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Apple offers iPhone customers $100

Eager customers who bought their iPhones before August 22nd are to receive $100 of store credit from Apple, it has been announced.

Apple has said that the phones must be activated with the device's exclusive carrier, AT&T, before they are eligible to receive the credit. The credit can be used either at an online Apple store or an Apple retailer. Requests for the credit must be submitted before November 30th.

In order to receive the credit however, customers must fill out an online application. Then one's cell phone receives a text with an access code. The offer of credit came after the price of the iPhone was slashed by Apple shortly after it was released, sparking fury in early purchasers who has paid several hundred dollars more. Some Apple customers have been disappointed however that the $100 credit will not cover purchases at the company's online music store iTunes.

Skype Blackout Fixed, Caused by Massive PC Restart

Skype Blackout Fixed, Caused by Massive PC Restart
By Clint Boulton
August 20, 2007

Microsoft Windows patches and millions of PC restarts cracked Skype

The blackout that left millions of Skype users without the ability to make Internet phone calls from their PCs for two days was, ironically, triggered by the service's users. Skype offers a P2P (peer-to-peer) VOIP (voice over IP) software service, which allows users to make phone calls, instant messages and videos over their computers with a broadband Internet connection. The service is free for users of the Skype network and is extremely popular, boasting more than 220 million users.

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A win for the little guy!

Cable TV battles to heat up

Lawmakers OK bill that will widen franchise options
By JIM SAUNDERS
Tallahassee Bureau Chief

TALLAHASSEE -- With supporters saying more competition will drive down prices for consumers, Florida lawmakers passed a plan Monday that will help telephone companies get into the cable-television business.

The measure, which set off a lobbying war in the Capitol, will allow companies to get statewide cable franchises and avoid having to negotiate agreements with individual cities and counties.

Phone companies hope that will clear the way for them to compete with cable companies, which have entered local franchise agreements in the past and dominated markets.

The phone and cable industries fought about the issue for more than a year. But the bill passed Monday reflects a compromise that allows cable companies --- along with phone companies --- to get statewide franchises.

Officials of both industries said the bill is part of a major shift in which phone and cable companies will compete to sell "bundled" packages that include home-phone, cable, high-speed Internet and cell-phone services.

"We're entering an era of the battle of the bundles," said Steve Wilkerson, president of the Florida Cable Telecommunications Association, a cable-industry group.

To check for service availability go to www.dsldance.com

Verizon Business Named Top Service Provider

Verizon Business Named Top Service Provider

Verizon Business has been named the best service provider to big companies and the government by a consulting firm.

Frost & Sullivan awarded Verizon Business its Product Line Strategy Award for enterprise wide area networking (WAN) services. The company was recognized for its ability to introduce new WAN products in a strategic way to compliment the products already in place. Nancy Gofus, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Verizon Business, said: "Our product set underpins the next-generation services our customers require to do
business better around the world. http://www2.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

"As a global networking and IT leader, we will continue to invest in and lay the right foundation for large businesses and government agencies to communicate and operate reliably and seamlessly around the globe." In rewarding Verizon Business, Frost & Sullivan particularly highlighted the company's 2006 expansion of its Ethernet Virtual Private Line service from the US to six countries in Asia as a crucial improvement of its Enterprise WAN portfolio.

Meanwhile, a jury has ruled that the Internet phone giant Vonage must pay Verizon Wireless $58 million for infringing three patents. The patents were among the technologies that made it possible for Vonage to offer its much-touted low-cost telephone service over the Internet, Verizon contended.

For more information on Verizon Business Products and other broadband services visit www.broadbandnational.com

Costs Prevent Young People From Downloading On Phones

Many young people are not downloading music on their cell phones because of the associated cost, according to a new report.

A survey of youngsters in the UK found that around half pay for downloading music, but are deterred from doing so on their cell phones as it is more expensive. Although the study by Q Research found that three-quarters like to listen to music on their phone, 97 per cent actually download on their computers.

Dr Liz Nelson, chairman of Q Research, commented: "This survey shows that while there is already a very buoyant market for paying for MP3 files from the internet among young people, they are very aware of the cost of downloading files to their phones." She added that many young people are also opposed to watching video or receiving video ads to their mobiles because of the cost. The company has urged mobile operators to understand the attitudes of younger people if they intend to keep rolling out new services, such as social networking, advertising and music.

"Cost is most definitely an issue when it comes to downloading MP3 and video files," states Mark Weibel, EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, who operates the industries leading comparative shopping website. "We've been successful in integrating providers with special offers from music and video producers to help offset these associated costs."

For more information on MP3 and video files as well as other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

New Multimedia Phone Released

Verizon Wireless and Palm have announced the launch of a new phone, which includes Internet access and other features.

Customers with the Treo 700wx Smartphone will be able to use high-speed Internet connections at speeds comparable to broadband, along with a wireless email facility. The phone uses the Windows Mobile 5.0 platform to get online, while the increased RAM will allow people to download more content and applications. It is also compatible with memory cards, which will appeal to those who regularly access music, video and photo images.

Tim Roper, vice-president of Palm, commented: "People love the Treo smartphone because they are driven by the need to stay in touch and manage a variety of communications and information – both business and personal." He added that the features on the new version would be a "core asset" for mobile professionals wanting to be productive while on the move.

The phone is also able to be used with Bluetooth headsets, while it also contains a 1.3 mega pixel camera and touch screen.

"No one should be surprised that there is a convergence of technology to the cell phone," states Mark Weibel, EVP of Marketing for Broadband National, the industries leading comparative shopping website. "These new phones come enabled with wireless networking technology, instant messaging, picture messaging, digital photo sharing tools, ringtones, gaming, navigation and the ability to store thousands of MP3 files."

For more information on multimedia phones and other digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com