Well, the revolution has begun. The Apple iPhone has been on sale for a few hours. We waited in line for about an hour today and managed to get one of the 4GB models - all of the 8GB models had sold out by the time we got to the front of the queue. Our AT&T store in the local mall received, I estimate, 36 8GB and 12 4GB iPhones. The manager wouldn’t/couldn’t comment on how many units they received, but did tell us when the supplies were running low, allowing me to do a bit of quick math to come up with a reasonable guess.
There was some confusion during the purchase process for many. Kids under 18 needed to have a parent with them, and one poor kid, who’s father was late, had to let others pass him in line as he waited. Another young man was turned down completely when he got to the counter because he wanted to pay with cash and was not an existing AT&T customer. New AT&T customers had to pay with credit cards, the manager told us. We also ran into a problem of our own: there was no credit authorization number on our receipt, as there was to be. But, considering how little time everybody had to prepare, I suppose problems like this are to be expected.
Some people were less lucky than we were. We called a number of AT&T stores before we set out today and found out that some stores did not have any iPhones at all, though they did have a line of people standing outside. Imagine how mad those people were when they found out they had waited in line for the privilege of ordering the phone instead of walking home with one.
But we had a phone, thankfully. We actually activated the iPhone from the parking lot of the mall, thanks to a laptop and a Verizon EV-DO data card. The process was pretty straight forward and took about 6 or 7 minutes from start to end. The only problem we had was that iTunes did not sync my Outlook calendar and contacts, like it claimed it was doing. The bookmarks from my copy of Internet Explorer did copy over, though. I’ll have to sort through this issue later, but by then we were simply anxious to start playing with the phone.
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News
Verizon Wireless announced a partnership with Atlanta-based local content provider Local Solutions Network to launch the new V Cast Video channel Local TV Video, promising subscribers news, weather and sports clips from local television affiliates in close to 50 U.S. markets ranging in size from New York City to Parkersburg, W. Va. Local TV Video is now available in the News section on select V Cast-enabled handsets.
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News
Sending vacation photos over a dial-up Internet connection can seem to take longer than the vacation itself. Verizon is making it easier for families in California to
advance from slow dial-up services to a speedy Verizon broadband connection
before summer vacations get started.
”Nearly 30 million digital cameras were sold in the U.S. last year, and
summer is the season for family photo-taking,” said Dustin Kroeger,
director of consumer marketing for Verizon’s West Coast region. “We’re
making it easier for families to quickly share digital photos and stay more
connected by offering Verizon High Speed Internet service at a special
introductory price. Now families can stop struggling with slow dial-up
service by getting Verizon broadband with connection speeds up to 20 to 50
times faster for a price that’s comparable to, or less than, what they
already pay.”
Qualified Verizon phone customers who sign up for Verizon High Speed
Internet service (based on DSL technology) before June 30 can get a
12-month price of just $14.99 a month for connection speeds up to 768 Kbps
(kilobits per second), whether they subscribe online, call a Verizon
service representative or purchase through one of Verizon’s retail
partners. Or, they can choose a higher-speed service of up to 3 Mbps
(megabits per second) for an introductory price of $19.99 a month for the
first six months when ordered online with an annual service plan.
Verizon High Speed Internet Gives Families More
In addition to faster photo sharing, Verizon High Speed Internet offers
families many advantages over dial-up services, including the ability to be
online and use their phone at the same time, so they no longer miss
important calls while enjoying the Internet. Unlike some Internet services
that are delivered over a network that’s shared by everyone in the
neighborhood, Verizon High Speed Internet comes directly into a customer’s
home on a dedicated line. The service includes an extensive collection of
features and services, all enabled by Verizon’s network that 100 million
people rely on every day. These features include:
* Better online protection with Verizon Internet Security Suite: In one
download, this comprehensive online protection suite provides anti-
spyware, anti-virus, firewall, parental control, pop-up blocker and
privacy manager protection that run continuously behind the scene, as
long as the computer is on. The suite automatically updates every three
hours, for continuous protection against the latest online threats. The
cost is just $4.99 a month for use on up to three household computers.
* Better online gaming from Verizon. Play hundreds of the most popular PC
games for free with Verizon Arcade, or choose from a variety of Verizon
Games on Demand packages, including Family Place, a package that
features more than 400 family-friendly casual games for just $7.99 a
month.
* Better entertainment for kids of all ages with Disney Connection, a
safe, ad-free environment that offers a selection of Disney games,
activities and video, such as full-length episodes of TV shows from
Disney Channel, Toon Disney and Playhouse Disney. Verizon broadband
customers also now benefit from full access to Playhouse Disney
Preschool Time Online and Disney Game Kingdom Online at no additional
charge (a $99 retail value).
* Better news from ABC News Now, an innovative 24/7 news and information
network delivering live video news streams, plus original lifestyle,
news and entertainment programs packaged in insightful, 15-minute shows
for “news snacking.”
* Better sports from ESPN360, the high-speed Internet video service that
gives subscribers exclusive and live sporting events including
basketball, football, wrestling and hockey; behind-the-scenes footage
and interviews; premieres of ESPN Original Entertainment programs; video
games and extended highlights; and unique coverage of big events like
U.S. Open Golf, figure skating, soccer and the XGames.
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News
Verizon is seeking to hire bilingual consumer sales consultants and language-assistant customer representatives to better serve customers who prefer to speak Mandarin.
Successful applicants will help residential and business customers set
up new service, change their service, and recommend services and products
that meet the customers’ specific needs.
Positions are available for four fluent Mandarin speakers. The jobs,
which also require fluent English, are all based in Santa Monica.
Candidates must be available to work flexible hours between 5 a.m. and
6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Wages range from $16.54 to $25.20 per hour,
depending on an applicant’s experience and education. The positions offer
an excellent benefits package including paid training; company-paid
medical, dental and life insurance; retirement package; tuition
reimbursement; and a generous incentives program.
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News
Prince is letting Verizon Wireless subscribers download his new single, Guitar, for free. The mobile carrier hopes the Prince tie-in will bring added attention to its VCast Song ID feature. The Verizon service lets users’ music-enabled phones capture information about a song that’s playing over-the-air, then buy either the Ringtone, Ringback tone or full-track song. To get the Prince single, which is part of promotion for his forthcoming album Planet Earth, Verizon subscribers are directed to Verizon Wireless’.
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News
When three-time Latin Grammy Award winner Calle 13 hit the stage in New York City this week to introduce their latest SONY BMG album “Residente o Vistitante”, fans enjoyed more than just vibrant Latin hip hop music. Verizon Wireless, a major sponsor of
SONY BMG’s 2007 Latin Album Release Series and a recognized leader for its
commitment to preventing domestic violence, donated $5,000 to Sanctuary for
Families, offering integrated legal, clinical, shelter and economic
stability services exclusively to domestic violence victims in all five
boroughs of New York City.
The $5,000 HopeLine(R) grant was Verizon Wireless’ second in a series
of five earmarked for New York area domestic violence organizations in
conjunction with the SONY BMG Latin Album Series. The first SONY BMG
HopeLine donation came in February, when Mexican-based pop rock band La
Quinta Estacion launched its third album. Other SONY BMG artists in the
series who will join with Verizon Wireless to present HopeLine grants are
Jennifer Lopez in June, Alejandra Guzman in August and Alejandro Fernandez
in September.
“The SONY BMG album release series presents a perfect opportunity to
marry our Latino marketing efforts with our HopeLine community service
program,” said Rob Davis, associate director of marketing for the company’s
New York Metro region. “It is our hope that high profile events like these
will help us remove the shroud of silence surrounding domestic violence,
especially as it impacts the young people who follow these artists.”
Guests invited to each of the release parties are encouraged to bring
old, no-longer used wireless phones, batteries and accessories for donation
to the company’s HopeLine wireless phone recycling program. HopeLine
collects wireless phones and accessories from any wireless service
provider, and then refurbishes the phones or recycles them in an
environmentally sound manner.
Verizon Wireless was the first wireless carrier in the nation to
collect and recycle old cell phones and has done so since January 1999 –
first in New York and then across the U.S. Wireless phone donations
continue to be accepted at all Verizon Wireless Communications Store
locations in New York City, throughout the New York Metro area and across
the country.
Sanctuary for Families, the largest such agency in New York, is
committed to reaching out to the most underserved communities including the
City’s immigrant population. Because a large percentage of clients are
Latina, Sanctuary provides domestic violence victims and their children
with all direct services in Spanish. Spanish-language support groups offer
clients the opportunity to share experiences and gain strength from each
other.
“All of us at Sanctuary are enormously grateful for the commitment that
Verizon Wireless has made to domestic violence victims through its HopeLine
program,” said Laurel W. Eisner, Sanctuary’s Executive Director. “It has
truly been a lifeline for many victims, allowing them to get the help they
need and to feel less alone.”
Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program has collected more than 3.5 million
wireless phones, and given more than $3 million in cash grants and nearly
40,000 phones to domestic violence prevention organizations. Local HopeLine
grants include $120,000 already donated to the New York City Family Justice
Center Initiative.
“Each of us can have an impact on someone’s life,” Davis said.
“Donating an old, unused cell phone is a simple act but it can help provide
support to victims who all too often suffer in silence.”
In addition to a successful phone recycling program and funding for
non-profit domestic violence organizations, HopeLine includes free wireless
service and voice mailboxes for survivors, community and corporate
awareness initiatives, and a bilingual “Invest in Yourself” program
designed to help survivors re-enter the workforce.
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News
CheckFreePay(TM), a business unit of CheckFree Corporation (NASDAQ:CKFR), and Verizon Wireless today announced that Verizon Wireless customers may now pay their bills and add minutes to prepay plans at more than 11,000 CheckFreePay walk-in locations across the country.
Verizon Wireless customers with both traditional and prepay service plans can now take advantage of the convenience of CheckFreePay’s walk-in locations. Traditional wireless account holders can immediately pay their phone bills using cash at CheckFreePay sites, a new feature for these subscribers. CheckFreePay converts the cash payment to an electronic transaction that quickly and securely updates the customer’s account in real time, providing consumers continued access to the nation’s most reliable wireless network.
For Verizon Wireless prepay customers, adding minutes has never been easier. CheckFreePay gives users of Prepay, INpulse and EasyPay Plans, which require no long-term contract or deposit, the flexibility to pay for additional minutes in person. Minutes are instantly added to the account without the need for an account number, calling the IVR or using a PIN.
“Offering walk-in payments through CheckFreePay is another way that Verizon Wireless is enhancing our customers’ wireless experience,” said Paul D’Auria, Executive Director and Treasurer, Verizon Wireless. “CheckFreePay provides a real-time cash transaction, giving Verizon Wireless customers the ability to pay their bills right up to the due date, or replenish their wireless minutes while on the go. In addition, customers walk out with a receipt as proof of payment.”
The CheckFreePay network is a convenient new option, in addition to how customers are able to pay and replenish minutes with Verizon Wireless directly. Direct options include walk-in kiosks located at Verizon Wireless stores, the customer’s handset (dial *611) or through an interactive voice response (IVR) system (call 1-800-922-0204).
“Verizon Wireless is helping customers manage their busy lifestyles by making it as simple and convenient as possible for customers to pay their bills or purchase minutes at CheckFreePay agent locations,” said Steve LaBella, Vice President, Agent Business Unit Executive, CheckFreePay.
CheckFreePay powers consumer in-person payments at more than 11,000 agent sites located in check cashing, retail and grocery stores. According to Aite Group, an industry analyst firm, consumers make hundreds of millions of walk-in payments each year. Consumers pay utility, credit card, wireless and other bills in-person, often using cash.
By partnering with CheckFreePay, Verizon Wireless is expanding its relationship with CheckFree. More than 60 million customers already have the opportunity to receive and pay Verizon Wireless e-bills through the more than 2,000 leading financial institutions that offer CheckFree’s electronic billing and payment services online.
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News
Verizon Business audio-conferencing services now are available in significantly more locations globally, under an expansion of country and local city access points
announced Wednesday (May 30).
A leading provider of audio, Web and video-conferencing services,
Verizon Business has added country access points in Latin America and
Eastern Europe, complementing city access points recently rolled out in
France and the United Kingdom. Multinational corporations using Verizon
Business’ global conferencing facilities in more major global business
centers are therefore able to realize cost efficiencies by accessing audio
meetings through local dial-in numbers.
In addition, Verizon Business has also announced direct IP Access to
its Instant Meeting audio conferencing services for Verizon Private IP
customers. These customers already benefit from access to Verizon Video
Conferencing. With IP Access to Audio Instant Meeting, customers with a
Verizon Private IP network in place can now further leverage their existing
IP infrastructure to enhance their global collaboration capabilities. By
utilizing existing corporate bandwidth to support their conferencing needs,
customers are able to minimize the need for additional PSTN access charges.
For multinational companies with widely geographically dispersed
workforces, this can offer a significant cost benefit.
Verizon Business’ audio conferencing services, built on the company’s
expansive global IP network, offer customers a high-quality, simple means
of collaborating around the world. Customer calls are routed through local
access points to provide customers with a cost-effective means of improving
communication and productivity in globally dispersed teams. Millions of
audio conference meetings are currently held per month using Verizon
Business solutions.
The countries added in this access point expansion are Chile, Colombia,
Mexico, Panama, Slovakia, Uruguay and Venezuela. Local city access numbers
have been established in Marseilles and Lyon in France in addition to
Paris, and Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds and Manchester in the United
Kingdom in addition to London. Verizon Business therefore now provides its
substantial base of global subscribers with access to 74 points of access
from which to join a conference call. All access points are available to
customers with an existing global access subscription to Verizon audio
conferencing solutions.
“For any multinational corporation, the ability to collaborate cost
effectively across globally dispersed operations is key,” said Roberta
Mackintosh, director, international products, Verizon Business. “Our audio
conferencing solution, part of our integrated conferencing portfolio, is
already part of everyday business life for many global companies. By
expanding local access points, we are ensuring that we continue to support
our customers’ productivity and cost efficiency objectives as they support
their own customers around the world.”
Verizon Business sponsored a Frost & Sullivan study in 2006, “Meetings
Around the World: The Impact of Collaboration on Business Performance,”
that determined that collaboration is a key driver of business performance.
The study — which defined collaboration as an interaction between culture
and technology such as audio and net conferencing, e-mail and instant
messaging — also found that professionals around the world see their
collaborative efforts as highly productive and believe that collaboration
through communications technologies can provide a competitive advantage.
Full details of the paper can be found at
newscenter.verizon.com/kit/collaboration.
Mackintosh continued: “The ‘Meetings Around the World’ study
demonstrated the benefits companies can achieve through collaboration
solutions. As integrated IP communications moves up the agenda for our
global customers, we will continue to harness the latest collaborative
technology to enhance teamwork and break down geographical boundaries.”
With more than 30 years’ experience delivering conferencing services,
Verizon Business is a pioneer in the conferencing industry. The company
offers the convenience of one-stop shopping and a wide range of global
customised products and services, including audio, video and net conference
services, IP- based services and some of the most advanced meeting tools
available today.
About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a
leading provider of advanced communications and information technology (IT)
solutions to large business and government customers worldwide. Combining
unsurpassed global network reach with advanced technology and professional
service capabilities, Verizon Business delivers innovative and seamless
business solutions to customers around the world.
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News
Verizon Wireless, operatorof the nation’s most reliable wireless network, announced the first GlobalCDMA/GSM BlackBerry(R) is available in Verizon Wireless Communications
Stores today.
Verizon Wireless’ new Global BlackBerry service, an
“always-on, always connected” wireless e-mail solution is also available,
providing quick, easy access to e-mail, contacts, calendar, organizer and
the Web while on-the-go. With the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone
and Global BlackBerry service from Verizon Wireless, customers get wireless
e-mail and the convenience of one local number for domestic and
international use in Australia, Europe, parts of Africa, Asia, Latin
America, the Middle East and North America.
Verizon Wireless’ new Global BlackBerry service allows customers to
place and receive voice calls from more than 160 countries and send and
receive e-mails in the United States, Canada, Mexico and more than 90
countries worldwide. With Global BlackBerry service, Verizon Wireless
customers receive the Global Support Pack, which includes a SIM card, a
user reference guide and details on accessing the Global Help Desk for
24-hour customer support, seven days a week. Customers also receive a
calling card for free support calls while traveling outside of the U.S.
from any landline phone to technical support if the BlackBerry 8830 is
lost, broken or stolen.
Features and Pricing for the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition Smartphone
and Global BlackBerry Service
The new BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone packs the latest
features into a stylish global device and offers the following capabilities
and features:
* EV-DO/GPRS network connection for high-speed data transfer in more than
90 countries
* GSM/GPRS (900/1800 MHz) for continued voice and e-mail while traveling
internationally
* Auto-selection of CDMA/GSM Mode
* Thin form factor of just 14mm for both style and easy handling
* New Trackball navigation system
* Media player
* Expandable memory option with microSD(TM) card (sold separately)
* Speakerphone
* Bluetooth(R) capabilities for certain profiles inclusive of hands-free,
dial-up networking and serial port
* Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing
(VAD)
* Instant Messaging capabilities for quick and easy communication
The BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone is available today in
Verizon Wireless Communications Stores for $299.99 after a $100 rebate with
a new two- year customer agreement. An additional $100 credit toward the
purchase of the device is available for customers who sign up for
qualifying voice and data plans at the time of purchase.
Customers signing up for Global BlackBerry service will get unlimited
e-mail in the United States, Canada and more than 90 countries worldwide
for $64.99 monthly access with a qualifying voice plan, or for $69.99
monthly access without a voice plan. Customers can also add a “Pay As You
Go” data feature to any qualifying voice plan for an additional $20 per
Megabyte. Customers wanting to use the BlackBerry 8830 for e-mail solely in
the U.S. may opt for an unlimited e-mail plan beginning at $49.99 monthly
access.
Wireless Mobile Telecom Wireless News
Hands-On With Apple’s iPhone
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