Tag Archive for AT&T

AT&T stores report Lumia 900 shortage

April 19, 2012 admin Gadgets, Mobile, Telecomms
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Several AT&T stores report that the Nokia Lumia 900 are selling out fast.

Nokia has unveiled its latest ad touting the Lumia 900.The Nokia Lumia 900 is reportedly high in demand. (Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

Although it’s still too early to tell if the Lumia 900 is both Nokia and Microsoft’s saving grace, numerous AT&T stores reported that the demand for the device is surpassing its supply.

According to an informal Gizmodo investigation, 36 stores sold out of the handset within the first few days of its debut, especially in the cyan color:

“Ten stores had run out of cyan entirely but had the black model available in limited quantities,” the publication reported.

“Many told us stock would be replenished by the next day, with just two saying they’re receiving shipments daily.”

But consumers shouldn’t be too optimistic about these numbers. After all, these stores could have had a small supply right off the bat.

“Locations that had been cleaned out only started with three or four of each color, and reinforcements have apparently been scarce,” Gizmodo reported.

Whether or not the carrier is planning to sell out the device to build up hype, or it’s just genuinely caught off guard by the demand, it’s good to see that any Nokia phone is selling out at all in the U.S.

Read more: AT&T stores report Lumia 900 shortage

 

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Nokia Lumia 900 glitch triggers free phone giveaway

April 11, 2012 admin Gadgets, Mobile
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Nokia confirmed a problem with the Lumia 900′s ability to access data and is taking drastic actions to make up for it, offering a $100 credit to existing and new customers through April 21.

Nokia Lumia 900

Nokia is offering new and existing customers a $100 credit for its Lumia 900. (Credit: CNET)

Nokia is taking extreme measures to rectify a glitch found in some Lumia 900 smartphones, offering new and existing customers a $100 credit for their troubles.

Some early Lumia 900 customers found that their phones failed to get a data connection, an issue Nokia confirmed and said it is fixing. As a peace offering, the company is offering this promotion both to appease existing customers and entice potential new ones, with the $100 fully covering the $99.99 handset.

There’s a lot riding on the launch of the Lumia 900, which Nokia is banking on heavily as its comeback vehicle in the U.S. There were a lot of expectations built up ahead of its launch on Sunday. The drastic measure taken by Nokia only further underscores how important the device is to the company and to the Windows Phone platform.

“We wanted to send a message that we’re not only solving the problem in an expedited fashion, but that we’re going above beyond and beyond to not only fix the issue and give you something for your inconvenience,” Chris Weber, head of Nokia’s North American business, said in an interview with CNET.

The glitch was a result of the way the phone manages memory and is a software issue, Weber said, stressing that it was not a hardware issue or a problem with AT&T’s network. Weber declined to comment on how many phones were affected. He said it was a limited number, but that it was big enough to warrant this action.

Nokia has identified the problem, and phones with the fix will appear in stores over the next few days, he said. Customers can either swap out their phones at AT&T stores or wait for a software update on April 16 that will resolve the issue.

Weber said he would recommend all Lumia 900 customers download the update whether they are experience data connectivity issues or not.

Tech companies have reacted in a variety of ways to resolve issues with their products. Apple, for instance, resolved its iPhone 4 Antennagate controversy by giving away free bumper covers to its customers. Research in Motion gave away free apps and technical support.

Weber said the promotion lasts until midnight on April 21. Consumers who place their order before that time will be eligible for the credit, even if they don’t get the phone in time or it is out of stock.

But to essentially underwrite the entire cost of the phone is a fairly aggressive approach for Nokia. Not only are existing customers compensated, but potential new customers have an excuse to try out the Lumia 900 with minimal financial risk. Weber declined to say how much this promotion would cost, noting that it would depend on demand for the phone.

Nokia badly needs the Lumia 900 to be a hit. Weber said he was seeing great consumer buzz and excitement over the product, but declined to provide details on sales figures so early into the launch.

 

Read more: Nokia Lumia 900 glitch triggers free phone giveaway

 

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How AT&T, Nokia pulled Windows Phone into the 4G LTE world

April 5, 2012 admin Mobile, Telecomms
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The back story of how 4G LTE came to Windows Phone and how the Lumia 900 came to fruition.

Microsoft wasn't ready for LTE, until AT&T and Nokia came knocking. (Credit: Nokia)

The ink was barely dry on Nokia’s deal with Microsoft to use Windows Phone more than a year ago when Nokia rushed to AT&T in an early bid to get a foothold back into the U.S.

AT&T was hesitant at first. The company’s existing lineup of Windows Phone devices hadn’t sold well, and Nokia hadn’t had much of a presence in the U.S. AT&T was looking for a unique device suitable for its customers, but its principal hang-up was the lack of 4G LTE support, which was a dealbreaker.

So the two companies went to Microsoft, which wasn’t prepared to move to 4G yet. Yes, LTE, or Long-Term Evolution, was part of Microsoft’s road map, but not anytime soon.

“It certainly wasn’t something they planned for,” Jeff Bradley, senior vice president of devices, told CNET. “When you have a plan and working to execute it, and someone comes in and tells you to come up with a new plan, it’s tough.”

Spurred by Nokia and AT&T’s request, Microsoft redrew its roadmap. What followed was a whirlwind schedule — the phone came together far quicker than the typical 18- to 24-month development period — and the emergence of the Lumia 900 at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.

The speed at which everything came together underscores the importance that the Lumia 900 has to all parties involved. For Nokia, the phone represents its best shot to return to the U.S., where its once-dominant brand has faded nearly into obscurity. AT&T, meanwhile, wants to wean itself off its reliance on the iPhone and find a third alternative to the growingAndroid-iOS duopoly. The Lumia 900′s success will also determine whether Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform has a shot beyond being a niche player.

“It’s extremely important,” Avi Greengart, an analyst at Current Analysis, said of the Lumia 900. “If you want to succeed, you need to be a player in the U.S.”

 

Read more: How AT&T, Nokia pulled Windows Phone into the 4G LTE world

 

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Nokia Lumia 900 available for preorder

April 1, 2012 admin Gadgets, Mobile, Telecomms
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At long last, the highly anticipated Windows Phone from AT&T is coming and is available for preorder.

Nokia’s Lumia 900 (Credit: Bonnie Cha/CNET)

With its eminently approaching April 8 release date, the Nokia Lumia 900 from AT&T is available for preorder today.

The carrier is investing a lot in this handset, which costs $100. In an interview with CNET, Jeff Bradley, AT&T’s device head, called the Lumia 900 the company’s “hero phone.”

In addition to that, he noted that its launch would be a “notch above anything we’ve ever done,” including the iPhone‘s launch.

But the one in need of a hero, perhaps, is none other than Nokia itself.

CNET’s Roger Cheng recently wrote that the manufacture’s future, “and possibly that of Windows Phone and Microsoft’s ability to remain relevant in the mobile world, rests largely on how successful the Lumia 900 performs.”

With all the intangible hype that is surrounding this phone, it’ll be interesting to see how many preorder sales the Lumia 900 will snag. By April 8, it’ll be easier to tell whether this phone is going to be a hit or miss for both Nokia and Microsoft.

Read more: Nokia Lumia 900 available for preorder

 

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Take that, Dr. Dre: AT&T ships $99 non-Beats wireless speaker

March 30, 2012 admin Accessories, Business, Gadgets
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AT&T has begun shipping the LoudSpeak’r, a new portable Bluetooth speaker that’s designed to compete with Jawbone’s Jambox.

The $99.99 AT&T Loudspeak'r is now available. (click to enlarge). (Credit: David Carnoy/CNET)

If you’ve been watching “American Idol,” you’ve probably seen a commercial or two for the $399 Beats by Dr. Dre Beatbox Portable audio system, which allows you to stream music wirelessly from your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone or tablet and is available exclusively through AT&T stores. But few people know that AT&T actually has its own portable Bluetooth speaker sans Beats logo. And it’s shipping now.

It’s called the LoudSpeak’r.

No, that’s not a typo. The LoudSpeak’r follows in the footsteps of the Casio G’zOne (see 20 worst-named tech products for reference), which also incorporates a wandering apostrophe, but at least LoudSpeak’r is easier to figure out how to pronounce (I’m going with a Brett Favre-like pronunciation for the end).

Anyway, the AT&T LoudSpeak’r is a very compact Bluetooth speaker that’s designed to compete with the Jawbone Jambox which retails for about $75 more. It’s actually a lot closer in design to the $99 Logitech Mini Boombox, but it feels a little bit better built than the Logitech and has a matte finish (the speaker is available in black or white).

I’m still working my way through a full review but it sounds pretty decent, and like the Jambox and the Logitech Mini Boombox, it has a built-in microphone and speakerphone functionality, which you’d expect from an AT&T-branded speaker that will be sold in its stores starting around April 15. It’s also worth mentioning that the speaker charges via USB and is rated for 10 hours of use on a single charge.

Dozens more sub-$100 portable Bluetooth speakers will be hitting the market this year, and Jawbone is expected to release a new Jambox in 2012. I’ll let you know how the LoudSpeak’r stacks up in my full review, but at first listen it definitely plays loud for its size, offers reasonable clarity, and some bass. Like all these small Bluetooth speakers, you’re not going to want to play Skrillex at high volumes (unless you enjoy torture), but it can do just fine with less bass-intensive material.

 

Read more: Take that, Dr. Dre: AT&T ships $99 non-Beats wireless speaker

 

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Sprint CFO hints at LTE iPhones in the future

March 28, 2012 admin Mobile, Tablet, Telecomms
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Without saying Apple is working on a 4G LTE smartphone, a Sprint executive tiptoes around the idea.

Sprint iPhone.

(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

Sprint’s financial chief today tiptoed around the prospect of a 4G LTE iPhone, the latest indication that the next version will come packed with a superfast wireless connection.

Speaking to investors at a conference earlier today, Sprint’s chief financial officer, Joe Euteneuer, did not say such a device was coming, but he did say the company has an agreement with Apple similar to that of AT&T and Verizon Wireless, hinting that technology designed for those networks would come to Sprint’s as well.

“If you make the assumption that they launch a device at a similar time that they did last year, you’re basically done with the major markets,” Euteneuer said, as relayed by Dow Jones. “So I don’t think we are really disadvantaged at all.”

Sprint is currently in the middle of rolling out its 4G LTE infrastructure, with plans to have the faster wireless technology in 10 cities by the end of June. By comparison, Verizon has its 4G LTE network in 196 cities and 122 major airports, with AT&T coming in at 28 cities. AT&T also counts its HSPA+ network as “4G,” a wireless protocol found on Apple’s iPhone 4S and many other recent-model smartphones.

Last year, Sprint became the latest major U.S. carrier to support the iPhone, joining AT&T and Verizon. As part of that deal, the carrier committed to investing $20 billion on more than 30 million handsets over the next few years.

In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday, Sprint disclosed that a large chunk of its customerswould have signed up with it last year, even if it didn’t carry the iPhone, and that only a small number of customers left for other carriers before it carried the popular smartphone.

Apple is expected to include 4G LTE technology in its next iPhone, which is likely due out this fall. The company debuted its first 4G LTE-capable device — the third-generation iPad – earlier this month. That device supported both AT&T and Verizon’s 4G LTE networks, but not Sprint’s.

 

Read more: Sprint CFO hints at LTE iPhones in the future

 

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New iPad 4G real-world speed test: You’re the winner

March 20, 2012 admin Gadgets, Internet, Tablet, Telecomms
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CNET editor Dong Ngo stacks the Verizon version of the new iPad against AT&T’s counterpart and finds that the fast 4G speeds make mobile users the winners.

Picking different servers in testing will affect the result a great deal. Nevertheless, for the most part, true 4G connections are generally more than fast enough for tablet users.

Picking different servers in testing will affect the result a great deal. Nevertheless, for the most part true 4G connections are generally more than fast enough for tablet users. (Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET)

 

Despite its mundane and nondescriptive name, the new iPad (third generation) is actually the first 4G device from Apple.

The iPhone 4S and the iPhone 4 are both 3G devices. The fact that iOS 5.1 makes AT&T’siPhone 4S show a 4G signal only makes it more confusing and now you probably don’t knowwhat 4G is anymore.

I do, however. How, you might ask? Well, it’s simple: 4G is fast, and putting a Ferrari logo on your Honda Civic won’t make it a racing car. No offense to the Civic; it’s great on gas, but it’s speed we’re talking about here. So let me say this once again: the new iPad is the first 4G device from Apple.

A couple of months ago, I had a chance to roam around San Francisco with the new iPhone 4S from all supported carriers and found that none offered cellular Internet speeds even close to those of the slowest 4G device. Now, I just did the same thing with the new iPad, both AT&T and Verizon versions, and it was quite the opposite story.

How it was tested
It’s necessary to say that cellular Internet speeds vary greatly from one location to another. This is because cell towers are scattered, and when many devices are connected to a tower, each will get a smaller portion of the service. This means that even at the same location, the speed might also change at a different time of day.

That’s why it’s very hard to have a good sense of how fast a cellular connection is. In an effort to get the most representative samples, I picked three well-populated locations around San Francisco, including CNET’s headquarters near the Financial District, the Pier 39 area, and Union Square.

At each place, I did the testing three times, but unlike with the iPhone 4GS, I tested the new iPad each time about 30 minutes apart from another by driving around those places between each round of testing. While this was more time consuming, it helped make the average number similar to what you’ll likely experience, since different times of day are factored in.

For the testing, I used the Speedtest.net mobile app, which is not designed for the iPad’s screen, but since it’s not a game, that won’t be a problem. For each test, I picked the same and closest server for each device.

In addition to the Verizon iPad, I also used an iPhone 4 to test the speed of the Personal Hotspot feature, which allows the iPad to work as a mobile hot spot and share its cellular 4G connection with other Wi-Fi devices. The AT&T version of the new iPad doesn’t offer the Personal Hotspot feature.

Keep in mind that these tests only evaluate data speeds for these devices in San Francisco and are not designed to be representative of data speeds you’ll find in your area. However, they at least should show how the data speeds compare between each carrier’s version of the iPad, as well as the speed the Verizon iPad’s hot-spot feature offers.

Unlike the iPhone 4S, where the connection speeds changed significantly at the same location, the iPad showed much more consistent speeds at one location. They did change a great deal from one location to another, however.

Read more: New iPad 4G real-world speed test: You’re the winner

 

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Samsung Galaxy S II for AT&T gets launch date and pricing

September 22, 2011 admin Gadgets, Mobile, Telecomms
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Samsung Galaxy S II
Samsung Galaxy S II
(Credit: Bonnie Cha/CNET)

Great news for AT&T’s Android fans. The carrier just announced via Twitter that the Samsung Galaxy S II will be available starting October 2 for $199.99 with a two-year contract.

The Galaxy S II boasts Samsung’s Exynos 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 16GB of internal memory, a rear-facing 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video capture, and a 10 percent larger battery than the first-generation model. It also runs Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread OS along with the latest version of TouchWiz.

AT&T’s version of the Galaxy S II is slightly different than the Sprint and T-Mobile versions that were announced at the same event in late August, in that it has a smaller 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus touch screen (compared with 4.5 inches). The carrier said this is because it already offers the 4.5-inch Samsung Infuse 4G and wanted to offer customers more choice in design.

We can’t wait to get our hands on a review unit, which we hope to have soon. In the meantime, feel free to check out our hands-on impressions of the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II here.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy S II for AT&T gets launch date and pricing

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AT&T may honor T-Mobile contracts for good

September 21, 2011 admin Business, Mobile, Telecomms
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Our friends at TmoNews got their hands on a very interesting document that foretells how current T-Mobile service plans will be affected if the proposed AT&T merger goes through. Though we’ve always known that AT&T’s will honor T-Mobile’s contracts through the end of their life, this employee FAQ says that customers can keep their plans “as long as they want to, even when their term ends and the service continues on a month-to-month basis.”

Exactly what that means remains to be seen. In previous carrier mergers, customers were allowed to keep contracts until they bought a new handset or changed the terms of their service plan. And even then, carriers tend to do everything they can to influence contract switching, including telling grandfathered customers that their old device is no longer supported.

Granted, “as long as they want to” does imply a certain permanence, but we just don’t trust AT&T on this one. It is in AT&T’s interest, after all, to keep former T-Mobile customers hooked with a new contract, so we wouldn’t be surprised if the carrier added a exception for new device purchases. On the other hand, perhaps AT&T is trying to curry favor for a merger that isn’t exactly winning over the general population. If that’s the case, and the carrier make good on this promise, then we’ll gladly give AT&T credit. But in the meantime, we’re taking it at face value.

Read more: AT&T may honor T-Mobile contracts for good

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States weigh in on AT&T-T-Mobile merger

September 17, 2011 admin Business, Technology, Telecomms
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AT&T to buy T-MobileAlmost three months to the day since AT&T first announced its $39 billion bid for T-Mobile, federal scrutiny of the deal is well under way. AT&T has filed its paperwork with the Federal Communications Commission, the public is weighing in on the FCC’s Web site, and opponents and supporters are lining up.

Though the U.S. Senate has held hearings as well, only the Department of Justice and the FCC have the official power to approve or deny the merger. AT&T does not have to seek formal approval at the state level, but state governments can make the transaction more complicated if they bring antitrust lawsuits. And as CNET’s Maggie Reardonhas reported, states have extensive oversight over communications through the regulation of rates, cell tower placement, and consumer complaints.

That’s why it doesn’t hurt for AT&T to lobby for the merger not only in Washington, D.C., but also in state capitals across the country (the carrier has even gotten into a tussle with Sprint over a possible state review in West Virgina). And at the time of this writing, AT&T has been successful. Though three states are taking a closer look, 17 27 state governors have voiced their approval.

Below the governor level, the attorneys general of Arkansas, Utah, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming sent a joint letter of support to the FCC on July 27. And on September 16, the attorneys general of California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington sent a letter opposing the merger. Months earlier, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that his office would “undertake a thorough review of AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile” and analyze the merger for “potential anticompetitive effects on consumers and businesses.”

We’ll add to this list as events unfold, but here’s how the states are lining up so far.

Read more: States weigh in on AT&T-T-Mobile merger

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