microcell

Maybe AT&T isn't as implacable as I'd thought.

In a venting of the spleen I wrote in March, I argued that AT&T should buy you a free femtocell if you're having troubles connecting to the company's 3G mobile phone network.

Then on Saturday, Engadget reported one AT&T customer got just what I sought. AT&T sent the customer a letter that he could collect one at the local AT&T store, but told Engadget it was only a market trial.

For background, a femtocell is a small radio … Read more

Consumer Reports says it can't recommend the iPhone 4 because the antenna issue can be replicated and is, in fact, serious. Fanboy response: suck it up and buy a case. Molly response: epic rant. Also, the RIAA's wildly inflated file-sharing damages are smacked down once again, and Reddit begs for money.

Today's show opens with a not-unexpected rant about AT&T trying to sell you a $150 MicroCell to "supplement" the "coverage" you already pay for. A bit more on Google and China, Apple's unbelievably bizarre sandbox behavior in approving the otherwise super cool Line2 app, and cheap photos from space.

Improve Your 3G Connection with an AT&T MicroCell http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/192557/improve_your_3g_connection_with_an_atandt_microcell.html

China issues media rules for stories … Read more

LAS VEGAS--After months of trial tests in select parts of the country, AT&T announced Wednesday that it'll begin rolling out its 3G MicroCell femtocell solution nationwide beginning in mid-April. Yes, that will include San Francisco and New York City, two of the more maligned cities when it comes to AT&T coverage.

As a reminder, AT&T's 3G MicroCell acts as a mini cell tower in the home to improve both signal strength and data connections via your home's broadband connection. The 3G MicroCell unit will sell for $149.… Read more

Remember that 3G Microcell that AT&T pushed out to a public market trial in Charlotte, N.C. last year? Well, AT&T has finally decided to expand the availability of its femtocell to just a few more places--sorry, New York and San Francisco not included. The extended areas include "select counties" in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, San Diego, and Las Vegas.

If you'll recall, the 3G Microcell essentially acts as a mini tower in your home, designed to boost both voice and data signals. Its maximum coverage is approximately 5,000 square feet. … Read more

AT&T lets you pay for its network holes, Chrysler puts auto manuals on DVD (and how are you supposed to use that in the car?), MySpace says its video portal is here now, USB 3.0 is here, Europe gives Google a green light to sell ads to the black marketers, and when you're dead on the Web, you're dead.

AT&T breaks out its new 3G Microcell http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-10358045-85.html

3G MicroCells: Carriers … Read more

AT&T has finally unleashed its new femtocell in a public market trial in Charlotte, N.C. Dubbed the 3G MicroCell, the AT&T femtocell is designed to boost both the voice and data signal in your home by using your home broadband network. This is similar to how Verizon's and Sprint's femtocells work, though neither of them handles 3G/EV-DO. (Instead of femtocells, T-Mobile has gone the UMA route with T-Mobile HotSpot @ Home, which requires UMA-enabled phones that can use Wi-Fi to make calls).

Gearlog reports that AT&T stores are charging $150 for … Read more

Episode 50 of the Digital City, where we discuss Microsoft's plans to take on Apple in both smart phones and tablet PCs; the rumor of an HD refresh of the Nintendo Wii console; and AT&T's Microcell device for improving cell phone reception in your home through a $150 gadget (that they'll be happy to sell you).

Also noteworthy, this is our very first show in our new prime timeslot of 3pm EST on Mondays, rather than the old Friday afternoon slot -- so set your Outlook calendar reminders appropriately. Plus, if you're a fan … Read more

iClarified reports that iPhone users began to receive an AT&T carrier settings update on February 7 in iTunes. This was confirmed when we clicked the Check for Update button in iTunes.

According to the report, "So what is in the update? After extracting the .ipcc file, we saw two new images. Both for AT&T's upcoming 3G MicroCell we wrote about here. The images will most likely be used to indicate if you are on the 3G MicroCell "Network.""

These images appear to be the ones that would be used to let … Read more