Back in 2005, Dave from geekstoolbox.com started working on a Windows Mobile player for the Sirius internet stream called SiriusWM5. It is an excellent application that I use often on my WM devices. Fast forward to 2008, Dave and 3 other individuals who developed players for other platforms pooled their talents to form nicemac, LLC. The goal of forming this company was to build a multi platform Sirius/XM player called StarPlayr including a version for the iPhone. In February 2009, they submitted their StarPlayr for the iPhone to Apple. Apple has been sitting on the application since then with no rejection statement. It is not public knowledge to what happened next, but it seems that Sirius is developing its own iPhone application and used a clause in their terms and conditions to shut StarPlayr down. Not only did Sirius/XM shut down the iPhone version, but the Windows and Mac versions as well with no official acknowledgement of what their plan is. What seems bizarre is that they ignoring the loyal fans base of the StarPlayr, which are also Sirius/XM subscribers with no statement, not very good PR from a company that is struggling.
As a Sirius subscriber I had added the 128Kbps internet option to my account. In protest I have removed that option. Not that it will do anything but if they actually have a product in Beta for the iPhone, they should at least acknowledge the fact. When XM was a standalone company they had pre announced their plans for an iPhone application, I guess the new Sirius/XM PR guys think they are Apple, for keeping such a tight secret, I think not...
AT&T Implements A-List to Call Non AT&T Numbers Without Using Plan Minutes
The AT&T A-List feature is now live, but you must add the feature to your account to use it. The A-List feature allows you to call non AT&T numbers without using you plan minutes. You can list 5 numbers on an individual plan and 10 shared numbers on a family plan. This is a free feature for eligible plans which consist of a minimum of $59.99 (900 min) per month for individuals and $89.99 (1400 min) for family plans exclusive of data charges.
The feature can be added on line by going to manage your features (right side of web page) and selecting the A-List feature. A new link will then be available on the right hand side to manage your a-list. It takes 24 hours for the numbers to become active. You cannot use international numbers or paying numbers like 900, etc.
I think this is great additional value for AT&T subscribers, but it pretty much matches what other carriers are doing. However along with rollover minutes they now outdo the other carriers.
I already have more minutes then I use, I guess this will just add to my rollover…
Posted by sskarlatos on September 21, 2009 at 08:24 AM in AT&T, Commentary, Tech News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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