AT&T also announced today the upcoming availability of the LG Shine II handset featuring a stainless steel construction, polished rounded edges, and a 2.2 inch wide mirror LCD. Specs to the Shine II include:

• 2.0 megapixel camera with flash and video recording
• Image editor allows users to resize, crop, rotate, color adjust photos, insert fun frames, and produce mirror effects
• Built-in music player with customizable equalizer, music recognition, and ringtone creator
• Direct-to-device music download capabilities
• Built-in stereo Bluetooth wireless
• Java 2.0 support
• Support for AT&T Navigator

The Shine II will be available starting on November 22nd for $119.99 after a mail-in rebate and a new two year agreement (you’ll receive a $50 dollar AT&T Promotion Card).

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T, LG Shine II

AT&T announces the upcoming availability of the BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone. The Curve 8520 is a compact smartphone with features such as a full QWERTY keyboard, a touch-sensitive trackpad, a built-in media player, and built-in Wi-Fi. Other notable specs include:

• Dedicated media keys
• Email, text, IM, picture messaging
• 320 x 240 resolution display
• 512MHz processor
• 256MB of flash memory
• 2 megapixel camera
• Video recording
• DataViz Documents to Go suite for editing and viewing Microsoft Office documents
• Corporate and personal email support

The BlackBerry Curve 8520 will be available in the coming weeks for a price of $99.99 after a $100 dollar mail-in rebate and a new two year agreement with a minimum $59.99 data plan.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T, BlackBerry Curve 8520

Those of you looking for faster AT&T Mobile Broadband speeds will be happy to hear the company has announced the new HSPA-supporting USBConnect Lightning LaptopConnect device from Sierra Wireless. What makes this device particularly important is the fact that it represents AT&T’s continued rollout of HSPA 7.2 technology which promises to offer a “considerable speed boost to the 3G mobile broadband network.”

AT&T will make HSPA initially available in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles (oh yeah!), and Miami by the end of the year.  The company then plans on rolling out HSPA 7.2 coverage in 25 of the nation’s 30 largest markets by the end of next year and hopes to achieve 90 percent of its existing 3G network footprint by the end of 2011.

The USBConnect Lightning will come pre-loaded with AT&T Communication Manager (ACM) version 7.0 which is compatible with Windows 7. Customers will be able to pick up the new USBConnect Lightning starting on November 22nd at zero cost after a $100 dollar mail-in rebate along with a two-year DataConnect Plan of at least $35 dollars a month (it’s $99 dollars and then you’ll get a $100 dollar AT&T Promotion Card).

[Check it out] 

Technorati Tags: AT&T, Sierra Wireless, USBConnect Lightning, HSPA

Pantech announces the launch of the new “Reveal” handset – the first in AT&T’s new lineup of quick messaging phones to hit the market. The Reveal is a slider handset featuring a double-keyboard design with an open-face numeric keypad on the front of the phone and a full keyboard underneath. Features of the Reveal include:

• Both sets of keys stay active simultaneously
• 3G network support
• Comes preloaded with AT&T’s new HTML mobile browser
• Supports AT&T’s mobile music services including Napster and eMusic Mobile
• Support for AT&T Navigator for voice-guided turn-by-turn directions
• Voice recording and picture taking

To commemorate the launch of the new Reveal, Pantech is holding a contest on Facebook where Pantech Reveals will be given out over the next five days. To be eligible for the contest, you need to visit www.facebook.com/PantechUSA and become a fan of Pantech. You’ll also need to make a Reveal-related post on the Fan Page Wall in order to be eligible for the contest. One winner will be announced every 24 hours

Technorati Tags: Pantech Reveal, AT&T

AT&T also announced that they would be supporting the upcoming Windows Marketplace for Mobile once Microsoft releases it later this year.

Here’s what you need to know about the two new Windows Mobile 6.5 handsets.

HTC Tilt 2:

• 3.6 inch widescreen WVGA 480 x 800 display
• Qualcomm MSM 7201a processor clocked at 528 MHz
• 512MB ROM and 288MB RAM
• HSDPA/UMTS: 850/1900/2100 MHz
• GSM/GPRS/Edge Quad-band 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• HSDPA / UMTS
• HSUPA (capable)
• Internal GPS antenna
• Tri-Axis Accelerometer
• Can be tilted for an expanded viewing area as well as a large QWERTY keyboard
• Dual speakers and dual microphones with advanced noise cancellation
• HTC Straight Talk – simplified conference calling and activation of speakerphone by simply turning over the device
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• Bluetooth 2.1
• Wi-Fi
• microSD slot
• Measures 115.4 x 59.2 x 16.45 and weighs 6.3 oz

HTC PURE:

• Slim bar style handset
• Qualcomm MSM 7201A clocked at 528 MHz
• 512MB ROM and 288MB RAM
• All touch-screen device with 3.2 inch WVGA display
• 5.0 megapixel auto focus camera with video capture
• HSPA/UMTS (850/1900)
• GSM/GPRS/EDGE Qual-band (850/900/1800/1900Mhz)
• HSDPA
• EGPRS Functionality
• Internal GPS antenna
• FM radio
• Wi-Fi
• microSD slot
• Expandable memory
• Gravity sensor
• Ambient light sensor
• Measures 109.9 x 53.4 x 14.95 and weighs 6.28 oz

The HTC PURE will be available for $149.99 while the HTC Tilt 2 will be available for $299.99. Both are after a $50 dollar mail-in rebate and a new two year agreement on a minimum $69.99 plan. The PURE is available now at AT&T retail stores while the Tilt 2 will be available in the coming weeks.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T, HTC PURE, HTC Tilt 2, Windows Mobile 6.5

Pantech Reveal:

• Available starting on October 18th in red and blue
• Slim slider phone
• Open-faced numeric keypad on the front which slides up to reveal full keyboard underneath
• Both sets of keys stays active simultaneously allowing you fast access to both numbers and letters at the same time
• Supports AT&T Navigator
• 3G support
• GPS
• Web surfing
• Built-in music player

Pantech Impact:

• OLED touch screen
• Send text messages, make calls, and control music library without having to open the phone
• Screen features haptic controls which register each key press with a soft tactile buzz
• Sideways flip of the phone reveals full physical keyboard and secondary display
• Tri-band 3G support
• Available in pink and blue

Samsung Mythic:

• 3.3 inch touch-screen only device
• AT&T Mobile TV capable
• Scroll the home screen left and right using the touch of your finger
• Support for AT&T Navigator, AT&T Social Net, att.net etc
• TouchWiz user interface for quick access to your favorite features and widgets

Samsung Flight:

• Vertical sliding form factor with full keyboard underneath
• Textured design and subtle ridge on the back makes it easy to text or use the touch screen with a single hand
• User interface provides one-touch access to shortcuts, favorites, and messaging
• Available in red and silver and coming out in November

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T, Pantech Reveal, Pantech Impact, Samsung Mythic, Samsung Flight

In an interesting change of heart that was no doubt spurred on by a recent FCC inquiry, AT&T announced today it has “taken the steps necessary so that Apple can enable VoIP applications on iPhone to run on AT&T’s 3G wireless network.” VoIP applications (such as Skype) were previously allowed to run only over a Wi-Fi network and not over AT&T’s 3G wireless network. With today’s announcement, VoIP applications can now run on both the Wi-Fi network as well as AT&T’s wireless data network.

According to Ralph de la Vega, President and CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, “Today’s decision was made after evaluating our customers’ expectations and use of the device compared to dozens of others we offer.”

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T Wireless, Apple iPhone, VoIP

After a prolonged development cycle, the Garmin nüvifone G60 handset will FINALLY see the light of day here in the U.S. thanks to AT&T. The companies announced today that the Garmin nüvifone G60 will be available to AT&T customers starting on October 4th.

In case you forgot about the G60 (and really.. who hasn’t now?), here are the features/specs:

• Linux OS
• Same core features as a high-end Garmin nüvi GPS device
• Comes preloaded with maps and millions of points of interest for North America
• Comes with dashboard and windshield mount
• Turn by turn voice promoted directions
• Automatically recalculates routes
• Built-in GPS receiver with Garmin HotFix technology and assisted GPS
• “Where Am I?” feature provides users their exact latitude and longitude coordinates, nearest address, intersection, hospital, police station, and gas station with one touch of the screen. nüvifone will also automatically mark the position in which it was last removed from the windshield mount
• Full HTML browser
• 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity
• Location Link – parses addresses on the web with latitude and longitude information
• Touch-screen virtual keyboard with predictive text
• 3.0 megapixel camera with auto-focus
• Geotagging images with latitude and longitude information
• Free access to AT&T Yellow Pages, flight status, and converter
• Premium Connected Services gives customers access to real time traffic information, fuel prices, White Pages, weather etc

The Garmin nüvifone G60 will be available at AT&T retail stores or online at www.wireless.att.com starting on October 4th for a price of $299 (after a new two year agreement and after a $100 dollar mail-in rebate). nüvifone Premium Connected Services will cost ya $5.99 a month after a 30 day trial.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T, Garmin nüvifone G60

TomTom and AT&T announced a new agreement today whereby the AT&T wireless network will power the new TomTom XL 340S LIVE’s connected services. The XL 340S LIVE’s connected services include Local Search powered by Google, real-time traffic information, TomTom Fuel Price service, and TomTom Weather (there are others).

All services are preloaded on the XL 340S LIVE and will work immediately out of the box. Expect future collaboration between the two companies on future products.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: TomTom, Tom Tom XL 340S LIVE, AT&T Wireless

Qualifying plans include individual Nation plans of $59.99 or higher. VIP numbers eligible include landlines and wireless numbers on ANY network.

FamilyTalk customers with plans of $89.99 or higher can select up to 10 numbers.

Starting on Sept. 20th, AT&T customers will be able to edit their A-List by going to www.att.com/alist. Numbers can be changed at any time, though customers should allow up to 24 hours for the changes to take effect on an account.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T A-List with Rollover

Customers will be able to bundle U-verse TV (package U200 or above) with either an AT&T Wireless service (Nation 450 plan or above for new or renewing customers) or a U-verse Voice Unlimited plan and then receive U-verse High Speed Internet Pro service for free for six months. This amounts to a savings of $30 dollars a month or a total savings of $180 dollars.

The new bundle is currently available in the Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio) and will be made available to all AT&T U-verse markets over the coming weeks.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T, AT&T U-verse, AT&T Wireless, Buy Two Get One Free

It certainly looks like the HTC Touch Pro2 handset will be getting around. Not only will Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile carry the Windows Mobile smartphone but above is visual proof that AT&T will indeed be carrying the phone.  Interestingly enough, the Touch Pro2 will likely be branded as the Tilt 2 by AT&T.

[Check it out via The Boy Genius Report]

Technorati Tags: HTC Touch Pro2, AT&T

The Samsung Solstice is now available for purchase over at AT&T. The Solstice features a 3 inch touch-screen display, virtual landscape QWERTY keyboard, and Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface. Other specs include:

• One touch access to frequently used apps and social networks via widgets
• Support for AT&T Navigator and AT&T Mobile Music with Napster Mobile and eMusic Moble
• Mobile Email, IM, and MMS
• 2.0 megapixel camera with camcorder
• Full QWERTY keyboard with sensitivity adjustment
• Built-in accelerometer
• Built-in MP3 player
• Video and audio streaming
• Preloaded games
• Bluetooth technology
• microSD memory card slot
• Dual-band 3G connectivity
• quad-band GSM technology

The Samsung Solstice is available now for $99.99 with a new two-year agreement and after a $50 dollar AT&T Promotion Card.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T, Samsung Solstice

AT&T and Nokia announces the upcoming availability of the Nokia Surge – a smartphone designed especially for all you social-networking minded individuals out there.

With features such as a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and the Symbian S60 OS, the Surge allows you to stay connected with your family and friends whether it’s through the use of IM, text, email, multimedia messaging, AT&T Video Share, or updating and reading content from social networking websites.

Specs and features include:

• 2.0 megapixel camera
• Web browser with Adobe Flash support
• JuiceCaster application
• Support for AT&T Navigator, AT&T Mobile Music, and AT&T Video Share

What makes the Surge particularly interesting is the claim that the Surge was designed in the U.S. – a Nokia phone designed in the U.S. specifically for the U.S. audience. Not bad.

The Nokia Surge will be available through select AT&T retail locations and online for a price of $79.99 along with a new two year agreement and a mail-in rebate (Pay $129.99 and send in a $50 dollar AT&T Promotion Card). The company expects the Nokia Surge to be available starting on July 19th.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T, Nokia, Nokia Surge

AT&T and Motorola announced earlier this week the upcoming availability of the new Motorola Karma QA1 messaging handset. The Karma, due to come out on June 28th, is ideally suited to the messaging crazed individuals out there. Yes that means you’ll be able to text message, instant message, and access social networking websites to your hearts delight with the QA1.

Features and specs include the following:

• Slide out QWERTY keyboard
• IM-style texting with all-in-one view of messages
• Easy scroll navigation
• Support for Yahoo! Messenger, Windows Live Messenger
• CrystalTalk technology amplifies your conversation and reduces background noise
• Facebook and MySpace quick launch icons on homepage for one-click access
• 2.0 megapixel camera
• 3.5 mm headphone jack
• aGPS technology and support for AT&T Navigator for turn-by-turn directions

The Motorola Karma QA1 will be available for $79.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a new two year agreement for wireless voice plans of $39.99 a month or higher and a $20 dollar a month data or messaging plan.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Motorola Karma QA1, AT&T Wireless

Are you an iPhone 3G user who’s peeved at AT&T because you’re not eligible for the upgrade pricing of the iPhone 3G S? Well AT&T has responded today.

In a general letter on their website, AT&T announced that for a limited time, any iPhone 3G customer who is upgrade eligible in July, August, or September 2009 will now get their best upgrade pricing starting on Thursday June 18th. It’s important to note that AT&T’s upgrade eligibility tools will be upgraded tomorrow (Thursday) so don’t go check on your eligibility today.

Guess I’ll check in tomorrow to see if I’m upgrade eligible after all..

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T, Apple iPhone 3G S upgrade price

Of course you can count me OUT for June 19th as I’m not eligible for the standard upgrade price of the iPhone. Instead, I must pay the $200 dollar “early iPhone upgrade” premium which means the iPhone 3G S will cost me $399/$499 if I really want it now. No thanks.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T, Apple, iPhone 3G S

You’re an owner of the iPhone 3G handset and now you’re all excited about the new iPhone 3G S and you’re ready to plop down $199 or $299 starting on June 19th.. but wait.. chances are you won’t be able to pay that price on that day. You see.. if you upgraded to the iPhone 3G last June (or later) when it first came out, you won’t be eligible for the iPhone 3G S upgrade pricing. Plus depending upon how long you’ve had the iPhone 3G, you MIGHT be eligible for the “early iPhone upgrade” fee which is still a premium over the current upgrade pricing – though just slightly cheaper than the full price.

Update:

AT&T actually has a three tiered pricing system.

• If you’re a new or existing AT&T customer eligible for the upgrade – you can get the new iPhone 3G S at the $199/$299 price points.
• If you’re not eligible for the upgrade price BUT you’ve purchased the iPhone 3G for at least one year, then you’re eligible for the “early iPhone upgrade” price which is basically $200 dollars more – $399/$499 respectively.
• The third tier is – pay the phones outright at their non-subsidized cost of $599/$699

Here’s how my situation unfolded over the last two years. I got the original 4GB iPhone back in 2007 at the original sale price for the phone (which was originally outrageous). Then the iPhone 3G was announced and to my surprise, I was eligible for the upgrade price of $199 (for the 8GB model) on June 18th 2008. (thx to Rob for noting that i was eligible for the upgrade price back then simply because I paid the full price for the 1st gen iPhone).

This unfortunately gave me the false hope that I would eligible for the upgrade price for the new iPhone 3G S, I went to the Apple website to see if I could pre-order the new iPhone 3G S. After checking with my account, Apple came back to me and showed me this page.

Yes.. that does indeed say $599/$699 on my account.  (UPDATE: I was apparently dinged by AT&T for being late this month with my mobile phone payment. Because I was LATE, I was not eligible for the early iPhone upgrade pricing. Once I paid up, I became eligible – read more at the end of the article). No. I AM NOT PAYING $599 for the 16GB iPhone 3G S (or $699 for the 32GB model). According to AT&T, I would not be eligible for the iPhone 3G S until December 13th.. 

Here’s the new updated page once I paid my bill:

So this got me thinking. If I’m not eligible for the iPhone 3G S upgrade price on opening day (June 19th), then who is?

The iPhone 3G didn’t launch until June 18th, 2008 and I bought the handset the day after.. so based on this information, it’s safe to assume that anyone who upgraded to the iPhone 3G is NOT eligible for the iPhone 3G S upgrade pricing. (please correct me if I’m wrong here). Does this apply to regular mobile phone upgrades made in the last year too? Not sure. What is clear is that first movers like me are being penalized by AT&T. We faithfully bought the 1st gen iPhone and then the 2nd gen iPhone 3G and now.. well now we’re going to have to wait (let the whining start).

OK.. so instead of paying $599/$699, I would have to pay $399/$499. That’s still a nice premium over the upgrade price!

Ah but wait.. if you’re still using the 1st gen iPhone then you’re probably OK. Also.. if you haven’t upgraded your AT&T account in more than a year.. then chances are you’re OK there too. Thus here’s what we’re gathering:

• AT&T is sick of eating the subsidized bill for customers who keep moving to the latest version of the iPhone (tho they’re willing to eat SOME of the costs if you’ve been around for at least a year).
• AT&T is using the new pricing to attract customers who haven’t upgraded in some time as well as new customers to the company.

I do have to give AT&T some props here. They’ve made my decision making process regarding the iPhone 3G S that much easier. I was originally on the fence about the new hardware and with this upgrade pricing (or lame upgrade pricing for me) in place, I absolutely won’t be upgrading anytime soon.

So there you have it folks. Early adopters like myself are going to have to pay a premium for the iPhone 3G S. This will of course continue next year when the fourth generation iPhone comes out and we’re forced to pay another “early iPhone upgrade” fee. OR, we can completely forgo the iPhone 3G S and simply wait till next June/July and then be eligible for the upgrade price (woo).

But wait.. if I were to get the iPhone 3G S in December or even early next year would this effectively nix me from their 4th generation iPhone (which probably will come out next year at this time?) Hmm.,. if so.. then FORGET the iPhone 3G S altogether!

AT&T.. you’re sucking in my books..

UPDATE (4:22pm):

Just wanted to remind all of you again that because of a late bill payment on my part, AT&T dinged me for the upgrade price of the iPhone 3G S. Once I paid my balance, I became eligible for their early iPhone upgrade fee of $399/$499. That’s still $200 dollars too much in my opinion.. but something to remember in case you too are not eligible for some reason. Check to make sure you paid your bills!

Technorati Tags: AT&T, Apple, Apple iPhone 3G S upgrade price

AT&T’s 3G mobile broadband network is currently available in 350 U.S. major metropolitan areas with another 20 areas planned for this year. HSPA 7.2 deployment will be announced on a local basis with new laptop cards and smartphones to be rolled out later this year.

You can read more about the network upgrade as well as other planned projects for 2009 here at AT&T’s website.

Technorati Tags: AT&T Wireless, 3G Mobile Broadband

AT&T will soon offer two new Motorola handsets  – the Motorola Sawgrass and the Motorola Heron. The Sawgrass (which could also be the QA1 Karma) will supposedly come with:

• Quad-band GSM
• Dual-band HSDPA connectivity
• 2 megapixel camera
• Bluetooth connectivity
• built-in aGPS
• Web browser

Meanwhile, the Android-powered Motorola Heron slider will feature:

• Quad-band GSM
• Dual-band HSDPA/HSUPA
• 2.6 inch QVGA display
• 3 megapixel camera with flash
• aGPS

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Motorola Sawgrass, Motorola Heron, AT&T