AT&T Launches New Customer Choice Website
By Teresa von Fuchs
WirelessWeek - March 18, 2008
AT&T announced a new Website that explains to customers new choices available to them, including AT&T’s new “bring your own device” open network options. The site also provides tools that help developers create new mobile applications and devices.
AT&T promises the new site, http://www.att.com/choice, provides “detailed, easy-to-navigate information on the extensive choices that AT&T offers to consumers and businesses in handsets, applications and much more. It also features innovative, industry-leading resources for developers of wireless applications.”
As the talk about open applications and networks continues to gain momentum within the industry, AT&T also announced that it is expecting the biggest turnout ever at three developer events it is hosting at the upcoming CTIA convention in Las Vegas. The carrier says that the three events, the Enterprise Developers Summit, Fast Pitch and Open Call, “encourage the creation of innovative wireless applications.”
“The driving force of our business is our commitment to be open to innovation and to offer our customers more choices than any other wireless company,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T's wireless unit, in statement. “That means choices in applications, choices in handsets, choices in operating systems, choices in how to shop and pay for service, plus much more. Today's announcements underscore that commitment. Maximum customer choice is what real openness is all about.”
Along with the developer events at CTIA, AT&T posted the 2008 version of its Wireless Reference Architecture guide specifically for developers.
The carrier also announced that its Yellowpages.com directory will distribute its listings on Microsoft local search sites, replacing Idearc Superpages.com service. AT&T said the new agreement will go live in early April. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. However, the carrier did say that it expects revenues from Yellowpages.com and content advertising, including ads on its mobile phones as well as its U-Verse high-speed Internet and video services, to exceed $1.5 billion by 2010.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Southwest Gets Ready to Pack(et)
By Evan Koblentz
WirelessWeek - January 24, 2008
Southwest Airlines will test wireless Internet access via satellite on domestic flights in the second quarter of this year, and also could test IP-based television.
Customers would bring their own Wi-Fi devices and could access e-mail, the Web, and virtual private networks, although it's likely that Southwest and most other U.S. airlines will restrict content such as VoIP and adult entertainment.
The technology partner, Row 44, is also working with Alaska Airlines. They compete against Aircell, which has American Airlines and Virgin America as customers. Row 44's system brings 30 Mbps to every airplane, President Greg Fialcowitz said.
Trials in Europe are expected in the third quarter, and trials over the North Atlantic will occur later this year. Regarding IPTV, there will probably be a small number of channels included in the initial tests, but that's not a primary focus, Fialcowitz said.
Southwest's test will involve four planes. Aircell this week announced a similar test with American, which "plans to install and test the technology in 2008 on all 15 of its Boeing 767-200 aircraft," the company said.
By Evan Koblentz
WirelessWeek - January 24, 2008
Southwest Airlines will test wireless Internet access via satellite on domestic flights in the second quarter of this year, and also could test IP-based television.
Customers would bring their own Wi-Fi devices and could access e-mail, the Web, and virtual private networks, although it's likely that Southwest and most other U.S. airlines will restrict content such as VoIP and adult entertainment.
The technology partner, Row 44, is also working with Alaska Airlines. They compete against Aircell, which has American Airlines and Virgin America as customers. Row 44's system brings 30 Mbps to every airplane, President Greg Fialcowitz said.
Trials in Europe are expected in the third quarter, and trials over the North Atlantic will occur later this year. Regarding IPTV, there will probably be a small number of channels included in the initial tests, but that's not a primary focus, Fialcowitz said.
Southwest's test will involve four planes. Aircell this week announced a similar test with American, which "plans to install and test the technology in 2008 on all 15 of its Boeing 767-200 aircraft," the company said.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
RIM Upgrades BlackBerry Platform
By Teresa von Fuchs
WirelessWeek - January 23, 2008
Research In Motion announced a series of updates to its Blackberry platform including enhanced messaging and collaboration tools as well as improved security and expanded application development support.
"RIM continues to expand the capabilities of the multifaceted BlackBerry platform to allow an increasingly rich and productive mobile experience for our customers," said Mike Lazaridis, president and co-CEO at RIM, in a statement. Lazaridis also said the new enhancements will make BlackBerry smartphones "more powerful than ever and even easier to manage."
Updates include: upgrades to the BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry device software that promise to enhance e-mail management, including remote search capabilities, and collaboration tools; the ability for users to download and edit documents on the device; advanced enterprise instant messaging and presence capabilites; over-the-air software upgrades; expanded compatibility including certification with Microsoft Exchange 2007 SP1 and IBM Lotus Domino versions 7.03 and 8.0.
RIM announced these enhancements at IBM's Lotusphere conference in Orlando. The company said the new developments will roll out during the first half of the year.
By Teresa von Fuchs
WirelessWeek - January 23, 2008
Research In Motion announced a series of updates to its Blackberry platform including enhanced messaging and collaboration tools as well as improved security and expanded application development support.
"RIM continues to expand the capabilities of the multifaceted BlackBerry platform to allow an increasingly rich and productive mobile experience for our customers," said Mike Lazaridis, president and co-CEO at RIM, in a statement. Lazaridis also said the new enhancements will make BlackBerry smartphones "more powerful than ever and even easier to manage."
Updates include: upgrades to the BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry device software that promise to enhance e-mail management, including remote search capabilities, and collaboration tools; the ability for users to download and edit documents on the device; advanced enterprise instant messaging and presence capabilites; over-the-air software upgrades; expanded compatibility including certification with Microsoft Exchange 2007 SP1 and IBM Lotus Domino versions 7.03 and 8.0.
RIM announced these enhancements at IBM's Lotusphere conference in Orlando. The company said the new developments will roll out during the first half of the year.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Can you imagine what the future holds? I just found the following on PhoneScoop.com:
Continental Airlines Piloting Cell Phones As Boarding Passes
Today, 10:05 AM by Eric M. Zeman
Continental is the first airline in the U.S. to test the use of cell phones or PDAs as boarding passes with a pilot program at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Rather than being issued paper passes, passengers will receive a two-dimensional digital bar code on their phones. The code will be scanned and passengers will still need to show valid photo ID. If a passenger's phone loses power, they can be issued a back-up paper pass. If the pilot is successful, the use of cell phones as boarding passes could extend to other airports and airlines.
Continental Airlines Piloting Cell Phones As Boarding Passes
Today, 10:05 AM by Eric M. Zeman
Continental is the first airline in the U.S. to test the use of cell phones or PDAs as boarding passes with a pilot program at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Rather than being issued paper passes, passengers will receive a two-dimensional digital bar code on their phones. The code will be scanned and passengers will still need to show valid photo ID. If a passenger's phone loses power, they can be issued a back-up paper pass. If the pilot is successful, the use of cell phones as boarding passes could extend to other airports and airlines.
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