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AT&T is testing a new program designed to reward and retain customers through a series of potentially tempting perks.

Known as AT&T Plus, the program would offer a "preferential" customer support number, waived upgrade fees, waived activation fees on a second line, and 25 percent off non-Apple accessories, according to a report from The Verge.

Citing AT&T documentation from an unnamed source, The Verge report noted that the service is just starting to roll out to customers in Colorado, Minnesota, and Texas that "meet (as yet) unknown criteria."

Someone posting … Read more

When AT&T slowed down Matt Spaccarelli's unlimited data plan on his iPhone, the unemployed truck driver from Simi Valley, Calif. took the country's largest phone company to court. And as a surprise to all, he won.

But Spaccarelli's victory rings hollow. In fact, the route he was forced to take -- suing AT&T by himself as opposed to employing a more influential and wider ranging class-action lawsuit -- illustrates just how difficult it is to change a carrier's business practice through legal means. Rather than big changes and a return of his … Read more

commentary Nokia got its wish and has its best shot to break back into the U.S. market.

So here's some friendly advice to a company that likely won't get another opportunity as good as this: don't blow it.

Not to pile on with more pressure, but the fate of Nokia's future, and possibly that of Windows Phone and Microsoft's ability to remain relevant in the mobile world, rests largely on how successful the Lumia 900 performs.

There are no excuses this time. Nokia has a large U.S. carrier partner in AT&T, … Read more

Nokia's Lumia 900 smartphone will hit AT&T's store shelves on April 8, a move Nokia hopes will usher a return to the U.S. in a big way.

The phone will sell for $99.99 with a two-year contract, AT&T told CNET. It is one of the most affordable flagship products AT&T has ever sold.

There's a lot at stake with this launch. Nokia badly needs a buzz-worthy hit product in the U.S., a market it has struggled to operate in over the last few years despite dominating early in … Read more

Owners of Nokia's Lumia 610 can use their phone as a hot spot to provide Wi-Fi coverage for up to five different devices.

Nokia's Lumia 610 Web site specifically lists that feature under the Sharing and Internet category. The feature pages for the Lumia 710 and the 800 don't yet make any mention of hot-spot capability.

But sit tight, Lumia owners. A Nokia spokesman confirmed to CNET that the company will add hot-spot functionality to the 710 and 800 in a future software update.

Nokia's Web site doesn't yet provide details on the Lumia 900, … Read more

Android smartphones aren't as abundant off-contract as they are with a two-year agreement, so it's always nice to see new handsets emerge for the prepaid market.

The 3G AT&T Fusion, available now, has a 3.5-inch HVGA touch screen; Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, and GPS support; and a 5-megapixel camera. It also has e-mail, text messaging, and instant messaging, of course, and all the apps you can get from the Android Market.

The phone costs $124.99.

AT&T is making two announcements in conjunction with the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that could help consumers reduce their environmental footprints.

First, the company is announcing a new remote monitoring platform that will ultimately allow users to remotely and automatically adjust energy usage in their homes. The service and technology is being developed for international carriers, who can then develop and sell energy conserving services around the world. The service platform will also allow carriers to offer home security services too.

AT&T is calling the new platform Digital Life. The system, which can be … Read more

Smartphone buyers eager to preorder the Nokia Lumia 900 may have missed their window of opportunity.

Microsoft has shut down the preorder deal for the Windows Phone-based 900, a company spokesman confirmed to CNET today. No specific reason was given as to why the offer was stopped after only one week. But the rep said that its Microsoft Stores do continually update such offers.

"Customers who are interested in purchasing a Windows Phone Nokia Lumia 900 should stay tuned to the Microsoft Store Facebook Page for store offers in the coming months," advised the rep.

Unveiled earlier this … Read more

Smartphone buyers eager to grab the Nokia Lumia 800 face good news and bad news. The Windows Phone handset will reportedly hit the U.S. next Tuesday, but it could carry a price tag of $899.

Citing "sources close to Microsoft's Lumia launch plans," The Verge picked up this latest scoop on the phone (Note: this links to a Google-cached version of the story--the Verge link isn't working for unknown reasons.)

But consumers expressing shock over the price should know that it's for a so-called Lumia 800 "bundle" that includes a Nokia Play 360 Wireless Speaker, … Read more