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AT&T's prepaid GoPhone plans get 1GB of extra data
AT&T definitely isn't being stingy with data on GoPhone these days. In the wake of healthy improvements over the past year, the carrier is raising its data caps by 1GB across the board as of May 27th. If you're on the $45 plan, you'll get 3GB of full-speed data to play with instead of 2GB; roll with the $60 plan and you'll get 6GB instead of the current 5GB. You'll still get $5 off your bill if you agree to automatic refills, to boot. While this isn't the absolute lowest price you can pay for gigs' worth of data (just ask T-Mobile users on the coveted $30/5GB plan), it's a solid bargain if you need unlimited calls and texts at the same time.
Two more AT&T prepaid plans will offer data rollover
Looks like AT&T is the latest carrier to hop onto the "data rollover" bandwagon. The company recently announced that customers subscribing to its prepaid GoPhone $45 and $60 plans will be able to apply their unused data allowance -- 1.5 GB and 4 GB, respectively -- to the next month but only until the next month. That is, any spare data you have in January will roll over to February but disappears come the Ides of March. And be warned, if you manage to burn through your total data allotment, that internet connection's going to get squeezed down to just 128kbps for the remainder of the billing cycle. AT&T's plan isn't as good as the full year of rollovers that T-Mobile is offering but certainly better than what it was giving you before. Previously, only subscribers to the Mobile Share Value program were allowed such a rollover. The newly expanded program takes effect on Friday, May 15th. [Image Credit: Getty Images]
AT&T's prepaid GoPhone service now gives you much more data
AT&T is clearly bent on turning its ho-hum GoPhone prepaid service into more of a well-oiled machine. Just a couple of months after the carrier tweaked GoPhone pricing, it's upping the amount of full-speed data you get with two of its plans. The $45 tier is jumping from 1GB per month to a decidedly healthier 1.5GB; if you were paying $60 for 2.5GB before, you now get 4GB. The higher-end plan now has unlimited calling and texting to Mexico, too. The move was arguably necessary between higher data ceilings at Cricket (AT&T's other contract-free offering) and stiffer competition from T-Mobile, but it's hard to object to getting a lot more for the money. [Image credit: AP Photo/Mark Lennihan]
AT&T refreshes its GoPhone lineup with $45 option and unlimited data
AT&T is expanding its GoPhone prepaid choices by adding a $45 tier for those who think the $60 plan's offerings are too much, and the $40's not enough. The company originally launched this option back in April, though you could only get it at Walmart. Now the $45 plan is officially listed on the company's website, and it comes with unlimited talk, text and data. In fact, even the $60 option also comes with unlimited data now, but it's not as "unlimited" as we'd all like. You only get 1GB of high-speed data for the $45 tier and 2.5GB for the $60 per month, after which AT&T will throttle your connection. Sure, it's no fun browsing the internet on speeds reaching only 128kbps, but having a connection no matter how slow beats having none at all, especially in times of emergency.
ASUS' PadFone X mini phone-and-tablet hybrid reaches AT&T
If you liked ASUS' PadFone X but weren't willing to pay that much for the combination of an Android smartphone with a tablet shell, AT&T might soon have what you're looking for. The carrier is bringing the PadFone X mini to the US on October 24th, when it will sell for $200 to GoPhone's prepaid customers. There's a lot of hardware here for the money, although it won't surprise you to hear that ASUS makes sacrifices to give you two devices for the price of one. The smartphone half is a bit better than the regular PadFone mini thanks to its larger 4.5-inch screen, but you're still looking at a dual-core Atom processor, a 5-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front shooter. You're also docking into a 7-inch tablet which houses little more than a front camera and an extra battery, so don't expect a night-and-day difference when you use the bigger screen. With that said, the PadFone X mini beats getting a budget smartphone by itself -- give it a look if you'd rather not buy a separate tablet.
AT&T's prepaid GoPhone service now gets your tablet online
AT&T may want to think twice about the name for its prepaid GoPhone service -- it's not just for phones anymore. You can now bring your own tablet to the no-contract offering, with pricing similar to what we've seen on the carrier before. Spending $15 per month will get you a (frankly paltry) 250MB of data, while bumping that up to $30 or $50 will get you a far healthier 3GB or 5GB, respectively. Should you need more, you'll pay for it in $10 blocks that give you 100MB, 500MB or 1GB, depending on the existing plan.
AT&T adds more data and a hotspot option to prepaid GoPhone plans
AT&T is adding more data to its GoPhone prepaid smartphone plans without raising monthly fees in the process. If you're currently paying $60 a month for 2GB, your allotment will jump to 2.5 gigs, while those on the $40, 250MB plan will now get 500MB per month. More data is only part of the value proposition for GoPhone customers, though; the new 2.5GB plan will now offer the ability to use your phone as a WiFi hotspot.
Nokia Lumia 520 comes to AT&T GoPhone on July 26th for $100 off-contract
Want a cheap gateway to the world of Windows Phone? In the US, it won't get much cheaper than AT&T's new version of the Lumia 520. Nokia's starter device will cost just $100 contract-free when it hits AT&T's GoPhone prepaid service on July 26th -- that's $50 less than T-Mobile's already inexpensive Lumia 521. There won't be LTE support or other frills, but we suspect that many customers won't mind at this price.
AT&T GoPhone plans to support LTE, drop most data add-ons on June 21st (updated)
AT&T hinted that it was shaking up its GoPhone plans later this month, and it's making good on its word. As of June 21st, customers using the prepaid service will have access to the same LTE service as their subscription peers; AT&T will mark the occasion by selling the Samsung Galaxy Express to GoPhone users at $250 off-contract. The simplified smartphone plans are here as well, although they're better than previously expected. The carrier is dropping all data add-ons except for the $5 / 50MB pack, which is only available for a $25 monthly tier with 250 voice minutes and unlimited messaging. However, it will only cost $40 a month for a plan with 200MB of data and 500 minutes, and a $60 plan will offer 2GB of data with unlimited voice. AT&T's new strategy won't appease some data lovers, but those trying to avoid long contracts and harsh upgrade policies should be happy. Update: To be clear, this is the official launch of LTE -- some customers have had the faster service in advance. The plans should be new. Also, the company has told reader Jian that those with older Pick Your Plan rates can't join the 4G ranks without switching to a capped plan first.
AT&T's GoPhone prepaid service to undergo major changes, kill data options
AT&T's GoPhone plans are undergoing a major shakedown, and you'll get a preliminary taste on June 20th once existing data packages are given the axe. Smartphone users who want internet access on GoPhone's $25 or $50 plans currently have the option to purchase a 50MB data add-on per month for $5, a 200MB add-on for $15 or a 1GB add-on for $25. Only the $5 option will remain once the changes hit -- and we all know having to budget 50MB of data in a month is a sad, sad proposition. Subscribers to the $50 plan have it even worse as they won't be able to purchase any data add-on at all. Fortunately, the $65 plan that comes with 1GB of data remains untouched. Things might not be as bad as they seem. When we reached out to AT&T, a spokesperson said: Beginning June 20, we're making some changes to our AT&T GoPhone prepaid plans to simplify our offers and better align with what customers are choosing and telling us they want. We've begun letting customers know about the changes in advance, and we'll have more information on new, additional plan options soon. The mention of "new, additional plans" coming soon gives us hope that the company is introducing new options to make the service more smartphone-friendly once again.
Mobile Miscellany: week of May 20th, 2013
If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week brought hints of a revitalized Galaxy Exhibit for T-Mobile, news of two additions to the lineup at Cricket and a peek at the next GoPhone for AT&T. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of May 20th, 2013.
AT&T's GoPhone prepaid brand to fully support iPhone
AT&T's prepay GoPhone service is to include an iPhone purchase option as of today. The service will also gain the addition of 4G LTE and HSPA+ support, according to MacRumors. GoPhone lets users sign up for AT&T service without joining a contract. Previously, iPhone owners could sign up for the service but they would have no access to cellular data. With the update expected to roll out today, iPhone owners will be able to access all of AT&T's services on a GoPhone contract, including 4G LTE and Visual Voicemail. MacRumors says that iPhone owners will have three options for GoPhone service. The highest-priced one is a US$65 plan that offers unlimited texts and calls and one gigabyte of data. AT&T is also offering $50 and $25 plans that include text and calls, but users will have to add additional data plans on top. When choosing a GoPhone plan, users can bring in their existing unlocked iPhone or they can buy an unlocked iPhone from AT&T in the store. MacRumors says that current GoPhone plan owners will be automatically updated with cellular data support for their iPhone on June 21, but the site says that those that want to see cellular data support before then may be able to have their plan manually upgraded first.
AT&T adding iPhone, 4G LTE / HSPA+ support to GoPhone starting tomorrow
AT&T's official GoPhone prepaid policy has always officially prevented network data access for iPhones (and other 4G devices except for BlackBerry), but a tipster reports that will change tomorrow. The new policy adds 4G HSPA+ and LTE support as well as Visual Voicemail access to the GoPhone package, with customers able to bring their own device or buy a new one at off-contract unsubsidized prices. According to the details, existing customers with iPhones will be automatically updated with network access on June 21st, however they'll be able to call in and make the switch manually before that. The new features work on the $65, $50 and $25 monthly plans, however the two lower priced options will require data packages to work. You can get a peek at the leaked terms after the break, although we'd wait for an official announcement before picking up your 4G-capable handset and requesting service. [Thanks, Anonymous]
AT&T to offer new $65 GoPhone monthly plan starting October 7th
Shared data's not for everyone, which is why AT&T's continuing to augment its prepaid offerings with additional GoPhone options. Announced today, the carrier's new $65 monthly plan is geared specifically towards smartphone users, combining unlimited talk and text with a 1GB allotment of data. And in tandem with this new package, the operator's also releasing the Fusion 2: a white-labeled Android device that's slated to retail for $99 -- no contract strings attached. Both are set to launch this October 7th, so if you're commitment-averse and in need of a new device, this could be the plan for you. Hit up the break for the full presser.
Mobile Miscellany: week of September 24th, 2012
If you didn't get enough in mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This past week, Dan Hesse shared his turnaround vision for Sprint, Jim Allchin revealed where T-Mobile stumbled and AT&T welcomed a new GoPhone. Not to stop there, we discovered two updated launchers that've piled on inspiration from Jelly Bean. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of September 24th, 2012.
AT&T launches Samsung Galaxy Appeal GoPhone, available at Walmart on June 5th for $150
What's in a name? For the Samsung Galaxy Appeal, everything. The moniker of AT&T's new Android GoPhone fits the manufacturer's current legal situation perfectly, though admittedly its side-slider QWERTY-packing form factor is the least likely of Sammy's lineup to catch the attention of Cupertino's team of suits. Joking aside, the 4.3-ounce Appeal offers Android 2.3, a 3.2-inch HVGA (that's 480 x 320) display, 800MHz Qualcomm MSM7225A processor, 3MP rear camera and 512MB of RAM. It's also made with 80 percent recycled material and has a microSD port and 1,300mAh battery. The Appeal will begin its wireless sojourn on June 5th at Walmart for $150, and will pop up at other AT&T outlets beginning July 15th. Head below to find the legal team-approved press release.
AT&T announces new GoPhone data packages are coming on April 22nd
Earlier today, AT&T announced it's bringing new data packages to its pay-as-you-go plans starting on April 22nd. These packages will be available to folks using either the $50 Unlimited Talk & Text or the cheaper, text-only $25 offering. With the recent changes GoPhone's data bundles will now give you 1GB, 200MB and 50MB for $25, $15 and $5, respectively. Essentially, you'll be enjoying twice the amount of data while keeping your wallet usage to a minimum. You can check the full PR just past the break.
Huawei Fusion hits AT&T's GoPhone lineup, prepaid Gingerbread for $125 (update)
Hey, not everyone needs a bunch-of-core superphone tied down to a two-year contract, so it's always nice to have some solid prepaid options, right? If you shook your head yes to that, you'll be pleased to know that AT&T's just added the Android Gingerbread-loaded Huawei Fusion to its GoPhone lineup. The device features a 3.5-inch (320 x 480) display up front, while on back there's a 3.2-megapixel shooter. Other goodies include Bluetooth 2.1, FM radio functionality and support for up to 32GB of storage via MicroSD. If you're still nodding your noggin, the Fusion and its (essentially) utilitarian specs can be yours for the keeping, sans contractual commitment, for just $125. You'll find more info at the links below. Update: Well, our mistake folks. It turns out this phone has been available on AT&T for quite some time now. Thanks to everyone in the comments for pointing this out.
AT&T announces $25 monthly GoPhone plan beginning September 18th
With all of the unlimited everything plans dominating the world of prepaid currently, it's easy to forget about the smaller offerings ideally suited for those looking for appetizers instead of the all-you-can-eat buffet. AT&T's announced a new monthly package that may fare well with the nibblers, doling out 250 anytime minutes and unlimited messaging for $25 beginning on September 18th. Two other prepaid services are launching the same day: a $10 international long distance package that includes 250 minutes within a period of 30 days, and per-use roaming in Canada which can be had for $.39 per minute and $.25 per message sent ($.20 per message received). It's nice to see the company, notorious for its recent history of streamlining plans, adding another selection onto the tray of prepaid hors d'oeuvres. Full presser can be found after the break.
AT&T to offer $50 unlimited prepaid plan, ready to 'GoPhone' June 26th
Boost and Verizon shouldn't have all the fun, right? The latest kid to do a cannonball into the low-cost prepaid pool is wearing a blue-and-orange swimsuit, as AT&T will be ready to start up $50 unlimited GoPhone plans June 26th. The new prepaid selection sheds $10 off its previous limitless talk and text offering, while tossing in web access for Quick Messaging Phones. In order to be fully competitive in the pay-as-you-go realm, the aforementioned plan will allow the same texting privileges across our borders; you'll be able to SMS or IM your buddies in Mexico, Canada, and 100 other countries. The unfortunate (albeit unsurprising) part is that heading the smartphone route will come at an additional monthly cost, ranging from $5 to $25. Even though it seems Big Blue is a little tardy for the party, a wireless giant is never late -- it arrives exactly when it means to. Full press release after the break.