AT&T Aims To Increase Data Usage With New ‘Social Net’ App
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Blackberry and iPhone users have tons of social networking apps like TinyTwitter and Tweetie to choose from—but what about the people without smartphones—the tweens, teens and other people that have less-advanced feature phones, that still want to stay plugged in?
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If they’re using AT&T (NYSE: T), they can test out Social Net, the carrier’s new on-deck social networking application, which launched today. It pulls in content from Twitter, Facebook and MySpace, and lets users customize news and entertainment feeds.
Built by mobile tech firm iSkoot (which raised $19 million last year to fund its development), users can get the free app through the AT&T MEdia Mall—but that’s where the “free” ends. Social Net gobbles up so much data (and messaging) that AT&T “strongly” recommends users upgrade to an unlimited data plan. It’s a well-crafted effort to get non-smartphone owners to spend more on data by giving them easy access to the social media features they crave.
It also highlights a big difference between mobile service here in the U.S. and abroad. Had another carrier launched a similar platform overseas, users likely would have been able to get unlimited access it for an extra $5-$10 per month, in lieu of having to purchase a full data package. (Like the “Facebook phone” Three UK and INQ Mobile launched last year).
Social Net is available on roughly 20 handsets, including the LG Shine, Motorola RAZR V3 and Samsung Eternity. Release.
Posted In: Social Media, Companies, AT&T
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