Verizon To Axe Unlimited Data Once Their New Data Share Plans Go Live

Verizon Wireless has been working on bringing shared data plans to market for months now, but it turns out not everyone may enjoy making that transition.

Verizon CFO Fran Shammo said at an investor conference earlier today that users on those wonderful old grandfathered unlimited data plans will soon have to give them up if they want to move into a 4G device.

“A lot of our 3G base is unlimited,” Shammo remarked. “As they start to migrate onto 4G, they will have to come off of unlimited and go onto the data share plan. That’s beneficial for us for many reasons.”

Though the move doesn’t come as a surprise — they’ve been running promotions to incentivize migration to their LTE network for a while now — but hearing their intentions actually spelled out like that probably won’t please many long-standing Verizon customers. The carrier is aiming to roll out their shared data plans “mid-summer,” though I expect more new details to trickle out soon.

But let’s back up a bit here — how will these things actually work? Though most of the details are still hush-hush, customers will be able to pay a set rate for tiered data plan that can be shared by all the devices on the account. Even though these new data plans are set to make their debut sooner rather than later, there’s still no information available on what they’ll actually cost. Verizon isn’t exactly known for being the most price-conscious wireless carrier (don’t get me started on the rise of $299 smartphones), but we’ll have to wait and see what they’ve come up with.

The concept of shared data plans would is wonderful for families and other multi-line accounts, but it doesn’t do any favors for the individual customers who don’t need more than one device. The status of existing customers who have had their unlimited data plans grandfathered over to their new 4G devices is also unclear — Shammo makes it sound like only customers who upgrade after the change takes place will have to pick a new data plan (for better or worse), and with any luck they’ll leave the lucky souls who have already locked their old data plans alone for now.

source: http://techcrunch.com/2012/05/16/verizon-to-axe-unlimited-data-once-their-new-data-share-plans-go-live/

Shell Oil drillships are on their way to the Polar Bear Seas in America's Arctic.

One Million Voices for the Arctic

Photo by Steven Kazlowski

Right now, Shell Oil drillships are on their way to the Polar Bear Seas in America's Arctic. These seas are home to polar bears, walruses, whales, and seals, and a spill there would be disastrous.

We have one last chance to stop this dangerous drilling. More than a million people have expressed their opposition to Shell's drilling plans, and today we're delivering their messages to President Obama -- and flooding the White House with calls.


Add your voice by calling the White House now.

1 turns into 3 Lost Hikers Found Safe In Franconia NH

 

FRANCONIA, N.H. -- Three people are safe after getting lost while hiking in Franconia.


New Hampshire Fish and Game officials said shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday May 12th, they got a call about a lost hiker near the summit of Little Haystack.


Searchers were able to find the man, and while they were giving him food and water, they came across two other hikers who were also lost. Their large 60lb dog who was along with them, needed to be carried the rest of the way out.

Officials said none of the hikers were prepared. 

Fish and Game lieutenant James Kneeland: “It is becoming a huge problem specially this time of year. You are hesitant to leave them over night to fend for themselves. The weather may drop into the 30’s have snow or cold rain.”


Don't let a pleasure trip turn into a nightmare, be prepared!  Visit HIKESAFE.COM and learn more on what you should do as part of your adventure planning.

Call ahead, read a guidebook and study maps of the area you'll be hiking to become familiar with trails, roads, rivers, streams, mountains and other features. Use these as reference points as you hike. Once you've determined your route, leave your trip plan with family and friends - then make sure you stick to this plan.

Properly pack a backpack with enough food, water and other necessary provisions for a safe hike. Dress for the occasion and pack spare clothes in the event you get wet due to rivers, streams, or inclement weather that can change rapidly in the Mountains. Get use to using a compass and map and don't depend on your cellphone as signals are weak to non-existent in the Mountainous regions of New Hampshire.

Need supplies and equipment visit: 
a. L.L.Bean  
b. sportsmansguide.com

BOSTON RED SOX POSTGAME ALERT May 12, 2012

BOSTON RED SOX POSTGAME ALERT May 12, 2012 Cleveland 1, Boston 4 at Fenway Park Cleveland Record: (18-15) Boston Record: (14-19) Winning pitcher - Felix Doubront (3-1) Losing pitcher - Zach McAllister (1-1) SV - Alfredo Aceves (7) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E CLE 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 3 0 BOS 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 X 4 8 0 GAME LINKS: Recap | Full Box Score | Photo Gallery | Highlights  Visit redsox.com for more information » Standings » Game Notes »

Young Cancer Patients catch the Eye and Heart of Kelly Clarkson

Young Cancer Patients' Video a Big Hit

A video featuring cancer-stricken children, their nurses, doctors and parents lip-synching and dancing to the popular Kelly Clarkson song "Stronger" has become an online sensation. Clarkson is calling their rendition "amazing." (May 11)