AT&T's new Video Share service
(Credit: AT&T)Months after it was first announced back in January of this year, AT&T has finally rolled out its Video Share service. Only available on the LG CU500V so far, this new video-calling service is the first of its kind in the country. However, it only offers one-way video streaming for now--meaning the recipient can't send any video at the same time. Hopefully AT&T will expand the service to support two-way video calling, but until then, this might prove to be an easy way to share an interesting video in real time. AT&T has launched Video Share only in three cities, however--San Antonio, Atlanta, and Dallas. It won't be available in the rest of the country until late July.
LG CU500v with AT&T branding
(Credit: LG)No, we're not pulling your leg--the LG CU500v has indeed launched after a premature announcement last week, complete with AT&T branding all over it. As you'll recall, this update to the LG CU500 incorporates something new for the U.S. cell phone market, namely video calling via Video Share. The video is transmitted only one way for now, but those with compatible handsets can switch the direction of the video. Also, the AT&T branding is not only visible from the exterior of the phone--several applications have also been rebranded. For example, Cingular Mail is now AT&T Mail, and so forth. Aside from the video and the AT&T rebranding, it's the same as the LG CU500--1.3-megapixel camera, quadband support, a microSD card slot, and more. You can get the LG CU500v for $29.99 after you sign a two-year contract and get a hefty discount and rebate.
Update: We've just received word that while the LG CU500v handset was launched today, the Video Share service itself won't be launching until "later this summer," which probably means the date will be different depending on where you are in the country. Stay tuned for more information on the Video Share roll out.
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LG CU500v leaked document
(Credit: Engadget Mobile)The story behind the release of the LG CU500v gets more confusing by the minute. Yesterday we saw this item on Engadget Mobile that indicates that the LG CU500v will actually debut on May 4th and that the April 27th "release" was premature. The page also noted that the device's branding will switch from Cingular to AT&T, as will everything else with the Cingular name (Cingular Mail becomes AT&T Mail, Cingular Music becomes AT&T Mobile Music, etc. However, Cingular Video will purportedly change its name to Cellular Video, which is presumably so it can keep its CV logo). But then a few comments on that same entry indicate that the LG CU500v is already being sold in stores. We're quite confounded as to what's really going on here, but I guess the truth will come to light on May 4th. Or not.
LG CU500
(Credit: CNET Networks)Update: Mere hours after we posted this blog entry, we got the news that Cingular/AT&T has pulled down the LG CU500V from its site. So either someone jumped the gun and listed it early, or the site is experiencing some technical difficulties. Plus, it looks like the Nokia N75 is suffering from the same launch fake-out. What's up, AT&T? The following is the original blog entry prior to the take down:
AT&T has just launched the LG CU500V, which is the first phone to offer live mobile video calls in the U.S. We mentioned it awhile ago, back during CES 2007, and like we said back then, the LG CU500V is essentially identical to the LG CU500 save for the Video Share feature. It's not exactly true synchronized video calling however, as the video is transmitted only one-way, though apparently the direction can be switched during the call if the receiver has a compatible handset. Engadget suspects that AT&T plans to launch true video calling later this year, but that remains to be seen for now. Also, unlike what we reported at CES, it seems that existing LG CU500 users can't upgrade their firmware to support the new Video Share feature; they'll have to pony up the extra cash to buy a new LG CU500V just like the rest of us. The LG CU500V will cost about $29.99 after a two-year contract and a rebate.
LG CU500
(Credit: CNET Networks)Cingular Wireless announced a new video sharing service that lets people send videos in real time over their phones. Video Share (quite the original name) isn't exactly video conferencing--the service works only one way--but you can use it to show off yourself, or whatever you're looking at, to your friends. To get it going, you just need a cell phone signal and, of course, a compatible phone. On that end, Cingular has announced two handsets that will work with the service: an updated LG CU500 and the new Samsung SGH-a717. It's in trials now; widespread availability is still to be announced.
LG CU500
(Credit: CNET Networks)
Samsung is taking the offensive in the battle for Cingular 3G supremacy with its new SGH-A707. Announced today in Korea and destined for America's wireless carrier, the A707 offers support for Cingular's HSDPA network, a 2-megapixel camera, a digital music player, and stereo Bluetooth. From what we can tell, it looks like Samsung is hoping to make a more respectable showing on the 3G front than it did with its recent Samsung SGH-ZX20.
Though the ZX20 was perfectly functional, its dull design didn't complement its high-end features. What's more, while the ZX20 was announced at this year's CES, it didn't hit the market until the summer and had the misfortune to follow in the wake of LG's flashy CU500. The A707's design still seems a bit understated, but at least it offers external music controls. We're not sure when the A707 will arrive at Cingular, so pricing isn't available at this moment.
Samsung is also readying its SGH-D347 for Cingular service. Similar to the SGH-D357, the new handset offers quad-band world phone support, Bluetooth, and push-to-talk compatibility. The SGH-D347 showed up on Samsung's Web site a couple of days ago, but it has yet to appear on Cingular's site. Lastly, Samsung also showed its SCH-B560 recently. Another 3G model with a pivoting display, the B560 is primed for multimedia functionality. Inside are a digital music player and a 2-megapixel camera.
(Photos: Samsung)
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