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Over the weekend my friend and nationally known educator (and well not enough room to tell you every...
48 views
<p>
Over the weekend my friend and nationally known educator (and well not enough room to tell you everything about) Mike Barnett contacted me about his Droid. He was complaining to me about the size of the font on his Droid. In all fairness Mike's AARP is well worn so age might have something to do with his problem. I checked online to see if it was a big, sorry small problem and it turns out many are talking about it online. I suggested a cure which involved going to Spare Parts App or downloading for free to change font size. problem it does not change the font on all programs much like our good old Palms and Windows did.
</p>
<p>
Let's get something straight here I like the Droid and know many who love it. BUT if you can't see half your stuff it not going to work. So here we go let's talk about the Droid and any of you that have found work around please share and let's make this thread anything Droid.
</p>
<p>
Side note when I travel I many times have members of this group tell me how much they love this group. It's not about me it's about you and many of you step up quickly to share your advice. I love agent to agent sharing and this forum provides just that.
</p>
<p>
Dick
</p>
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3/8/10 12:11 PM
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Have I mentioned I am getting a headache with all the phones rolling out the first quarter of 2010?...
498 views
<p style="text-align: left">
Have I mentioned I am getting a headache with all the phones rolling out the first quarter of 2010? Verizon released the new improved Palm and Pixi Plus the end of January and I am already getting emails from folks asking what the difference is. Not much but just like all the other Palm releases they use us for quality control and build in some changes. Remember when we jumped quickly from the M500 to the M515 better yet how about the 700W and just weeks later the 700WX. Anyway here we go with what you Sprint Pre owners are missing;
</p>
<p style="text-align: left">
Double the Ram the Pre has 8 GB Plus 16 GB
</p>
<p>
Battery slightly improved
</p>
<p>
Pre 5 hours talk time 300 hours standby
</p>
<p>
Pre Plus 5.5 hours talk time 350 hours standby (ya right!)
</p>
<p>
Palm Pre if you want to use the Touchstone charging system need to replace back Plus comes standard. The Plus does feel better with new back feels less plastic and adds just a little weigh adding to the good feeling.
</p>
<p>
Pre Plus has a redesigned Qwerty keyboard which comparing to the Pre is much nicer and feels better. Oh they removed the little button in the middle bottom of the swipe area.
</p>
<p>
Coolest feature change is the Plus can switch into Wi-Fi router functionality for up to five devices using Palm mobile hotspot. The $40 a month price tag makes it not that cool.
</p>
<p>
Now if that's not enough we have a new release of WebOS 1.4 software coming the middle of February. Biggest thing is video recording and editing but a few other upgrades are phonebook transfer, calendar and messaging enhancements.
</p>
<p>
Had enough yet? How about the Pre and Pixi coming to AT&T in May but you didn't hear that from me.
</p>
<p>
Dick Betts
</p>
<p>
National Real Estate Speaker
</p>
<p>
<a href="http://www.dickbettsseminars.com/"><font color="#1E77B9">www.DickBettsSeminars.com</font></a>
</p>
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2/11/10 1:15 PM
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3/6/10 4:46 AM
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For the past three months I have been telling folks to wait until after the first of the year if the...
178 views
<p>
For the past three months I have been telling folks to wait until after the first of the year if they need a new Smartphone. Well it's the first of the year and things are starting to become clear. The industry wants us to start using a new phrase to define the new breed of Smartphones they want us to call them "Super Phones". Not sure if that will stick but until I finish this article that is what I will call them.
</p>
<p>
So after visiting all my favorite geek sites that cover Smartphones this is what I have put together. There are four phones that fall into the Super Phone category IPhone 3G, Palm Pre, Nexus One and the Droid. If you're current phone doesn't make the list remember this is just a research article based on reading geek sites NOT the opinion of the writer.
</p>
<p>
So which one of these is best? None of them are best for everyone only you can decide which one provides you the tools you need. I also want to get past something here the price. If you are a true Smartphone user taking advantage of 50 to 75% of the phone's features there is no other electronic device that affects your life more then your phone. So forget price and look at how this device can improve your life, increase your productivity, keep you organized and for many provide a source of relaxation with music, games, web surfing and reading.
</p>
<p>
For many of you the first question is does it open my lockboxes currently no heard rumors but nothing at this time. Does my contact management system work on the new phones for anybody using Outlook you will be fine if using something else could be problem. There is a great program coming out for Customer Relationship Management that will work with Outlook and all web enabled phones but can't talk about it yet.
</p>
<p>
Okay let's get into the phones start with the IPhone if you have AT&T and live in one of their 3G areas it wins! Being able to talk and surf the web get emails while having a conversation makes this phone the best tool out there. Having 127,600 applications doesn't really impress me because we normally use 5 or 10 to run our business and life. I do not see the IPhone on any other networks in the near future. Is it worth switching from your carrier, no?
</p>
<p>
The Palm Pre and Pixi currently with Sprint but announced yesterday coming to Verizon on January 25<sup>th</sup> and AT&T has said according to geek sites they will be offering 2 Palm products shortly wonder which two? Anyway nice device love the keyboard the biggest feature it has the IPhone doesn't have is multitasking which means having many apps open at the same time. Smallest of the Super Phones if that's important to you.
</p>
<p>
The Droid which operates on Verizon's network is a probably not happy today. More about that later anyway love the keyboard lacks multi touch screen so not the best tool to show people a picture or information from a website. Multitasking on the Droid does work which gives it a thumbs up. Of the 4 Super phones the best screen! Now how Google has thrown the Droid under the bus, the new Google phone has 2.1 operating system making some needed changes to the software that the Droid has because it's running the 2.0 system. Gee a phone released a mere 2 months ago already outdated.
</p>
<p>
The Nexus One (Google Phone) seen as the IPhone killer the jury is still out on that statement. I have not had one in my hands yet so based on people in the business that I trust "they like it". Now that statement alone speaks volumes big difference between like and love. The Nexus does multitask which in case you haven't figured out I think is on the very top of the list of features. It is more customizable then other Super phones but not sure the average user cares. I could fill pages of benefits and features for all these phones but this one might have a slight edge. Currently Nexus One is only on the T-Mobile network and expected to be available in the spring on Verizon. You can purchase an unlocked unit and work on AT&T because of the sim card.
</p>
<p>
So here we go again the same question I get thousands of times all over North America what is the best phone? There isn't one! Just like there is not a best carrier because of where you live and work. We all need to look at how we do business run our life and select a device that benefits us. Don't get caught up on yours is better then mine it doesn't matter. Here's a link for a great comparison chart that spells out some very basic questions about the 4 Super Phones;
</p>
<p>
<a href="http://www.billshrink.com/blog/nexus-one-vs-iphone-droid-palm-pre-total-cost-of-ownership/"><font color="#1E77B9">http://www.billshrink.com/blog/nexus-one-vs-iphone-droid-palm-pre-total-cost-of-ownership/</font></a>
</p>
<p>
In closing don't let your lockboxes or contact management program make you buy a dumber phone. Buy a phone that helps you in your business and personal life the most. If you feel the most important feature on your phone is opening lockboxes and operating an antiquated contact management system then go to eBay where they have brand new Palm Treos that work with all carriers.
</p>
<p>
Dick Betts
</p>
<p>
</p>
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1/8/10 7:52 AM
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2/4/10 8:23 AM
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I received an email from my friend Mike Barnett of RealTown fame yesterday asking for a Blackberry s...
3,234 views
<p>
I received an email from my friend Mike Barnett of RealTown fame yesterday asking for a Blackberry section. So here it is, we will run this discussion thread for Blackberry users. I do not have a Blackberry but do have one coming to add to my collection so the members of this group who use the BB I need your help!
</p>
<p>
I hope to learn from you about Blackberry so we all can benefit from this addition to our group!
</p>
<p>
Thanks,
</p>
<p>
Dick
</p>
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6/30/08 8:13 AM
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1/8/10 1:55 PM
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I would like to make this the go to place for information about the Palm Pre Smartphone. Together w...
2,632 views
<p>
I would like to make this the go to place for information about the Palm Pre Smartphone. Together we can speed up the learning process by sharing what we have learned. I am spending as much time as possible learning the device but I am sure some of you have started someplace different.
</p>
<p>
So let's start sharing plus having REALTORS add what they are liking or disliking about the phone will help some decide.
</p>
<p>
First thing I have noticed which currently no other Smartphone has is to be able to run many apps (programs) at the same time. Instead of closing an app just hit the "Center Button" which reduces the program to about a quarter of the size. Open all you want and they look like a deck of cards using your finger just flick them side to side then tap to open to full screen. Just to test I opened 15 apps with no problem.
</p>
<p>
Dick
</p>
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6/7/09 2:21 PM
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11/16/09 2:23 PM
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Welcome! Our purpose in developing this discussion group is to provide a reliable resource of infor...
2,491 views
<p>
<strong>Welcome! </strong> Our purpose in developing this discussion group is to provide a reliable resource of information about mobile technology. The Smartphone is such a wonderful Real Estate Management Tool! We could go on for pages about all the reasons <i>Why</i> a REALTOR should use a Smartphone, but you already understand the need or you wouldn't be here reading this!
</p>
<div>
We recognize that getting questions answered and finding help about Smartphones can be an overwhelming task! We get hundreds of emails each month from agents looking for direction, seeking answers, confused about options and some even desperate for technical help. It has been our mission to provide agents with a down-to-earth approach on a subject matter usually thought of as complicated and frustrating. We have been offering practical ideas that are easily applied to daily practices for the past seven years and have been a part of the evolution of the Smartphone. Our main web site, <a href="http://www.dickbetts.com/">www.DickBetts.com</a>, offers a lot of information about Smartphones - helpful tips, tricks to adjusting settings to make the devices a bit more user-friendly, cool third-party software and gadgets to check out a much more. But this forum discussion takes what we have been offering to a whole new level. We are excited to be working with RealTown to provide this helpful resource to you!
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<div>
</div>
<div>
Our information is geared towards the needs of today's Real Estate Professional. By educating yourself about the different varieties of Smartphones and the main features of each one, you can better decide which device is going to be best to suit <i>your</i> individual needs. That truly is the key to selecting a Smartphone - discovering which device will best meet <i>your</i>needs. <b class="c1">One-size does not fit all!</b>
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<div>
</div>
<div>
A good question to start with is <i>Why</i> you want a Smartphone. What was it that drew your interest to mobile technology? The internet access no matter where you are? The ability to send/receive email when you are out of the office. Or maybe you are tired of carrying all of your working files in your backseat! For some, the interest is sparked by a third-party software program they just can't live without. <i>Your</i> answer is the best place to start when deciding on which brand/ model of Smartphone to purchase.
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
You see, to truly benefit from having a Smartphone you need to do more than just purchase a device and learn how to put in Contacts and make phone calls. To get the most out of a Smartphone you must learn how to best apply the available features to <i>your</i> real estate career. Reading thru the Manual will teach you how to use the different Applications, but it will not show you how to best apply the function to your real estate career. Putting a real estate twist on each feature should be your goal. Where do you go to learn that?
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Right here! This is where we step in. <em>This</em> is what this discussion group is all about - using your Smartphone like a true Real Estate Professional to get the most out of your purchase and reap the rewards of a better flow to your business.
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
So, let's hear from you -
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
What do you need or want to know about Smartphones. Give us your questions.
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Been using a device for a long time and know it all? Then share your advice or tips.
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
We look forward to hearing from you.
</div>
<div>
Dick Betts
</div>
<div>
Shelby Betts
</div>
<div>
Mobile Technology Trainers
</div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.DickBetts.com">www.DickBetts.com</a>
</div>
<div>
</div>
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6/4/08 4:37 PM
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10/27/09 8:56 PM
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I remember we had this topic a while back, but I didn't care then. I'm wondering who tethers and wha...
49 views
<p>
I remember we had this topic a while back, but I didn't care then. I'm wondering who tethers and what phones do that? Is it just part of your broadband bill or does it equal minutes used? Verizon is my carrier because they have the best coverage with the least dropped calls and I think dropped calls look unprofessional PLUS when you get sign calls and the call gets dropped, when you hurry and call back they usually don't answer because I think they think you're unprofessional. What's the scoop out there?
</p>
<p>
Debbie Golden
</p>
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3/8/10 2:15 PM
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3/8/10 4:35 PM
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I guess today is the big day for my announcement, starting February 25th in Santa Rosa, CA I am incl...
2,196 views
<p>
I guess today is the big day for my announcement, starting February 25th in Santa Rosa, CA I am including all Palm, Windows, Blackberry and iPhones in my classes. I have been working hard on these strange critters and feel I am ready to add Blackberry and iPhone to my list of devices. As in the past when I added Windows I felt I needed to understand them as well as I did the Palm OS. I bought books, got my hands on devices and am ready to help agents get the most out of them. So this room is now a free for all! Fire your questions, ask my opinion, let's get ready to RUMBLE! For some of you experts out there on Blackberry and iPhones PLEASE jump in when you can, I need all the help I can get!
</p>
<p>
Come on Pre, Come on Pre, Come on Pre!!!!
</p>
<p>
Dick
</p>
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1/29/09 7:26 PM
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3/8/10 12:33 PM
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I thought this might be a good place to advertise or find used phones.
I am wondering if anyon...
117 views
<p>
I thought this might be a good place to advertise or find used phones.
</p>
<p>
I am wondering if anyone has a used Nextel Blackberry Curve for sale.
</p>
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11/5/09 8:07 AM
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3/8/10 12:27 PM
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Today I got a robo call from AT&T about my phone service, just for the record I do have an account w...
147 views
<p>
Today I got a robo call from AT&T about my phone service, just for the record I do have an account with Sprint also and yes I do pay my own cell bills. They wanted me to know I was available for a free upgrade of a phone. So I called in and started asking questions about my bill within 30 seconds the very nice lady said we can today offer you a reduction in your calling plan without changing the terms of your contract. I currently have unlimited calling for $99 a month but today they dropped the price to $69 without me even asking. The trick is they are still hitting me with a bunch of other charges because I have a smartphone making my total AT&T cell bill about $120 for unlimited everything. But thought hey $30 is $30 but wait a minute what about Sprint.
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<p>
I am traveling today and walked into my hotel and turned on my TV guess what? Dan Hesse CEO of Sprint was on my TV telling how Sprint now has a $69 plan which includes everything unlimited. I guess I will be calling Sprint next because my current plan is $99 for everything. So this has been a very good day for Dick Betts I have reduced my 2 phones bills by a total of $60 a month or $720 a year.
</p>
<p>
Folks they are not going to call you and offer you a reduction of cost YOU need to make the call. I just hope AT&T and Verizon wake up and do the same prices as Sprint. I recently wrote an article about how many customers each carrier has so let's all of us AT&T customers 77 Million and Verizon customers 72.1 Million call our carriers and demand to match Sprint's price so then Sprint drops to $49 and on and on, sound like a plan?
</p>
<p>
Dick
</p>
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3/2/10 5:23 PM
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3/7/10 8:19 AM
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I was very surprised when I read this statistic on cnn.com
"The iPhone, iPod Touch and the han...
29 views
<p>
I was very surprised when I read this statistic on cnn.com
</p>
<p>
"The iPhone, iPod Touch and the handful of smartphones that run Android accounted for a whopping 86% of the data downloads from U.S. smartphones in January"
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<p>
It was especially surprising since earlier in the article it mentions that the BlackBerry has over 40% of the smartPhone market.
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<p>
article:
</p>
<p>
<a target="_blank" href="http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/04/technology/google_apple_mobile/index.htm">http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/04/technology/google_apple_mobile/index.htm</a>
</p>
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3/5/10 1:50 PM
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3/6/10 8:19 AM
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Are any of these one cent phones worth it?
30 views
<p>
<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/agentpda-20">Are any of these one cent phones worth it?</a>
</p>
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3/4/10 5:49 AM
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3/6/10 5:29 AM
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If your like me you have received the following email;
"Cell phones will go public this month....
65 views
<p>
If your like me you have received the following email;
</p>
<p>
"Cell phones will go public this month. This means that cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketing companies. The National Do Not Call List will block your number for 5 years. To register, call 888-382-1222. You must call from the phone you wish to have blocked."
</p>
<p>
After getting so many emails that a long lost relative died in some foreign country or I won a gazillion dollar lottery or MS is giving away stuff if you send this email on I normally check things out.
</p>
<p>
I went to the Federal Trade Commission Website to read for myself what all the fuss is about cell phones and telemarketers here what they have posted;
</p>
<p>
<strong>Cell Phones</strong><br />
You may place your personal cell phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. The registry has accepted cell phone numbers since it opened for registrations in June 2003. There is no deadline to register a home or cell phone number on the Registry.<br />
<br />
You may have received an email telling you that your cell phone is about to be assaulted by telemarketing calls as a result of a new cell phone number database; however, that is not the case. Federal Communications Commission regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers.
</p>
<p>
So there that's the facts I did call in and put my cell number on the do not call list but know you are not about to be assaulted by the end of the month!
</p>
<p>
Dick
</p>
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3/5/10 8:08 AM
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Dick,
I have a question? I recently did the Realeseller add-on to my Outlook for real estate....
42 views
<p>
Dick,
</p>
<p>
I have a question? I recently did the Realeseller add-on to my Outlook for real estate. My problem is that this program won't download anything that I've added to my Blackberry. I went into Realeseller and made some changes that it liked vs what Outlook liked and had added all new clients numbers and business partners then when syncing with my Blackberry it stops at my original contacts count and will not add any of the added ones from Realeseller. My whole purpose of having a smart phone is to be able to utilize my Outlook. Now I can't even get if off and back to my original Outlook without losing all of my contacts. Not sure if you have worked with this add-on for the smartphone but before I look elsewhere thought I'd check. I've discussed this with Larry on the Outlook forum who sells the product but to no avail.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
Thanks
</p>
<p>
Cheryl Laxton
</p>
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3/1/10 1:22 PM
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3/2/10 7:48 AM
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I started to write a series of articles on how the different carriers were aligning their business p...
277 views
<p>
I started to write a series of articles on how the different carriers were aligning their business plan to capture a bigger part of the cell phone pie almost two years ago. Remember names like Nextel and ALLTEL we have found them gobbled up by the four remaining carriers. The big four left standing are Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile and they want you!
</p>
<p>
<strong>First plan</strong> was to not give up dollars to attract new customers so they started looking for phones to tease us with so we had to switch. The big four jumped into bed with the major manufactures to offer their phones exclusively, AT&T and Apple, Sprint and Palm Pre, Verizon and the Droid and T-Mobile with the Nexus One.
</p>
<p>
Guess what it didn't work! Some did switch but not the millions they hoped for.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Second plan</strong> offer unlimited calling plans at a reasonable price. I personally took my phone bill up $21 and now have unlimited calling. As soon as Sprint announced the $99 for everything plan we saw the others follow with unlimited plans BUT did you notice the folks who use data plans nothing changed? It's great to advertise $99 for unlimited calling then in the small print say $30 for data plan $5 for texting and so on.
</p>
<p>
Guess what it didn't work! It all happened so fast nobody had time to switch and them all four ended up losing dollars.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Third plan</strong> start slashing prices on unlimited plans while keeping all the other charges the same. Makes for nice TV ads to show flipping a 9 to a 6 but again they still punish those of us that use the phone for everything they are made to do.
</p>
<p>
Guess what it won't work! Metro PCS has $40 flat for everything, Cricket is out there and Sprint bless their heart already cut prices and loss market share.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Fourth plan</strong> to come raise the price of phones stop doing two year contract and slash prices.
</p>
<p>
Guess what T-Mobile is already doing it and not shifting market share.
</p>
<p>
So what is happening in the industry here are some facts from the website <a href="http://www.entangledparticles.com/ep/"><font color="#1E77B9">Entangled Particles</font></a>
</p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="607" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="139">
<p>
<strong>Wireless revenue:</strong><br />
AT&T $11.5 B<br />
Verizon $11.1 B<br />
Sprint $6.56 B<br />
T-Mobile $4.9 B
</p>
</td>
<td width="144">
<p>
<strong>Total subscribers:</strong><br />
AT&T 77 M<br />
Verizon 72.1 M<br />
Sprint 49.3 M<br />
T-Mobile 32.8 M
</p>
</td>
<td width="324">
<p>
<strong>Subscriber additions:</strong><br />
AT&T 800k prepaid / 1.3 M postpaid<br />
Verizon 1.2 M prepaid and postpaid<br />
Sprint loss of 314k prepaid and 1.1 M postpaid<br />
T-Mobile 355k prepaid / 266k postpaid
</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
In closing here's what I found in my email some of you will enjoy this!
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p style="text-align: center">
Important Notice from the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey about a Class Action Settlement.
</p>
<p>
A proposed Settlement has been reached in a class action alleging that AT&T Mobility's flat-rate Early Termination Fee (generally between $150 and $175) was unlawful. The Settlement resolves several other cases that challenge AT&T Mobility's flat-rate ETF. AT&T Mobility strongly denies any wrongdoing, but has agreed to settle to avoid the burden and cost of further litigation. The sole purpose of this notice is to inform you of the Settlement so that you may decide what to do. If the Settlement is approved, a settlement fund of $16,000,000 in cash and $2,000,000 in non-cash benefits will be created.
</p>
<p>
Dick Betts
</p>
<p>
National Real Estate Speaker
</p>
<p>
<a href="mailto:Dick@DickBetts.com"><font color="#1E77B9">Dick@DickBetts.com</font></a>
</p>
<p>
<a href="http://www.dickbetts.com/"><font color="#1E77B9">www.DickBetts.com</font></a>
</p>
<p>
<a href="http://www.dickbettsseminars.com/"><font color="#1E77B9">www.DickBettsSeminars.com</font></a>
</p>
<p>
<a href="http://www.dickbettswebservices.com/"><font color="#1E77B9">www.DickBettsWebServices.com</font></a>
</p>
<p>
<a href="http://www.dickbettsbranding.com/"><font color="#1E77B9">www.DickBettsBranding.com</font></a>
</p>
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2/1/10 10:48 AM
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2/10/10 2:57 PM
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