In a effort to cut costs and improve its financial situation, Sony is eliminating two divisions at its main electronics unit, promoting three executives and keeping a close eye on its money-losing television unit, Bloomberg’s Businessweek reported on Tuesday. The Japanese company will shut down its consumer products and services group, which handled consumer-level electronics, and the professional device and solutions group, which handled business oriented products and components. Executive Deputy President Hiroshi Yoshioka, who oversaw the professional device and solutions group, will head the company’s newly created medical business unit. Sony spokeswoman Satsuki Shinnaka said all changes will be effective April 1st and are aimed at speeding up management decisions. On the same date, the company will welcome its new president and CEO Kazuo Hirai. Hiari is largely credited with making Sony’s PlayStation game business profitable and will be looking to do the same with the company’s Bravia television unit, which is expected to post its fourth straight annual loss.

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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on Tuesday claimed that Apple is using misleading promotions for its new iPad tablet, Reuters reported. The ACCC will ask an Australian high court on Wednesday to order the Cupertino-based company to make customers aware of the true technical capabilities of the device, correct its current advertising and refund any affected buyers. Apple’s newest iPad can utilize 4G LTE networks, however it can only do so in North America. The company has still advertised the device as a “4G” tablet in countries where it is not compatible. Australian carrier Telstra offers the country’s only 4G LTE network, but it uses different spectrum than carriers in the United States and Canada.

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If you’re a Verizon Wireless customer or looking to become one, the carrier is offering two of its latest 4G LTE handsets, the LG Spectrum and HTC Rezound, for $99.99 each with a two-year agreement. Both handsets run a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and impressive qHD displays. When BGR reviewed the Rezound last November, we were impressed with the overall performance of the device and with the gorgeous high definition display in particular. It was recommended over Motorola’s DROID RAZR and Samsung’s Galaxy S II, although due to its lack of Ice Cream Sandwich it fell short compared to Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus. Subscribers will have until Monday, February 28th to take advantage of Verizon’s deals on the Rezound and Spectrum, which are only available online. 

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With the Consumer Electronics Show just around the corner, savvy consumers are likely waiting before they commit to a new smartphone. The wait just became slightly more difficult, however, as T-Mobile on Tuesday announced a new sale that brings a number of solid deals to new and existing subscribers. The “New Year, New Phone” promotion will slash the price of all smartphones and offer them for $49.99 or less from Friday, January 6th through Sunday, January 8th. Each deal requires a mail-in rebate and the selection of a qualifying unlimited Value Plan, with payments starting as low as $10 per month. Additionally, the Huawei Springboard and LG G-Slate will be offered for $50 when users sign up for a monthly contract. Read on for T-Mobile’s full press release.

T-Mobile Rings in 2012 with the “New Year, New Phone Sale”

On Jan. 6–8, all T-Mobile smartphones and select mobile broadband devices are available for as little as $0–$49.99 net down

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Jan. 3, 2012 — Following last year’s successful holiday promotions such as “Magenta Saturday” and the “4G Super Sale,” T-Mobile USA, Inc. will help value seekers kick off the new year with the “New Year, New Phone Sale.” For one weekend only, Friday, Jan. 6 through Sunday, Jan. 8, T-Mobile is giving customers the chance to purchase top devices, such as the HTC Amaze^™ 4G, Samsung Galaxy S^™ II or the T-Mobile^® Springboard^™tablet, for $49.99 or less net down payment — after a mail-in rebate card — when customers sign up for a new two-year agreement on any qualifying T-Mobile Unlimited Value^™ plan.¹

“Some people join a gym as a New Year’s resolution while others vow to stay in better touch with friends and loved ones, and T-Mobile wants to help with that resolution,” said John Cleland, Senior Vice President of Marketing, T-Mobile USA. “For consumers who didn’t get the latest mobile phone for the holidays, T-Mobile is giving them a chance to welcome in the new year with the hottest new devices at an affordable price and help them stay better connected in 2012.”

New customers will be eligible for this deal when they sign up for a two-year agreement on any qualifying Unlimited Value plan². Existing customers also can take advantage of this great sale if they are eligible for an upgrade, meaning they have been on their current service contracts for 18 months or more.

The following is a sample list of some of the exceptional devices available through the “New Year, New Phone Sale”:

The “New Year, New Phone Sale” will be available the weekend of Jan.6–8 at participating T-Mobile retail stores nationwide. For more information about T-Mobile’s “New Year, New Phone Sale” and details about qualifying Unlimited Value plans, which include unlimited talk, text and data for a low price, visithttp://deals.t-mobile.com/new-phones?cm_mmc_o=lBgbzkFwpbzCjCzczywEwllCjC5ywllywkwzlwCjCwEpButBkbpzYwMwEfnivv.

1 Equipment installment plans: On approved credit and 0 percent APR. Down payment and unfinanced portion required at purchase. Remaining balance paid in 20 monthly installments. Total post-rebate price of each device equals down payment amount plus monthly payment amount times 20.

2 Devices must be supported with the following data requirements: voice phones: 200 MB data; most smartphones: 2 GB data; 42 Mbps devices (Amaze and Galaxy S II): 5 GB data.

Flying home for the holidays and navigating through crowded airports — or facing flight delays, as is often the case — may be a hair less dreadful this year. Skype announced recently that it is sponsoring free Wi-Fi in more than 60 U.S. airports from December 21st until December 27th. To activate the service, simply follow these directions:

1. Sign in to Skype.
2. Go to Tools > Options… > Skype WiFi Access.
3. Tick Enable Skype WiFi Access.
4. Connect to a WiFi public hotspot.
5. In the Skype menu bar, click Tools > Skype WiFi Access.
6. Follow the instructions on the screen to select and join a compatible public WiFi network.

Skype’s full press release, which includes a list of every airport where free Wi-Fi will be available, follows after the break.

Make Meaningful Connections on the Go this Holiday Season with Skype

Skype Offers free WiFi to Travelers in over 60 U.S. Airports December 21st thru December 27th

PALO ALTO, CA – DECEMBER 19, 2011 - Skype encourages people everywhere to stay in touch with friends and family near and far, even while on the go. To make this easier, Skype is offering free WiFi in select airports across the U.S. from December 21st thru December 27th to help travelers stay connected even while they are on the road.

“The holidays are all about connecting with those that you love” says Linda Summers, Skype Marketing. “Skype is helping people maintain these meaningful connections this holiday season from wherever they may be. A voice or video call via Skype when you can’t be together for the holidays is the next best thing to being there.”

Travelers passing through or delayed in over 60 airports across the country will be able to log-on to Skype Wi-Fi and connect with a loved one via a video or voice call for free. Skype WiFi is available to travelers on PCs, Macs and iPhones.

Skype WiFi is a great way for people to browse the internet at over one million public WiFi hotspots around the world. You can use Skype Credit as payment so there is no need to buy a day-pass from another service provider. If you’ve downloaded Skype on your computer or iOS device Skype WiFi is easy to use:

1. Sign in to Skype.
2. Go to Tools > Options… > Skype WiFi Access.
3. Tick Enable Skype WiFi Access.
4. Connect to a WiFi public hotspot.
5. In the Skype menu bar, click Tools > Skype WiFi Access.
6. Follow the instructions on the screen to select and join a compatible public WiFi network.

From December 21st thru December 27th free Skype WiFi will be available in the following airports:
ALB - Albany International Airport
ASE - Aspen-Pitkin County Airport
ATL - Atlanta International Airport
AUS - Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
AZO - Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport
BIL - Billings Logan International Airport
BHM - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
BNA - Nashville International Airport
BOS - Boston International Airport
BUF - Buffalo Niagara International Airport
BUR - Bob Hope Airport Burbank
BWI - Baltimore/Washington International Airport
CWA - Central Wisconsin Airport
DEN - Denver Int’l Airport – Concourse B Mezzanine
DRO - Durango La Plata County Airport
DSM - Des Moines International Airport
DTW - Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
ELP - El Paso International Airport
EWR - Newark Liberty International Airport
GEG - Spokane Airport
GRR - Gerald R. Ford International Airport
GSO - Piedmont Triad International Airport
HOU - Houston William P Hobby Airport
IAH - George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport
IND - Indianapolis International Airport
JAC - Jackson Hole Airport
JFK - John F. Kennedy International Airport
JNU - Juneau International Airport
LGA - LaGuardia International Airport – Central Terminal
MBS - MBS International Airport Terminal 1
MDW - Chicago Midway Airport
MEM - Memphis International Airport
MIA - Miami International Airport
MKE - General Mitchell International Airport (Milwaukee)
MRY - Monterey Peninsula Airport
MSP - Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport – Lindbergh Terminal
OKC - Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport
OMA - Eppley Airfield Omaha Int’l Airport
ORD - Chicago O’Hare International Airport
ORF - Norfolk International Airport
PHF - Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport
PVD - T F Green International Airport
PWM - Portland International Airport
SBN - South Bend Regional Airport
SCF - Scottsdale Airport
SDF - Louisville International Airport
SFO - San Francisco International Airport
SMF - Sacramento International Airport
STL - Lambert St. Louis International Airport
SWF - Stewart International Airport
TOL - Toledo Express Airport
TVC - Traverse City/Cherry Capital Airport

Verizon Wireless will soon offer a promotion that provides its 4G LTE customers with twice the amount of data for the same monthly price. The special will kick off on November 11th at 11:11 a.m. EST to coincide with the Motorola DROID RAZR launch. The promotion works just how it sounds: if you currently pay for 2GB of data per month, you’ll receive 4GB for the same price. If you subscribe to a 5GB monthly plan, you’ll receive 10GB for the same price. Reportedly, existing customers will be able to add the option to their account by contacting customer service or by logging into their My Verizon account on Verizon’s website. It is unclear how long the promotion will last, but it’s definitely one we would take advantage of.

Apple’s CEO Tim Cook has promoted iTunes vice president Eddy Cue to senior vice president of internet software and services on Thursday. The letter from Cook, which was sent to Apple employees and obtained by 9to5 Mac, reads as follows:

It is my pleasure to announce the promotion of Eddy Cue to Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services. Eddy will report to me and will serve on Apple’s executive management team.

Eddy oversees Apple’s industry-leading content stores including the iTunes Store, the revolutionary App Store and the iBookstore, as well as iAd and Apple’s innovative iCloud services.

He is a 22-year Apple veteran and leads a large organization of amazing people. He played a major role in creating the Apple online store in 1998, the iTunes Music Store in 2003 and the App Store in 2008.

Apple is a company and culture unlike any other in the world and leaders like Eddy get that. Apple is in their blood. Eddy and the entire executive management team are dedicated to making the best products in the world that delight our customers and make our employees incredibly proud of what they do.

Please join me in congratulating Eddy on this significant and well-deserved promotion. I have worked with Eddy for many years and look forward to working with him even closer in the future.

Tim

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Sprint will end its current port credit promotion more than a month and a half ahead of schedule. This past May, Sprint kicked off a promotion that offered up to $125 per line for new subscribers who ported their service in from another carrier. Customers purchasing a feature phone and porting in a number receive $50 per line as part of the promotion, and new customers purchasing a smartphone, netbook, notebook, tablet or mobile broadbrand device and porting in a number receive a $125 service credit per line. This enticing promotion was scheduled to run from May 4th through October 1st of this year, however BGR has learned from a reliable source that Sprint is ending the promotion early. Tomorrow, in fact. Interestingly, Sprint retail locations will no longer offer or advertise the promotion, but they will continue to honor it through the original end date. In the event that a new customer already knows about the promo — and only in that event, we’re told — Sprint will honor the deal and dole out the associated credits. With that in mind, those looking to move over to Sprint for one of its great new phones like the Motorola PHOTON 4G should be sure to mention the promotion when making a purchase at a Sprint retail location, as the promo will no longer be offered up willingly starting tomorrow.

Following bankruptcy and an ensuing acquisition at auction, Blockbuster is now trying to lure back the hordes of customers it lost to competitors like Redbox and Netflix. A BGR reader sent us a letter that Blockbuster is circulating to recent defectors in an effort to win back their business in a post-Dish Network world. Among the carrots Blockbuster is currently dangling are a free 30-day Total Access trial and a “special rate,” though that special rate is not disclosed in the email. Blockbuster’s Total Access service was created as a direct response to Netflix, offering DVD rentals by mail just as Netflix does, though Blockbuster’s option is now more affordable following Netflix’s price hikes. Of course Total Access used to be a much more attractive option than it is in its current state, but the lower pricing and the quicker availability of new titles could be attractive benefits over rival Netflix. Blockbuster’s letter to former Total Access customers can be found below.

Dear [redacted],

Just 90 days ago I became the president of Blockbuster. In that time, our company has worked tirelessly to improve our product and regain your trust. We have reduced in-store DVD rental prices by as much as 38%, while other companies have raised prices by as much as 60%. Millions of customers have rewarded us by visiting our stores and experiencing our unmatched choice, convenience and value.

You’ve been part of the Blockbuster family before, and we want to earn your business again. For a limited time, we’re offering you a special rate and a free 30-day trial of Blockbuster Total Access.

Blockbuster Total Access is an outstanding alternative to other services. In addition to our everyday low pricing, you’ll get:

• Many of the newest movie releases 28 days before Netflix and Redbox.
• Games and Blu-ray at no extra charge
• Unlimited exchanges for free in-store movie rentals
• Improved availability, especially of our new release titles

We have more than 1,500 stores nationwide that will continue to provide excellent service and value and I invite you to take advantage of unlimited in-store exchanges. We hope you will agree that the Blockbuster experience is unmatched.

As a special offer to you, you’ll get a discounted rate if you sign up using the link in this email before September 15. Come say hello to the new Blockbuster — click here to start your 30-day free trial today.

Sincerely,
Michael Kelly
President, Blockbuster L.L.C.

It was fun while it lasted. BGR exclusively reported back in May that Sprint was doing away with mail-in rebates for an unspecified period of time. According to a purported leaked document obtained by Sprint news site SprintFeed, the limited-time promotion will come to an end later this month. “Duuude, where’s my rebate?” the dealer memo asks. The answer — riddled with errors, though it may be — is July 24th. As we’ve learned long ago, typos and grammar mistakes hardly mean a carrier-made document is fake, and Sprint customers who prefer to buy their devices directly from the carrier should consider doing so before the 24th. A Sprint spokeswoman declined to comment. Hit the break to take a look at the purported letter to Sprint dealers.

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It’s not every day we come across a brand new Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone for under $100. In fact, the only other occasion we can recall is Amazon’s $99.99 HTC ThunderBolt sale from earlier this month. Starting immediately, however, Wirefly customers upgrading to a new Verizon smartphone or opening a new account can snag the the LG Revolution for the same great price — just $99.99. BGR reviewed the LG Revolution earlier this month and found it to be the most well-rounded LTE smartphone to date. While its display couldn’t match the DROID Charge’s Super AMOLED Plus screen and the UI couldn’t top the ThunderBolt’s Sense, the build trumps both those phones and the handset more than powerful enough to get the job done.

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It’s certainly not going to knock any socks off this year, but Apple has finally kicked off its annual back to school sale. A day behind schedule, Apple on Thursday announced that students making qualifying Mac purchases will receive a complimentary $100 iTunes gift card. The offer applies to college students and those accepted into college, and any MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac or Mac Pro purchase will qualify for the gift card. Apple’s promotion this year offers less than half the back-for-your-buck compared to past promotions that offered a free iPod touch with each purchase, but $100 toward software for your new Mac computer on top of a 10% student discount still makes for a decent deal. Apple’s offer runs from now through September 20th, so students have more than enough time to wait for that imminent MacBook Air refresh we’ve all been expecting.

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Microsoft on Thursday revealed its back-to-school offer for 2011, which is likely to drop students’ jaws and raise parents’ eyebrows at the same time. This year, students with a valid student ID who purchase a Windows 7 computer for $699 or more will receive a free Xbox 360 4GB video game console. “A hot new Windows 7-based PC with a free Xbox 360 is the ultimate productivity, social and entertainment package for students,” said Kathleen Hall, general manager of Windows Marketing at Microsoft, in a statement. “In one shot, with this great offer, Microsoft is giving students everything they need for a successful new school year.” We’re not sure how much the Xbox offer will help students with their school work, but it will definitely help them blow off some steam and avoid burning out while still managing to save them some money. The deal becomes available to students starting this Sunday, May 22nd. Hit the break for Microsoft’s full press release.

Microsoft Announces New Back-to-School Offer for Students

REDMOND, Wash. — May 19, 2011 — Microsoft Corp. today announced a new offer for students who purchase a new Windows 7-based PC. Starting May 22, students buying a new Windows 7-based PC priced at $699 (U.S.) or more will also get a free Xbox 360 4GB console. Students will be able to choose from the wide range of stylish, powerful and innovative Windows 7-based PCs to find the one that’s right for them based on the features, color, size and price they want. The offer is available at participating retailers for current students in the U.S. while supplies last. Similar student-focused offers will be coming soon in Canada and France.

“A hot new Windows 7-based PC with a free Xbox 360 is the ultimate productivity, social and entertainment package for students,” said Kathleen Hall, general manager of Windows Marketing at Microsoft. “In one shot, with this great offer, Microsoft is giving students everything they need for a successful new school year.”

Today’s Windows 7-based PCs come in a wide variety of styles, sizes and colors, and many new PCs boast built-in Blu-ray drives, 3G connections and leading-edge technologies, such as 3-D displays and multitouch-capable screens. With more than 1 million devices and apps that work with a Windows 7-based PC, students’ smartphones, printers, digital music players and cameras will work with their PCs with ease right out of the box. With the addition of Microsoft Office 2010 for Home and Student with OneNote, students can create presentations for class, take and organize digital notes, manage group projects and assignments, and easily stay on top of class schedules. And with an Xbox 360, students can not only have fun gaming but also can enjoy a range of entertainment options, including streaming videos, sports, music and more.

To take advantage of this offer, students or parents must provide valid student identification as defined by the participating retailer. More information about this offer can be found at http://www.windows.com/freebox.

Speaking of smear campaigns, a new Sprint promotion specifically targets T-Mobile CL customers that may be uneasy about the proposed merger, according to a new report. According to a purported internal document, Sprint is trying to lure customers away by offering to pay their T-Mobile early termination fees up to $175 per line if they switch to Sprint. ”Do you have the feeling the AT&T/T-Mobile won’t end with a ‘Happily Ever After?’,” the document asks Sprint distribution partners. “Well, we’ve got a deal specifically for those T-Mobile CL customers having similar concerns.” To sweeten the deal and alleviate any worries for potential T-Mobile defectors, Sprint will also waive subscribers’ ETF fees if the AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile is not approved and they choose to switch back to T-Mobile as a result. Sprint has been openly and vocally opposed to the merger since AT&T first announced its intentions to acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom for $39 billion this past March. The carrier’s new ETF credit promotion reportedly begins today and runs through July 23rd.

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RadioShack quietly announced on Monday that it is now offering AT&T’s Inspire 4G for just $29.99 with a two-year contract for new AT&T customers and existing subscribers looking to upgrade. Though the Inspire is still a relatively young device that was just released in February, newer dual-core smartphones are already making it look a tad gray up top. Its specs are still respectable, however, and they include a 4.3-inch display, a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, Android 2.2 (Froyo), an 8-megapixel camera, 768MB of RAM, 4GB of storage and HTC’s Sense UI. RadioShack’s price is the lowest we’ve seen from a reputable retailer, and it’s good from now through May 21st.