If you thought AT&T’s previous limited data plans were bad, wait until you see these bad boys.  AT&T has upped its prices for all its data plans, giving you a bit more, but charging you for it as well.  Here’s the new plans for smartphones:

• AT&T Data Plus 300MB: $20 for 300MB
• AT&T Data Pro 3GB: $30 for 3GB
• AT&T Data Pro 5GB: $50 for 5GB, with mobile hotspot / tethering

Yikes! Really doesn’t sound appealing for new customers at all.  As for tablets (which doesn’t affect you BlackBerry users yet), here are the new plans:

• AT&T DataConnect 3GB: $30 for 3GB
• AT&T DataConnect 5GB: $50 for 5GB

Verizon also offers limited data plans, but who knows if they have plans on upping their prices as well.  As a new customer, I can’t imagine anyone wanting to switch to AT&T this point.  These new data plans from AT&T are launching January 22nd.

Click here for the full press release from AT&T.

AT&T is known for releasing OS updates pretty late.  That’s why this one comes up as a shocker since it is an updated build.  The BlackBerry Torch 9810 got an official update to day from AT&T to OS 7.0.0.583.  Most folks are crazed over OS 7.1 now, especially since Sprint customers received the update officially for BlackBerry 7 devices.  In the meantime, a stable OS is still good to have.

It doesn’t look like the update is available on BlackBerry’s OS page yet but keep your eye open.  If you’re an AT&T customer, you can check it out in Wireless Update.

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Source: BerryReview

Ever since the leak of OS 7.1 for the BlackBerry Bold 9900, I’ve been enjoying the Mobile Hotspot feature built into it.  It’s worked great with the BlackBerry PlayBook or even my laptop.  However, it looks like AT&T has caught on to the OS and blocked the service for those trying to go freebie.  Now you get a pop up message that reads “To use this feature, contact your wireless service provider and subscribe to a Mobile Hotspot data plan.”  So that blows for anyone trying to make use of their data plan without facing extra charges.

Perhaps this means that OS 7.1 is launching officially soon for AT&T BlackBerry smartphones? We’ll see!  Anyone else on other carrier getting this prompted message? I’ve tried on T-Mobile, Verizon and Sprint and didn’t have any issues using the hot spot feature on OS 7.1.  Let us know in the comments!

Since the announcement of the acquisition of T-Mobile from AT&T, it’s been nothing but issues for the company to get settled.  The news is starting to roll out now, but it looks like AT&T has pulled out from the buyout now, more or so a mutual agreement with Deutsche Telekom as stated in a memo sent out to T-Mobile employees.  Here’s the full memo:

Today AT&T and Deutsche Telekom announced they have mutually decided to terminate their agreement for AT&T to acquire T-Mobile USA. This announcement effectively ends the acquisition process launched March 20, including the regulatory approvals process with the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission. Additionally, with the termination of the agreement, T-Mobile will receive certain spectrum licenses and a 3G roaming agreement from AT&T, and AT&T will pay $3B to our parent company, Deutsche Telekom.

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Usually AT&T is the difficult carrier to deal with.  It was such a hardship with BlackBerry Bridge on the BlackBerry PlayBook and then NFC being blocked on the all new BlackBerry Bold 9900.  AT&T has tweeted up that they will be offering two free months of BBM Music to its customers- sweet!  The tweet reads that you should check your media folder which should have a link to download BBM Music and get the free two month trial.  Otherwise you can download it from BlackBerry App World.

Thanks j_wizzy for the tip!

A very strange thing happened yesterday after purchasing my new BlackBerry Bold 9900 from AT&T.  Across the top where the carrier name should be, I saw “Sim not allowed:3” show up, but my device was still working without WiFi or anything.  Just a message that popped up and I thought my sim card was shot.

The solution? A simple reboot did the trick.  No harm was done with the error message showing, but it was annoying seeing the fault.  Maybe a later OS update eliminates this issue, hopefully.

OS 7.0.0.440 is available for three devices from AT&T- the BlackBerry Torch 9810, Torch 9860, and Bold 9900.  I’ve tried the Torch 9810 9860 OS so far, and it’s a lot more stable than what we’ve seen out of the box and I have definitely seen battery life increases here as well.  Click the link below to grab a copy for any of the three.

UPDATE: Oops. We screwed up.  Tip we received stated Torch 9810 was one of the ones updated but we’re to blame for not validating. Sorry folks!

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There’s no reason the BlackBerry Torch 9800 and BlackBerry Torch 9810 are both available at AT&T for $49.99.  The original 9800 went on sale for $199.99 when it first launched, then the 9810 received a $49.99 price tag from day one.  Of course over time the 9800 dropped in price as it aged.. all the way until it reached $49.99.  Once the new Torch came to town, the 9800 should of dropped in price!  But as you can see, both devices carry the same price tag which could call for lots of confusion when shopping for your next or even first BlackBerry smartphone.  Let’s just hope these AT&T store reps are smart enough to distinguish the two for customers.

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AT&T posted up the latest and greatest commercial on their YouTube channel where BlackBerry Torch 9810’s are the devices of choice.  The commercial exemplifies how the new Torch is powerful and lets you post YouTube videos, update your fantasy team, play games, check in on Foursquare, “rocking out” to Pandora, and more!

This commercial even went viral with the “huh” guy who announced his fame on Reddit earlier today.  You can check out what people are saying about it or alternatively hit up the “Successful Huh Guy” thread.

Along with the BlackBerry Bold 9900 officially launching for AT&T, the new BlackBerry Torch 9860 has arrived as well.  AT&T now carries the Torch in two flavors- the 9860 and 9810.  The 9810 comes equipped with touchscreen and a full QWERTY keyboard that slides out.  The Torch 9860 is a full touchscreen device with a higher screen resolution and a larger display.  As we see advertised from RIM, the BlackBerry Torch 9860 is referred to as the “multimedia powerhouse” device.

AT&T offers the new Torch 9860 for only $99.99, which is half the price of the Bold 9900, and $50 more than what the Torch 9810 goes for.  Click the link below for more info.

AT&T BlackBerry Torch 9860 >>