AT&T Introduces New Wireless Data Package

AT&T shook up the mobile space this AM with the introduction of new wireless data packages that go into effect next week… just in time for the fourth generation iPhone and as an accompaniment to the new $325 smartphone early termination fee (ETF).

For the last couple years, 5GB and Unlimited data have been pretty much synonymous for the carriers – with consumer rates generally running $30/month. But times are a’changing and we’re heading into an era of more tightly metered usage. Within just the last two weeks Verizon has alluded to data buckets, Sprint’s raised rates to $40 on their flagship EVO smartphone, and AT&T will be reducing rates… along with a lowered data ceiling.

AT&T’s “DataPro” plan will run $25/mo and includes 2GB of data usage, with overages running $10/GB. All in all, it’s not an unreasonable proposition as AT&T states 98% of their customers consume less than 2GB a month. In looking at my stats, I’m comfortably under the cap at <500MB/month. (Then again, I’m also without service about 8 hours a day from an AT&T dead zone.)

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Future of Wi-Fi is Faster, but Proximity Matters

The resurgence of Wi-Fi continues. We’ve been following the progress of point-to-point Wi-Fi Direct for several months, but there’s also another lesser-known innovation in the works for the 25-year-old technology. The WiGig Alliance (WGA) is working on adding a new frequency band to Wi-Fi to enable faster speeds over short distances. The 60GHz band could … Read more

Froyo is Here, But I’m Enjoying Android 2.1

About a week ago, the long-awaited Android 2.1 update started rolling out to Droid Eris phones. For those of us reading about the joys of Froyo (Android 2.2), and still suffering with the 1.5 version, the wait seemed interminable. But now that the upgrade is complete, I can scan the Froyo headlines without deep pangs … Read more

Skype 2.0 for iPhone Brings 3G Calling

The Skype 2.0 update hit iPhones yesterday and brings with it 3G voice calling. Which is huge if you view AT&T as the agnostic data pipe it should be. So, instead of paying their possibly exorbitant rates, we now have a legit alternative. All 2.0 improvements: Call using your 3G connection. Skype-to-Skype calls on 3G are … Read more

AppleTV Platform To (Finally) Get Some Love?

Remember Steve Jobs’ hobby? Yes, I’m talking about the Apple TV, Cupertino’s long neglected set-top box. Well, apparently, it’s been getting some love after all, reports Engadget. A completely revamped version is supposedly in the works and ditches the current AppleTV OS in favour of something more akin to the iPhone/iPad with, presumably, a similar third-party developer … Read more

Android Sirius XM App Now Available

Sirius XM Satellite Radio has launched an Android app that lets you listen to the network’s 120 channels of music and talk programming. Clearly the app doesn’t actually give your mobile phone a satellite receiver. Instead the app streams the radio stations over the internet using a WiFi or 3G connection — and the first … Read more

Hands on the Acer Aspire Revo “Nettop”

A few weeks back, my uncle’s somewhat ancient tower PC gave up the ghost… and it fell on me to find a replacement. (I’m sure most ZNF readers know how that works.) His computing needs are extremely minimal — we’re talking AOL email and web browsing (via broadband, at least). So I figured he’d be … Read more

Netflix: “Know thyself. Stream, baby, stream.”

Netflix recently launched a very interesting presentation on their employment page that describes their ongoing evolution from physical media distributor to Internet-delivered content provider. PLUS a good number of slides (accurately) describe where they see the competition coming from. It’s a must read if you’re at all interested in the space (and/or a NFLX investor). Some … Read more