T-Mobile is increasing data caps, but there are a few catches

When T-Mobile introduced Binge On yesterday, they also announced that new data limits would come for customers. However, with that also came a few changes to some areas of their offerings, including pricing and Data Stash.

Under T-Mobile’s old system, the data plans were 1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB, and unlimited data, priced at $50, $60, $70, and $80 respectively. The new plans announced yesterday are 2 GB, 6 GB, and 10 GB, with the unlimited plan sticking around as well. But the prices have been increased for the 6 GB and higher plans, which will now cost $65, $80, and $95 respectively, along with other changes.

Here is the full breakdown of the plan changes that will take affect this Sunday, November 15th.

• 1 GB $50 per month plan—this plan will no longer be available.
• 3GB $60 per month plan—this plan will no longer be available.
• 5GB $70 per month plan—this plan will no longer be available.
• New 2GB plan—This plan replaces the 1 GB plan, but stays at $50 per month.
• New 6GB plan—This plan replaces the 3 GB plan, but increases to $65 per month.
• New 10GB plan—This plan replaces the 5 GB plan, but increases to $80 per month.
• Unlimited data plan— This plan increases to $95 per month.

So unless you’re on a 1 GB plan and want to double up to 2 GB, it will cost you more per month than before. That is especially true for users of the unlimited plan (which includes myself), where the hotspot increases to 14 GB from 7 GB, but at a cost of $15 more per month.

Families will be affected by the changes too, depending on the data amounts each line has. If all lines have the same amount of data, they will get the “Family Match” option, which decreases prices per line depending on the data amount. For example, for the 6 GB option, the additional lines will only cost $10 per line instead of $15. Here is the full chart of changes.

The Family Match only applies if every member of the family plan has the same amount of data. If even one member has a different amount, Family Match is not offered. So if you have one family member who uses a different amount of data than any other line, you’re out.

T-Mobile’s Data Stash feature, introduced last year, is also seeing some changes. Data Stash will now be capped at 20 GB total, which is changed from there previously not being a cap. This applies to all customers, not just people on the new plans. You can opt out until December 16th, but that causes another problem.

If you opt out from the Data Stash cap, you will not be able to take advantage of Binge On in any capacity, whether it’s video not counting at all or just being compressed. So while you won’t have a Data Stash cap, you won’t be saving data with Binge On.

If you’re an existing customer, the only changes you will see are the Data Stash cap. You can continue to use the old plans for the life of your account or until you want to upgrade. The data plans change this Sunday the 15th, so you have until then to choose an older plan if you’re a new customer. However, T-Mobile is also offering a special deal for new customers.

For new customers, T-Mobile will offer a fourth line for free. If a family of four chooses to use the 6 GB per line option, they will pay $120 total, or $30 per line. This is before any installments of course, so your cost will vary depending on what phones you choose to get.

PDF Expert 5, normally a $9.99 app, is Apple’s Free App of the Week

If you wish to read and annotate PDFs on the iPad, then there is perhaps no better app to do so with than PDF Expert 5. The latest in the long standing series of PDF annotation tools from developer Readdle, PDF Expert 5 is a well-respected app that normally commands a $9.99 purchase price.

If you’ve yet to purchase PDF Expert 5, then I have some good news for you: For the next week, the app is available as a free download from the App Store as a part of Apple’s Free App of the Week promotion.

PDF Expert 5 on iPad Pro

The promotion comes hot on the heels of yesterday’s significant update to the app, which brought along support for the just-released iPad Pro, adds settings syncing via iCloud, adds hand off support, and more. Needless to say, it’s a good time to get in on PDF Expert5, and even more so because it’s free.

As a side note, Readdle also just released PDF Expert for the Mac, which means that you’ll be able to easily go back and forth with your PDF annotating needs between the desktop and iPad.

Again, PDF Expert 5 is available as a free download, but only for the next week, so act fast.

Researchers have developed cheaper server-based image processing techniques

Researchers have developed a new technique that consumes much less battery and bandwidth while processing images taken through smartphone cameras.

The system sends a highly compressed image to a central server, and the server sends back an even smaller file, which contains simple instructions for modifying the original image.

As smartphones become people’s primary cameras, there is growing demand for built-in image-processing apps in smartphones.

But image processing quickly drain a cellphone’s battery. Some mobile applications try to solve this problem by sending image files to a central server, which processes the images and sends them back.

But large images could incur costs for increased data usage.

Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University and Adobe Systems have developed a system that can reduce the bandwidth consumed by server-based image processing by as much as 98.5 percent, and the power consumption by as much as 85 percent.

Study’s first author Michael Gharbi from MIT said the technique could become more useful as image-processing algorithms become more sophisticated.

To save bandwidth, the new system sends out a very low-quality JPEG image.

The server system introduces some high-frequency noise into the image, which effectively increases its resolution.

Then the system breaks the image into chunks of 64-by-64 pixels. For each pixel patch of the uploaded image, the server sends back just 25 numbers.

The phone then performs the modifications described by those 25 numbers on its local, high-resolution copy of the image.

To the naked eye, the results are virtually indistinguishable from direct manipulation of the high-resolution image.

The results were presented at the Siggraph Asia conference held at Kobe, Japan, earlier this month.

Gumdrop’s Drop Tech offers military-grade protection for your iPad

If you have ever let a toddler play games on your unprotected iPad Air 2, you have probably experienced that sense of dread thinking about the little one dropping it on the kitchen floor. We want to share technology with children, but don’t want it to turn our tablets into $500 paperweights.

Gumdrop makes a Drop Tech case for the iPad Air 2 that is specifically designed to keep your tablet secure when little Bobby wants to read Wheels on the Bus while chasing his sister around the living room.

The exterior of the case is made from silicon and has a soft grip feel. The interior is made from rigid plastic and the corners have been reinforced with rubber bumpers. It has been certified with a military standard of 810G. According to the company, it can successfully protect 26 drops from four feet. Plus, it’s internal frame has been tested from six feet onto flat concrete.

The front and rear cameras are exposed and there is a cutaway for access to Touch ID. There are also dust-protection covers for the device’s volume and Wake buttons. There is also an integrated, replaceable screen shield that snaps into place over the iPad screen.

The case does add significant bulk to your iPad Air 2. However, when your four-foot tall four-year-old decides that your tablet isn’t fun anymore and drops it in exchange for seeing what the dog’s food tastes like, you won’t mind having the extra bulge.

The Drop Tech case for iPad Air 2 comes in black, blue with lime green, red with black, black with red, or white with gray and costs $60 on Amazon. The company does have a version for the iPad Pro, which also has a holder for the Pencil, available for preorder now with an estimated delivery date of Dec. 3.

Samsung reportedly on the verge of supplying OLED screens for future iPhones

Samsung, which uses AMOLED screens in many of its flagship smartphones and tablets, could become a major provider of OLED panels for the iPhone maker as a deal is all but secured, according to an ETNews report Friday citing a Samsung Display employee.

The report arrives hot on the heels of a research note that KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo sent to clients earlier this week, in which he estimated that Apple won’t be switching to AMOLED screens for iPhones anytime soon and will continue using the existing LCD display technology for at least the next three years.

The Apple link

Samsung Display is apparently selling entire Cheonan Gen.5 LCD manufacturing facilities’ L5 equipment to China-based Trulywill and will funnel funds received from selling the facilities toward expanding OLED production lines.

The L5 production lines, pictured below, stopped operating at the end of the last month, with Samsung retooling the plant to increase OLED output.

“A reason why Samsung Display is extending its OLED lines is because its negotiation with Apple about supplying OLEDs has been progressing rapidly,” the report reads. “It is heard that Samsung Display is recently having a negotiation with Apple about supplying OLEDs for iPhones.”

There is a high chance that L5 facilities will be used for Apple

Assuming it signs a long-term contract with the Cupertino firm, Samsung Display is said to consider building lines to exclusively produce OLEDs for Apple devices.

“Even if Samsung Electronics extends its A3 OLED Line that is currently operating, it will not be able to meet all of Apple’s supplies.” said a person from the display industry.

“However because it will be able to solve this problem if it operates lines exclusively for Apple, it is currently examining a method about preparing new OLED Lines by receiving certain amount of fund from Apple.”

Such a move wouldn’t be unheard of: back in May 2015, Japan Display received a cool $1.72 billion to build a new Gen. 6 Flexible LTPS OLED facilities.

“Although it is true that Samsung Display decided to sell all of L5 equipment, we did not decide on whom to sell it to.” said an unnamed Samsung Display employee. “We also cannot reveal any information on our deal with Apple.”

(AM)OLED iPhones would be awesome

While the traditional LCD screens with IPS technology that Apple uses for iOS devices and Macs allow for the wider sRGB range and more natural colors than AMOLED screens, OLED (used in the Apple Watch) or AMOLED technology benefits from significantly reduced power consumption because only the pixels in use are being lit up and no power-hungry backlight is needed.

In addition, AMOLED technology offers much deeper blacks and more vivid colors, with the disadvantage of being oversaturated compared to TFT LCDs.

Google to stop the Great Online Shopping Festival from this year

With online players like Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal witnessing phenomenal growth in their Diwali sales, technology giant Google Tuesday said it is discontinuing its ‘Great Online Shopping Festival’ (GOSF) from this year.

Started in 2012, GOSF began as the Indian version of “Cyber Monday” to encourage Indians to shop online by offering discounts and deals across categories.

“Today, India has many flourishing and successful e-commerce companies and there are multiple deal days being hosted by various e-tailers delivering great value to shoppers across India.

“Users don’t have to wait for 12 months to get the best deals online, small and medium businesses no longer have to wait for www.gosf.in to find customers from all across India,” Google India Industry Director (E-commerce, Local and Classified) Nitin Bawankule wrote in a blog.

He added that while there were learnings for the company and the industry with the GOSF, “the time has come for us to bid adieu” to it.

“Back then, India had 130 million Internet users with only 8 million Indians shopping online, and the total online shopping industry was approximately $2 billion (roughly Rs. 13,100 crores),” he said.

Fast forward to 2015, India has over 350 million Internet users and over 50 million online shoppers projected to reach 100 million by 2016 and the industry is already over $10 billion (roughly Rs. 65,501 crores), he added.

In the maiden edition of GOSF, Google saw over 90 retailers participating and traffic from over 5,00,000 points.

This grew to over 240 retailers and 2 million in traffic in 2013 and further to more than 550 retailers and 14 million in traffic last year.

“We will continue to invest in initiatives to empower small and medium businesses and work along with the industry to make Internet a growth engine for the country,” Bawankule said.

The three leading players Flipkart, Snapdeal and Amazon have hosted their Diwali sales this month. They claim to have seen multi-fold growth in sales on their platforms over last year.

Update: The Re 1 flash sale at 2PM saw device go out of stock in seconds, the next flash sale will start at 6PM today.

It’s the Day 2 for Xiaomi’s Diwali celebrations and the pattern will be pretty much similar to what we saw yesterday. At 10 AM, the company’s Mi Band and Mi in-ear earphones will be up for grabs priced at Rs 799 and Rs 299 respectively, followed by Re 1 flash sale at 2PM and 6PM.

Yesterday, the in-ear headphones and the band flew off the shelves quickly, within minutes. But, users will get yet another chance today, as well as tomorrow to get their hands on these accessories.

Xiaomi has geared up for the Indian festive season and announced Diwali with Mi that includes flash sales, discounts and prizes. The Re 1 flash sale will be held later today at 2PM and 6PM. To be eligible for the flash sale, users will have to share the flash sale promotion on mi.com/in via Facebook or Twitter. It will introduce the Light me up game and users playing this game stand a chance to win coupons to make purchases from the Mi store. Users who transact on the Mi store app during the sale period could get lucky to win the bumper prize – a Mi TV 2S.

The company is also mentioned exciting prizes, which means we can expect a contest. However, it’s the flash sale starting at Re 1 that most users would look forward to. Users opting for PayU will get 5 percent cashback. Read the complete rules for the Diwali sale here.

The Xiaomi Re 1 flash sale saw Mi products go off the shelves within seconds.

While some customers were told they are in the queue, some others managed to bag devices at Re 1. A customer has tweeted out that he has managed to grab a Mi 5200mAh power bank at Re 1.

Xiaomi’s Diwali celebrations will continue until tomorrow. Earlier this year, as a special promotional offer, the first 1,000 registrants of the Mi Band had received it at Re. 1.

Microsoft slashes free online storage on OneDrive

NEW YORK: Microsoft is getting stingy with online storage. The company just cut the free space it offers through its OneDrive service by two-thirds, making it the second major company to retreat from a consumer cloud-storage boom that tempted users with price cuts and ever-larger free offers.


Starting next year, Microsoft will cut its free option to 5GB, down from 15GB now. Microsoft says the new allotment is enough for about 6,600 Office documents or 1,600 photos.



Earlier this year, Amazon eliminated a free 5GB storage plan, although it still offers that amount to those who pay for its Prime loyalty program.



Microsoft is also effectively doubling prices for some storage plans. It will charge $2 a month for 50GB of storage, including the free allotment, rather than the 100GB it currently offers at that price. The company is eliminating a $4-a-month, 200GB plan.


Subscribers to Microsoft's Office 365, which offers word processing, spreadsheet and other apps starting at $7 a month, will now be limited to 1TB, or 1,000GB, of storage. The company is killing off an "unlimited" option that it said a "small number of users" had abused by backing up numerous personal computers and storing entire movie collections.



As with similar services from Google, Dropbox and others, OneDrive can store just about any type of files. Apps can automatically sync what you store on a device.



Under CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft has emphasized mobile and online services such as OneDrive over traditional sales of Windows and Office software for personal computers. The company has offered services for free as a way to hook people into using other services, such as Microsoft's ad-supported Bing search engine and the Office 365 subscription.

Microsoft didn't explain why it was cutting back its storage offer, or why it advertised an "unlimited" option if actually using large amounts of storage posed a problem. The company declined to comment beyond a blog post it published Monday night.


Microsoft says it will give people time -- up to a year in some cases -- to remove files that exceed its new limits.

Here's a look at some of the alternatives:

Dropbox: People get only 2GB for free, but can earn bonuses by getting friends to sign up or by uploading photos automatically from phones. After that, it's $10 a month for a terabyte of space. Business plans with unlimited storage cost $15 a month per person, with a minimum of five people.

Google Drive: It's 15GB of free storage to start, but that includes Gmail messages on the account. Photos of up to 16MP, which covers most phones, won't count toward the limit. For more storage, prices range from $2 a month for 100GB to $300 for 30TB.

Apple's iCloud: Free storage starts at 5GB, which includes what's needed for iPhone backups. Those needing more can pay $1 a month for 50GB, $3 for 200GB or $10 for 1TB. iCloud storage works best with Apple devices.

Amazon Cloud Drive: Amazon offers unlimited photo storage and 5GB for video and other files for $12 a year, or $1 a month. For unlimited storage of all files, it's $60 a year, or $5 a month. Members of Amazon's $99-a-year Prime loyalty program get the lower option for free. Amazon eliminated its 5GB free plan in March.

Yahoo: Although Yahoo doesn't have a general file-storage service, it offers a generous 1TB for e-mail and an additional 1TB for photos and video through Flickr.

Flipkart hires Google’s Surojit Chatterjee to head consumer experience & growth

Flipkart is hopeful of becoming profitable in the next 2-3 years and expecting to launch its IPO in 2-5 years.

BENGALURU: E-commerce giant, Flipkart has appointed Surojit Chatterjee, former Google product management director, as senior vice president and head of consumer experience and growth. In his role, Surojit will be responsible for all consumer experience across desktop and mobile, and will report to Punit Soni, chief product officer, Chatterjee will leave Mountain View for Bengaluru this month.

Chatterjee's latest role at Silicon Valley's Google office was heading the mobile search advertising and AdSense for Search (AFS). He was a founding member of Google's mobile search ads and helped make mobile search ads a growth engine for Google, developing it into a multi-billion dollar business. Previously, he led payment products for Google in the Asia-Pacific and mobile products for Google India. Prior to Google, Chatterjee worked as a senior product manager at Symantec Corporation and senior engineer at Oracle and IBM.

"Millions of people in India are connecting to the internet for the first time every month thanks to mobile technology - a transformation that is revolutionizing Indian society. I'm incredibly excited to join Flipkart to help shape India's bright future," said Chatterjee.

Chatterjee holds a BS in Computer Science from IIT Kharagpur, an MS in Computer Science from SUNY Buffalo and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management. He has 33 granted US patents to his name.

Mukesh Bansal, head, commerce platform, Flipkart said, "Surojit's experience helping build and scale a multi-billion dollar business from scratch, deep knowledge of product management, global ecommerce and tremendous expertise in mobile advertising will help Flipkart. He will be part of the leadership team and help innovate and improve all the ways we serve our customers."