Verizon $30 Unlimited Data for iPhone; Retailers Slow on 3D Discs; Mobile Payment

[Mike Mercury]

Verizon Will Offer $30 Unlimited Data for iPhone 4
Verizon will offer a $30 unlimited data plan when it introduces the iPhone 4 next month, the company's COO Lowell McAdam told the Wall Street Journal Tuesday.

But McAdam added that the unlimited plan for the iPhone is a temporary offer. AT&T switched to tiered pricing last year, but many customers remain grandfathered in with their unlimited plans.


Retailers Slow on 3D Discs
While 3D might dominate discussion about the future of packaged media, the Blu-ray offshoot has yet to find much traction at retail.

Though it is still early in the format’s lifespan and only a handful of titles have been released, the 3D versions of titles are not being offered on shelves at places such as Target and Walmart. For now, electronics specialists such as Best Buy seem to be the place to go for 3D product.

Target, however, is continuing its aggressive loss-leader Blu-ray pricing on new releases. Jan. 25 saw a Blu-ray version of Red offered at a low $13, same as the DVD version.

Best Buy, however, cornered the market on exclusives for Red, offering a comic book with the Blu-ray/DVD special edition version, as well as a free movie ticket to see Drive Angry.

The only other exclusive of note came via Walmart’s offering of elastic character bands with the DVD of Sony Pictures’ direct-to-video sequel Open Season 3, which was offered at $19.96, the same price Walmart offered the Blu-ray.


Apple Devices May Add Mobile Payments
Apple is readying technology for upcoming versions of the iPhone and iPad that will allow the devices to be used to make swipe-like purchases, Bloomberg News reported.

Citing the director of a consulting firm, Bloomberg reported that Apple will incorporate Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology in order to make the purchase capability possible, with the technology included in products as soon as this year.

The technology, which would stand in for a credit card, would allow both Apple and retailers cut out credit-card processing fees.

[thkauffman]

Is 3-D really here to stay? IMHO, no. Not until there's one format for the glasses that doesn't cause epileptic seizures.

Also, how many 3-D movies have there been over the years? Usually they're just vehicles for effects into the camera. Sorry, but I like a movie with a little more meat on its bones.

[BuckyThreadkiller]

Originally Posted by Mike Mercury

...
Apple Devices May Add Mobile Payments
Apple is readying technology for upcoming versions of the iPhone and iPad that will allow the devices to be used to make swipe-like purchases, Bloomberg News reported.

Citing the director of a consulting firm, Bloomberg reported that Apple will incorporate Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology in order to make the purchase capability possible, with the technology included in products as soon as this year.

The technology, which would stand in for a credit card, would allow both Apple and retailers cut out credit-card processing fees.

This could be huge for retailers. I hope Utah has a large rainy day fund.