Richard Branson dishes on Virgin, space and the Obamas

NEW YORK (AP) — British billionaire Richard Branson's prolific Virgin brand has spanned a broad range of businesses, including record stores, banks, phones, airlines and spaceships.

Discounts and freebies are plentiful at the major wireless carriers.

Virgin Mobile is phasing out Android phones and transforming itself into an iPhone-only carrier with an eye-catching price:

Buy an iPhone and pay $1 for unlimited data for six months (or one year if you sign up by the end of July).

Branson spoke with The Associated Press about the Virgin brand and why loving an airline may or may not nudge someone into switching phone carriers.

Virgin is limiting phone selection, selling unlimited service pretty cheap and offering a two-for-one deal on Virgin Atlantic flights to the U.K. (customers still pay taxes and fees on both tickets).

The Virgin Megastores (music store), a lot of people remember.

In most instances, if an industry disappears, like the record industry, that would be the end of the brand.

Virgin America has been a consumer favorite, with its purple lighting, power outlets, TVs and leather seats.