Category Archives: AT&T

7 States Join US DOJ To Block AT&T/T-Mobile Merger – Sprint Issues Satement

Posted by on September 16, 2011 No comments

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Early today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington joined the department’s lawsuit against the AT&T/T-Mobile merger. Sprint was quick to respond on the news saying,

"After a comprehensive review of the facts related to AT&T’s proposed takeover of T-Mobile, seven state attorneys general have reached the same conclusion as the U.S. Department of Justice: This proposed takeover violates antitrust law and would harm consumers, competition and our nation’s economy. This is a strong stand for American consumers, and Sprint commends this bipartisan group of state attorneys general for joining with the U.S. Justice Department to protect consumers, competition and American jobs."

California, represent! This is good news for all those against the merger. I, personally would like somewhere affordable to take my 5 lines in case Sprint keeps raising prices (T-Mobile).

[Via Sprint]

AT&T to Launch 4G LTE Network September 18

Posted by on September 15, 2011 No comments

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Speaking at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Media, Entertainment, and Communications conference, AT&T CFO John Stephens announced the launch of AT&T’s next-gen 4G LTE network for September 18th. AT&T will be bringing its first true 4G experiment to five markets — Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio — with a total of 15 switched on by the end of the year. The launch of the new network will breath new life into AT&T’s current lineup of LTE data sticks and hotspots, as well as their first LTE device, the HTC Jetstream tablet.

[via FierceWireless]

Samsung Infuse 4G Receives Maintenance Update, Still No Gingerbread

Posted by on September 14, 2011 No comments

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Though owners of the Samsung Infuse 4G are itching for the promised Android 2.3 update for their AT&T handsets, a maintenance release has been pushed to the smartphone. The 14.5MB file provides bug fixes primarily, though it likely also comes to make the necessary preparations for the move from Froyo to Gingerbread. That is supposed to happen sometime this month, though the exact timing isn’t quite known.

[via AndroidCentral]

Samsung Airs One Minute Samsung Galaxy S II Ad for US Launch [Video]

Posted by on September 12, 2011 No comments

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Needed something to convince you to buy the Samsung Galaxy S II this fall? Samsung’s got the first ad and while we’re not sure it may convince you to open your wallets, it does get us excited knowing that the launch of the first US model – Sprint’s Samsung Epic 4G Touch – will be out in 4 short days. It’s a one minute ad so take a quickie out of your day to take a look above.

Acer Iconia Tab A501 Coming to AT&T September 18, $330 Contract Price

Posted by on September 12, 2011 No comments

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AT&T announced over the weekend the launch of the Acer Iconia Tab A501 on their HSPA+ network. The not-so-LTE “4G” Android Honeycomb tablet will be available come September 18th for the price of $480. If you decide to sign up for a two-year data contract, the price drops to $330. The Iconia Tab A501 features a 10.1-inch display, dual-core Tegra 2 CPU, and a full-size USB port. It ship with Android 3.0, but an over-the-air update is in the works to bring the slate to Android 3.1. Data plans start at $15 for 250MB with a $25 option netting you 2GB. Data can be purchased on a month-to-month basis or as a monthly plan. Check out the full press release below.

ACER AND AT&T DEBUT THE NEW ICONIA TAB A501 WITH AT&T 4G FOR UNTETHERED FREEDOM AND MOBILITY

Acer’s Popular 10.1-inch Tablet Now Boasts AT&T 4G for Super Speedy Data Transmission and Smooth Video Streaming; Android 3.0 Provides Fast and Easy Browsing, Fun and Handy Apps

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 12, 2011 - Acer America announced today that the Acer Iconia Tab

A501 10.1 inch tablet with AT&T 4G mobile broadband and Android™ Honeycomb will be available to customers in the U.S. via Acer’s national retail and channel partners this weekend.

Designed for both consumers and small businesses, the newest member of the Acer Iconia family of tablets, the Acer Iconia Tab A501 gives customers the freedom to enjoy technology around the clock on the AT&T mobile broadband network. The HSPA+ technology with enhanced backhaul provides up to 4x faster data transmission.

The Acer Iconia Tab A501′s 10.1-inch multi-touch screen provides precise finger-tip control for leveraging social media, email, productivity applications as well as games and entertainment. Powered by a NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 mobile 1GHz dual-core processor and integrated GeForce™ GPU, customers can enjoy high-definition video, speedy browsing, multi-tasking, digital media playback and flash-based sites, games and applications.

“Staying in touch, informed, productive and entertained has never been so easy,” said Sumit Agnihotry, vice president of product marketing, Acer America. “Whether it’s posting a birth announcement on Facebook or staying connected to the office via email, people are connecting more online and in a more personal way. The Acer Iconia Tab A501 with AT&T 4G provides our customers with one of the fastest and most fluid ways to stay on the cutting-edge of technology and at the center of what’s happening in the world today. The Iconia Tab A501 is not only intuitive, but it’s fashionable, which is important to mobile consumers.”

High-Performance, Feature-Rich Entertainment in a Chic Design Svelte and stylish, the Acer Iconia Tab A501′s elegant aesthetics tout a high-gloss finish with an appealing engraved pattern for a flash of style. The Alpine Silver brushed metal aluminum chassis is comfortable to hold and carry. It’s also very portable. The thin and light aluminum design weighs just 1.69 pounds and measures only 10.24(w) x 6.97(d) x 0.52(h)-inches, so it fits nicely in a hand bag, briefcase or backpack.

Designed for HD entertainment, the 10.1-inch capacitive touch-screen tablet is undeniably accurate and responsive. Its high-resolution 1280×800 TFT WXGA display provides an optimal 80-degree wide viewing angle and the high-color contrast allows customers to enjoy brilliant HD video in 16:10 aspect ratio. The ample 10.1-inch size is perfect for movies, games, social networking and scrolling through photos.

Fun on the Run

Dolby® Mobile technology with heightened audio makes the tablet a convenient medium for listening to online music when connected to a pair of external portable speakers. Via its HDMI port, customers can also use the Acer Iconia Tab A501 to display full high-definition video on a high-definition big screen TV or monitor. The system offers a full size USB 2.0 port for hooking up peripherals and it also includes a Micro SDHC slot and micro USB port.

Two integrated easy-to-use cameras include a 5MP rear-facing model with flash and auto- focus for capturing detailed, high-quality video and images. The 2MP fixed-focused front-facing webcam enables video conferencing over wi-fi and records HD video and comments for capturing memories, which can be shared via social networking sites.

With its 10-point touch display and six-axis motion sensor meter control, this leading-edge tablet smoothly runs premium HD arcade and online games on par with high-end game consoles.

The built-in GPS can be combined with various apps to enable customers to enjoy navigation and location-searches while traveling and driving. Plus, the integrated Bluetooth allows consumers to connect the tablet to a variety of other devices, such as headsets and printers.

Readers will appreciate that the new tablet comes pre-installed with Acer LumiRead and Google Books™ eReading apps. An ambient sensor enables the Acer Iconia Tab A501 to be used in many types of environments, while the integrated accelerometer allows auto-rotation between portrait and landscape modes for viewing movies, websites, games and more.

The Acer Iconia Tab A501 has long battery life with two 3260 mAh Li-polymer batteries that provide up to eight hours of playback for casual games, eight hours of HD video playback and 10 hours of WiFi Internet browsing.

With two different models available, including one with 16GB of flash storage(3) and another with 32GB, the Acer Iconia Tab A501 gives customers extremely fast access to programs and apps. The Micro-SD card reader supports user-supplied Micro-SD cards with capacity up to 32GB, so customers can download their own digital content, including videos, movies and eBooks.

Customers can connect to Wi-Fi networks via Acer InviLink Nplify 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED wireless technology. They can also set up multiple email addresses and view Microsoft Office® documents using the trial version of the “Docs to Go” app for getting things done quickly.

Easy Does It with Android™ Honeycomb
The advances in Android™ Honeycomb build on the Acer Iconia Tab A501′s high-performance design to deliver customers a simple, intuitive and fun mobile experience. Optimized for a tablet environment, the Android™ OS provides fluid, on the go browsing with features that make spending time online fun and productive.

The Acer Iconia Tab A501 can be customized with Android™ apps of the customer’s choice from the Android™ Market and other Android™-based app sites.

Seamless Home Networking Via clear.fi

Acer Iconia Tab A501 comes with Acer clear.fi, which connects with any other DLNA-compliant device to quickly and easily share digital media. It automatically detects clear-fi-enabled devices on the wireless home network (smartphones, notebooks, HD media players, etc.) and gathers and organizes media files by type (video, music, photo, pre-recorded TV).

The Acer Iconia Tab A501 will be available in the U.S. at national retail stores on Sunday, Sept. 18. The Acer Iconia Tab A501 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $499.99 for the 16GB model and $549.99 for the 32GB model.

AT&T’s Samsung Galaxy S II Sign-Up Page Now Live

Posted by on September 10, 2011 No comments

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In case you missed it, the sign-up page for the Samsung Galaxy S II is now live on AT&T’s website. Keep in mind this is not the pre-order page but merely the page where you can sign-up and get notified on things… like when the pre-orders begin. It’s like the shirt before the shirt — ahhh forget it.

[Via AT&T]

AT&T’s Sony Ericsson Xperia Play 4G Coming September 18 for $49

Posted by on September 8, 2011 No comments

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AT&T is all set to receive their version of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, and though they haved added ’4G’ to its name, you’ll get the same Playstation Certified handset already released in other parts of the world (and on Verizon in the States). The 4G here is HSPA+ (not LTE), and the phone ships with a 1GHz CPU with Adreno 205 graphics, a 4-inch display, and comes in an exclusive “stealth blue” color scheme. Accessories available at launch will include a multimedia dock and music cable.

The Xperia Play 4G will ship with seven games pre-installed when it lands at AT&T on September 18th. Realizing the handset is already getting a bit old in the tooth, the whole thing can be yours for a mere $49.99 in conjunction with a new two-year contract.

Sony Ericsson Xperia™ play 4g keeps favorite video games at your fingertips beginning sept. 18

First PlayStation®-certified smartphone from AT&T available for $49.99 in AT&T stores and att.com

DALLAS, Sept. 8, 2011 -

Key Facts

· The Xperia™ PLAY 4G, combining a PlayStation®-certified gaming device with the capabilities and portability of an Android smartphone, arrives in AT&T* stores, and online on September 18 for $49.99 with a two-year agreement.

· The Xperia PLAY 4G has dedicated gaming controls built into the phone through a slide out controller including directional keypad, dual analog touch joystick, two shoulder buttons and the four iconic PlayStation symbol keys: circle, X, square and triangle.

· Running the Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) platform, the first PlayStation-certified smartphone in the world features a brilliant 4″ 480 x 854 screen and stereo speakers.

AT&T Exclusives

Only AT&T customers can choose the 4G-capable Xperia PLAY, offered in an exclusive “stealth blue” color. The smartphone package is complete with bonus accessories including the Sony Ericsson Multimedia Dock DK300 and MC100 music cable. In addition to providing a convenient charging station, the DK300 converts the Xperia PLAY’s screen to a large clock display, and the music cable lets you connect to external speakers.** The DK300 and music cable come in the Xperia PLAY box, only from AT&T.

In addition, the device is pre-loaded with seven games, some of which are exclusive, at no additional cost including:

· Dungeon Defenders™ Second Wave by Trendy Entertainment
· Asphalt™ 6 Adrenaline by Gameloft
· Star Battalion by Gameloft
· Madden NFL™ 11 by Electronic Arts
· The Sims™ 3 by Electronic Arts
· Tower Bloxx™: My City by Digital Chocolate
· Crash Bandicoot® by SCEA/Naughty Dog/Universal

AT&T customers will have access to more than 150 Xperia PLAY optimized games including Minecraft™ Pocket Edition, Battlefield: Bad Company™ 2 and Dead Space™ 2 for download and purchase through the “Get Games” recommender screen, easily accessible when you slide open the Xperia PLAY’s game controller.

Handheld Gaming and Smartphones Converge

The Xperia PLAY 4G offers a gamer’s wonderland by providing the on-the-go capabilities of an Android smartphone with the immersive entertainment appeal of a portable gaming device.

* Snapdragon chipset including a 1GHz CPU and Adreno 205 graphics processor (GPU)
* Runs on the Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) platform
* Sight and sound: 4″ 480 x 854 screen, up to 60 frames per second graphics, stereo speakers
* Dual camera: 5MP rear and VGA forward-facing, with video recording and chat capabilities over Wi-Fi
* Hundreds of Xperia PLAY optimized games through Android Market or directly from the publishers
* Pre-loaded with seven Xperia PLAY optimized games from publishers such as Gameloft and EA.

Along with the great gaming and Android capabilities, the Xperia PLAY 4G from AT&T includes Facebook Inside Xperia, a suite of Facebook functions integrated into various applications, such as friends’ birthdays in the phonebook, a “like” button in the music player, photo tags in the media gallery, and YouTube video recommendations from friends.

Pricing and Availability

The Xperia PLAY 4G arrives in AT&T stores and online on Sept. 18 and will be available for $49.99 after a two-year contract with minimum data plan.

Quotes

“Gamers and smartphone fans alike will delight in the Xperia PLAY 4G’s instant access to gaming and entertainment,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “We’re excited to offer a device that allows consumers to have fun while still staying on top of everything in their life.”

“Our fans on AT&T have been asking for Xperia PLAY and now we’re giving them everything they need in a smartphone with what they really want - an immersive gaming experience on AT&T’s 4G Network,” said Peter Farmer, Head of Marketing for North America, Sony Ericsson. “In addition to a constantly growing list of games exclusive to and optimized for Xperia PLAY, we know AT&T customers are really going to enjoy the uniquely Sony Ericsson social experience, including Timescape and Facebook Inside.”

Judge Overseeing AT&T/Deutsche Telekom vs Department of Justice Case Orders Settlement Talks for September 21st

Posted by on September 7, 2011 No comments

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A judge in the United States District Court in Washington, D.C. has been assigned to the Department of Justice’s lawsuit against AT&T and Deutsche Telekom that they hope will block the approval of a $39 billion takeover of T-Mobile. The judge presiding the case is Ellen Segal Huvelle.

Judge Huvelle has gotten the ball rolling on the proceedings. She first ordered that all three parties involved – DT, AT&T and the DoJ – get a schedule for the lawsuit proceedings and a plan for managing the case in order by September 16th.

Shortly after that, on September 21st, the three parties will have to discuss prospects for a possible settlement, something AT&T’s probably relieved to hear. This action was likely taken as a response to officials in late August who said that there is room for negotiation in approving the sale of T-Mobile and AT&T to Deutsche Telekom, and that’s what they’ll be in the wooden room to do.

So there’s another ray of light for AT&T for the time being, though there is no telling how these settlement discussions will impact an actual decision going forward. [New York Times]

AT&T Wants to Rescue You From “Smartphone Envy” with Announcement of $30 Impulse 4G

Posted by on September 7, 2011 No comments

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AT&T has just announced a new smartphone that they’re hoping will cure your “smartphone envy” as your friends, family, coworkers and peers wave their big fancy phones around you. It’s being called the “Huawei Impulse 4G” and will be a 3.8 inch device that, wait for it, apparently won’t feature any custom UI (now that’s something to be envious of). Its 5 megapixel rear camera can record HD 720p video.

We weren’t given many specs other than that, but we can probably expect a single-core processor inside along with a max of 512MB of RAM. Don’t quote me on any of that. And all of this is coming our way September 18th for $29.99 (though for that amount you can surely find better phones of AT&T’s at Amazon). [AT&T]

Working 9 to 5 during the summer season can make anyone reluctant to spend that hard-earned money.  Now, smartphone customers can have a cutting edge smartphone at an exceptional value — the Impulse 4G™ from AT&T*.

Key Facts

  • Beginning Sept. 18, the Impulse 4G will be available for $29.99 with a two-year contract through AT&T stores, online at att.com and through select national retailers.
  • The Impulse 4G from AT&T offers unbeatable value for those wanting to take advantage of the capabilities of an Android™-powered smartphone at a lower cost.  The Impulse makes it possible to surf the web, watch videos, check emails and stay engaged with social media from a phone at an affordable price.
  • Impulse 4G includes a 3.8" touchscreen and the ability to record HD video.

Appearing in AT&T TV spots starting Sept. 18 and notably AT&T’s first smartphone from Huawei, the Impulse 4G doesn’t skimp on features despite its unbeatable value.  Running the Android 2.2 platform and sporting HD video recording, a full touch screen and 5-megapixel camera, Impulse 4G meets mobile needs and can be paired with a Data Plus plan, with 200 MB of data for just $15 dollars.

Device Specs and Key Features

  • 3.8" Capacitive WVGA Touchscreen
  • Operating System: Android 2.2
  • 5MP Camera with auto-focus, flash, and 720p HD video record
  • Wi-Fi with access to AT&T’s Hotspots
  • GPS Navigation
  • Dimensions: 120mm x 65mm x 11.6mm

Quotes

“Smartphone sales are exploding as consumers realize the value of having the Internet and a wide array of apps available at their fingertips,” said Avi Greengart, Research Director for Consumer Devices at Current Analysis. “However, the economy is challenging, and some consumers simply can’t afford a flagship smartphone. The Huawei Impulse 4G from AT&T is priced like a budget smartphone but brings a much larger display and higher resolution video recording than other Android phones at this price point.”

"These days we’re all looking for ways to get the most for our money and the Impulse 4G from AT&T does exactly that," said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.  "The Impulse 4G gives consumers another option to enjoy the benefits of a smartphone at an exceptional value."

"This is an important milestone for Huawei," said Cui Jiangao, President of Huawei Device USA. "As we introduce our first smart phone for AT&T, we believe the Impulse 4G will allow consumers to experience the best of AT&T’s applications. We are committed to working with AT&T to create influential devices that will provide user-friendly mobile experiences."

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

4G speeds delivered by HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. Not available everywhere. Deployment ongoing. Compatible device and data plan required. Learn more at att.com/network. Important Information: Limited-time offer. Mobile broadband coverage and other coverage not available in all areas. See coverage map at store for details. Two year agreement with qualifying voice plan and a minimum $15 a month smartphone data plan required. Subscriber must live and have a mailing address within AT&T’s owned wireless network coverage area. Up to $36 activation fee applies. Equipment price and availability may vary by market and may not be available from independent retailers. Early Termination Fee: None if cancelled in the first 30 days, but up to $35 restocking fee may apply to returns; thereafter up to $325. Some agents impose additional fees. Other conditions and restrictions apply. See contract for details. Sales tax calculated based on price of unactivated equipment.

AT&T HotspotsRequires a minimum $45 monthly DataPro 4GB plan. Devices connected to your Mobile Hotspot use data from your DataPro 4GB plan. Overage charges of $10 per each GB provided apply if the included monthly data allowance is exceeded. The number of devices you can connect depends on your device. Performance may vary depending on the number of devices connected and other factors. If you do not use a password, others will be able to use your Mobile Hotspot connection.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates - AT&T operating companies - are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT. Find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ATT to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or at www.Facebook.com/ATTSmallBiz to discover more about our small business services.

© 2011 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

About Huawei
Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Through our dedication to customer-centric innovation and strong partnerships, we have established end-to-end advantages in telecom networks, devices and cloud computing. We are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers by providing competitive solutions and services. Our products and solutions have been deployed in over 140 countries, serving more than one third of the world’s population. For more information, visit Huawei online: www.huawei.com Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/huaweipress and YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/HuaweiPress.

About Huawei Device
Huawei Device Co., Ltd.’s products cover a wide range of market sectors including mobile phones, mobile broadband devices, and home devices. Our products also include the Hi Space App Store and the Management Cloud, which are solutions that make devices smarter and easier to use. With our primary focus on the consumers, Huawei Device is committed to creating the most influential smart device brands in the world, providing user-friendly mobile Internet experiences. As of the end of 2010, Huawei Device’s products were available through more than 500 operators all over the world. Huawei Device has established strategic partnerships with many of the world’s leading operators including Telefónica, China Mobile, Vodafone, T-Mobile, BT, China Telecom, NTT Docomo, France Telecom, and China Unicom. For more information, visit Huawei Device online: www.huaweidevice.com. Follow us on: Facebook: www.facebook.com/huaweidevice. Twitter: www.twitter.com/HuaweiDevice. YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/HuaweiDeviceCo.

Amazon Discounts LG Thrill 4G, HTC Inspire 4G to $30

Posted by on September 7, 2011 No comments

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The LG Thrill 4G has been available for just a little while and Amazon has already got a good deal on it waiting for you. They’re willing to part ways with the device for $30 as long as you sign a new two-year contract. Both new and existing users can get in on this for both individual accounts and new users can get the deal for family accounts.

For an existing user on a family count AT&T’s asking for $70 but that’s still quite the steal for a dual-core 3D phone. Amazon has also posted a similar deal for the very solid HTC Inspire 4G. Check them out here and here and see if you can’t walk away happy.