May 21st - The Day I quit AT&T - No Android Phones!!!

[SMACN]

So my contract commitment ends on May 21st, and I am pretty much done with AT&T.  After 12 years as a loyal customer, I just can't stand the lack of decent choices for smartphones. 

I had my heart set on the Dell Streak (still think it looks like an amazing device), but aft 8 months of hype, it seems no closer to a release on AT&T--further in fact since it has also been approved by the FCC for T-Mobile.

I'm going to head over to Verizon and see if I can get a deal on an HTC Incredible.  Anybody else sick of waiting around for something other than an iPhone?

[BrianfromNO]

Did AT&T ever report they were going to carry the Streak, which BTW is less a phone than a Mobile Internet Device (MID)?  Let's be clear, this isn't exactly an easily pocketable device.  If you're going by unsubstantiated rumor sites, then you will be disappointed.

[SMACN]

Did ATT put out a press release? No.  Did Mike Dell state that is was going to ATT?  Yes.  Did Dell make an FCC filing to operate at ATT frequencies?  Yes.  Why Dell choose the one carrier with the most to gain by wrecking their device, I have no idea.

As for the rest of your ill-informed opinion--it is just that, opinion.  The Streak is most certainly a phone (I use a bluetooth headset almost exclusively these days), and will fit in any jacket pocket easily.  It looks to be a terrific device, but I'm just done with ATTs laggardly ways.

[elijahblake]

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SMACN wrote:

Did ATT put out a press release? No.  Did Mike Dell state that is was going to ATT?  Yes.  Did Dell make an FCC filing to operate at ATT frequencies?  Yes.  Why Dell choose the one carrier with the most to gain by wrecking their device, I have no idea.

As for the rest of your ill-informed opinion--it is just that, opinion.  The Streak is most certainly a phone (I use a bluetooth headset almost exclusively these days), and will fit in any jacket pocket easily.  It looks to be a terrific device, but I'm just done with ATTs laggardly ways.

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I feel your pain.  I'm waiting to see what cellular south (regional provider) has coming out this summer.  They supposedly are releasing some new Android devices.  If I'm going to switch to CMDA/EVDO then i might as well switch to one that will save me about $30/month...   they have unlimited smart phone plans for $69/month

[Theojt]

I'll probably leave also.  I have no desire for an iPhone and the Galaxy S (or other high-end Android phones) are no where in sight on ATT.  Vz starting to look good....

[SMACN]

Apple confirmed yesterday that ATT has exclusive rights to the iPhone through 2012. As far as I can tell, ATT has no desire to offer competitive high-end smart phones until they are done exploiting that "advantage." What a limited and, ultimately, self-destructive strategy. I had an iPhone for a couple months, and I'm just not that impressed--plus I am NOT a fan of Apple's attitude towards it's customers.

[jstiles24]

I've been pining for the Dell Streak/Mini 5 since I first saw it. I was also seriously considering the LG Expo at one time, but AT&T released it, then pulled it, then quietly put it back on their site, then discontinued it, then made it available again!

I think AT&T's problem rests mostly with their business alliance agreements. Look at the iPhone for instance. They wouldn't release anything that would seriously compete with the iPhone due to their commitments with Apple. Same thing now with the Dell Aero - they won't release it because they're so in bed with Motorola with the Backflip.

They need to start paying more attention to the commitment to their customers instead of their business alliances or they're not going to have anyone to sell to!

[SMACN]

I've got another tab in the browser open, and I am looking at Verizon offering "buy 1 get 1 free" on the Droid---see ATT, THAT is how you entice customers!

[BrianfromNO]

Well, Dell has to make an FCC filing even if they want to sell this thing unlocked, as Google is doing with the Nexus One.  And they'd have to make a separate FCC filing for a T-Mobile 3G-enabled model, since AT&T and T-Mobile 3G bands require different hardware.

Don't like being smacked with the truth?  Look at any gadget blog, and see what they're calling this device.  Phone?  Nope.  Tablet?  Yep.  MID?  Yep.

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SMACN wrote:

Did ATT put out a press release? No.  Did Mike Dell state that is was going to ATT?  Yes.  Did Dell make an FCC filing to operate at ATT frequencies?  Yes.  Why Dell choose the one carrier with the most to gain by wrecking their device, I have no idea.

As for the rest of your ill-informed opinion--it is just that, opinion.  The Streak is most certainly a phone (I use a bluetooth headset almost exclusively these days), and will fit in any jacket pocket easily.  It looks to be a terrific device, but I'm just done with ATTs laggardly ways.

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[jstiles24]

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BrianfromNO wrote:

Well, Dell has to make an FCC filing even if they want to sell this thing unlocked, as Google is doing with the Nexus One.  And they'd have to make a separate FCC filing for a T-Mobile 3G-enabled model, since AT&T and T-Mobile 3G bands require different hardware.

Don't like being smacked with the truth?  Look at any gadget blog, and see what they're calling this device.  Phone?  Nope.  Tablet?  Yep.  MID?  Yep.

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Uh...Nobody argued what the device was, we know it's a MID - but it DOES have 3G capability ALSO making it a viable phone. And if you read the blogs as much as you would have us believe, you'd have seen that Dell did submit it for FCC approval on T-Mobile's band around the April 19th timeframe. {Keep it courteous} How's that for being smacked with the truth?

[izzykareem]

I'm still on contract for awhile, but after watching Google's I/O conference this morning, the next version of Android - Froyo 2.2 - is gonna make iPhone users really question whose got the best phone and software.  And all of that makes me ask:  Is AT&T THAT stupid?  All the money they made off iPhone is now going to go down the toilet to Verizon and Sprint who i really commend for looking out for the latest and greatest.  The same thing that killed off Apple the first time around, exclusivity and overpriced crap, is going to do it again.

It may take them 4-5 years to actually get a win7 phone.

The dell streak needs to be friggin announced so that I'm not tempted to just pay my ETF, it's that frustrating.

[amunet]

I too am dissapointed with the selection of non-iphone phones.  And am thinking of switching to Verizon when my contract ends.

I was excited when ATT said they were releasing android phones, and am still hoping some of the rumored ones are released soon.

[androphan]

I agree whole heartedly. Whose running this friggin company?!? Why don't you just change the name to crApple Wireless. I know of six people where I work (I'm in IT) that have already left At&t because there is no android support. If it wasn't for being on a share plan with my wife I would have already switched to Verizon for the Droid Incredible.

With the iCrap 4 coming out and the exclusivity contact with crApple reportedly until 2012 don't expect any Android love from At&t anytime soon. Even if and when At&t decides to start supporting Android the devices are going to be so crippled, just like the Motorola Backflop (remove Google apps, don't allow external app installation, and At&t releases OS updates instead of Google), that nobody is going to want them.

Wake up At&t people are growing tired of crApple iCrap. Where's the Android? Where's the HTC Desire, the Samsung Galaxy S, the Dell Aero (mini 3), and the Dell Streak (mini 5)?!? And how about releasing it without crippling the device like every other decent carrier out there!

[jdelgado89]

I am in the same boat has you guys, I am waiting for my contract to end to I can move to Verizon or T-Mobile and get an HTC Incredible or another HTC.  I am afraid that AT&T maybe holding off of releasing android phones since they will have the iphone 4 sometime in the summer.

I wish that AT&T were more open informing customers and not just saying we will have some later on the year and keep you wondering.

Thanks

jdelgado89

[dps33]

There are 5 new Android phones announced for AT&T by end of June. Specially, I am looking forward to is Samsung Galaxy S phone. I hope they keep the dates.

[quetzalcoatl]

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dps33 wrote:

There are 5 new Android phones announced for AT&T by end of June. Specially, I am looking forward to is Samsung Galaxy S phone. I hope they keep the dates.

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No they said they will launch 5 android handsets. And that is the word that is used in the cell phone industry for a phone being avail to purchase. AT&T even just used it last week on the new Palms when they said they were lanuching on May 16. Now do you really think they will launch 4 new android phones in the next 40 days including atleast 1 HTC exclusive one? Which is part of the android page on this site.

[VydorScope]

I gave up on AT$T getting any decent phone and purchase the Nexus one on AT$T bands. And I am loving it so far.... 

[RicoLX]

Hey don't quit just yet!!! They're beginning to roll out some good androids on ATT.

Check out HTC Aria:http://www.phonedog.com/2010/05/24/android-2-1-powered-htc-aria-coming-to-at-t/

[kissyfacemommy]

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SMACN wrote:
Apple confirmed yesterday that ATT has exclusive rights to the iPhone through 2012. As far as I can tell, ATT has no desire to offer competitive high-end smart phones until they are done exploiting that "advantage." What a limited and, ultimately, self-destructive strategy. I had an iPhone for a couple months, and I'm just not that impressed--plus I am NOT a fan of Apple's attitude towards it's customers.

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amen!!

[mystery45]

I wish att would just put the new phones on the market already, but no they are waiting on the apple news conference.  this is what is going to kill att when apple no longer makes them the exlcusive carrier for iphone.  i have seen reports that verizon has been trying to get apple to release the iphone on their network as well.

given that verizon is so far ahead of att as far as handsets go with the iphone going there att is going to be left in the dust. 

i wouldn't look for any new phone releases from att till several months after the iphone v4 is out on the market.

me and the wife saw the incredible commercial and we were like att phones just suck.  i don't have a contract with att anymore but my wife does.

[BrianfromNO]

Surely you jest.  Froyo will just be a bit more polish on a platform that still has some substantial holes, most notably in corporate computing.

Have you seen the latest numbers?  It doesn't look like anyone is really making any substantial gains on AT&T.  The major reason Verizon is bigger is because of the Alltel acquisition.

Windows 7 phones will be here later this year/early next, provided (and that's a big if) Microsoft ships the OS on time.

In case you hadn't noticed, Apple just moved past Microsoft in terms of market capitalization.  Only Exxon is larger than Apple in terms of American companies & market cap.  What does that mean?  Apple is a very profitable company.

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izzykareem wrote:

I'm still on contract for awhile, but after watching Google's I/O conference this morning, the next version of Android - Froyo 2.2 - is gonna make iPhone users really question whose got the best phone and software.  And all of that makes me ask:  Is AT&T THAT stupid?  All the money they made off iPhone is now going to go down the toilet to Verizon and Sprint who i really commend for looking out for the latest and greatest.  The same thing that killed off Apple the first time around, exclusivity and overpriced crap, is going to do it again.

It may take them 4-5 years to actually get a win7 phone.

The dell streak needs to be friggin announced so that I'm not tempted to just pay my ETF, it's that frustrating.

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[BrianfromNO]

I wouldn't call anything the size of the streak a "viable" phone.  Maybe those server room types who like having a paperweight hanging off their belts would consider it so, but I & many others don't want a device that isn't easily pocketable.

I think I can speak for a broad segment of people when I say that I find the conspiracy theorist Android fanboys hysterical.  AT&T isn't releasing a better phone because of the iPhone?  AT&T is purposefully "crippling" Android phones so they can't compete?  AT&T and fooshball are the devil (for the Waterboy fans out there)?  Are you being serious?  I'm surprised at how open Verizon Android phones are, given their history of crippling phones and nickle & diming their customers to death.  The only explanation I can come up for this is that Verizon needed to do something drastic to entice customers not to leave the carrier for the greener pastures of other carriers.  The Droid still isn't outselling the iPhone, and VZW is all but giving it away.

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jstiles24 wrote:

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BrianfromNO wrote:

Well, Dell has to make an FCC filing even if they want to sell this thing unlocked, as Google is doing with the Nexus One.  And they'd have to make a separate FCC filing for a T-Mobile 3G-enabled model, since AT&T and T-Mobile 3G bands require different hardware.

Don't like being smacked with the truth?  Look at any gadget blog, and see what they're calling this device.  Phone?  Nope.  Tablet?  Yep.  MID?  Yep.

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Uh...Nobody argued what the device was, we know it's a MID - but it DOES have 3G capability ALSO making it a viable phone. And if you read the blogs as much as you would have us believe, you'd have seen that Dell did submit it for FCC approval on T-Mobile's band around the April 19th timeframe. {Keep it courteous} How's that for being smacked with the truth?

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[SMACN]

{Please keep it courteous}

Either way--I start with Verizon and an Incredible on 6/15.  The news about the new tiered pricing plans simply makes me feel even more secure in that decision.

{Please keep it courteous}