With the iPhone about a month away, AT&T has finally gotten around to realizing they need to ditch the Cingular name. Using the iPhone as a catalyst, AT&T will be replacing signs inside all 1800+ Cingular stores with AT&T logos, adverts, and signs. Says AT&T Spokesperson Mike Coe:

“The iPhone is one of the most anticipated handsets ever in the wireless industry, and we want to make sure that every drop of equity from the iPhone accrues to the AT&T brand,”

“We want to be as far along as possible with our rebranding in advance of the launch of the iPhone.”

Every drop, eh? Quite the statement there, Coe. Though if there were a time to push a rebranding, I’d say the iPhone is the way to go. AT&T knows that Cingular name is going to be hard to shake and this is the only chance to shake it off for good.

AT&T pushes Cingular rebranding ahead of iPhone [iLounge]

Over on Flickr, user tnkgrl got fed-up with the EVDO card her OQO Model 2 came with. So what’s a girlfriend to do when she wants a little HSDPA in her life? Mod the hell out of her computer, that’s what. Tnkgrl went ahead and ripped out that EVDO like a loose hangnail and replaced it with a brand spankin’ new HSDPA card.

Doesn’t look like it took too much work, but for those of you not comfortable around wires or voiding your warranty, you might want to stay away from this gruesome photoset.

Official Flickr Page [via Slashphone]

You are granted a limited, nonexclusive right to create a hypertext link to the homepage of the Sites, provided such link does not portray Cingular Wireless or any of its products and services in a false, misleading, derogatory, or otherwise defamatory manner. You may not use a Cingular or Cingular Wireless logo or other proprietary graphic or trademark of Cingular or Cingular Wireless to link to the Sites without the express written permission of Cingular Wireless. This limited right may be revoked at any time.

Listen to me, AT&T, I’ve apparently been doing this Internet thing a lot longer than you have. If I want to link to your site in a derogatory manner, that is my Web-given right. I can have a hyperlink in the text “AT&T has a stick up its collective ass” and there’s nothing you can do about it. This has been held up in court. In addition, I can link to any page on your site I feel like. You can link to any site on this one that you feel like. Go for it, it’s fun. You’ll feel better, trust me.

And I can do it again and again. Look, here’s me linking to your actual policy. And you know what? It’s okay.

Cingular says they can sue for linking to their website? [DSL Reports]

I’m sure plenty of you are still excited about the iPhone, but when the end of June rolls around, will you buy one? It’s not looking likely according to a recent Markitecture poll. Out of 1300 people surveyed, only 6% said they were “likely to purchase the iPhone” when it comes out. The reason? Mostly the price and having to deal with a contract/specific carrier. Ouch! Doesn’t sound too good for Apple!

But at least people know about the iPhone. 77% of those 1300 surveyed said they did indeed know about Apple’s upcoming device. Those who were “very familiar” with the iPhone said they had an excellent or very good impression of it. Sounds like the hype for your product is still there Apple, but you’ll need to get that price down to $499 for the 8GB version or you’ll have a Playstation 3 on your hands.

Survey tallies iPhone interest, finds only 6% to buy [iLounge]

Cingular and Verizon Drop Kiddie Phones
Sony Patents 3D Virtual Reality Controller For The PS3
Konami Characters And Their 1980s Counterparts
The AudioFile: Apple and the Long (Mc)Fly Ball
The Great Skype Contest of 2007, Day 5

The main feature of both of these devices is that they lack 10-digit keypads. Mom and dad can program in a handful of numbers that their kids are allowed to call and that’s that. Oh and they also allow parents to “chaperon” the children, which essentially means track their every move through GPS.

Cingular will continue to make the Firefly available online for free with a two year contract. Verizon is focusing on the LG 3450L flip phone, as it supports text messaging and regular phone functions, but also has Big Brother chaperoning.

Cingular and Verizon Wireless drop kid phones [RCR Wireless]

Cingular’s three location-based cell phone patents all stemmed from a single theme of inventive thinking back in 2002.

US Patent 7181227 – Cellular System to Track Where Friends (Phones) Are

Highlight: From claim 1: “…a wireless system that provides communication between a wireless device and multiple network access points…comprising: at least one location-based services data structure…representing a table of friends who may receive, via the system, a current location of the user’s wireless device; and a second data structure representing a table of friends who have permitted the user to receive, via the system, a location of wireless devices associated with them; wherein the first and second data structures are configured for display on a visual display of the wireless device as respective first and second lists of friends, and wherein the wireless device may receive input from the user to modify at least one of the first and second data structures representing tables of friends to thereby modify the at least one of the first and second lists of friends.”

Analysis: User status on VoIP and now cell services like Skype have elevated people’s awareness of the growing use of dynamic ‘friend lists’ including getting frequent updates of what they are up to and now, where they are at. This technology could remove the first 20 seconds of most cell calls, namely, “Hello, where are you?”

US Patent 7190960 – Cellular Meeting at Location Between Users

Highlight: From Description: “…[a] method that allows users to locate friends or other contacts, businesses, points of interest (POI’s) or other locations, and manage this information in a user-friendly environment. A user with a wireless device, such as a cellular phone, may identify the locations of select individuals (via their wireless devices). Likewise, the user may receive directions to a desired location, and even coordinate a meeting place with a friend.”

Analysis: Building off of the previous invention’s ability to track where friends are, this concept is a clear value add, granted the smart use of mobile mapping software and phone display.

US Patent 7116985 – Paid Cellular Location-Based Search Results for Business Advertising

Highlight: The main highlight of the two independent claims cover using a person’s GPS when requesting to find a location, being paid by a business to deliver an answer to that request, with the payment by the business being a part of revenues for the location-based services as a result of the contact.

Analysis: Paid search has had its challenges and with a number of search options, this kind of paid response would require a layer of marketing in the form of a benefit, such as a bar offering deals on a slow night. Perhaps less leveraging of social elements than the first two.

In Conclusion
Cingular has a great opportunity to launch a number of features in conjunction with Apple, and other phones that focus on higher quality displays. While not every location-based service will pan out, it is promising to see carrier plans for the use of GPS beyond just simple mapping and directions.

http://crunchgear.com/2007/03/30/iphone-released-on-june-11-says-cingular/

The iPhone will come out on June 11. Someone over at CNET had the bright of calling Cingular (well, AT&T) to ask them when the phone would come out, and the voice on the other end of the line revealed the June 11 date. The date makes sense: Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference begins that same day and, well, we (save for Dvorak) know it’s coming out in June at some point.

So this date, if true, leaves us just 10 weeks away from the in-demand phone’s release. Look at that excitement grow.

Apple’s iPhone will be released on June 11 [CNET]

Also, we’ll be seeing a new phone from Apple – something called the iPhone – officially available in June with no delays. The reps said data and mobile use is going to go through the roof when the device launches, suggesting some sort of all-you-can-eat plan (similar to what they have for Blackberry users or their 3G unlimited data plans).

Poor AT&T! With the soaring popularity of the iPhone and the launch date getting closer, over 1 million people have been bitching to AT&T/Cingular, asking when they can get their hands on an iPhone. Since AT&T isn’t taking advance orders for the phone (a smart move), the company has since started directing customers’ attention to a web page where they can sign up and receive e-mail updates on the iPhone.

What shocks me isn’t that 1 million people called about a single phone, it’s that they all called wanting to pre-order it or to check it’s availability. Now that’s what I call a popular device!

AT&T says received 1 mln inquiries on iPhone [Reuters]

Looks like our pal Boy Genius is getting cocky. Apparently claiming a Red Blackberry Pearl being released on the completely wrong carrier counts as “calling it.” Don’t think so pal. Just because it came out on AT&T instead doesn’t mean you are a winner.

But nonetheless, Boy Genius has got the hot unboxing action up on his site and boy is that Pearl looking mighty fine. Those sleek red curves remind me of the time I pelted a fat chick with tomatoes and then made out with her. Wait, what?

Unboxing: Red at&t BlackBerry Pearl [BGR]

Using both a Novatel Merlin XU870 HSDPA ExpressCard and a Merlin EX720 EV-DO, during my travels to various points across the country I was able to fully realize the pros and cons of these bitterly contested opponents. Can EV-DO maintain its dominance over the WWAN arena with its consistent performance, or will HSDPA clinch the title with its fast and fancy footwork?

As I mentioned above, HSDPA is the new kid on the block. It emerged in the past year and has recently seen some wide proliferation in its network availability. I’ve had considerable experience with HSDPA on my Blackjack and its been mostly positive. The availability has been good and the performance agreeable. Given those factors I was excited to try the dedicated HSDPA ExpressCard on my MacBook Pro.

At 7.2Mbps, Cingular HSDPA is twice as fast as the paltry 3.1Mbps EV-DO Rev. A offered by Sprint. The problem I’ve found is that you’re unlikely to achieve those speeds anywhere. During my travels, I unable to able to reach max bandwidth on Sprint of HSDPA. But don’t let that sway you, each of the mediums manage to sail in their own rights.

AlthoughCingular doesn’t currently offer the Merlin XU870 ExpressCard directly, one can be had pretty easily and it works on a MacBook Pro without a hitch. Just update the OS X software and you’re good to go. Simplicity of install is a great device feature, especially in comparison to the disaster that is the EX720 setup on Mac.

HSDPA turned out to be rather bittersweet. I found few locations where it hit anything near its stated 7.2Mbps capacity, regardless, I did locate more than a few areas that produced markedly faster speeds than its counterpart. What I noted is that three solid bars allows for some pretty speedy Web browsing. I was, however, disappointed to find a lackluster gain in download speeds. I suspect packet loss to be the culprit, but it was undeniably noticeable.

The way I see it, HSDPA has about a year to dominate. At about that time, WiMAX will squirt its beautiful head from Sprint’s placenta. When that happens, those 7.2Mbps that HSDPA offers won’t seem so pretty for the same reason that 3.1Mbps on EV-DO doesn’t seem so great anymore. Why? Because WiMAX will be 9376481641^17Mbps (results my vary), and who will want HSDPA when you can get WiMAX.

So the prompt to Cingular, is to get your game together. You’ve got the better technology right now, but you’re rolling it out slower than granny at bowling night. Those pins aren’t going to knock themselves down. You gotta put some space-aged polymer hip into it, grandma. Rally the Bridge club, call your senile old friends, I don’t care. Just get it done faster than you’re currently doing it, because you’re throwing gutter balls even with the better technology.

As I previously explained, EV-DO is a favorite for a reason: consistency. Sure when HSDPA zings, EV-DO can’t compete, but HSDPA seldom lives up to its full potential. What I found is that Sprint ain’t lyin’ about that widest availability thing. Its EV-DO is available everywhere I tried it. In buildings, under overhangs, in closets, on toilets, Texas. Nothing seemed to stop it. I also managed reasonably quick browsing speeds with downloads of around 150KB and uploads of roughly 40KBps. That’s as fast as my first home broadband connection, but it’s available anywhere — guess which is more desirable.

Meanwhile my HSDPA card sat forlorn in my backpack knowing he could do better if coach would just believe in him. A terrible fate indeed, but consider the facts. The Merlin XU870 frequently slipped into EDGE mode which isn’t good for anything. Seriously, EDGE is just bad. It’s like using dial-up. It just frustrates me more than anything and by the end I’m preparing to smash my system into the ground. EV-DO never experiences such qualms. It’s always EV-DO. It might not reach its max speeds, but it performs well enough that you can still get most of your work done.

The Merlin EX720 ExpressCard that Sprint is currently offering is straight up awesome, once you get it working that is. You see, the EX720 can’t be activated on Mac. To make it work, you’ll have to activate it on a PC with an ExpressCard slot. It’s pretty painless if you have the materials, but be prepared for it. If you don’t, the device won’t locate a carrier and will be wholly useless.

Now it’s important to consider that the playing field here is level. Given that both cards are from Novatel, they’re at least cut from the same performance caliber. The variations are completely dependent on the medium. That said, I think EV-DO is the best choice at the moment. If you’re getting a WWAN card, I suspect your goal is to use it in a variety of locations. Unless you can confirm that HSDSPA will be available in most of the areas you’ll be using it (and I expect that you’ll be using it in a lot of unexpected areas).

If HSDPA ever gets enough traction, then watch out. It’ll blast EV-DO into a million pieces. Sadly, it doesn’t seem that it’ll spread wide enough before WiMAX stomps onto the scene.

Thousands of California Cingular customers can look forward to receiving a $160 check in the mail thanks to a recent settlement. You see, back between 2000 and 2002, Cingular’s network stunk on ice because of a rapid increase in the number of customers it served. Many of those customers canceled their accounts as a result of the shoddy service only to see Cingular impose early cancellation fees. Authorities in California didn’t like that much, so now Cingular has to dole out $18.5 million to pay for their sins. It’s like a modern day indulgence.

Another result of the case is that customers will now have 30 days to return any phone and cancel service without incurring Cingular’s wrath.

Cingular Wireless to refund customers $18.5 million [AP/Whittier Daily News]

We may block access to certain categories of numbers (e.g. 976, 900 and certain international destinations) or certain web sites if, in our sole discretion, we are experiencing excessive billing, collection, fraud problems or other misuse of our network.

AT&T spokesperson Mark Siegel said the company is blocking “certain numbers” for conferecing services, including FreeConferece.com’s, an action it feels appropriate under its wireless terms of service agreements. AT&T’s wireless service, he said, is for calls “between one person and another person, not between one person and many.”

The whole arbitrage scheme is pretty creepy, but until the laws and FCC regulations are changed, these services have a right to exist. Is this not capitalism? Are we not free?

Cingular, Qwest blocking ‘Free’ Calls [GigaOm]