There Is Always A Light

A Recent History of Free ‘Zero Rated’ Online Access in the U.S.

A Recent History of Free ‘Zero Rated’ Online Access in the U.S. - We’ve all been using “zero-rated” wireless services in the United States for years: Anytime your carrier sends you an unsolicited text message with an announcement that you wouldn’t pay to receive it, that was zero rating at work.

Likewise, anytime paid WiFi at an airport or on a plane has included free access to a smattering of information (from the airport or the airline, for example) that’s zero rating as well.

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But in the U.S., the story of free access to particular sites over wireless connections started last December. That’s when Charmin got a lot of publicity for underwriting free access to Facebook over Gogo’s Inflight WiFi. It’s also when T-Mobile’s GoSmart Mobile prepaid brand got almost none for including free access to Facebook even on plans without any wireless data.

In January, AT&T announced a “Sponsored Data” scheme under which, in theory, any company could pay to have traffic to its site or app exempted from its subscribers’ data caps. But a funny thing happened: Eight months later, only four “mobile engagement” marketing firms (which you’ve probably never heard of) have signed on.

One of those, Boston-based DataMi, has announced one client — Trove, a news app spun out of the Washington Post (a former employer of mine). DataMi will name “several other content and ad companies” in the coming weeks, CEO Harjot Saluja said.

T-Mobile’s June move to exempt Pandora, iHeartRadio, iTunes Radio, Rhapsody, Slacker, Spotify, and Milk Music from its (already generous) data caps was something the carrier did on its own. The carrier says any “lawful and licensed streaming music service” can ask to be included, but the advertised list of supported services has yet to expand.

In July, Sprint’s Virgin Mobile USA prepaid service announced what seemed the most blatant attempt yet to sell Internet access like cable TV: a service where you could pay for a plan with just Facebook.

But as presented online “Virgin Mobile Custom” looks more like a heavy-handed parental-control offering built on the customization technology of Zact, a reseller Sprint bought earlier this year.

I might use those options to give myself more or less data in a given month. But the idea of paying $5 a month for unlimited Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest has no appeal to me when I could spend that money on increasing a data allotment that I can burn up as I see fit. ( yahoo.com )

Kate Middleton Mocked in Chinese Tourism Video. Not Cool, Say Royal Fans

Kate Middleton Mocked in Chinese Tourism Video. Not Cool, Say Royal Fans - Dear China: Leave Kate Middleton alone. That's the message from outraged fans of the duchess after viewing a bizarre Chengdu tourism campaign poking fun at Middleton's royal status.

"I just don't understand why we cannot take the royal limo," complains an actress portraying Kate in a two-minute ad produced by the Chengdu Association for Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries. "I didn't marry into royalty to schlep around in a taxi."

Designed to promote a fleet of 'Panda Cabs' -- London taxis painted with pandas to promote the region's significant population of endangered species -- the spot may have lost drivers some valuable customers. In the two-minute clip for the Panda Cabs, set to circulate throughout London during the Olympics, actors portraying Kate, Queen Elizabeth, and an uncanny version of Prince William (really, where did they find him?!) wait impatiently for a car to take them to the Queen's Jubilee. The ad goes on to portray Middleton as a royal gold-digger who did nothing to earn her fame and fortune, a criticism she's successfully tossed after a year of charming the public. "People want to see that they can be like us if they just work hard," faux Kate says in the ad.

'Like you did?' responds the faux queen, heavy on the snark.

Ever since her wedding, Kate has been credited with reinvigorating the royal brand and heralded as the second coming of Lady Di. She's been praised for her low-key graciousness, her fashion-forward influence and her charitable efforts focused largely on helping young impoverished kids. She's also one-half of a contemporary Cinderella love story the world has begun mythologize.

So it doesn't help when the actress playing Kate says of Will, "I didn't even fancy him at first."

"I think this is disgraceful," one Brit told UK's Express. "Where is the harmless fun in mocking such lovely people?"

"Only WE are allowed to ridicule our monarchy," said another.

"File this one under 'It seemed like a funny idea at the time…'" wrote The Blaze's Mike Opeka, describing the two-minute spot as "painful."

While the royal family will always have their internal critics, international satirists aren't as easily welcomed to the stage. It's kind of like moms: you can complain about her as much as you want but when other people chime in, they're asking for trouble.

But after recent reports of Kate's $55,000 wardrobe budget, not everyone outraged by the parody.

"The characterization of Kate is spot on," writes a Cambridge-based commenter on the Daily Mail's website. Even the British tabloid Grazia tweeted, "Who doesn't like a spoof?"

Obviously, the Chengdu tourism board agrees. In a response reported by The Express, a spokesperson for the tourism association called the now viral campaign "harmless fun."

But is it a little more than just fun? Relations between UK royals and Chinese officials haven't always been pleasant. Will's dad, Prince Charles, once described meeting China's president as "ridiculous rigmarole." And in 1986, on a state visit to the country, Prince Phillip made an offensive and not-soon-forgotten racist remark.

International relations aside, why would a spoof about the royals ultimately boost Chengdu's tourism?

As the world's number one destination for meeting pandas, Chengdu's tourism board missed a golden opportunity. A two-minute video of pandas on the Internet? Yes please. Will and Kate may have boosted tourism in their own country, but if England had more big cuddly bears, the newlyweds might not have had to work so hard. (yahoo.com )

Ronaldo shares blame for Portugal placing him fifth in shootout in Euro semifinal loss to Spain

Ronaldo shares blame for Portugal placing him fifth in shootout in Euro semifinal loss to Spain - Cristiano Ronaldo was partly responsible for the flawed penalty strategy that saw Portugal eliminated from the Euro 2012 semifinals before he had a chance to be the hero, Yahoo! Sports has learned.

Within moments of Portugal losing its semifinal to Spain 4-2 on penalty kicks following a 0-0 draw, head coach Paulo Bento claimed responsibility for the decision to put Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the two best players in the world, fifth in the kicking order.

That strategy was designed to ensure that the 27-year-old could clinch victory, but it backfired spectacularly when Spain won before Ronaldo even had a chance to take his turn.

Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portuguese teammates are dejected after Spain won 4-2 on penalties. (AFP)

The Real Madrid superstar was left stunned after Cesc Fabregas rolled in the winning kick to send Spain to within one victory of an unprecedented third straight major tournament trophy.

"I feel sad," Ronaldo said. "Losing a semifinal in a penalty shootout is always painful, but it is a lottery, the luckier team wins. The decision on who to shoot the fifth penalty was unanimous."

However, he must take his share of the blame for the decision to place himself fifth and being left a bystander in the shootout.

Despite some confusion among fans when Ronaldo appeared to shake his head when the order was handed to match officials just moments before the penalty drama, Yahoo! Sports has learned that the decision was not the coach's alone. Prior to the tournament, Bento sat down with his assistant coaches to discuss a wide range of matters, including logistics, training schedules, and the preferred penalty order if the team was involved in a shootout during the knockout stages.

Ronaldo, as captain, was the only player consulted, and, according to a well-placed source, voiced his preference for taking the fifth kick.

"This was not a choice that was [Bento's] and his alone," said the source prior to the semifinal. "Cristiano has an important role and his opinion is listened to in detail. It was one of many things discussed, that he should take the final penalty."

Ronaldo has enjoyed previous success from that position, taking the kick that sent Portugal into the semifinal of the 2006 World Cup at the expense of England, and scoring comfortably.

He has some dark recent memories of shooting in an earlier slot, missing from the spot in Real Madrid's Champions League semifinal defeat to Bayern Munich while going first.

If not for that experience, he may have opted to go first against Spain, the place that would be expected of a player as important to his team as Ronaldo.

Elimination means another major tournament has gone by without Ronaldo getting his hands on any hardware and his frustration was all too evident after the game. Victory at Euro 2012 would have almost certainly guaranteed him the Ballon d'Or award, given to the world's best player, a tribute that may now be handed to his rival Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Argentina.

Ronaldo put together a solid performance during regulation, especially in a first half that Portugal dominated. However, with just one minute left in regulation, he horribly sliced an attempt on goal that would have put his team into Sunday's final – an error that will only add weight to the theory that he struggles to deliver when it counts.

It was not Ronaldo's fault that this turned out to be a desperately disappointing game. That fact, lamentably, was caused by Spain's ultra-cautious approach, despite boasting a squad containing far more overall talent.

The extra-time period offered some more entertainment, but regulation was uninspiring. However effective Spain coach Vicente del Bosque feels his policy of not playing Fernando Torres is, it certainly takes something away from the spectacle of the game.

But it is hard to argue with success, and having booked a place in the final, Spain is where 13 already-eliminated teams, plus Thursday's semifinalists Germany and Italy, would love to be.

Perhaps Spain is not attaining the same levels it was in 2008 or 2010, but equally, achieving results without reaching peak performance might just be the ultimate sign of its greatness.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, has some weeks of regret ahead before the club season gets underway. (Yahoo! Sports )

Ken Block’s Gymkhana Five provides the ultimate San Francisco treat

Ken Block’s Gymkhana Five provides the ultimate San Francisco treat - Shoe salesman and hoon-in-chief Ken Block's "Gymkhana Five" arrived today, and the move to take his sideways driving circus out of empty stadiums and warehouses into the streets of San Francisco was a wise one. This ranks as the most exciting pollution of Frisco's air with tire smoke since Steve McQueen last turned a wheel in anger on "Bullitt." See for yourself below.

Driving a Ford Fiesta boosted to 650 hp and capable of hitting 60 mph in 1.8 seconds, Block rips through downtown, twirls around a few cable cars and gathers enough air on one hill to wonder just how many cars it took to film this. It's the summit of the Gymkhana series, which include versions one through four and their 40-some related videos, which have generated 135 million views -- and helped Block extend his racing dreams into the World Rally Championship, among others.

There will be haters aplenty who call all of Block's vehicular moves a calculated marketing effort for his DC Shoes firm and other sponsors, and dismiss the Gymkhanas as silly street stunts. That might have been true at the beginning -- and there's a reason the car's covered in logos -- but Block has sharpened his driving skills throughout the videos, and there's several moments in this one that would not work in the hands of a less-talented driver. ( Motoramic )

Hottest on record

First half of year: hottest on record - In what should come as no surprise to many people living in the United States in the last month or so, the first half of 2012 was officially the hottest ever recorded.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the period from January through June was "the warmest first half of any year on record for the contiguous United States."

The average temperature was 52.9 degrees Fahrenheit, or 4.5 degrees above average, the NOAA said on Monday. Twenty-eight states east of the Rockies set temperature records for the six-month period. The 12 months ending June 30 was the warmest 12-month period of any on record, according to the NOAA.

Frank Moralez sells cold beverages to motorists in Philadelphia, July 7, 2012. (Joseph Kaczmarek/AP)

Record-breaking temperatures blistered most of the United States in June, with more than 170 all-time temperature records broken or tied during the month. On June 28 in Norton, Kansas, for instance, the temperature reached 118 degrees, an all-time high. On June 26, Red Willow, Nebraska, set a temperature record of 115 degrees, eclipsing the 114-degree mark set in 1932.

The first six months of the year were also drier than most, with precipitation totals 1.62 inches below average. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, more than half of the country (56 percent) experienced drought conditions--the largest percentage in the 12-year history of the service.

The NOAA report comes on the heels of a heat wave that's been blamed for at least 30 deaths and shattered more than 3,000 temperature records in July alone.

Not all states have experienced the record-breaking heat, however. The state of Washington had its seventh coolest June on record, the NOAA said. ( The Lookout )

Michael Jackson’s kids celebrate the late singer’s 54th birthday in his hometown of Gary, Indiana

Michael Jackson’s kids celebrate the late singer’s 54th birthday in his hometown of Gary, Indiana - Paris rocks out in Gary, Indiana. (Splash News)The late King of Pop's children are spending the rest of the week celebrating what would have been their dad's 54th birthday, on August 29, in his hometown of Gary, Indiana. Prince, 15, Paris, 14, and Blanket, 10, are visiting the city of approximately 80,000 for what's become an annual festival near the two-bedroom home Michael lived in until he became a star at age 11.

The Jackson offspring reportedly traveled to the Midwest with their grandmother and co-guardian Katherine Jackson, cousin and co-guardian T.J. Jackson, and aunt La Toya Jackson to take part in four days of festivities, which kicked off on Wednesday, called "Goin' Back to Indiana: Can You Feel It." The events include a candlelight vigil, a formal dinner in honor of Katherine on Friday night, and a tribute concert Saturday night hosted by Paris herself, along with, oddly enough, "Extra" host Mario Lopez. In addition to be presented with "I love Gary" T-shirts, MJ's kids are set to throw out the first pitch at a local baseball game.

Paris, who along with her brothers gave out autographs to fans at the Jackson house on Wednesday, said she was grateful for the people who keep her father's memory alive three years after his death. "We've adjusted over the past years," she said. "And I think that coming here and seeing our dad's old house, and all the fans coming out, I think it's really sweet that they did that." Prince raved about the crowd of hundreds. "People are real nice here," he said. "It's amazing how much [my dad] was respected and loved." Even the shy Blanket chimed in that, "It's good to see the place where our dad grew up."

Prince signs autographs. (Splash News)

The Jackson brood helped to plan the Gary celebration for the first time after Katherine said she wanted Prince, Paris, and Blanket to learn more about Michael's hometown, according to the town's mayor, Karen Freeman-Wilson. The family seems to be in a somewhat better place now than it was in late July, when the court made T.J. a co-guardian of Michael's three children. The move came after Katherine, who had previously been the children's sole guardian and, therefore, the beneficiary of his will, was reported missing by some family members and said to be taking a vacation in Arizona by others. The same week, several adult members of the Jackson clan were involved in a physical altercation, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Throughout all of this, Paris has continued to be very vocal on her Twitter account. She paid tribute to her dad again on Wednesday, writing, "thru my joy & my sorrow, in the promise of another 2morro, i'll never let u apart for ur always in my heart... happy birthday i love u daddy." ( yahoo.com )

Lionel Messi’s tremendous free kick in the Supercopa second leg

Lionel Messi’s tremendous free kick in the Supercopa second leg - After two early goals from Real Madrid gave them a 4-3 lead on aggregate in the Supercopa de Espana and Barcelona midfielder Adriano was sent off for an American football tackle on Cristiano Ronaldo, Leo Messi did what Leo Messi does to get his side back in it.

With a free kick in good position from a distance, Lionel Messi got a goal back for Barcelona just before halftime. He curled a bullet around the wall that Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas had no chance to save and just like that, what was shaping up to be a terrible day for Barcelona was suddenly a little less terrible.

UPDATE: That Messi goal proved to be the last of the tie and Real won the Supercopa on away goals. This marks the first time Real Madrid have won the Supercopa since 2008, and after they edged out Barca to win La Liga last season, this could reinforce a swing in momentum in the rivalry atop Spanish football back their way. At least until the next Clasico on Oct. 7, where Barcelona will try to further chip away at Real Madrid's sluggish start to the new season.

Meanwhile, after scoring a world-record 73 goals in all competitions last season, Messi doesn't look ready to slow down yet. Including the Supercopa, he already has six goals in four matches with Barcelona this season. ( Dirty Tackle )