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Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
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AT&T unveils "buy one, get one free" Windows Phone 7 deal

By | November 24, 2010, 8:51am PST

Thinking about buying a Windows Phone 7 handset? AT&T has an offer that might interest you:

AT&T just sweetened the pot a bit for the holiday shopping season with the announcement of a buy one get one free deal for the HTC Surround, LG Quantum and Samsung Focus. To take advantage of this offer head down to your local AT&T retail store, sign up for a two-year contract and you and a friend will have a couple of the coolest phones of the season.

Also thrown in is an AT&T “Entertainment Pack” consisting of free download of the Xbox LIVE puzzle game ilomilo, 30 days of Zune Pass service plus 10 free song downloads and 30 days of AT&T U-verse.

More details here.

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Topics

Microsoft Windows Phone 7, AT&T Corp., Microsoft Windows Phone, Microsoft Windows, Game Players, Operating Systems, Software, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology.

Disclosure

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

All opinions expressed on Hardware 2.0 are those of Adrian Kingsley-Hughes. Every effort is made to ensure that the information posted is accurate. If you have any comments, queries or corrections, please contact Adrian via the email link here. Any possible conflicts of interest will be posted below. [Updated: February 23, 2010] - Adrian Kingsley-Hughes has no business relationships, affiliations, investments, or other actual/potential conflicts of interest relating to the content posted so far on this blog.

Biography

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology -- whether that be by learning to program, building a PC from a pile of parts, or helping them get the most from their new MP3 player or digital camera.

Adrian has authored/co-authored technical books on a variety of topics, ranging from programming to building and maintaining PCs. His most recent books include "Build the Ultimate Custom PC", "Beginning Programming" and "The PC Doctor's Fix It Yourself Guide". He has also written training manuals that have been used by a number of Fortune 500 companies.

Adrian also runs a popular blog under the name The PC Doctor, where he covers a range of computer-related topics -- from security to repairing and upgrading.

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RE: AT&T unveils
non-biased 3rd Dec 2010
@cantbeme But for some reason that Apple haters are more than welcome to take trash in any and all discussions regarding Apple products?
View in thread
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Coolest? Really?
James Quinn 24th Nov 2010
Pagan jim
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RE: AT&T unveils
omdguy 24th Nov 2010
@James Quinn

Yes, really. I've used an iPhone and an Android phone and they aren't even close to what you can do from both a business (Sharepoint and Office integration) and consumer perspectives (Zune Pass, XBOX Live integration etc..)

Add to that a buy one get one free deal, yeah, I'd say this is the coolest phone on the market today by far!

Pat
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RE: AT&T unveils
Solid Water 24th Nov 2010
@omdguy
"Add to that a buy one get one free deal, yeah, I'd say this is the coolest phone on the market today by far!"

I would rather say "cheapest" smart phone that you can get today by far.

I wish I could get such a deal when I was buying 5 EVO 4G from Sprint... sad

As for the consumer, it is better to say YMMV since to me Zune Pass and XBOX Live integration give nothing.
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and they are also not flying off shelves as fast as would be liked..
doctorSpoc 24th Nov 2010
@omdguy .. hence the buy one get one free deal.. remember with iPhones you got the line up for hours, visit the store a million times for months to see if they finally got a shipment.. since iPhones sold increase 100% year over year... deal..

everyone knows what it means when they start giving away phones for free.. BAD SALES.. lets pad the numbers..
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RE: AT&T unveils
itguy08 24th Nov 2010
@omdguy

Ugliest UI, yes. Coolest, no way. Could care less about $hitpoint and Office integration.

It's hardly the coolest at anything an particular.
  • Flagged
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RE: AT&T unveils
DonRupertBitByte 24th Nov 2010
@omdguy

I'd rather get an an Apple iPhone or some Android phone rather than give Microsoft another chance, although competition is good for the consumer.
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RE: AT&T unveils
LiquidLearner 24th Nov 2010
@DoctorSpoc

Ummm, yes. That must be what it means. Although it's funny since Verizon has been running BOGO specials on Droid X, Droid 2 and Droid Incredible over the last several months, all of which were selling very well. But by your logic (funny given the name) that means that the Droid brand isn't selling and is "failing".

Or perhaps it's motivated by the carrier to get more people on board with a 2 year contract. And usually those type of offers are on phones that people want. As for the iPhone, the first gen sold as many as it did, although not the lines you proclaim, because there are a legion of people who will buy anything Apple says will be awesome. The first gen iPhone wasn't very good. Remember, apps weren't added until iOS 2. That's when it became a platform instead of just a phone and it blew up.

It also wasn't released less than two months before Christmas. Most sane people would wait for the specials to come rather than line up to be the first suckers to buy a new, untested device. Overall the feedback has been very, very good. You can deny that all you want, but that's the case. I don't know because I don't own one, I have a Droid 2 and love it. I will consider WP when my contract is up in almost 2 years.
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RE: AT&T unveils
Monkeypox 24th Nov 2010
@omdguy
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
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RE: AT&T unveils
dave95. 24th Nov 2010
@LiquidLearner

"As for the iPhone, the first gen sold as many as it did, although not the lines you proclaim, because there are a legion of people who will buy anything Apple says will be awesome."

Better yet known as brand satisfaction. Apple developed such a fanbase from years of releasing products that tops user satisfaction ratings. The original iPhone was no exception. We see it continuing with the iPad which enjoys a 95% satisfactory rating. These legions of fans and early adopters who lined up for the original iPhone knew exactly what they were getting. They were buying into a device that would go on to change the entire smart phone market. So yes, not only did Apple say it was awesome, it really was.

Remember all the BlackBerry clones out at the time? And the early competitors trying to clone the iPhone? Couldn't hold a candle to this iPhone you claim was not very good. There were things the original iPhone did that Google is still trying to get right with Android now, like the overall UI responsiveness for instance, or simple things like pinch to zoom. I've noticed when you pinch to zoom on Google maps on Android, it annoyingly continues to zoom in or zoom out more than what you've specify. Microsoft nailed the responsiveness with WP7 but are missing just way too much features.
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RE: AT&T unveils
animageofmine1 24th Nov 2010
@omdguy
Don't get discouraged by the comments from the Apple/Google fanboys. I bet they havn't even tried it. I know a fanboy who bought a WP7 just to bash it (he knew he had a 30 day return policy). He kept spreading all the bad stuff about WP7 until everyone stopped caring about his opinion happy. Finally, he returned the phone.

I got Samsung Focus and I love it to the core. Its a wonderful gadget, light as a feather (lighter than iPhone), bigger screen, easily fits hands, lovely screen, great performance, few apps but all good ones. It is different, if you carry somewhere, it is noticable, not like iphone, which is owned by almost everyone.
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RE: AT&T unveils
Jimster480 24th Nov 2010
@omdguy Coolest on the market how? The os is behind the times compared to what is out now. Therefore it's definitely not the coolest stuff out now.
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That's not what he meant
tehpea 25th Nov 2010
@omdguy Coolest doesn't work in IT. It works for teens, but not for people who need something that actually works. The 'cool' factor isn't a way to evaluate the capabilities of a device.
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RE: AT&T unveils
LiquidLearner 25th Nov 2010
@Dave95

Hey, if I could get the kind of loyalty out of customers that Apple can I would do it in a heartbeat. I'm certainly not saying that as a negative for Apple. But you have to agree that iOS1 was not a very good OS and wasn't even close to what the iPhone was with 2, let alone where it's at today. All I was pointing out was Microsoft had a successful launch by normal product standards, and so far it's selling reasonably well. Would I call it a resounding success? Maybe not, I'm sure it could have been better. But a combination of poor launch time and customers that won't blindly buy anything you sell means it will take time to catch on.

And I certainly agree with you that Android isn't nearly as polished as iOS. I accept the trade offs because they work better for what I want out of the device. But I now see why Microsoft chose to wait on multi-tasking and why Apple did as well originally, and now allow it but tightly controlled. It is a constant fight on Android to keep processes under control and your phone running well. I have to use a combination of auto-kill and manual killing processes with a widget nearly every time I go to use the device. It's a double edged sword.

I think Microsoft has a good product now. The question is will they keep up over the next two years as contracts run out and people replace their smart phones. Remember, for the most part, the cell phone market is dictated more by the contracts and less by the release of new hardware, Apple being the only real exception.
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RE: AT&T unveils
Feldwebel Wolfenstool 26th Nov 2010
@omdguy Doesn't Pingguo China... a.k.a "apple".... own the copyrights to the word "cool"?
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RE: AT&T unveils
non-biased 3rd Dec 2010
@LiquidLearner BOGO deals this soon do not mean that it was a guaranteed failure but sensible logic does clearly indicate that sales have not been what were expected. The fact that Verizon is doing the same thing with the Droid lineup doesn't change anything. They may be selling well but the only reason to give away a phone (or any other product) is to boost sales due to the fact they are not as expected. Sure, they get an additional phone on a two year contract with the BOGO deals but if the phones were selling as expected they would get them on contract without giving them away. This in no way means that the OS is sub par (haven't used it to make that determination myself) it just means they need to boost the current sales volume.
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FIRE SALE
gjafg 24th Nov 2010
Why are Windows Phone 7 now discounted, to clear out stock, so soon after launch?

The same thing happened with the Kin phone, which went on sale, only to be heavily discounted shortly after.
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Based on that logic that makes the iPhone a flop too
Stark_Industries Updated - 24th Nov 2010
@gyepera
The first gen iPhone price dropped by $200 within 1 month of launch.

The iPhone 3G dropped the price by another $200 and AT&T waived the ETF for existing subscribers.

Android is a flop as well then with all the BOGO deals that are in place at the moment too.
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RE: AT&T unveils
Nickkuk Updated - 24th Nov 2010
@gyepera
I'm also surprised that Microsoft/AT&T are already giving the phones away at such an early stage. If the phones were popular and selling well they wouldn't need to, they would definitely be selling them if the demand was there.

Maybe that's why MS is so quiet about WP7 sales. MS has been shouting from the rooftops about how good the Kinect sales are, but are suspiciously quiet about WP7.

@Stark_Industries:
Yes, but the WP7 has only just been released, why are they being given away already? You would have thought there would have been a built up demand for the phones and they wouldn't need to give them away at a loss so soon.
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And Verizon and have had a two for one sale on Android phones.
John Zern 24th Nov 2010
gyepera, so what's your point?
Oh that's right, we're not supposed to remind people of that, just your one-sided view of eveything MS related.

Nice try; Thanks for playing!
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Nickkuk, could it be that
John Zern 24th Nov 2010
iPhone was released in June, Android in July, I beleive. To help spur along sales, Verizon and others had two for one sales around the holidays, like they've done many years.

Personally, the real metric will be when it's launched on Verizon, the same thing as Android in the begining.
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RE: AT&T unveils
herry.k 24th Nov 2010
@gyepera

Why?

To give you a chance to troll happy.
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RE: AT&T unveils
Rob.sharp@... Updated - 24th Nov 2010
@James Quinn

Did he stutter? It's a slick OS with plenty of Cool to go around!

If you like overpaying for Apple products then flush your money down the drain. I like variety...which is something Apple doesn't have! Besides...I-Phones are YAWN! If you've seen one you've seen it all!
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As a consumer if I get value for my money and satisfaction
James Quinn Updated - 24th Nov 2010
@rob.sharp@...
out of my purchase I am NOT overpaying. Just pointing this out in case you did not know. Also overpaying is a very subjective opinion not a fact. You might think a McDonalds McRib is a great value I might HATE the McRib and no matter what price it sells for I'd see no value in it's purchase.

Pagan jim
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RE: AT&T unveils
tonymcs@... 24th Nov 2010
@James Quinn

Yep it is. As I've said before the best antidote to all this FUD is just use one for a little while. It's the best phone UI out there at the moment.
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Um Tony no offense but based on your comments in
James Quinn 24th Nov 2010
@tonymcs@...
the past I can tell that our opinions on what is good and what is not is like night and day. You and I just don't see eye to eye on this kind of thing. It's like when I use to watch film critics and became aware that a certain critic and I were total opposites in our views on movies and their quality. When ever he said a movie was the absolute worst I'd be sure tp see it cause I KNEW I'd enjoy it and when he said a given film was the best ever I avoided it like the plague cause based on my experience with this critic I KNEW I'd HATE that movie.

Pagan jim
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Two Doorstops For The price of One
yobtaf Updated - 24th Nov 2010
@James Quinn They'll be giving them away in cereal boxes next.
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Same place you got your brain,
John Zern 24th Nov 2010
yobtaf? happy
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Hey Zern!
yobtaf Updated - 24th Nov 2010
That's what your mother said after I shaved her back this morning.
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Thanks, yobtaf! I hate doing that
John Zern 26th Nov 2010
for her, even though she's my mother. Did you get her moustache, too? You know how picky those Italian women are... happy
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Zern - You're Funny
yobtaf 26th Nov 2010
@yobtaf I like you.
You can take a joke;-)
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RE: AT&T unveils
Masari.Jones 24th Nov 2010
Nice deal... now if they would put that kind of effort into their lowsy coverage maybe it would be enticing.
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This article is an ad of course, didn't you notice?
Mikael_z 24th Nov 2010
@James Quinn, so read ZDNet with sound scepticism! happy
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RE: AT&T unveils
Loverock Davidson 24th Nov 2010
Excellent deal but still can't convince me to go to AT&T network. Verizon or Sprint needs to get in on the WP7 action before its too late.
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So how come .....
Economister 24th Nov 2010
@Loverock Davidson

you are here "flapping your jaws" when you just posted elsewhere, "If only someone could neuter your (Adrian's) blog posts."

You are truly an idiot.
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RE: AT&T unveils
PlayFair Updated - 28th Nov 2010
@Economister

There honestly and truly must be something wrong with you. Take some time to review the posts you've written over the years. Even if you ever have something reasonable to say, you distract the message with the consistent use of name-calling. It's childish man.

And please don't use the argument that Loverock is a troll. EVERYONE knows what he is doing here. And your responses of that nature are not limited to him. So for the love of all that is reasonable...

Please stop.
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RE: AT&T unveils
DonRupertBitByte 24th Nov 2010
@Loverock Davidson

What "WP7 action" are you referring to? Free phones because WP7 isn't selling that well?
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RE: AT&T unveils
Loverock Davidson 24th Nov 2010
@DonRupertBitByte
They aren't selling because they are sold out. You can't buy something if its not in stock. Give it a week or two for them to get back in stock and you can have your WP7 phone.
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RE: AT&T unveils
Anthony E 24th Nov 2010
@Loverock Davidson
If there sold out how can they offer a promotion of buy one get another free? ?
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Anthony E
Mister Spock 24th Nov 2010
They were sold out. Now more stock is in.
No different then wehn iPhones sold out, and an Android model or two.
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RE: AT&T unveils
murving 24th Nov 2010
@Loverock Davidson I hope WP7 succeeds but at least in Canada noone is buying these devices according to the carriers. Competition is good for the entire industry.
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RE: AT&T unveils
Loverock Davidson 24th Nov 2010
@murving
They aren't buying because the WP7 phones are sold out. Gotta wait for them to get back in stock!
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RE: AT&T unveils
murving 24th Nov 2010
@murving Loverock lots of stock of these devices at Telus and yet I am told noone is buying them.
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RE: AT&T unveils
Loverock Davidson 24th Nov 2010
@murving
They are most likely lying to you about them being in stock or no one is buying them. Everyone else says they sold out.
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RE: AT&T unveils
maskman01 24th Nov 2010
@Loverock
"They are most likely lying to you about them being in stock..."

Congrats on being in tune with what is happening above the 49 parallel. Someone down there needs to be. wink
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RE: AT&T unveils
Zedox 24th Nov 2010
I'm salty because I'm an early adopter and I could have had 2 phones right now. So salty.
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RE: AT&T unveils
nicholas22 24th Nov 2010
@Zedox Don't you mean sour?
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So can you....
Economister 24th Nov 2010
have two phones on a single contract or do you need two contracts? If the latter, the offer is no big deal.
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seriously.. we will give you two phones if you commit to pay us $4000
doctorSpoc 24th Nov 2010
@Economister ...2 contracts over 2yrs.. thanks at&t!
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But does this "deal".....
Economister 24th Nov 2010
@doctorSpoc

say anything about the current success (or lack thereof?) of the WP7 phones? It has been quiet on that front lately.
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It's been quite on all fronts
John Zern 24th Nov 2010
Economister. Haven't heard boo about AppleTv since Jobs' speech, and why is TJ Maxx and Marshalls seling the iPad at a $100 discount, allready? And Android, awfully quite on the Android front at the moment, haven't seen a tablet to date in the wild.
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RE: AT&T unveils
non-biased 3rd Dec 2010
@cantbeme But for some reason that Apple haters are more than welcome to take trash in any and all discussions regarding Apple products?

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