A new survey commissioned by AT&T* as part of the "It Can Wait" campaign indicates that while 97 percent of teens know texting while driving is dangerous, 43 percent of them admit to sending a text while driving – and 75 percent say the practice is common among their friends.
The survey found that teenagers feel pressure to quickly respond to text messages – and adults are also setting a poor example by texting while driving themselves.
With prom, graduation and summer nearing, we head into the "100 deadliest days" for teen drivers on the road – the days between Memorial Day and Labor Day.(1) Texting also ranks as the No. 1 mode of communication among teens.(2) On average, teens text five times more a day than a typical adult.(3) When this habit hits the road, drivers who text are 23 times more likely to be in an accident or near-accident.(4)
Highlights of the AT&T Teen Driver Survey:
Peer Pressure: Almost all teens (89 percent) expect a reply to a text or email within five minutes or less.
Knowledge but Little Action: 75 percent of teens say texting while driving is very dangerous – but 43 percent admit to doing so. "Gateway" Dangers: 70 percent of teens believe texting while stopped at a red light is dangerous.
Still, 60 percent of teens admit to texting at a red light and 73 percent admit to glancing at their phone at a red light.
From International CTIA Wireless 2012, Verizon Wireless and HTC today announced the new and exclusive DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE by HTC. The DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE will be the twenty third 4G LTE-enabled device currently available on the Verizon Wireless network.
The new DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE enhances the customer experience by offering high-quality photo and audio capabilities, combined with the power of 4G LTE speeds. Running the latest version of HTC Sense 4.0, HTC's branded user experience integrated with Google's mobile operating system, Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, the new DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE brings a sophisticated, pocket-friendly device to America's fastest 4G LTE network.
DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE by HTC features Beats Audio which is enabled across the entire experience for a rich and authentic sound whether customers watch a YouTube video, play a game, or stream music over 4G LTE. Beats Audio allows customers to listen to music the way the artist intended with thundering bass, soaring midrange and crisp highs.
The DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE captures life's special moments with an advanced 8-megapixel camera with quick activation from the home screen so customers never miss that perfect shot. Additionally, there's no longer a need to choose between shooting video or taking photos, HTC Video Pic allows users to shoot HD video and capture photos at the same time. With 4G LTE speeds, sharing photos and video via email, uploading to the cloud or posting to social networking sites is a breeze.
The Samsung Focus 2, an affordable Windows Phone on AT&T’s 4G LTE network, will be available from AT&T beginning May 20 in pure white for $49.99 with a two-year service agreement. With the launch of the third Windows Phone smartphone on its 4G LTE network, AT&T continues to offer customers the most robust Windows Phone portfolio of any carrier. As Samsung’s first 4G LTE Windows Phone, the Focus 2 is sleek and stylish. Measuring 10.98mm thin and weighing only 4.3 ounces, it fits perfectly in your hand, purse or pocket.
In April, AT&T launched the first 4G LTE Windows Phones in the world with the Focus 2 marking the carrier’s third 4G LTE offering on this operating system. AT&T customers have access to the nation’s largest 4G network, covering over 260 million people. As 4G LTE expands, AT&T customers are able to enjoy a widespread, ultra-fast and consistent 4G experience on their compatible device as they move in and out of LTE areas. AT&T has two 4G networks that work together for customers, LTE and HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. With other carriers, when you travel outside of their LTE coverage area, you’re on a much slower 3G network.
Beginning May 20, customers can purchase the Focus 2, available in a glossy pure white, from AT&T for $49.99 with a two-year contract.
Like AT&T’s other new 4G LTE Windows Phones, the Samsung Focus 2 features the Windows Phone 7.5 operating system which makes it easier to do everyday tasks faster. Only Windows Phone has Live Tiles, providing real time updates on your Start Screen including calendar appointments, emails or social media feeds. With Bing Search built-in, you’ll never be lost, as finding directions or a highly rated restaurant nearby is quick and easy. Microsoft Office Mobile and SkyDrive also allow you to create, save and access documents anywhere from the cloud to help maintain productivity while on-the-go.
Checking on the welfare of loved ones, protecting your home from intruders, fire or water damage, unlocking a door for the repairman or changing the temperature setting on the thermostat – and doing it from wherever you happen to be, here or abroad – can be as easy as if you were right at home.
AT&T today announced plans for a new portfolio of all-digital, IP-based home security monitoring and automation services. Called AT&T Digital LifeTM, , the services will give users unparalleled control and security of their homes using any web-enabled device, PCs, tablets and smartphones, regardless of wireless carrier.
AT&T plans to begin trials in Atlanta and Dallas this summer.
Managed by a newly created Digital Life group, the remote monitoring and automation portfolio will feature web-based access to automation, energy and water controls, as well as professionally monitored security services.
“The AT&T Digital Life service has the potential to take home monitoring and home security solutions to another level,” said Larry Hettick, Research Director, Consumer Services, for Current Analysis. “The service promises to be as robust as anything in the marketplace today backed by the trusted AT&T brand. I am particularly impressed with its IP-based wireless platform, plans for a nationwide offering, and a wide range of devices that can be monitored and viewed from any carrier’s wireless or wireline Internet connection. These consumer-friendly capabilities will help grow this industry.”
AT&T Mobile Minute provides a hands on look at the HTC One X features and specifications. The HTC One X is the first smartphone from AT&T to run Android 4.0, and includes Beats by Dr. Dre Audio and HTC Sense 4. (See video above)
AT&T's Near Field Communications (NFC) technology can be used to create mobile apps that can turn your smartphone into a key, or credit card for mobile payments. Learn how mobile app developers use Near Field Communications when developing applications. (See video above)
AT&T's Txtng & Drivng Campaign Urges Consumers That 'It Can Wait. This documentary featuring families affected by texting while behind the wheel is being distributed to educators, government officials, safety organizations and public as part of a educational awareness campaign. (See video above)
For many of us, the most natural way to communicate with other people is with our voice. And now AT&T is giving developers the tools to build apps and services that also let you use your voice to communicate with your smartphone, television and other digital devices.
The foundations for these tools are the state-of-the-art AT&T Watson speech recognition technology services that researchers at AT&T Labs have been developing and refining for years.
We already use AT&T Watson services in a variety of applications, such as mobile voice directory search with YPMobile, voice mail to text and other uses, and we have more than 600 patents in this area. But a great platform is only half the innovation equation. We know the best way to accelerate innovation is by opening our platforms and network services to outside developers.
So in June, we plan to launch several AT&T Watson Speech application programming interfaces (APIs) that developers can access to quickly create great new apps and services with voice recognition and transcription capabilities. The first AT&T Watson Speech APIs will be focused on seven areas: web search, local business search, question and answer, voice mail to text, S, U-verse electronic programming guide, and a dictation API for general use of speech recognition.
AT&T announced the first smartphone to launch with the latest version of the Android operating system (4.0), the HTC One X, will be available from AT&T beginning May 6 for $199.99. HTC One X is AT&T’s first smartphone with Beats by Dr. Dre Audio built-in to the hardware and software. HTC One X is the first smartphone from AT&T to offer HTC Sense 4 to deliver an amazing camera with improvements to the lens, sensor and software, an authentic sound experience with Beats by Dr. Dre Audio, and long-lasting battery performance to accommodate heavy mobile use. Pre-orders for HTC One X will begin April 22. Customers can visit any company-owned retail store or http://www.att.com/onex for more information.
An all-around workhorse with unique customer benefits, the HTC One X is the flagship of HTC’s One line of smartphones. Combined with the nation’s largest 4G network, with 4G LTE backed by AT&T’s HSPA+ network, the One X becomes the complete package for Android users.
AT&T customers have access to the nation’s largest 4G network, covering nearly 250 million people. As 4G LTE expands, AT&T customers are able to enjoy a widespread, ultra-fast and consistent 4G experience on their compatible device as they move in and out of LTE areas. AT&T has two 4G networks that work together for customers, LTE and HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. With other carriers, when you travel outside of their LTE coverage area, you’re on a much slower 3G network.
Making it easier than ever for small businesses to find the right mobile applications to help them succeed, AT&T has launched the new Mobile Applications for Small Business website.
According to the recent AT&T Small Business Technology Poll**, 85 percent of small businesses surveyed use smartphones and about one-third use mobile apps to keep their businesses going wherever they may be, so having easy access to business-critical apps is more important than ever.
Key Features
The Mobile Applications for Small Business website enables:
A visual, user-friendly experience for customers looking to learn more about mobile apps and their benefits
Convenient online purchasing and provisioning of select apps directly from the website using Buy Now – a first among wireless carriers
A direct connection to AT&T’s interactive SMART app recommender tool, which takes the guesswork out of finding and purchasing the best apps for small business
Based on input from small business users, the SMART tool – also available at www.att.com/smart - offers a list of more than 50 recommended solutions, product information, and video demos to help customers decide on the best apps for their business
The tool’s interface has recently been re-designed to improve customer experience, enhancing navigation and ease of use
Easy access to the AT&T Certified Solutions Catalog, featuring more than 500 certified solutions that address the mobility needs of various business types and sizes
AT&T today launched two new devices, the Nokia Lumia 900 and the HTC Titan II, the first Windows Phones available on the mobile operator’s speedy 4G long-term evolution (LTE) network.
The launch is a milestone for Microsoft and partner Nokia, and also for AT&T, which is giving the award-winning Lumia 900 top billing as one of the centerpieces of its spring retail and marketing campaign.
“This LTE launch is a big milestone here in the U.S. and there is some great momentum overseas as well,” says Terry Myerson, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Windows Phone Division.
Anticipation for the Nokia Lumia 900 began building after the device “stole the show” at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, according to tech blog ZDnet, and its predecessor the Nokia Lumia 800 is already a top seller in a number of European countries.
“As many media have already commented, this is a major milestone for Nokia, for our partnership with Microsoft and for the Windows Phone ecosystem,” says Jo Harlow, executive vice president, Smart Devices, at Nokia.
The Nokia Lumia 900, named "Best of CES" for all smartphones, is available in an eye-catching cyan blue and a matte black, as well as in a high-gloss white version, which will go on sale April 22.
The following statement may be attributed to Jim Cicconi, AT&T Senior Executive Vice President of External and Legislative Affairs:
“Yesterday, T-Mobile made the sad announcement that it would be closing seven call centers, laying off thousands of workers, and that more layoff announcements may follow. Normally, we’d not comment on something like this. But I feel this is an exception for one big reason– only a few months ago AT&T promised to preserve these very same call centers and jobs if our merger was approved. We also predicted that if the merger failed, T-Mobile would be forced into major layoffs.
“At that time, the current FCC not only rejected our pledges and predictions, they also questioned our credibility. The FCC argued that the merger would cost jobs, not preserve them, and that rejecting it would save jobs. In short, the FCC said they were right, we were wrong, and did so in an aggressive and adamant way.
“Rarely are a regulatory agency’s predictive judgments proven so wrong so fast. But for the government’s decision, centers now being closed would be staying open, workers now facing layoffs would have job guarantees, and communities facing turmoil would have security. Only a few months later, the truth of who was right is sadly obvious.
The Nokia Lumia 900, the Windows Phone named “Best of CES” for all smartphones, will be available exclusively in the U.S. from AT&T on April 8 for $99.99. One of the first 4G LTE Windows Phones in the world, the Nokia Lumia 900 gives AT&T customers more 4G LTE choices than ever before and the largest selection of Windows Phones in the U.S. For more information, customers can visit www.att.com/lumia or AT&T’s Consumer Blog.
Customers who can’t wait to get their hands on this new smartphone can pre-order it in cyan or black beginning March 30 by visiting http://www.att.com/lumia or any AT&T company-owned retail store. Qualified business customers who receive wireless service discounts can pre-order the Lumia 900 online, beginning the afternoon of March 30, at http://www.att.com/nokialumia900.
Running on AT&T’s superfast 4G LTE network, the Lumia 900 delivers an unsurpassed mobile experience. With 4G LTE speeds, the people-first style of Windows Phone 7.5 and outstanding design lets customers access their emails, music and social media quickly and helps them look good while doing it. The Lumia 900 will be available in unique and eye-catching cyan blue and a matte black on April 8, with a newly announced high-gloss white version on sale beginning April 22.
AT&T today announced the availability of Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) for HTC Vivid customers. After installing the software update, customers can now enjoy the optimized audio experience of Beats by Dr. Dre Audio and new and improved HTC Sense experience. Information about these features and more can be found at http://www.att.com/vividupdate. HTC Vivid will be the first U.S. smartphone to receive Ice Cream Sandwich as an update and the first to be issued by a wireless carrier. It will be followed by several other AT&T devices in the coming months:
LG Nitro
Motorola ATRIX 2
Motorola ATRIX 4G
Pantech Burst
Pantech Element
Samsung Captivate Glide
Samsung Galaxy Note
Samsung Galaxy S II
Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket
Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9
Focused on bringing the power of Android to the surface, Android 4.0 makes common actions more visible and lets you navigate with simple, intuitive gestures. Refined animations and feedback throughout the system make interactions engaging and interesting. An entirely new typeface optimized for high-resolution screens improves readability and brings a polished, modern feel to the user interface.
AT&T took the lead in customer service quality in the last three months of 2011 as Sprint and T-Mobile lost ground, according to the latest study on phone-based customer service quality conducted by Vocal Laboratories Inc. (Vocalabs). In telephone interviews conducted immediately following a customer service call during the three months ending December 31, 2011, 69% of AT&T customers surveyed were “Very Satisfied” with the experience, up from 65% a year ago. Fifty-nine percent of Sprint customers gave the experience their top rating, down 12 points from the end of 2010; while T-Mobile posted a 17-point drop to end 2011 at 48% “Very Satisfied.” Verizon was effectively unchanged at 60% satisfaction.
“Providing a consistently high-quality customer service experience requires ongoing commitment and focus throughout an organization,” said Peter Leppik, CEO of Vocalabs. “When companies get distracted, or focus on only one part of their customer experience or product portfolio, the overall customer experience can suffer. We will be watching Sprint and T-Mobile in 2012 to see if they can recover the ground lost in 2011.”
AT&T and Samsung announced the upgrade to Android 2.3.6 for the Samsung Infuse 4G (i997) provides the following customer benefits and will be available starting February 1st:
New Fonts options added include Choco Cooky, Cool Jazz, Rosemary
Keyboard Changes: Android Keyboard with Wider Spaced keys and Quick Keys at the top
New Widgets: The name of the content provider will be listed on the widget list along with the widget name. Previously only the widget name was provided.
New Widget: Traffic (Android) added to list of available widgets
Menu Changes/New Apps: Downloads and Google Books added new, Promotional pre-load of Angry Birds removed*.
Note: The update will remove the promotional Angry Birds pre-load from the device. If you’ve started playing the game, you would need to re-download from the Marketplace and start from the beginning of the game.
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