Entertainment

The AT&T Video network provides a wide selection of media offerings centered mainly around videos and music. With AT&T Video, users can view on-demand streaming video clips from popular channels like CNN, Comedy Central, ESPN, VH1 and The Weather Channel. And just for kids, AT&T also offers content from The Disney Channel, Muppets Mobile and The Cartoon Network.

Video content purchases are charged to users' accounts and priced according to the size of the files downloaded. If consumers are planning to download regularly, they can have the MEdia Net plan for unlimited use for $19.99 a month. For an extra $4.99, they can also have access to premium content channels like HBO Mobile and Music Choice.

AT&T Video's MEdia Net is focused on providing content subscribers want right at their fingertips. Users can customize their homepage with on-demand, streaming content in categories including news, weather and entertainment.

For those who like to groove on the go, the A727 can upload existing MP3 playlists from a personal computer. However, to do that requires a separate purchase of accessories like a USB cable, microSD and headset adapter. Connecting the phone to Windows Media Player can be done with most PCs operating Windows 2000 or newer. Users also have the option of downloading additional songs from the digital music libraries of Napster and Yahoo! Music.

Also unique to the AT&T Music network is the AT&T MusicID service, which analyzes songs and provides the user with the song's title and artist. Just let the song play in the phone's speaker for a few seconds and a text message will be sent to users for 99 cents per song or $3.99 a month for unlimited use. Songs that the service can't identify won't be charged.

For those looking to add a personal touch to their phones, additional ringtones, games, graphics and applications can be purchased and downloaded through the AT&T MEdia Mall. The A727 already comes with five game previews: Asphalt Urban GT 3D, Diner Dash, Ms. Pac-Man, Platinum Sudoku, Tetris, and World Poker Tour. Expanded versions are available for purchase. The phone also comes with a number of wallpaper, menu styles, background colors and alert sounds to choose from.

Internet

Powered by 3G-HSDPA (3rd Generation - High-Speed Downlink Packet Access), the A727 can handle multimedia downloads both at a higher speed and a higher capacity. The feature is definitely a plus for users expecting to use the phone to its top potential for downloading music, radio feeds and video.

The A727 supports all the broadband multimedia features available from AT&T Video, formerly known as Cingular Video.

Storage

The A727 holds 30 MB of data between the camera and music player features. This is slightly more storage space compared to older phones with similar features, but seems inadequate for use as a truly multimedia-centric phone, like the Samsung M500 or the LG Chocolate VX8500 which offer 53 MB and 128 MB, respectively. Luckily for the A727, additional memory cards can be purchased for use in the phone's microSD external slot.

The phonebook on the A727 holds 1,000 alphanumeric entries and the last 20 incoming, outgoing and missed call logs. It also stores eight one-touch contact entries. Each contact entry holds seven phone numbers, two email addresses, instant messaging information and notes. The phone's SIM card memory also holds an additional 250 names and numbers.

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