Detroit — AT&T today announced it will launch Digital Life in Detroit along with four other markets: Boston, Cleveland, Portland and San Antonio. AT&T Digital Life aims to make customers’ lives easier by simplifying the management of their home. Digital Life offers security, convenience and peace of mind, in a customizable and easy-to-use experience from smartphones, tablets or PCs.

Beginning Friday, customers in these five new markets can receive a live demo and purchase AT&T Digital Life in company owned retail stores. Including the new markets launching on Friday, AT&T’s Digital Life will be available in 27 markets, with plans to introduce the service in up to 50 markets by the end of 2013.

 

With Digital Life, customers can use their existing home broadband provider, and any wireless phone service, and enjoy the security and convenience of a home management system with the flexibility to meet their unique needs.

• Actively Protected & In Control: The foundation of Digital Life is complete home security with 24/7 professional monitoring that allows you to know what is happening at home, or where an event has occurred. Through AT&T-owned and operated, U.S.-based monitoring centers, professionals will respond to emergencies and alert police and fire authorities.
• Seamlessly Connected: Digital Life is an all-digital, fully integrated, wireless home management system, giving customers flexibility to manage their home from their smartphone, tablet or PC. Our takeover module lets you easily extend your existing security system and investment. The Digital Life application is available on most web browsers. Apps are available for iOS, Android smartphones and Windows Phones. To ensure customers’ privacy is protected, Digital Life has a secure log in system each time the app is opened from any Internet-connected device.
• Amazingly Simple & Intuitive: A user-friendly application was designed to be as simple as possible, making it easier than ever to manage your home. The Digital Life application gives customers control over cameras, door locks, lights, thermostats, small appliances and more by setting alerts or programs to manage your home. It’s all integrated into one simple system.
• Personalized & Flexible: Digital Life provides total flexibility so you can personalize your home to adapt to everyday life – with custom notifications and scheduled tasks. Add devices and solutions anytime, as your needs grow, or your lifestyle changes.

“Digital Life is committed to offering our customers an easy and convenient way to secure their homes, protect their families and simplify their lives from virtually anywhere,” said Brian Ducharme, vice president and general manager, AT&T Michigan. “With the launch of these five new markets, we’re looking forward to making Digital Life available to more customers throughout the country.”

 

Digital Life recently achieved the “CSAA Five Diamond Certification,” testifying that 100% of Digital Life central station operators have achieved proficiency and certification by passing the CSAA Central Station On-Line Operator Training Course. These courses cover virtually all phases of central station communications with customers, law enforcement, fire and emergency services communications centers. This area of communications is an important link between the residential or business properties and the law enforcement, fire and emergency services in local areas.  

 

In addition, the Digital Life team has invested significant time and resources to achieve 100% quality operator training.  Across the industry, there are approximately 2,700 companies or central stations in the United States, which communicate and interact with law enforcement and fire and emergency services agencies. Of this group, fewer than one hundred fifty central stations have achieved the “CSAA Five Diamond Certified” status.

 

Pricing

Customers can choose from two base plans: Simple Security, which is our basic home security package; or Smart Security which includes enhanced security features and the option to add home automation.

• Simple Security: Includes 24/7 home monitoring, 24-hour battery backup, a wireless keypad, keychain remote, recessed sensors and an indoor siren for $29.99 a month plus $149.99 for equipment and installation.
• Smart Security: Includes the benefits of Simple Security plus a choice of three of the following features: motion sensor, carbon monoxide sensor, glass break sensor, smoke sensor or takeover kit. Smart Security begins at $39.99 a month plus $249.99 for equipment and installation.

Customers who select Smart Security can add these automation packages:

• Camera Package: View live video from inside and outside of the home for an additional $9.99 a month plus equipment and installation.
• Energy Package: Control appliances, lighting and thermostats for convenience and energy efficiency for an additional $4.99 a month plus equipment and installation.
• Door Package: Allow a pet sitter or repairman into your home remotely with automated door locks, or check to see whether your garage door is open or closed for an additional $4.99 a month plus equipment and installation.
• Water Detection Package: Detect water leaks before damage occurs for an additional $4.99 a month plus equipment and installation.
• Water Control Package: Detect leaks and shut off water at the main water source for an additional $9.99 a month plus equipment and installation.

 

Experience Digital Life

Digital Life offers a simple purchasing process with several options. Digital Life will be sold and demonstrated in over 700 company owned retail stores in 27 markets. You can also learn and buy at att.com/digitallife, call 855-288-2727 or schedule an appointment with an in-home sales consultant.

To learn more about Digital Life availability, visit att.com/digitallife

To support relief efforts in Colorado, Verizon customers can now text-to-donate to the Red Cross and Salvation Army.

Verizon Wireless customers can donate $10 to the Red Cross by texting REDCROSS to 90999 or to the Salvation Army by texting STORM to 80888. Those who would like to give more can donate up to $50 via text. Text messaging fees will be waived, and 100 percent of each donation goes directly to the Red Cross and/or Salvation Army. Verizon Wireless customers who pay monthly bills will see their donations on the next regular monthly bill. For customers using the company’s prepaid services, donations will be taken from customers’ prepaid balances.

Verizon has committed a $10,000 grant to disaster relief in the area, and the Verizon Foundation will provide a 1-to-1 match of employee online donations (from $25 up to $1,000 per employee) to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. 

In addition to all retail stores in Colorado that remain open to customers, Verizon Wireless has deployed a disaster relief vehicle to the disaster command center at Pine Creek High School in Colorado Springs to support first responders and families. The support unit is equipped with charging stations, emergency phones to use for calls and Internet access.

T-Mobile US, Inc. has announced it will be the exclusive U.S. wireless company to carry the Xperia Z from Sony.

The Xperia Z packs the best Sony has to offer into a premium Android-powered smartphone. T-Mobile will offer the device on its Simple Choice Plan with no annual service contract plus unlimited talk, text and Web on a nationwide 4G network with 4G LTE rolling out across the country.

“T-Mobile customers traveling this summer will love the Xperia Z with its big, beautiful HD screen, water-resistant design and advanced camera features,” said Jason Young, vice president of product marketing, T-Mobile. “This is an outstanding combination: a premium 4G LTE smartphone with Sony’s best features coupled with T-Mobile’s unlimited data and speedy nationwide network.”

Simple Choice Plan
With T-Mobile’s Simple Choice Plan, Xperia Z customers design their plan based on the number of lines and amount of high-speed data they want. Unlimited talk, text and Web with up to 500MB of high-speed data is $50 per month (plus taxes and fees) for the first line. Customers can add another 2GB of high-speed data at up to 4G speeds for $10 per month per line or get unlimited 4G data and up to 500MB of tethering for an additional $20 per month per line. A second phone line can be added for $30 per month and each additional line is just $10 per month. There are no caps, no overages and no annual service contracts.

T-Mobile’s 4G LTE Network
The Xperia Z will seamlessly connect to T-Mobile’s high-speed nationwide 4G HSPA+ network and advanced 4G LTE network wherever it is available, which is expected to reach 100 million people by midyear and 200 million nationwide by the end of the year.

“With Xperia Z, we are thrilled to bring a breakthrough smartphone to T-Mobile, the breakout carrier in the U.S.,” said Timothy Hernquist, North America Vice President of Marketing, Sony Mobile Communications. “Xperia Z offers customers a beautifully designed, water-resistant premium Android smartphone ready to handle whatever life throws at it.”

Sony went with a stylish and durable physical design with unique technology, content and connectivity all bundled into the Xperia Z. A 5-inch 1080p HD Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 provides super brightness and clarity. The highly-durable design features  tempered glass and anti-shatter film on the front and back and the highest levels of dust- and water-resistance2 (IP55 and IP57) in a premium smartphone. A 13-megapixel camera with Exmor RS for Mobile, the world’s first image sensor with HDR (High Dynamic Range) video for smartphones, delivers stunning photos and videos in any condition. And its STAMINA mode is designed to greatly improve battery standby time by automatically shutting down battery-draining apps when the screen is off.

Availability
The Xperia Z is expected to be available nationwide at T-Mobile retail stores, select national retailers and dealers and online via www.T-Mobile.com in the coming weeks. The smartphone will be available in a black finish and a limited-time only purple finish (while supplies last). For more information, visit http://t-mobile.com/Sony-XperiaZ.