EMBARQ Opens Technology & Innovation Center in Vegas

EMBARQ recently announced the opening of its first Technology and Innovation Center^SM in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Andre Agassi Boys & Girls Club. In addition to modernizing the existing lab with new computers and educational software, the Center is now equipped with new furniture and EMBARQ products and services, including high-speed Internet as well as local and long-distance phone service, a value of more than $40,000.

EMBARQ says that the Center is the latest initiative in the company's ongoing commitment to education and to the communities where it provides communications services.

"It is rewarding to see the EMBARQ Technology and Innovation Center come to life," said Angela Quinn, president, Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas. "Thanks to EMBARQ's generous donation of advanced technology, our kids now have the world at their fingertips, which will help them improve their education and life skills."

As part of its efforts to further the success of the Technology Center and the local Boys & Girls Club, EMBARQ says employees will volunteer in a variety of capacities, including mentoring and after-school programs. Many of the volunteers have been involved with the Club for years and now have the opportunity to further their commitment to Las Vegas youth with the opening of the Technology Center.

"EMBARQ is honored to support the Andre Agassi Boys & Girls Club by offering financial, technological and volunteer resources," said Dan Hesse, EMBARQ Chairman and CEO and a member of the national board of governors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "We are pleased that the Center will provide Las Vegas youth with the technological resources necessary to further their education and explore the world around them."

EMBARQ has been a long time supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs and plans to open EMBARQ Technology and Innovation Centers at Boys & Girls Clubs in Franklin, Indiana; Ft. Myers, Florida; and Louisburg, North Carolina, in Jan. 2007, with several more at locations to be determined later in the year.

To learn more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas, visit www.bgclv.org.

AT&T Begins Controlled Trial of Free Directory Assistance Service

AT&T will be testing a new directory assistance service in Bakersfield, California; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Columbus, Ohio. With this new service, consumers will have free access to business listings and advertisers will be able to reach buyers at a critical moment in their purchasing decisions.

Through the service, callers will be able to request a listing for a specific business or for listings for a type or category of business from a landline or wireless phone. Callers will hear short audio ads relevant to their listing request before receiving the number or, possibly, being connected directly to the business they select. Residents of the three selected cities can access free listings beginning today by dialing 1-800-YellowPages (1-800-935-5697).

"Increasingly, our customers are calling directory assistance when they don't have a phone book handy or can't jump online," said David Huntley, senior vice president of AT&T Diversified Businesses. "We're developing AT&T 1-800-YellowPages to be the consumer's audio Yellow Pages that gives them free access to local and nationwide business listing information from any phone, 24/7. At the same time, we want to help businesses reach consumers at a key moment — when consumers are in need of a service and are ready to make a purchasing decision. This trial period will allow us to later roll out a service that best meets our consumer and business customer needs."

EarthLink and PlumChoice make Cyber Check Remote Spyware and Virus Removal Available 24/7

EarthLink has teamed with PlumChoice, Inc., the nation's leader in remote PC services, to make EarthLink's Cyber Check, a remote PC virus and spyware removal service, easier and more convenient for consumers. As a result of the relationship, Cyber Check service will now offer new customer benefits, including 24/7 support, easy online scheduling and the ability to select a favorite technician for service.

"Cyber Check was launched to help consumers solve their spyware and virus problems over the phone in the comfort of their home," said Craig Forman, executive vice president of EarthLink and president of the ISP's value added services business unit. "Working with PlumChoice, we've made EarthLink Cyber Check even better with added convenience, reliability and choice."

EarthLink Cyber Check offers convenient, remote removal of dangerous and frustrating spyware and viruses from customers' PCs. Customers must first call 1-87RESCUE42 (877-372-8342) and give a certified online technician permission to access their computer via the Internet. Then, the remote removal of unwanted spyware and viruses begins.

"EarthLink is renowned for its commitment to outstanding customer service and we're proud to have been selected as their remote services provider," said Ted Werth, CEO of PlumChoice, Inc. "We look forward to working with EarthLink to raise consumers' expectations of quality PC services to a whole new level."

EarthLink's Cyber Check is available 24/7, regardless of a consumer's Internet service provider for a one-time fee of $99. Within five days of working with a Cyber Check representative, customers can call back to report any related issues at no additional charge (this service is extended to 30 days if the customer is using the EarthLink Protection Control Center). In addition, Cyber Check is guaranteed: customers have the ability to end a remote session at any time; and if EarthLink Cyber Check representatives fail to remedy the customer's problem, EarthLink will grant a refund.

To find out more about Cyber Check, you can read this EarthLink press release.

Sprint Offers Something for Everyone on the Holiday Shopping List

Holiday shoppers can depend on the power of Sprint's network, unique lineup of products and services, and value-added pricing for the ideal gift-giving opportunity. As part of its "Twelve Days of Power Shopping" campaign, Sprint has announced great deals on several mobile devices designed to match the lifestyle needs of friends and family members this holiday season.

Music Lovers
For those who can't get along without their tunes, Sprint offers the Sprint Power Vision FUSIC by LG - a trendsetting mobile phone with a progressive design and music and entertainment services delivered at broadband-like speeds via the Sprint Power Vision(SM) Network. This phone looks, feels, and plays like a portable music player with the convenience of instant access to the Sprint Music Store(SM) for downloading full songs over-the-air, an FM transmitter for playing music through a radio or car stereo, Bluetooth® Stereo support, and four changeable faceplates in blue, green, pink and black for personalization of the phone. The FUSIC is exclusive to Sprint and will be available for as low as $99.99 with a two-year subscription and $50 mail-in-rebate.

In addition to the capability to download songs over the air to their mobile phones, customers can now download songs and other content directly from their computer via the new Sprint Digital Lounge Web site www.sprint.com/digitallounge.

Mobile Professionals
Business people on the go can turn downtime into productive time using the Sprint Mobile Broadband USB Modem by Novatel Wireless Ovation U720 or one of Sprint's three mobile broadband cards: the Pantech PX-500, Sierra Wireless Aircard®595 and the Novatel Wireless S720. Used in conjunction with compatible notebooks and PCs, these devices will allow customers to connect to the Sprint Power Vision Network and wirelessly access audio, video and data applications at DSL-like speeds. These devices operate on the current Sprint Power Vision Network, the nation's largest mobile broadband network reaching over 180 million people, and also support faster average download and upload speeds (450-800 kbps and 300-400 kbps, respectively) of Sprint's upgraded network (EV-DO Revision A) where available.

The Novatel Wireless U720 is available for as low as $49.99 with a two-year subscriber agreement and $50 mail-in-rebate. The Sierra Wireless Aircard 595 and Novatel Wireless S720 are available for as low as $99.99 with a two-year subscriber agreement. The Pantech PX-500 is available for free with a two-year subscriber agreement and $49.99 mail-in-rebate.

Fashion Icons
Friends and family members committed to looking their best will appreciate the MOTOKRZR K1m by Motorola Featuring stunning good looks and a full suite of multimedia services, the MOTOKRZR K1m is the perfect balance of design and functionality. MOTOKRZR operates on Sprint's Power Vision(SM) Network enabling downloads of the latest news, music and entertainment content at broadband-like speeds.* Key features include access to the Sprint Music Store for quick over-the-air downloads*, Sprint TV with live programming*, 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth® wireless technology**, and a microSD??? card slot. The MOTOKRZR is available for as low as $199.99 with a two-year subscriber agreement.

Busy Professionals, Busy Parents
Ideal for those on your list who want to extend their workplace and stay connected for personal needs, the Sprint Power Vision(SM) Smart Device TreoTM 700P by Palm or Sprint Power Vision(SM) Smart Device Treo™ 700wx by Palm® offer life-simplifying capabilities and access to business and personal email, text messages, tasks, calendar, contacts, and the Web. Sprint enables both devices with flexible connectivity options like phone-as-modem that takes advantage of the device's capability to be used with a laptop to provide high-speed data access. The Treo 700p and Treo 700wx are now available for as low as $299.99 with a two-year subscriber agreement and $100 mail-in-rebate.

Socially Conscious Citizens
Support the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria with a purchase of a red MOTORAZR V3m from Sprint. A new wireless phones designed exclusively to support (PRODUCT) RED, the red MOTORAZR V3m is one of Motorola's thinnest multimedia phones for the CDMA network and features a refined metal housing and sculptured clamshell shape. Customers can enjoy innovative Power Vision applications like Sprint TV, Sprint Music Store, Sprint Movies, NFL Mobile and Sprint Power View. Packaged with a stylish headset, the red MOTORAZR costs $64.99 with a two-year subscriber agreement and $90 mail-in-rebate.

(RED) is an initiative founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver to raise awareness and money for the Global Fund, an innovative public-private partnership created to finance a dramatic turnaround in the fight against AIDS. The groundbreaking initiative engages the private sector to create (PRODUCT) RED-branded products from which a portion of profits are contributed directly to the Global Fund. Sprint and Motorola will contribute directly to The Global Fund with each red MOTORAZR sold at Sprint. See www.motorola.com/red or www.theglobalfund.org/en  for more details.

AT&T Holiday Promotion Gives Broadband Customers the Gift of Free, Downloadable Content

Consumers who love holiday classics, like "Christmas with the Kranks" or "I'll Be Home for Christmas," can now enjoy unlimited access to those and other yuletide favorites without having to brave mobs at the mall or the clinking of the cash register. In response to the growing demand for access to online video content, AT&T Inc. today announced that the company will offer unlimited access to a library of more than 2,200 movie and video selections and 24-hour access to live TV at no charge for one or more months.

Effective today, new residential AT&T Yahoo!^® High-Speed Internet customers can take advantage of a 30-day free trial of Vongo, the movie download service offering from Starz Entertainment, with more than 1,000 popular movies and 2,200 total video titles. Customers can also enjoy a 90-day free trial of AT&T Broadband TV, providing access to a wealth of live programming while at home, at work or on the go, using wired and wireless broadband technologies. Regular-service subscription charges apply at the end of the trial period. Current AT&T Yahoo! High-Speed Internet customers can also participate in the free trials by upgrading their existing service speed to Express (up to 1.5 Mbps), Pro (up to 3.0 Mbps) or Elite (up to 6.0 Mbps) service.

"From movies to live TV, AT&T understands that today's consumers want unlimited access to enhanced content at their convenience- with video leading the charge," said Rick Welday, chief marketing officer, AT&T Consumer.

"By trialing today's offer of free movie downloads and real-time access to live TV content, our customers can better experience the benefits, value and advantages unique to AT&T Yahoo! High-Speed Internet," said Welday.

The move to let consumers enjoy free trials of downloadable content for a period of time from Vongo and AT&T Broadband TV, in conjunction with MobiTV, comes on the heels of a series of related video announcements from AT&T. New AT&T Yahoo! High-Speed Internet customers can redeem offers for both Vongo movie downloads and AT&T Broadband TV, as outlined in the directions that are provided in the AT&T Yahoo! service kit. Current customers can upgrade their existing service speed online and will then receive information regarding the offers in subsequent customer notification.

AT&T Broadband TV delivers 20 channels of live and made-for-broadband television content spanning national news, sports, entertainment and full-length music videos from top artists. Among the channels included in the initial channel lineup are Bloomberg Television, The Oxygen Network, Comedy Time, Toonworld TV Classics, MAXX Sports and The Weather Channel.

Vongo subscribers have unlimited access to more than 2,200 movie and video selections as well as a live streaming Starz TV channel. Members may download movies and video selections onto three eligible devices of their choice for each account, allowing for multiple-viewing options and family enjoyment.

You can read more about the offer in this AT&T press release.

Get Millennium Digital Media Cable and Internet Through WhiteFence

Formed in 1997, Millennium Digital Media is a privately held company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Millennium Digital Media is organized into three geographic regions: Mid-Atlantic (Maryland), Central (Michigan), and Northwest (Washington and Oregon). Now you can get their cable TV and Internet service in all these areas through WhiteFence.

Moving 101: Giving Notice at Your Job

Have you gotten a new job in a new city? Not sure how to go about giving your two-weeks notice? This may be a tough time for you, especially  if you have been at a company for a long time. One of the most important steps in giving your notice is submitting a letter of resignation. To get some tips on writing your letter of resignation, you can go to this site. Not only does it give you important tips, it also provides samples of different types of letters.

BellSouth and IntelliCommunities® Sign Teaming Agreement to Deploy Web Portal Service in Planned Communities

BellSouth has entered into a non-exclusive agreement with ICI Services Corporation, otherwise known as IntelliCommunities®, to jointly market a community Web portal service in planned communities in BellSouth's service area. Under this sales teaming agreement, IntelliCommunities will offer the NetShare® community Web portal service as part of BellSouth's comprehensive communications portfolio for planned communities that includes voice, video, high-speed data, security and Wi-Fi hotspot solutions.

IntelliCommunities' interactive NetShare® Portal Service is designed to help residents easily integrate into their surroundings and to encourage social connections that create vibrant, attractive communities. Homeowners' associations and property managers can create operational and communication efficiencies by using the portal and developers can offer a unique service for residents.

"Developers are seeking differentiating communications solutions to set their communities apart in a competitive market," said Phil Jacobs, president - Community Technologies, BellSouth. "The NetShare service complements BellSouth's comprehensive technology portfolio and becomes another premium amenity for residents in progressive communities."

BellSouth and IntelliCommunities will jointly market the NetShare service and coordinate deployment of services with developers and property managers. IntelliCommunities will provide ongoing customer service and technical user support.

"A community with a strong social fabric is very attractive to new home buyers," said Chuck Matthews, founder and president of IntelliCommunities. "The user-friendly design of the NetShare community Web portal service facilitates personal relationships, builds a connected lifestyle and ultimately helps increase real estate value for residents."

To find out more about the community Web portal service,  you can read this BellSouth press release.

Danica Patrick Joins Racing's Biggest Stars on XM Radio

Danica Patrick is the latest racing superstar to join the on-air team at XM Satellite Radio, the nation's number-one satellite radio company with more than seven million subscribers. The IndyCar Series driver is now officially a member of the Andretti Green Racing (AGR) team, the winningest team in Indy Racing League (IRL) history. Patrick will co-host the exclusive XM Radio show "The Andretti Green Racing Hour" with AGR teammates Marco Andretti, Dario Franchitti, Bryan Herta and Tony Kanaan, as well as AGR co-owner and IndyCar racing legend Michael Andretti.

Winner of the Rookie of The Year trophy at her first Indianapolis 500 in 2005, Patrick has become an international sensation, appearing everywhere from the covers of Sports Illustrated and TV Guide to the new music video for Jay-Z's "Show Me What You Got," which features Patrick racing alongside Earnhardt and Jay-Z in Monaco.

"The Andretti Green Racing Hour", a weekly, one-hour show, debuts in spring 2007 on the sports talk radio channel XM Sports Nation (XM 144), after the channel moves from XM channel 143 to XM channel 144. XM is also the exclusive home for radio shows hosted by NASCAR 2006 Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and NASCAR megastar Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

"I am thrilled to become part of both the Andretti Green Racing and XM Satellite Radio teams," said Patrick. "The Andretti Green Racing Hour" promises to be much more than a racing show, featuring the team's experiences both on the track and off. My experiences as the newest member of AGR are guaranteed to be interesting."

MXenergy Available in Ohio

MXenergy supplies natural gas and electricity to residential and commercial customers in deregulated energy markets. Since 1999, MXenergy has grown to serve over 500,000 customers. Deregulation means that in select areas customers can now choose MXenergy for natural gas service. Within Georgia, a completely unbundled market, consumers can choose their own gas supplier. The local distribution company continues to provide local transportation and distribution services. However, in partially unbundled markets such as Ohio, customers must first establish service with the incumbent gas provider before they can select the gas supplier of their choice. MXenergy is now available through WhiteFence to customers in both types of markets.