Posts Tagged ‘att’

AT&T has just spent $275 million in cash to bring thousands of new hotspots to their iPhone users, adding to their already large list of locations.

The purchasing of WI-FI provider, Wayport, will give iPhone users the ability to eat a a BigMac, and surf the web all at the same time… what a luxury. Besides McDonald’s, Wayport hotspots were at Barnes and Noble, as well as many airports and hotels.

It was recently reported that AT&T has given free access to iPhone customers to use hotspots across the U.S. at locations such as Starbucks. But now, according to AT&T, the acquisition of Wayport will increase the number of locations to around 20 thousand in the U.S. and 80 thousand internationally.

AT&T’s online guide will help you find all hotspots near you.

It has been revealed that soon the iPhone 3G will have authorized tethering options. The statement was made by CEO, Ralph De La Vega, in an interview with TechCrunch during the Web 2.0 Summit.

Tethering is the process that allows your computer to share the celluar signal coming form your phone, basically allowing your 3G to act as a modem.

No time frame, or price rates were discussed in the interview, but one would guess that the tethering option will not be given away for free. Tethering options are offered by AT&T for the Blackberry at around $30 a month, which is a good indication of what they might charge for those who want it on their iPhone.

AT&T’s confirmation of this tethering option confirms rumors that date all the way back to August.
According to Macrumors this tethering capability may be built in to the 2.2 firmware.

iPhone users get excited, because AT&T has just announced that hotspots are now available for use across the U.S. - at no additional costs, so Starbucks here we come.

AT&T knows Wi-Fi is hot, and FREE Wi-Fi is even hotter. Which is why FREE AT&T Wi-Fi access is now available for Apple iPhone at thousands of hotspots nationwide, including Starbucks*. Users can relax and access music, email and web browsing services with their favorite blend in hand from the comfort of their nearest location.

Airports, hotels, convention centers and yes, Starbucks are all on the extensive list of hotspots offered. So where is the closest hotspot near you? Just use AT&T’s online guide to find it.

Setting up for access is easy, just follow these simple steps : Continue Reading

Over 10 million iPhones have been sold this year, toppling estimates given by pessimistic analysts, according to data found in a MacObserver.com thread.

The figure was calculated by members of the community by tracking iPhone IMEI and TAC numbers. Apple, who estimated selling 10 million iPhones by 2009, has apparently surpassed its goal with still close to three months left in the year.

Even with the economies downshift, the impending holiday season could further boost sales of the handset, giving Apple some bragging rights and, more importantly, some much needed earnings.

Domestic appeal for the handset is also strong, as evidenced by a new report from the NPD Group that show 30% of current iPhone subscribers switched carriers to use the device.

Verizon Wireless took the brunt of the subscriber loss, fueling AT&T with nearly half (47%) of its new recruits. T-Mobile subscribers comprised 24% of the switch, while Sprint contributed 19%.

This is good news for AT&T, and with the iPhone’s tenacity for gobbling up market share, it looks like locking Apple down with an exclusive agreement until 2010 was a good idea.

A few of our loyal AppleiPhoneApps.com staffers received super-useful text messages from AT&T earlier today:

AT&T Free Msg: Apple has released new iPhone 2.1 software update as free download. Connect your iPhone to iTunes and click on Check for Updates.

Apparently they are trying to push the download, hoping to shore up 3G connectivity issues (notice in the screenie we’re still on Edge?). I personally didn’t receive the SMS, and as a 1st generation iPhone owner, I’m starting to think AT&T doesn’t care about me any more…

AT&T unveiled two new iPhone-exclusive data plans today for international usage:

1. $119.99 / month for 100MB of data
2. $199.99 / month for 200MB of data

While no long-term commitments are required, one month is the minimum purchase period (i.e. you won’t be able to get 2 weeks pro-rated). Also the pricing is in addition to, not instead of, your regular service plan, which would make for one hefty bill.

Executive VP at AT&T, Bill Hauge, said, “AT&T has worked diligently to provide affordable options for international roaming because the feature-rich mobile experience of iPhone is indispensable to users.” On a pay-per-use data plan users could expect to pay as much as 2 cents per kilobyte, translating into nearly $40 for a mere 2MB of data. Using this rationale, AT&T appears to think that hitting you with a bill for nearly $300 is a steal.

On top of that, the plan only covers 67 countries, charging additional fees (varying from 1-2 cents) for international usage outside of these areas.

Best Buy will begin carrying the iPhone 3G in all 970 of its retail locations come September 7th, the Associated Press is reporting.

Joining the ranks of Apple and AT&T as the exclusive distributors for the iPhone 3G in the United States, the electronics giant already carries the iPod and Mac computers — making it only fitting to complete the Apple-trinity of geekery.

Newly upgraded Mobile Departments will be welcoming the iPhone 3G, and now have the ability to activate mobiles on-site. The two year-long process also included 250,000 hours of employee training to gear up for the big launch.

“We had a lot of work to do, obviously, to get in a position where Apple and AT&T would feel good about Best Buy Mobile carrying it, and that’s what we’ve done in the last 18 months,” said Shawn Score, president of Best Buy Mobile.