AT&T Pursues Emerging Devices

AT&T confirmed plans to launch five new devices from Dell, HTC and Motorola based on the Android platform.


At its 4th annual AT&T Developer Summit in Las Vegas, company executives vowed to offer all major smartphone OS app stores, thereby giving customers a broad choice of applications and devices. AT&T also announced an agreement with Qualcomm to standardize apps development for mid-range Quick Messaging Devices using BREW Mobile Platform. With this agreement, AT&T intends to make BREW Mobile Platform its primary operating system platform for Quick Messaging Devices, one of the company's fastest growing categories of devices. These will be value-priced devices with texting capabilities. Samsung will be its first device maker to launch a Quick Messaging Device featuring BREW Mobile Platform. HTC, LG and Pantech also are building devices featuring BREW Mobile Platform for planned availability in late 2010 or early 2011.


AT&T also announced a trial program with WaveMarket to make network location information accessible through Veriplace, WaveMarket's cloud location aggregation platform currently in use by more than 1,000 developers. Veriplace allows SMS, Web, WAP and IVR developers to develop location-aware apps and services across device categories and participating carriers. The trial program will launch in the coming weeks.



In addition, AT&T has launched an emerging devices web site to help manufacturers establish a working relationship with the carrier and to navigate easily their device, network and go-to-market needs.


The site offers resources to investigate business models, network options, product specifications, and potential customer care and distribution needs to ensure a seamless, accelerated product launch using the AT&T network. This includes a seven step process to launch a device, from creating a market plan to market launch. In between, visitors can determine specifications for the product, engage the emerging device team, match a pre-certified module to their specific device using the Module Matching Tool, and gain access to the developer tools within the AT&T Control Center, powered by Jasper Wireless, using the AT&T M2M Developer Kit.


AT&T noted that since it began certifying non-stock devices in 2005, to date it has certified more than 370 wireless hardware units for its network.
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