AT&T counting on new iPhone this summer; carrier apps to figure prominently?
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Mar 23rd 2009 2:31PM
posted Mar 23rd 2009 2:31PM
Rumor has it that AT&T's gearing up for yet another door-busting, riot-inducing summer filled with new iPhone hardware, which would certainly jibe with everything we've heard in the past few months (never mind the fact that June is officially Apple's iPhone release cycle these days, and indeed, AT&T's apparently saying that the June cycle is becoming "a tradition"). That's not terribly interesting at this point -- what is interesting, though, is how AT&T plans to play it. Apparently, the carrier wants to ramp up its -- ah, how should we put this in a politically correct way -- "integration" with Apple's hardware, including a U-verse app that we're guessing will approximate the functionality to be offered by Verizon's FiOS. What really has us worried is not so much the U-verse app specifically, but the possibility that AT&T's sick and tired of having its crapware left out of its highest-profile device, leading to non-removable garbage like Cellular Video on a future iPhone's home screen. It's still a bit early to sound the alarm there, but you know, we're paranoid types around here. Meanwhile, it sounds like the new device is once again begin said to rock higher 3G speeds than the outgoing model, implying that 7.2Mbps HSDPA to match AT&T's latest infrastructure upgrades is plausible, if not probable. Finally, it's said that a $99 netbook running something other than Windows (don't suppose that'd be Linux?) will be launching this summer, following on the 3G-enabled Aspire One that hit Radio Shack late last year. Heads up, though, AT&T: give us an iPhone with your Mobile Email app on the home screen, and let's just say we can't be held accountable for our actions afterwards. We know you wouldn't do that, but just sayin'.
Why is this on Engadget HD? Has absolutely nothing to do with anything HD. This is why I don't read Engadget regular or Engadget Mobile.
Wait... just because you figured a way to loop in U-Verse and FiOS? That's your hook for HD?
Weak. iPhone news that way, HD news this way please.
Do tell: what's the litmus test? At what point does U-verse news become notable to U-verse folks reading Engadget HD?
This isn't U-verse "news". This is an iPhone rumor (half of which is basically common knowledge rumor at this point) which has one line about a possible tie in to U-verse. This is some story BGR is running with (source: We can’t tell you where or who) because that's what BGR does -- they're a rumor site!
When AT&T actually announces something, maybe I'll care then. Until then this simply does not belong on Engadget HD.
I'm willing to bet there are readers who disagree. And, naturally, you're welcome to skip over the stories that don't interest you.
No, I stopped reading Engadget and Engadget Mobile because I couldn't get around iPhone stories -- even WITH the supposed "iPhone free" feeds.
I don't want to see HD start falling to the same trap. This is mobile news, not HD news.
Rest assured, you're only going to see iPhone stories on HD if there's an HD tie-in. Same goes for any other phone (or device, period, for that matter).
That's my point though... I don't see the HD tie in here. This rumored U-verse app isn't going to suddenly make my iPhone receive HD content, all it would be is a DVR hook in.
"I'm willing to bet there are readers who disagree."
probably guessed wrong. why would we want to read about this on a hd blog?
Again, skip the story if it doesn't appeal to you. There's a U-verse tie-in here.
AT&T iPhone apps will fail. What AT&T should be concentrating on is improving its 3G network to be on par with Verizon's and Sprint's.
I'd just like to see JavaScript.
wait, am i on engadget mobile? does the new phone have at least a 720p screen?
What at&t should be doing is building more TOWERS! Most everywhere I go, I can't get a signal. What an awful network!!