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iHeartRadio brings its streaming app to U-Verse TV
Even though AT&T's busy trying to merge with DirecTV, the company is still focused on improving its current home entertainment product, U-Verse. Starting today, customers who are subscribed to a television package can access iHeartRadio, the popular radio-streaming service. Once you tune in to the new channel (532 or 1532), you'll be able to listen to thousands of stations based on genre, keyword or location. There are also ways to save your favorite content and get personalized recommendations -- the more you listen, the more the app knows what you like. iHeartRadio says it's the first live-streaming radio application available to U-Verse TV subscribers, which also highlights AT&T's ongoing efforts to make the platform better for people.
AT&T's U-verse gets new On Demand hub, promises simpler discovery for movies and TV shows
Considering it's not one of the company's key operations, it's safe to say AT&T's been successful in its efforts to build out U-verse. Now, in an effort to make life on the couch a little less complicated for subscribers, the Rethink Possible network is introducing an all-new On Demand storefront. With a focus on making content easier to discover, AT&T says the UI will make for an intuitive way to navigate the menus. Additionally, you'll find some novel search tools that should make it easier to find movies and TV shows. U-verse customers will now also see a "My" section, allowing them to quickly access rentals, queued up flicks and promos that AT&T may be offering. The newfangled U-Verse On Demand will be available in more than 45 markets starting today, with more being expected to join "on an ongoing basis throughout the year."
AT&T will cap DSL and U-Verse internet, impose overage fees (update)
Ladies and gentlemen, the days of unlimited broadband may be numbered in the United States, and we're not talking wireless this time -- AT&T says it will implement a 150GB monthly cap on landline DSL customers and a 250GB cap on subscribers to U-Verse high speed internet starting on May 2nd. AT&T will also charge overage fees of $10 for every additional 50GB of data, with two grace periods to start out -- in other words, the third month you go over the cap is when you'll get charged. DSLReports says it has confirmation from AT&T that these rates are legitimate, and that letters will go out to customers starting March 18th. How does AT&T defend the move? The company explains it will only impact two percent of consumers who use "a disproportionate amount of bandwidth," and poses the caps as an alternative to throttling transfer speeds or disconnecting excessive users from the service completely. Customers will be able to check their usage with an online tool, and get notifications when they reach 65 percent, 90 percent and 100 percent of their monthly rates. We just spoke with AT&T representative Seth Bloom and confirmed the whole thing -- rates are exactly as described above, and the company will actually begin notifying customers this week. He also told us that those customers who don't yet have access to the bandwidth usage tool won't get charged until they do, and that AT&T U-Verse TV service won't count towards the GB cap. Update: What prompted this change to begin with? That's what we just asked AT&T. Read the company's statement after the break.
AT&T demos U-verse / smartphone integration, ComplemenTV iPad app at CES
Looks like AT&T will be pushing out more than just a dozen Android phones here at CES. During the outfit's Developer Summit, Peter Hill, VP of ecosystem and innovation, demonstrated how U-verse Mobile Application Development Technology can effectively enable a mobile device to interactively share media, content and apps with the TV. In theory, this could lead to the creation of apps that will enable AT&T customers to control more of the U-verse TV experience with their handsets, and possibly vice-versa. In his words, the tech "can easily connect mobile devices to set-top boxes via WiFi," and it'll complement DLNA with authentication. At the Summit, a brief demo saw an iPad app schedule a show and control the U-verse DVR, and a brand new option -- dubbed ComplemenTV -- took center stage. Essentially, the iPad was able to look at what channel was being viewed and then delivered relevant extra content on the iPad. Sounds more like an advertiser's dream than anything else, but we're holding out hope for more enticing uses in the near future. Unfortunately, no dates were given as to when this stuff would be rolled out, but the future's looking bright, anyway.
AT&T U-verse customers can use Xbox 360 as a set-top box starting November 7th
If you'd given up hope of using your 360 to watch AT&T U-Verse after over three years of waiting, we wouldn't think any less of you; but for those still holding on to the dream of one less set-top box under the TV, this latest tip says the wait is all but over. As you can see from the internal memo above, a so-called Wired Release will roll out to AT&T U-Verse customers next Sunday, and it'll bring the long awaited feature with it (though you'll have to wait until November 7th for that particular aspect). This means AT&T U-verse customer's Xbox 360 will have a Dashboard app, and when launched, it'll let it function exactly like any other U-verse set-top. The only major catch is that it can't be the only set-top -- you'll need at least one DVR at another TV in the house to enjoy one of the four HD streams that could be funneled into your home. But hey, at least it's on the way, right? Update: A second anonymous tipster has chimed in with some interesting slides -- looks like your Xbox will need a hard drive! %Gallery-104584% [Thanks, Anonymous]
AT&T adds record number of U-verse TV subscribers in Q4
AT&T's overall Q4 earnings may have dipped 23.6 percent, but its U-verse unit has a few things going for it. Aside from passing the coveted one million mark in customers during the course of last quarter, the company also added a best-ever 264,000 U-verse TV customers. Moreover, the build currently reaches some 17 million living units, but we are told a bit of unfortunate news in terms of future expansion. Remember those plans to "more than double U-verse TV availability by 2010?" Yeah, that has already slipped into 2011, barely a month after the 2010 date was frantically shot out. Alright Verizon, time to get your deployment teams out of Massachusetts and make AT&T regret this, wouldn't you say?
AT&T gets proud: 100% of U-verse TV STBs meet or beat Energy Star requirements
It's hard to know how many other pay-TV providers could say this very same thing but are simply choosing not to brag, but AT&T's holding nothing back in its latest release. The operator has proudly come forward and proclaimed that 100 percent of its U-verse TV receivers meet or exceed Energy Star efficiency requirements, and all new Motorola and Cisco set-top-boxes will boast the accompanying Energy Star label. Not trying to stroke your ego or anything, AT&T, but way to be green.
AT&T delivers U-verse in Salinas and Monterey, CA
During the chaos that was CES, AT&T saw fit to string its U-verse services to two new locales in the Golden State. Starting now, select homes in the Salinas and Monterey areas have access to U-verse high-speed internet, U-verse Voice and U-verse TV, though exact neighborhoods weren't mentioned. You know what that means -- get on the horn and see if your address is covered.
NHL Network HD skates onto AT&T's U-verse TV
AT&T may be raising its U-verse TV rates, but at least it's showing subscribers that all those dollars aren't going to waste (or a bigwig's pocket). Starting this week, both NHL Network and NHL Network HD are being added to the U-verse TV lineup, but you'll need either the U400 tier or The Sports Package in order to view 'em. Catch the action on the ice right now on slot 1638 (HD) / 638 (SD).
Topeka, Kansas gets another pay-TV option: AT&T's U-verse TV
Topeka area residents have been primarily dealing with Cox Communications for years, but according to a new article in The Capital-Journal, AT&T is about to change that. As of now, U-verse TV is available for ordering in select parts of the city, and if you're curious to know if you're one of the lucky few (relatively), hit the read link and surf over to A the carrier's availability checker.[Thanks, Kevin]
AT&T to rival TWC with U-verse TV launch in El Paso, Texas
Ruh roh, Time Warner Cable -- AT&T has just encroached on yet another one of your main markets, as U-verse TV will soon be coming to El Paso, Texas. As of now, TWC is the only major pay-TV carrier in the region, so if you're not kosher with a dish, it's currently the one and only option. Of course, U-verse isn't new to the Lone Star state, but we get the feeling that El Paso residents will be singing praises at the sight of new competition. If you're anxious to see what fiber can deliver, call up AT&T and see if your domicile is currently serviceable.[Thanks, Chris and Gabe]
AT&T pushes U-verse to Lansing, Michigan
Flint and Saginaw aren't too far from Lansing, and apparently it's the latest town in Michigan to get AT&T's U-verse. According to a fiber-craving local who has been plugging his address in for months in hopes of getting good news, he finally got the reply he has been looking for. In at least some parts of the city, U-verse TV and high-speed internet can now be ordered, and we hear Sparty is quite happy to know of the additional competition.[Thanks, Glenn]
AT&T checks off a year of U-verse in Central Texas
AT&T and Texas are already BFFs, so it's no shock to see the carrier proudly recognizing its 1-year U-verse anniversary in the Central region. While most Americans wait patiently for the fiber-based services to roll around to their neck of the woods, some 275,000 living units in Central Texas can now dial up AT&T for their digital phone, high-speed internet and HDTV programming needs. As of today, the service is available in parts of Austin, Cedar Park, Leander, Pflugerville, Round Rock, Sunset Valley and West Lake Hills, and of course, there are always plans to expand that in the future. Sorry to wear our envy on our sleeves, but just take your victory and enjoy it quietly, okay Texas?
Sign up for AT&T's U-verse, get Guitar Hero World Tour
Now here's a promotion we can really bang our heads to. Forget those free HDTVs and 1-year promotional rates -- AT&T is offering something you really want for subscribing to its high-speed internet or qualifying U-verse TV plans. Starting on November 14th, consumers ready to make the switch to fiber will be gifted with Guitar Hero World Tour, complete with the game itself (on your console of choice, we presume) and a guitar. On second thought, we'd actually prefer a service discount.
AT&T makes stronger push for U-verse in South Mississippi
AT&T isn't kidding around with its intentions to get U-verse into Mississippi as soon as humanly possible, and now we've got the provider making an even stronger push in Hancock County. More specifically, it recently asked the Hancock County Board of Supervisors to allow its fiber-based services to be "marketed in unincorporated areas of the county." Spokeswoman Kathleen Shaughnessy noted that AT&T would charge "whatever the market would bear, but that it would be very competitive." Of course, we've been hearing these type things for months now with no apparent forward progress, so we're beginning to wonder if AT&T's sentiments aren't falling on dear ears.[Thanks, Robby]