MUMBAI: US telecom service provider AT&T is expanding in the media and television space.
AT&T and Microsoft have announced the launch of U-verse TV on Xbox 360 for U-verse customers, which lets you enjoy the U-verse TV experience on your existing Xbox 360 device, replacing the need for an extra receiver in the home. AT&T says that it is the first TV provider in the US to offer live TV service through an Xbox 360.
AT&T also announced the upcoming launch of U-verse Mobile for Windows Phone 7 devices. Beginning in November, the U-verse Mobile app will be preloaded so that any AT&T wireless customer with a Windows Phone 7 device — whether or not they are a U-verse TV customer — can download and watch hit TV shows while they’re on the go. This is the first time an AT&T U-verse service will be available across the US.
AT&T mobility and consumer markets CMO David Christopher says, “Now you can get our award-winning U-verse services on your big screen TV, online, on your mobile phone, and integrated with your Xbox 360. Our IPTV strategy is putting AT&T at the forefront by delivering U-verse content where you want it. And now we’re extending the U-verse experience to more AT&T smartphone customers with the upcoming launch of U-verse Mobile on Windows Phone 7 devices.”
Microsoft GM of the media platforms business Andreas Mueller-Schubert says, “AT&T has a legacy of innovation and teamed up with Microsoft to build a differentiated all-IP TV offering to enable the future of TV services for their customers. We’re excited to extend that relationship today through new initiatives that make TV anywhere a possibility, delivering rich entertainment experiences for consumers across multiple screens, inside and outside the home.”
Using the Xbox 360 as a U-verse receiver, a user can receive chat and game invitations from friends through Xbox Live while watching live TV and switch seamlessly from game to TV mode without switching video inputs on your TV screen. Users will enjoy virtually the same U-verse TV experience and features available today, including the ability to watch live TV, manage and play back DVR recordings and access interactive apps, your program guide, the On Demand library and more.
U-verse TV on Xbox 360 also allows customers to avoid an extra box on their entertainment center and the need to pay a monthly rental fee for an additional receiver.
New customers can order the $99 Xbox kit at 1-800-ATT-2020 when they subscribe to U-verse, and a U-verse technician will load U-verse software on their Xbox 360 during their service installation.
Next month, any AT&T Windows Phone 7 owner will be able to access U-verse Mobile, a popular app that lets users download and watch TV shows on the smartphone. One can browse or search a library of downloadable shows, and select which series or specific episode you want to download over Wi-Fi.
For all AT&T U-verse TV customers, U-verse Mobile also lets users manage their DVR recordings; customers with qualifying TV plans get the download and watch capability included at no extra charge. AT&T Windows Phone 7 users without a qualifying U-verse TV plan will be able to subscribe to download and watch with U-verse Mobile for $9.99 per month.
