Verizon To Kill Unlimited Data, Will Honor Grandfathered Plans

Verizon customers were hit with some bad news and false reports on Wednesday when the company outlined its goals to kill off unlimited data plans and instead move customers to shared data plans. Unfortunately many people, myself included, incorrectly read the report and believed that meant that Verizon would no longer honor grandfathered plans and would ultimately kill unlimited data plans the instant that shared data plans were introduced.

Looking to clarify its position Verizon has released a statement as to what will actually happen.

Customers with unlimited plans will get to keep their unlimited plans. But when shared data plans become available, the unlimited option will no longer be available to customers when they buy a new device at a subsidized price, usually with a two-year service contract. In other words, customers that are now on grandfathered plans will keep their unlimited plans so long as they don't want to upgrade their phone as a discounted price. If they need a new phone they will either have to pay full price or loose their old plan and be ported over to the new shared plans.

Verizon’s e-mailed statement, in full:

– Customers will not be automatically moved to new shared data plans. If a 3G or 4G smartphone customer is on an unlimited plan now and they do not want to change their plan, they will not have to do so.
– When we introduce our new shared data plans, Unlimited Data will no longer be available to customers when purchasing handsets at discounted pricing.
– Customers who purchase phones at full retail price and are on an unlimited smartphone data plan will be able to keep that plan.
– The same pricing and policies will be applied to all 3G and 4GLTE smartphones.

In short, Verizon is hoping the death of grandfathered unlimited data plans will come by way of attrition. They hope when all the people with unlimited data plans want new devices they will give up their old plans for a cheaper price on a new phone.

Source: NY Times

Fake Google Chrome Installer Is Trojan In Disguise

Researchers at Trend Micro have discovered a fake Google Chrome installer named ChromeSetup.exe, that is actually a bank-account-stealing trojan in disguise. he Trojan at present appears to target users in Brazil and Peru however indications are the malware is a work in progress and could potentially affect US users as well.

According to to their findings an analysis of the file ChromeSetup.exe done by Trend Micro's security researchers has verified that it is a multi-component BANKER malware detected as TSPY_BANKER.EUIQ. Once running on a system, TSPY_BANKER.EUIQ sends information such as the infected system’s IP address and operating system name to a specific IP address. It also downloads a configuration file that contains information it uses to redirect access to fake banking pages whenever a user attempts to visit certain banking websites.

So far Trend Micro has detected the 3 different binary files have been downloaded from several of the following popular URLs:

• hxxp://br.msn.com/ChromeSetup.exe
• hxxp://www.facebook.com.br/ChromeSetup.exe
• hxxp://www.facebook.com/ChromeSetup.exe
• hxxp://www.globo.com.br/ChromeSetup.exe
• hxxp://www.google.com.br/ChromeSetup.exe
• hxxp://www.terra.com.br/ChromeSetup.exe

A closer look at the downloads indicated that all downloads are being redirected to two different IPs, instead of the legitimate IPs of the accessed domains. How this is happening is yet unknown, however users should take notice that if they've downloaded the installer from any of the above URLs the might be infected.

"While we may have a complete picture of this particular attack, the one missing piece now is the same thing that made us notice this malware from the millions of data that we have from our threat intelligence – how it is able to redirect user accesses from normal websites like Facebook or Google to its malicious IP to download malware," Cayanan wrote. "We will continue our investigation related to this incident and will update this blog with our findings.

"Online threats will continue to evolve and find ways into systems. As such, traditional web blocking technologies may fail to block access to malicious URLs, especially when these are masked with the use of legitimate domains like those of Facebook or Google."

Wikipedia Warns Users "Ads May Mean You Have Malware"

In an official statement released today Wikipedia warned its millions of visitors that if they see ads for anything except Wikipedia's own fundraising appeal, which occurs at the end of the year, here's a good chance their computer is infected with malware.

"We never run ads on Wikipedia," the online encyclopedia said in its statement. "Wikipedia is funded by more than a million donors, who give an average donation of less than 30 dollars. We run fundraising appeals, usually at the end of the year. If you’re seeing advertisements for a for-profit industry (see screenshot below for an example) or anything but our fundraiser, then your web browser has likely been infected with malware."

Malware installed on your computer may inject advertising into a page on popular websites, such as the above example of an article being displayed from an infected computer. This is only one of a few examples that Wikipedia has said they have seen in the wild. Note the tiny text "ads not by this site" immediately below the ad, which may or may not appear next to these types of injected advertisements.

Wikipedia suggests you browse using a secure, encrypted HTTPS connection, disable browser add-ins, and run anti-spyware and anti-virus software on your computer. Personally I'd suggest anyone seeing ads on Wikipedia run scans with Ad-Aware and Malwarebytes as well as running scans with anti-virus software like AVG to make sure there aren't any other infections.

Google 2012 Model Your Town Competition Winner Announced

Googlers all around the world were invited to build 3D models of the buildings in their community for a chance to win $25,000 for the town's public school district or an individual school in the 2012 Google Model Your Town Competition. Today Google has announced the winning team, two mean Josetxo Perez Fernandez, 36, is a professional who works in computer administration; and Pedro Domecq Aguirre, 45, is a programmer, 3D data specialist and network administrator from Getaria, Gipuzkoa, Spain.

The two men created a pretty cool gallery of works that can be seen via the Team Getaria’s collection in the 3D Warehouse. Google even has some video of their work on the winners’ page.

At final count over 49,000 votes were cast to determine the winner of the Google Model Your Town Competition from six finalists. The other five finalists, and to all the other entrants who collectively modeled almost 25,000 local landmarks are now available for all to enjoy in Google Earth’s 3D Buildings layer.

Windows 8 Upgrade Promotion Details Leaked

With the past few Windows updates Microsoft has offered OEM customers and would be early adopters a deal which features low-cost, or free upgrades from the current operating system on their pre-built computers to the soon to be released next generation OS. This time around it looks like MS is going to change the details of that promotion and add a bit off a cost, but with a bit more reward.

Reports from Neowin and popular Windows blogger Paul Thurrott are indicating the confirmation of a Windows 8 Pro promotion at the cost of just $14.99 USD. The promotion will be for all Windows 7 systems running the Home Basic edition or higher and will give customers the right to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro edition. While the added fee is something new the addition of the ability to upgrade from any previous version of Windows 7 to the new Pro Edition of Windows 8 is something new and a bit of a benefit for most users.

In the past users were offered an equivalent edition upgrade Home to Home, Pro to Pro ect. According to the reports this promotion is for any edition, Home Premium and up, to get an upgrade to Pro. So it's kind of like an AnyTime Upgrade and an OS upgrade all wrapped in one.

According to the leaked marketing material and the sources cites anyone purchasing a pre-built Windows 7 system (Dell, HP ect) after June 2, when Microsoft’s promotional campaign begins, will be eligible for an upgrade from their current Windows 7 Operating system to Windows 8 Pro at that price. That price tag is also specific to the US; regional pricing variations will likely apply.

More details on the promotion will likely surface as we get closer to the June 2nd starting date so stay tuned and we'll update you ass needed.

Using Street View To Preview Your Summer Vacation

Taking a little summer vacation this year? Perhaps you are visiting one of your favorite amusement parks, zoos or other points of interest. Well thanks to Google's Street View partner program you might may be able to preview that summer vacation before you go.

Over the past few years Street View has added 360-degree panoramic views of several notable attractions around the US. For example, if you’re on the West Coast and want to visit the world famous San Diego Zoo, go to Google Maps and search for "San Diego Zoo." Here you'll find an interactive virtual tour that will allow you to drag Pegmen to some of your favorite spots inside the zoo. You can also virtually explore the zoos in Honolulu, Denver, Detroit and a few more key locations.

For those of us that love the excitement of rides Street View has imagery and virtual tours of some of the largest amusement parks across the country. You can visit Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, or preview imagery from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Universal Studios Hollywood, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Great America, Busch Gardens, and Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii. You can zoom in and out on the map to get and overhead view of the entire park, then locate a ride, booth or attraction you want and simply zoom in on that location to see it up close and personal.

If you are a racing geek like me and like to watch all things fast you can checkout Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca or one of my favorites Infineon Raceway. You'll be able to experience a turn by turn tour of the entire race track, pit road and even the grandstands. For those that like things a little more mellow and relaxing checkout Balboa Park, the Chicago Botanic Garden, or Diamond Head park and trail. Here you can stroll along the path and take in the relaxing views just like you were right there in person.

For more ideas checkout the full list of popular U.S. locations from the comfort of your desktop or mobile device and to see more popular locations, check out the entire Street View Gallery.

"Welcome to Life" A Geeks View Of What Your Digital Afterlife Might Be

Ever thought about the digital afterlife, you know the one. The geeks dream of uploading your collective consciousness onto a server somewhere and keeping yourself alive through computer interface and online interaction. Well blogger Tom Scott created a video that has put things into perspective for us and now we are re-thinking what that afterlife might be!

In a video called “Welcome to Life,” Scott shows his view of what a digital afterlife might be like. Even more more specifically, he touches on the corporate side of things, with plans, digital advertising, terms of service and even copyright concerns. The video gives viewers a glimpse at what that first after death interaction might consist of.

Given the current state of the internet and the world we live in you have to admit this might not be far from the reality of what could happen. I mean should the technology every be created of course!

Video via Tom Scott

Enter The EVGA Ivy Bridge Sweepstakes

Those awesome folks over at Intel & EVGA are teaming up to bring you another great contest: The Ivy Bridge on the River Prize Pack! Including almost all the parts you'll need to build a screaming gaming machine.

Grand Prize:

(1) EVGA Z77 FTW Motherboard
(1) Intel Core i7 3770K CPU
(1) EVGA GTX 680 Video Card
(1) EVGA Superclock CPU Cooler

To enter just follow the instructions below:

1. Read over the official rules on this page
2. Read over the EVGA privacy policy
3. Go to EVGA's Facebook and click on the EVGA Ivy Bridge Sweepstakes app
4. Alternatively, go directly to the EVGA Ivy Bridge Sweepstakes app
5. Click on Enter Sweepstakes
6. "Like" both EVGA and Intel
7. Fill out your information
8. Share with your friends

The drawing will be open from May 10th to May 31st and the winners will be announced on this page on June 5th, so don’t forget to check back and see if you're a winner!Entering the random drawing for the system is very simple.

Facebook, Instagram Not A Done Deal Yet As FTC Launches Probe

Facebook made major headlines with its $1 billion acquisition of photo-sharing app Instagram. However that deal is hardly closed as it has been reportedly delayed until the Federal Trade Commission can give it the once-over.

According to reports by several news sources, the FTC is examining the deal on competition grounds, a move that could push the close of the deal into the third quarter or even perhaps block the deal if there is enough evidence to warrant such a move. The FTC has asked rivals Google and Twitter for their input on the deal, though it was not revealed what information it was seeking.

According to the Financial Times, who originally broke the news, at the heart of the FTC is investigation is the potential for any anti-competitive practices. The question would seemingly be would Facebook's Instagram acquisition give the company an undo leverage in a particular market. The information the FTC is seeking can be about the markets — here, social networks, photo sharing, and mobile — what the companies do, what their operations are, and whether they are competitors in certain markets and how their merger could impact competition.

While this might make for good headlines these are fairly routing practices for any acquisition over $68.2 million. Despite that fact it could potentially hurt Facebook for the time being. The social network cannot use Instagram until the investigation is closed and with the IPO reportedly on its way investor might see this as a major setback.

The Development of First Generation Mobile Phones

Within the last few decades, technology has grown exponentially. Today we are able to do so much more than previous generations even dreamed of doing. One particular area of technology that has seen significant growth is mobile phone technology. This area has evolved over the years and can be traced through the generations.

The 1980s featured the first generation of mobile phones. This generation is set apart from others by its usage of multiple cell sites. By using multiple cell sites, users were better able to maintain their signal. While on their phone, they could travel from one area to the next, all the while covered by different cells. During the switch between cell areas, the call could continue. During this generation, mobile phones became more portable. This was significant for the later generation of mobile phone development.

The first commercial cellular network was launched by the Japanese in 1979. Known as 1G, this network was able to cover the expansive Tokyo area, reaching 20 million people. In order to accommodate such a large area, the region was further divided up into 23 base stations. Five years later, the entire country was networked for mobile phone usage. This was the first nationwide 1G network in the world.

The second part of the world to create a 1G network was in Scandinavia. The countries of Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark collaborated to create such a network in 1981. This particular network was unique in that it did allow users to roam internationally. The United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico also jumped on the bandwagon and created networks. In 1983, the U.S. went online with their 1G network. Here the first hand held mobile phone was operational with this network. In order to do this, the cell sites had to overlap to provide a stronger signal. Still, calls were often lost as this technology was still being developed.

Mobile phones have come a long way since the 1G networks. Data upload and download rates are much faster, and call quality is better than ever before. New mobile handsets have taken advantage of the available technology, and provide many services that would have seemed impossible when the first networks were created. If you want to find a new mobile phone, you can visit Dial-A-Phone.co.uk to see what handsets are available.

Mozilla Complaints Target ARM-based Windows Why Not Apple?

Today's headlines have been full of posts regarding Mozilla's complaints about Microsoft’s plans to only allow Internet Explorer to run on at an elevated level in the "Classic" mode of Windows on ARM, better known as Windows RT. The complaint is that this will give IE and unfair advantage over other browsers that won't have access to many advanced APIs that are necessary for creating a browser with the same capabilities as the traditional desktop version of the application.

Microsoft has made its intentions clear, they would enable third-parties to build Metro-style apps, which would run on Windows RT however they will not run in the elevated Windows Classic mode. Both Mozilla and Google announced that they were building Metro-style versions of their browsers. For both companies the problem lies in the fact that Microsoft is only enabling IE 10 to run on the Windows RT desktop.

So what is the issue?

In a post on the issue, Asa Dotzler, the software engineer directing Mozilla’s development for Windows 8, said:

Here's what's going on. For Windows on X86, Microsoft is giving other browsers basically the same privileges it gives IE. It's not great that you don't get those privileges (certain API access) unless you're the default browser and I think that's deeply unfair (a post for later,) but at least we're able to build a competitive browser and ship it to Windows users on x86 chips.

But on ARM chips, Microsoft gives IE access special APIs absolutely necessary for building a modern browser that it won't give to other browsers so there's no way another browser can possibly compete with IE in terms of features or performance.

Dotzler elaborated more on the issue in a second blog post and even gave a bit great insight into the issues he feels Mozilla and Firefox will face. "It's not precisely "running a browser in Classic" that matters for Windows on ARM. It's that running a browser in Classic is the only way that Microsoft has allowed us to get access to the APIs that a browser needs to deliver modern capabilities and performance in Classic AND Metro," Dozler write.

Effectively there are separate levels of access for Windows RT. One for metro only style apps and one for classic mode system apps. Microsoft will only allow specific apps to be elevated to access all the features of classic mode. Leaving Mozilla, Google and other third party vendors the option to use metro. These apps have access to some cool new Metro features but they live in a Metro sandbox and cannot use any of the more powerful features available from the Classic environment.

Why is this important?

Mozilla isn't so much worried about the Windows RT and tablet environment. They are more concerned that ARM will be migrating to laptop, full blown tower PCs and all-in-one PCs in the future. To them this is not a tablet-only concern rather a concern that the Windows RT environment will be used as a standard Windows replacement on more devices. They feel that if the exclusion is made now they might loose out on the chance to be competitive in the ARM marketplace down the road.

I'm personally not convinced but this is the basis of their arguments.

So why not fire back at Apple for doing the same thing?

Personally I've asked for years why Google and Mozilla haven't fired these letters expressing Antitrust concerns over the walls of Apple garden. Apple does the very same thing they are charging Microsoft with in restricting browser and application access to iOS. Apple uses they same sandboxing under the same guise that Microsoft is. According to Microsoft Windows RT eliminates many of the programming tricks used by Win32 app developers, including “background processes, polling loops, timers, system hooks, startup programs, registry changes, kernel mode code, admin rights, unsigned drivers, add-ins, or a host of other common techniques.” These are typically responsible for unreliable, memory-hogging, performance-draining apps that Apple all to often blocks from the AppStore.

So why the double standard you may ask. Well Dotzler makes it clear for us, “Apple is not a convicted monopolist that has legally binding commitments to not block access to browser-related APIs like Microsoft.” Basically he is saying because Microsoft has prior commitments to the DOJ and responsibilities against anticompetitive behavior they are the easier target! A view that I feel is very hypocritical!

If you are going to fire off shots at Microsoft for antitrust concerns despite their lack of prescience in two major markets, two markets by the way where your browsers are already being blocked then why not fire the same shots at Apple which holds the lions share of those markets. Mozilla is charging that Windows on ARM may some day be a major market player, yet iOS is already one and they aren't concerned with sharing that market? What gives here?

Will we see anything come of this?

How far will Mozilla and Google push? Well as of right now that isn't clear. Whether Mozilla or Google wants to elevate its complaints into a formal antitrust complaint is uncertain. Given that ARM-based Windows devices have a market share of exactly 0% right now, with no guarantee that the new platform will succeed, it seems unlikely that even if they did there would be much made of it. The question then would come down to whether or not Windows on ARM is just Windows on another device or a new separation for Microsoft. Depending on the view of the OS the DOJ or even the European Union might be interested in the case. However given that both companies have full access to the enormous base of x86 and x64 PCs and full access to the rest of the Windows 8 line-up it would be doubtful we'd see anything in the way of a full blown lawsuit.

In addition, it’s hard to argue that consumers are being damaged. In the 1990s, Microsoft was accused of having a chokehold on the Internet with its Windows monopoly. In 2012, with the proliferation of Internet-connected mobile devices, Apple’s strength in Mac sales, and iPad’s stranglehold on the tablet market, can anyone make a plausible case that consumers will lack choice?

Kindle Owners To Get Free Access To All 7 Harry Potter Books

Wands at the ready Kindle owners, today, Amazon announced that all seven of J.K. Rowling's blockbuster Harry Potter books are being added to the company's Kindle Owners' Lending Library for Kindle owners to borrow and read for free.


“We’re absolutely delighted to have reached this agreement with Pottermore. This is the kind of significant investment in the Kindle ecosystem that we’ll continue to make on behalf of Kindle owners,” said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com. “Over a year, borrowing the Harry Potter books, plus a handful of additional titles, can alone be worth more than the $79 cost of Prime or a Kindle. The Kindle Owners’ Lending Library also has an innovative feature that’s of great benefit for popular titles like Harry Potter – unlimited supply of each title – you never get put on a waiting list.”


The new, and exclusive, deal allows Amazon Prime members the ability to "borrow" the e-books for free much the same would you would at a physical library.  You'll have the option of downloading any of the seven books one at a time each month and you'll have to check one e-book back in before downloading another, although the e-books don't have return due dates.

The Harry Potter eBooks will be available starting June 19th.

AT&T and Verizon May Soon Offer Family Data Plans

Speaking at this year's CTIA Wireless trade show executives from AT&T have expressed company plans to offer a shared family data plan.

"The company has a firm hold on what type of plan it will offer and intends to offer one soon," said Ralph de la Vega, CEO of AT&T's mobile business. de la Vega says the company is working out the details of such plans stating “we’ll introduce them when we can.” But as of yet the company has no firm launch date.

AT&T is not alone in the venture to offer family a bit more bang for their data buck. Verizon is reportedly also planning to join the fray. Speaking at a at a Deutsche Bank conference earlier this year Verizon Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo said the carrier will launch a family data plan by midyear (PDF).

Both companies are likely looking at family data plans as a way to boost sales of devices specifically non-traditional cellular devices like connected tablets. A shared data plan will allow consumers to share data by multiple devices which could help the average family save tons on their current plans. Most plans we see now are set on a per device basis and cost upwards of $30/mo. Adding in a lower cost alternative could help push sales of more phones but also add in a plethora of other devices.

Verizon's concept of a shared plan extends a bit further into the future well beyond phones, tablets and even laptops.

"Let's just take a household," Shammo said. "So you have a family; they have tablets; they have notebooks; they have their smartphones. Then you have to start thinking about then you have a washer and dryer, you have a refrigerator, and people are going to want to start to communicate with all of those devices. So when you think about connecting the devices to the network, it's more than just a smartphone and a tablet."

Certainly AT&T is also looking at the new plans to work in conjunction with their newly announced home automation project, AT&T Digital Life. I could definitely see them working on cellular enabled Appliance power controls, digital cameras and alarm systems.

Source: CNet News - AT&T Mobility CEO: Family data plan coming soon
Verizon to offer shared family data plan by midyear

Microsoft Confirms Subsidized $99 Xbox 360 Is It A Good Deal?

Rumors that Microsoft would soon begin selling their Xbox 360 for $99 have been laid to rest today as the company has confirmed the details of a subsidy plan that offers customers the chance to get the popular gaming console for $200 off its original retail price if they are wiling to pay $15 per month and commit to two years of online service.

Upfront the deal might sound really appealing to consumers but you should ask how much is it going to cost in the long run!

I've never been a big supported of subsidized plans. I've always found that you can typically get a better deal in the long term by paying the higher upfront cost and shopping around for whatever the service is you'll be contracted to use. On the face of it many deals sound great, however with a little shopping prowess you might be able to save yourself some money or the need to be locked into a contract.

So lets beak down the Xbox 360 deal

Initial rumors indicated that the deal might mean that customers signing up for a 2 year subscription to Xbox Live Gold Membership at $14.99 per month would "possibly get some additional streaming content from cable providers or sports package providers." As it turns out that is not going to be the case. The service is the exact same Xbox Live Gold plan that you can buy à la carte for $60/year (or less, if you shop for deals online). So this means customers who are looking to pay $200 less for the Xbox 360 and Kinect hardware are required to pay a total overall cost of $460. This would end up being $40 more than the avg user would pay for the same bundle with the same 2 years of Xbox Live Gold service if they paid the regular upfront cost.

Now the nice side is you won't have to pony up the $299 upfront cost for the hardware. But on the downside you will still be required to maintain that 2 year subscription no matter what or face the potential of up to $250 in early termination fees (ETF). If you pay the $299 upfront cost, you would still have the option of either not buying,canceling or not renewing your Xbox Live Gold plan and could save even more.

So while the deal might sound great for the short term, in the long term it might not be the best option.

Zuckerberg Promoting Facebook Prior To IPO

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the show on the road today to pitch the company's upcoming stock to potential investors.

Zuckerberg, met with hundreds of potential investors this afternoon at a Sheraton hotel in midtown Manhattan. The goal was to raise support and awareness of the company's pending initial public offering (IPO) which many reports believe to be coming as soon as May 18th. Today's stop is the first inline for the nine-day roadshow which is said to include stops in New York, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, Baltimore and possibly Los Angeles.

Last week Facebook launched the Facebook IPO Roadshow page featuring a 31min video of Zuckerberg discussing the company and giving potential investors a little insight into the past, present and future of the social networking giant.

Some reports have indicated that the Roadshow has disappointed some investors leaving them feeling shortchanged by a briefer-than-expected question-and-answer session and disappointed that they had been forced to watch a film about Facebook rather than using that time to converse with Zuckerberg, Sandberg, and Ebersman the Facebook management team.