First Commercial Microsoft Surface Launch to Begin April 17 in Select AT&T
Stores With Expanded Deployment Planned Throughout 2008
LAS VEGAS, April 2, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T)
and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced a collaborative alliance
that will transform the way consumers shop for mobile devices. AT&T will
become the first company in the world to bring Microsoft Surface(TM) to
life in a retail environment, giving customers the ability to explore their
mobile worlds using touch and device-recognition technology.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080402/AQW520-a)
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080402/AQW520-b)
Microsoft Surface is the first commercially available surface computer
from Microsoft. Beginning April 17, customers can experience Microsoft
Surface in select AT&T retail locations, including stores in New York City,
Atlanta, San Antonio and San Francisco. Based on the success and learning
from these initial pilot deployments, plans for further expansion across
AT&T's 2,200 U.S.-based retail stores will be determined.
Microsoft Surface is a 30-inch table-like display that gives
individuals or multiple people the opportunity to interact with devices and
content in a way that feels familiar -- by using touch, gestures and
placement of devices on the display. In essence, it's a surface come to
life for exploring, learning, sharing, creating, buying and much more.
AT&T plans to harness the power of Surface to provide its retail store
visitors with unique opportunities to learn about the growing universe of
mobile applications and devices. The interactive touch displays, which will
work without a traditional mouse or keyboard, will allow customers to:
-- Learn. Customers can review features of a particular mobile device by
simply placing it on the display. Surface will recognize the device and
provide a graphical overview of its capabilities. Customers can place
two devices side by side on the unit and easily compare their features.
-- Explore. Customers can view interactive coverage maps at the national,
state, local or street level, using simple touch and hand movement to
scale and move the maps, determining a customer's coverage area.
-- Customize. In the future, customers will be able to drag and drop
ringtones, graphics, video and more by "grabbing" content with their
hands from a menu on the display and "dropping" it into the phone.
In addition to these exciting features, AT&T and Microsoft will
continue to collaborate on new and innovative ways to expand Surface
capabilities in AT&T stores.
"We are thrilled to bring this groundbreaking new technology to our
stores so that we can introduce customers to their mobile worlds in a very
personal and easy way," said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T
Mobility. "We look forward to working with Microsoft to continue developing
new ways for our customers to learn about the ever-growing lineup of mobile
devices and applications."
"Microsoft Surface transforms the retail environment from a transaction
destination to a customer engagement destination," said Robbie Bach,
president, Entertainment & Devices Division, Microsoft. "With innovative
and intuitive ways of accessing information and digital content on
Microsoft Surface, consumers now have an entirely new, unique and
personalized shopping experience. We're excited to have AT&T bring this to
life and be the first company showcasing Surface in its retail locations."
AT&T plans to unveil the new displays in stores in New York City,
Atlanta, San Antonio and San Francisco on April 17, followed by additional
stores in other markets based on the success of the first phase of
deployment. Additional information on the launch is available online at
http://www.att.com/surface.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its
subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of
AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their
offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications
services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and
voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory
publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and
YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators
in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen
integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings.
Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services
provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at
http://www.att.com.
(C) 2008 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the
AT&T logo and all other AT&T marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T
Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks
contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Note: This AT&T news release and other announcements are available as
part of an RSS feed at http://www.att.com/rss. For more information, please
review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at
http://www.att.com/newsroom.
About Microsoft Surface Computing
Microsoft Surface Computing brings to life a whole new way to interact
with information that engages the senses, improves collaboration and
empowers consumers. By utilizing the best combination of connected
software, services and hardware, Microsoft is at the forefront of
developing surface computing products that push computing boundaries,
deliver new experiences that break down barriers between users and
technology, and provide new opportunities for companies to engage with
people. More information can be found at http://www.surface.com.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
their full potential.
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