Jaguar Financial Corporation chief executive officer and RIM shareholder Vic Alboini wrote a letter urging Research In Motion to create a new plan for its business and even suggested the company consider a sale, the Financial Post said on Tuesday. “The status quo is unacceptable, the company cannot sit still,” he said. “It is time for transformational change. The directors need to seize the reins to maximize shareholder value before more market value is lost.” Alboini suggested RIM create a special panel consisting of four or five of its seven directors who could focus on finding a way, such as selling off patents, to increase shareholder value. Jaguar Financial Corporation owns less than 5% of RIM’s stock, which it purchased in July, but Alboini said his letter reflects the opinion of others, too. “We are representing several shareholders in making this statement,” Alboini said. “I’ve said to them if they want to step out and make themselves known, that’s entirely up to them.” Jaguar Financial tasks itself with investing in under-performing companies with the goal of turning them around. “RIM’s chronic underperformance and repeated delays in executing its strategy have led Jaguar to the conclusion that fundamental change at RIM is required,” he said.

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HP updated its Pre3 website with changes that suggest the company has swapped out the phone’s single-core processor for a dual-core chip. The site now includes a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon chip in the phone’s spec sheet, as opposed to the original 1.4GHz Scorpion CPU that was originally listed. In June the Pre3 began popping up on U.K. retail websites with a July 8th launch date, but that day has come and gone and the Pre3 has yet to make an appearance. Perhaps the processor tweak has been responsible for the delay, but that’s not yet clear. Additionally, it doesn’t appear that the company has tweaked any of the phone’s other specifications. The Pre3 passed through the FCC in May and it is expected to launch on Verizon Wireless in the U.S. Unfortunately, we’re still not sure when the device will actually hit store shelves.

[Via phoneArena]

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AT&T has started to issue warnings to customers unofficially tethering their smartphones to its network. In an email to unauthorized tetherers, the company writes, “Our records show that you use this capability, but are not subscribed to our tethering plan.” The correspondence goes on to note that users will be automatically enrolled in the $45 per month “DataPro for Smartphone Tethering” plan if they ignore the warning. “The new plan – whether you sign up on your own or we automatically enroll you – will replace your current smartphone data plan, including if you are on an unlimited data plan,” the email continues. The standard DataPro offering is $25 per month and provides users with 2GB of monthly data, although some users are still clinging to a discontinued, $30 per month 5GB data plan. It is safe to assume that a large portion of the unofficial, tethering populous is jailbroken iPhone users and rooted Android users. “If you discontinue tethering, no changes to your current plan will be required.” A copy of the email tethering-cheaters are receiving is after the break.

Dear [Name of Account Holder],

We’ve noticed your service plan may need updating.

Many AT&T customers use their smartphones as a broadband connection for other devices, like laptops, netbooks or other smartphones– a practice commonly known as tethering. Tethering can be an efficient way for our customers to enjoy the benefits of AT&T’s mobile broadband network and use more than one device to stay in touch with important people and information. To take advantage of this feature, we require that in addition to a data plan, you also have a tethering plan.

Our records show that you use this capability, but are not subscribed to our tethering plan.

If you would like to continue tethering, please log into your account online at www.wireless.att.com, or call us at 1-888-860-6789 Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. CST or Saturday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. CST, by March 27, 2011 to sign up for DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering. Here are details on the plan:

DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering

• $45 per month (this gives you 4GB in total, combining both your smartphone data plan for $25 and the tethering feature, $20)
• $10 per each additional GB thereafter, added automatically as needed
• Mobile Hotspot capabilities are included for compatible Smartphones

If we don’t hear from you, we’ll plan to automatically enroll you into DataPro 4GB after March 27, 2011. The new plan – whether you sign up on your own or we automatically enroll you – will replace your current smartphone data plan, including if you are on an unlimited data plan.

If you discontinue tethering, no changes to your current plan will be required.

It’s easy to track your usage throughout the month so there are no bill surprises. For example, we send you free text messages when you reach 65, 90, and 100 percent of your plan’s threshold. If you would like to monitor your account more closely, go to www.att.com/dataplans to learn about other ways to track your data usage.

As a reminder, our smartphone data plans also include unlimited usage of Wi-Fi at no additional charge. AT&T smartphone customers can use Wi-Fi at home or on-the-go at any one of our more than 23,000 U.S. hotspots already included in your data plan.

Thank you for bringing your account up to date. We appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve your mobile broadband needs.

Sincerely,
AT&T

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According to a well placed source of ours, AT&T will be altering its data plan offerings for LaptopConnect devices this Sunday. Devices that utilize LaptopConnect data plans include data sticks, MiFis, and connected netbooks. Currently, AT&T offers a 200MB monthly plan for $35 or a 5GB monthly plan for $60… not all that savory. After this weekend, however, the company will bring its offerings more inline with those its cnemesis, Verizon Wireless. Ma’ Bell will begin offering a 3GB monthly data plan for $30 and a 5GB monthly plan for $50. Much more savory. We should see an announcement either Sunday or Monday. What do you think?

Tomorrow is D-Day for Nokia. At the company’s Capital Markets Day, CEO Stephen Elop is expected to announce a major shift in Nokia’s smartphone strategy — by strategy, we mean operating system. Rumors have been flying that Elop, Microsoft’s former business unit chief, will align his new company with his old, bringing Nokia-branded Windows Phone handsets to market in the near future. Mr. Elop sat down with Mobilized’s Ina Fried last week to discuss what’s next for Nokia. Without tipping his hand, the CEO let it be known that Android, MeeGo, and Windows Phone were all options.

After commenting on the viability of the three, aforementioned mobile OS’, Nokia’s front-man also addressed his company’s lackluster North American presence. “We need to be in the United States in one way, shape or form,” said Mr. Elop. “We have to have a viable way to reopen doors.”

The moment of truth is tomorrow. What do you think Nokia should do?

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Way back on the 20th, we told you that Sprint would be tweaking its customer loyalty rewards program – lovingly known as Premier. Recently, Sprint contacted BGR to clarify a few details about exactly what has to happen for customers to qualify for the program’s restructured incentives.

Gold Level

A gold level member will receive 25% off the purchase of 2 or more accessories, customer news letters, “just because” perks, first to buy offers, and the ability to upgrade one device after 12 months of service. To qualify for a Premier Gold membership, users must have an individual monthly plan costing $89.99 or more or a family plan costing $169.99 (before any applicable discounts).

Silver Level

A silver level member will receive the same benefits as gold members — 25% off the purchase of 2 or more accessories, customer news letters, “just because” perks, and first to buy offers — but will not have the ability to upgrade a device after 12 months of service. To qualify for a Premier Silver membership, users must have an individual monthly plan costing between $69.99 and $89.98 or a family plan costing between $99.99 and $169.98 (before any applicable discounts).

Any customer, regardless of rate-plan price, that has been with Sprint over ten years will automatically qualify for Premier Gold. There you have it. Straight from the horses mouth.

Well it’s not incoming number portability but it’s better than nothing… While the Google Voice team continues to battle through a massive back log of customers itching for their invites, a nifty new feature popped up today for current Google Voice users. Love the service but hate your number? Well now you can change it on the Phones tab under Settings. There is a one-time fee of $10 to change your number but it’s a small price to pay. If you need help picking a new Google Voice number, there’s even a great little number picker tool that lets you type out words and try to snag their corresponding phone numbers. The best part — your old number stays active for 90 days so you don’t have to go crazy hitting all your contacts with your new contact info in a rush. Sweet!

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