AT&T May Charge Extra To Use iOS 6′s FaceTime over Cellular

The nation’s mobile networks are only getting faster, so it wasn’t exactly a surprise when Apple announced that its FaceTime video calling feature, which is currently only available over Wi-Fi, will also be available over cellular connections in iOS 6. Cynical types may find the following tidbit unsurprising as well: it appears as if AT&T is going to charge customers to use FacetTime over Cellular on its network.

9to5Mac received the error message pictured above when mucking around with an iOS 6 Developer Build. Several members of the MacRumors forums were slapped with the same message under similar conditions. 9to5Mac reports that activating FaceTime over Cellular on the Verizon network worked just fine, however.

An AT&T spokesman told the website that “We’re working closely with Apple on the new developer build of iOS6 and we’ll share more information with our customers as it becomes available.”

AT&T’s apparent enthusiasm for levying extra charges shouldn’t come as a surprise, either. AT&T was the first company to switch from unlimited to tiered data pricing, and back in May, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said that he considers Apple’s iMessage and video conferencing apps like Skype to be a threat to his company’s revenue. In fact, AT&T only allowed Skype and other VOIP and video calling apps on the iPhone after intense FCC pressure. At the time, AT&T charged an additional fee for making Skype calls over 3G, though that has since been dropped.

Image credit: 9to5Mac

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Braven Speakers Charge While You Rock Out

Braven announced its new Six series today, including the Braven 625s, Braven 600 and Braven 650. These little wonders not only boost your audio anywhere, they can charge your devices simultaneously. Costing between $149 and $189, each of these speakers offer 3 watts of output along with 12 to 20 hours of battery life and continuous wireless play from up to 33 feet away via Bluetooth. 

The Braven Six series come in three models. The 625s is a rugged, shock-absorbing design ideal for sports or traveling. It comes with a waterproof bag, and comes with a USB flashlight built in. The aircraft-grade aluminum model Braven 650 is offers portability and the industry-leading aptX and AAC audio encoding. And the similarly outfitted Braven 600 comes in Ash Grey or Moab Red. Across all three you can daisy chain multiple speakers together to get even more sound. The Braven Six series speakers are available for pre-order now and will ship at the end of June.

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Verizon to Charge $30 for New Phone Upgrades Starting April 22

Verizon Wireless has announced that starting April 22, customers will be charged a $30 mobile device upgrade fee. The U.S. carrier’s reason for implementing the fee is supposedly to “continue to provide customers with the level of service and support they have come to expect which includes Wireless Workshops, online educational tools, and consultations with experts who provide advice and guidance on devices that are more sophisticated than ever.”

It would appear that the new policy would apply to 3G and 4G tablets as well, since the fee covers “all mobile devices.”

Prior to this move, Verizon had been the only carrier not to charge its customers with an upgrade fee. Both AT&T and Sprint charge $36 to upgrade to a new device on contract, while T-Mobile charges customers $18 to upgrade.

via GigaOm

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