Mobility Phones - Mobile Phones

Hop-On, Inc. today announces that its GSM cell phone, the Hop1800, is now available in the United States for $10 USD, and worldwide. One of the new breed of ultra convenient cell phones, the pre-paid HOP1800 is ideal as a backup cell phone, when traveling abroad, or for anyone looking for a super affordable cell phone that does one thing extremely well: make phone calls.”Though the iPhone is an amazing device, I challenge anyone to make a call faster than with the HOP1800,” says Hop-On CEO Peter Michaels. “With the cost of living and roaming fees going though the roof, the HOP1800 is also the perfect iPhone traveling companion. Just buy a local SIM card and you can use the HOP1800 with over 40 domestic wireless carriers,” Michaels said.

Both HOP1800 phones, one a Dual-band 850/1900MHz or the 900/1800MHz for Europe and Asia, weigh a scant 77 grams, offers 4 hours of talk time, 150 hours of standby time and polyphonic ring tones. Though low in cost, the HOP1800 uses reliable Infineon chip sets for excellent audio quality, reception and call stability.

At a $10 price point in the US retail and convenient stores, the HOP1800 could be considered disposable, but the company offers a $5 rebate for returning the phone to encourage recycling the phone to “Keep it Green”.

Keeping it simple

The HOP1800 is a study in simplicity. There is no display. A tactile numeric keypad with Braille markings, offers reassuring buttons that touch screen cell phone users are longing for. Being a pre-paid cell phone, no contracts are required so you can be up and talking in seconds. The HOP1800 can be used with over 40 US carriers including AT&T, Cingular and T-Mobile as well as through Hop-On’s own low cost Graffiti Wireless(tm) network.

Co-Branding Opportunities

The HOP1800 is now available to retailers such as drug and convenience stores, big box retailers and to businesses looking for a unique branding opportunity. Hop-on can imprint sport teams or corporate logos on the HOP1800, making it one of the most unique — and useful — premiums available. “Instead of another coffee mug, offering a branded cell phone is a memorable branding opportunity that will literally keep you in touch with your customers. What would be a better way for companies, such as insurance brokers to give to their customers, handy in case of an accident!” adds Michaels.

By the end of June, connecting to AT&T’s 3G mobile broadband service will be as speedy as logging onto the high speed Internet service that many consumers enjoy at home.AT&T Inc. announced that, in the next month, the company will deploy High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) technology in the six remaining markets across AT&T’s entire 3G (third-generation) wireless broadband network. When done, AT&T will have completed its deployment of HSUPA technology, which complements existing HSDPA technology (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), making AT&T the only U.S. carrier to have fully deployed HSPA technology in its 3G network.

Today the superfast AT&T 3G network is available in more than 275 markets. By year-end, the AT&T 3G network will be available in nearly 350 markets.

With the new addition of HSUPA technology, AT&T 3G users can enjoy uplink speeds between 500 and 800 Kbps. The technology is available in all but the few remaining AT&T 3G markets and will be included in all future deployments. The new upload speeds complement AT&T’s 3G download capabilities, which currently offer up to 1.4 Mbps across all markets for customers who have capable devices, such as AT&T’s LaptopConnect wireless modems.

“The ability to quickly upload large files from a laptop is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity,” said Kris Rinne, senior vice president of Architecture and Planning for AT&T’s wireless operations. “By fully deploying HSUPA across our 3G footprint, we not only meet the current needs of our customers but also lay the path for our continued evolution to even faster wireless broadband capabilities.”

Between 2005 and 2008, AT&T will have invested more than $20 billion in network improvements and upgrades — an average of $5 billion a year. AT&T recently turned down its older TDMA network, and that will allow the company to reuse valuable 850 MHz spectrum to expand and enhance 3G markets.

The company’s HSPA network is the best-positioned among American carriers to grow in line with customer demand, evolving to HSPA+ and providing next-generation speeds without costly investments. AT&T plans to adopt LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology to reach even higher speeds in the long term.

AT&T has the largest digital voice and data network in the U.S. In addition, only AT&T can offer 3G roaming in 60 countries, including Japan and South Korea, and voice calling in more than 200 countries.

Equally as important as the network is the device through which a customer experiences it. AT&T’s handset portfolio in company-owned stores is more than 75 percent 3G-capable — and will be even more enticing with the addition of more 3G-enabled smartphones in the summer and fall of 2008. Additionally, AT&T also has the most compelling set of 3G services, such as AT&T Video Share(SM), which allows users to share live video over wireless phones while on a voice call.

AT&T Inc. announced that qualifying LaptopConnect customers can now access more than 17,000 Wi-Fi hot spots free of charge. Users can access Wi-Fi at nearly 7,000 participating Starbucks locations plus thousands more AT&T Wi-Fi(SM) locations, including restaurants, airports, hotels and other convenient locations across the United States.AT&T LaptopConnect uses AT&T’s wireless network to keep customers connected to e-mail, the Internet and business applications almost anywhere they can make a phone call. Qualifying LaptopConnect customers will now automatically receive a pop-up message alerting them to Wi-Fi availability when in range of an AT&T hot spot. At that point, customers who have downloaded the latest AT&T Communication Manager software to their laptop PC just need to click Connect to access the Wi-Fi connectivity. The offer is available to customers who subscribe to a DataConnect plan of $59.99 or more.(1) AT&T Communication Manager comes with new LaptopConnect cards and is available for free at http://www.att.com/laptopconnect.

“The combination of the nation’s largest wireless and Wi-Fi networks is unbeatable,” said Michael Woodward, vice president, Business Mobility Products for AT&T’s wireless unit. “It’s the ultimate in mobility for laptops — AT&T’s wireless network plus more than 17,000 Wi-Fi locations.”

AT&T also offers free Wi-Fi access to qualifying broadband subscribers. The company plans to expand free Wi-Fi access to additional wireless customers in the future.

When not in a hotspot, AT&T LaptopConnect cards operate on AT&T’s wireless network, which provides DSL-like speeds on the company’s 3G network in more than 275 markets in the U.S., reaching nearly 350 markets by year end. AT&T’s wireless network also offers data connectivity across AT&T’s EDGE network which covers more than 13,000 cities and towns and some 40,000 miles of major highways. Internationally, AT&T can offer customers data access in more than 145 countries and 3G roaming in 60 countries.

For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit http://www.att.com. For more information on AT&T LaptopConnect, visit http://www.att.com/laptopconnect.

(1) LaptopConnect users must have AT&T Communication Manager (version 6.8 or higher) installed on their PC. Support for free Wi-Fi through AT&T Communication Manager exists only for laptops running Windows operating systems on May 1.

AT&T Inc. and Starbucks announced the beginning of the rollout of AT&T Wi-Fi(SM) service at company-operated Starbucks stores, kicking off a nationwide effort that will continue through 2008. At the 2008 AT&T Inc. Annual Meeting of Stockholders in San Antonio, chairman and chief executive officer Randall Stephenson announced that the companies have already started the deployment of AT&T Wi-Fi service at Starbucks locations in San Antonio, making it the first market to deliver the complete AT&T Wi-Fi experience in the U.S.Also, as of May 1, qualifying AT&T high speed Internet and Wi-Fi customers will have complimentary Wi-Fi access at more than 7,000 Starbucks locations nationwide. For millions of AT&T customers, that means more speed in more places — and for free — is on its way.

“With the power of our Wi-Fi network, and through our partnership with Starbucks, we’re strengthening our ability to meet the needs of today’s mobile consumer virtually anywhere and everywhere,” Stephenson said. “Expanding our reach across company-operated Starbucks locations nationwide helps us bridge the gap between our wired and wireless offerings and affirms AT&T’s commitment to connect people with their worlds, everywhere they live and work.”

“We continue to build on the experience we know our customers expect from us,” said Chris Bruzzo, chief technology officer, Starbucks. “By partnering with AT&T as our U.S. Wi-Fi provider we aim to deliver a better value, greater convenience and seamless connectivity in a mobility centric world to our customers.”

As of May 1, qualifying AT&T customers can connect to the Internet from Wi-Fi enabled company-operated Starbucks locations nationwide by simply selecting “ATTWiFi” after powering up their computers. Free AT&T Wi-Fi service is currently offered with AT&T’s three higher-speed residential broadband packages, all small business broadband packages and with all AT&T U-verse(SM) offerings with high speed Internet service.

For other customers, AT&T Wi-Fi service will reach company-operated Starbucks locations on a market-by-market basis throughout the year. The experience will include a mix of free and paid connection options for both frequent and occasional Wi-Fi users and qualifying Starbucks customers. Once AT&T Wi-Fi service is available, customers will be able to shop and surf both Starbucks’ and AT&T’s respective home pages for products and services.

The initiative brings together two of the most recognizable global brands to create a powerful and convenient online experience for consumers and business customers. The San Antonio launch delivers on the companies’ joint commitment to begin the rollout of AT&T Wi-Fi service this spring.

AT&T is the nation’s largest Wi-Fi provider.(1) In addition to offering access from more than 17,000 hot spots in the United States, the company provides Wi-Fi access from more than 71,000 hot spots around the world, including roaming locations.

(1) Based on nonmunicipal hot spots available to AT&T customers

AT&T Inc. and Research In Motion (RIM) today announced the launch of the BlackBerry Pearl(TM) 8110 smartphone, which includes built-in global positioning system (GPS) support for location-based applications and services. Combined with navigation and mapping applications such as AT&T Navigator, the handset provides turn-by-turn voice and on-screen directions with colorful 3-D moving maps that can be used in vehicles or while walking. AT&T Navigator also alerts users through voice and on-screen prompts to traffic slowdowns and incidents along their programmed travel route, and it provides customers with the option to choose an alternative route.”The BlackBerry Pearl 8110’s stylish design and consumer features blend well with the productivity features for managing your day while away from home or the office,” said Michael Woodward, vice president, Business Voice/Data and Wireless Products, for AT&T’s wireless unit. “Beyond the BlackBerry Pearl 8110’s powerful e-mail and messaging capabilities, which keep users on track with important information while mobile, its new built-in GPS capabilities — coupled with AT&T Navigator — will keep customers literally on track when they are getting from Point A to Point B.”

The small and stylish BlackBerry Pearl 8110 smartphone from AT&T measures just 4.2 inches by 2.4 inches by 0.5 inches, weighs approximately 3.2 ounces and is available in a glossy titanium or rich red finish. It features the popular BlackBerry e-mail and messaging capabilities, including RIM’s SureType QWERTY keyboard system for easy typing and phone dialing — enhanced with word completion and a spell-checker with a user-customized dictionary. The smartphone features a display that supports more than 65,000 colors and automatically adjusts brightness based on surrounding light levels. The BlackBerry Pearl 8110 also is the first BlackBerry that enables users to wirelessly download AT&T’s popular — and free — YELLOWPAGES.COM Mobile application directly from an icon on the smartphone. Customers can easily find and map local businesses, save favorite listings and get step-by-step directions to or from any location.

“The BlackBerry Pearl 8110 smartphone maintains the exceptional styling and sleek form factor of the BlackBerry Pearl franchise,” said Mark Guibert, vice president, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion. “It expands functionality with richer multimedia capabilities and built-in GPS while continuing to deliver the full power of the BlackBerry platform. With value-added services, like AT&T Navigator, AT&T Mobile Music and AT&T’s global roaming, the BlackBerry Pearl 8110 is an ideal choice for customers who want a new phone that can serve both business and personal needs.”

The BlackBerry Pearl 8110 also features impressive multimedia capabilities, including an advanced media player that is ideal for users who want easy access to music and videos while on the go. It also includes a 2-megapixel camera that supports video recording(1), a 3.5-mm stereo headset jack, externally accessible microSD(TM)/SDHC memory slot for additional storage, high speed USB and Bluetooth 2.0 with support for headsets, car kits, stereo headsets and other Bluetooth accessories.

The global capabilities of the BlackBerry Pearl 8110 smartphone from AT&T utilizes AT&T’s industry-best domestic and international wide area wireless data coverage. The BlackBerry Pearl 8110 is powered by AT&T’s nationwide(2) EDGE network — the largest high speed national wireless data network in the U.S. — with availability in more than 13,000 cities and towns and along almost 40,000 miles of major highways. The BlackBerry Pearl 8110 can also keep users who are abroad connected with wireless e-mail, Internet access and other mobile applications through data services in more countries than any other U.S. carrier, with data-roaming in more than 145 countries. Customers can also use the BlackBerry Pearl 8110 to make or receive voice calls in more than 200 countries.

Pricing and Availability

The new BlackBerry Pearl 8110 smartphone from AT&T is available now at AT&T retail stores nationwide, via http://www.att.com and through AT&T’s business-to-business sales teams for as low as $149.99, with a two-year contract, unlimited data plan and $39.99 voice plan. Customers who want personal e-mail access and Web browsing with BlackBerry Internet Service can choose the BlackBerry Personal Unlimited data plan for as low as $30 a month with a qualified voice contract. Unlimited corporate e-mail and data access via BlackBerry Enterprise Server or BlackBerry Professional Software are available for as low as $45 a month when a qualified voice plan is also chosen. Customers who travel overseas can select the BlackBerry International Unlimited data plan for as low as $65 a month with a qualified voice plan. AT&T Navigator requires a separate subscription of $9.99 a month.

The BlackBerry Pearl 8110 also supports AT&T Mobile Music subscription services and AT&T unlimited Push To Talk for walkie-talkie-like communications; both services are an additional $9.99 a month with a qualifying voice plan. Small business customers also can couple their BlackBerry data plans with AT&T’s new BusinessTalk voice plans, which start at $60 a month for five users and 700 Anytime Minutes and can be expanded for $9.99 a line to accommodate up to 40 users and 20,000 Anytime Minutes. When combined with BlackBerry Professional Software, BusinessTalk provides small businesses with a complete voice and data solution. Companies may also choose BusinessTalk with either unlimited Mobile to Mobile or Push To Talk features.

(1) Video recording requires a microSD/SDHC storage card, sold separately.

(2) Not available in all areas

“AT&T on its conference call with analysts today skirted giving numbers about how many of Apple’s (AAPL) iPhones it activated in the quarter ended March 31, which it reported earlier today.”

AT&T Inc. and Research in Motion announced today the availability of BlackBerry Professional Software for AT&T’s small business customers, which provides a wireless communications and collaboration solution with advanced security features designed specifically for small and midsize companies.BlackBerry Professional Software is a logical and intuitive wireless communications and collaboration solution that provides small business-focused features, security performance and support options in an easy-to-use solution, supporting up to 30 wireless users. It enables wireless access to e-mail, calendar, contacts, business data and Internet access while helping owners and office managers focus on running their business. This new solution helps them to respond quickly to their customers and provides employees with the ability to accomplish more each day by using their BlackBerry smartphones from AT&T.

“BlackBerry Professional Software will allow our small business customers to more easily afford and implement BlackBerry service so that they have many of the controls and security features and the productivity benefits of staying connected that large business customers enjoy,” said Michael Woodward, AT&T vice president, Business Voice/Data and Wireless Products. AT&T is the world’s largest BlackBerry service provider.

BlackBerry Professional Software provides a simplified installation process and the full suite of advanced security features and IT policies that come with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server software, such as sophisticated end-to-end encryption to protect communications and information — but with simplified administration. With pre-defined IT policies, it is also easy to control content protection strength from content on the handset, owner-information settings, password use, password complexity, timeouts and more. A lost or stolen smartphone can be locked down, and proprietary business information can be erased immediately.

BlackBerry Professional Software also provides control over the company’s BlackBerry smartphones, allowing the owner or office manager to limit certain features on an employee’s smartphone, and the solution enables data to be backed up wirelessly. Changes to control settings can occur in seconds as IT policies are “pushed” to the smartphone over the air.

BlackBerry Professional Software is designed to be logical, intuitive and straightforward, so a small business owner or office manager can install it easily on an existing e-mail server (IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Windows Small Business Server or Microsoft Exchange). A pre-install assistant streamlines the simple installation process, and configuration is automatic. Controlling security and device-management functions, such as the examples cited above, is quickly and easily accomplished through wizards and quick links.

If a small business grows beyond 30 users, the BlackBerry Professional Software solution can be upgraded to BlackBerry Enterprise Server, and the BlackBerry Professional Software Client Access Licenses (CALs) can be used with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server.

AT&T’s small business customers can rely on the BlackBerry Professional Software to grow with their business at home. They can also rely on AT&T’s industry-best wireless international footprint to keep them connected on their BlackBerry smartphones, with voice calling in more than 200 countries and wireless e-mail and Internet access in more than 145 countries.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The BlackBerry Professional Software package that supports five wireless users out of the box is priced at $499, with a 10-user version priced at $849. These packages include the server software along with CALs. Additional CALs can be purchased individually, in five-packs and in 10-packs to grow the deployment as the small business grows. Special introductory promotional pricing for software and CALs, as well as a large portfolio of BlackBerry smartphones, is available through AT&T’s small business account representatives or the Key Contact Center at 866-768-8406.

BlackBerry small business customers also can take advantage of AT&T’s new BusinessTalk voice plans, which start at $60 a month for five users and 700 Anytime Minutes and can be expanded for $9.99 a line to accommodate up to 40 users and 20,000 Anytime Minutes. Companies may choose BusinessTalk with either unlimited Mobile to Mobile or Push To Talk features.

“After initially being standoffish, the head of AT&T Inc.’s wireless arm has taken a liking to Google Inc.’s project to create a new operating system for cell phones.”I like it a lot more than I did before,” said Ralph de la Vega, chief executive of AT&T Mobility, Wednesday told an audience of journalists and analysts at the CTIA Wireless show in Las Vegas. “It’s something we would want in our portfolio.” “

Go from turning heads to turn-by-turn directions. AT&T Inc. and Motorola Inc. announced today at CTIA Wireless 2008 that the MOTO Z9 slider handset, which is exclusive to AT&T in the U.S., will put customers on the right path in style. MOTO Z9 will be the first phone to include AT&T Navigator, bringing the company’s Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation service to an even greater number of AT&T customers.Motorola’s award-winning CrystalTalk technology also delivers voice quality to match MOTO Z9’s design. The proprietary technology enables consumers to be heard even in noisy environments, so users sound as good as MOTO Z9 looks.

MOTO Z9’s sleek slider design demands attention, and AT&T’s third-generation (3G) wireless network allows it to be as fast as it looks. Available in more than 265 markets, 3G service from AT&T gives MOTO Z9 blazing-fast data speeds, enabling the coolest new services like Video Share,1 which allows users with compatible phones such as MOTO Z9 to send live one-way video and audio from one user to another.

Consumers can use the device’s intuitive music features to find their favorite tunes and playlists and can enjoy one-touch access to a song they want to hear. AT&T Mobile Music1 provides fast access to downloadable music from eMusic and sideloading compatibility from Napster To Go and any unrestricted MP3 audio file. The device supports up to 8GB of memory, with an optional removable microSD card. Stereo Bluetooth wireless technology, a lightning-fast Opera 8 browser and 2.0-megapixel camera round out MOTO Z9’s robust multimedia offerings.

MOTO Z9 is now available. It’s exclusively sold at AT&T company-owned stores, authorized dealers and http://wireless.att.com for $249.99 after a two-year service agreement. For more information, specifications and images of MOTO Z9, please visit http://www.att.com/mobilehandsets-news or http://www.motorola.com/mediacenter.

AT&T announced the immediate availability of its company-branded GPS-enabled navigation service, AT&T Navigator.AT&T Navigator is designed to provide you with clear and precise audible and visual turn-by-turn driving directions, including full-color moving maps, using GPS directly from your wireless phone. Working with TeleNav, whose navigation service has been available on AT&T PDAs since 2006, AT&T is now introducing its own branded next-generation GPS navigation service for all consumers. The service is available on GPS-capable PDAs and handsets, including the new consumer-focused Motorola Z9.

“AT&T Navigator offers travelers a more convenient alternative than using printed maps or expensive stand-alone navigation devices by allowing them to use a device they always have with them — their wireless phone,” said Mark Collins, vice president of Consumer Data for AT&T’s wireless unit. “AT&T Navigator is an ideal tool for all of our customers, whether they are trying to get directions to a new restaurant uptown, an important business meeting downtown or the high school reunion out of town. It’s truly an example of handset personalization and mobilization at its best.”

AT&T Navigator offers several other features to make your commute more enjoyable and reliable, including mobile access to YELLOWPAGES.COM. Additionally, AT&T Navigator is the only mobile phone-based GPS service that provides integrated speech recognition for address entry and points of interest search. You simply press a single button on your phone and speak the name of the business or address you want to find, and AT&T Navigator will provide voice and on-screen turn-by-turn directions to your destination. Integrated speech recognition is currently available on BlackBerry devices. AT&T plans to make this feature, along with other value-added services, available on more handsets in 2008 and beyond.

Another great feature of AT&T Navigator, available today on all GPS-capable handsets, is real-time traffic updates and route information available directly from your phone. You can get an estimated time of arrival for every route, plus constant updates as you go along so that you always know how long the trip will take — and can tell friends when to expect you. AT&T Navigator also provides both flow (average speed of traffic along your route) and incident information (auto accidents, freeway construction, etc.) along your route, so you have the ability to navigate around any issues and save time.

AT&T Navigator also steers you in the right direction by making it easy for you to:

* Compare gas prices and get directions to the nearest gas stations, which are sorted by lowest to highest price, with the Gas By Price feature.

* Search along your route to find the nearest restaurants, ATMs, shopping malls, Wi-Fi hot spots and much more by using YELLOWPAGES.COM’s database of millions of business locations. As your trusted online source for comprehensive national and local business information, mobile access to YELLOWPAGES.COM gives you the flexibility to search by category or by entering a specific business name.

* Plan your trip before you get into the car by entering your address online from your computer and then synching the address to your phone before you’re out the door. When you’re ready to get on the road, the address will be right there on your phone, where you need it, and you will receive the same reliable turn-by-turn audio and visual directions to your destination.

A perfect tool for the bustling commuter or business traveler, AT&T Navigator is currently available on the new Motorola Z9 as well as the Samsung BlackJack II, MOTO Q, AT&T Tilt, and BlackBerry devices (8310, 8800 and 8820). AT&T Navigator will also come preloaded on GPS-enabled devices that will be part of the AT&T handset portfolio in the near future. Stay tuned.

AT&T Navigator is currently available to AT&T customers with compatible handsets as a free 30-day trial. If you wish to continue the service after the trial period has ended, you can either pay a monthly subscription charge of $9.99 for unlimited routes or, for Motorola Z9 users, you can use the service with the $2.99 Day Pass option.

AT&T Inc. and Microsoft Corp. today announced a collaborative alliance that will transform the way consumers shop for mobile devices. AT&T will become the first company in the world to bring Microsoft Surface(TM) to life in a retail environment, giving customers the ability to explore their mobile worlds using touch and device-recognition technology.Microsoft Surface is the first commercially available surface computer from Microsoft. Beginning April 17, customers can experience Microsoft Surface in select AT&T retail locations, including stores in New York City, Atlanta, San Antonio and San Francisco. Based on the success and learning from these initial pilot deployments, plans for further expansion across AT&T’s 2,200 U.S.-based retail stores will be determined.

Microsoft Surface is a 30-inch table-like display that gives individuals or multiple people the opportunity to interact with devices and content in a way that feels familiar — by using touch, gestures and placement of devices on the display. In essence, it’s a surface come to life for exploring, learning, sharing, creating, buying and much more.

AT&T plans to harness the power of Surface to provide its retail store visitors with unique opportunities to learn about the growing universe of mobile applications and devices. The interactive touch displays, which will work without a traditional mouse or keyboard, will allow customers to:

– Learn. Customers can review features of a particular mobile device by simply placing it on the display. Surface will recognize the device and provide a graphical overview of its capabilities. Customers can place two devices side by side on the unit and easily compare their features.

– Explore. Customers can view interactive coverage maps at the national, state, local or street level, using simple touch and hand movement to scale and move the maps, determining a customer’s coverage area.

– Customize. In the future, customers will be able to drag and drop ringtones, graphics, video and more by “grabbing” content with their hands from a menu on the display and “dropping” it into the phone.

In addition to these exciting features, AT&T and Microsoft will continue to collaborate on new and innovative ways to expand Surface capabilities in AT&T stores.

“We are thrilled to bring this groundbreaking new technology to our stores so that we can introduce customers to their mobile worlds in a very personal and easy way,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility. “We look forward to working with Microsoft to continue developing new ways for our customers to learn about the ever-growing lineup of mobile devices and applications.”

“Microsoft Surface transforms the retail environment from a transaction destination to a customer engagement destination,” said Robbie Bach, president, Entertainment & Devices Division, Microsoft. “With innovative and intuitive ways of accessing information and digital content on Microsoft Surface, consumers now have an entirely new, unique and personalized shopping experience. We’re excited to have AT&T bring this to life and be the first company showcasing Surface in its retail locations.”

AT&T plans to unveil the new displays in stores in New York City, Atlanta, San Antonio and San Francisco on April 17, followed by additional stores in other markets based on the success of the first phase of deployment.

AOL today announced the availability of a beta version of AOL MyMobile, a new application designed to give users easy access to popular AOL services through their mobile devices. The company also announced today enhancements to AOL Mobile Search that now enable easy access to the service for BlackBerry device users, as well as the extension of the AIM TXT shortcode service across all major carriers in the U.S. These and other AOL services for mobile devices will be demonstrated at this week’s CTIA Wireless show in Las Vegas.”As we work to expand our global audience and provide consumers with easy access to our products no matter where they are, we’ve significantly improved the performance of our core consumer mobile products, we’re introducing new, more modular products, and we’re very focused on the importance of our new open mobile initiative,” said Kevin Conroy, Executive Vice President of AOL.

“Whether you’re looking for a more feature-rich application that you can download to your phone, an easy-to-navigate WAP experience or quick and easy SMS-based features, AOL Mobile offers consumers greater choice,” said Steve Murphy, Senior Vice President of AOL. “The products we’re announcing today continue our drive to deliver best-of-breed wireless services for consumers.”

AOL MyMobile Now Available

Beginning today, Windows Mobile users in the U.S. can download AOL MyMobile, a new interactive suite of services designed specifically for mobile devices. AOL MyMobile provides personalized access to AOL’s most popular services including AIM, AOL Mail, AOL CityGuide, Moviefone, MapQuest, AOL Local Search, AOL News, Weather, AOL Sports and AOL Pictures. More than just stand-alone services, these applications also work together, enabling users to find information and take action without having to leave AOL MyMobile.

AOL MyMobile’s easy-to-use carousel navigation, along with drop-down lists and intuitive menus, enables users to easily scroll through the applications and content most important to them for access to key mobile services. The software learns and remembers user favorites and recent requests to enhance the experience with each use. The application even allows users to access saved directions, search results, restaurant details and more when they are offline or outside their coverage area.

Built using Action Engine’s on-device portal technology, a beta version of AOL MyMobile is available now to Windows Mobile users across all major networks in the U.S. The application can be downloaded by entering http://wap.aol.com/mymobile into their phone’s browser, then selecting ‘Get AOL MyMobile BETA.’ AOL MyMobile will be available for other popular mobile operating systems in the coming months.

AOL Mobile Search

AOL Mobile Search delivers comprehensive and more relevant search results by bringing together content from across the Web and mobile Web, as well as from Moviefone, MapQuest, AOL CityGuide and other AOL services.

At this week’s CTIA Wireless show, AOL will preview a version of AOL Mobile Search designed specifically for the Apple iPhone and the phone’s Safari browser. By combining AJAX technology and the iPhone’s easy to use multi-touch surface, AOL has created a user interface that allows the richness of the Web to be delivered on a phone. A beta version of AOL Mobile Search for the iPhone will be available at http://search.aol.com/ beginning in mid-April.

In addition, starting today, BlackBerry users can now easily install a new AOL Mobile Search icon to their device’s Home Screen. The icon can be obtained by going to AOL Search on the Web (http://search.aol.com) and typing ‘BlackBerry’ into the search box. The link to download the search icon will be sent to the user’s BlackBerry device via an SMS message. Clicking on the icon will automatically launch AOL Mobile Search, making it easy and more convenient for users to find exactly what they’re looking for while on-the-go.

AIM TXT: Expanded Availability Across All Major Networks

AOL’s new AIM TXT service, which delivers AIM instant messaging functionality through text messaging on a user’s cell phone, is now available to users across all major networks in the U.S. including Alltell, AT&T Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless. By sending a text to the AIMAIM shortcode (246246) and using simple commands, users on these networks can perform key AIM functions including logging in and logging out of AIM; sending instant messages; updating their AIM Status Message; setting their availability; viewing their Buddy List; and more.

Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung) today announced the exclusive availability of the Samsung Access, Samsung’s first device to support AT&T Mobile TV, a mobile television service featuring high-quality programming.The sophisticated and sleek Access is a bar-style phone with a slick black finish and large, crisp and clear 2.3″ landscape display comparable to DVD quality, ideal for viewing multimedia content, and exceptional television reception without the need for external antenna. AT&T Mobile TV is easily accessible to users with a one-touch button which brings them directly to full-length television content and sporting events from top networks, including programming from leading entertainment brands CBS Mobile, Comedy Central, ESPN Mobile TV, FOX Mobile, MTV, NBC 2GO, NBC News2Go and Nickelodeon. AT&T Mobile TV will also feature two exclusive channels, which will be announced soon.

The Access is a robust multimedia device and includes features such as Video Share, AT&T Mobile Music, stereo Bluetooth technology, external stereo speakers, external memory microSD card slot and 1.3 megapixel camera with video record. With advanced messaging options such as multimedia messaging, instant messaging and mobile e-mail, the Access is a powerful communication device.

The Access also features dual-band 3G connectivity and quad-band GSM technology, which allows AT&T customers to make calls in more than 200 countries and download data in more than 145.

The Access will be available through select AT&T retail locations or at http://www.att.com/wireless beginning in May 2008. To learn more about AT&T’s other mobile entertainment offerings, visit www.wireless.att.com/entertainment.

AT&T Inc. and MediaFLO USA Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated announced the launch of AT&T Mobile TV with FLO, a mobile television service featuring high quality live programming. The mobile TV service will launch in May 2008 on two new exclusive handsets, the LG Vu(TM) and the Samsung Access(TM). AT&T Mobile TV will also feature two exclusive channels, which will be announced soon.AT&T Mobile TV will deliver full-length television content and sporting events from top networks, including programming from leading entertainment brands CBS Mobile, Comedy Central, ESPN Mobile TV, FOX Mobile, MTV, NBC 2GO, NBC News2Go and Nickelodeon.

“AT&T Mobile TV is a powerful new mobile entertainment offering, which will give our customers a formidable lineup of sports, news and primetime shows, including two channels exclusive available to AT&T customers,” said Mark Collins, vice president of Consumer Data for AT&T’s wireless unit. “We are thrilled to team with MediaFLO USA to offer our customers an unmatched mobile entertainment experience that is changing the way we all look at TV.”

“By making the FLO TV service available to AT&T customers, the nation’s largest wireless carrier, MediaFLO USA continues to expand our award winning FLO TV service to consumers across the country,” said Gina Lombardi, president of MediaFLO USA. “We look forward to working closely with AT&T to continue the momentum of making mobile TV a staple for more consumers.”

The AT&T Mobile TV service will be launched on two stylish devices: the Vu from LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A. Inc. (LG), and the Access from and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung).

– LG Vu: A sleek and stunning device, the Vu gives you a clear view of TV, Web, pictures or videos on its large interactive touch screen. It also lets you get the utmost in mobile entertainment with a music player, 2.0 megapixel camera and Bluetooth capabilities. — Samsung Access: This stylish handset features a large landscape display, ideal for delivering a rich viewing experience and an internal antenna for exceptional reception. It’s a great device for customers who are looking for advanced multimedia capabilities such as a camera, external stereo speakers, stereo Bluetooth, AT&T Music, CV, of course, AT&T Mobile TV.

More details on AT&T’s soon-to-be-launched mobile TV service from MediaFLO USA and the company’s exclusive handsets from LG and Samsung will be available soon.

The ever-growing world of mobile music just got bigger. AT&T Inc. announced today the immediate availability of two new music applications — mSpot’s Make-UR-Tones and Remix — and plans to significantly expand offerings for Napster Mobile(TM) over-the-air downloads. Make-UR-Tones allows customers to customize ringtones by using their mobile phone, and the Remix application gives customers access to their PC-based music collections directly from their phone. The result for mobile music lovers is more freedom to listen to the songs they want, when they want, on their AT&T mobile phone.mSpot Make-UR-Tones

With today’s launch of mSpot Make-UR-Tones, AT&T — the exclusive provider of the application — becomes the first national carrier to allow customers to easily use their wireless phone to create a ringtone from their favorite part of a song. The Make-UR-Tones application is designed to give users the flexibility to customize a one- to 30-second ringtone from a full song. AT&T’s Make-UR-Tones subscribers can enjoy exclusive access to more than 250,000 titles from music labels EMI Music, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, INgrooves and IRIS.

“We are thrilled to work with AT&T to harness the power of the mobile platform to further enrich the musical experience for consumers,” said Amanda Marks, executive vice president and general manager of Digital, Universal Music Group Distribution. “Universal is committed to embracing technologies that are transforming the media landscape, and dynamic and compelling new personalization products, such as those from AT&T, allow us to creatively empower fans while respecting the rights of music creators.”

“mSpot’s collaboration with AT&T and music labels enable us to offer AT&T mobile customers access to the largest ringtone catalog in North America,” said Daren Tsui, CEO of mSpot. “Make-UR-Tones and other mSpot services bring personalized, seamless music experiences to the mobile phone.”

To use the application, AT&T customers simply download mSpot’s Make-UR-Tones from the AT&T MEdia Mall on their mobile phone, use the advanced search engine to select a song and then cut the part of the song they want to customize as their ringtone, up to 30 seconds, by using the application’s easy-to-use waveform editor. Make-UR-Tones lets users listen to the song while it’s being edited and preview the ringtone before downloading a copy to their phones.

The mSpot Make-UR-Tones is available for a monthly subscription of $6.99 for three ringtones. Additional customized ringtones can be purchased on an a la carte basis for $2.99. Make-UR-Tones is currently available for download on the Samsung SYNC, Samsung A737, Samsung A747 and the Motorola V3xx and will expand to additional phones in the near future.

mSpot Remix

AT&T is now offering a music-on-demand application for customers who want the ability to access and enjoy their PC-based music libraries from their mobile phone. Available today, mSpot Remix is the newest music application from AT&T Mobile Music and is available from AT&T MEdia Mall.

The mSpot Remix mobile player connects with a PC over the AT&T network, providing access to stored songs and playlists. When a customer hits Play from the mSpot Remix mobile player, Remix immediately starts playing the song from the PC while downloading the entire track in the background. Remix then saves the song to the phone’s memory card, so the customer has access to the song even when not connected to the network.

The mSpot Remix service is available for a monthly subscription of $9.99, which allows users to download 75 songs a month. AT&T also will offer a Remix booster pack for $2.99, which provides an additional 10 songs. Remix is compatible with the Samsung SYNC, the Samsung A737 and the LG SHINE.

Verizon Wireless and AT&T were the major winners across the board, together accounting for more than 80% of the auction’s $19.1 billion in bids. Verizon won seven of the 12 Regional Economic Area Groups (REAGs) in block C which provides nationwide coverage in the continental United States and Hawaii, and which also carries an “open network” requirement for the license holder. According to ABI Research senior analyst Nadine Manjaro, “These licenses will enable Verizon to extend coverage into rural areas and potentially pose a significant threat to rural operators. In addition, since Verizon has announced plans to deploy LTE, it is highly likely that LTE will be deployed in this frequency band.”"It’s no surprise that Google didn’t win,” Manjaro continues. “Google just went in to get the networks opened up. They did achieve their goal of requiring that the networks be open to whatever devices they intend to bring to market, without incurring major costs. The rules of the C block requires the spectrum to be open to any device and any application.”

EchoStar, which won a nearly nationwide footprint in the E Block, could be the new mobile broadband operator which the FCC hoped the 700 MHz auction would produce. EchoStar could potentially deploy mobile WiMAX services similar to those of Sprint and Clearwire, realizing its longtime strategic goal of adding broadband data services to its video offering. A major hindrance, however, says Manjaro, is that EchoStar only has six MHz of spectrum in each market compared to Sprint’s approximate 90 MHz in each market.

There is one other fly in the ointment: the failure of the D Block emergency services part of the spectrum to attract the required minimum bid. While some have suggested that Sprint might spin off the Nextel iDEN network to form the basis of a new nationwide public safety network, Manjaro disagrees: “Sprint is committed to iDEN, and has announced plans to grow it to 36 million customers. After this major disappointment for the FCC it’s back to the drawing board for them, and I think they will re-run the D Block auction with new requirements - probably lowering the reserve price.”

“The results of this auction will mean changes for existing operators,” Manjaro continues. “With flat rate pricing, all operators are now commoditizing the bandwidth. They will have to get creative in developing new services to increase revenue. Some are already starting down that path, with Verizon creating its A-IMS (Advances to IP Multimedia Subsystem) platform and kicking off its Open Development initiative, which allows third-party developers to build new applications and services for the network. That means consumers will win through flat-rate pricing and the ability to buy any device and use it on any network. That’s what the FCC wanted, and to me, it looks like a win-win situation, except for the rural operators mentioned above.”

AT&T Inc. completed successful bids for prime B Block spectrum in the FCC auction. Combined with the Aloha Partners transaction, which closed earlier this year, AT&T has supplemented its holding of high-quality spectrum and continues to have a leading spectrum position in the industry.”AT&T’s strong spectrum holdings position the company to further enhance the quality and reliability of existing wireless broadband and voice services, and to set the foundation for new-generation wireless broadband technologies and services.” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T’s wireless unit.

Upon final award of this spectrum, the company’s 700 MHz spectrum will cover 100 percent of the top 200 markets. Combined with the spectrum previously purchased in the AWS auction, AT&T will have quality spectrum available for new services covering 95 percent of the U.S. population. With this spectrum we can continue to deliver the latest technology and best-in-class services to our customers as the wireless industry grows and evolves.

“Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility won the vast majority of the 700 MHz spectrum up for grabs during the Federal Communications Commission’s recently completed auction. Verizon Wireless was the event’s biggest spender, doling out $9.63 billion (fully half of the almost $20 billion in total bids) and winning all of the open-access, C-Block licenses covering the continental United States.”

Six months after the iPhone’s U.S. launch, has the device changed the mobile landscape? According to M:Metrics, the mobile media authority, the answer is yes. Today, the measurement firm reports that the iPhone is already the most popular device for accessing news and information on the mobile Web, with 85 percent of iPhone users accessing news and information in the month of January.”The iPhone has certainly delivered on its hype,” said Mark Donovan, senior analyst, M:Metrics. “Beyond a doubt, this device is compelling consumers to interact with the mobile Web, delivering off-the-charts usage from everything to text messaging to mobile video.”

M:Metrics found that a staggering 30.9 percent of iPhone owners watched mobile TV or video, versus a 4.6 market average, and more than double the rate for all smartphone users. Usage of social networking is also popular among iPhone users: 49.7 percent accessed a social networking site in January, nearly twelve times the market average. Twenty percent of iPhone owners accessed Facebook, one of the first Web properties to customize its content for the iPhone, versus 1.5 percent of the total mobile market.

“This data indicate that the iPhone’s widgets are an effective means to drive mobile content consumption,” observed Donovan. “Two featured widgets, YouTube and Google Maps, are extremely popular among iPhone users: 30.4 percent accessed YouTube and 36 percent used Google Maps. In comparison, only one percent of all mobile subscribers accessed YouTube and 2.6 percent checked out Google Maps.”

M:Metrics is also the first to report use of the music playing capability of the iPhone, with 74.1 percent of iPhone owners listening to mobile music in January, compared to 6.7 percent of the total mobile audience. Eighty four percent of iPhone owners who use an MP3 player use an iPod.

M:Metrics revealed the demographic composition of iPhone users, which are similar to the demographics of other smartphone owners. They are more likely to be: male, aged 25-34, earn more than $100,000 and have a college degree, than the average mobile subscriber.

“While the demographics of iPhone users are very similar to all smartphone owners, the iPhone is outpacing other smartphones in driving mobile content consumption by a significant margin,” said Donovan. “In addition to the attributes of the device itself, another important factor to consider is the fact that all iPhones on AT&T are attached to an unlimited data plan. Our data shows that once the fear of surprise data charges is eliminated, mobile content consumption increases dramatically, regardless of device.”

M:Metrics applies trusted media measurement methodologies to assess the audience for mobile content and applications. As the world’s most authoritative mobile media measurement firm, M:Metrics delivers the most accurate mobile market metrics through the world’s largest monthly survey of mobile subscribers as well as automated data collection methodologies. Below are the findings of its January Benchmark Survey.

“AT&T and rival Sprint Nextel are in a bitter dispute over fees to use one another’s voice networks. The nation’s largest phone company doesn’t want Sprint expanding a no-fee deal to nearly half the country. So it’s taken the fight from the states to the Federal Communications Commission.”