It looks like another player has stepped into the “There’s a Map for That” game– Apple is launching new iPhone commercials to combat the ruthless (yet undoubtedly creative) Verizon coverage ads. Unfortunately, the latest round of ads do not feature Luke Wilson—we know, we’re disappointed too—but it does get straight to the heart of the issue by ending each
Tag Archive: Verizon
Verizon Launches Samsung Omnia II Windows Mobile Smartphone
Verizon Wireless has announced the availability of the Samsung Omnia II, a WIndows Mobile 6.5 smartphone that can tie in with corporate messaging systems and run mobile version of Microsoft’s mainstream Office applications—plus it’s got a big touch screen and entertainment features to keep users happy when they’re not being productive.
The Samsung Omnia II features a 3.7-inch WVGA AMOLED touchscreen display, 8 GB of internal memory (plus microSD expandable storage), and a 5 megapixel video-capable digital camera. The Omnia II sports a virtual keyboard with “Swype” technology that’s supposed to enable users to input text more easily with just one finger or a stylus; the Omnia II also includes 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless networking, but lacks an integrated GPS receiver.
AT&T’s Seth Bloom Speaks Out on Verizon’s “Deceptive” Ads
The battle between Verizon wireless and AT&T over Verizon’s ads mocking AT&T’s 3G coverage has been a contentious one. AT&T took Verizon to court claiming the ads deceived the customers. While it lost the first round, being denied an injunction, AT&T will have another chance to plead its case at a December 16 hearing.
AT&T’s public relations representative, Seth Bloom (an employee with Fleischman-Hillard), contacted us, looking to give us his company’s views on the debate. We were happy to get some interesting responses to our questions. Our dialog is given below:
AT&T Gives Verizon a Taste of Their Own Medicine
After losing a request for injunction, AT&T is fighting fire with fire by launching its own personal jab at rival Verizon “There’s a Map for That” Wireless. Although the judge for the ad campaign lawsuit admitted Verizon’s commercials were “sneaky,” he basically handed AT&T a box of tissues and told the company to “walk it off.” Well, they did– looks like AT&T walked themselves right into an abandoned warehouse with Luke Wilson and shot this commercial.
AT&T will have a second chance to argue its case, but as for now, it looks like the ad war is on.
Verizon Tells AT&T That “The Truth Hurts”
AT&T and Verizon, the nation’s second largest and largest telecoms, respectively, are at open war. With Verizon’s new Droid phone looking to challenge the iPhone as the reigning media smartphone, the pair wage battle in the court room over Verizon’s commercials which depict AT&T’s poor 3G coverage.
It has been reported that in some areas, such as New York City, that AT&T’s call drop rates are as high as 30 percent — or that it merely has no 3G service at all. However, AT&T does have broad coverage under its older EDGE network, and it claims that Verizon’s ads are deceptive. AT&T’s argument basically boils down to a claim that the average viewer is fooled to believe that the Verizon commercial’s maps represent total coverage and not 3G coverage — despite several textual and audio clues. Thus it claims the commercials are misleading and damaging.
Saygus VPhone’s Pictures and Details are Revealed Today
You may not have heard of a little company called Saygus or its Droid like smartphone called the VPhone—that’s fine— their new V1 Android phone has been no more than a whisper among the mobile insiders. But today, the volume just got kicked up a notch on the V1 Android chatter. Apparently the Saygus VPhone will be Verizon Wireless’ first Open Development initiative handset and it will be on market sometime next year.
Sprint and Other Investors Give Clearwire $1.5B in Financing
Investors in Clearwire Corp., including Sprint Nextel Corp. and major cable companies, Tuesday said they are pumping an additional $1.5 billion into the company so it can keep building out its nationwide wireless data network.
Sprint, which owns 51 percent of Clearwire, is putting up $1.176 billion. Comcast Corp., the country’s largest cable company, is investing $196 million, and Time Warner Cable Inc. and Bright House Networks are adding $103 million and $19 million, respectively.
Sprint resells Clearwire’s service, based on WiMax technology, in the few markets where it’s already available. Comcast does the same, giving it an opportunity to compete with the wireless data offerings of AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc.
Verizon Prepaid Wireless Plans Coming to Notebooks
Verizon Wireless has unveiled new pre-paid wireless plans for notebook users, whereby customers can pay for mobile data services a day, week, or month at a time with Verizon’s USB760 wireless modem. Verizon hopes that the pre-paid option will appeal to folks who occasionally need mobile data services for the computer, but don’t roam enough to justify the cost of an always-available data plan—for instance, the prepaid plans simplify setting wireless data service during business trips or vacations.
An Android Phone That Can Beat the iPhone
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Android phones are being thrusts into the consumer market from all angles these days. In this podcast, the panel goes into detail on Android phones’ strengths and why these new smartphones are more than just an ‘iPhone wannabe.’ With every Android phone that comes out there is always something unique and new about it. That panel digs deep to predict what Android phone will be the next ‘it’ phone, and what carrier and marketing efforts will be needed for an Android phone to out sell the iPhone.
Studios Launching Epix High-Def Movie Service for FiOS Customers
Major Hollywood studios are getting ready to light up the new Epix online streaming movie service this weekend…but consumers who were hoping Epix might give outlets like Netflix or Hulu a run for their money are bound to be disappointed. For now, Epix will only be available to Verizon FiOS customers as an additional $9.99 charge on top of their current FiOS packages…and in an age of Netflix’s and Hulu’s, why would consumers want to go for that?
