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MocoNews' Tricia Duryee had a chance to sit down with AT&T's Senior VP Business Mobility Marketing, Jeff Bradley, and managed to wrangle some insightful perspectives on the enterprise market and how the iPhone and BlackBerry play in to the business-class smartphone segment - the iPhone vs. BlackBerry war, if you will.

While popular opinion has pitted the iPhone against the BlackBerry as the gotta-have enterprise smartphone of 2008, AT&T's got a totally different take. As we've said time and time again, each handset has its own particular strengths and weaknesses, and that's how AT&T is marketing the iPhone 3G and BlackBerry Bold.

Bradley sees the iPhone 3G as a competent enterprise device that will serve all manner of subscriber-types - be they consumer, prosumers, or enterprise customers, the iPhone 3G will be a hit across the board. The BlackBerry Bold 9000, however, will find its own niche amongst the hardcore enterprise crowd that is die-hard loyal to their physical keyboards. Although, Bradley himself reiterates what I've been saying all along - the virtual keyboard on the iPhone is as fast (if not faster than) a physical keyboard, but it just takes some getting used to. So, there's really no war between the two of the hottest smartphones to launch in 2H 2008, according to AT&T.

What's is interesting is how AT&T is catering to the enterprise market with the iPhone. Businesses involved in everything from insurance or real estate to pharmaceuticals are interested in using the iPhone 3G's enterprise and multimedia capabilities to train salesforces and pitch new products to clients.

So, if you want a top-notch physical keyboard and industry-leading push email capability, then the BlackBerry Bold will be your best-fit handset. If you can forgo a hard keyboard in favor of multimedia capabilities and massive internal storage, you'll be looking toward the iPhone for satisfaction. In the end, the consumer wins. Go us!

[Via: MocoNews]

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For those of you currently enjoying the free 200 SMS text messages that come bundled with your EDGE-only iPhone data plan, you're not going to like AT&T's decision to cut the bundled text messages with the upcoming iPhone 3G rate plans. But, that doesn't mean you have to sit back and take it.

Here's an interesting way to use your mobile email application to send and receive free SMS text messages without AT&T's help:

• Create a new email
• The "To:" field should be filled out with your SMS text message target's phone number followed by "@teleflip.com." Something like this - 1235551234@teleflip.com
• Tap out your text message and send it out.
• The message will be sent to the phone number that you entered preceding "@teleflip.com"
• Any text message replies will be sent to your email address.

That's it, it's really that simple. Using the iPhone's incredibly integrated email client (that basically does away with any need for MMS - assuming your friends and family are wise to the mobile email) is definitely a novel way to send and receive SMS text messages, and we like it.

Alternatively, you can use the TxtDrop web-app to send free SMS text messages. Simply point your iPhone Safari browser to http://txtdrop.com/iphone/ and go about your merry text messaging way!

[Via: MacsimumNews]

Not looking to jump on the iPhone 3G bandwagon next week? AT&T is already a couple steps ahead of you. After all, not everyone is going to find Apple's handset a good fit for their needs.

AT&T has some Windows Mobile smartphones planned for release throughout the rest of 2008, and WMExperts managed to get a hold of the AT&T WinMo roadmap.

Pantech Duo II
Remember the Pantech Duo 2 that we saw pass through the FCC's testing labs? Right, well it seems we were on the ball in predicting that the keyboard/keypad hybid would be headed to AT&T.

The successor to the Pantech Duo, the Pantech Duo 2, will be sporting:

• Windows Mobile 6.1
• Tri-band (850/1900/2100Mhz) HSDPA (3.6)/Quad-band (850/900/1800/1900Mhz) GSM/EDGE
• 528 MHz Processor
• 128MB RAM / 256MB ROM
• USB
• Bluetooth 2.0
• Micro SD
• 2 MP Camera
• GPS

Pantech Duo customers can also expect a Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrade in October.

Samsung Blackjack 2
While some of us have been lucky enough to already have Windows Mobile 6.1 up and running on our Samsung BlackJack 2 smartphones, the general public will have to wait just a bit longer. The Samsung BJII will be getting the WM6.1 upgrade later this month (July).

Motorola Q9h
If Motorola's answer to the slim smartphone monoblock is more your style, you'll be happy to hear that your Motorola Q9h will be getting jiggy with WinMo 6.1 later this month (July).

Samsung SGH-i788 Blackjack 3
The long-awaited, touchscreen-toting successor to the Samsung BlackJack 2 will be hitting AT&T's network later this year. The US-friendly HSDPA frequency support differentiate the Samsung SGH-i788 from the Samsung SGH-i780. The integrated GPS receiver, 3 megapixel camera, WiFi, 528Mhz CPU, and touchscreen should make the Samsung SGH-i788 BlackJack 3 one of the most anticipated Windows Mobile candybar smartphones to drop this year.

• Windows Mobile 6.1
• Tri-band (900/1900/2100Mhz) UMTS/HSDPA (3.6); Quad-band (850/900/1800/1900Mhz) GSM/EDGE
• 528 MHz processor
• 128MB RAM/ 256MB ROM
• Camera 3 MP
• AGPS
• VSC
• WiFi

AT&T Tilt:
The reigning Windows Mobile AT&T flagship will be seeing some Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrade-love later this month. The HTC Kaiser (TyTn II) has already been blessed with Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrades courtesy of HTC, but AT&T Tilt users will have to wait for AT&T to roll out the upgraded ROM.

AT&T Tilt 2
What's this? Another successor to the popular HTC TyTn? That's right! AT&T will be launching the AT&T Tilt 2 (HTC TyTn III?) later this year. We're assuming that the HTC-sourced Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional smartphone will replace the AT&T Tilt as the flagship WinMo offering from AT&T. And, with HSDPA (3.6Mbps), WiFi, aGPS, 3 megapixel camera, and a speedy 528Mhz processor, the AT&T Tilt 2 will no doubt take its seat at the head of the WinMo table in AT&T's house.

• Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional Edition
• Tri-band (900/1900/2100Mhz) UMTS/HSDPA (3.6); Quad-band (850/900/1800/1900Mhz) GSM/EDGE
• Qualcomm 528 MHz processor
• 256MB ROM/ 128MB RAM
• 3.0 MP camera
• WiFi
• Bluetooth 2.0
• PTT
• aGPS
• VSC

Samsung Omnia
This one is pure speculation at this point, but we're also hearing that another Samsung handset is scheduled to hit AT&T in Q4 2008. With previous rumors pointing to the Samsung Omnia coming to AT&T, we're going to take a barely educated guess and peg the Samsung Omnia as the Samsung device slated for AT&T's network later this year.

So, are you still planning to get that iPhone 3G? With all these attractive options in the pipeline for AT&T, we can definitely see a good chunk of AT&T's subscriber-base waiting it out for a Windows Mobile handset.

[Via: WMExperts]

By now it's clear that most first-generation iPhone owners are planning to hock their jailbreak-able and unlock-able Apple smartphones in preparation for next-generation iPhone 3G's arrival. But, there are likely to be more than a few of you out there that just can't bear to part with your precious handset. For you sentimental types, Apple and AT&T have confirmed that you can hold on to your de-activated iPhone and use it as a WiFi Internet Tablet and iPod.

"If the [original] device is not re-activated as a wireless phone after you’ve upgraded to iPhone 3G, it will still work as an iTunes player and can access Wi-Fi," an AT&T spokesman told Apple Insider.

So, your deactivated iPhone won't be able to surf the web via AT&T's network or make voice calls, but thanks to the magic of WiFi, you can still browse your favorite tech blog (ahem) and even hit up the iTunes Music Store. And, if you so choose, upgrading the iPhone to the iPhone 2.0 OS will open the doors to Apple's AppStore and access to more enterprise features.

As for our own iPhones, they'll be finding new homes in the next few days.

[Via: AppleInsider]

Far be it for AT&T to sully their competitive reputation by keeping the iPhone-competing Samsung Omnia from hitting their networks. Word on the street has it that the sleekness from South Korea will be making it's way to AT&T in the third quarter of 2008 - bringing with it Samsung's expertise in packing massive features in to ever-slimmer profiles. At just 12.5mm thick, the Samsung Omnia is a pretty face.

With a 3.2-inch touchscreen, Divx certification (with H.263, H.264 support), 5 megapixel camera with face-detection and geo-tagging, quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900Mhz) radio, HSDPA (7.2Mbps), GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, and FM radio (with RDS), the Samsung Omnia is a fit and well-finished iPhone fighter. And, considering that the Touch Wiz UI-toting touchscreen handset is offered in both 8GB and 16GB variants, there's more than just a little similarity between the iPhone and Samsung Omnia.

AT&T will most likely be fitting the Samsung Omnia with their AT&T Music, Video, Navigation, and Mobile TV service, and Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional will be running the show.

We're looking for AT&T to pick up the Omnia in a couple months, so stay tuned!

[Via: SamsungOmnia.org]

For all you iPhone 3G hopefuls gunning for a shiny new Black or White-clad iPhone 3G come July 11, Apple has posted guided tours to help make the wait just a bit more bearable. The video details everything you need to know about your iPhone 3G and what the iPhone 2.0 OS firmware will offer for next-generation and original iPhones.

Find HD versions of the guided tour here, or just watch the video below.

Helping to usher-in July's arrival for summer, AT&T has just announced their iPhone 3G pricing details. We've already known for some time that AT&T would be offering their iPhone 3G at $199 and $299 price-points for the 8GB and 16GB variants of the iPhone 3G, respectively. But, today's announcement sheds more light on the AT&T plans for the next-generation iPhone 3G - which launches on July 11, as if you didn't already know. And, as expected, the iPhone 3G will kick off sales at 8am (local time) at all AT&T stores.

First and foremost, AT&T will be offering the iPhone 3G for $199 and $299 to all existing iPhone customers, AT&T customers eligible for handset upgrades, and new-activation customers. Of course, a new 2-year contract will be required of anyone looking to grab an iPhone 3G for those low prices. The White iPhone 3G variant is only available on the 16GB model.

AT&T customers not in the running for a handset upgrade will be looking at paying AT&T $399 for the 8GB iPhone 3G and $499 for the 16GB iPhone 3G. And, AT&T wants us to know that any AT&T customer not eligible for an upgrade can simply wait out their contract and keep making timely payments until the upgrade offer rolls their way.

AT&T has posted buying-guides for existing customers and new customers alike. Find them here and here.

But, in perhaps the most surprising move from AT&T, the company has announced that they will be offering the iPhone 3G sans-contract in the future. That means a no-contract iPhone 3G is definitely in the pipeline. But, for $599 and $699 for the 8Gb and 16GB iPhone 3G variants, respectively, the contract-free iPhone 3G will cost a pretty penny - essentially the same as early iPhone adopters.

The iPhone 3G will also come with a nice little $18 upgrade fee for anyone jumping from a first-generation iPhone or other AT&T handset. New activations will require an additional $36 activation fee.

iPhone 3G rate plans start at $69.99 for 400 anytime minutes, unlimited nights/weekends, Visual Voicemail, Rollover, unlimited Mobile to Mobile calling, Call Forwarding, Call Waiting, Three-Way Calling, Caller ID, and unlimited data. The higher-end of the iPhone 3G spectrum offers unlimited everything for $129.99 on the AT&T Nation Unlimited plan. Calling plans offering 900 and 1,350 anytime minutes are also available for $89.99 and $109.99, respectively.

FamilyTalk plans will start at $129.99 for two iPhone 3G lines sharing 700 anytime minutes. FamilyTalk plans with 1,400, 2,100, 3,000, 4,000, and 6,000 shared anytime minutes range from $149.99 to $359.99. Each additional iPhone 3G line will add $39.99 to the FamilyTalk plans.

Unfortunately, SMS text messages are not included in any AT&T Nation, Unlimited, or FamilyTalk plans. Unlike MMS (picture/video messaging), SMS text messaging has found a huge market as a faster text-based messaging alternative to email, and as such, AT&T is asking that you pay more to get your text-on. A $5 spot nets you 200 SMS text messages, $15 gets you 1,500 messages, and $20 earns you unlimited text messaging ($30 on FamilyTalk plans).

Enterprise and Business customers can expect to pay more for bundled data plans. But, even with $45 iPhone 3G Enterprise data plans, business users are likely to save more on their voice plans.

See you in line!

Apple's iPhone 3G has again frenzied the world in anticipation for a consumer electronics product launch second to none. With last year's iPhone launch craze in the US (and, to a lesser extent, in Europe), Apple will be hard pressed to one-up itself with the next-generation iPhone 3G's launch on July 11. But, it's not just about showmanship and drama. No, Apple's got bigger plans for the iPhone and how it will affect the global wireless industry.

In-store activations
Let's take a look at Apple's iPhone 3G purchase policies. By now it's a given that Apple and AT&T will be forcing the AT&T iPhone plans upon anyone looking to walk out of an Apple or AT&T retail store with iPhone 3G in hand. That means there are likely going to be significant lines as retail employees struggle to activate mobs of iPhone 3G handsets. But, why is Apple doing this?

As more information starts to trickle out from international iPhone 3G carriers, we're starting to see that the iPhone 3G will be offered with price-tags similar to what we see in the US. The catch is that the US dollar is significantly weaker than the Euro. So, Europeans looking to grab their €149 iPhone 3G will actually be paying the equivalent of about $220 USD. Now, that makes for a seriously attractive US iPhone 3G market for anyone in Europe.

And, therein lies the reasoning behind Apple's insistence that all iPhone 3G handsets be activated in-store. With the original iPhone, a significant percentage of the global iPhone stock was routed in to the grey market. The iPhones were purchased in the US and shipped overseas to be unlocked and used on international GSM networks. While Apple almost welcomed the international grey-market demand with the original iPhone, the next-generation iPhone 3G's surprisingly low price-point in the US could be problematic for overseas carriers.

So, in an effort to completely kill-off any profit incentive for international importers to buy US iPhone 3G handsets and sell them in Europe, Apple has required that the handsets be activated and tied to 2-year contracts before they leave any store. It's a hassle for Americans, but for Apple it's all about the bottom-line.

Changing wireless landscape
Innovative pricing and POS (point-of-sale) strategies are one way that Apple is changing the wireless industry. But, it doesn't end there.

Following the original iPhone's launch, carriers around the world were lining up to get the next-generation iPhone on its own network. And, that left Apple and Steve Jobs in a unique position to make certain demands from carriers. Perhaps at the cost of giving up their lucrative revenue-sharing model, Apple pushed for all iPhone 3G carriers to offer flat-rate data plans - a move that many carriers have resisted for as long as possible. According to Apple Insider's sources, Apple wanted to push the iPhone 3G as more of an internet browsing platform than just a run-of-the-mill smartphone. And so, rather than demand revenue kickbacks, Apple apparently demanded that carriers forgo their more profitable per-unit data plans with unlimited, all-you-can-eat data plans.

The data plans are still more expensive, on average, than their US counterparts, but unlimited data plans are a step in the right direction.

More than just a smartphone
Apple isn't looking to just change the wireless industry views data revenue, but it is also looking to redefine what the iPhone is. By pushing data services like unlimited data plans and bundled WiFi HotSpot access, Apple wants its iPhone-carriers to present the iPhone 3G as a true mobile internet solution.

While many newer smartphones and third-party web browsers offer desktop-like browsing experiences, pricey data plans will keep their use to a minimum for some. By requiring that all iPhones will have access to unlimited data plans, Apple has essentially ensured that every single iPhone on-market will be used to its full potential

So, will the iPhone 3G prove to be the spectacular, industry-changing handset that many believe it will be? Or will Apple's demands for higher-cost specialized services end up hurting sales? We'll have to wait and see. Who's ready to buy and iPhone 3G?

Apple and AT&T's omission of MMS (picture messaging) messaging on the original iPhone was a point of contention for many. While the rest of us were more than happy to email our photos through the iPhone's highly-integrated and intuitive email application, there were those out there that felt burned by Apple's decision to keep MMS off the iPhone.

Now, it seems, Apple and AT&T are getting ready to make sure that the iPhone 3G will have the ability to send those seldom-used MMS messages to other MMS-capable handsets on AT&T's network. An internal AT&T memo list MMS support as a feature of the iPhone 3G.

If true, we could see picture, text, and possibly even video messaging supported on the next-generation iPhone platform. And, considering that AT&T isn't including any free SMS text messages with the iPhone rate plans, we could see AT&T launching a bundled iPhone MMS and SMS text messaging package.

The AT&T memo was confirmed by an AT&T customer service representative. So, consider this a rumor until we know otherwise - what with AT&T customer service reps being known for their accurate knowledge and all.

Note: The image above is not the AT&T iPhone MMS feature. This is a screenshot of a native iPhone application that enables MMS. 

[Via: iPhone Atlas]

Apple's planning to put their iPhone 3G up for sale early in the morning on the handset's global July 11 launch date. Start getting used to waking up early, folks. Apple is reportedly set to open the floodgates to blurry-eyed iPhone 3G hopefuls at 8:00am on the morning of July 11. We're assuming that 8am local time is the launch window to look out for.

This is all rumor at this point, but it makes sense that Apple would kick off the launch day earlier than last year's 6:00 pm launch - what with all the in-store activations likely to make the checkout process significantly more drawn out than with the first iPhone.

[Via: BGR]