AT&T launches mHealth device
Carriers often think of the M2M market in terms of network traffic, but AT&T is taking a different approach with its EverThere mobile device for seniors and others at risk of falling. The company is selling the wearable wireless device for $99.99 with an 11-month contract or for $199.99 with no contract. With both options, the monthly service charge is $29.99, and both options come with the device, charger, lanyard and a belt clip. The company says EverThere can automatically detect a fall and connect to a call center as well as to emergency responders. The device also sends location information.
AT&T joins Verizon Wireless and Sprint in offering carrier-branded wireless devices. Verizon is selling the Ellipsis 7 tablet for $150 with a two-year contract, and Sprint is offering its own smartphone, the Vital. Right now the Vital is free to customers who start a new line of service.
Samsung gains on Apple in U.S. smartphone market
The U.S. smartphone market continues to consolidate with Samsung and Apple gaining ground while smaller manufacturers lose market share. The latest data from comScore, Apple continued to dominate the market during the three months ending in October. The research firm puts Apple’s market share at 40.6%, up just two basis points from the previous three month period. That’s a meager gain considering the fact that the the iPhone 5s and the 5c were launched during that three month period.
Samsung saw its U.S. market share increase more than a percentage point to 25.4%, while HTC (6.7%) and LG (6.6%) both saw slight declines. Motorola held steady, coming in at third place in comScore’s rankings with a 7% share of the market, up from 6.9% during the previous period.
iPhone keyboard promises faster typing
A new QWERTY keyboard attachment for the iPhone 5 and 5s promises 40% improvements in typing speed. The Typo iPhone case is actually two pieces of plastic which fit together to form a phone case and a keyboard, leaving access to the iPhone’s microphone and speaker. It uses Bluetooth to connect to the iPhone. It includes a battery and the manufacturer says it can recharge in an hour.
The $99 Typo iPhone case is available for pre-order but won’t ship until next month, so it will not work as a Christmas gift. Its development was partially funded by celebrity Ryan Seacrest, who reportedly said he was carrying two phones in order to have access to a keyboard.
