AT&T insists it is an attempt to bilk them to make a profit. Their main argument in the lawsuit is that since the calls are not really terminated in Iowa, since they are transferred overseas, they should have to pay the fees. We will monitor this as it develops.
Category: News
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Free International Phone Calls from Iowa May Stop
We reported not long ago on free international calls available by calling Iowa. Now, AT&T has filed a lawsuit in Iowa saying that schemes like this have raised fees billed AT&T from two thousand a month to two million a month. Filed on January 29th, the lawsuit seeks to stop services from using regulatory-fee arbitage to provide international calls for only the price of a call to Iowa.
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New Cablecard Allows Two Way Communication
The Philadelphia News reports that the standard for a two-way, interactive version of the CableCard has been approved. Several companies at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show demonstrated devices that would work with it.
As we’ve mentioned in the past…the idea of a CableCard is simple, and mandated by the FCC. The card would allow devices such as televisions and consumer owned tuners to become cable ready, by decrypting the content instead of requiring consumers to rent cable boxes from the cable provider at an expensive monthly cost. The problem has been so far that these devices are only one-way…blocking such features as on-demand programming, electronic program guides, and so on from being available.
Personally, while we have never seen an inexpensive television with a CableCard slot, this could pave the way for that option, now that the same experience as a cable box can be integrated and universal. We are hoping to see inexpensive CableCard options popping up within the year.
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AT&T to offer $20 ‘Naked’ DSL Service
In order to approve AT&T’s purchase of Bellsouth, the FCC forced AT&T to agree to offer $19.95 a month ‘naked’ DSL service. Naked means that you do not need any other AT&T service to receive it. It will also offer $10 for new subscribers who also buy their services. Under the deal, the inexpensive DSL will offer 768 Kilobits per second. Average now is 1.5 to 3 megabits per second.
The requirement is expected to pressure other companies to match the offering to avoid the loss of business.
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Netflix Launches Online Movie Feature
Netflix is unveiling an online movie delivery service, which will allow subscribers to watch about 1000 DVD-quality movies and television shows on their computers at no additional charge. It is not the first organization to offer online videos, but Netflix has six million or so subscribers to patronize the service.
The system, which cost forty million dollars to develop, is designed to adjust the picture’s resolution based on the bandwidth so the movie doesn’t freeze during play. Online distribution could save Netflix the costs of distributing DVDs by mail. Netflix has contracted for additional movie and television programming that will add to its offerings.
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Cell Phone Battery Ignites in Man’s Pocket
Batteries would seem to be a safe and established technology. Perhaps if it was a now fuel-cell battery, we could understand some flaws in the technology. It would be no less acceptable…but more understandable.
A cell phone apparently ignited in a man’s pocket, causing second and third degree burns. There is currently no information on the manufacturer of the phone of the battery. We hope we use neither of them.
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Paypal to Issue Security Key
Gizmodo reported yesterday on Paypal’s new security measure. Paypal will be offering a hardware-based solution which will display a one-time use passnumber every thirty seconds, to be added to your password and username. These keychain sized devices, common for business based security protocols, are an easy and inexpensive way of ensuring security…assuming you don’t lose the device.
We wish we could get one to review. We tried to log in…and it said it was currently unavailable.
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iPod Illegal?
Apple is being sued over the immensely popular iPod. The suit alleges that it is “Crippleware” in that the software disables iPod’s inherent ability to play WMA format files and other forms of protected music format besides AAC. Thus, the owner of an iPod can only purchase music online from Apple’s Music Store. Conversely, owners of other music players cannot play music purchased at Apple’s store.
Specifically addressing WMA, which is a Microsoft creation, it is the only music player not supporting it, and it is the format preferred by competitive music stores. Apple’s response is that it opted to develop its own format rather than being forced to license from Microsoft.
Perhaps the solution is to force an open-source format for DRM, if that is at all possible. A standards body could be established to certify devices and software as complying with the standard. There are various good examples of such bodies in the computing industry.
Is Apple engaging in monopolistic practices by locking iTunes, its purchased content, and your music player together with no alternative options?
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Free International Phone Calls by Calling Iowa
AllFreeCalls.net offers free calls if you call a number in Iowa. As Techcrunch reports, the founder created his own telephone company in Iowa under an FCC kickback scheme that gives telephone companies a portion of the fees generated from every inbound call to an Iowa number. So, when you call them, a portion of the fees go to the company, and they use it to cover the international calling fees.
They offer service to Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil (Rio De Janerio), Canada, China, Christmas & Coco’s Island, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland (Warsaw), Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, UK and USA, with more coming soon.
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Comcast announces collaboration with Tivo
Comcast announced on Monday that its digital video recorder boxes will now feature Tivo software. It allows their subscribers, for an extra charge, to search for and record their favorite shows, suggest ones they might enjoy, and schedule recordings from the internet.
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Powerbook Explodes After Comcast Plugs in Wrong Cable
The Consumerist reported yesterday on the story of a poor unfortunate soul who lost their Powerbook. Comcast showed up at the owner’s home to install high speed internet service. After unsuccessfully trying to get a cable modem working, the technician went outside. A few moments later, there was an explosion. Everything on the desk was dark with soot, and either partially or completely burnt. The technician had connected an electrical cable to the cable line.This is why you should always backup your data. The full story is available here. Scary, isn’t it?