Abilene Christian in the News

Engadget picked up on the plan published by ACU to utilize Apple devices to increase communication for it's students. You can read the details on ACU's website, but what it says is:

"We are not merely providing cutting-edge technology tools to our incoming students," said Roberts. "We are also providing the web applications that ensure these tools will become critical to the students' learning experience. Because 93 percent of ACU students bring their own computers with them to college, we are choosing to take them to the next level by providing converged mobile devices."

My only criticism of this plan is that I think it is too confined to just Apple devices and think it should be more open. Hopefully with Android this type of exclusiveness will come to an end. I thought it was cool that one of my favorite blogs had a story about my alma mata. Go Cats!

New Sprint Stuff

Since I am a Sprint "homer" or "fan boy" take your pick as to which nickname you'd like to use, I found this information on phonearena.com pretty interesting. First is that there is supposed to be a launch of the next generation "push-to-talk" functionality on the Sprint network utilizing the QChat product that is a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Push-to-Talk technology developed by Qualcomm in mid April. You might remember back in Oct. 2006 Sprint had a press release announcing that QChat would be deployed and would be interoperable to the Nextel iDEN network; and in 2005 Qualcomm demonstrated QChat at the CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association) trade show as it worked with Nextel iDEN network.

Finally after three years the product is set to be launched, or at least four phones featuring QChat capabilities are rumored to be released on April 16.

The first phone is long rumored and even photographed LG device called the LX400 (pictured below). The next two phones are Sanyo models the PRO 700 and PRO 200. Thanks to phonescoop.com for the FCC links for these two devices. The 700 looks to be a "rugged" phone. A fourth phone rumored to be hitting the market place is the Samsung Z400 (picture below) also a "rugged" phone, thanks engadgetmobile.com.



So that's four new devices all utilizing the new QChat functionality and Sprint just in the last few weeks has really been touting the "push-to-x" product family, remember the press release on Feb. 19. It makes me think these new devices will launch with Nextel branding and not just Sprint branding. It only took Sprint 18 months to launch this new capability even though it was demonstrated back in 2005? Why so long you might ask. Well first Sprint had to have EVDO RevA network infrastructure built out to all the towers in the major markets. Then it was tested in each market by employees and select customers. Sprint could not afford to roll out a flop. Sprint has lost so many Nextel customers due to network issues they couldn't afford another network failure. Here we are on the brink of a new era in mobile communication and which company is at the front? Not only that but with Xohm services launching by the end of 2008 I really think Sprint will be turning around and will show growth by Q1 2009.

I almost forgot to mention the other device rumored to be launching on April 16 is the new BlackBerry Curve 8330. AT&T and TMobile offer this device for the GSM crowd, but unlike the GSM version this one will have EVDO which is true 3G. Check out the link here to bbgeeks.com for some pictures of the device. I think I might need to try one of these.... Then again I don't want to pay for the additional blackberry data plan. I'll just stick to my Palm 755.

More on Unlimited Calling Plans

I just finished reading a good AP article about the wireless companies offering unlimited plans and it mentions that T Mobile USA is going to be offering an unlimited plan for $99 and will include text messaging and picture messaging, details to be released on Thursday, Feb. 21. The article also mentions the $119 plan that Sprint has been testing since last May in Twin Cities, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Tampa, Fla. Helio a smaller nationwide carrier, MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) that utilizes the Sprint network, is also offering a $99 unlimited plan that includes voice, data, texting, web, and picture messaging. Helio also has some really cool handsets. Look for Sprint to announce more markets that will have the chance to subscribe to the new Unlimited Plan. Stay tuned for more news as it comes out.

Not To Be Out Done by Number Two

AT&T has issued a press release announcing new unlimited voice plans targeted to wireless users who want the predictability of flat rate pricing for unlimited minutes. Do not be fooled though, this is for voice services only and does not include data services like texting (sms), picture/video mail, or internet services. "Standard wireless phones can choose a data plan such as $5 for 200 text, picture, video and instant messages or $35 for unlimited messaging and MEdia Net access." What is a standard wireless phone you ask, well it's not an iPhones, smartphones, or PDA phones. Read the official release at at&t dot com.

First of the Big Three to Introduce Unlimited Plan

Verizon Wireless has gone and done it. The CDMA carrier officially launched today their new unlimited plans, but make sure you read all the details before you sign up because all the plans are not truely unlimited.

Palm Centro

UPDATE 2/22/08
Coming soon the Obsidian Black Centro the AT&T website.

The Sprint exclusivity on the Palm Centro just ended and look what I found an AT&T Centro.

Will you love or hate the green numbers? I like it.

Overview

The Palm Centro is a compact QWERTY smartphone offering a full range of features. Transfer data or go hands-free with USB, Bluetooth® and infrared connectivity. Keep up with work and friends via email, Instant Messenger and Push-To-Talk. Enjoy the sounds of AT&T Music and XM Radio. Snap pictures and record video with the 1.3 MP camera, and store it all comfortably with up to 4 GB microSD expansion memory.

Included Features

• 1.3 MP Camera with video capture
• Picture and video messaging
• EDGE class 10 for rapid data transfers
• Bluetooth v1.2 and Infrared connectivity
• Supports MicroSD(TM) expansion memory - up to 4 GB
• Full QWERTY keyboard and 2.2" touchscreen display
• AIM®, Yahoo!®, and Windows Live® Messengers
• Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync email support
• Support for Good Mobile Messaging
• XM Radio, AT&T Music and MusicID
• Support for Xpress Mail
• Push-To-Talk

Technical Specs

• Weight: 4.23 ounces
• Dimensions: 4.2 x 2.1 x 0.73
• Talk Time: Up to 3 hours
• Standby Time: Up to 10 days
• Full QWERTY keyboard
• Palm OS 5.4.9
• Intel 312 MHz CPU
• 64MB Non-volatile Flash / 64MB RAM
• MicroSD expansion slot - up to 4 GB
• 2.2", 320x320 touchscreen display with 64k colors
• Quad-Band World Phone - 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• Warranty: One year warranty on phone and accessories
• All talk, data & standby times depend on network configuration

Visit AT&T dot com for all the details.