$62,000 to download a movie

Holy fack!

Embedded video from CNN Video

http://mrconsultingservices.wordpress.com/2009/04/24/if-you-tether-dont-download
If You Tether, Don’t Download!

Some mobile phones (And soon the iPhone) let you tether your computer to it, allowing your computer to get onto the internet through your mobile phones cellular (data) connection.

This is great for checking emails, browsing the web, etc. But, unless you have some sort of unlimited data plan (my iPhone through AT&T is unlimited for a flat rate per month) then they usually charge you per k downloaded, or if you go over your cap they charge you per k.

So this guy decides to download Wall-E to his computer, through his tethered phone if I am getting the story right. His cellular provider charged him $62,000 dollars for it…. After complaining, they adjusted it to just their cost, $17,000 dollars. That would make sense (math wise) given that this movies are usually 1.5 to 3 gigs in size.

I’ll have to keep track of this story to see where it goes. Needless to say, if you don’t have unlimited data, watch those downloads!

that crazy they give you 5 gigs a month for the 60 dollars that shouldn't have even scratched the surface

you guys seen that shaken baby game on iphone? Guess they removed it... but you were supposed shake the iphone to stop the crying baby i read. thats some twisted shit.

this story is second hand it was originally published by ars technica http://arstechnica.com/telecom/news/2009/04/users-62000-data-bill-a-result-of-poor-travel-planning.ars

edit: woops seems CNN was the first one to publish it from what I can tell
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2009/04/23/howard.62k.movie.cnn

anyway, this is what happens when you dont read the fine print of your contract. Not that I agree with the charges but he was roaming, which costs more for the service no doubt.

As for the baby shaker iphone app. The point wasn't how fucked the app was but how apple gave it the thumbs up and let it go to their app store along with tons of fart noise apps. Yet they didn't allow south park apps and other apps that could be deemed "offensive". The point of this app was to prove the double standard apple has and it was a success.

I dont own an iphone, but when I can afford one I'll likely be purchasing an android phone.

Hmm... well threw t-mobile, the wife has unlimited for $25/month

As for my Blackberry, when it was originally purchased, the IM service of the phone wasnt working, so the wife called REM (manufacturers of the blackberry) and they had her do something to it that fixed the issue. Come to find out that I now have unlimited internet on my phone, Tmobile knows it, but since RIM did it there is nothing Tmobile can do! Furthermore, they cant charge me for a service I didnt sign up for. I've had unlimited internet on my phone for over a year now, and not 1 charge for internet!

However, I havent even tried to access the internet from my phone as specified. But, with the blackberry you can access the internet 2 ways with your laptop.

1. You can use the built in service and use the cell phone lines, and possibly be charged per kb. Not me, its FREE

2. Do a google search of local internet for small towns/counties. They are all over the place. Now its dial up, which is perfect, since most cell phones have free long distance. Simply attach your phone and call the dial up internet. No kb charges. If you have a plan similar to mine UNLIMITED calling, text, data... then you have no worries either way