Vitality Inc., a Cambridge, Massachusetts startup, will announce today a pill bottle cap that when opened uses a close range wireless signal to tell a base station in the home of its status. The base station looks like a night light has a cell phone inside that sends messages through AT&T's wireless network.
The reason for this contraption is to remind people to take their pills. According to a study published last August by the New England Healthcare Institute, death rates are twice as high for people with diabetes and heart disease who don't take their pills properly.
If a pill bottle cap isn't opened at the appropriate time, the cap and night light will start to blink to remind the patient to take their medication. If that isn't enough to alert the patient, a jingle will be played as well. If the bottle is still not opened, the night light will send a message to Vitality's system which then places an automate phone call or send a text message with a reminder. Vitality can also be setup to alert a relative if the patient isn't taking their medicine.
AT&T today announced it has taken the steps necessary so that Apple can enable VoIP applications on iPhone to run on AT&T’s wireless network. Previously, VoIP applications on iPhone were enabled for Wi-Fi connectivity. For some time, AT&T has offered a variety of other wireless devices that enable VoIP applications on 3G, 2G and Wi-Fi networks. AT&T this afternoon informed Apple Inc. and the FCC of its decision.
In late summer, AT&T said it was taking a fresh look at VoIP capabilities on iPhone for use on AT&T’s 3G network, consistent with its regular review of device features and capabilities to ensure attractive options for consumers.
AT&T allows customers to download or launch on their wireless devices a multitude of compatible applications directly from any lawful Internet website. Additionally, because AT&T uses GSM technology, the most pervasive and open wireless technology platform in the world, we support customers using any GSM phone that works on AT&T's frequencies.
In a comprehensive study of the mobile broadband network performance of UMTS carriers globally, ARCchart reveals that AT&T Wireless is delivering amongst the world's worst 3G data speeds in some of its US markets. While AT&T is achieving an average download speed of 1,037 kbps across the country, in New York the average is just 767 kbps, one of the poorest in the study and far behind the speeds delivered by carriers in less developed countries like China, South Africa and Venezuela.
The unique study is based on the data speed and latency measurements collected for 268 wireless carriers operating within 103 different countries worldwide, using a smartphone software application available on iPhone, Android and BlackBerry devices. This approach has allowed ARCchart to collect over two million individual test readings from tens of thousands of users who have conducted numerous tests for virtually every mobile carrier in virtually every country in the world. In the US, a total of 162,000 test readings were collected for the two national UMTS carriers, AT&T and T-Mobile.
AT&T today announced four new mobile phones, two each from Pantech and Samsung that feature full Web browsers as well as physical and virtual keyboards. The Pantech Reveal and Impact will join the Samsung Mythic and Flight at the head of AT&T's quick messaging and touch-screen phone portfolio heading into the holiday season.
The new phones are the first to come preloaded with AT&T's new richer and faster HTML mobile browser and att.net service, combining the best of full HTML browsing with unique features for personalizing favorite bookmarks and local searches. The new att.net mobile platform utilizes advanced data compression from Opera Software, allowing for much faster delivery of HTML Web pages.
AT&T today announced the upcoming availability of the HTC Tilt 2 and the HTC PURE with Windows Mobile 6.5. The HTC PURE delivers a touch screen experience in an alluring, compact form factor, and the HTC Tilt 2 features the convenience of a tilting touch screen combined with the practicality of a slide out full QWERTY keyboard.
Powered by the nation's fastest 3G network and the Windows phone platform, the HTC Tilt 2 and HTC PURE deliver an enhanced TouchFLO 3D interface on a large vibrant touch screen that makes navigation intuitive and rich while enabling smooth access to desktop like web browsing. Both devices embody HTC's approach to put people at the center of the communications experience by providing full access to voice, text, or email in a single contact view, regardless of whether voice, text or email was used. This view can be accessed from the contact card or in the in-call screen during a phone conversation, ensuring the latest conversations are always at hand.
AT&T today introduced the Nokia 6350, a colorful fold phone for the fall, designed for optimum comfort in your hand. Available in two seasonal shades, red and graphite, the Nokia 6350 packs in your favorite features with speedy connectivity, thanks to 3G and HSDPA on the nation’s fastest 3G network.
Available at AT&T retail stores and online at www.wireless.att.com from October 4th, the Nokia 6350 comes with the friendly price tag of 29.99 USD with a two-year AT&T service agreement after mail-in rebate.
The smooth back design of the Nokia 6350 provides a soft feel throughout for a touch of simple sophistication. The design is complemented with dedicated music keys that are easy to activate whenever you want listen to your tunes. The simplicity of the Nokia 6350 is balanced with fun features, like a two-megapixel camera, a browser for the real online experience, email, and up to four hours of non-stop talk time for the most avid talkers.
AT&T Inc. today announced the acquisition of privately-held Plusmo, Inc., a provider of cross-platform mobile application solutions, bringing to AT&T an open standards technology that will simplify mobile application development, accelerate innovation and deliver a better application experience for consumers. Plusmo will become a part of AT&T Interactive, and the Plusmo mobile application development platform is expected to be used by multiple AT&T subsidiaries, including AT&T Mobility. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Plusmo platform dramatically reduces development time and costs by enabling developers to create widgets and applications using common web development standards that enable easy deployment across multiple mobile operating systems and devices. Plusmo has formed successful relationships with leading carriers, handset manufacturers and well known publishers. It has also developed a number of popular sports widgets that average more than 100 million monthly mobile page views.
Customers wanting faster wireless data speeds are now enjoying the benefits of AT&T’s latest 3G expansions throughout greater Louisville and surrounding communities. AT&T has added third-generation (3G) wireless technology to 33 cell sites recently. The added capacity in more areas makes it possible for customers to take advantage of high-speed data services and cutting-edge devices like smartphones and netbooks.
The network expansion is part of AT&T’s ongoing efforts to drive innovation and investment to deliver the benefits of smartphones and mobile broadband for customers. More smartphone customers have chosen AT&T over any other U.S. competitor, and AT&T is committed to driving continual enhancement of network capabilities to meet these customers’ ever-growing mobile broadband needs.
AT&T today announced a substantial upgrade of its 3G mobile broadband network in Colorado Springs with the deployment of additional wireless spectrum in the 850 MHz band. As a result of this upgrade, local customers should experience better 3G wireless connectivity, performance and enhanced in-building wireless coverage. The enhancement also increases network capacity, and is intended to support ever-growing demand for 3G mobile broadband service.
The high-quality 850 MHz spectrum generally results in better in-building coverage. While specific benefits of the additional spectrum will vary by location, AT&T 3G customers should see improved quality and coverage throughout Colorado Springs. AT&T technicians nationwide responsible for monitoring network performance for service quality and coverage have seen significant increases in total 3G data traffic in areas where the 850MHz spectrum has been deployed.
Mobile communications provider TerreStar Networks Inc. announced today an agreement between TerreStar and AT&T to bring to market the first fully integrated satellite cellular smartphone.
The TerreStar solution will combine AT&T's wireless connectivity with the ability to use an all-IP satellite network as back up throughout the United States. Using one phone number and one device, users will be able to access voice and data services in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and offshore coastal waters over either the AT&T cellular network or the TerreStar satellite network.
The TerreStarTM GENUSTM Smartphone is a revolutionary device, combining 3G terrestrial wireless capability with satellite voice and data in a standard smartphone size and form factor. The device uses the Windows Mobile operating system to provide rich smartphone functionality and includes premium features such as a touchscreen, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and a QWERTY keyboard. The solution is intended to work as a user's everyday cellular smartphone device, with satellite access capability as a secondary option when needed.
AT&T and Garmin International Inc. today announced the Garmin nüvifone G60 will be available beginning October 4 only for AT&T customers in the U.S. in AT&T stores and online at www.wireless.att.com. The nüvifone G60 provides one of the easiest-to-use location experiences available because it is the only phone to fully integrate the world’s best selling GPS navigator with voice, data and mobile web.
Navigate with turn-by-turn guidance The nüvifone G60 has the same core features as a high-end Garmin nüvi® and comes preloaded with maps and millions of points of interest (POI) for North America. Customers who purchase a nüvifone will have everything that they need to use the device as an in-car navigation unit including a dashboard and windshield mount. The device can easily be mounted in the car or detached for portable navigational use.
Because the maps reside on the nüvifone customers always have access to navigation and they can receive turn-by-turn voice-prompted directions that speak street names to millions of destinations.
AT&T today launched a new bundle of services that combines all the ways you communicate including home phone, high speed Internet, and wireless voice with unlimited texting, which cable doesn’t offer, starting at $99 a month.
Customers can bundle either AT&T Nation 450 or an AT&T FamilyTalk wireless calling plan, unlimited texting, an ALL DISTANCE home phone plan with unlimited local and nationwide calling, and FastAccess DSL, for a $25 monthly discount, a $300 annual savings.
The offer is now available in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee for new customers or for existing customers who add at least one new qualifying service to their current package. The $25 monthly bundle discount is an ongoing discount. For more information, visit www.att.com/textbundle.
AT&T will soon launch a 3G MicroCell that acts like a mini cellular tower in your home or small business environment. The device will connect to AT&T's network via your existing broadband Internet service (such as DSL or cable) and is designed to support up to four simultaneous users in a home or small business setting.
With AT&T 3G MicroCell, you will have improved cellular signal performance for both voice calls and cellular data applications like picture messaging and surfing the Web.
3G MicroCell Features:
Enhanced coverage indoors – for voice and data up to 5000 square feet
Available unlimited minute plans – individual or FamilyTalk plans.
3G handset compatible – works with any AT&T 3G phone.
Supports up to four voice or data users at once.
Device is secure – cannot be accessed by unauthorized users, easy and secure online management of device settings
Seamless call hand-over – start calls on your 3G MicroCell and continue without interruption, even if you leave the building.
In an effort to provide mobile device users an easier and more natural way to control their applications, AT&T and Vlingo today announced a licensing agreement and strategic alliance to incorporate AT&T’s Watson technology into Vlingo’s speech-enabled applications.
The alliance will drive innovation in user interfaces by allowing people to use the power of their voice to create and send a text message or email, search the Web, access social networking tools and more, making data services more accessible and convenient to use. As part of the alliance, AT&T will take a minority equity stake in Vlingo.
A leader in speech technology for decades, AT&T is a pioneer in voice-enabled services and has developed hundreds of voice applications deployed throughout our advanced telecommunications network. AT&T’s Watson speech recognition technology includes the latest advances and innovations in the field of speech and language processing with a rich set of tools for custom development and adaptation of acoustic and language models.
AT&T Interactive has announced that an updated version of its popular YELLOWPAGES.COM iPhone app, YPmobile, is available on the App Store. The latest version of YPmobile builds on an integrated mobile search experience focused on discovering, planning and sharing local businesses and events, while increasing the opportunity for consumers to discover relevant advertisers through new features such as Video Profiles and Pay Per Call® ads.
In addition to search and usability enhancements, updated features include:
Tuning in to Video Profiles: Business video profiles found across tens of thousands of category and local geography combinations on YELLOWPAGES.COM and on the YELLOWPAGES.COM YouTube Channel are now easily accessible from the YPmobile App, giving advertisers another way to interact with consumers while on the go. According to Nielsen, 37 percent of iPhone owners watch video on their phone and are six times as likely to view video compared to the typical wireless subscriberi.
AT&T today announced details of its rollout plans for High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology, which will provide a considerable speed boost to what is already the nation’s fastest 3G mobile broadband network.
Supporting this HSPA 7.2 initiative is AT&T’s ongoing deployment of additional backhaul capacity to cell sites. These backhaul connections add critical capacity to the network to support today’s unprecedented growth in mobile data traffic as well as the future demands of next-generation 4G networks.
AT&T's blogger, "Seth the Blogger Guy" has released a video to assure customers and the public about AT&T's products and services (See video to the right).
Seth discusses the problems of smartphones demanding a huge amount of data because wireless usage has grown over 300% each year. Seth claims that AT&T is working around the clock because of the excessive demand on their network.
Seth also reports that over the past 2 years AT&T has invested $38 Billion to enhance their wired and wireless networks and plans to invest $17-18 Billion this year. Finally, Seth discusses AT&T expanding their 3G network by adding additional 850 mHz spectrums to increase capacity and in-building coverage.
AT&T has announced that on September 25 Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) will be available for the iPhone 3G and 3GS. MMS will be enabled through a software update on that day. AT&T have been working for the past several months to prepare their systems and network to ensure the best possible experience with MMS when it launches.
According to AT&T, "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."
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