Software: Pandora Mobile on AT&T

AT&T announced today that they have officially launched Pandora mobile for select AT&T Cell phones. For those not familiar with Pandora, it is a internet radio generated by the music genome project and Pandora will play music similar to what users input. Users then can give a thumbs up or down and Pandora will adapt to that preference. If you haven't tried out Pandora for your computer, it's a free sign up, and definitely worth checking out.
Pandora was previously exclusive on Sprint's network, but now seems to be branching out. I personally was ecstatic when I came across the program yesterday on AT&T's website.
Currently Pandora is only available on the following models "the Samsung SYNC, a717 and a737, the Motorola V3xx and RAZR 2, LG trax and existing LG CU400 and CU405 models." Unfortunately I have none of these, but hopefully soon we'll see more. Pandora will only run in 3G coverage too(No surprise), and AT&T recommends unlimited data(no duh). AT&T will be giving out a 1 month free trial of Pandora, and after that they will be charging an astonishing $8.99 a month for the service. Many Pandora fans will still end up bitting the bullet. All in all worth checking out for the free month at least.

Opinion: The begining of the end

Friday Sprint announced, due to a class action lawsuit, it would begin to unlock phones on customer request, also that they would accept other providers phones to be used on their network. Phone News had the best article if you want to read on about the details.

This marks the beginning of the end of the cell phone giants restrictive practices (hopefully). Because once one company starts this, the rest are soon to follow. This along with prorated Early Termination fees on AT&T and Verizon means that consumers are going to have more choices. Now they can cancel their contract, pay a smaller ETF, and take their handset to another carrier. Take a look at Europe who has a much more open cell system than we do (I.E. providers in some countries have to sell both locked and unlocked phones), but also in Europe they pay through the nose to use their phones. Could increasing rates be the good ol' US of A's fate? Hopefully not, but if the giants are provoked, they'll fight back. Cell phone companies will find a way to recoup their costs.

Rumored: Palm Treo 800w

The folks over at Treo Central have gotten wind of a Treo "800w" in the works. Supposedly Palm is working on a high end, WM6 based device. Even more speculation in to having a 320x320 screen resolution. Now, the image attached IS a mockup put together by Treo Central, but get's the point accross.

Treo Central belives that Sprint will be receiving this handset early to mid next year. My information is that AT&T is sloted for a new Windows mobile based device soon, since the treo 750 is at end of life(Thank goodness). I'm sure this isn't the last we'll here about the "800w".