AT&T unlimited no more Video

To play this video, you need Javascript enabled and the latest version of Flash installed. Install Flash now
AT&T unlimited no more
Created: 06/03/2010
Video description: AT&T makes major changes to its data plan--as in, it's not unlimited anymore. Sorry, iPad people. But hey, at least it means the new iPhone is coming!

AT&T unlimited no more Video Transcript

Hi, I'm Molly Wood, and welcome to the Buzz Report, the show about the tech news that everyone's talking about. This week, it's bee-killing cell phones, AT&T changing its data plans, and the new iPhone is coming! Hooray! But first, it's the OTHER gadget of the week. The Gadget of the Week is the Kodak Playsport. It's one of those mini HD camcorders that everyone's so hot on, so it's totally portable and shoots video up to 1080p resolution. Good price, too, the standard $150 bucks. But here's the cool thing. This one? Takes video underwater. Up to 10 feet. Yep. Perfect for snorkeling and swimming. Plus, just think of all the high-quality shark attack videos that are going to start showing up on YouTube. Yay! And now for the news. The big news is coming Monday, as Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference kicks off with a Steve Jobs keynote. We're expecting to find out whether the Lost Prototype of 2010 is actually the new iPhone, and there's some talk of a new Apple TV box and, hopefully, a subscription music service to replace the brutally murdered Lala. But Steve's not waiting until Monday to do some talking. He got on stage at the All Things D conference to talk to Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher. Jobs "answered" questions on topics ranging from satirical cartoons to Flash on the iPad and iPhone to the future of PCs and even movies. And he had these words of reassurance for frustrated AT&T customers: And that's that. Speaking of AT&T, though, maybe part of their network improvement plan is to just like, keep people from using it very much. AT&T got rid of its unlimited data plans this week, even the one on the iPad. Now, there are two plans -- 15 dollars a month for 200 megabites of data, and 25 dollars for two gigabites of data. Then, they charge you if you go over. Now, almost no one goes over 2 gigs, that's not as bad as it sounds. And if you already HAVE a 30-dollar unlimited data plan, you can keep it! And you have until June 7 to sign up for that plan if you want to be grandfathered in. That's right. June 7. WWDC day. So, clearly SOMETHING about that new iPhone must be a data hog. Like tethering. Yep, you can now do tethering with your AT&T devices, even the iPhone, but only for an extra 20 dollar a month fee. And THAT fee? Does NOT INCLUDE ANY MORE DATA than the 2 gig max. So that? Is paying for the privilege of not buying a crippled phone. And that? Is bull crap. The rest I'm actually ok with. I know, shocker, right? Moving on, the Financial Times ran a story this week about how Google doesn't want employees using Windows, possibly because of security concerns. Seems plausible, right? Although, wow, would they ban Office, too? Because ... I mean ... how could a multi-gazillion dollar company run on Google Docs!? They will never take over the world using Google Docs. Anyway, Microsoft fought back, with a blog post about how Windows security is not only way better, but OS X security is not good at all. And Microsoft's corporate vice president of Corporate Communications -- that's his real title -- said maybe the "ban" might have a teensy little bit to do with Google developing its own OS to compete with Windows. And then he tore INTO the Financial Times on Twitter. OH SNAP. Which, actually, just a little aside ... Microsoft has been all about Twitter lately -- the corporate account debunked rumors that Steve Ballmer might be at WWDC with this tweet. See, and I noticed that Microsoft is funny and cool on Twitter. Maybe they could try that in like, the commercials and the real world and stuff. Just a thought. Other headlines in the tech world, researchers in India say from cell phones may be killing bees. Which is weird, I didn't even know bees HAD cell phones. Ok, kidding. In a controlled experiment, the researchers found that hives exposed to 900 megaherz GSM phones eventually showed a reduction in population and possibly confused the bees navigation abilities. Bee colonies exposed to dummy phones showed no ill effects. Obviously, more studies are necessary before we jump to conclusions but ... when you read the report ... just try not to think too much about your brain. And that's the Buzz Report for this week, everyone. I'm Molly Wood, and thanks for watching.

Related Videos

Ep. 1419: iPad 1 plus iPad 2 does not equal iPad 3

On today's show, we're joined by Eric Franklin of the Crave podcast and Wilson Tang from the 404 for what turns out to be a much more reasonable and serious discussion than you might expect. Short version: what's going to happen to the Android tablets now that iPad 2 is out, and will there be an iPad 3? Also, Verizon ends iPhone unlimited data plan and security woes strike the Android platform. Plus: UFOs! --Molly

Google adds factoids to search results

Verizon kills off unlimited data plan stragglers, expect the iPhone 5 to have a larger screen, and Google search adds fact boxes for smarter search results.

Dialed In: 140: The bumpy road to 4G coverage

What will it take to get 4G coverage in your area? A lot more than you might think. Plus, we learn of Windows Phone 7 handset leaks, and talk unlimited data plans.

Facebook pwns you

Facebook now, officially, knows everything about you and plans to know much, much more. But at least all your data will look super pretty. Plus, phones for girls, and iPhone 5 coming soon!

Ep. 1521: Internet Explorer IS for dummies

On today's show, the sad news that even those of you who are grandfathered in to AT&T's unlimited plans will be subject to throttling. sorry. Also, Adobe tries to future-proof itself with a new HTML5 Web animation tool, the darknet is not your mom's social network, and RIM doesn't make pizzas.

Ep. 1369: If it Biebs, it leads

Twitter's top trending topics of 2010 sadly didn't include #mollyontopgear, but it's kind of a plus that Justin Bieber was only around No. 8. Also today, the 4Chan kids go crazy on Gawker and you know what? Innocent people are being caught in this hacker-gang crossfire, and it's frankly just not all that funny anymore. (If, um, it ever was.) Also, could Verizon make my universal data plan dreams come true? --Molly

Computer prodigy Aaron Swartz remembered

The suicide of an Internet activist sparks a movement on Twitter, the iPhone may be losing its cool with teenagers, and Audiobooks.com ends its unlimited plan.

Ep. 1549: Bartz puts $10 million in the swear jar

On today's show, it's cloudy with a chance of downtime at Microsoft and Google both (I call it a "cloudage," geddit?). A new Facebook app is letting you dedicate your status updates to victims of 9/11, which we love. And Sprint is hoping to grab iPhone 5 customers with 1. the iPhone 5 and 2. unlimited data plans for iPhone 5. And the coolest pair of Nikes ever.

Ep. 1235: Build your own freakin' genome

If you don't like broad patents on potentially world-changing scientific developments like scientific genomes, well, then, build your own! Also, does the $97 iPhone 3GS mean the 4G model will be on sale at launch? And we find out why five inches just isn't enough. Sorry.

Loaded: For British eyes only

Music on MySpace, a look at Spore, and the unlimited mobile phone plan tango.