US Cellular drops data pricing to beat AT&T and Verizon’s plans

US Cellular has announced a new set of data plans for customers that are designed to be a little more streamlined than their old offerings, all while still being cheaper than either AT&T or Verizon. The plans don’t go quite as far as Verizon’s newer plans in terms of being simpler, but they are cheaper, so that’s worth something.

You’ll be able to pick a data bucket (with unlimited talk and text, of course) ranging from 1 GB to 75 GB of data, each with a set price. If you’re under contract to get a subsidized phone, your line will cost an additional $40 per month, but if you’re going the financing route, you’ll only pay $20 per line with 6 GB or less of data, or $15 per line with 10 GB or more. Conversely, Verizon has introduced a flat $20 access fee for financed lines, while AT&T offers $15 and $25 access fees depending on how much data you have. In terms of simplicity, US Cellular hasn’t helped anything, but they are technically cheaper than both carriers with these new plans.

The base plan starts at just $25 for 1 GB of data, jumps to $40 for 3 GB, then increases in 15 dollar increments with 6 GB running $55 and 10 GB costing $70. Even their 15 GB package is just $90, beating out AT&T’s by 10 bucks. Factor in the discounted line access fees, and US Cellular is offering some of the most aggressively priced plans around.

You can find their full press release below.

U.S. Cellular Lowers Data Plan Pricing and Streamlines Offerings to Provide More Value

CHICAGO (Oct. 6, 2015) – U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM) is streamlining and improving its data plan options to meet the wireless needs of consumers and businesses. To further back up its guarantee to beat Verizon and AT&T data plans, the company has lowered the cost of all of its Shared Connect plans and simplified its offerings to provide better value for customers.

U.S. Cellular now offers data buckets of 1, 3, 6, 10, 12, 15 and 20 GB, plans that have proved popular with consumers and businesses. With the reduced data pricing, the plans provide more high-speed data at lower prices, so customers can feel free to use their iPhone 6s or any other device and not worry about breaking the bank. Current customers are welcome to switch to these new plans.

“Whether you use one 1 GB or 20 GB, with U.S. Cellular, your data plan will cost less than Verizon or AT&T,” said Joe Settimi, vice president of marketing for U.S. Cellular. “Our customers experience a high-quality network that they can use coast to coast along with unbeatable value on a variety of flexible plans to meet their needs.”

With 10 GB of data starting at just $70 and smartphone connection charges of $15 on plans 10 GB and higher, customers can feel confident that they are getting a great deal, while having enough data for their family or business to share.

With U.S. Cellular’s $0 down installment pricing, qualified customers purchasing a new device make 20 monthly payments that are conveniently added to their bill. Customers can upgrade this device in as little as 12 months if they trade it in for the latest model. They can also choose to pay off the full balance of their device anytime they want.

New Equipment Installment Contract, Shared Connect Plan and credit approval required. Customer pays tax at point of sale. Financing terms are zero down, zero APR; 20 monthly payments. Additional terms, conditions and/or charges may apply. See uscellular.com for details.

Come comment on this article: US Cellular drops data pricing to beat AT&T and Verizon’s plans

Scopely hosting charity event for Operation Smile through ‘YAHTZEE With Buddies’

Players of YAHTZEE With Buddies have the opportunity to work with Operation Smile, a nonprofit organization that provides surgery to children with cleft lip and palates. Scopely, the mobile game’s developer, is using the Dice Monster Showdown as a way for players to compete against Dice Monsters in order to win in-game prizes while raising money for Operation Smile. Download and install YAHTZEE With Buddies and start taking on Halloween-themed Dice Monsters in the Dice Master Tower. Operation Smile will see an increase in donations as players collect more candy.

Funds raised by players will be met with Scopely’s minimum donation of $25,000.

Play Store Download Link

Scopely Supports Operation Smile with Terror-ific YAHTZEE With Buddies Event

Dice Monster Showdown Raises Funds for Global Charity, Rewards Players with Halloween-Themed Prizes

Oct. 6, 2015 – Today marks the first day of Scopely’s YAHTZEE With Buddies charity drive featuring the Dice Monster Showdown. The event benefits Operation Smile, an international medical charity that provides life-changing surgery to children with cleft lip and cleft palate. The month-long, Halloween-themed celebration takes place in-game, and challenges players to compete against Dice Monsters for collectible gameplay items and wicked prizes, all while raising funds for Operation Smile. Scopely has already committed to a minimum donation of $25,000 to Operation Smile. As players play the game they already know and love and recruit friends to do the same, they help to heal smiles worldwide.

Dice Monster Showdown is a special, limited-time Dice Master Tower challenge with Halloween-themed Monsters. As players advance up the Tower, they collect Candy to win Bonus Rolls and Custom Dice (including exclusive Monster Dice!) All players have to do is download the YAHTZEE With Buddies game to participate or keep playing the games they already have going. The total amount of Candy collected by YAHTZEE With Buddies players drives up the amount of charitable donations.

To participate in the Dice Monster Showdown and support Operation Smile download the YAHTZEE With Buddies game for free on iOS or Android and follow the hashtag #YahtzeeForSmiles on Twitter. Dice Monster Showdown is open to all players starting today through Nov. 3, 2015.

Come comment on this article: Scopely hosting charity event for Operation Smile through ‘YAHTZEE With Buddies’

Scopely hosting charity event for Operation Smile through ‘YAHTZEE With Buddies’

Players of YAHTZEE With Buddies have the opportunity to work with Operation Smile, a nonprofit organization that provides surgery to children with cleft lip and palates. Scopely, the mobile game’s developer, is using the Dice Monster Showdown as a way for players to compete against Dice Monsters in order to win in-game prizes while raising money for Operation Smile. Download and install YAHTZEE With Buddies and start taking on Halloween-themed Dice Monsters in the Dice Master Tower. Operation Smile will see an increase in donations as players collect more candy.

Funds raised by players will be met with Scopely’s minimum donation of $25,000.

Play Store Download Link

Scopely Supports Operation Smile with Terror-ific YAHTZEE With Buddies Event

Dice Monster Showdown Raises Funds for Global Charity, Rewards Players with Halloween-Themed Prizes

Oct. 6, 2015 – Today marks the first day of Scopely’s YAHTZEE With Buddies charity drive featuring the Dice Monster Showdown. The event benefits Operation Smile, an international medical charity that provides life-changing surgery to children with cleft lip and cleft palate. The month-long, Halloween-themed celebration takes place in-game, and challenges players to compete against Dice Monsters for collectible gameplay items and wicked prizes, all while raising funds for Operation Smile. Scopely has already committed to a minimum donation of $25,000 to Operation Smile. As players play the game they already know and love and recruit friends to do the same, they help to heal smiles worldwide.

Dice Monster Showdown is a special, limited-time Dice Master Tower challenge with Halloween-themed Monsters. As players advance up the Tower, they collect Candy to win Bonus Rolls and Custom Dice (including exclusive Monster Dice!) All players have to do is download the YAHTZEE With Buddies game to participate or keep playing the games they already have going. The total amount of Candy collected by YAHTZEE With Buddies players drives up the amount of charitable donations.

To participate in the Dice Monster Showdown and support Operation Smile download the YAHTZEE With Buddies game for free on iOS or Android and follow the hashtag #YahtzeeForSmiles on Twitter. Dice Monster Showdown is open to all players starting today through Nov. 3, 2015.

Come comment on this article: Scopely hosting charity event for Operation Smile through ‘YAHTZEE With Buddies’

Tesla Model Y hinted at in deleted Elon Musk Tweet

As is his wont, Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk was Tweeting up a storm Friday afternoon, following the Wednesday-night debut and hand over of the first “Founder” edition Model X crossovers. Among the missives was this little gem, now deleted, which read, “there will be a Model 3 and a Model Y. One of the two will.” Since the Tweet was in response to “Not gonna lie, I’d sell my soul to @elonmusk for one. Please tell me the Model III crossover will have these doors!“, from @AwesomelyOZ, we know he was talking about the unique rear portals.

Considering we know the Model 3, which is to be denoted with the stylized “≡”, will be a sedan – though perhaps with a hatch à la Model S, rather than a traditional trunk – and that there will be also be a crossover built on this smaller, more affordable platform, it seems quite probable it will be called the Model Y (which Tesla has already trademarked). It also seems likely it will also feature the somewhat controversial “falcon wing” rear passenger doors.

Now, as we mentioned, Musk deleted this tweet. This could mean that he misspoke or, more likely, that he revealed something he wasn’t supposed to quite yet. It does seem to confirm, though, that the Tesla lineup will consist of Models S,≡,X,Y, and Roadster, remaining true to the company’s propensity for humorous touches, like a stereo volume that goes to 11, “Ludicrous” mode, and the new “Bioweapon Defense Mode” in the Model X.

It wasn’t the only Tweet he deleted from that session either. Another one, in response to to a question about a future Model X with a smaller, less expensive 70-kWh battery, elicited the response, “something like a 70, but probably around 12 months from now,” indicating that there will be a less-expensive Model X option in the future.

Tweets that remain from the afternoon social-media frenzy? One that claims the falcon wing doors can act as an umbrella and that parts of the interior have a hydrophobic coating. Also, contrary to a (now magically-corrected) Google error, his height is not five-foot-ten, but, rather, six-foot-two.

Related video:

AT&T’s WiFi calling nears launch as FCC grants its waiver request

AT&T has received a waiver for its long-awaited WiFi calling feature from the FCC after it was delayed (yet again) by the lack of options for deaf users. It was already made available on a beta version of iOS 9 sometime ago, but it couldn’t be launched alongside the platform, since the FCC requires services like it to support teletypewriter (TTY) for the hearing-impaired. The newer technology that the carrier wants to use with it called real-time text (RTT) won’t be available until 2016. In a statement posted on the company’s website, senior executive vice president Jim Cicconi said that while they’re all grateful their request was granted, they’re still wondering why T-Mobile and Sprint were allowed to offer WiFi calling without a proper waiver from the commission.

We’re grateful the FCC has granted AT&T’s waiver request so we can begin providing Wi-Fi calling. At the same time we are left scratching our heads as to why the FCC still seems intent on excusing the behavior of T-Mobile and Sprint, who have been offering these services without a waiver for quite some time. Instead of initiating enforcement action against them, or at least opening an investigation, the agency has effectively invited them to now apply for similar waivers and implied that their prior flaunting of FCC rules will be ignored. This is exactly what we meant when our letter spoke of concerns about asymmetric regulation.

It’s unclear when AT&T plans to officially launch the feature at this point, but we’ll make sure let you know as soon as we find out.

[Image credit: JeepersMedia/Flickr]

Source: AT&T, FCC (PDF)