Jarralz Gaming News Portal -

Web browsing and e-mailing are critical tools for those looking for work. That’s a major reason why dial-up Internet has maintained its small share of the market. Accessing the Web for less than $8 per month is an attractive option for those customers and a reason why companies such as EarthLink and NetZero are still offering dial-up. They have even seen an uptick in the number of users. “If you need a job, you really need to stay connected,” said Kevin Brand, EarthLink’s senior vice president of product management. “You can use the Internet for 45 cents per day and that’s affordable for anyone. Using the Internet is the best way to find a job nowadays.” Brand referred to EarthLink’s “Connect for Less” program, which offers dial-up service for $7.95 per month. NetZero is offering a monthly dial-up plan for as low as $9.95 per month. Brand said between nine and 12 million people still use dial-up.

Most dial-up customers have stayed with the program because it is all they know. Some are delaying an upgrade until they can better afford it. Others are making the switch from broadband to dial-up, even though the transition can be frustrating for some. “We have seen a slight uptick in orders these days,” Brand said. “I think it has a lot to do with the economy right now … When people see their cable bills, they can suffer from sticker shock. It gives people reason to reconsider what they’re paying for.” In a survey of dial-up users, the most common reason for not switching to broadband is the cost. Thirty-five percent said they would not upgrade until prices fall, according to a study from the Pew Internet and American Life Project.

Source: TBO

Softbank Mobile, the iPhone carrier in Japan, plans to introduce a new program Friday that will give some iPhones away for free with a new two-year contract. The 8GB iPhone will be free to new subscribers who sign up for a plan starting on Friday, likely to disappoint those who paid the equivalent of $235 (22,782 yen) in the recent past, according to CrunchGear. Softbank is also reducing the price of the 16GB version from $350 to $118 as part of the new “iPhone for everybody Campaign.” Softbank also cut the cost of its maximum data plan rates as part of the new announcement, from $62 a month to $45.60 a month. Voice calls and texts are free among Softbank customers, but if your friend or colleague is an NTT DoCoMo customer, charges can start to accumulate quickly at 20 cents for a 30-second call. AT&T’s most expensive iPhone voice and data plan checks in at $129 for unlimited usage.

Japan always seemed like it would be a tough market for Apple to crack. Unlike in the U.S., where data-capable touch-screen phones are a relatively new idea, Japanese mobile phone users have been playing around with advanced devices for years. In September, The Wall Street Journal reported that Japanese iPhone sales were slower than expected, and there’s no sign that anything has picked up since then. There’s no clear indication that Softbank is cutting prices in response to demand, but Apple COO Tim Cook noted during last month’s earnings conference call that the company considers the price of the iPhone “clearly elastic,” meaning that every time it has dropped the price, demand has increased. Softbank might have the same idea in mind.

Source: Cnet

In response to user feedback, Microsoft has made numerous changes to the Windows 7 user interface as it readies the operating system–viewed by many as a make or break product for the software maker-for formal launch later this year or early next year. Included in the changes, which number three dozen, is a new keyboard shortcut that allows the user to launch an application simply by pressing the Windows logo key in combination with a number that corresponds to the apps’ order in the Quick Launch menu. For example, if an application is listed fourth in Quick Launch, it could be opened by pressing the Windows key in convert with the number 4 key.

Microsoft also made changes to alerts that signal when an application needs attention. The icon for a so-called “needy” application will now flash up to seven times, as opposed to the previous three, in an effort to grab the user’s attention. Changes also include a more noticeable flashing animation in a bolder color of orange.Other changes include modifications to the taskbar pane that allow it to display a greater number of application icons, a change that makes it easier for users to pin new apps to the taskbar, and more flexible icon and gadget view options. Microsoft needs Windows 7 to be a hit. Vista, the company’s current OS, has failed to catch on with mainstream computer users while businesses have shunned it outright. Many users have complained about Vista’s hardware requirements, intrusive security measures, and lack of compatibility with older applications.

Source: Information Week