New Advertising Solutions Available For Verizon Developer Community Tweet

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and NEW YORK, NY — Verizon Wireless said at OMMA Mobile that it will enable developers to choose from multiple solutions if they want to incorporate advertising into their applications.

The Advertising Development Center, which will be available through the Verizon Developer Community (VDC) portal, will provide developers a portfolio of options, information, services and tools to help them make the most informed decisions about advertising solutions. Custom software development kits (SDKs) and other tools will be available to developers as they create innovative applications for Verizon Wireless’ mobile storefront, V CAST Apps.

“Providing advertising tools that allow developers simple ways to add value and monetize their applications fits seamlessly with the overall mission of the Verizon Developer Community,” said Richard Williams, executive director, digital media for Verizon Wireless.

Initially, two solutions will be available in the VDC to address the needs of a wide variety of developers and applications:

Microsoft is the preferred provider of mobile advertising and search for Verizon Wireless’ owned and operated services and will partner with Verizon Wireless to foster success in the marketplace for its developer community. The SDK for Bing™, Microsoft’s decision engine, will be made available and provide developers the tools and resources to embed a customizable, powerful search engine into websites and applications.

AdMarvel is a leading mobile advertising solutions provider that enables publishers to easily source, track and optimize advertising from virtually any ad network or direct sourced ad inventory. Developers who choose this solution will be able to access reporting and analytics and gain control over advertising inventory and campaign management through an online dashboard. In addition, AdMarvel will provide developers with a free analytics SDK to gauge application performance and assist developers to optimize their application for usage and monetization.

For more information about the Verizon Developer Community and to register, visit http://developer.verizon.com. For more information about Verizon Wireless, visit www.verizonwireless.com.

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Verizon Wireless And LG Mobile Phones Connect Customers To The Superhero Within Tweet

New LG Ally Smartphone Prepares Customers for the Adventures of Today and the Thrills of Tomorrow.

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and SAN DIEGO, CA — Verizon Wireless and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones), announced the LG Ally™ will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores beginning May 20. The first Android device from LG, the Ally is the perfect assembly of futuristic, stylish design and 3G Android power for customers looking to tackle life’s most challenging feats and everyday ventures. Verizon Wireless customers can pre-order the phone at www.verizonwireless.com beginning May 13.

Key features:

* Ergonomic silver-and-black outer case
* Large 3.2” tempered glass touch screen featuring touch vibration for tactile feedback
* Full slide-out QWERTY keyboard with simultaneous touch screen capabilities
* microSD™ slot for up to 16 GB of memory
* Wi-Fi Enabled® (802.11 b/g/n)
* Bluetooth® 2.1 capabilities with unlimited pairing and support for the following profiles: headset, hands-free, object push, stereo, audio/visual remote control, file transfer, phonebook access, basic printing and instant sharing of photos and videos
* Built-in MP3 and WMA music player with music library, repeat and shuffle features, as well as stereo sound via headset or Bluetooth
* One-touch speaker phone and speaker-independent voice commands

Additional features:

* Five customizable home screens with shortcuts to text messages, e-mail, apps, favorite social networking sites and widgets
* Access to up to 38,000 apps from around the world in Android Market™
* Luminous sensor designed to adjust LCD backlight brightness depending on light conditions
* Proximity sensor instantly locks touch screen buttons while talking on the phone
* S-GPS support for enhanced location accuracy in addition to turn-by-turn directions from Google Maps™
* Access to updates on Twitter, MySpace, Facebook®, etc.
* 3D App launcher and Live Wallpaper
* 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera and camcorder with flash that includes:
o Five different camera resolutions and three different video resolutions
o Zoom up to 4.0 times
o Macro Mode for detailed, up close pictures
o Panorama for three guided sequential shots
o Scene mode for auto, portrait, landscape, sports and night settings
o Image editor with zoom, rotate, resize, crop, added frames and stamps
o Customize brightness, white balance, shutter sounds, color effects and use a self-timer
o Choose between mute and unmute to record video with or without sound
o Optimize video quality with normal, fine or super camcorder settings
o Video recording time up to 16 GB

Pricing and availability:

* The LG Ally will be available for pre-order online at www.verizonwireless.com beginning May 13. It will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on May 20. Pricing will be $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
* LG Ally customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk Plan and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access. Email and Web for Smartphone plans start at $29.99 for unlimited monthly access.
* For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Media can access high-resolution images of the LG Ally in the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.)

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving nearly 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 81,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 84,000 people working in 115 operations including 84 subsidiaries around the world. With 2009 global sales of USD43.4 billion, LG is comprised of five business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, Air Conditioning and Business Solutions. LG is the world’s leading producer of flat panel TVs, audio and video products, mobile handsets, air conditioners and washing machines. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula One™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visit www.lgusa.com.

About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company
The LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communications and information company. With its cutting-edge technology and innovative design capabilities, LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world. LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products, while continuing its leadership role in mobile communication with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit www.lgmobilephones.com.

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Minneapolis, Minnesota, Police Chief Timothy J. Dolan Receives HopeLine Law Enforcement Partnership Award Tweet

Verizon Wireless Presents $10,000 HopeLine Grant to Domestic Abuse Project for Advocate to Support Latinas in Minneapolis.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Verizon Wireless, a corporate leader in domestic violence prevention, presented Minneapolis Police Chief Timothy J. Dolan with the Verizon Wireless HopeLine® Law Enforcement Partnership Award. The award, given during a ceremony as part of National Police Week, recognizes law enforcement agencies or individuals that have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to and focus on preventing domestic violence and raising awareness in their communities.

(Photo Caption – Verizon Wireless presented Minneapolis Police Chief Timothy J. Dolan with the HopeLine Law Enforcement Partnership Award and a $10,000 HopeLine grant to Domestic Abuse Project for an advocate to support Latinas in Minneapolis. Pictured from left to right are: Susan Segal, Minneapolis City Attorney, Carol Arthur, Executive Director Domestic Abuse Project, Gary Schiff, Minneapolis City Council Member, Minneapolis Police Chief Timothy J. Dolan, Sandra Colvin Roy, Minneapolis City Council Member and Tom Wurtz, Director of Retail Sales-North District, Verizon Wireless Great Plains Region )

In recognition of Chief Dolan and the police department’s work with the Domestic Abuse Project of Minneapolis (DAP), Verizon Wireless also presented a $10,000 HopeLine grant to DAP to fund a community advocate who will focus primarily on Latinas affected by domestic violence in Minneapolis.

“In 2009, for the first time in 10 years, there were no domestic homicides in Minneapolis, and that is why we are proud to honor Chief Dolan for his leadership on this important issue,” said Seamus Hyland, president–Great Plains Region, Verizon Wireless. “Through our HopeLine program, we support law enforcement officers and non-profit agencies, such as the Domestic Abuse Project, that are working to eliminate domestic violence in our communities.”

Dolan was recommended for the award by Carol Arthur, executive director of DAP. “Chief Dolan has been an advocate of improving police response to domestic violence since his days as a street cop,” said Arthur. “He supported the implementation of city-wide domestic abuse training for all 800 Minneapolis police officers which has led to better evidence collection and police reports, resulting in an 18% increase in successful prosecutions.”

In 2009, nearly 10 percent of advocacy clients working with DAP were Latina and since 1990 the Hispanic population of Hennepin County has increased by 518 percent. “This HopeLine grant will enable our Latina advocate to provide assistance to those identified by police contact, as well as to reach out to the Latino community to provide information about resources and help available even before an arrest occurs,.” said Arthur.

Dolan is among an elite list of national recipients of the HopeLine Law Enforcement Partnership Award, including in 2009 Police Chief Ronald L. DePompa of Glendale, Calif., the Georgia chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and Sheriff Al Lamberti of the Broward County, Fla. Sheriff’s Office.

Verizon Wireless is a recognized corporate leader for its commitment to preventing domestic violence and raising awareness of the issue through the company’s exclusive HopeLine program. HopeLine collects no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories from any wireless service provider at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores. Most phones and equipment are refurbished with the proceeds used to provide newer wireless phones for domestic violence survivors and to provide financial support to non-profit advocacy agencies. Remaining phones are recycled in an environmentally sound way.

For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline. A complete list of past honorees of the HopeLine Law Enforcement Partnership Award is also available online at http://aboutus.vzw.com/communityservice/lawenforcement.html.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Media can access high-resolution HopeLine logos and images and broadcast-quality video of the HopeLine program in the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.)

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving nearly 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 81,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About the Domestic Abuse Project:
For thirty years DAP has provided services to every member of the family affected by domestic violence, including domestic violence therapy, crisis intervention services, legal advocacy, outreach and community education. DAP provides direct service to more than 4,000 people in the Twin Cities metropolitan area each year. For more information about DAP call 612.874.7063 or visit www.domesticabuseproject.org.

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AT&T To Webcast Keynote From Rick Lindner At J.P. Morgan Conference May 19 Tweet

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) will webcast a keynote by Rick Lindner, senior executive vice president and chief financial officer, at the 38th Annual J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Telecom Conference in Boston on Wednesday, May 19 at 8:00 a.m. ET. The webcast will be available live and for replay at www.att.com/investor.relations.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTVSM brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine.

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Directors Elected at Sprint Nextel 2010 Annual Shareholders' Meeting Tweet

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., --According to preliminary results, Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S) shareholders elected 10 directors at the company's 2010 annual shareholders' meeting, which was held in Overland Park, Kan.

Shareholders voted to elect each of the following nominees for a one-year term: Robert R. Bennett, Gordon M. Bethune, Larry C. Glasscock, James H. Hance, Jr., Daniel R. Hesse, V. Janet Hill, Frank Ianna, Sven-Christer Nilsson, William R. Nuti and Rodney O'Neal. Shareholders also ratified the appointment of KPMG LLP as Sprint's independent auditor, and approved an amendment to the company's 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

A shareholder proposal concerning political contributions did not pass, and shareholder proposals concerning an advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholders' ability to act by written consent passed.

All vote tallies are preliminary until certified by an independent inspector of elections.

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AT&T Awards $1.8 Million Contribution to Abilene Christian University to Expand Mobile Learning Initiative Tweet

Building on more than a decade of work and research, ACU’s pioneering efforts in mobile learning are advancing the understanding and use of mobility in education throughout the world. The goal of the initiative is to enhance faculty teaching and research through increased student engagement. Additional benefits include more effective interaction both within and outside the campus community.

By harnessing the power of mobile broadband, ACU is able to foster new opportunities for learning, content creation and experimentation. The process is further strengthened by easy participant access across next-generation digital platforms.

Mobile broadband is transforming education. Teaching and learning can now take place in the classroom – or virtually anywhere. The use of mobile technology is allowing students to conduct research, receive homework alerts, answer in-class surveys and quizzes, get directions to professor’s offices and stay current on their account balances – even to check the cafeteria website to see what’s on the menu for lunch. The result is a more engaged and enjoyable learning experience.

ACU’s campus provides a real-world laboratory to assess the impact and interaction of new technologies and new mobile learning strategies. AT&T’s contribution will support building the infrastructure for three interrelated initiatives that will serve as a laboratory for the ongoing exploration of mobility in education. The contribution will fund facilities and personnel to provide students and faculty with access to the resources they need to create academic projects. The three initiatives include creation of the AT&T Learning Studio, development of a K-12 Professional Development Institute and expansion of ACU’s Mobile Learning Research Program.

Leadership in innovation can drive economic success, but America’s leadership is at risk due to the alarming high school dropout rate. In a recently released study by Civic Enterprises and Peter D. Hart Research funded by AT&T (“Raising Their Voices”), parents, students and teachers were brought together to discuss the fact that nearly one-third of all public school students fail to graduate with their class - 1.2 million students each year.

Mobile learning strategies can connect students in both K-12 and higher education to their peers, challenge them with real-world data and involve them in real-world conversations. At ACU, not only do students widely support the campus-wide mobile learning initiative, 90 percent of the faculty considers it to be an educational success. In 2009, the New Media Consortium recognized ACU as a “Center of Excellence.” Building on its track record of success, ACU has just launched its Leadership in Digital Learning degree through ACU's Graduate School, Embanet and ACU Online.

“For centuries, limited access to information has kept students from maximizing instructional opportunities,” said Phil Schubert, Ed.D, executive vice president of ACU. “Today’s widespread access to information provided by global data networks and converged mobile media devices means our students are engaged in the learning process. With AT&T’s support, we are poised to advance our vision and expand the boundaries for learning even further.”

“Whether in K-12 or higher education, mobile learning strategies open up a whole new world of possibilities to transform instruction and drive learning outcomes. ACU’s mobile broadband vision is making a difference in how students learn and they are committed to sharing their experience with others to contribute to the growing mobile learning community,” said Xavier Williams, senior vice president, GEM (Government, Education and Medical) Markets at AT&T. “AT&T is committed to advancing the mission and cause of education. We are proud to support ACU, and look forward to collaborating with them to help shape the next generation of innovators, fueling this country’s future success.”

“ACU is advancing mobile learning beyond its own classroom walls to help other institutions in Texas, the U.S. and around the globe,” said state Sen. Troy Fraser. “ACU is also helping students and faculty use next-generation digital technologies more effectively. These activities are critical if we’re going to transform higher education in the 21st century and educate our students to lead in the global marketplace.”

The AT&T contribution will support three interrelated initiatives over three years:

* The AT&T Learning Studio will be a curricular laboratory designed to support mobile media experimentation and a center of innovation related to the educational uses of media enhanced learning materials in traditional and mobile settings. The studio will develop new learning tools and provide students, faculty and future teachers from all academic disciplines with new ways to publish their work and participate in their communities. Based in ACU’s library, the studio will include recording booths for the capturing of podcasts and interviews, editing bays for audio and video creation as well as media screening spaces and a production studio with high-definition recording capabilities. Trained technical staff will be on site to support students as they hone new styles of communication and develop class and public projects.
* The K-12 Professional Development Institute will help facilitate the training of primary and secondary teachers around the world in new media usage and in the deployment of mobility for teaching and learning. The focus of the institute will be introducing mobile broadband learning to K-12 teachers in U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, El Salvador and Croatia. To date, ACU has received statements of interest from school districts that represent over 20 million students. The institute will include a prototype classroom overseen by two full-time professionals in ACU’s Department of Teacher Education.
* The Mobile Learning Research Program at ACU conducts research on the effectiveness of mobile broadband learning initiatives and strategies. AT&T’s contribution will support the work of the Mobile Learning Research Coordinator and provide faculty stipends to increase ACU’s Mobile Learning Fellows program, accelerating and expanding the university’s research agenda directed at studying the benefits of mobile learning strategies. This research will refine best practices among thought leaders and will assess the validity of mobile learning and innovative teaching techniques at ACU and partner institutions. ACU plans to share research findings resulting from this project with the K-12 community as well.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About ACU’s Mobile Learning Initiative
Abilene Christian University launched its mobile learning initiative in 2008 based on Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch. The initiative creates opportunities for students and faculty to experiment with new forms of social, informational, and media access on next-generation digital platforms including the iPad, on which The Optimist, ACU’s student-run newspaper is now available. ACU is a founding member of the Consortium for Innovation & Research in Converged Learning (CIRCL) a free community-supported network of researchers, professors, teachers and other education professionals who are engaged in mobile and converged learning practice and research. In 2009, the New Media Consortium named ACU a Center of Excellence for its mobile-learning program. Also in 2009, Forbes magazine rated ACU in the top seven percent of colleges and universities in the USA. Nearly 5,000 students attend ACU, including about 630 graduate students, from 50 states in the United States of America and 60 countries.

For more information visit:
http://www.acu.edu/connected
http://blogs.acu.edu/connected
www.acuoptimist.com
www.opencircl.org

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U.S. CELLULAR SPREADS MOTHER’S DAY CHEER WITH FREE PHONE CALLS AT CHILDREN & FAMILIES OF IOWA Tweet

Program connects individuals with family, friends.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Prior to Mother’s Day, residents at the Children & Families of Iowa domestic violence shelter received a gift from U.S. Cellular Thursday night. U.S. Cellular associates brought wireless phones to the organization and helped people place free calls to friends and loved ones anywhere in the United States.

“A simple phone call can go a long way to lift the spirits of our residents and their families,” said Gloria Gray, the executive director for Children & Families of Iowa. “I cannot stress enough how important these types of gifts are to our mission.”

For over 12 decades, Children & Families of Iowa have been restoring hope, building futures and changing lives for Iowa’s most vulnerable children, families and communities. The organization started in 1888 as a response to a growing need for safe, loving homes for abandoned, neglected and “unwanted” children in Iowa. From a small adoption agency serving a few hundred children to a statewide organization serving over 21,000 people this year alone, Children & Families of Iowa has grown by adhering to one, basic principle: every child, every family deserves to be safe.

“We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to connect with their loved ones,” said Don Cochran, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in Iowa.

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