apple. at&t

AT&T posted a modest increase in its second-quarter profit even as it sold 3.7 million iPhones in the period.

The Dallas telecommunications giant posted a profit of $3.9 billion, or 66 cents a share, compared with a year-earlier profit of $3.6 billion, or 60 cents a share. Year-earlier results were helped by the its advertising unit, which no longer contributes revenue or profit because it was sold in May.

Revenue rose 0.3 percent to $31.6 billion.

Analysts, on average, forecast earnings of 63 cents a share and revenue of $31.7 billion, according … Read more

AT&T ended 2011 on a down note, posting a massive, $6.7 billion loss in the fourth quarter due largely to a change in how it accounts for its employee pension benefits and the breakup fee it was required to pay after scrapping its bid to buy T-Mobile USA.

The Dallas telecommunications giant posted a fourth-quarter loss of $6.7 billion, or $1.12 cents a share, reversing a year-earlier profit of $1.1 billion, or 18 cents a share. Excluding the pension costs, breakup fee, and the impairment of its directory asset, the company earned 42 cents … Read more

Apple's iPhone sales this holiday quarter could exceed even the most optimistic forecasts.

Yesterday, AT&T said it is poised to shatter its record for fourth-quarter smartphone sales, largely due to pent-up demand for the iPhone. As a result, a number of Wall Street firms have raised their already lofty estimates on iPhone sales for the quarter, with some warning that they may still be too conservative.

The raised estimates are a clear illustration that while the Android OS may dominate the smartphone world, the iPhone remains a massive draw for consumers. Also helping out are promotions, such … Read more

AT&T and Sprint Nextel both said that the new iPhone 4S helped drive record single-day sales for each carrier.

Sprint said it reached its best-ever day of sales by 10 a.m. PT. AT&T said that as of 1:30 p.m., it had activated a record number of iPhones on its network.

The new iPhone, despite the lack of a major redesign, continues to be a tremendous draw, significantly outstripping the demand for any other smartphones. The iPhone 4S drew lines at Apple stores around the country.

In addition, the iPhone also continues to be … Read more

One minute past midnight tonight Pacific time, Apple's next iPhone becomes available for preordering in seven countries, including the U.S., and the big question is whether Apple and its carrier partners face a meltdown similar to what happened with last year's model.

You might remember that shortly after the iPhone 4 went on sale, both Apple and AT&T's online sites ran into problems almost immediately. A deluge of eager buyers hit the two sites in the early morning, grinding the ordering process to a halt. The following day Apple released a statement saying that … Read more

T-Mobile USA began selling a Micro SIM card today, necessary for people who want to bring their iPhones or iPads over to its network.

It's an awkward offer as T-Mobile is openly encouraging iPhone customers--of the AT&T variety, and not Verizon Wireless--to switch carriers. At the same time, AT&T is attempting to acquire T-Mobile in a deal that would create the nation's largest wireless provider.

T-Mobile lists the Micro SIM card on its Web site, and is selling it for $9.99 or giving it away with a two-year contract. Next to the photo, … Read more

A man accused of hacking into AT&T's servers and stealing the personal information of more than 120,000 iPad customers was reportedly indicted today.

Reuters reports the alleged hacker, Andrew Auernheimer, was charged with one count of conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to computers and one count of identity theft by a Newark, N.J., grand jury.

The indictment comes after co-defendant Daniel Spitler pleaded guilty last month to the same charges. Spitler could face a sentence of 12 to 18 months of prison, according to Reuters. His sentencing is scheduled for September 28.

The two, part … Read more

Amazon officially opened its new and much-anticipated Android app store today.

Serving up a round of competition to Google's Android Market, Amazon's Appstore for Android is stocking almost 3,800 apps for starters, with more on the way. To kick off the store opening, Amazon is giving away a free copy of Angry Birds Rio and is promising to offer one paid app for free each day.

But the Amazon shop is opening amid controversy. Apple yesterday sued Amazon over the use of the term "App Store," for which Apple filed a trademark after the release … Read more

They always tell you in business that you should never burn your bridges. This is actually very difficult, as you will sometimes come across such dreadful people that you will find it very hard to do anything but raise your longest finger in their directions.

However, what must the nice people at T-Mobile USA be feeling, now that news has emerged they will be acquired by AT&T?

You see, T-Mobile seems to have spent quite a bit of time and money telling us all that AT&T's service is, well, worse than a lobotomy in the … Read more