AT&T releases free iPhone app for managing wireless accounts

[AppleInsider]

AT&T this week introduced a free iPhone app that lets customers manage their family and individual wireless accounts directly from their iPhone.

The exclusive U.S. iPhone service provider said the application, dubbed myWireless Mobile (free, App Store), is intended to supplement its popular web-based myWireless portal that's used by millions of subscribers looking to review their monthly statements, usage statistics and make changes to their plans.

Among the application's core features is a "Bill and Pay" function that lets customers review their monthly bill in full and make one-touch payments, as well as a "Voice and Data Usage" option for keeping track of voice minutes, text messages and data usage.

The password-authenticated application can also be used to browse, change and easily add features to a wireless account, as well as update payment information and download monthly bills in PDF format.

"Our new AT&T myWireless Mobile app gives iPhone customers more freedom to manage, customize and update their wireless voice and data needs whenever and wherever," said David Huntley, senior vice president, eCommerce & Sales Centers, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.

The application will prominently display current balance and due dates, as well as last payment information. Customers can make full or partial payments through the app and select payment methods such as previously used checking accounts and credit cards. New payment preferences can also be added through the app.

For parents managing several AT&T accounts through a family plan, the myWireless Mobile app will display voice and data usage across all accounts and break voice minutes down to Anytime, Night & Weekend, Mobile to Mobile and Rollover usage.



Customers wishing to download the myWireless Mobile app must already have an existing myWireless service account, which can set up through AT&T's website. The same username and password for that account will provide account access through the iPhone app.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[vercordio]

I know apps like this aren't particularly sexy or exciting, but I love crap like this. Even ignoring the payment options, easily being able to see where you are on minutes and text messages is extremely useful.

[ivan.rnn01]

Innovative. Orange limit themselves to the web site skin specially designed for mobile devices.

[gription]

When I click on usage within the app I get "Error: U1534 Voice Usage has not posted on your account." But that doesn't make a whole lot of sense does it?

[teckstud]

AT&T's getting ready for texting charges. This way you have no excuse when that monthly bill hits you- its all there for you to manage.
Remember - you'll get charged when your non-iPhone friends text you.

[freelander51]

I wish other carriers would be as innovative (or shall I say original).

This is one heck of a good idea

[bigpics]

Whoa, somebody at AT&T realized you can write "apps" for this gadget!

Maybe next they'll do something to beef up their PHONE network....... ...something else a few people would like to use mobile phones for, i.e., to be mobile and actually on the phone.

snark, snark......

[Lafe]

Originally Posted by bigpics

Whoa, somebody at AT&T realized you can write "apps" for this gadget!

Maybe next they'll do something to beef up their PHONE network....... ...something else a few people would like to use mobile phones for, i.e., to be mobile and actually on the phone.

snark, snark......

From your lips to AT&T's ears . . .

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by freelander51

I wish other carriers would be as innovative (or shall I say original).

This is one heck of a good idea

You aren't serious - are you?
Managing accounts must be that difficult in Europe , I guess.

[macinthe408]

What a great little app. You can tell they spent some time on it. The graphics are nice (check out that little paisley graphic on the splash screen and the moiré background on all the pages).

The BofA app people should take a look at this app. This is done right. The BofA app is a glorified web browser with a slow, archaic interface pasted on it.

[walshbj]

It's time to stop naming things myThis and myThat. Naming is important, a prefix that doesn't differentiate is a waste of space in an interface. Like the way every Office app used to be labeled in the Start menu, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, etc. Don't know if they do that anymore.

And some podcasts that you want to download on the iPhone aren't named / labeled / presented properly do you know the name of the episode you're looking at. Like Macbreak Weekly.

</rant>

Looking forward to seeing more and more of these apps.

I wonder if aapl is down today because the Kindle illustrates some problems with tablets. Like how they can look unwieldy. I hope not, I really want a 6 x 8 Apple tablet. Please let those rumored 10" displays be for a tablet.

</scattered_comment>

[cima113]

Ok so its been three years of exclusive rights to the iPhone and now they write a "PAY me" billing app?

So Sad

[walshbj]

Originally Posted by macinthe408

The BofA app people should take a look at this app. This is done right. The BofA app is a glorified web browser with a slow, archaic interface pasted on it.

I was totally disappointed by the BofA app and its lack of functionality.

[f00fighters]

So, does this mean I wasted my money on the "Cell Tracker" app? I'll compare in a few minutes.

[AtlasBoy]

This should make it easier to check your phone upgrade status, and order the new Iphone (by extending your contract i'm sure). Maybe they will even ship it so you don't have to wait in line. Swap the sim card and away you go.

[anantksundaram]

Sheesh. About time. I am surprised that it has taken them so long (and equally surprised that some people think it is somehow 'innovative' when it is so late in the game).

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by gription

When I click on usage within the app I get "Error: U1534 Voice Usage has not posted on your account." But that doesn't make a whole lot of sense does it?

I get this sometimes when I go to their website to check usage.

Originally Posted by bigpics

Whoa, somebody at AT&T realized you can write "apps" for this gadget!

Maybe next they'll do something to beef up their PHONE network....... ...something else a few people would like to use mobile phones for, i.e., to be mobile and actually on the phone.

snark, snark......

They spent their billions creating this app. Now that it's done their start funneling any left over money into updating a tower.

Originally Posted by macinthe408

The BofA app people should take a look at this app. This is done right. The BofA app is a glorified web browser with a slow, archaic interface pasted on it.

I wish my bank would produce an iPhone app. They have a mobile site that is more difficult to read on an iPhone.

[ivan.rnn01]

I can guess why Apple didn't name their service "Me on Cloud (#N)"

[plokoonpma]

It looks cool and simple to use... But I am sure that they needed to created or get trained people over a call center to help people that can get messed up by simple things. lol

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by cima113

Ok so its been three years of exclusive rights to the iPhone and now they write a "PAY me" billing app?

So Sad

And they keep overtaxing their already lousy network with all those other new 3G phones they relentlessly advertise and now netbooks added under their umbrella. It is rather sad for the iPhone.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by solipsism

They spent their billions creating this app. Now that it's done their start funneling any left over money into updating a tower.

That would be called a patch - as opposed to building a new tower like Verizon has been doing.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by cima113

Ok so its been three years of exclusive rights to the iPhone and now they write a "PAY me" billing app?

So Sad

Just under two years, actually, but the App Store has only been out for 9 months and you've been able to see your AT&T account from your iPhone's account settings (when it links to Safari) since day one. It was probably one of those things they didn't think was needed, wanted or they just wanted people to go their site for access. Who knows, maybe they weren't sure if they could do a proper app while providing the same web portal security without restructuring. Regardless, it's here now and they are not late to the game against the dozens of other carriers with exclusivity to the iPhone. Is there one even another carrier with a phone app?

[BoyRacer]

It would be great if Rogers created a similar app for Canadian customers.

[KennMSr]

Originally Posted by vercordio

I know apps like this aren't particularly sexy or exciting, but I love crap like this. Even ignoring the payment options, easily being able to see where you are on minutes and text messages is extremely useful.

I thought since this was being provided by the Carrier it would have all the Bells and Whistles needed to monitor your usage. But, all it appears to be is a front to push additional products on the customer and it even asks you to pay your bill from the App. It doesn't even provide up to date usage information as does the first usage monitoring App at the App Store "Cell Tracker". I was hoping since it was coming from the Carrier security of user information would be better not knowing the originator of the third party Apps and their commitment to keeping our customer information SAFE. For now I'm going to continue using the "Cell Tracker" App and when AT&T gets their Corporate Act together and provides a user friendly and useful App I'll Switch.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by teckstud

That would be called a patch - as opposed to building a new tower like Verizon has been doing.

I do sincerely wish that one day you'll be right about something, but apparently that isn't today.

[cbw87]

Jolly keen for O₂ to get one of these out of the door. Would be extremely handy.

[ivan.rnn01]

Password authentication approach is ugly. No cellphone is designed for precision typing. Neither is iPhone. PITA.
Orange does it better. No sensitive information exchange with phone - no need in password protection. The device is identified by something, which browser sends along with the request (not by cookies).
It might have been even easier and safer with applications, yet ATT missed their chance to be perfectly user-friendly.

[Tofino]

Originally Posted by BoyRacer

It would be great if Rogers created a similar app for Canadian customers.

i second that!

[bytor]

This makes no sense...what charges are there if you have unlimited txting.

[filburt]

Originally Posted by ivan.rnn01

Password authentication approach is ugly. No cellphone is designed for precision typing. Neither is iPhone. PITA.
Orange does it better. No sensitive information exchange with phone - no need in password protection.

Ditto. I would've preferred 4-digit passcode authentication instead.

The Home screen is rather unnecessary, served only for their banner ads.

[gmcalpin]

Originally Posted by bytor

This makes no sense...what charges are there if you have unlimited txting.

You can get plans with AT&T that don't have unlimited texting.

[Stashman]

They took their sweet time over this. I wonder how long until O2 get around to doing this?

[ivan.rnn01]

Originally Posted by filburt

The Home screen is rather unnecessary, served only for their banner ads.

They advertise on the home screen? "Oh, les salauds!" Not that it's big deal for me, that's how they get their developers paid.

[ranson]

What's really short-sighted about this App is that they've flagged it for iPhone only, so it I can't install it to my iPod Touch. I'm an AT&T Customer, and I have an iPod Touch, but I don't have an iPhone, so I can't use this app. BUT I can borrow my friend's iPhone to log in to my wireless account through this app (it uses the myWirelss login credentials from their site as opposed to some kind of IMEI authentication), so there seems to be no real reason it shouldn't work on an iTouch.

[freelander51]

Originally Posted by teckstud

You aren't serious - are you?
Managing accounts must be that difficult in Europe , I guess.

No I was not joking. This integrated bit is quite advanced for us peasants from/living in Belgium.

I get my bill once a month and have to cough up - far more then you do and I had to pay my iPhone full price too. No hard feelings though - as I get to put in a(ny) pre paid card when abroad thus avoiding prices of up to 20 Euro (24$) per MB....

[ktappe]

Originally Posted by bytor

This makes no sense...what charges are there if you have unlimited txting.

I don't have unlimited texting. I bought the "200 texts for $5" monthly plan. I'll never exceed my phone minutes or data, so texting is the only way I can go over. I just used the app to see I went 29 texts over last month and am already 3/4 of the way toward my 200 limit this month. It became useful in the first 2 minutes I had it.

[FlashmanBurgess]

Does this not work with business accounts? Won't let me log in.

[Johnny Mozzarella]

The Usage chart would be a lot more useful if you also see where in your billing cycle you are.
"Used 500 of 550" is fine on the last day of your billing cycle.
"Used 500 of 550" is NOT GOOD on the first day of your billing cycle.

They should put it in context by having a billing cycle chart directly below.

Anytime Minutes
•••••••••••••••••••••••••.....
Used 458 of 550

Billing Cycle
••••••••••••••••••••..........
Day 20 of 30

Now you can intuitively see that you are using too many minutes.

[Psych_guy]

Originally Posted by teckstud

That would be called a patch - as opposed to building a new tower like Verizon has been doing.

Speaking as someone who works in the industry, your complaining and whining here should be directed to the wonderful city leaders and local advocates who routinely torpedo any applications the carriers make for new towers in their cities and counties. Usually it's for aesthetics and health concerns (however unfounded that may be).

It does no good for the carrier to complain, the City sees them as evil. It's when their citizens and constituents complain LOUDLY and A LOT that they take notice.

You can complain about AT&T all you like. New towers are not that easy to site. Just ask your local city council person.

[dstranathan]

Originally Posted by anantksundaram

Sheesh. About time. I am surprised that it has taken them so long (and equally surprised that some people think it is somehow 'innovative' when it is so late in the game).

Agreed. Heck, I figured AT&T would be one of the FIRST App Store developers. "Eat your own dog food" much?

I do like the app. Very handy. Kinda late in the game, but its still cool.

Just imagine if they charged 99 cents for it. :-)