As the need to constantly check e-mail, Twitter and YouTube videos grows, more options are becoming available for entry-level wireless broadband users who don't want to be locked into a pricey long-term contract.
NetZero's 4G HotSpot supports up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices, including tablets and smartphones, within a 150-foot range.
NetZero's 4G HotSpot supports up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices, including tablets and smartphones, within a 150-foot range.
NetZero, which shook the Internet business in the 1990s with its free dial-up service, is the latest company to enter the fray. And it's drastically lowering the price for Internet broadband connections delivered over the air.
The company joins FreedomPop and Virgin Mobile, among others, that plan to or are offering wireless Internet data on prepaid plans or at prices that are cheaper than major wireless carriers.
"There's definitely a push to bring a lot of people into the entry market," says Weston Henderek, an analyst at Current Analysis. "
NetZero will introduce no-contracts plans for laptop and tablet computer owners in several pricing tiers. To sign up for its "free" plan, customers pay $50 for a wireless USB card and receive up to 200 megabytes per month, enough for e-mail and Web-surfing but insufficient for video streaming.
Owners of tablets with no USB port can pay $100 for "a mobile hot spot" that allows up to eight Wi-Fi-equipped devices to connect to the Internet, and provides up to 200 MB of data per month.
Once customers go over the limit, the service will stop until the next month. Plus they'll get messages encouraging them to switch to more expensive monthly plans.
The "free" plans will last only 12 months, at which point customers will be dropped or required to sign up for other plans — ranging from $9.95 a month for 500 MB to $49.95 for 4 gigabytes.
"It's a teaser plan," says Roger Entner, an analyst at Recon Analytics. "They're not giving away a lot of bandwidth with this, and they hope customers upgrade to a bigger plan. But this is serving an underserved market."
Mark Goldston, CEO of NetZero parent United Online, says he's not targeting customers satisfied with pricier plans from major wireless carriers, but sees opportunities in users who rely on public Wi-Fi hot spots or tablet owners who can't afford a monthly data plan. "We have a chance to allow Joe and Jane of America to experience (wireless) broadband," Goldston says. "
NetZero doesn't operate its own wireless network but will rent it from Clearwire, which also serves Sprint Nextel.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG 2012 is the latest car you can’t afford
Mercedes-AMG today revealed the 2012 version of its roadster, the Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG. It’s an updated version of the exisiting SL 65 AMG, packing some more power under the hood, improved brakes, and redesigned aluminium chassis.
So, what does the 2012 SL 65 AMG have under the hood? A 6.0 litre twin turbocharged V12 engine, capable of producing 630 brake horsepower. It also generates a serious amount of torque: 737lb-ft. Top speed is said to be 250km/h, with the car going from zero to a hundred km/h in exactly four seconds.
The car’s body has also been tweaked, with Mercedes saying it’s 170 kilograms lighter than before thanks to an all aluminium construction. The brakes have been adjusted in order to cope with the increased power and reduced weight, with six pistol callipers to clamp the 390mm brake discs on the front wheels, and single piston callipers handling the 360mm discs on the rear wheels. Ceramic brakes will also be an optional extra.
How much can you expect to pay for this speed demon? Around €236,000 (~$312,000) when it’s released in September. Hopefully you’ll find a buyer for your vital organs before then.
Markets Pull Back
The recent stock rally flagged Tuesday in New York and around the world amid concerns over China’s economic growth and the impact of high oil prices on consumers and businesses.
The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index dropped 0.8 percent in early trading, while the Dow Jones industrial average fell by the same ratio, or about 100 points. The Nasdaq composite index lost 0.9 percent.
Over the past few weeks, stocks have been buoyant as economic figures from the United States were upbeat and concerns over Europe’s debt crisis eased after Greece received a second huge bailout. Many stock indexes were trading at multimonth highs, while the main Wall Street indexes were at their highest levels in nearly four years.
But investors on Tuesday appeared skeptical that more gains can be sustained in the near term.
“There seems to be an underlying feeling of caution at the moment as investors struggle to find reasons to increase this current rally further,” said Simon Furlong, a trader at Spreadex.
Yields on United States Treasury bonds, which move opposite their price, continued to rise. The rate on the 10-year was up 5 basis points to 2.345.
In Europe, the DAX in Germany was down 1.2 percent in afternoon trading, while the CAC 40 in France was 1.2 percent lower. The FTSE 100 index of leading British shares was down 1.1 percent.
In the risk-averse trading environment, the euro also suffered, trading was 0.3 percent lower at $1.3191.
Earlier in Asia, sentiment was hit by news that house prices dropped in 45 Chinese cities in February as the government implemented measures to cool property speculation. The Shanghai composite index ended 1.4 percent lower.
“Concerns about Chinese economic growth are resurfacing,” said Neil MacKinnon, global macro strategist at VTB Capital.
Elsewhere in Asia, trading volume was low because Japan’s markets were closed for a national holiday. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong fell 1.1 percent and the Kospi in South Korea retreated 0.2 percent.
Investors around the world were also keeping a watch on developments in oil markets amid fears that rising prices may hamper the global econcomic recovery and stoke inflation.
On Tuesday, China raised the price of retail gasoline for the second time in two months. Though the benchmark New York rate was 63 cents lower at $107.46 a barrel, prices remain at elevated levels.
The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index dropped 0.8 percent in early trading, while the Dow Jones industrial average fell by the same ratio, or about 100 points. The Nasdaq composite index lost 0.9 percent.
Over the past few weeks, stocks have been buoyant as economic figures from the United States were upbeat and concerns over Europe’s debt crisis eased after Greece received a second huge bailout. Many stock indexes were trading at multimonth highs, while the main Wall Street indexes were at their highest levels in nearly four years.
But investors on Tuesday appeared skeptical that more gains can be sustained in the near term.
“There seems to be an underlying feeling of caution at the moment as investors struggle to find reasons to increase this current rally further,” said Simon Furlong, a trader at Spreadex.
Yields on United States Treasury bonds, which move opposite their price, continued to rise. The rate on the 10-year was up 5 basis points to 2.345.
In Europe, the DAX in Germany was down 1.2 percent in afternoon trading, while the CAC 40 in France was 1.2 percent lower. The FTSE 100 index of leading British shares was down 1.1 percent.
In the risk-averse trading environment, the euro also suffered, trading was 0.3 percent lower at $1.3191.
Earlier in Asia, sentiment was hit by news that house prices dropped in 45 Chinese cities in February as the government implemented measures to cool property speculation. The Shanghai composite index ended 1.4 percent lower.
“Concerns about Chinese economic growth are resurfacing,” said Neil MacKinnon, global macro strategist at VTB Capital.
Elsewhere in Asia, trading volume was low because Japan’s markets were closed for a national holiday. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong fell 1.1 percent and the Kospi in South Korea retreated 0.2 percent.
Investors around the world were also keeping a watch on developments in oil markets amid fears that rising prices may hamper the global econcomic recovery and stoke inflation.
On Tuesday, China raised the price of retail gasoline for the second time in two months. Though the benchmark New York rate was 63 cents lower at $107.46 a barrel, prices remain at elevated levels.
Feds to investigate death of Florida teen
ORLANDO, Florida (AP) – Following protests calling for the arrest of a Florida neighborhood watch captain who fatally shot an unarmed black teen, the U.S.Justice Department says it will investigate the case.
By Craig Rubadoux, Florida Today via AP
Rallies like this one in Titusville were held across Florida demanding justice for Trayvon Martin, a black teenager fatally shot by a white neighborhood watch volunteer.
By Craig Rubadoux, Florida Today via AP
Rallies like this one in Titusville were held across Florida demanding justice for Trayvon Martin, a black teenager fatally shot by a white neighborhood watch volunteer.
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George Zimmerman, 28, claims he shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin last month in self-defense during a confrontation in a gated community. Police have described Zimmerman as white; his family says he is Hispanic and not racist.
Zimmerman spotted Martin as he was patrolling his neighborhood last month and called the police emergency dispatcher to report a suspicious person. Against the advice of the dispatcher, Zimmerman then followed Martin, who was walking home from a convenience store with a bag of candy in his pocket.
BLOG: Report: Shooter in racially charged death often called cops
The Justice Department said in a statement late Monday that the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office will join in the agency's investigation.
The case has garnered national attention. An online petition urging local authorities to prosecute Zimmerman has drawn more than 500,000 signatures at website Change.org.
Civil rights activist Al Sharpton is expected to join Sanford city leaders in a Tuesday meeting to discuss with residents how the investigation is being handled. The Justice Department said its community relations service will be in Sanford this week to meet with authorities, community officials and civil rights leaders "to address tension in the community."
Earlier Monday, college students around Florida rallied to demand Zimmerman's arrest.
Authorities may be limited by a state law that allows people to defend themselves with deadly force.
Under the old law, people could use deadly force in self-defense only if they had tried to run away or otherwise avoid the danger. Under the new law, there is no duty to retreat and it gives a Floridian the right "to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force," if he feels threatened.
Florida was the first state to pass a "Stand Your Ground" law, which has been dubbed a "Shoot First" law by gun control advocates.
Currently, about half of all U.S. states have similar laws, said Brian Malte, legislative director of the Brady Campaign, which describes itself as the nation's largest organization dedicated to the prevention of gun violence.
Martin's parents and other advocates have said the shooter would have been arrested had he been black.
"You would think that Sanford is still in the 1800s, claiming that this man can call self-defense for shooting an unarmed boy," restaurant owner Linda Tillman said.
Florida congresswoman Corrine Brown, along with members of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, had asked the U.S. Department of Justice to review the case, and White House spokesman Jay Carney said earlier Monday during a briefing that officials were aware of what happened.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Trayvon Martin's family," Carney said. "But obviously we're not going to wade into a local law enforcement matter."
Prosecutors can have a hard time making a case if there is no one else around to contradict a person who claims self-defense, said David Hill, a criminal defense attorney in Orlando. So far, Sanford police have said there is no evidence to contradict Zimmerman's claims.
The "Stand Your Ground" law's legislative sponsor, Florida Rep. Dennis Baxley, said it wasn't written to give people the power to pursue and confront others.
"That's not what this legislation does," said Baxley. "Unfortunately, every time there is an unfortunate incident involving a firearm, they think it's about this law, and it's not."
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
By Craig Rubadoux, Florida Today via AP
Rallies like this one in Titusville were held across Florida demanding justice for Trayvon Martin, a black teenager fatally shot by a white neighborhood watch volunteer.
By Craig Rubadoux, Florida Today via AP
Rallies like this one in Titusville were held across Florida demanding justice for Trayvon Martin, a black teenager fatally shot by a white neighborhood watch volunteer.
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Find A Car In Your Area.
View New & Used Local Listings Now!
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Google+ On Chrome
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and a lot more. Try Google+ Today!
google.com/+
Feeling anxious?
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the right therapist for you. Today.
www.nypsychotherapy.com
George Zimmerman, 28, claims he shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin last month in self-defense during a confrontation in a gated community. Police have described Zimmerman as white; his family says he is Hispanic and not racist.
Zimmerman spotted Martin as he was patrolling his neighborhood last month and called the police emergency dispatcher to report a suspicious person. Against the advice of the dispatcher, Zimmerman then followed Martin, who was walking home from a convenience store with a bag of candy in his pocket.
BLOG: Report: Shooter in racially charged death often called cops
The Justice Department said in a statement late Monday that the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office will join in the agency's investigation.
The case has garnered national attention. An online petition urging local authorities to prosecute Zimmerman has drawn more than 500,000 signatures at website Change.org.
Civil rights activist Al Sharpton is expected to join Sanford city leaders in a Tuesday meeting to discuss with residents how the investigation is being handled. The Justice Department said its community relations service will be in Sanford this week to meet with authorities, community officials and civil rights leaders "to address tension in the community."
Earlier Monday, college students around Florida rallied to demand Zimmerman's arrest.
Authorities may be limited by a state law that allows people to defend themselves with deadly force.
Under the old law, people could use deadly force in self-defense only if they had tried to run away or otherwise avoid the danger. Under the new law, there is no duty to retreat and it gives a Floridian the right "to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force," if he feels threatened.
Florida was the first state to pass a "Stand Your Ground" law, which has been dubbed a "Shoot First" law by gun control advocates.
Currently, about half of all U.S. states have similar laws, said Brian Malte, legislative director of the Brady Campaign, which describes itself as the nation's largest organization dedicated to the prevention of gun violence.
Martin's parents and other advocates have said the shooter would have been arrested had he been black.
"You would think that Sanford is still in the 1800s, claiming that this man can call self-defense for shooting an unarmed boy," restaurant owner Linda Tillman said.
Florida congresswoman Corrine Brown, along with members of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, had asked the U.S. Department of Justice to review the case, and White House spokesman Jay Carney said earlier Monday during a briefing that officials were aware of what happened.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Trayvon Martin's family," Carney said. "But obviously we're not going to wade into a local law enforcement matter."
Prosecutors can have a hard time making a case if there is no one else around to contradict a person who claims self-defense, said David Hill, a criminal defense attorney in Orlando. So far, Sanford police have said there is no evidence to contradict Zimmerman's claims.
The "Stand Your Ground" law's legislative sponsor, Florida Rep. Dennis Baxley, said it wasn't written to give people the power to pursue and confront others.
"That's not what this legislation does," said Baxley. "Unfortunately, every time there is an unfortunate incident involving a firearm, they think it's about this law, and it's not."
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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