Free wireless Internet (or Wi-Fi) is usually found in restaurants or hotels. The last place anyone would expect free Wi-Fi is a park. Usually, any type of Internet access in nature requires a device which can be shared among several devices. AT&T is out to change all of these preconceived notions. Currently, the AT&T wireless Internet service is starting out in New York in three prominent park areas.

New York City’s Prospect Park Picnic House and Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park are two parks currently receiving free Wi-Fi from AT&T. The third park as the first group of this innovative service is Manhattan’s Marcus Garvey Park. The plan is to provide free Wi-Fi access to 26 different locations in 20 parks in New York City within five years.

This digital initiative was planned by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg along with the city of New York. The city partnered with AT&T due to their excellent coverage in the area and innovative ideas. Literally millions of people visit Prospect Park alone. Providing free Wi-Fi attracts even more visitors and tourists. It is also the perfect way to give back to the community.

Unlike many other supposedly “free” services that depend upon whether a user is a customer or not, users do not have to be AT&T customers to access the free Wi-Fi. AT&T gains respect from customers and draws in new business by showcasing the quality of their service for free to everyone in the area.

As a benefit to AT&T customers, they can save on data usage by switching to the free Wi-Fi seamlessly. In a way, it is truly giving back to the customers who have helped make AT&T what the company is today. As the largest provider of Wi-Fi hotspots, AT&T is taking major steps towards ensuring the entire country has access to the Internet, wherever they may be.

With most devices, data service is required. Free Wi-Fi spots, like those in New York, enable users to save themselves from overages charges simply for using the Internet as it was meant to be used, for free. Any Wi-Fi enabled device can use these hotspots and enjoy Internet without limits or restrictions.

With AT&T leading the charge, others may start to realize the importance and even benefits of providing the country with something for free. Free Wi-Fi may even lead to data usage limits being lifted so users can enjoy amazing service for less, even outside Wi-Fi spots.

For its customers, AT&T provides Basic and Premium Wi-Fi services. Basic Wi-Fi is included with all AT&T high speed Internet services, like AT&T DSL and Uverse Internet.

 

AT&T U-verse is making sure its cable television customers get an experience like none other. Through its Mobile Video app, it’s expanding the usability of cable services so customers can take their viewing on the road.

The AT&T U-verse Mobile Video app has been available for a while, but it keeps getting better. It was recently expanded to enable customers to download more than 700 different television episodes from more than 100 different television series. The app is available to AT&T U-verse TV subscribers at no addition charge. Customers must have U200 programming or higher. The app is available on more than 20 smartphones and is constantly being expanded.

At the most recent count, the AT&T U-verse app was available for iPhone users and a wide variety of Android phones. Some of those supported include the LG Thrive, LG Phoenix, Samsung Infuse 4G and the Windows Phone HTC and HD7S. The app has been available for iPhone users since last August.

Television shows now available on the AT&T U-verse Mobile Video app come from a variety of networks. The lineup includes shows from ABC, ABC Family, Animal Planet, Discovery, Disney Channel, ESPN, A&E, Bio, PBS, TLC, the Cartoon Network, History, HGTV and more. The app also gives subscribers the ability to browse their U-verse television programming guide so they can schedule and manage their DVR recordings from where ever they happen to be.

To make sure its customers can get the best in service on the road, AT&T Uverse also launched a Service & Support Tool app recently. This new tool lets customers get self-support information and tools for their U-verse phone, email, Internet and television service right from their smartphone. The new app is available at no extra charge for AT&T U-verse customers. It works on BlackBerry, Android and iPhone devices.

The Troubleshoot & Resolve app is another feature that AT&T U-verse provides for its subscribers. This tool provides self-support information directly on the television screen for cable subscribers.

AT&T U-verse customers will find that their service provider is working hard to stay on the cutting edge. Customers can literally enjoy U-verse services at home and on the road, no matter where they are. From mobile phone viewing to Multiscreen capabilities on their home television, AT&T U-verse service is designed to give customers the greatest options and the most control over their services. New programming is constantly being added to ensure that customers get the services and support they want.

These days people are spending more time at home, taking advantage of cable television packages to help provide their entertainment. With this in mind, getting the very best, most well-rounded package for the money is critical. So, too, is making sure a service delivers crystal clear pictures and quality. When it’s time to make a switch to something different, AT&T Uverse TV is the option to choose. The Internet service that supports Uverse TV is AT&T Uverse High Speed Internet.

Features That Make AT&T Uverse Stand Out

AT&T understands how important television is to its customers and it’s delivered package options designed to suit just about everyone and every budget. Some of the features that make this particular service stand above the competition include:

• The digital nature – All AT&T Uverse packages offer digital TV. This provides a superior quality image that’s meant to make today’s upgraded televisions look fantastic.
• Low pricing – AT&T’s packages start as low as $54 a month with a DVR included (offers change every some time). This means Uverse customers can record their favorite programs with ease to watch whenever they want.
• Local channels – Unlike some other carriers, AT&T understands that local programming shouldn’t be an “option.” It’s included in every service package.
• Upgrade options – While basic AT&T packages include more than 100 channels, AT&T understands its customers often want more. That’s why it offers plenty of upgrade services that can expand the channel lineup to more than 300 for a very low price increase.
• HD packages – AT&T’s Uverse is compatible with today’s high definition televisions. There are packages set to suit customers.
• 3D – Customers with 3D equipped televisions don’t have to go without. A 3D upgrade costs only a small amount extra a month.
• Total Home DVR – Uverse DVR is a wonder to behold. This device offers more features than much of the competition. For example, customers can record up to four shows at once on one DVR. Plus, it’s possible to record shows for play back in any room from a single DVR when other televisions have Uverse receivers. Shows can also be paused in one room and picked up in another. Another really neat feature is that recorded shows can be played on multiple televisions at once with separate controls. The DVR can hold up to 233 hours of standard programming and 65 hours of HD content.

When television is the most important form of home entertainment, AT&T Uverse delivers it better. Uverse customers will find the pricing they want on packages that will bowl them over. From its most basic package to those that deliver HD, 3D and hundreds of channels, AT&T has gone to great lengths to make sure its customers get the very best. On top of all, there’s a plenty of digital features that combine TV, high speed Internet, and phone services into the most competitive package on the market.

AT&T Uverse is available in those states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin. Here is a good start to check on AT&T Uverse availability in your area.

There are many of companies on the market that produce high definition televisions. But how does a consumer know which company to trust in making this investment? The following should be the best HDTV brands, and what they provide. All size measurements are taken on the diagonal across the screen. There is very high demand for HD TV these days as more of HD channels are available through services like AT&T Uverse or Verizon FiOS.  The brands listed below are those that have been widely bought by consumers. I’m aware of the fact that there are some highly rated brands and companies that make high end televisions which we will not discuss here today as they are out of financial reach for the majority of people.

Samsung

Samsung features 93 different HDTV models to choose from. Samsung produces LED and LCD televisions, and is one of the few manufacturers that still produce plasma televisions. Screen sizes for Samsung HDTVs range from 19 inches to 65 inches, and range in price from less than $800 to just under $6,000 for its top of the line models.

Some of Samsung’s featured services include:

• 3D and 2D capability
• Ultra Slim 0.31” design
• Smart TVs and Smart Apps, applications designed specifically for the television

Sony

Sony offers HDTV through its Bravia line of products. Their LCD televisions range in size from 22 inches to 60 inches, with prices ranging from $269.99 to just under $4,500.

Some of Sony’s featured services include:

• 1080p 3D Motionflow with LED
• Bravia Internet Video and Widgets, with applications designed specially for Sony

Panasonic

Panasonic provides a full range of LED, LCD, and plasma high definition televisions through its Viera line of products. Panasonic offers more plasma televisions than other companies that still produce them. Viera televisions range in size from 22 inches to 65 inches, and range in price from less than $350 to more than $4,500.

Some of Panasonic’s featured services include:

• 1080p 3D capability
• tru2way-ready HDTVs, in conjunction with Comcast, offering digital cable-ready televisions without having to rent a cable box.
• Viera Link, with HDMI connections and an SD card slot

Toshiba

Toshiba offers both LED and LCD high definition televisions, but does not offer plasma. Toshiba’s LCD televisions range from 19 inches to 55 inches, and range in price from $250 to $1,600. Their LED televisions also have the same size range, but the price varies from $350 to $2,800.

Some of Toshiba’s featured services include:

• ClearFrame anti-blur technology, designed to reduce blur in fast-paced programming
• PixelPure 5G, the core operating system for LED televisions
• Dynamic Noise Reduction, minimizing visual interference caused by digital cable or satellite noise
• 3D capabilities

LG

LG offers LED and LCD high definition televisions, but no plasma televisions. Their products range in size from 19 inches to 60 inches, while ranging in price from $329 to $5,400.

Some of LG’s featured services include:

• THX certification and movie mode
• Netcast, with direct Internet connection to Vudu, Pandora, Netflix, and Roxio CinemaNow
• 3D capabilities

 

Some question capability of any of such TVs with the specific programing. As far as I know, all TV products work with all of the HDTV service providers as HDMI signal is just – HDMI signal. So no worries when you plug ATT Uverse box into your new TV. ;)

After doing a research on Vonage vs Comcast xFinity and writing a post about it, I also conducted a quick research in order to compare Vonage and AT&T Uverse voice services. Here is what I found.

Vonage vs. AT&T Uverse VoIP

Vonage vs. AT&T U-verse Voice is a tricky battle as both services offer great features. When I was researching new phone services, I found that Vonage had the best features and the best quality. But there were a lot of details I had to sort through in order to find that Vonage was the right service for me.

There are a lot of differences between Vonage vs. AT&T Uverse voice. Some of these are the service plans. Vonage has four residential service plans. First one is Vonage World offering unlimited calling, both locally and long distance, plus unlimited calling to other countries like Canada, India, Mexico, totaling in over 60 other countries like France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Japan and China. The second one is Vonage Basic 500 Minutes plan which is limited to 500 minutes of local and long distance with no international calling included (you can still make international calls at very low rates). The third plan is Vonage Pro which includes 5 international destinations (Italy, France, Spain, United Kingdom, and Ireland), and Vonage Companion which is a software which you install onto your computer and use it just as you use your phone. This is great for those that travel. Finally, the fourth plan is Vonage Lite which is really light as it comes with 200 minutes of local and long distance calling only. It also comes without Unlimited 411 Directory Assistance which is the part of all other Vonage calling plans.

Vonage also offers a readable voicemail feature that provides the customer with access to his or her voicemails through text message or email. This is especially helpful if you want to check your voicemail in a crowded place and couldn’t hear the voicemail. The standard features are similar to those of AT&T U-verse Voice, where there are services like call forwarding, caller ID, call block, call wait9ing and 3-way calling. You can also keep your existing number with Vonage, and you get 411 access (except with Vonage Lite). All of this is for a very low price, starting at just $9.99 for Vonage lite (online only), and $17.99 for Vonage Basic. Vonage World starts at $14.99 for the first three months, while regular price is $25.99. Vonage Pro is $34.99 per month. All plan prices exclude taxes and other charges that may be applicable in different states. You get to choose your equipment, too, and install it yourself, making it an easy and customized transition from your old phone service. You still use your regular phone which you plug into Vonage router. AT&T Uverse Voice can’t really be used as a stand alone service, but would require at least AT&T Uverse high speed Internet service.

The Vonage vs. AT&T U-verse Voice battle continues with the features of AT&T U-verse voice. One of their features is called click to call, which is a feature where you can see your missed calls and return them from your AT&T TV service. The problem with this is that everyone can see your call history and calls on the TV.

Like Vonage, you can control your phone service account online. This is helpful because both phone services allow for access to phone accounts from any computer. Also, AT&T offers the ability to check messages from both AT&T wireless service and AT&T U-verse voice plans from home and from any computer.

Now, the quality of both AT&T U-verse and Vonage voice comes into question. This cannot be commented on much without actually using both first. From what I could find on various forums, some people found that Vonage had much better call quality while others made that statement for Uverse VoIP. I guess if you are new to both, you may want to check the terms of service and see if any contract is involved, and then go by the price. That will make it less painful if you have to get out from it and go with other phone service provider.

The conclusion is that with both services there are basic and advances features, AT&T offers separate international rates, however, and this can be added on top of the $30.00 per month service plan fee. So from the price perspective, Vonage wins this Vonage vs. AT&T U-verse voice contest as it offered a cheaper service plan. If you’re only after a cheap yet full of calling features phone service, plus if you call any of over 60 countries included into Vonage World plan, you’re definitely a candidate for Vonage.

On the other side, if you are also after a fast high speed Internet, plus a TV service with advanced on screen and DVR features, and a lot more, then you should consider AT&T Uverse.