etf news, reviews, software and freeware

Netflix has been steadily growing over the last few years and it became quite fast the go-to place for renting DVDs or streaming them online. But of course, you already know that. What you don't know is that the company is thinking about making an iPhone app that would let you stream video over an available Wi-Fi connection.

There's nothing certain at this point but Netflix could launch such an app later this year. The company is currently asking customers through a recent survey if a Netflix iPhone app is a good idea. We'll also have to wait and see if the studios will agree with such an app that would basically convince more people not to buy as many DVDs as before.


read more »

The Big Four and Google have all responded to the FCC's ETF-related questions. You should remember how the Commission wants to know more details about the whole early termination fees issue and how all the major U.S. carriers and Google have been asked to present their ETF policies.

T-Mobile wants just a single $200 ETF which can be avoided by customers altogether when choosing an Even More Plus plan. Google on the other hand, a partner of T-Mobile selling the Google Nexus One, brags about cutting down its own ETF from $350 to $150. Google's ETF called the Equipment Recovery Fee is apparently not a revenue stream but rather an alternative intended to help Google recover its loses should a customer cancel their T-Mobile contract within 120 days.


read more »

The Google Nexus One is a somewhat successful phone. It has great specs and features and Google's vision of a dependable OS. But that wasn't enough to make it a hit phone. The device sold in only 80,000 units in the first month which is a really disappointing number for Google.

A number of factors influenced buyers: the 3G issues from a couple of weeks ago, the lack of multitouch and that extra Google ETF. Besides T-Mobile early termination fee Google decided to come up with its own Equipment Recovery Fee for those handsets sold for subsidized prices by T-Mobile. That extra ETF amounted to $350 which is a huge fee to pay on top of T-Mobile's ETF should one decide to ditch the contract after a while.


read more »

In December 2009 the FCC decided to investigate Verizon's new early termination fees regarding "advanced devices." The Commission was not happy with Verizon's responses concerning its new policies and it seems ready to do some more investigating.

This time around the FCC is going after AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Google looking for more details about their ETF practices.


read more »

The beginning of December 2009 brought in a natural FCC request to Verizon to reveal more details about its practices and policies regarding its Early Termination Fees.

And just before Christmas, Verizon, in a very long response, explained thoroughly why it has increased its ETFs for "advanced devices." Needless to say that the FCC didn't like the response as Verizon pretty much told everyone that its new ETFs cover other costs incurred by the company besides the price of those new "advanced devices."


read more »

Just before the Droid was launched, Verizon decided to go ahead and raise that Early Termination Fee for "advanced devices" to $350 in order to make people think twice before ditching that new 2-year contract.

Don't expect Verizon to simply get away with that. Although the new ETF has been announced a month ago, the FCC will investigate the matter. Better late than never, right? The FCC has sent a 4-page letter to Verizon asking about that new ETF and the way it's calculated.


read more »

Verizon is getting really serious about its business. With a hot phone like the Motorola Droid coming out tomorrow and with the BlackBerry Strom 2 available in Buy One Get One promotions the carrier wants to make sure that its offers won't be exploited in the near future.


read more »

Spb Software has developed the first official Netflix app for Windows phones.
read more »

This CES edition didn't bring anything interesting from Microsoft. In case you were expecting any Zune Phones or Windows Mobile updates then you're in bad luck. Microsoft has been working on other stuff instead and we can only wish that the Mobile World Congress 2009 in February might shed some light on the future of Windows Mobile.


read more »

Windows Mobile and Blackberry users may now experience entertainment options especially on Netflix. Pyxis Mobile has launched Smart Flicks to manage your Netflix queue and browse the entire Netflix library from your Windows Mobile or Blackberry handheld.
read more »