Starwatch Consumer: Apple offers iPhone trade-ins

By Julius A. Karash

Jun. 11, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- iPhone trade up

AT&T Inc. said customers who bought Apple Inc.'s iPhones at its stores on or after May 27 can exchange the handset for the faster, cheaper new model and get some money back. Apple on Monday said it will offer two new versions of the iPhone as of July. Each costs $200 less than its predecessor. Clients will get a refund for the price difference, minus a 10 percent restocking fee, AT&T said.

Lens cleaner

No-rub contact lens solutions made by Alcon Inc. (NYSE:ACL) and Bausch & Lomb Inc. don't clean as well as a rub-and-rinse routine, a U.S. panel said. People who use the products should rub their lenses with the disinfecting solutions in spite of the no-rub claims, outside advisers to the Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday at a meeting in Maryland. Rubbing reduces the risk of potentially blinding bacterial and fungal infections, the advisers said.

Free Web moviesWalt Disney Co. will offer movies such as "Finding Nemo" and "Monsters Inc." for free on its Web site. The films, which will first air on Disney's ABC broadcast network on Saturday nights throughout the summer, will then be available to watch on Disney.com the following week, the company said Tuesday.

Medicare program

Information about a new Medicare durable medical equipment program will be mailed to affected consumers later this month, the government said. Kansas City is one of the first 10 cities coming under new payment rates that kick in July 1. The new rates will mean an average savings of 26 percent for Medicare and patients, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has said.

For more information, call Medicare at 800-633-4227 or go to www.medicare.gov. On the Web site, under Search Tools, select Find Suppliers of Medical Equipment in Your Area.

Fuel-efficient muscle car

Chrysler said it will offer a less-expensive and more fuel-efficient version of its 425-horsepower Dodge Challenger, a remake of the 1970s "muscle car" that went on sale last month. The 2009 Challenger SE model, available in September, will start about $22,000 and get 25 miles per gallon on the highway, compared with $40,000 and 18 mpg for the most powerful model.

In brief

--Walgreen Co. said it will buy Express Scripts Inc.'s (NASDAQ:ESRX) home-infusion pharmacy division. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

--The Land O'Lakes Purina Feed plant in Fremont, Neb., has recalled two lamb feed products sold in five states, including north central Kansas, because of higher than acceptable levels of copper.

| Julius A. Karash, jkarash@kcstar.com

Newstex ID: KRTB-0102-25917515