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Gadgets AT&T's New Androids, Windows Phone 7 Handsets, and BlackBerries Leak
Jason Mick (Blog) - September 14, 2010 7:43 AM

13 comment(s) - last by PrezWeezy.. on Sep 15 at 1:14 PM

The Samsung Cetus is reportedly one of three Windows Phone 7 handsets that will available at AT&T when the new smart phone OS launches in October. (Source: Engadget)

AT&T is reportedly going to become the third major U.S. carrier to be readying a Galaxy Tab for launch. (Source: Engadget)

AT&T also will reportedly air three limited edition colored BlackBerry Torches in time for the holidays. (Source: Engadget)

AT&T appears to be serious about its claims to be the "premier" Windows Phone provider

Info on a slew of incoming handsets and a popular tablet/mobile-internet-device has leaked from AT&T to gadget blog Engadget.

First on the agenda is the hot Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet/mobile-internet-device (MID). Packing a 1 GHz Hummingbird processor and some sweet specs into a 7-inch package, the device looks to be one of the top Android tablet options in the near future. The device has already been confirmed for Sprint (3G/4G) and Verizon (3G only). Now, leaked snapshots of an AT&T branded Tab confirm that the device is headed to Ma Bell.

What's more the Tab will be joined by three other new Android devices, reportedly, all of which will launch "prior to December." There's no telling whether these other devices are tablets or smartphones. The latter seems more likely, though, given that most prospective Android tablets (like Motorola's Android design) are expected to hit in Q1 2011, when Android 3.0 "Gingerbread"pops up.

Moving along to Windows Phone 7, AT&T is apparently taking its promise to be the "premier" Windows Phone 7 carrier very seriously. With the new smartphone OS rumored to launch October 11, AT&T is reportedly readying as many as three WP7 handsets in time for launch, and will launch three more during the holiday season.

Of the rumored launch products there's a Samsung Cetus (i917). The handset looks somewhat like a Palm Pre with a glossy case, but there's no indication that it's a slider. About the only thing currently known is that the phone will pack one of Samsung's attractive 4-inch AMOLED screens, like the screen on the Galaxy Tab.

Also incoming is another Samsung set called the "Focus" and an HTC model called the "Surround". With six total high-end handsets landing, it seems clear that AT&T is working to make good on its WP7 promises.

Rounding out the leak, AT&T is apparently showing some love for those loyal customers who are staying on the BlackBerry boat. The carrier is sprucing up its $199 (with contract) BlackBerry Torch 9800 slider. The slider, which sports BlackBerry 6.0 OS, will get three limited edition color schemes in "mid to late November". The schemes will reportedly be an all-white version, a positively Droid-esque red / black model, and an olive-colored edition.

With a deluge of new smartphone products from non-fruity companies incoming, it's clear that AT&T isn't losing any sleep about the possibly upcoming loss of iPhone exclusivity.

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Yeah, 'premiere'

By mcnabney on 9/14/2010 10:27:49 AM , Rating: 1

First, does anyone else think that the Blackberry Torch looks a whole-lot like the old HTC/Audiovox 6600?

Second, won't all of the carriers have a whole buch of stuff for the Holiday season? I have read that Verizon will have five or six more Android devices, several Win7 phones, a couple Blackberrys, and two or three different tablets. Sprint has almost as much stuff in the pipe.

Third, seems like a bad idea of AT&T to invest in so many different Win7 devices at the same time. I'm not entirely sure there is even a market for Microsoft anymore. Android has claimed the 'not Apple' Smartphone market and most people who might consider a Windows offering have horrible memories of 5,6, and 6.5. And I don't think that the Zune faithful will be able to deliver much. There are only a couple dozen of them to begin with....

RE: Yeah, 'premiere'

By jordanclock on 9/14/2010 11:41:46 AM , Rating: 3

As a Windows Mobile 6 user, I can assure you that some of us don't have horrible memories. We're still suffering through the abuse.

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RE: Yeah, 'premiere'

By Tony Swash on 9/14/2010 12:08:50 PM , Rating: 1

quote:
As a Windows Mobile 6 user, I can assure you that some of us don't have horrible memories. We're still suffering through the abuse.

Would that be self abuse :)

Sorry that was childish but I just couldn't resist it.

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RE: Yeah, 'premiere'

By mcnabney on 9/14/2010 12:08:36 PM , Rating: 2

As an employee of the wireless industry I apologize for whomever tricked you into buying that.

You should take the device with you when you visit one of your providers stores. Show it to them and comiserate. They will probably get you into a nice Android device on the spot with an extra discount for having to live with WinMo6 for so long.

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RE: Yeah, 'premiere'

By PrezWeezy on 9/14/2010 1:19:29 PM , Rating: 3

You are forgetting the way consumers buy phones. They go down to the store, pick up several different phones, and play with them. Whichever one they like more they buy. If Microsoft can get enough peoople to love the phone in 30 seconds, they have a good shot. Android is very intimidating to get into when you first pick it up. Microsoft's very clean UI may have a very good chance of getting people to take a shot. I say, if they don't screw it up, they have a good chance.

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RE: Yeah, 'premiere'

By Alexstarfire on 9/14/2010 2:27:45 PM , Rating: 2

Intimidating? What's intimidating about it?

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RE: Yeah, 'premiere'

By PrezWeezy on 9/15/2010 1:14:37 PM , Rating: 2

I find it to be very cluttered looking. My clients see the clutter as a bunch of stuff that they don't know what it does. After a few minutes showing them how to use it, they seem to be able to get into it and figure it out; but the initial reaction seems to be "ok, now what do I do to use it?"
I understand for tech minded people we just natually pick things up and try them, which makes it easy to figure out. But many consumers don't have that same compulsory need. A good deal of consumers rather are afraid to break it. So if it's not obvious what the next step is (which is why Windows NT used to have an arrow that said "Click here to start" pointing at the Start menu) they don't want to mess with it.

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RE: Yeah, 'premiere'

By FITCamaro on 9/14/2010 4:14:30 PM , Rating: 2

I'm looking at possibly getting a Windows mobile 7 phone in a year or so. I like the ideaof integration with Xbox Live. Beyond that as long as calling, the internet, etc work as well as on Android then it meets my needs. Of course I'm looking at writing an android app so the need to maintain it would maybe keep me on android.

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Cetus?

By ranger203 on 9/14/2010 10:42:03 AM , Rating: 3

Who names a phone Cetus? Sounds terrible! Why not something cool like "Sevn", and capitalize on the Windows 7 success. Jeez, AT&T is the most boring Mobile provider on the planet. God I loathe U AT&T. I want my Win7 Phone that doesn't rhyme with Fetus!

-Hopefully I will become an ex 3GS User

RE: Cetus?

By immortalsly on 9/14/2010 11:12:49 AM , Rating: 2

Not only that, but Cetus is the name of a Greek sea monster, aka The Whale. Guess the marketing people couldn't find a more suitable name of all the Greek names out there.

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