AT&T to give its stores new tablet-friendly look

Along with the mad rush of a new set of tablets with 4G capabilities, AT&T might be planning a redesign of its 2,200 stores to give it a tablet-friendly look.  This could include dedicated space for new tablet devices and promoting emerging devices on the walls to show the latest in connected devices. "The tablets are the new 'must-have" said Ralph de la Vega, CEO AT & T Mobility and Consumer Markets to USA Today," Our goal is to give customers the broadest selection of the best on the market. That's why we are doing a lot of pills store redesign of our vacation. "

It has been increasingly observed that folks with tablets want to stay connected. Yes, it can be used as an off-line multimedia device as well, but that’s actually not why you buy a tablet. Staying connected, even on a Wi-Fi only device, makes you more mobile – the very reason tablets have become popular for.

Glenn Lurie, president of AT&T emerging devices, national and division resale partnerships seems to agree when he told USA Today, "Now, if you buy a tablet, we want an Internet."

He also believes that increased competition in the category of tablets will take it to the businesses as well. We additionally believe that the rising competition will eventually make them commodities (see the netbooks!) and people would be able to afford the tablet along with data connections. You get the bundled toy at a discount anyway.

AT&T saw its second quarter net income fall 10% this year after its exclusive contract with Apple's iPhone was terminated (Verizon got the deal eventually). But the iPads and other tablets can provide the much needed push. From April to June, AT & T gained 627,000 new customers connected device - not counting his $ 5.6 million in sales of smartphones.

Latest on its kitty is the Acer Iconia A501 with 4G. It is priced at $ 480 or can be bagged $ 330 with a two-year contract for $ 35 per month 4G wireless (available on Sundays). This joins HTC JetSteam in 4G mobile broadband devices provided by AT&T, which promises speeds four times faster than its 3G network.

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