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Mobile Minutes: Apple taps carrier billing; Facebook expands live streaming; YouTube seeks streaming rights; Amazon Fire

Apple is quietly making it easier for consumers to buy digital goods without needing a credit card.
Starting this week, Apple users in Russia can purchase music, books, games and other apps by typing in their phone number and having the items charged to their monthly bill. No plastic required.

Facebook is expanding live video. A livestreaming feature that was previously limited to only verified Facebook accounts (available to public figures, celebrities and journalists) has now been extended to more users in the United States, who have iPhones but not necessarily a blue check.

YouTube is seeking streaming rights to TV series and movies to bolster its new subscription service, intensifying its rivalry with Netflix Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and Hulu in the competitive market for online video.

Amazon.com Inc said its Fire tablet is now available in China for 499 yuan ($78) with access to hundreds of thousands of Kindle books.