03/07/07

AT&T's Homezone service will enable users to control their digital video recorders with their Web-enabled cell phones. The wireless phone feature works with any Web Access Protocol 2.0-compliant phone or other hand-held device, said AT&T. Through the phones, Homezone clients can see TV listings and remotely direct their DVRs to record programs.

Customers of AT&T's  Homezone service will now be able to control their digital video recorders with their Web-enabled cell phones.

The company, based in San Antonio, first promised the feature in January. Similar services are also being developed by other communication  companies -- as they strive to meld wired and wireless entertainment and information services -- and will soon be offered by Verizon Wireless   and Sprint Nextel.

AT&T described the effort as "connecting the three screens that many consumers value the most -- the PC, the TV and the wireless phone."

More Content Planned
AT&T also announced its Homezone customers will be able to download "thousands of additional program titles" through Akimbo, its new video-on-demand partner. With more than 15,000 titles, "Akimbo is the fastest-growing video-on-demand service in the United States, offering videos and movies from more than 165 content partners throughout the world," said AT&T.

The new wireless feature is included in the monthly US$9.99 price for Homezone, a service offered since last year by AT&T to customers in 13 states who get their television through Dish Network.

"The service is available to new AT&T/Dish Network residential customers who either already have or plan to order AT&T Yahoo High Speed Internet and the 2Wire home-networking gateway," the company revealed. Homezone "complements" its U-verse Internet Protocol video service, available in 14 markets, a service AT&T hopes will be its primary weapon in the effort to outmaneuver cable providers.

AT&T added that it plans to offer a high-definition version of the Homezone receiver.