AT&T v. Sprint

Sprint and AT&T have released their flagship phones over the past month and I've been doing a lot of research about which new device and plan makes the most sense. I'm currently not under contract so I don't have to worry about an early termination fee, and that's a major consideration. What are the flagship devices?

The two devices are the Instinct manufactured by Samsung that utilizes the Sprint 3G Network, and the iPhone 3G manufactured by Apple that utilizes the AT&T 3G network. Can you compare these devices on an Orange to Orange basis? The answer is yes, but. The Instinct does not have the same quality on the web browser and utilizes miroSecureDigital memory vs built in memory like the iPhone has. The Instict will cost you $129.99 with a two-year contract, and the iPhone will cost you $199 for 8GB (black) and $299 for 16GB (black or white) with a two-year contract required.

What about the plans? Below are the plans copied directly from the respective company websites. AT&T has two components to their plan; 1) Voice + Data(email/Web), 2) Texting add-on




















Sprint Everything Plan












It looks like if you text or talk a lot each month then the Sprint plan is what you need, so you just have to decide if you can live with the not as good web browser and having to buy a 4GB microSD card.

I'm still not convinced that I want the Instinct, but based on the data I'm certainly leaning that direction. I guess I need to go see and use each device before I can really make a decision. If anyone has either or has used both of these devices please leave a comment and let us know which device you prefer.

The New 3G iPhone - It's Here!

The day I have been waiting for is here. July 11 will be the day that the new iPhone is available and I'm all over this one. My time with Sprint has been good, but the day has come to jump ship. There is no device that Sprint has or has coming that can compare to the new iPhone. It's a phone, iPod, Internet Browser, highspeed connectivity available worldwide, GPS, new Application Store, and last but not least Microsoft Exchange integration for the Enterprise users. It will be available in either 8GB or 16GB models with either black or white available in the 16GB version. Check out all the tech specs. This device truely has everything that any mobile business user might need, and you can listen and watch your favorite music/movies/tv shows. Did I mention that TomTom has a GPS solution ready to buy for the new device? It does and Sling Media is working on a SlingPlayer client for the new device with a working prototype already shown to the media. So now the debate will be do I need a physical keyboard I can I use a virtual touch keyboard. For me it's not a hard choice. I can't wait to see what apps will be available at the app store. I guess I need to start researching plans. Bye, Bye Sprint and Palm Treo. Visit the Apple website for all the details and lots of pics.

New Wireless Phones

I have not published any new news about new wireless phones because there really haven't been any new devices launched. However, Blackberry has launched a couple new variations of existing devices. T-Mobile and AT&T have launched the new BlackBerry Pearl 8120 sporting a 2 MP camera, 3.5mm headphone jack, external microSD slot, and Wi-Fi support. T-Mobile has released the BlackBerry 8820 that features: Wi-Fi enabled handset sports GPS, a full QWERTY keyboard, microSD slot, and a whole lot more.

Samsung has launched a device in Korea that is very interesting and I hope it makes it to the States soon.
The Anycall Haptic (model numbers SCH-W420 and SPH-W4200) phone has a 3.2-inch widescreen display, a 2-megapixel digital camera, full Internet browser, Bluetooth 2.0 and terrestrial digital TV reception.
Why is the device named Haptic? The device provides haptic feedback, information transmitted via the sense of touch, when using certain functions on the device. It means, for example, that when the volume of the radio is changed, the phone simulates both the sound and feel of the "clicks" on an old-style volume knob on a real radio, said Samsung.
I like any device that will compete with the iPhone and I'm a fan of Samsung devices, so please bring to over the Pacific.

Here's a rumor courtesy of Ken Dulaney, an analyst with the well-respected Gartner firm.
Apple may have ordered a second round of 10 million iPhones based on the 3G network. Do you know what 3G is?
3G is the closest thing to broadband data connectivity that is currently available to wireless users. High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) is a 3G (third generation) mobile telephony communications protocol in the High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) family, which allows networks based on Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) or (GSM) to have higher data transfer speeds and capacity. AT&T and T-Mobile both utilize this network technology.
One of the big complaints about the existin iPhone is the lack of a high speed data connectivity. The data connectivity currently available in the iPhone is EDGE which is a 2.5G and is considerably slower than HSDPA. Many observers speculate that one of the reasons why the iPhone did not do well in Europe was because of the lack of a 3G data capability. I will not even consider an iPhone until it includes 3G connectivity.

So there are some new Blackberry models out Samsung launched a new iPhone competitor in Korea and supposedly Apple has started manufacturing of 10 million new iPhones. That's it? Rumor has it that more new device launches will be revealed at the upcoming CTIA Wireless trade show next week. I can't wait.

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!

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.

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.

BlackJack II

Latest and greatest Samsung smartphone from AT&T has just hit the street. Check out the great article about this new super phone by Dave Ciccone on mobilityTODAY. This device features Tri-band UMTS/HSDPA and Quad-band EDGE/GPRS with 2.4 inch 65K TFT display screen, Integrated GPS, Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 standard, 2.0 megapixel camera and video recorder, and Stereo Bluetooth 2.0. Check out the AT&T product page.

Front of BlackJack II sporting the bigger screen. You'll also see the AT&T Blackberry Curve 8310 for size comparison.