blog.JacobBurke.com » AT&T

AT&T releases myWireless Mobile iPhone app

Jacob Burke — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:22:52 +0000

Back on April 15th I bitched about the fact that AT&T had no iPhone app for managing your wireless account.

I think AT&T needs to make an iPhone app for checking account information and making payments. It makes sense, right?

Last night I was perusing the free apps area of the store and found that AT&T had finally released an iPhone app for account management. The myWireless Mobile app is free and it is dead simple to use.

The app connects to your existing AT&T Wireless online account, and provides you with basic information on account usage and bill information. You can also add and remove existing features right from the app.

I think it is about time that AT&T released an app, they have had the iPhone on their network since 2007.

You can download the app for free from the App Store.

What do you think of the new app from AT&T, leave your comments below. Cheers!

3G finally here to stay…

Jacob Burke — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 02:18:38 +0000

For the past few days I have noticed that my iPhone has not been switching back over to an EDGE connection once I lock it. It looks as though AT&T has finally upgraded the local cellular towers with a stable 3G data connection.

I have not gone all over town to see how well the coverage is, I work from a home office and it has been downright COLD the past few days for me to venture out. I will be heading out this week to my normal spots to see if the signal is stable in those places.

All I have to say is that it is about time AT&T. You promised 3G at the beginning of November, then by the end of 2008. I am hoping that this is it, no more teasing!

I will be sure to update this post with my findings on the 3G coverage in my area.

Cheers!

Goodbye Verizon, it’s been a great 7 years…

Jacob Burke — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:16:03 +0000

For those of you that don’t follow me on Twitter @jacobburke, then you are not aware of the switch that I made on Tuesday over to AT&T. After 7 years of locked down phones, trying to sweet-talk customer service representatives and who knows how many handsets, I have walked away from the big V.

My most recent issue with Verizon over the weekend was the last nail in the coffin. I had enough of being told one thing and then another. I was sick of being financially stunned each month with crazy fees and outrageous charges. I got an iPhone.

I took a sip of the Cupertino kool-aid when I purchased iPods, yesterday I took a gulp out of that same cup by getting the iPhone. I have yet to drink the whole thing and buy a Mac, just not ready to fully join the Apple empire.

I will admit that in the past 24 hours, I am really liking the phone and the AT&T reps have been great.

I still can’t believe I did it, after all of the hating on AT&T and the iPhone – I just figured if I couldn’t beat them, then I might as well join.

Cheers!

Control is out of Apple’s hands

Jacob Burke — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:50:30 +0000

Last year when the iPhone was released, a new precedent was set that took control away from the wireless carrier and gave it to the phone manufacturer. This was something that had never been done before, and many people were singing praises to Apple for making it happen.

One year later: The control is out of Apple’s hands and back with the wireless carrier.

When the iPhone 3G was announced at WWDC 2008, I was a bit intrigued. The new $199 price point and the 3G data option are big selling points for me. I am a heavy data user and have always been pleased with the stability and speed of Verizon’s EV-DO 3G network. I have always carried my smartphone (Motorola Q9) and an iPod, I need to trim this down to one device.

As the details became clear about how things would work with the launch of the second phone from Apple, I got depressed. AT&T has taken back control of the activation process and is now releasing horribly produced videos to make sure that current and new customers are "iReady".

With all that AT&T is doing to take back control, I am still not sure that I will switch to the iPhone 3G this month. I would be switching from a reliable network that has provided me with great service for over 7 years to one that has spotty data coverage and horrible customer service. I wish that Apple never went with AT&T, because it is the one thing holding me back from an amazing phone that has everything I need in one device.

The power is back with the wireless carrier, and they are making sure that we are paying them for the privilege of owning one sexy piece of mobile technology.

Cheers!