Memo-

To: The Cable Company

From: Geoff

Subject: AT&T U-verse

Dear Cable Guys,

I just read AT&T's press release about their U-verse DVR's

new features.

You'd better step it up or I'm bolting as soon as U-verse

gets here... if it ever does... because they don't even offer

DSL in my neighborhood yet.  But you'd better get on the

stick anyway.

All the best,

Geoff

PS - Is my call still important to you?

This has all been brought on by AT&T's DVR throwdown. With their new U-verse DVR software you can "watch HD and SD DVR recordings on other connected TVs in the home. In addition to your DVR, you can access, play, pause, rewind and fast forward any recorded SD or HD program on up to seven additional U-verse-connected TVs." If you're thinking of a DVR as one machine hooked to one TV, you're now living in the wrong century. All this is possible because the DVR is talking to your TV through a settop box which in turn is an IP addressable network device. There's little analog here until your eye senses light.

AT&T hasn't invited me to look under the hood, but their DVR is now beginning to act like the media server it really is. That makes your recordings TV set agnostic. Start the playback on one set, pause it and pick up the show on another set. No problem. Or playback the same show independently on multiple sets at once. I'd consider taking in boarders just to test whether this technology really works as advertised!

I'm already using my cable company's DVR. Can we speak freely? It stinks! The user interface is reminiscent of Atari and though I love nostalgia as much as the next geek, not here. OK? Oh, and the part where if I forget to set the recorder before I leave home I'm screwed--that's gotta stop.

Set the DVR while on the go from your PC or wireless phone. With AT&T Yahoo!® Web and Mobile Remote Access to DVR, you can schedule recordings from any Web-connected PC or compatible mobile phone (wireless service charges apply) by using your AT&T High Speed Internet account.

A lot of what AT&T promises with U-verse is only exciting to AT&T. "YELLOWPAGES.COM TV, for fast and easy searches to find local businesses and other information via your TV screen." Yeah, I'll pass on that one. The same goes for games. "AT&T Yahoo! Games, so you can play your favorite online games -- including Sudoku, Solitaire, JT's Blocks, Mah-jongg Tiles and Chess -- on the TV screen." I know someone in marketing thinks this is a good idea, and there's probably some revenue sharing going on giving AT&T an extra cash stream. Few of your subscribers have actually fallen off a turnip truck. These no-value-added additions are not exciting. Am I getting through to you? Can you hear me now? Sorry. Wrong company. Carried away.

The software upgrade that makes this happen will gradually go to all U-verse customers as AT&T rolls it out on a market-by-market basis. San Francisco, already blessed with early Rice-A-Roni adoption, is leading the way.

Meanwhile in my neighborhood the cable company stays fat and lazy. That monopoly's not going to last forever. Given half the chance I'd bolt right now.