It seems that AT&T is really anxious to get their hands on whoever damaged a bunch of fiber optic cables in California. Just earlier today that we learned they would be giving out a $100,000 reward for anyone who had information leading the rest of said individual(s).

Well, they have recently released a statement detailing their intentions to increase that reward a full $150,000 to $250,000. The increase comes after AT&T discovered the “full scope of the vandalism”.

Have some info and want to jump on this hefty reward?

You can submit tips using any of the following methods:

– San Jose Police Department at 408-277-4161 (ask for Detective Carlos
Melo or Detective Dan Phelan)
– San Carlos Police Department at 650-802-4423
– Anonymous tips for either incident can be made to CrimeStoppers at
408-947-STOP.

AT&T tried to change it’s terms of service and add new rules regarding video streaming and p2p activity but it looks like the company is not really going to enforce those bans on video streaming and p2p activities. In fact it has decided to apologize and retract the new terms of service. Here’s what they had to say:

The language added on March 30 to AT&T’s wireless data service Terms and Conditions was done in error. It was brought to our attention and we have since removed it. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Another AT&T human error then! Will the new rules be added in the future?

Just in time for Spring, AT&T is making sure that the growing number of mobile subscribers will be covered. AT&T today announced a fresh new lineup of smartphones and quick messaging phones that make it easier for customers to message with friends and family and manage their business and personal lives on-the-go.

Arriving in AT&T stores and online at www.wireless.att.com in the coming weeks, these integrated devices add to AT&T’s leading mobile phone portfolio.

In the smartphone category, AT&T debuted the Nokia E71x and the Samsung Propel Pro, two stylish smartphones that inspire fun, while delivering serious functionality. In addition, the Samsung Impression and Samsung Magnet, and LG Xenon and Neon emerge to the lead AT&T’s lineup of quick messaging phones and expands the number of full-keyboard mobile phones in AT&T’s lineup to seven.

• For the Nokia E71x, pay $149.99 and after mail-in rebate, receive $50 AT&T promotion card.
• For the Samsung Propel Pro pay $199.99 and after mail-in rebate, receive $50 AT&T promotion card.
• For the Samsung Impression pay $249.99 and after mail-in rebate, receive $50 AT&T promotion card.
• For the LG Xenon pay $149.99 and after mail-in rebate, receive $50 AT&T promotion card.

A two-year service agreement is also required. AT&T promotion card valid wherever major credit cards are accepted and for 120 days after issue date. May be used to pay wireless bill. Not redeemable for cash and cannot be used for cash withdrawal at ATMs or at automated gas pumps.

While we had recently gotten word that the Samsung Propel Pro would hit AT&T March 19th, new announcements confirm that it will instead ship in April for about $150.

The Propel Pro sports a design not common to the current handset market, it has a slideout QWERTY keyboard along with a small joystick used as a pointing device. This compares with things like the Blackberry’s trackball, you get the idea. Read the rest of this entry »

AT&T will finally launch that LG Xenon which we were waiting to arrive before Christmas. Pictures of the device have started to appear here and there around the Internet and the release is imminent. We’re looking at an April 9 launch according to AT&T.

The phone will come with a new OS, said to be similar to Smasung’s TouchWiz UI. Besides that, here’s what else you should expect from it:

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
• Dual-band UMTS/HSDPA (850MHz/2100MHz)
• 950 mAh battery
• 105.5mm x 53.5mm x 15.8mm
• 240×480 2.8″ LCD
• 3 megapixel FF + VGA (VT)
• 100MB of memory with microSD support up to 16GB
• Bluetooth 2.0
• USB 2.0
• Wi-Fi
• EMP U330 Lite Chipset

Will you buy one or are you still waiting for something else.

The BlackBerry Bold is available for free from AT&T. All you need to do is to get one that’s refurbished and a new 2-year contract. The phone was available before for $299.99 if new and $199.99 if refurbished. The new deal will help you save a few bucks but it will still tie you to AT&T for a couple of years. The deal is available for online purchases and after today you might not be able to get it. So hurry and act on it if it sounds interesting enough to you. On the other hand, the BlackBerry 9630 Niagara is on the way so you might be better off waiting for the new smartphone to arrive.

We’ve been hearing lots and lots of rumors about the new iPhone and today we have some confirmed facts regarding the handset. Here’s what we know so far from AT&T:

New iPhone announcement around mid-June

New iPhone will be faster and have a more seamless experience unmatched by any device

U-Verse iPhone application; will allow control of your home DVR

The annual iPhone launch is “becoming a tradition.”

Nothing official is being confirmed, but they said that people should prep for an exciting time this summer.

AT&T is said to be working with Apple to create a unified product with an unparalleled experience across all their products and services.

Apple’s 3.0 software should tell us where the iPhone platform is going.

They said customers shouldn’t need to choose from AT&T’s high-end devices because of features, they should choose based on preferences. The gap in capability should be filled with the new iPhone.

Seems like the higher speed HSDPA (7.2Mbps) is being hinted at too which should confirm the earlier rumors of the new Infineon chipset.

The $99 3G netbook will start selling this summer, and the first one won’t be a Windows OS.

What do you think? Are you anxious to get the new iPhone?

A new Nokia smartphone will be found in AT&T stores starting with March 24 almost as previously expected. The E71/E71x will be sold for $199 with a 2-year contract. The phone will arrive in black from AT&T and you should go to Nokia stores if you want it in a different color. While the E71 is a great smartphone, is it worth investing $199 in it considering that better smartphones are going to arrive shortly?