AT&T Sets the Record Straight on Verizon Ads

##ICON_NAME## AT&T recently released a letter to it’s customers addresses the latest Verizon Ads and their misrepresentation of AT&T’s coverage. Below is their letter.
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The Truth About AT&T vs. Verizon

##ICON_NAME## AppleInsider has published an excellent article that compares AT&T’s network to Verizon’s network. The article gives information about the difference between the two companies and their coverage. Definitely an article you will want to check out. You can view the full article HERE.
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Despite Lawsuit, Verizon Continues Bashing AT&T & iPhone

AT&TDespite the recent lawsuit from AT&T, Verzion has released another round of commercials just in time for Christmas depicting the iPhone as just another misfit toy because of it’s lack of 3G coverage. I’ll admit that 3G coverage is limited, but I’d rather have the iPhone over the DROID or other Google Android Phones I’ve used. It’s just not an iPhone…


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AT&T Third-Quarter Results – iPhone Activations at Record High

##ICON_NAME## AT&T recently published their Third-Quarter results and iPhone activations are at a record high. In the third quarter alone AT&T activated 3.2 million iPhones, 40 percent of which were new AT&T customers. This marks AT&T’s highest quarterly increase of iPhone activations to date. Actually, this past third quarter marks quite a few records for AT&T including; “4.3 million postpaid 3G integrated wireless devices added to AT&T’s network, the largest quarterly increase in the company’s history.”

Below are a few quotes from the Third-Quarter Results. You can view the full report HERE. [Read more…]

AT&T To Allow VoIP Apps (Skype) on Network (Including iPhone)

AT&TPreviously, AT&T and Apple had an agreement that AT&T would not allow apps like Skype to run on AT&T’s network. They could only run on Wifi, probably to lessen the load on the system. Today, AT&T sent a letter to the FCC stating they “informed Apple that, effective immediately, AT&T consents to Apple enabling third-party VoIP applications for the iPhone that use our wireless network, including our 2G and 3G capabilities.” Now you can use Skype any time without using your minutes. It most likely will not work immediately but require an update to the apps or iPhone firmware via iTunes.

Vonage just announced their app for the iPhone yesterday that allows discounted international calls. AT&T’s recent announcement doesn’t seem to have effected the status of the Google Voice application. [Read more…]

MMS Now Active on iPhone 3G and 3GS (AT&T)

##ICON_NAME## Today is the day! AT&T has finally launched MMS for the iPhone! YAY! Below is the press release. To enable MMS “connect your iPhone to your computer and click “Check for Update” in iTunes. Once the update is completed, restart your iPhone by turning it off then on again. Note that iPhone OS 3.1 is required so you may need to update your software first.” [Read more…]

Refurbished iPhones Available Through AT&T – 8GB $49.00, 16GB $99.00

##ICON_NAME## AT&T has refurbished 3G iPhones available. You can get an black 8GB iPhone 3G for $49.00 (normally $99.00) and/or black and white 16GB iPhone 3G’s for $99.00 (normally $149.99). They are both $50.00 off the original price and are only available while supplies last.

In order to get the iPhone 3G at the refurbished price it requires a $30/mo data package & 2yr Service Agreement.

Check HERE for availability near you. [Read more…]

AT&T Gears Up for Launch of MMS

##ICON_NAME## AT&T is gearing up for the launch MMS that is scheduled to happen in three days (September 25th). They have started sending a text message (screenshot below) to customers that informs them of the date in which MMS will be available and that while they prepare for the launch, they will be turning off the “view my message” experience. [Read more…]

The Truth About AT&T, MMS & The iPhone

AT&TOk, I can’t take it anymore. I’ve got to rant on this whole early MMS coverage by all the media out there. AT&T is not officially releasing MMS early. I’ll try to explain it all.

AT&T blocked MMS on the iPhone when firmware 3.0 was available from Apple. Firmware 3.0 has always supported MMS, that’s why when we had the 3.0 Beta we have screenshots showing how MMS worked, but the messages would never go through because AT&T had it blocked by entering an “opt-out” code. Not to mention many other carriers through out the world started supporting MMS when 3.0 was released when AT&T did not.

AT&T has recently announced that they would finally be releasing MMS to the iPhone on Sept 25th, 2009. How will they do this? First, AT&T needs to remove all the opt-out codes they added to accounts to block MMS when 3.0 was released. This is rumored to be part of the reason of the delay in MMS, but it’s also because the iPhone is a heavy bandwidth device and AT&T needed time to upgrade it’s network to handle the addition of MMS. Next Apple will push a carrier update from AT&T to iTunes. This is not a normal firmware update. Once you update, you will see the little camera in your text messaging and will be able to send pictures along with video, contacts and map locations.

Now the question is, how are people getting this early? Simple, they are getting the code early, running iTunes is a mode designed more for Apple engineers than the average user, and uploading it to their iPhone. But, that’s not all that it takes. AT&T still has to remove the opt-out code on your account. That’s why some people can run the hack and still not have MMS. There is nothing you can do but wait for AT&T to get to your account and remove the code. If you want to know how to get the code early and update your iPhone’s carrier file, check out this article I recently wrote about it. [Read more…]

Friday Night Movie Night: AT&T Tries To Explain Why MMS Took So Long

AT&TOk, I have A LOT to say about all of this, so here goes. First, I’ve officially created a #fail category for our website. AT&T seems to continue to fail so much that I thought we needed the category to keep track of it all. Next, I really need to rant about the AT&T “blogging” guy. It’s really sad that they give him any kind of “tech” title. He’s is the epitome of what tech guys do not want to be. I really think that whoever hired him thought that he was such a “nerd” that he would relate to all the iPhone “techie” people.

I mean seriously, if you had some real tech guy like, Kevin Rose, or someone “normal” sit down and say, “Look, we’re sorry that we’re so far behind. The iPhone really just uses way more bandwidth than other devices and it caught us off guard. We’re working really hard to get it right, and when we do, we’re gonna get you tethering too. And since we’re slacking, we’re gonna give you the first 6 months of tethering for free. And we’re sorry we said end of summer. We missed it by a few days, our bad…”, we’d all probably be kewl with AT&T. That all said, we’d actually be kewl with them if they actually had MMS back when the iPhone first launched. As you all already know, most free phones even come with MMS. I’m on my 3rd iPhone, the iPhone 3GS, for sure the more advanced phone EVER and I can’t text someone a picture.

And tethering! My crappy old black and white screened Palm used to tether to my laptop via serial cable 8 years ago! Since I’m on a very long rant, may I add that I have no 3G in my area but I still pay the upgraded $30 data fee. It used to be $20 with the 1st Gen iPhone. An AT&T rep told me the increased fee was because of GPS. FYI: GPS is ran by the US Military. It’s free. That’s why you can buy a TomTom and have no monthly fees. To those saying it’s because of AGPS (assisted by cell towers), baloney! Also the network is now so bad in my area that I guarantee it’s worse than dial-up and I pretty much can’t use it. Thankfully I have wireless most places.

Ok, I think I’m done… So now for the video that got me going on all of this: [Read more…]

AT&T’s MMS Annoucment Displays 1st Gen iPhone (which doesn’t support MMS) #fail

##ICON_NAME## Doug noticed that the image AT&T uses on the MMS Launch Day Press Release displays a 1st generation iPhone. Why is this a problem? The first gen iPhone doesn’t even support MMS. Major #fail on AT&T’s part! Seriously guys… seriously?

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AT&T to Launch iPhone MMS on September 25th!

##ICON_NAME## Finally, AT&T has released an actual date on when we will see MMS for the iPhone. AT&T plans to roll out MMS for iPhone 3G and 3GS customers on September 25th! The update will be enabled through a software update on September 25th! YAY for September 25th!

Though, you will notice that the Press Release says nothing about tethering… grrrrr. View full press release below.

Press Release:

We know many of our iPhone customers are eager for an update on our rollout schedule for Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). We’ve been working for the past several months to prepare our systems and network to ensure the best possible experience with MMS when it launches – and that launch date is: September 25 for iPhone 3G and 3GS customers. MMS will be enabled through a software update on that day.

We know that iPhone users will embrace MMS. The unique capabilities and high usage of the iPhone’s multimedia capabilities required us to work on our network MMS architecture to carry the expected record volumes of MMS traffic and ensure an excellent experience from Day One. We appreciate your patience as we work toward that end.

We’re riding the leading edge of smartphone growth that’s resulted in an explosion of traffic over the AT&T network. Wireless use on our network has grown an average of 350 percent year-over-year for the past two years, and is projected to continue at a rapid pace in 2009 and beyond. The volume of smartphone data traffic the AT&T network is handling is unmatched in the wireless industry. We want you to know that we’re working relentlessly to innovate and invest in our network to anticipate this growth in usage and to stay ahead of the anticipated growth in data demand, new devices and applications for years to come.

We thank you for your business and look forward to keeping you updated on our initiatives.

FCC Investigates Apple’s Rejection of Google Voice Application

FCC Letter It seems the FCC has decided to get involved with the rejection of the Google Voice application by Apple. If you remember, after they rejected the official Google Voice application, they also removed all thrid party Google Voice applications from the App Store (one of which was then released in the jailbreak community). In letter from the FCC, “the FCC asked why Apple rejected the Google Voice application for the iPhone and removed related applications from its App Store. The letter also seeks information on how AT&T, the exclusive U.S. iPhone carrier, was consulted in the decision, if at all.” Below is are the full letters from the FCC to Apple, FCC to Google and FCC to AT&T.

The Boy Genius Report quoted this at their favorite part of the letter (and I would have to agree). [Read more…]

$79.00 & $129.00 Refurbished iPhone 3G’s

##ICON_NAME## AT&T is currently selling refurbished iPhone 3G’s on their website. You can get the 8GB iPhone 3G for $79.00 and both the black and white versions of the 16GB iPhone 3G for $129.00. These prices do require a two-year contract and they are only available as supplies last. So, if you are looking for a way to save a few bucks but still be an iPhone owner now just might be the time to buy! You can check it out HERE on AT&T’s website.

Leaked AT&T Memo or PR Stunt?

AT&T I’m sure many of you have heard about the “leaked” AT&T Memo detailing the success of the iPhone 3GS launch day. What I’m wondering is if this is true of if it is a nice PR stunt. I have to admit, I was impressed when I read it! Let me know in the comments what you think. Below is the memo: [Read more…]