Archive for: at&t

AT&T and T-Mobile Merger by Numbers: Infographic

Im sure we have heard about the merger between AT&T and T-Mobile. Well here is an infographic that outlines some of the details.

Verizon to Bolster Apple Bottom Line?

The question asked since the announcement that iPhone was going to be on the AT&T network is “When are they leaving AT&T?” It’s an honest question based on real and honest situations of dropped calls, overworked networks, and bad customer service. It’s probably unfair to lay all the blame on the service provider, as I’m sure the iPhone is not without faults of its own, but unfortunately AT&T is definitely getting the heat. So while iPhones have outsold most other handsets around the world, there are still a large majority holding out for the day when the iPhone is available on another network.

Are you one of those people? Rumors have circulated across various sites that Apple has been courting Verizon as the next network to gain access to the iPhone as early as Quarter 1, 2011. While all signs point to yes, the evidence is not conclusive and thus speculation persists. Considering the dominance that the iPhone has on the cell phone market, it’s safe to assume that the majority not using the iPhone are either Blackberry or Android users, with others following into the minority of other OS platforms.

In market research conducted by Morpace, subscribers on Verizon alone are awaiting the transition of the iPhone onto the Verizon network. Of 1000 people surveyed, 23% said they’d most likely buy it, while a whopping 51% of Verizon subscribers said they were waiting to buy it. This segment of Verizon subscribers could bolster Apple’s numbers heavily when/if the transition takes place as rumored. AppleInsider even predicts that it could put Apple in the lead, far ahead of it’s competitors. The platforms mostly threatened by the iPhone being offered on Verizon would be Blackberry and Android, so it will be interesting to see how this will effect the numbers.

If it happens, Apple could see quite a profitable 1st Quarter. So where do you stand? Are you waiting for the iPhone to be offered on another network or are you happy with your Blackberry, Android, or other phone platform?

Smart Digital Picture Frame in Vizit

You a big digital picture frame fan? It never caught on in my house. Speaking as the purveyor of technology for my home, it honestly never caught my eye. I think the novelty of it is interesting, but it seems like a lot of money for something that can essentially exist on a social network of photo site. I guess I’m not one for photos, but it seems like market for these types of devices has grown. More recently we’ve seen a transition from the standard photo frames that typically need to have photos uploaded to them via a USB connection, to the photo frames that can update wirelessly.

The Vizit is one example of a “smart” digital photo frame. I use the word “smart” loosely as I’ve seen other devices that may not be photo frames do a lot more and yet function in the same way. Nevertheless if you’re just looking for the frame, the Vizit offers an always on data connection – to the AT&T network – to send the photos you have or take to the device via email, mms, or via the vizitme.com website. As an added bonus users will be able to interact with the touch screen surface to manipulate the flow of the photos by going forward or backwards to quickly see what’s been stored.

Vizit Smart Digital Photo Frame

The Vizit comes in with a pricey $280 price tag. While it might seem competitive, there’s always another device that can serve not only as a device to share photos, but also run a variety of apps, but we’ll leave that decision between Vizit and unmentioned device to you.

AT&T Mini-Tower In Your Home

AT&T service has gotten a bad reputation. So much so, that for major events like SXSW in Austin, TX, which I just recently attended, before the $%it hit the fan, they were already mobilizing trucks

3G MicroCell from AT&T

into the area as a preemptive to what was sure to be a strain on their network. In 2009 AT&T suffered scathing remarks from thousands upon thousands of technophiles for their inability to provide coverage, leaving phones and laptops dependent on their 3G service dead in the water. This year they planned on making a difference, and in the end, the service was amazing.

But not everyday is SXSW, and not every city is the site of a conference like SXSW, so what do you do when your 3G service is constantly dropping? Perhaps you could leave and go to another carrier, but bye-bye iPhone, because it’s not easy to take that thing where you want. Another alternative is to put up a mini-tower for AT&T cell service in your home with the 3G MicroCell.

The 3G MicroCell offers a strong, uninterrupted signal in your home that ensures that your calls and internet surfing remains fast and reliable. The mini-tower allows up to four devices to connect to it, providing a range of users inside the home the ability to interact as much as they want on a localized signal.

Coming in at approximately $150, the mini-tower offers the following:

• Enhanced coverage indoors – supports both voice and data up to 5000 square feet
• Available unlimited minute plans – individual or FamilyTalk plans.
• 3G handset compatible – works with any AT&T 3G phone.
• Supports up to four voice or data users at once.
• Device is secure – cannot be accessed by unauthorized users, easy and secure online management of device settings
• Seamless call hand-over – start calls on your 3G MicroCell and continue without interruption, even if you leave the building.

(courtesy of AT&T website)

Now you will also need an existing AT&T broad band internet service (DSL or Cable) to connect this device to, but if you’re tired of those dropped calls even inside your home, this might be what you’re looking for if you’re willing to invest in another piece of technology in your home.

As for the signal when you step out of the house and travel to your favorite spots around town, they can’t help you with that. You’re at the mercy of the overworked, already strained systems for your service, and that’s not even including the use of the 3G capable iPads yet. Joy!

Android Debuts on AT&T with Motorola Backflip

Android phones are taking over. The OS is becoming hugely popular and could very well dethrone Apple, not this year, not next year, but soon. As the only real rival in the market, coming from Google, Android phones are popping up across the various cell phone providers to include T-Mobile and Verizon, and now Android will debut on the AT&T network with the Motorola Backflip.

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Send AT&T a Message This Friday With Operation Chokehold

Ever since the iPhone came out, the AT&T network has been jam packed with too much data and not enough bandwidth. Users complained about this for months, and even though there were some improvements the introduction of the iPhone 3G S and then a flood of data intensive apps such as video streaming came onto the market, the bottle neck just wasn’t wide enough.

AT&T customers have had enough and many are falling in line with a man called ‘Fake Steve’ is asking all iPhone users on the AT&T network in the US to choke the network on Friday at noon. Here’s what he want everyone to do.

“On Friday, December 18, at noon Pacific time, we will attempt to overwhelm the AT&T data network and bring it to its knees. The goal is to have every iPhone user (or as many as we can) turn on a data intensive app and run that app for one solid hour. Send the message to AT&T that we are sick of their substandard network and sick of their abusive comments. The idea is we’ll create a digital flash mob. We’re calling it in Operation Chokehold. Join us and speak truth to power!”

LG Expo, Mobile Phone that Projects

Mobile phones are hot devices that are increasingly becoming the standard bywhich businesses are succeeding or failing. Companies not accessible via mobile devices are losing ground, while the device itself is starting to replace laptops and desktops for reading, searching, and geo-locating on the go.

Recently the LG Expo ($200) was announced and this mobile phone offers an interesting addition to the mobile lineup. Imagine carrying a smarphone with a small DLP Pico Projector attached to it, allowing you to display video with clarity and precision unheard of in a device so tiny and versatile. That’s what just happened, so stop imagining and see the reality.

The projector is optional, but the smartphone is no slouch either. This powerful mobile comes with a 1GHz processor, a 3.2-inch touchscreen, a 5 megapixel camera with flash, a slide-out keyboard, 7.2 Mbps HSPA wireless, microSD storage, and Windows Mobile 6.5. Not enough? Then go buy the projector because that’s about as good as it gets for a device in functionality.

The technological wonder comes with another release first as well, the distinct honor of being the first 1Ghz phone in the U.S. The phone will work on the AT&T network and be ready for purchase on December 7th.

Still not good enough for you? Then maybe you didn’t read the post. For the rest of us, it’s going to be interesting to see if the projector piggybacking on mobile device concept takes off.

Are Mac Users Ready for A 3D Experience?

Apple has always been known for innovation. They’ve had a lot of failures, but they are one company not afraid to push the boundaries of usability and design. A lot of people are still not on the Mac band-wagon, and there are those that making the conversion as we speak, but as a whole are we really ready for a 3D experience with our OS?

Back on July 11th of this year I reviewed AT&T’s Pogo browser, an attempt for a 3D environment based OS that failed miserably simply because the application was so taxing on the computer’s resources. Having moved on, Pogo has faded into obscurity with little or now usage as far as I know.

Fast forward five months, we now have Apple looking at a 3D environment for Mac OSX. According to the AppleInsider, designers are looking for ways to maximize screen real estate while creating a new experience. While appreciated, earlier attempts have failed, but perhaps it was the execution.

Below is an image that shows the environment, attribution goes to AppleInsider:

Here is another thanks to AppleInsider:

These are just a few of the patent images that Apple has filed, and you can see more on AppleInsider.

What are your thoughts on the 3D environment? Necessary or just eye candy. In my experience, Pogo was not a good option because of how taxing it was on resources, but can Apple overcome that downfall and streamline it to integrate flawlessly into their systems?

iPhone 3G only $99, it’s Possible

Some hot news for those of us that have with held buying an iPhone (all 2 of you). Word on the street is that Apple has had an excellent 4th Quarter, and with sales of iPhones surpassing previous estimations, there is some wiggle room when it comes to price.

The iPhone which currently resides in an exclusive contract with AT&T, sells for $199 with contract. Millions and millions of people jumped on board with the first iPhone came out, and the second generation was just as popular. With over 15 million iPhone sold worldwide, it has dominated the mobile market. Outstanding sales have given Apple a cushion in case the current economic downtown starts to effect sales, they can afford to drop the price of the iPhone to $99.

What would a $99 iPhone do to the market? For starters, with such a low barrier to entry, the iPhone will clearly bleed further into the consumer market, even those on the fence would be tempted to purchase, and the market dominance would only leave true niche mobile companies like Blackberry able to withstand the onslaught.

Conjecture? Possibly, but only time will tell. Get those Christmas wish lists ready and stay tuned for more info!