U.S. consumers could ultimately see some benefits from Verizon Wireless's much-ballyhooed "Any Apps, Any Device" plan, but it will all depend on the details -- nearly all of which have yet to be laid out by the company. Consumers should hold Verizon's feet to the fire to make sure Verizon delivers on its lofty promise, and should pressure the rest of the country's wireless carriers to follow suit, or enact even better plans.

New research shows cross-ownership of newspapers and broadcasters crowds out local news, strengthening the case against Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin's move to relax his agency's 32-year-old ban on such deals.