Jazz Odyssey

In case you missed it, AT&T announced some changes to their unlimited data plans for iPhone/iPad/other smartphone users. In short, the “unlimited” plan is being replaced by a tiered system that will provide a discount for light data users and challenge heavier users to curb their bandwidth habit or risk paying some overages. AT&T claims that by offering a lower cost-of-entry for data plans, they can grow their smartphone business significantly. They also claim that “only” 2% of their customers are using more than 2 gig per month which is now the top tier data plan (and $5 less per month than the current unlimited plan). Not surprisingly, consumers are crying foul across the whineosphere (Twitter, blog comments and pretty much anywhere that consumers are allowed to post their feelings), and some in the press are predicting that this is a major flub by AT&T that will only benefit Verizon & Sprint who will be poised to steal customers with more attractive plans.

Nothing really shocking here in terms of reaction to the announcement, but I find the timing curious. Rumors have been swirling for months that Apple, having acquired LaLa and then shut it down while building a huge data center in North Carolina, is preparing to launch a cloud-based entertainment initiative. Further rumors suggest that this initiative may be announced by Steve Jobs next week at the WWDC.

Now, rumors about Apple announcements aren’t exactly rare and part of Apple’s special marketing sauce is getting the press, the blogosphere and consumers chatting about what surprises are in store well ahead of their events. But given that it appears that any surprises around next generation iPhone hardware have already been revealed, one might think that Apple has additional surprises up its sleeve. When AT&T made their announcement about the pricing changes in their data plans, I thought perhaps this meant we might not hear about an “iTunes in the cloud” type of service from Apple next week. After all, what good is the promise of unlimited access to your content if the 3G pipes you use when away from WiFi (like when driving) are not unlimited? But then I got to thinking…when they announced the iPad, the hype around the device (it does have “wow!” factor) and the controversy around it (plenty of people still claiming that its an overpriced, oversized iPod touch that has little practical use) overshadowed the totally groundbreaking and unique offering made from AT&T–a month-to-month data plan without a contract. Is it possible that new ground will be broken once again, and data usage for iCloud accounts won’t count against AT&T monthly data allotments? Given that audio and video access comprise the majority of big data usage, if that becomes gratis by signing up with an Apple/AT&T ecosystem, that could be a pretty strong selling point. This combined with a rumored refresh of AppleTV (perhaps a hybrid device that combines MacMini computer with AppleTV functionality) and Apple could become the most powerful force behind entertainment in the living room, on mobile handsets and tablets. And imagine a scenario where the superb Pandora radio service becomes a part of that ecosystem…a lot of other companies out there would be playing catch-up.

Again, no hard facts in play here, so I’m as guilty as the others of rumor and speculation. I suppose we’ll find out soon enough…I know I’ll be following the action next week.