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Google Now Selling Unlocked Nexus One for AT&T, Ships to Canada Too

Arnold Zafra — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:40:05 +0000

Earlier today, mobile analytics company Flurry published a report about the dismal performance of the Google Nexus One in terms of its day 74 sales from the first day it was released. According to the report, Google was able to ship only 0.135 million units of the Nexus One. Flurry then compared this with the day 74 sales of both the iPhone and Motorola Droid which were 1 million and 1.05 million units respectively.

The report certainly is not a good publicity for the Nexus One especially since Google hasn’t gone all out in terms of marketing its first major fully branded handset.

A couple of hours later, Google announced that unlocked version of the Nexus One that is compatible with AT&T 3G network and Roger Wireless in Canada is now available for sale at the Google online store. In addition, this new version of Nexus One will also run on GSM operators worldwide.

I’m not saying that Flurry’s report has anything to do with Google’s decision to announce the availability of the AT&T and Roger Wireless compatible Nexus One versions. But we just can’t discount this fact since Google certainly wants to protect its investment from any bad publicity, whatsoever.

Google also announced that this new Nexus One can now be ordered from Google’s web store and can be shipped to Canada. As you all know, Google only ships the Nexus One to the U.S., HongKong, Singapore and the UK.

The AT&T and Roger Wireless compatible Nexus One get the same price as the previously released unlocked Nexus One – $529.

Fring Updates iPhone App to Allow Free Video Calls and VoIP via 3G

Arnold Zafra — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:36:10 +0000

If the idea of talking to the camera at the back of your iPhone and then turning your iPhone as soon as you’ve spoken to see the person you’re talking to, sounds cool to you, then you might be glad to know that Fring has just enabled video calling and VoIP through 3G on their iPhone app.

Actually, this was a result of the recent announcement made by Apple opening the iPhone’s gates to VoIP calling. Interestingly, Apple made this decision even if it will affect AT&T’s revenues.

To make free voice or video calls using Fring, you simply need to fire up your Fring iPhone app and hope that the message “voip calls are not allowed…” does not appear anymore. If it does, just click “more”, then “go offline” and then open Fring again.

Meanwhile, Fring was not the first iPhone app developer who immediately took advantage of iPhone’s decision to allow VoIP calls on the iPhone. A few days ago, iCall also went live, allowing free VoIP calls for iPhone users through 3G.

Both Fring and iCall if embraced by mobile phone users would definitely make the VoIP through 3G market more exciting. Expect more mobile apps that will allow VoIP through 3G to be developed and hope that mobile carriers will not disallow this feature even if it affects part of their revenues.

Verizon Drops Price Plan, And So Did AT&T

Arnold Zafra — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:15:55 +0000

Thanks to competition between the two major mobile data carriers, U.S. mobile phone consumers stand to benefit starting next week. Verizon took ahead of the race earlier this week when it announced major price drops in its various mobile services. Not long after, AT&T also announced similar price reduction. And so, mobile consumers are more than happy.

Verizon’s unlimited talk and text plans

Verizon announced its new Nationwide Unlimited Talk plan that will allow U.S. customers to call anyone in the U.S. for $69.99 monthly. Likewise a corresponding Nationwide Unlimited Talk and Text Plan was also launched that will allow Verizon customers to call and send text, picture and video messages to anyone in the U.S. for $89.99 monthly. In addition, Verizon is also rolling out a new Nationwide Unlimited Talk Family SharePlans with unlimited options for $119.99 monthly access and Talk and Text Family SharePlans for $145.99.

Verizon is also expanding its 25MB data package requirements with $9.99 cost to include all Verizon Wireless 3G multimedia phones which provides quick access to mobile e-mail, games and internet. Mobile phones such as LG Chocolate Touch, Samsung Rogue, Motorola Entice W766 among other multimedia phones are now included in the said package. If you’re on a prepaid plan, there will also be a Montly Unlimited Talk plan for $74.99 and the unlimited talk and text plan for $94.99.

AT&T’s unlimited mobile data plans

Responding to Verizon’s price drops, AT&T also announced new unlimited plans that will take effect across its devices including smartphones. In brief, AT&T’s offerings include unlimited talk plan for feature phone for $69.99, Family Talk plan for $119.99, unlimited talk and text plans for quick messaging devices for $89.99 per month, unlimited family talk plans for quick messaging devices for $149.99 per month and unlimited voice and data plans for $99.99 for all AT&T smartphones including iPhone.

So there. Whether you are on Verizon or AT&T network, the heated competition between these two companies are finally taking its effects, positively. Thanks to business competition.

New Droid App Missed the Point Why the iPhone’s Beauty Matters

Arnold Zafra — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:00:35 +0000

What is it with the iPhone that its rivals keep on attacking it with their iPhone mocking ads? Even AT&T wasn’t spared from Verizon’s anti-iPhone campaign tactics.

So now, Verizon’s latest foray has Motorola’s support, of course mainly because Moto’s got an Android-power phone that directly competes with the iPhone. In their latest concerted effort to mock and put bring the iPhone down, at least to prospective iPhone users, the ad this time belittles and insults the iPhone’s by referring to it as all beauty with no brawns.

Aside from the fact that it has some masochistic undertones, Motorola and Verizon misses the point why the iPhone clicks among male users. The thing is male users treat their gadgets, in this case the iPhone so dearly like their second girlfriend.

And that’s the reason why the iPhone needs to be beautiful. When it comes to anything that they can carry around men still prefer to bring something beautiful. Toughness and durability only comes second if not third or fourth.

That’s what the Droid ad missed which I hope you our dear readers won’t miss.

Verizon, AT&T Ad Dispute Ends, New Christmas Ad Goes Out

Arnold Zafra — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:50:57 +0000

It’s December folks and both AT&T and Verizon must have already felt the Christmas spirit. AT&T decided to drop the lawsuit it filed against Verizon for putting up an add that misinform its customer about AT&T’s 3G coverage.

If you will recall, Verizon’s “There’s a Map for That” alluded that AT&T subscribers cannot access Internet services as compared to Verizon’s superior 3G network capability. This prompted AT&T to file a case against Verizon claiming that such ad was blatantly false and has caused irreparable harm to AT&T.Of course AT&T’s decision came one month after a judge denied their request to ask Verizon to pull out the ad. Although this is not really a sign of surrender on AT&T’s part, I’m pretty sure there must be a deeper reason as to why AT&T decided to drop the case. Probably, the Christmas spirit got into them as early as now.

In fact, Verizon has released a new ad, this time showing Santa “talking” to his reindeers about AT&T and Verizon’s network coverage.

Here’s hoping that both companies have a fruitful and gainful Christmas!

Apple Taunts Verizon with New iPhone Ads

Arnold Zafra — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:55:15 +0000

Apple iPhone Ad – Did You See My Email? from Arik Hesseldahl on Vimeo.

Have you caught the two new iPhone ads shown on TV last night? Reports had it that the new iPhone ads were supposed to appear on shows such as “House”, “Dancing with the Stars”, “How I Met Your Mother” and other Daily Shows on Comedy Central.

Anyway, the ads are appended at the start and end of this post, so enjoy watching. In case you’re wondering what are those iPhone ads are all about. Rumor has it that it’s Apple’s subtle attack on Verizon Wireless which was in a mobile phone ads war with AT&T. AT&T of course is the exclusive distributor of the iPhone. So, you get the picture?

The two iPhone ads show the iPhone’s capability to accept calls hold them off while you do other task with your iPhone, such as reserve a ticket for you and your friend or answer an email while you hold off a colleagues phone call.

And those of course, our dear readers is a major feature of the iPhone which even the most advanced Verizon Wireless mobile phones probably don’t have. Well, at least that seems to be what Apple believes in.

What’s your take on this ad wars between Verizon and AT&T? There was already a case filed by one against the other right? And what’s your view on Apple getting into the scene? Feel free to comment below.

Apple iPhone Ad – What Time’s The Movie? from Arik Hesseldahl on Vimeo.

Google Reveals Apple’s Lies on Google Voice for the iPhone

Mike Abundo — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 09:51:14 +0000

If iPhone fanboys need any more evidence that Apple is a bunch of anticompetitive liars, then listen to the most trusted brand in America: Google.

Apple: “Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it.”

Google: “Apple representatives informed Google that the Google Voice application was rejected because Apple believed the application duplicated the core dialer functionality of the iPhone.”

Looks like Apple lied about the wrong people this time. No wonder Eric Schmidt quit Apple’s board; meetings with liars tend to be quite uncomfortable.

Of course, once cornered, Apple will eventually claim that they banned the Google Voice app to protect the user experience. Amazingly enough, some crazy fanboys will actually believe them. What they’re really trying to protect is AT&T’s voice revenue. “Think different” is now “think corporate”.

Wonder how many crazy Apple fanboys will suddenly boycott Google search in favor of Yahoo search, oblivious to the fact that Apple archrival Microsoft has taken over Yahoo search.

(Photo via Tech Inspiration.)

AT&T and nonprofits launch campaign to keep consumers safe online

Cristina Ledesma — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:45:07 +0000

In recognition of National Internet Safety Month, AT&T Inc. is collaborating with nonprofit advocacy organizations to promote a safe online experience for consumers. AT&T also encouraged parents to be involved in their children’s online activity, including wireless devices and computers.

Along with the tools and services that AT&T provides to customers to help keep their families safe, the company is also supporting a number of critical outreach efforts that will help educate parents, children and communities about online safety. AT&T is working with the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), the Internet Keep Safe Coalition (IKeepSafe), Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officers and Enough Is Enough to provide the resources and educational opportunities necessary to inform consumers of all ages about the benefits and challenges faced online.

AT&T and Starbucks begin nationwide Wi-Fi rollout

Cristina Ledesma — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 22:21:05 +0000

AT&T Inc. and Starbucks announced the beginning of the rollout of its Wi-Fi service at company-operated Starbucks stores, kicking off a nationwide effort that will continue through 2008.

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-verseSM 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.

Starbucks to offer free Wi-Fi

Leo Blanco — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:10:00 +0000

Starbucks has ended its six-year partnership with T-Mobile HotSpot and entered into a 10-year relationship with AT&T to provide free Wi-Fi access to anyone. As expected, the financial terms were not disclosed to the public.

Though free Wi-Fi is already available in smaller coffee shops, this major change could affect the Wi-Fi hotspot industry due to Starbucks’ magnitude. In the U.S. alone, this coffee shop has more than 17 million customers and 7,000 stores nationwide. Initial launch is expected this coming spring while nationwide implementation will be completed within the year.

What prompted Starbucks to adopt a free system is the growing number of customers with handheld devices like iPhone, Wi-Fi radios and laptops. Hopefully this idea will help improve its in-store business in the form of music and video downloads through its partnership with iTunes. More importantly, it hopes to enhance overall customer experience.

Via The Seattle Times