Engadget

Amazon Kindle 3G gets AT&T-sponsored ad-supported option priced at $139

Brian Heater — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:42:00 EST

Good news: now you can pick up an Amazon Kindle 3G for the same price as the Kindle WiFi. Naturally, there's a catch here: ads, ads, ads -- but you've gotten pretty good at tuning those things out anyway, right? The online retail giant announced today the availability of the Kindle 3G with Special Offers, priced at $139 (down from $189 for the ad-free version) -- best of all, that price includes the 3G subscription, which won't cost you a thing, if you're willing to wade through "money saving offers" and some adtastic screensavers. The new option joins the already announced ad-support WiFi model, which will run you $114 and replaces the $164 non-AT&T-sponsored 3G version. Press after the break.

Update: As Ahecht pointed out in comments, this new, cheaper Kindle is actually a replacement for the older ad-supported 3G model.

Continue reading Amazon Kindle 3G gets AT&T-sponsored ad-supported option priced at $139

Amazon Kindle 3G gets AT&T-sponsored ad-supported option priced at $139 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T's old $49 iPhone 3GS gets a new ad to sell it (video)

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:45:00 EST

It looks like someone's realized that simultaneous voice and web will not be enough to keep kids away from the Verizon iPhone. But where technical details fail to entice, perhaps a good deal will. Because, really, what's better (or at least as good) as retaining your current customers? Well, if you ask AT&T it's bringing in a slew of new ones by advertising that bargain-basement $49 iPhone 3GS (8GB). Feel free to check out the latest commercial after the break -- as is usually the case, this one is a non-stop thrill ride.

Continue reading AT&T's old $49 iPhone 3GS gets a new ad to sell it (video)

AT&T's old $49 iPhone 3GS gets a new ad to sell it (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T fires back with latest iPhone ad: simultaneous voice and web more important than you think (video)

Jacob Schulman — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:49:00 EST

We get it AT&T, your iPhone can do voice and data at the same time, and Verizon's can't. Big Red's Test Man proved that calls aren't always doomed to drop on the iPhone, but AT&T's firing right back and saying how you could be doomed in certain social situations, like forgetting to make a dinner reservation on your anniversary. Props for creativity here, but now that both sides have fired a shot across the other's bow, can't we all just get along? Yeah, probably not.

AT&T fires back with latest iPhone ad: simultaneous voice and web more important than you think (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple brings AT&T and Verizon together for a happy dance in latest iPhone commercial (update: HD video)

Vlad Savov — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 19:57:00 EST

The unthinkable has happened. After spending 99 percent of their recent marketing budgets figuring out ways to sling mud at each other, AT&T and Verizon have now come together to dance a merry waltz -- all in the name of Apple's hallowed iPhone. The latest commercial for the phone that really doesn't need advertising shows that you can FaceTime, read iBooks, navigate maps, and do everything else on the Verizon iPhone just as well as you could do it on the AT&T-friendly GSM variant of the device. As if you didn't already know. Still, it's fun to see these guys trying to turn their lack of competitive diversity into some sort of an advantage. Video after the break.

Update: Now in HD!

Continue reading Apple brings AT&T and Verizon together for a happy dance in latest iPhone commercial (update: HD video)

Apple brings AT&T and Verizon together for a happy dance in latest iPhone commercial (update: HD video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T and Verizon are the same bag of 3G hurt for iPhone owners, says T-Mobile (video)

Vlad Savov — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 21:44:00 EST

Want some help with your newfound choice of iPhone carrier? Let T-Mobile break it down for you in an entirely unbiased and dispassionate fashion. The pink carrier's latest hit piece commercial highlights the fact that, whether on Verizon or AT&T, the iPhone only has recourse to 3G connectivity, painting the two carriers as a pair of grey suits distinguishable only by the color of their ties. It's a cute way to promote your own 4G network, sure, but it conveniently disregards the fact that Verizon's enriching its LTE (Lightning! Thunder! Electric!) network with some true superphones while AT&T is similarly committed to a 2011 LTE rollout. So, really, the only thing under critique here is Apple's rapidly aging 3G wonder. Skip the break to see the video ad.

Continue reading AT&T and Verizon are the same bag of 3G hurt for iPhone owners, says T-Mobile (video)

AT&T and Verizon are the same bag of 3G hurt for iPhone owners, says T-Mobile (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 21:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC ThunderBolt for Verizon and Inspire 4G for AT&T break cover courtesy of Rolling Stone ad

Chris Ziegler — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:23:00 EST

So yes, it's looking about as confirmed as can be: thanks to a full-page ad in the latest issue of Rolling Stone, we're finding out that the name of HTC's first LTE phone for Verizon -- and its first LTE phone regardless of carrier, actually -- will definitely be "ThunderBolt." This is the same phone that we've seen rumored and leaked over the last few months as the Mecha and the Droid Incredible HD, but we'll admit -- ThunderBolt seems like a pretty solid name for a phone that's sporting a 4.3-inch display and some of the fastest data around.

Behind and to the right of the ThunderBolt, though, is another leak: the Inspire 4G for AT&T, though it's unclear what "4G" means in this context exactly -- AT&T's in the same boat as T-Mobile right now where they're topping out with HSPA+ and don't have any LTE markets live, so it seems they might be borrowing a play from their smaller rival's playbook and labeling the HSPA+ airwaves as straight-up 4G. We're sad to see that trend start to snowball -- but we'll admit, T-Mobile kinda forced their hand on that one. At any rate, we're pretty confident both of these suckers are going to get official here at CES this week, so keep your ear to the ground.

HTC ThunderBolt for Verizon and Inspire 4G for AT&T break cover courtesy of Rolling Stone ad originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T releases dramatic anti-texting while driving documentary

Joshua Topolsky — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 12:33:00 EST

We're not sure how many more times it must be said, but seriously people -- stop texting on your cellphone while operating a gigantic vehicle at high speeds. If you're not already convinced that driving a car and trying to tap out a message on a tiny keyboard (or heaven forbid, no keyboard at all) is a poor match, perhaps the short documentary AT&T has just released will convince you otherwise. The carrier is launching a campaign geared towards teens over the holidays leading up to New Year's Eve in the hopes that the youth of the world will be slightly less sure of their invincibility -- at least where car driving and text messaging is concerned. Sure, the video (located after the break) borders on sentimentality at times, but we'll take a little heavy-handedness over the injury or death of human beings simply because someone couldn't wait to tell someone else that they'd be there soon. Trust us, your friends aren't that worried about punctuality.

Continue reading AT&T releases dramatic anti-texting while driving documentary

AT&T releases dramatic anti-texting while driving documentary originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon launching '4G' smack talk campaign against AT&T

Chris Ziegler — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 18:12:00 EST

Never ends, does it? The top four carriers in the US love slinging mud, but the trash-talking between Verizon and AT&T is always particularly vicious -- and it's showing no signs of ebbing. As you might expect, Verizon intends to use its new LTE network as a weapon in the fight, and like both Sprint and T-Mobile, Verizon will be very loudly labeling it "4G" to the ITU's chagrin. The latest promotional posters compare maps of Verizon's combined 3G / LTE network with AT&T's 3G-only network, but considering how limited Big Red's initial LTE launch is, there really isn't much difference with what they've shown in the past. The posters also proudly proclaim Verizon as having "the fastest 4G network in America," which is false on at least one level -- LTE isn't really 4G, as we said -- and remains to be seen on another. At any rate, as always, it'll be interesting to see how AT&T responds. Nerd fight!

[Thanks, Kal]

Verizon launching '4G' smack talk campaign against AT&T originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 18:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile starts up 4G ad campaign by poking a stiletto into AT&T's network (video)

Vlad Savov — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 05:32:00 EST

We suspected T-Mobile's new advertising campaign would ruffle some feathers, but we weren't ready for quite such brazen trash-talking right off the bat. Of course, it's trash talk dressed up in a pretty white and Magenta dress and delivered in the most angelic of voices, but T-Mobile makes its point to AT&T subscribers loud and clear: we got 4G, you don't. Whether you consider the network's current 21Mbps theoretical max a true representation of 4G or not, we'll leave up to you; just make sure to join us past the break for the Apple-scented commercial, which also teases the myTouch 4G, a HSPA+ handset that T-Mobile happens to be launching today.

Update: AT&T isn't taking this one lying down. It countered with the following statement this afternoon: "T-Mobile's claims about 4G are based on the same HSPA+ technology we have deployed to 180 million people today, more than T-Mobile's reported 140 million, and we'll have it rolled out to 250 million people by the end of this month, substantially more than the 200 million T-Mobile says it will have by year-end."

Continue reading T-Mobile starts up 4G ad campaign by poking a stiletto into AT&T's network (video)

T-Mobile starts up 4G ad campaign by poking a stiletto into AT&T's network (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 05:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC Mondrian stars in leaked AT&T ad campaign, jump-kicks lesser smartphones? (video)

Sean Hollister — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 02:13:00 EST

Would you believe that after months of leaks, this is the first time we've allegedly seen the HTC Mondrian? It's true -- though from this angle, it's a dead ringer for the Mozart, which looks just like the Shubert, too. The above picture comes from what appear to be a pair of mostly complete ads for AT&T's Windows Phone 7 push, which if real make the Mondrian look like it might be a flagship device. Perhaps those rumors of a 1.3GHz Snapdragon inside weren't too far off. You won't find real phones demonstrated in the videos after the break, but don't let that stop you from clicking through -- you do like watching oblivious folks flying through the air, don't you?

Continue reading HTC Mondrian stars in leaked AT&T ad campaign, jump-kicks lesser smartphones? (video)

HTC Mondrian stars in leaked AT&T ad campaign, jump-kicks lesser smartphones? (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Sep 2010 02:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Palm and AT&T give the Pre Plus (and WebOS) an ad we can all agree is not completely terrible

Laura June — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 12:57:00 EST

Hey, hey, look at this! A short, sweet Palm Pre Plus ad that shows off the phone's innovative UI, its ability to multitask, and its 3D gaming -- you know, all the great stuff it can do. This is just what pretty much everyone who's ever had the misfortune of seeing the creepy Palm lady or the Verizon "Mom" ads has been desperately seeking. Sure, it's taken a over a year for a half-decent ad, and sure, we've only seen this one on the web thus far, but we're hoping to see this one make it to real, live TV, too -- because even if it's a little boring and the music kinda stinks, it's better than the other options.

Continue reading Palm and AT&T give the Pre Plus (and WebOS) an ad we can all agree is not completely terrible

Palm and AT&T give the Pre Plus (and WebOS) an ad we can all agree is not completely terrible originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon 'vampire' ad rips off Twilight, sticks it to AT&T

Vlad Savov — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:25:00 EST

Hey, remember how all the lawsuits got dropped over the holiday period and we thought AT&T and Verizon would finally start to coexist like mature entities engaged in a civilized industry? Yeah, that didn't last very long. Verizon is back with a biting ad campaign that continues poking fun at AT&T's 3G coverage. The consumer is appropriately a vampire, whereas the young maiden keen on being consumed turns out to be... well, it's more fun if we just let you watch it without any more spoilers. Needless to say, it's some of Verizon's funniest work yet. Head on past the break to see it.

[Thanks, Jay]

Continue reading Verizon 'vampire' ad rips off Twilight, sticks it to AT&T

Verizon 'vampire' ad rips off Twilight, sticks it to AT&T originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon apes classic commercials, keeps heat on AT&T, embraces 'Big Red' nickname

Chris Ziegler — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:33:00 EST

For chronic TV viewers, Verizon's high-octane AT&T bashing got tired pretty fast -- as did seeing Luke Wilson shill for the latter every few minutes -- but we've got to admit, the latest gag here is well-played. Verizon's reaching back through the annals of commercial history and redoing a couple famous ones with a my-3G-map-is-better-than-yours twist, and so far they've hit up DeBeers' classic "shadows" campaign (it doesn't end well for the gentleman with the AT&T phone here, of course) and Wrigley's old Big Red series with the catchy theme song the older folks in the crowd will undoubtedly remember. We wondered how long it'd take for Verizon to break down at admit that it shares a nickname with a cinnamon-flavored chewing gum, and now we've got our answer. Follow the break to check out both spots.

Continue reading Verizon apes classic commercials, keeps heat on AT&T, embraces 'Big Red' nickname

Verizon apes classic commercials, keeps heat on AT&T, embraces 'Big Red' nickname originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Latest AT&T spot calls Verizon's 3G network a headless, sluggish wannabe

Darren Murph — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:56:00 EST

We hate to point out the obvious, but it really seems that the marketing gurus at AT&T have this all wrong. Look guys -- no one's debating that AT&T's 3G isn't the fastest where available. We even saw as much ourselves. But Verizon's recent slew of ads have been calling out the size of your 3G network, which you absolutely can't argue is incredibly small when placed next to red-tinted competition. That said, AT&T is still fighting a battle to which no one has challenged it by employing the admittedly quirky Luke Wilson to show off just how much faster his favorite network can download a JPEG of himself compared to VZW. We've got to say that the results are fairly hilarious, but frankly, we would've rather seen that huge ad buy go towards a few more 3G towers here in the US of A. Vid's after the break, per usual.

Continue reading Latest AT&T spot calls Verizon's 3G network a headless, sluggish wannabe

Latest AT&T spot calls Verizon's 3G network a headless, sluggish wannabe originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T and Verizon drop lawsuits, make nice for the holidays

Nilay Patel — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:55:00 EST

Well well, maybe we can all get along after all: AT&T and Verizon just dropped their various advertising-related lawsuits against each other. We can't say we're surprised, considering AT&T lost its request to have Verizon's ads pulled down for the holidays -- spending money to litigate this further would have simply been a waste, and generated even more bad PR. Now let's just hope these two suck it up and battle it out over service quality and pricing, like they should have been doing all along. Or AT&T can just make some more nonsensical Luke Wilson commercials, whatevs.

Update: Whoa, so this is crazy. We just checked out the other suit that was dismissed, and it turns out that Verizon actually sued AT&T back in July, but not for any damages -- instead, Big Red asked the court to rule that its various "Most Reliable 3G Network" taglines were actually true. That wackiness certainly explains why AT&T felt the need to push back, we suppose, and it makes Verizon's current whining over Sprint's "Most Dependable 3G Network" claims part of a larger, lamer pattern. We've included a shot of the case after the break, check it out.

Continue reading AT&T and Verizon drop lawsuits, make nice for the holidays

AT&T and Verizon drop lawsuits, make nice for the holidays originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T 'hits' back at Verizon's Map for That campaign with an 'ad' of its own

Paul Miller — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:31:00 EST

Boy, AT&T sure isn't taking Verizon's Map for That campaign too well. After losing a request for an injunction (for now), the company seems to have decided that the only thing to do in the short term is to start advertising right back at Verizon. Unfortunately, it looks like AT&T threw this one together in a hurry, grabbing a bucket of magnets and a board and sticking them into some abandoned warehouse with Luke Wilson and some Apple-ad-style music. Luke didn't even have time to shave! As for the claims made by Luke's magnetic board, it's hard to take issue with them since they don't really say lot. So AT&T's present and accounted for in this newly minted ad war, but Verizon clearly still has the upper hand... though this is clearly just the beginning. Check out the 30 second spot after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading AT&T 'hits' back at Verizon's Map for That campaign with an 'ad' of its own

AT&T 'hits' back at Verizon's Map for That campaign with an 'ad' of its own originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T 'hits' back at Verizon's Map for That campaign with an 'ad' of its own

Paul Miller — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:31:00 EST

Continue reading AT&T 'hits' back at Verizon's Map for That campaign with an 'ad' of its own

Filed under: Cellphones

AT&T 'hits' back at Verizon's Map for That campaign with an 'ad' of its own originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T loses request for injunction against Verizon's Map for That ads

Nilay Patel — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:07:00 EST

Looks like AT&T's not getting its holiday wish after all -- a federal judge just ruled against Ma Bell's request to have Verizon's Map For That ads pulled off the air. That doesn't mean that this whole thing is over, though: the judge called the ads "sneaky" and said that it was possible people might misunderstand them because "most people who are watching TV are semi-catatonic." Whether or not that's enough to support a legal conclusion that the ads are misleading is a fight for another day -- specifically December 16th, when AT&T will have a second chance to argue its case. Still, this is a big win for Verizon -- everyone ready to be inundated with these ads for the next month?

Filed under: ATT, Verizon Wireless

AT&T loses request for injunction against Verizon's Map for That ads originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T loses request for injunction against Verizon's Map for That ads

Nilay Patel — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:07:00 EST

Filed under: Cellphones

AT&T loses request for injunction against Verizon's Map for That ads originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T responds to Verizon's 3G ad campaign -- by bragging about EDGE

Nilay Patel — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:17:00 EST

My iPhone 3GS, in downtown Chicago, as I wrote this post.

Verizon certainly seems to be getting under AT&T's skin with its ads focused on comparing 3G coverage -- not only is Ma Bell suing over 'em, it's now issuing PR to clarify what it sees as the inaccuracies of the entire campaign. If you'll recall, AT&T thinks Verizon's 1:1 comparison of 3G coverage maps makes it looks like AT&T doesn't have any coverage at all across most of the country -- which means that our nation's largest wireless carrier is now in the sad position of pimping its gigantic EDGE network in response. Let's all gloss over the absolutely huge difference in 3G versus EDGE together, shall we?

With both 3G and EDGE coverage, customers can access the Internet, send e-mail, surf the Web, stream music, download videos, send photos, text, talk and more. The only difference - with some data applications, 3G is faster than EDGE.

Right, right -- the only difference. That must be why Apple named it the iPhone EDGE Slightly Faster.

Now, AT&T has a valid point when it says that its 3G map covers 75 percent of the nation's population, and that Verizon's conflation of total 3G coverage with actual network quality is slightly misleading. But you know what? We watch our iPhones drop from 3G to EDGE and even to GPRS all day long in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, and that has nothing to do with the damn map, and everything to do with AT&T's actual network quality. Let's put it this way: Verizon's ad campaign would be totally ineffective if it didn't ring so true, and the best way for AT&T to counter these ads is to build a rock-solid network, not filing lawsuits and issuing press releases bragging about freaking EDGE. We all clear on this? Good.

Filed under: ATT, Verizon Wireless

AT&T responds to Verizon's 3G ad campaign -- by bragging about EDGE originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T responds to Verizon's 3G ad campaign -- by bragging about EDGE

Nilay Patel — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:17:00 EST

My iPhone 3GS, in downtown Chicago, as I wrote this post.

Verizon certainly seems to be getting under AT&T's skin with its ads focused on comparing 3G coverage -- not only is Ma Bell suing over 'em, it's now issuing PR to clarify what it sees as the inaccuracies of the entire campaign. If you'll recall, AT&T thinks Verizon's 1:1 comparison of 3G coverage maps makes it look like AT&T doesn't have any coverage at all across most of the country -- which means that our nation's largest wireless carrier is now in the sad position of pimping its gigantic EDGE network in response. Let's all gloss over the absolutely huge difference in 3G versus EDGE together, shall we?

With both 3G and EDGE coverage, customers can access the Internet, send e-mail, surf the Web, stream music, download videos, send photos, text, talk and more. The only difference - with some data applications, 3G is faster than EDGE.

Filed under: Cellphones

AT&T responds to Verizon's 3G ad campaign -- by bragging about EDGE originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T adds Verizon's Island of Misfit Toys holiday ads to lawsuit, demands they be yanked off the air

Nilay Patel — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:03:00 EST

Well, you knew this was coming -- AT&T's amended its advertising lawsuit against Verizon to include Big Red's new holiday ads, including that oh-so-cute Island of Misfit Toys spot, and demanded that they be taken off the air. At question is the same map of AT&T's 3G coverage used in the other commercial, which Ma Bell says misleads customers into thinking it has no service at all in large swaths of the country. Best part? AT&T's lawyers had to describe the ad in their new filing, leading to passages like this:

The spotted elephant, in a surprised manner, asks the iPhone "What are you doing here? You can download apps and browse the web!" and a Dolly for Sue asserts that "Yeah. People will love you [the iPhone]."

Happy holidays, folks.

Read - Digital Daily
Read - AT&T's amended complaint [PDF]

Filed under: ATT, Verizon Wireless

AT&T adds Verizon's Island of Misfit Toys holiday ads to lawsuit, demands they be yanked off the air originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T adds Verizon's Island of Misfit Toys holiday ads to lawsuit, demands they be yanked off the air

Nilay Patel — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:03:00 EST

The spotted elephant, in a surprised manner, asks the iPhone "What are you doing here? You can download apps and browse the web!" and a Dolly for Sue asserts that "Yeah. People will love you [the iPhone]."

Happy holidays, folks.

Filed under: Cellphones

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Verizon takes another swing at AT&T, puts iPhone on the Island of Misfit Toys

Nilay Patel — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:57:00 EST

Continue reading Verizon takes another swing at AT&T, puts iPhone on the Island of Misfit Toys

Filed under: Handsets, ATT, Verizon Wireless

Verizon takes another swing at AT&T, puts iPhone on the Island of Misfit Toys originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon takes another swing at AT&T, puts iPhone on the Island of Misfit Toys

Nilay Patel — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:57:00 EST

AT&T might be suing Verizon for misrepresenting its network in ads, but that doesn't seem to have dissuaded Big Red from using that same map image in this new spot, which casts the iPhone away to the Island of Misfit Toys. Hard to argue with the premise, but here's the real question: why not just sack up use a real iPhone, instead of this KIRF piece? Check the ad after the break.

Update: Two more ads after the break -- "Blue Christmas" and "Elves." In case you were wondering, it's a sunny 70 degrees in early November in New York and Chicago, which is just about perfect for Christmas ads.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Verizon takes another swing at AT&T, puts iPhone on the Island of Misfit Toys

Filed under: Cellphones

Verizon takes another swing at AT&T, puts iPhone on the Island of Misfit Toys originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T sues Verizon over 'there's a map for that' ads

Nilay Patel — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

Whoa -- we just got word that AT&T is suing Verizon for false advertising over Big Red's "There's a map for that" ads. We're reading the complaint and motion to stop the ads right now, but here's what AT&T says is the big problem:

In essence, we believe the ads mislead consumers into believing that AT&T doesn't offer ANY wireless service in the vast majority of the country. In fact, AT&T's wireless network blankets the US, reaching approximately 296M people. Additionally, our 3G service is available in over 9,600 cities and towns. Verizon's misleading advertising tactics appear to be a response to AT&T's strong leadership in smartphones. We have twice the number of smartphone customers... and we've beaten them two quarters in a row on net post-paid subscribers. We also had lower churn -- a sign that customers are quite happy with the service they receive.

AT&T also says its network reaches about the same number of people as Verizon's, so we're thinking it's a little miffed that it's being portrayed as an also-ran here. We'll update as we learn more, keep it locked!

Update: So this seems like a very narrow lawsuit, actually. As we've been told, AT&T thinks Verizon is trying to fool viewers into thinking that they can't use any AT&T phone services outside of 3G coverage areas by showing two essentially different maps. Since Verizon's entire network is 3G, the gaps in the red map are actual service gaps -- but Verizon doesn't show that the gaps on the AT&T map might be covered by AT&T's huge 2G network. We can see how that could be misleading, but at some point you've got to compare apples to apples, and AT&T even says it has "no quarrel with Verizon advertising its larger 3G network" in its complaint, so we'll see how the court reacts.

Update 2: Interestingly, Verizon's already changed the ads once at AT&T's behest, editing them to remove the phrase "out of touch" and adding a "Voice and data services available outside of 3G areas" small print disclaimer at the end. Apparently that wasn't enough for AT&T, which says the ads still confuse non-technical viewers into thinking AT&T provides no service at all outside of its 3G coverage.

Update 3: Okay, we've read everything -- there's really not much more to this suit than the arguments over the maps. We're thinking Verizon could have easily dealt with this by just using dark blue and light blue on the AT&T map to differentiate between 3G and 2G coverage, but at this point we don't think Ma Bell is all that interested in anything except getting these ads off the air. All that said, it's hard to deny that Verizon's ads made a perfectly valid point: using an iPhone on AT&T's network in New York or San Francisco is an exercise in frustration, regardless of whether you have 2G or 3G, and we've had zero problems on Verizon. Let's just hope AT&T is working as hard to fight these ads with its actual service as it is with its lawyers.

Gallery: AT&T's complaint for temporary restraining order over Verizon

Gallery: AT&T's motion for temporary restraining order

Gallery: AT&T's memorandum of law in support of temporary restraining order

Continue reading AT&T sues Verizon over 'there's a map for that' ads

Filed under: ATT, Verizon Wireless

AT&T sues Verizon over 'there's a map for that' ads originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T sues Verizon over 'there's a map for that' ads

Nilay Patel — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

In essence, we believe the ads mislead consumers into believing that AT&T doesn't offer ANY wireless service in the vast majority of the country. In fact, AT&T's wireless network blankets the US, reaching approximately 296M people. Additionally, our 3G service is available in over 9,600 cities and towns. Verizon's misleading advertising tactics appear to be a response to AT&T's strong leadership in smartphones. We have twice the number of smartphone customers... and we've beaten them two quarters in a row on net post-paid subscribers. We also had lower churn -- a sign that customers are quite happy with the service they receive.

Gallery: AT&T's complaint for temporary restraining order over Verizon

Gallery: AT&T's motion for temporary restraining order

Gallery: AT&T's memorandum of law in support of temporary restraining order

Continue reading AT&T sues Verizon over 'there's a map for that' ads

Filed under: Cellphones

AT&T sues Verizon over 'there's a map for that' ads originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon asks 'if the iDoesn't, what does?'

Chris Ziegler — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:01:00 EST

The "there's a map for that" ad was a pretty aggressive way to broadside AT&T and the iPhone, but it looks like Verizon's just getting warmed up. We're hearing that the carrier will be kicking off a major new campaign this evening during the Yankees-Angels game that'll feature "a very different look and a whole new attitude," calling out the "iDevice" (their words, not ours) for all the things it can't do. That's a bold offensive for a carrier that historically has lacked breadth and depth in its smartphone lineup, but with the big new Android releases coming down the pike, this might be perfect timing -- and a strong implication that we can seriously put those endless Verizon iPhone rumors to bed for a little while.

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Verizon asks 'if the iDoesn't, what does?' originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon asks 'if the iDoesn't, what does?'

Chris Ziegler — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: ATT, Verizon Wireless, Apple

Verizon asks 'if the iDoesn't, what does?' originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows Phone commercial is confusing for a variety of reasons

Nilay Patel — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:02:00 EST

Okay, so we understand Microsoft is trying hard to rebrand Windows Mobile as Windows Phone with the launch of WinMo 6.5, but this commercial -- labeled with AT&T logos in the US but also running unlabeled worldwide -- doesn't seem to do a good job of pointing out that Windows Phone is a platform and not a device. In fact, if we didn't know better, we'd think that the HTC Pure is, in fact, the "Windows Phone" -- even though the dude in the spot is holding a totally different generic device. See how that could be weird for people? It's almost confusing enough to distract from the jubilant anthropomorphic app icons in tights. Video after the break.

Continue reading Windows Phone commercial is confusing for a variety of reasons

Filed under: Handsets, HTC, ATT, Windows Mobile

Windows Phone commercial is confusing for a variety of reasons originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows Phone commercial is confusing for a variety of reasons

Nilay Patel — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:02:00 EST

Continue reading Windows Phone commercial is confusing for a variety of reasons

Filed under: Cellphones

Windows Phone commercial is confusing for a variety of reasons originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon removes gloves, begins 'There's a map for that' anti-AT&T ad campaign (video)

Joshua Topolsky — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:06:00 EST

Ouch. If you've been waiting for another flare up in the old carrier wars, here you have it. Turning Apple's "there's an app for that" slogan on its ear, Verizon has introduced a campaign touting its network coverage. The ads -- which highlight the company's new tongue-in-cheek "there's a map for that" catchphrase against tuneful, chirpy music -- also boast that Verizon's 3G blanket is a whopping five times the size of AT&T's. Does this do anything to dispel the idea that Verizon and Apple may be getting together for that phantom tablet? Who knows, but it's fun to watch the fireworks. Check out the full commercial after the break.

[Via All Things Digital]

Continue reading Verizon removes gloves, begins 'There's a map for that' anti-AT&T ad campaign (video)

Filed under: Culture, ATT, Verizon Wireless

Verizon removes gloves, begins 'There's a map for that' anti-AT&T ad campaign (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon removes gloves, begins 'There's a map for that' anti-AT&T ad campaign (video)

Joshua Topolsky — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:06:00 EST

Continue reading Verizon removes gloves, begins 'There's a map for that' anti-AT&T ad campaign (video)

Filed under: Cellphones

Verizon removes gloves, begins 'There's a map for that' anti-AT&T ad campaign (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint takes a bite out of the Apple, touts innovative Pre features like 'multitasking'

Paul Miller — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:28:00 EST

From the look of it, our BFF Roger McNamee stole himself a copy of Adobe InDesign and has gone wild in Sprint's ad department, calling out the iPhone for its unitasking nature and spendy contract price. All we have to say is that if this is really going to turn into this generation's Sega vs. Nintendo war, we'd better see a whole lot more licensed Joe Montana titles.

[Via PreThinking]

Filed under: Palm, ATT, Sprint, Apple

Sprint takes a bite out of the Apple, touts innovative Pre features like 'multitasking' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget Podcast 146 - 05.15.2009

Trent Wolbe — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:59:00 EST

Josh Topolsky and Paul Miller walk into a bar, but the bar is a recording studio.

The bartender, who is the recording engineer, asks, "Why the long faces?"

"Sigh," Paul says, and looks down at his feet. "Nothing but a buncha crummy phone rumors and probably fake slim PS3 pictures this week."

"It's hard to podcast when there's no exciting news to podcast about," says Josh, staring off into the distance.

The door slams open: it's Nilay Patel. "I know what'll cheer you guys up!" he says as he slams three stiff drinks down on the table. "Trashing AT&T about the Slingplayer app!"

Smiles creep over Josh and Paul's faces. They nod, the engineer hits the record button, and history is made: The Engadget Podcast, volume 146.

Update: We added a video feed of your charming hosts from the recording studio after the break. It's definitely an experiment at this stage, so let us know what you think!

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Song: Around the World

00:01:42 - Wild and slim PS3 redesign caught on camera?
00:17:20 - AT&T issues official statement on SlingPlayer's 3G blackout for iPhone
00:28:49 - Microsoft's latest ad: iTunes and the iPod are crazy expensive
00:37:26 - Microsoft "Pink" specs leak out: Tegra, Snapdragon, OMAP 3, oh my?
00:50:57 - Fuzzy math: Palm Pre to run about $470 full retail?
01:01:29 - Hold the phone: T-Mobile G1 v2 to really be the Samsung Bigfoot?
01:06:13 - Motorola's first Android phone to be the T-Mobile G1 v2?

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Continue reading Engadget Podcast 146 - 05.15.2009

Filed under: Podcasts

Engadget Podcast 146 - 05.15.2009 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 May 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T logo going orange

Darren Murph — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:43:00 EST

Sheesh, as if the whole Cingular / AT&T / BellSouth / etc. mishmash hasn't been confusing enough for the general populace, here comes yet another change sure to make folks scratch their noggins a bit more. As AT&T looks to launch a new ad campaign that gloats about "Your Seamless World," the carrier will reportedly paint the blue and white globe orange as a "respectful nod to Cingular." Meanwhile, sign changers are thrilled about all the business pouring in from AT&T recently...

[Via PhoneScoop]

Filed under: ATT, Misc

AT&T logo going orange originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T dropping "fewest dropped calls" claim

Chris Ziegler — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 23:37:00 EST

Maybe it stems from Sprint's bellyaching and subsequent legal action, maybe it stems from the fact that the claim was of questionable accuracy to begin with -- but either way, AT&T is no longer spouting off that it has fewer dropped calls than any other national carrier. It's allegedly part of a larger ad shift to the more nebulous (and less legally binding) "more bars in more places" campaign, but really, we suspect there was just a little too much heat coming from various competitors, consumer advocacy groups, and individual subscribers to continue bothering to attempt to back up the statement. So, readers: if it's not AT&T with the fewest dropped calls, who is it? Thoughts?

[Via Wired]

Filed under: ATT, Misc

AT&T dropping "fewest dropped calls" claim originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Aug 2007 23:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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