With the advent of Twitter and Pownce into the social networking world, SMS texting has skyrocketed. Serious texters need a serious phone, so AT&T has answered that call with four QWERTY equipped “dumbphones”, one of which is supposedly the thinnest device which supports a full QWERTY keyboard.

The Pantech Matrix is a dual slider which will be available in blue and green. Up next is the Samsung Propel and though it doesn’t have Windows Mobile, it does offer 3G access. The Pantech Slate is the next addition, which lays its claim to being the thinnest device with a QWERTY keyboard. Last but not least is the Quickfire, which will bear AT&T branding. Think of it like AT&T’s version of the sidekick. Now you can text in style to, idk your bff Jill?

Tags: AT&T, Pantech, QWERTY Phone, samsung

AT&T has tried just about everything short of world domination. Awhile back they dropped their partnership with Dish Network to offer their own satellite service. Apparently that didn’t go so well for them. Now they’re looking into establishing a deal with DirecTV to offer something similar. If you’re in the market for a new cable setup, you may want to wait. Apparently AT&T is going to continue offering their current Dish network until January 31st before they switch over to DirecTV. It would probably be best to wait until the switch happens, but unfortunately it’s not always that easy to go without or get a contract you can cancel after that short of a time period.

Tags: AT&T, cable, directv, dish, dish network, satellite

The BlackBerry Bold is one of those items that fans of the popular cellphone have been dying to get their hands on. We’ve seen all sorts of reviews, specs, and even speculation on the released date, but nothing has been as concrete as the above image. While AT&T had already confirmed that the Bold would in fact be released in October, we didn’t have any sort of date. Now, thanks to this Best Buy computer screenshot, we can see that they should at least have the phone in stock by October 26th.

This could mean that the Bold will be hitting AT&T stores earlier than that (considering sometimes Best Buy isn’t the first one with the phones) so keep an eye pealed. We’ll see what we can do about keeping you posted as well.

Tags: AT&T, best buy, blackberry, blackberry bold, bold, PDA, rim

It looks like the biggest issue behind the 3G problems for the iPhone have finally been unraveled!

Sources from inside Apple have revealed that the latest iPhone firmware update (2.0.2) has actually done a little bit of fixing on the iPhone and network side. The problem that many people have been facing was a significant lack of 3G connection. It looks like the reason behind that was actually the fault of the iPhone.

When a phone makes a request to a cell tower for power, it only needs to take a certain amount. Apparently the iPhone was getting a little bit too greedy. The phone was asking for way more power than it actually needed, resulting in those who gained a connection managing to keep it, but those who just made connection with that tower would not be able to get any signal.

The firmware upgrade did make some changes and fix some issues with the iPhone, but until every iPhone is running this firmware, we still may be out of luck.

Tags: 2.5g, 3g, apple, AT&T, ede, iphone 3g, itunes

The 3G iPhone has come out the door with mixed blessings and a group of angry customers. It seems that world wide, those utilizing the 3G network on their new iPhones have been running into problems with keeping good signal strength, dropping calls, and connecting to an EDGE network when 3G is available. Originally this problem had been blamed on the network, but as it has popped up in other countries as well, analysts are beginning to change their opinion.

The popular opinion at this point is that the chipset and radio protocol stack that the iPhone utilizes is actually a little under-developed for what it needs to support. These same critics believe that an update of the caliber needed to fix this issue is unlikely, while rumors have been flooding in that Apple is actually working on a fix at this very moment. Look’s like we’ll have to wait and see.

Tags: apple, AT&T, chipset, Edge, iphone, iphone 3g, radio protocol stack

Are you’re one of the few who have taken the great power of the iPhone into your hands and have for some reason decided that it’s just to right for you? Or perhaps you realized just how poor AT&T’s service and coverage area is? Well you’re in luck. Today is exactly 30 days since the launch of the iPhone 3G.

So while Steve is up counting his millions thanks to the App Store success, you can head on over to AT&T to inform them that you’d rather have a cell phone that works instead of just a contractual iPod Touch. Depending on if you bought the iPhone through them or the Apple store will determine whether you can actually return the phone or not, but this entire process will at least let you circumvent your early termination fee.

Anyone unsatisfied enough to do this?

Tags: apple, AT&T, etf, iphone, iphone 3g, ipod touch, steve jobs

If you’ve got a cell phone, chances are, you have a place were you get bad reception. Chances are, that place is your home or office. It’s just how luck works. So instead of whining to your friends about switching carriers (and don’t forget, the grass is always greener over somebody else’s cesspool, so be careful), you could always purchase a Cellphone Signal Extender.

This specific unit needs to have it’s antenna placed in the window, then a coax cable run to the central unit. It boosts the signal in a 2,5000 square foot area, but you need to remember that it only boosts signal, it doesn’t create it. So as long as your desired area has some signal, you’ll be golden.

Tags: AT&T, cellphone, nextel, Sprint, t-mobile, verizon

30 days. That’s the new time limit made mandatory by Apple for all new 3G iPhones to be activated with a 2 year AT&T plan. Not only is this plan $10 more expensive then the first generation iPhone plan, it’s actually a separate part of your contract that’s just as mandatory as the phone service. While many of those purchasing the new iPhone aren’t intending on unlocking it, especially with this information becoming more well known, it still feels very big brother of Apple and AT&T to monitor people in that way.

I’m sure they’ll be some way to get around the whole system, but for that we’ll have to wait until after the July 11th launch.

Tags: 3g, apple, AT&T, iphone

If you’re looking for more of a business solution out of your new 3G iPhone launching July 11th, you’ll be disappointed to hear that their is as of yet, no information about tethering the device for internet connection. The current iPhone plan and the new one made available for the 3G iPhone don’t currently offer the ability to tether written in the contract and as all the information has been revealed so far, it’s hard to assume that they would simply hide this feature from the masses.

Most other cell phone plans have the tethering option billed into them. While it may be, and currently is possible with the current iPhone, surfing over EDGE is not only slow, but it will cost you a pretty penny if AT&T catches you.

Tags: 3g iphone, apple, AT&T

The ability to be a mobile blogger or web entrepreneur has surely been hampered by the rising cost of gas prices, forcing many of these once nomadic individuals to abandon their traveling ways. But for those adventurous few, there is always still the allure of free WiFi from our favorite coffee spot.

While it does require a veritable cocktail of requirements to achieve, Starbucks, through their new AT&T WiFi, are now able to offer a 2 hour free pass per day to those with a Starbucks card used in the past, AT&T phone service, and allowing AT&T to mail you a few times per year.

Doesn’t sound too bad, good thing I can throw my Eee in my backpack and skooter over to the local Starbucks!

Tags: AT&T, free, starbucks, wifi