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It looks like BlackJack owners are getting left out in the cold, well heat really. A Windows Mobile 6 upgrade is not expected until Q3 at best (after June) according to WMExperts . You've gotta give T-Mobile props for getting the Windows Mobile 6 upgrade for the Dash out so fast. I'm sure Cingular/ AT&T is more focused on getting the iPhone out the door.
According to The Boy Genius , AT&T sent out a memo encouraging Sales Personnel to schedule their vacations before June 15h and after July 15th.
"As previously announced, Apple and AT&T will soon debut the iPhone, which combines a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod with touch controls, and breakthrough internet communications into one small and lightweight handheld device. The new AT&T has a multiyear, exclusive agreement to provide U.S. service for the iPhone.
To ensure proper staffing during the product launch period, Sales personnel planning to take approved time off are encouraged to schedule their vacations before June 15 or after July 15 to participate in the iPhone launch.
Previously approved vacation will be allowed where voluntary rescheduling is not feasible
No additional vacation requests will be approved during the launch period (6/15 – 7/15).
I want to thank you in advance for your understanding as this is likely to be the biggest selling period we have seen in a few years."
If the iPhone is having an effect on AT&T's workers' vacation time, it could also be having an effect on certain software upgrades for old phones.
Labels: cingular, iphone, windows mobile
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 5/07/2007 09:21:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
Rebates or subsidies
In an in-depth research note released to clients on Tuesday, American Technology analyst Shaw Wu cited sources who indicate that a mail-in rebate or carrier subsidy for iPhone of $50-150 is under serious consideration by the Cupertino-based electronics firm.
"We are hearing rebates of $50-150 that will be offered by AT&T to lower the price points for iPhone (currently $499 for 4 GB and $599 for 8 GB) and to entice customers to sign longer term voice and data contracts," the analyst wrote. "From AT&T's perspective, a rebate is a great marketing tool and small sacrifice to make to entice a customer to sign up for 2-year voice and data cell phone plans that cost about $75-100 per month (before taxes and fees), meaning $1800-2400 in 'guaranteed' bi-annual revenue."
Labels: apple, cingular, iphone
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 4/17/2007 06:33:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
"According to CNET, Cingular [aka, the new AT&T] has "confirmed" June 11 as the release date for Apple's iPhone. Keep in mind that confirmation in this case is unofficial as it supposedly comes from a front-line sales support person. See, after a call to Cingular's customer service, CNET was transfered to sales where they were told of the magical date. Of course, all this makes perfect sense as the 11th also marks the kickoff of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference where Steve and Co are always keen to announce new wares." Via Engadget .
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 3/30/2007 08:14:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
"ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - Cingular Wireless, the mobile unit of AT&T Inc., has received about 1 million inquiries about Apple Inc.'s upcoming iPhone, AT&T Chief Operating Officer Randall Stephenson said on Tuesday.
Cingular, the largest U.S. wireless service being rebranded as AT&T, will be the first to sell the music-playing iPhone when Apple, the maker of the popular iPod music player, begins shipments in June.
While Cingular is not taking advance orders for the iPhone, it set up a section on its Web site inviting visitors to leave their e-mail addresses to receive information about the phone when it is released.
"One million people have asked us to call when this phone is available," Stephenson said in his keynote speech at the CTIA wireless technology conference." Via Reuters .
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 3/27/2007 12:27:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
Engadget Mobile is reporting that Cingular will be providing upgrades to Windows Mobile 6 on the Treo 750, BlackJack, and 8525. No word on an exact date, but knowing that your device won't be outdated must make you feel good:)
Labels: cingular, windows mobile
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 3/26/2007 02:52:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
"I got rid of my old PDA (Dell Axim Pocket PC) almost 2 years ago because I hadn’t been using it much. I found myself over the last year missing it and I made an attempt to use a Blackberry 7100g after the OGO (cellular text messenger) was discontinued on Cingular and was quite disappointed that the Blackberry wasn’t easy to use and didn’t show appointments on the home screen. I eventually eBay’d the Blackberry and switched back to a normal phone (Motorola L6 … a very good phone by the way).
I had been keeping an eye out for an affordable smartphone. A couple weeks ago Cingular the New ATT had their BlackJack made by Samsung make an appearance on their website in the form of refurbished units. I had read all the different reviews floating around that painted the BlackJack as a high quality device with one exception. It’s battery life is only so so. Then I read a little farther. Cingular/Samsung ship the unit with a second battery and a little charging unit that doubles as a carrying case. I thought “… hmm … I have pockets … it wouldn’t bother me to have an extra battery kicking around.”
I also thought: “hmm … do I really want to commit to a 2 year contract for my new data device?” I decided worst case scenario I hate the BlackJack I could always get an unlocked something or other to stick the SIM card in and use." Read the full review over @ PDA Live .
Labels: cingular, smartphone, windows mobile
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 3/26/2007 11:59:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
It looks like the BlackBerry Pearl is getting another paint job. The BlackBerry Pearl is already available in black and white. Cinuglar is expected to release a BlackBerry Pearl in red for all the fans of the color red.
Labels: blackberry, cingular
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 3/06/2007 03:52:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
Every day must be like Christmas for The Boy Genius , he's always unboxing a cool new gadget. His latest unboxing is of the new Gold Motorola V3xx.
"Here goes some more ritual Unboxing goodness in the form of the Cingular Gold V3xx. The unit is exactly the same as the Grey V3xx and is a little larger and heavier than the standard RAZR. The battery is a slightly extended and has a little more weight to it, due to compensate for the added 3G support. If your in the market for a RAZR-like phone, one that does 3G, and out flashes a light bulb this could be your phone."
Labels: cingular, motorola, unboxing
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/27/2007 03:58:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
"Over the past few weeks some Treonauts may have read news/rumours that some of the Unlocked Treo 680 colours – starting with Copper (Orange) – were “disappearing” from Palm’s website until eventually today only the standard Graphite (Grey) remains available to buy for $399…
The reason for this is that Palm received a significant order for its entire coloured Treo 680 stock from none other than Cingular… Therefore, without much fanfare, Palm stopped selling all coloured Unlocked Treo 680 models (Arctic, Copper and Crimson below) and instead began selling Cingular-branded Treo 680 smartphones in these same colours – available under a variety of monthly plans from $39.99/month to $199.99/month." Via Treonauts .
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/26/2007 10:48:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
"You have probably observed, or read about some people having an issue with the battery life (or lack of) on their BlackJack. If you purchase one now, I understand, it comes with a regular and an extended battery. When I purchased mine, I got two standard ones.
If you are like me and got the two standard ones, you can now get an extended one sent to you for FREE."
Labels: cingular, windows mobile
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/24/2007 06:05:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
"Straighten your ties and button your suit jackets, RIM's promiscuous debutante -- the Blackberry 8800 -- is up and dancin' on on Cingular's website. $500 list, or $300 after $50 mail-in rebate and 2-year contract, the 8800 brings everything we expected: quad-band EDGE, GPS, microSD expansion, Bluetooth 2.0, push-to-talk support, and 5-hours talk / 24-days standby in a 0.55-inch device weighing just 4.73-ounces. 3G data? No. WiFi? Not this time. For that we'll have to hold tight for the anticipated mid-year launch of the 8820." Via Engadget .
Labels: blackberry, cingular
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/21/2007 08:31:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
The Boy Genius is at it again, this time he is unboxing the new Cingular BlackBerry 8800.
Labels: blackberry, cingular
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/19/2007 05:38:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
"The phone had been in development by Apple and Cingular for two years and was weeks away from being revealed to the world. And yet this was the first time Mr. Sigman got to see it. For three hours, Mr. Jobs played with the device, with its touch-screen that allows users to view contacts, dial numbers and flip through photos with the swipe of a finger. Mr. Sigman looked on in awe, according to a person familiar with the meeting," Sharma, Wingfield, and Yuan report.
Sharma, Wingfield, and Yuan report, "Only three executives at the carrier, which is now the wireless unit of AT&T Inc., got to see the iPhone before it was announced. Cingular agreed to leave its brand off the body of the phone. Upsetting some Cingular insiders, it also abandoned its usual insistence that phone makers carry its software for Web surfing, ringtones and other services. The deal also calls for Cingular to share with Apple a portion of the monthly revenues from subscribers, a person familiar with the matter says."
"Mr. Jobs once referred to telecom operators as 'orifices' that other companies, including phone makers, must go through to reach consumers. While meeting with Cingular and other wireless operators he often reminded them of his view, dismissing them as commodities and telling them that they would never understand the Web and entertainment industry the way Apple did, a person familiar with the talks says," Sharma, Wingfield, and Yuan report.
Sharma, Wingfield, and Yuan report, "Mr. Jobs flirted with other titans of the wireless industry but not everyone wanted to play ball. Talks with Verizon Wireless fell through. Mr. Sigman and other top Cingular executives were willing to cede control to Mr. Jobs and tolerate his digs at cellphone carriers, all for the privilege of being the exclusive U.S. provider of one of the most highly anticipated consumer electronics devices in years -- and to deny rivals a chance to do the same, according to people with knowledge of the situation."
Labels: apple, cingular, iphone
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/17/2007 07:23:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
A footnote posted by Palm on the 680 product page states:
Effective February 15, Palm will begin selling Cingular-branded Treo 680 models in crimson, arctic and copper colors. Previously, those colored models were available only in unlocked versions from Palm. The unlocked Treo 680 graphite version will continue to be sold in the United States." Via Palm Infocenter .
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/13/2007 03:55:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
Just got a tip from one of my Cingular sources givin' us a heads up on the pricing for the BlackBerry 8800. It will go as follows". The Boy Genius Reports has all the Cingular BlackBerry 8800 pricing information.
Labels: blackberry, cell phones, cingular
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/08/2007 11:10:00 AM 0 comments links to this post
"Stop holding your breath and start baiting it. An email was just sent out from RIM’s head offices inviting folks to take part in an exclusive event put being held on February 20 hosted by Research In Motion’s President, Co-CEO and Founder Mike Lazaridis and Kent Mathy, President of Cingular’s Business Markets Group, and there’ll peptalk from former New York Giants star Tiki Barber, too. What’s happening at the event?
You are invited to join Research in Motion® and Cingular, now the new AT&T, as we reveal new solutions for enterprise productivity and extend the service, expertise and applications that you have come to expect from us.
Mark February 20, 2007 on your calendar for this exclusive event." Via .
Labels: blackberry, cingular
¶ posted by Jimmie Geddes, Editor @ 2/06/2007 07:04:00 PM 0 comments links to this post
Contact Jimmie Geddes here: gadgetsonthego at gmail dot com.
