AT&T finally looks to Android as Verizon iPhone 4 launch looms
When it comes to high end superphones that make gadget fiends’ mouths water, AT&T has been a no-show in recent history. Some argue that the arrival of the iPhone made the carrier complacent, thus allowing Verizon Wireless to carve out a new role as the premier U.S. supplier of beastly smartphones. With Verizon Wireless preparing to launch its own version of the iPhone 4 next month, however, AT&T will look to regain its perceived position as the top smartphone provider in the U.S. where variety and power are concerned. Up to this point, AT&T has been very slow in adopting Android, likely as part of its efforts to keep Apple happy. It did launch a few Android smartphones of course, but none that could compete with the high-end devices being offered by competitors. All that will change in 2011. AT&T announced several top-of-the-line Android devices at CES earlier this month, and AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson alluded to the fact that more Android goodies are in store from the carrier this year. “[AT&T is] going to be a heavy participant in the Android market this year,” Stephenson said on the company’s earnings call on Thursday. He went on to state that AT&T would focus on both Android phones and tablets in 2011, saying the latter would be a big factor in driving revenue growth.
Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein is the Executive Editor of BGR. He has 10 years of industry experience, first in marketing and business development with two private Telcos, then as a writer and editor covering business, technology and telecommunications.
Leave a Reply