Cricket's existing plans, they now have a range from $18 to $60 so it seems like there is definitely a little something something for everyone -- though we're not entirely sure when a weekly plan would come in handy.[Via Phone Scoop]
One Piece Unlimited Adventure gets stretchy, swingy
We'll admit to being somewhat negligent in our anime viewing. To put a fine point on it, we don't know the first thing about One Piece. But we know brawlers, and any such game where you can play as a stretchy-arm guy is okay with us.One Piece Unlimited Adventure uses limited "swing attacks" that are activated by waggling-- specifically, shaking the Wiimote. The high-speed pummeling shown above is such an attack. Check the link for pictures of all the other (significantly less stretchy) characters and their swing actions, and click the post break for a couple of screens.
Cricket rolls out unlimited messaging on all plans
Leap Wireless' Cricket regional carrier is the latest carrier to add unlimited goodies to its plans -- and with Sprint getting into the game on multiple fronts, the timing seems impeccable. The deal seems pretty solid, too, with plans ranging from $35 for unlimited SMS, MMS, and local anytime minutes all the way up to $60 for home calling across all Cricket markets, 200 roaming minutes, and some other goodies like voicemail. Yeah, we said it, voicemail; in other words, Cricket's going to nickel and dime you a little bit, but still -- just $35 for unlimited texting and picture messaging is a steal in our books.[Via Yakety Mobility Blog]
Boost to offer unlimited plan?
Word on the street has it that Boost is poised to test-market an unlimited plan, though it's unknown at this point whether said plan would be voice only or would throw in all-you-can-eat data as well (a smart move, we reckon). If true, this lines up nicely with a previous rumor that Boost would start offering postpaid plans in the same vein as stablemate Nextel, but here's where it gets really juicy: the phone allegedly to be offered with the unlimited plan isn't an iDEN piece. We don't mean iDEN / CDMA hybrid, either -- it's a straight-up CDMA phone, the yawn-riffic Motorola C290. If that doesn't turn you off, and you live in Dallas, San Antonio, or Houston, look for the plan to hit shortly for $45 a month; meanwhile, folks in the Bay area can expect to shell out $50, and Southern California bears the brunt of it at $55.
Helio Hybrid buys you 160MB of 3G monthly
$85 sounds like a pretty solid deal for a Boingo WiFi account plus unlimited EV-DO, doesn't it? It would, if the 3G part of Helio's Hybrid package was, in fact, unlimited. Alas, Wi-Fi Networking News uncovered the rather startling fact that Helio is considering anything above and beyond 160MB per month to be "excessive or abusive." To be fair, Helio isn't advertising the Hybrid's 3G data to be unlimited -- in which case 2GB or more of monthly access would be typically considered the norm without getting yourself in hot water -- but then again, they aren't doing a very good job of making it clear on their site that the soft cap comes in at 160MB, either. Helio is apparently expecting Hybrid customers to spend the lion's share of their time doing the WiFi thing, but even still, we know a couple Engadget editors that could blow through 160MB in a few hours. How about a real, honest-to-goodness all-you-can-eat plan for a few bucks more a month, guys?[Via Wi-Fi Network News]
iPhoto Buddy: Speeds up iPhoto's load time
I came accross a neat freeware app today coded by Rick Neil called iPhoto Buddy. This app allows you to create more than one Library of photos so iPhoto can load more quickly. Each Library can be named, given an icon, and doesn't have to respect chronological time.If you've been struggling with iPhoto taking a century to load because your Library has more than a couple thousand photos (or you are on a less zippy Mac), fear not, iPhoto Buddy will make your iLife easier.iPhoto Buddy is compatible with iLife 04, 05, and 06, requires a minimum of OS 10.2.4, and even allows you to import an iPhoto Buddy created Library into iMovie or iDVD.[via Appleology]
