SCREEN3 makes its way to Cingular

We've mentioned Motorola's SCREEN3 initiative a little in the past, which as you may recall is a form of ticker / snippet-centric push-information service delivered to your passive cellphone's screen. Think: mobile screensaver that runs headlines, weather updates, etc. Well, expect to see it rolled out in the near future from Cingular as Live Ticker, part of a broader effort they're hoping is going to drive sales of data plans from users clicking headlines who might not have otherwise eaten up mobile Internet. It'll apparently first show up on Moto's v557, though we'll be seeing a lot more SCREEN3 stuff than just that device showing up in the very near future, believe you us.

[Via MocoNews]

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

People wouldn't be so "data plan averse" if they weren't so outrageously priced. People speak with their wallets and have repeatedly told Cingular where to stick their over-priced data plans.

[Khaytsus @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

1/5/10/Unlimited for $4, $10, $15, $20 respectively is overpriced? $10 for Media Basic with 1M/250SMS/50MMS? 1M would be more than enough for this sort of ticker assuming it doesn't have lots of graphics.

Keep on ranting, those prices are not that bad. And don't compare against some other company's grandfathered plans. The "I get Sprint unlimited for $5 since I've had it since 1999!" gets old.

[Apreche @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

I don't know what you're thinking, but unlimited data from cingular is 80 a month, not 20. If it was 20 I'd have it already. Oh, that's a limited time offer, the real price is 100.

I guess that isn't really fair, that's the laptop connect price. If you only want a blackberry or such it costs only 45 a month for unlimited data.

The price of the data plans really is sick. I want coverage as widespread and fast as Verizon. I want unlimited data. I want to be able to use every feature of my phones hardware and connect it to my computer or anything else in any way I wish. I want a really awesome phone. And I want to pay a reasonable flat monthly fee for the whole thing. The US just can't provide. Until it does, stuff like screen3 is useless.

[paul @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

id say its overpriced when i had tmobile i had unlimited data on my cellphone for only 5 bucks a month and that was for there tzones pro, if i remember correctly tzones basic is unlimited data but only your limited to only downloading ringtones and stuff like that thats a much better data plan then cingulars also does this mean that cingular is gona roll out there PTT soon?

[AH @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Cingular feels that the price it is charging is what the market will bear. On top of this, since most of us probably would jump on unlimited internet via Cingular if we could get it for 20/mo. (which, as #3 mentioned, we can't), their current infrastructure couldn't handle it. The odd thing of it all is, you would think they would be willing to add more infrastructure in order to gain more customers at a lower price--this is what grocery stores and any other consumer sensitive industry is going to to do--a greater client-base with a slightly lower profit margin means more profits.

I just hope the lower data plans at Verizon compel Cingular to get on the bandwagon soon.

[JD Pavkovich @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

I used to work for cingular and just wanted to let you know that you CAN get unlimited "media net" for $20 a month on a non pda/smartphone. Now you can not use your phone as a modem and hook it up to your computer for that price with unlimited data, but you do get all the cingular feature items for that price (i.e. through cingulars crappy portal). however, probably will be including the new screen3 eventually as well... just thought youd like to know... peace

[SigmaMason @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

I think that people need to clarify when they are talking about internet plans.
For the average consumber, wireless internet is what is on your phone or pda (treo, blackberry, and/or windows mobile device)
Those plans for Cingular can range from $20 on unlimited MediaNet to $45 for unlimited for DataConnect which is what you get with the Blackberry.
Laptop connect which is a wholly different product offering, which gives you access to unlimited internet and is on promotion at $60 without having to get a voice plan. After the promotion is over, it will be back at $80 without having to get a voice plan.
They also have laptop connect with WiFi (the WiFi ensures that you have full access no matter where you are, since you can pop into a Starbucks or at the local bar, this is on promotion for $80 and might go back to $100 and again no voice plan required.
If you go to their website, then you will see it in print.

The $60 price that Verizon gives you are great, but they require that you purchase a voice plan so that ups the cost per month and that is also on their site. Minimum price for the voice plan is $40 so you back even again.

[Roopesh Sheth @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

I have a Treo 650 on Cingular and pay $40/month for unlimited data. I can use my Treo as a modem for my laptop, but why would I??

[BrooseStringbean @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Hey #3...unlimited data for cell phones/pda's from Cingular is indeed 20 bucks in the US.

The laptop connnect cards are in a different, more expensive price range.

The point is, this SCREEN3 phone mentioned above would use the $20 dollar cell phone unlimited plan.

You also mention Blackberry. Well, Blackberry pricing is different yet again. But, we are not talking about Blackberry's here.

You are mixing three things up in one post.
Please keep them straight.

A quick look at Cingular.com / Shop Cingular / Rate Plans / Data Plans shows exactly what I am talking about.

[Joe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

ok, lotta misconceptions here. I work for Cingular. Here are the prices for unlimited plans:
$20 on non-smartphones
$40 on smartphones
$45 on Blackberries
$60 on Laptop connect or standalone internet w/out a voice plan.

There you go, discuss amongst yourselves.

[lilazndrummerboy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

i've got a razr straight from development in motorola, and it came with screen3 in the os, so i guess the phones are being reprogrammed?......and it comes on a bunch of other phones too....well, not marketed tho.....

[gin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

One of the most wanted phones right now is the Motorola flip phone. Unfortunately, the availability of such gadget is only through selected network providers. I guess we just have to wait a little while for the release of the next high tech phone before the supposed 'new' models become available to common users.

[Carter @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

I figure all old ATT must be the same as me, unlimited @ 24.99, ie - pda over the air constant sync.

[beanspants1 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

#4, cingular's position for the past few years on ptt has been that if it's not as good as nextel/sprint's offering, it's staying on the shelf.
for the past few years, handset technology + appropriate 3rd party software has been the issue.

handset technology has progressed, no longer an issue.

for 3rd party software, cingular feels they have a reliable partner.

the current issue with ptt is that certain nortel switches need to be upgraded, so that when multiple subscribers receive the ptt call, the information in the call record is correct so that the billing applications know who made that call. Currently, on certain switches, the number returned contains all the numbers of people who received that call.

once these switches have been upgraded, then ptt will roll out.
Note: this also impacts several other product offerings ready for rollout.

if you are waiting for this service, please hold on a little longer, you won't be disappointed!