uAT&T Wants To Be Able To Charge Video Streaming Services For Exemption From Customers’ Data Capsr

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  (Mike Mozart)

  
  Data caps on home broadband stink, but they’re also a reality for millions of internet users (and probably soon for all of us). And as the FCC’s new open internet rules go into effect in the coming days to protect net neutrality, they’re also becoming one of the main ways in which ISPs can soak up extra cash from consumers and businesses alike.

  Ars Technica noticed the filings with the FCC this week, in which AT&T claims that their data caps are high enough for most users and most use, and so therefore these deals won’t actually harm anyone — and in fact, are actually better for consumers and competition.

  AT&T places data caps on not only their mobile data services but also on their traditional fixed wireline broadband services. For AT&T’s DSL subscribers that cap is 150 GB. U-verse customers get 250 GB, and U-verse with GigaPower customers can subscribe to either a 500 GB or 1 TB tier. Overage runs subscribers $10 for every 50 GB, which seems to be emerging as the new industry standard.

  But where the new net neutrality rule requires that all data coming through those networks be allowed equally to reach the customers who asked for it, it does not require that all data must be treated equally with regard to those caps. And AT&T as asking the FCC to make sure it stays that way.

  AT&T has already struck several such “sponsored content” deals on the mobile side of its business. The deals allow companies to pay for exemption from data caps by, in effect, pre-paying for the data instead of charging the customer for it.

  If, for example, Streaming Music Company were to become a data sponsor, they would pre-purchase an absolute mass of data from AT&T. Then Streaming Music Company users on the AT&T network wouldn’t see their data allowance take a hit when listening to music on that service. The data for Streaming Music Company would, instead, be charged on the other end, against their pre-purchased allotment. It’s sort of like the digital version of business reply mail or prepaid return shipping labels.

  It becomes a good deal for Streaming Music Company because the use of competitors like Google, Amazon, Pandora and Spotify, on the other hand, would count against a user’s data cap. So users who are at risk of running into a data cap, but still want to enjoy their streaming music, would be more likely to choose the service that wouldn’t cost them extra.

  In mobile, such zero-rating deals are common. In wired broadband, it’s much less so — but the potential is there, and AT&T wants to protect it.

  Streaming video is over half of primetime network traffic, these days. AT&T could strike very lucrative deals with the Amazons, Hulus, or YouTubes of the world (but probably not all at once) to guarantee those services an exemption from broadband caps. (Netflix has stated publicly that it will no longer seek exemption from data caps, after signing a deal of that type in Australia created a great deal of negative press for them here in the U.S.)

  AT&T could also — especially if the DirecTV merger goes through — go the Comcast route and exempt any of its own services from counting toward data caps.

  A group of competitors and consumer advocates including, among others, Dish, Cogent, and Public Knowledge, asked the FCC to include a bar on these agreements as a condition of approving the merger between AT&T and DirecTV. AT&T, however, is fighting back.

  “The record does not support Opponents’ request that AT&T be barred from exempting any online video service from any usage-based tracking, metering, or billing in its broadband services,” AT&T wrote.

  “Opponents offer no reason for the Commission to … issue a blanket, abstract prohibition that would apply only to AT&T. Doing so would deprive AT&T customers of service offerings tailored to fit their usage and their budget. It would also distort competition by hindering AT&T’s efforts to close the gap and compete with cable’s higher-speed broadband products.”

  Got that? Implicitly pressuring consumers to choose some services instead of others by making some subject to and others exempt form a data cap is providing “service offerings tailored to fit their budget.”

  AT&T also pointed to their recent deal with Hulu as an example of their commitment to keeping internet video available to customers. Neither AT&T nor Hulu have said if the deal includes a data cap exemption.

  AT&T wants to choose which online video services count against data caps [Ars Technica]

  
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by Kate Cox via Consumerist

uBMW, Honda & Fiat Chrysler Identify Some Additional Vehicles Affected By Expanded Takata Recallr

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  (Jeff Archer)

  Automakers began identifying which of their models are affected by the recently expanded Takata airbag recall Thursday, with Fiat Chrysler, BMW and Honda adding hundreds of thousands of vehicles to their already overflowing roster of cars in need of replacement safety devices. 

  Reuters reports that the three manufacturers released more information regarding cars equipped with potentially deadly Takata airbags that can spew pieces of shrapnel upon deployment that have been linked to six deaths and more than 100 injuries.

  Fiat Chrysler brought its total number of recalled vehicles with Tataka airbags to about 5.22 million worldwide, including about 4.5 million in the United States.

  Most of those cars, which cover model years 2003 to 2011, were involved in previous recall campaigns.

  According to the Associated Press, the Fiat Chrysler recalls cover model year 2003 Ram 1500/2500/3500, model year 2005 to 2009s Ram 2500 Pickup, model years 2004 to 2008 Ram 1500 Pickup, model years 2006 to 2009 Ram 3500 Pickup, model years 2007 to 2009 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, model years 2008 to 2010 Dodge Ram 4500/5500 Cab Chassis, model years 2008 to 2009 Sterling 4500/5500 Cab Chassis, model years 2004 to 2008 Dodge Durango, model years 2007 to 2008 Chrysler Aspen, model years 2005 to 2010 Chrysler 300/300C/SRT8, model years 2005 to 2010 Dodge Charger/Magnum, model years 2005 to 2011 Dodge Dakota, and model years 2006 to 2010 Mitsubishi Raider.

  BMW expanded its recall of Takata-equipped vehicles to include an additional 280,000, covering a total of 20 models from 2002 to 2006. In all, the company has recalled 421,000 cars in the U.S.

  Vehicle models now covered by BMW’s recalls include model years 2002 to 2005 325i/325xi/330i/330xi, model years 2002 to 2005 325xi/325i Sports Wagon, model years 2002 to 2006 330Ci/325Ci/M3 Convertible, model years 2002 to 2006 325i/330i/M3 Coupe, model years 2002 to 2003 M5/540i/525i/530i, model years 2002 to 2003 540i/525i Sports Wagon, model years 2003 to 2004 X5 3.0i/4.4i, the AP reports.

  Honda, which has been linked to all six deaths related to the airbag defect, expanded its U.S.-based recall to include an another 350,000 cars, many part of previously disclosed recalls. In all, the automaker has recalled more than 20 million vehicles for the airbag issue since 2008.

  Newly added Honda-made vehicles include model year 2005 Civics and model years 2006 to 2007 Accords.

  The automakers’ expanded recalls come just a week after Takata declared that nearly 33.8 million vehicles sold in the United State should be recalled for the defect.

  While about 17 million of those vehicles had already been part of recalls by major automakers, millions of others had yet to be identified, leaving consumers wondering if they’re driving around with what some people have likened to an explosive device in their steering wheel.

  Regulators compiled a partial list of affected vehicles last week. That list – which can be found on the Post – included several major models such as the Honda Civic, Dodge Ram, BMV 3 Series, Mazda 6, and Toyota Corolla.

  Consumers looking to see if their vehicles are part of the largest auto recall in history can check by entering their 17 digit VIN on the SaferCar.gov website, which produces a list of all recalls associated with a particular vehicle.

  Identifying affected vehicles will likely be just one hurdle consumers will face when it comes to the Takata recall. The parts manufacturer has struggled in recent months to meet the demand for replacement airbags. The company recently announced it would increase increase its output of new parts to one million per month later this year.

  But even if those consumers do receive new airbags promptly, there’s no guarantee those new safety devices are safe, as Takata, regulators and manufacturers have yet to identify what has caused the defect.

  FCA, Honda, BMW expand recalls of vehicles with Takata air bags [Reuters]
  Automakers, gov’t to reveal models in expanded Takata recall [The Associated Press]

  
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by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist

uGoogle Maps Adding Offline Search And Navigation “Later This Year”r

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  (Yo Spiff)

  For all those times you’ve glanced around at an unfamiliar intersection, cursing the wireless signal gods for denying your phone service and thus depriving you access to mapping apps, Google says it’s here to help: The company announced today that soon Google Maps will offer offline search and navigation capabilities.

  During its keynote address at the company’s I/O developer conference today, Google said the offline support will launch “later this year,” reports CNET.com.

  While you won’t be able to pull up a map without an Internet connection, say if you’re underground on the train and just realized you have no idea which stop to get off at.

  Instead, users can download maps to their devices while connected to the Internet that include turn-by-turn voice directions they can use when they go offline. They’ll also be able to search Maps within those downloaded maps and get suggestions or reviews for certain locations, where available, without Internet access.

  It’s unclear how many countries will be supported in the new offline feature, but Google says it wants users be able to “explore the world literally wherever they are.”

  Google Maps goes offline, complete with turn-by-turn directions [CNET]

  
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by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist

uTarget Wants To Perfect Chip-and-PIN Before Venturing Into Digital Payment Methodsr

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  (Mike Mozart)

  Consumers and businesses alike are always seeking out ways to streamline the checkout experience, most recently with mobile payment systems like Apple Pay and Android Pay. But there’s one major retailer that won’t be jumping into new payment options just yet.

  Before Target adds digital payment capabilities at store registers, the company plans to make sure its use of traditional payment methods is as secure as possible, Re/Code reports.

  The retailer’s desire to ensure the security of payment systems isn’t entirely surprising, as the company is still bouncing back from a massive December 2013 data breach that affected more than 110 million consumers.

  Brian Cornell, Target’s new CEO, tells Re/Code that while he would “love to have Apple Pay today,” the company’s priority is to complete its transition to the more secure chip-and-PIN system.

  “Our focus is on getting chip-and-PIN in place in time for the holidays,” Cornell said at the second annual Code Conference. Target currently supports Apple Pay for online purchases.

  The company has been upgrading registers to accept chip-and-pin cards since last spring and previously announced its own REDcard debit and credit cards would be reissued with MasterCard chip-and-PIN (or EMV) technology.

  Already in use in Europe, EMV (short for “Europay, MasterCard and Visa”) technology cuts back on card fraud because the chips make cards significantly harder to clone: even if you get all of the information from a card’s magnetic strip, as through a skimmer, without the chip actually being present the card data is useless in a physical transaction.

  However, while the use of EMV technology in a card does make it more difficult to clone a card for in-person transactions, it doesn’t necessarily prevent an ID thief from using stolen card numbers for online or phone purchases. There is no such thing as a card that is 100% safe from clever criminals.

  Cornell tells Re/Code that the transition to the more secure system has been a “major undertaking” and that the company’s team shouldn’t be distracted by payment methods.

  “Down the line we want to accept all the types of payments that our guests want,” he said. “But this decision was all about focus.”

  Target CEO would ‘love’ to have Apple Pay [Re/Code]

  
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by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist

uUber Testing App Enhancements That Help Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Driversr

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  (Uber)

  We’ve covered in the past Uber’s problems with the ride-hailing service’s disabled passengers, which range from ride snubs to service dogs forced to ride in the trunk. It’s worth keeping that in mind when you learn about Uber’s latest change to their driver app to accommodate a different community of people with disabilities: the service is testing changes to its system that make driving for the service possible for people who are deaf.

  Many of the changes to the app could, in theory, be helpful to all drivers. One feature for deaf and hard of hearing drivers is that the passenger is prompted to type in their destination address, which is much easier for a driver who can’t hear, but would also make life easier for a hearing driver too. Another is flashing a light to alert the driver that there’s a nearby passenger hailing instead of using a sound cue, and blocking voice phone calls, limiting communication from passengers to text messages only.

  People with disabilities have difficulties finding jobs, and while employing people to do piecework in the on-demand economy isn’t ideal, the app changes make things easier for people who do choose to drive for a living. “The NAD applauds the efforts of Uber to promote increased work opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers,” the CEO of the National Organization for the Deaf said in a statement for Uber’s announcement post. “Moreover, we commend Uber for enhancing their mobile app to improve communications between drivers and passengers, regardless of whether they are hearing or deaf.” Better communication between people hurtling around in a small metal box at 70 miles per hour so is something that we should always work toward.

  For Uber, though, this update comes at an interesting time, as the company is being sued by the National Federation for the Blind, and defends itself by saying that as a company that provides a mobile app and platform, they don’t need to follow federal and local laws regulating transportation for disabled people. That’s up to their drivers, who aren’t even required to take any Uber-mandated training. While that lawsuit is pending, Uber added features to attract a new population of drivers from a community who have historically been under-employed.

  APP UPDATES FOR DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING PARTNERS [Uber]
  Uber Unveils App Updates to Help Its Deaf Drivers [Wired]

  
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by Laura Northrup via Consumerist

uHBO Now Reportedly Coming To A Google Or Android Device Near You… Soonr

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  Apple CEO Tim Cook presents HBO Now at today’s press conference to launch the Apple Watch. (Photo: Glenn Derene/Consumer Reports)

  When HBO (kind of) cut the cord and announced it would finally launch a long-awaited standalone streaming service earlier this year, many Android users were left on the sidelines as it was revealed that HBO Now would start as an Apple exclusive. Now those once disconnected consumers can rejoice (if they so choose) because the service will soon be available on Google devices and Chromecast. 

  CNET reports CNET reports that Google’s head of products, Sundar Pichai, told developers today at Google’s annual conference that HBO Now would soon be available on Google and Android platforms.

  Pichai didn’t provide details such as cost or a timeline for when the service would be available on Android devices.

  But, according to CNET, Apple’s exclusive deal with HBO Now prevents other digital media distributors from supporting the app until July.

  HBO Now, which officially launched in mid-April, currently allows iOS users to subscribe to the $14.99/month offering through iTunes.

  People served by Cablevision’s Optimum Online broadband service could also add HBO Now to their monthly bill for the same amount.

  Despite Apple’s exclusive deal, users of other platforms weren’t completely shut out from HBO Now.

  The service has been available by web to anyone with a desktop or laptop computer, and subscribers can output that video to their TVs via HDMI if they choose. However, the only way to stream directly to TVs is currently the Apple TV box, meaning owners of devices from Roku, Amazon, Google, and others remained on the outside.

  HBO Now coming to Chromecast, Android devices [CNET]

  
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by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist

uFBI Opening Investigation Into IRS Breach That Affected 100,000 Taxpayersr

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  (arsheffield)

  After the news yesterday that the Internal Revenue Service reportedly suspects Russian identity thieves were behind a breach that allowed thieves to access information for approximately 100,000 taxpayers, the Federal Bureau of Investigation says it’s now investigating the incident.

  The FBI is looking into the theft of tax return information swiped from the IRS, with a spokesman saying today that agents are working to determine the “nature and scope” of the theft, reports the Wall Street Journal, urging anyone who suspects they might be victims of identity theft to contact authorities.

  “The compromise of government systems and theft of taxpayer data are taken very seriously, and the FBI and IRS will aggressively pursue and hold accountable those responsible for this recent incident,” the FBI spokesman said.

  The IRS said yesterday that thieves used the agency’s online services to get their hands on prior-year tax return information, by taking advantage of those questions necessary to gain access to personal transcripts.

  For example, you might be familiar with answering things like, “Which of these streets have you not lived on?” That kind of information can be gathered pretty easily by thieves with a hankering for stolen data and access to Equifax credit reports, as security blogger Brian Krebs pointed out.

  FBI to Investigate Internal Revenue Data Breach [Wall Street Journal]

  
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by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist