Walmart Takes on Wireless Carriers with Low-Cost Plans

Walmart is launching a new solution for the no-contract cell-phone world that may have competitors worried. Dubbed Straight Talk, Walmart’s wireless service will be offered through its 3,200-plus stores across the nation, starting Oct. 18. The program offers two prepaid plans at $30 and $45 a month.

“It has been very encouraging to see the excitement and response to the Straight Talk pilot in 234 stores that began last summer at Walmart,” said Greg Hall, vice president of media devices for Wal-Mart Stores. “In light of the savings customers continue to need, we have worked very quickly to extend this offering to all of our Walmart customers nationwide, and just before the holidays.”

Click here to read the rest of my story on NewsFactor.

Add comment October 16th, 2009

Google Will Challenge Amazon with E-Book Service

Google will roll out a new online service for booksellers in the first half of 2010. Dubbed Google Editions, the service will allow readers to buy books from various e-book vendors and read them on a broad array of devices, from cell phones to e-readers.

Consumers will be able to purchase e-books directly from Google or from existing e-book stores such as Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. Books sold through Google Editions will be hosted by Google, so they will be searchable in a web browser.

The store will launch with about 500,000 e-books through partnerships with publishers that have digital rights to the works they represent. Google so far has no plans to manufacturer a dedicated e-book reader that carries its brand name.

Click here to read the rest of my story on Sci-Tech Today.

Add comment October 16th, 2009