Loaded: Cell phones for Cubans and grandparents Video

Loaded: Cell phones for Cubans and grandparents Video Transcript

>> The city of Chicago sues eBay. Helping Cubans get connected. And AT&T wants to help your grandma use a cell phone. It's Thursday, May 22, I'm Natali Del Conte and it's time to get Loaded. ^M00:00:12 [ Music ] ^M00:00:14

>> The FCC is trying to ease up your cell phone contract. According to the Associated Press, the FCC is working on legislation that would make the wireless industry give customers the opportunity to cancel service without any penalty for up to 30 days after they sign a contract or until 10 days after they receive their first bill. The law would also cut fees and reduce them month by month during the course of a contract. Most of the carriers are already doing that, but I think the cooling off period is a nice addition. The carriers have been outrageous with cancellation fees up until now because they could, but no more. That is if this legislation goes through. The city of Chicago is suing eBay for what it calls an Amusement Tax. The city says that eBay and its company StubHub are ticket reseller agents and therefore, required under the city's ordinance to pay this tax. Since eBay has never done this, the city wants the court to audit the company's taxes in order to fine for failing to pay this tax since their inception. eBay says that it will fight this litigation vigorously. If the city wins, ticket buyers will have to pay the extra 8% tax from here and now. BlackBerry owners can now use Garmin's GPS forever for a one-time fee of $100. This is for BlackBerrys that have the Garmin program already. If your BlackBerry doesn't you'll have to pay an extra $100 to get the add-on. Still $100 to never have to worry about GPS again, I think it's a steal. If I had I car I'd consider it or a BlackBerry for that matter. President Bush announced that he would ease trade restrictions with Cuba, so that Americans can send cell phones to their relatives. A few months ago, Cuban Law changed, so that everyone there could have a cell phone, but the cost is prohibitive for most Cubans. Now Americans can send the phone over if they want to talk to their family along with up to $100 per month to pay for the service. Be sure to send an unlocked phone if you do this obviously, but most phones should supply because Cuba is on the GSM network. The White House says that this change will go into effect within a few weeks. CBS has increased the number of archives television content available on the Web. Episodes of the Love Boat, Twin Peaks and other shows will be added to the CBS Audience Network that includes CBS.com, last.fm and now CNET. The company hopes that this push to distribute more contents on the Web for free will boost ad revenue sales. This doesn't necessarily put CBS in competition with Hulu, but nevertheless, I think it's a step in the right direction. In honor of the 20th anniversary of the Madden NFL video games, Sony is releasing a special PlayStation Portable gaming bundle. The Madden NFL 09 PSP Entertainment Pack includes a limited edition metallic blue PSP System, the new Madden NFL 09 game. A PlayStation Network voucher to download music from the store and then 1 Gig memory stick pro duo for $200. Thankfully there is no photo of John Madden etched into the game like the Darth Vader etching on the Star Wars PSP. I don't think anyone would want that. AT&T wants to teach your grandma how to use her cell phone. In honor of Older American's Month, the company is sponsoring classes in 26 cities around the country to help seniors learn how to use their phones. The classes will address the challenges of staying safe on the Internet and on wireless phones and cover topics, such as privacy, spy wares, social networking and games. This is so cute. We gave my grandma a cell phone about eight years go and she just kept it in the box and took the box with her whenever she went on a road trip in case she might need it. For more information about this you can go to Oasisnet.org slash cities slash cellphones.htm. I'm gonna Twitter that link as well. No one likes hackers, but this next story is about the lowest kind. The Chinese Ministry of Public Security says that a section of the Red Cross Website in China was hacked and that criminals stole money that was donated to the Chinese earthquake relief. I can't even believe someone would actually do that. I hope karma takes care of whoever did it. I also hope it doesn't deter anyone from donating because the Red Cross does say that it is on top of the situation. So please do keep helping with the relief efforts, both in China and Myanmar if you're so inclined. Those are all your stories for this week. Remember, Monday is a holiday, so we won't have a show, but I will see you on Tuesday. Have a safe and sober Memorial Day Weekend. I'm Natali Del Conte with CNET TV and you've just been Loaded. ^M00:04:16 [ Music ]