Voicemail Archive

  • Bell launches visual voicemail on BlackBerry, but it isn’t cheap

    Bell launches visual voicemail on BlackBerry, but it isn’t cheap

    Posted on December 24, 2009 | No Comments
    Just how badly do you want an alternative to pressing and holding the "1" key? With Canada's Bell, you'd better want it pretty badly -- because its new visual voicemail service for BlackBerry devices isn't going to be cheap. The service is available with pretty much every modern BlackBerry, ranging from the older 8830 and Pearl 8130 to the most modern models like the Bold 9700 -- and as you might notice from that model range, it also spans both Bell's CDMA and HSPA networks. Here's where it gets tricky, though: it runs a stout CAD $8 (about $7.65) a month, which is a good deal more than the $2.99 Verizon charges for a similar setup. Obviously it's not much a difference, but it feels like $2.99 is below some magical psychological barrier where no serious mulling occurs; $8, though -- that's a different story.

    Bell launches visual voicemail on BlackBerry, but it isn't cheap originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • AT&T launching voicemail-to-text service, new Mobile TV stations, Canada plans next week

    AT&T launching voicemail-to-text service, new Mobile TV stations, Canada plans next week

    Posted on November 4, 2009 | No Comments

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    This coming Sunday marks a straight-up bonanza of new services and tweaks from AT&T -- and while it may not combat a heavily-armed invasion of sentient handsets running Android, it's a nice little win nonetheless. Here's what we've got on tap:
    • Voicemail to Text: This is a variation on a theme that has launched countless times both on other carriers and in the aftermarket, but AT&T's version is explicitly stated "not to be a replacement for a transcription service" because each message is limited to 60 seconds. Users have the option of routing messages to SMS, email, or both for a charge of $9.99 a month. Unfortunately, moving from basic voicemail to this new service will cause all existing messages to be lost, so be careful when adding this one to your plan.
    • AT&T Nation with Canada: It's exactly what it sounds like -- AT&T Nation plans with a little extra Great White North thrown in for good measure. No long distance charges on calls to Canada, 1,000 night and weekend minutes that work in both countries plus full rollover and anytime minute compatibility; A-List and early nights / weekends can be added as well.
    • New Mobile TV channels, coverage, and pricing: Three new channels will be added into the MediaFLO-based Mobile TV mix, though AT&T's being coy about what they are; all we know so far is that there's a comedy station, a "national broadcaster," and a kids' channel. Three new markets are launching between now and December 11, and seven more have launched since September 25. The biggest news here, though, might be that service is dropping from $15 to $9.99 a month, while Mobile TV plus unlimited data goes from $30 down to $24.99. It's still pricey, but it's an improvement.
    So, who's signing up for tiny teevee now that it's just a little bit cheaper?

    [Thanks, anonymous tipster]

    Gallery: AT&T launching voicemail transcription service, new Mobile TV stations, Canada plans next week

    AT&T launching voicemail-to-text service, new Mobile TV stations, Canada plans next week originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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