AT&T announced a line-up of four new Quick
Messaging Devices that will offer a new suite of enhanced messaging, video
and photo sharing, and contacts management. The service includes address book syncing with a web-based service, enhanced messaging, and photo/video sharing.
They claim that the cloud-based services give AT&T subscribers peace of mind, knowing that their contacts, and media have a cloud backup.
The quick messaging phones coming to AT&T include the Samsung Strive, Samsung Sunburst, Pantech Link and Pantech Pursuit. The Samsung phones are priced below $40 after a rebate.
The new services, to premiere first on the Samsung Strive,
include:
- AT&T Address Book -- Syncs contacts to
an online address book so customers can access and manage their mobile
contacts from their handset -- or their PC. Synchronization occurs
automatically when any change is made, so contact information is always
backed up. From the online interface, customers can import contacts from
other Web-based address books, such as personal e-mail accounts, as
well as send text messages to their contacts' mobile numbers. There is
no additional charge to use AT&T Address Book. - Next
Generation Messaging -- Brings an
advanced messaging experience designed by AT&T to the quick
messaging phones category. The familiar text messaging experience is
enhanced with group messaging and "reply all" functionality for up to 10
contacts, a threaded conversations format, a consolidated inbox, and
enhanced multi-media display. AT&T designed the service based on
research that revealed customers want features that help with social
planning, improved message organization and better media integration --
but are also simple to use. - AT&T Mobile Share
-- Helps customers
quickly transfer photos and videos captured on their mobile phone to
other destinations and allows customers to manage that content across
the mobile and PC screens. With just a few clicks, customers can share
videos and pictures in full resolution, up to 10MB, with their home
computer, social networking sites, other people and a personal
Internet-based storage locker from AT&T -- all from their wireless
handset. Customers can access pictures and videos stored in their
AT&T Locker at any time from any Internet connection or from their
handsets.
Both AT&T Address Book and AT&T Mobile Share bring the
benefits of cloud-based services to consumers, giving wireless customers
the convenience of seamless access to content and information across
the mobile and PC screens, in addition to peace of mind in knowing their
content isn't lost if they ever damage or lose their phone.
The new quick messaging phones lineup for spring 2010
includes:
- Samsung Strive -- In addition to featuring
the new AT&T services, the Samsung Strive will be available on March
21 in two color combinations, black/silver and purple/charcoal. Strive
features a 2.0-megapixel camera and a vertical slide design to reveal a
full keyboard for tapping out info on Mobile Email, instant messaging
and social networking apps like AT&T Social Net with ease. The
Strive will be available for $19.99 for a limited time with a two-year
agreement and after $50 mail-in rebate, as part of AT&T's current
50%-off quick messaging phones promotion. - Samsung
Sunburst -- With a stunning design
that accents Sunburst's touch screen, the GPS-enabled phone is fun and
sophisticated, with a curvy exterior and light accent below the screen.
A widget bar feature allows one-touch access to a wealth of phone
functions like creating a text message, in addition to direct links to
social networking sites. Sunburst will also be available on March 21 for
$39.99 after a two-year agreement and $50 mail-in-rebate. - Pantech
Link -- An ultra slim and light,
full keyboard quick messaging phone. Link's contemporary design makes
it one of the sharpest in the popular, bar-style family of handsets.
With black and blue accents, Link provides direct access to a fun and
sought-after range of features such as Mobile Email, instant messaging,
AT&T Mobile Share, AT&T Social Net, AT&T Navigator and more.
Link will be available in AT&T stores and online in the coming
weeks. - Pantech Pursuit -- Combining a full touch
screen with a vertical sliding keyboard, the Pantech Pursuit plays host
to a set of cool and unique features via shortcuts on Pantech's first
touch user interface for easy, customizable access to apps and features
like AT&T Social Net, AT&T Address Book, and social networking
sites. Available in the summer in green or blue, the Pursuit will also
support face recognition software and geotagging to get the most out of
your pictures.
If you are a new AT&T customer, don't
forget to use the he Wireless and Mobile News' $50
off online only coupon-link with the purchase of a new phone with a
plan. Free shipping is included with online activation.
AT&T Mobile Share is available for $10 per month for 50
media transfers; customers can also pay per use, at $.35 per transfer1.
The service includes online storage of 250MB at no charge. Customers can
purchase an additional 10GB of storage for $5 per month. Standard data
charges apply for browsing the online media locker from the mobile
handset.