AT&T has recently launched a new online version of its AT&T Experience store.
The idea here is that shoppers can “touch,” experience and purchase wireless devices and services online.
When you log on, the digital storefront is much akin to the real world physical layout and lets you try out interactive demonstrations and tutorials in five categories of wireless products: phones and devices, music, video and Web, messaging, and e-mail and productivity.
My take is that it's a pretty good way to actually preview and prioritize what you may want to see in the real world before you arrive to the store.
In the event you don't have an Experience Store in your market, then the online version is sort of OK, but does not substitute for the real thing, unless of course, you know what you are looking for.
Surface Metaphor Surfaces On Line
The online store has a virtual version of it's Microsoft Surface point of sale display that you can see in select stores. It's fairly well executed and helps explains product and service categories such as:
Phones and Devices
By clicking on the simulated Microsoft Surface image at the front of the store, shoppers can see life-size video demonstrations of seven popular AT&T devices and explore their features, specifications and capabilities.
Featured devices include the Samsung A737, Sony Ericsson W580i, BlackBerry® Curve™ 8310, LG Shine and Windows Mobile-enabled devices such as the Pantech Duo™ and AT&T Tilt™. Noticeably missing is the iPhone, which I still recommend you purchase at an Apple store and not from AT&T.
Music
While AT&T makes a claim to be an industry leader in mobile music, I still recommend Apple's iTunes over anything on the market. If budget is an issue, buy a low-end phone from AT&T and buy a basic iPod from Apple.
Video and Web
Again, I think video and web is pretty lame on any other device other than an iPhone. Readers can hate me and send nasty emails for being so arrogant and opinionated, but I still think that no one does music, video and the web better and more effectively than Apple.
Messaging
Approximately 1.8 billion people worldwide are actively texting today, and AT&T offers unlimited text messaging to America’s largest wireless community. In the messaging area of the Online Experience Store, the LG Shine showcases AT&T Video Share, text messaging, instant messaging and multimedia messaging with interactive tutorials on a simulated phone display. Be careful, though. You can incur extra charges for texting depending on what package you buy.
E-mail and Productivity
OK- I am getting off my pro-Apple stance here. If email is what you really need, nothing is better and more productive than a BlackBerry. Even being an Apple iPhone bigot, there are times when I do miss my BlackBerry. If I had a second choice, it would definitely be the BlackBerry.
The other supposed "smart phones" are not so smart, hard to use, and over-bloated with features and applications that pretty much suck.
21 Experience Stores Across the US
Currently, AT&T has 21 physical Experience Store locations across the country, which offer customers a new way to shop for and experience an array of communications and entertainment services, showcasing AT&T’s complete portfolio of wireless, broadband, video and wireline voice products and services in an engaging, interactive format.
I've always found the stores I mystery shop to be friendly, helpful and nice. If what you need is a basic wireless phone, or a BlackBerry, then you won't find a better place on the planet. If you want the iPhone, got the Apple store instead.
If you are considering killing cable or satellite, then I am all gung ho for U-verse TV and U-verse Voice. It's the best triple play offering on the market and is only getting better.
Comments? alan at weinkrantz dot com
