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AT&T CruiseCast satellite service halts activations, will refund customers
It wasn't too hard to see this one coming after reports of "financial difficulties" and a potential early demise starting cropping up last month, but it looks like AT&T's CruiseCast in-car satellite service is now officially done for. According to RaySat COO Mike Grannan (AT&T's partner in the service), all new activations have now ceased, and existing customers will soon apparently be able to get a refund for the cost of installation, de-installation, equipment and service. For those keeping track, the service just launched in June of this year and, while no installed base numbers seem to be available, it doesn't appear to have caused much more than a blip on the radar, with it hindered in part by a hefty $1,300 up-front cost.
AT&T CruiseCast service partner says it's 'business as usual' despite 'financial difficulties'
It only just officially launched in June of this year (after fairly long build-up), but it looks like AT&T's CruiseCast in-car satellite service may not exactly be in the best of shape. As Twice reports, calls to service provider RaySat yesterday resulted in a recorded message saying that the company would no longer be supporting CruiseCast activations "moving forward," and that it wouldn't be fulfilling any more equipment orders any longer either. Curiously, the company is now singing a completely different tune today, saying that while it is "working through financial difficulties," as of right now the service is "up and running, and it's business as usual." For its part, AT&T seems to be remaining mum on the whole matter, but phrases like "financial difficulties" and "business as usual" in the same sentence are rarely a good sign, so we'll be keeping a close eye on this one.Read - Twice, "AT&T CruiseCast Stops Activations"Read - Twice, "AT&T CruiseCast Service Continues"
AT&T CruiseCast in-car TV finally launches nationwide
Look, we know all about desperate -- those youngsters are cute and all, but any self-respecting parent starts having some seriously evil thoughts about three hours in to any road trip. In a presumed effort to keep you off of the evening news and in good standing with your relatives, AT&T is launching its CruiseCast in-car TV service today. If you'll recall, we knew the in-car satellite TV solution was being tested in various spots, but today marks the first day that the proverbial beta badge has been ripped off. Of course, such a unique offering ain't running anyone cheap, with the initial hardware package totaling $1,299 and the monthly fee ringing up at $28. If those numbers have yet to faze you, hop on past the break for a look at the channel lineup.
AT&T slowly begins rollout of CruiseCast in-car satellite TV service
It's a bit off its target pace, but it looks like AT&T is now finally starting to roll out its CruiseCast in-car satellite TV / radio service, however slowly. According to OrbitCast, AT&T is now working with "small groups" of car audio specialists and distributors to get the service into the hands of a "few dozen customers" in order to test the service in advance of the full roll-out, which is now somewhat ambitiously promised for early June. In case you missed the announcement back at CES, the service itself consists of 22 live TV channels and 20 radio stations, plus all the necessary, non-user-installable hardware, which will set you back $1,299 up front and $28 a month thereafter. That obviously doesn't pose much of a threat to basic satellite radio just yet although, as OrbitCast points out, it is actually more affordable than some of the current in-car satellite TV options out there, like KVH's $3,000 DirecTV-based system
AT&T's U-verse TV picking up seven Viacom networks in HD
Just days after AT&T announced that NHL Network HD would be gliding over to U-verse TV, in flies a report stating that Viacom and AT&T have linked up on a sweet new deal. Said agreement will enable seven new networks to join the U-verse TV EPG: MTV HD, VH1 HD, CMT HD, BET HD, Nickelodeon HD, Comedy Central HD and Spike HD. The deal also "renews carriage of the MTVN and BETN channels and VOD content featured on AT&T U-verse TV, and provides for carriage of new international channels, including MTV India, later this year." Now, let's wait and see if those monthly rates creep up any after the fact.
AT&T CruiseCast in-car satellite TV service launching this Spring
Mobile TV hasn't even taken off in the cellphone market, but it's already looking to take another sector by storm. AT&T has announced here at CES that its CruiseCast in-car satellite TV service will be launching this Spring, and we're told to expect 22 channels initially and 20 sat radio stations to boot. Not surprisingly, the system will set you back somethin' fierce: it'll cost $1,299 for the kit and $28 per month for the service. From the start, the channel lineup will include Disney Channel, Discovery Kids, Animal Planet, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network Mobile, USA, MSNBC, CNN Mobile Live and CNBC (among others), and you'll be required to install a three pound 11.3- x 10.3- x 4.3-inch antenna on the roof of your vehicle. Oh, and if you're looking for a little test drive before you buy in, Avis and Budget are expected to make it available in some locales for $9 a day or $63 per week.[Via PC World]
