AT&T Hacks 12,000 Jobs

TV, wireless hires will offset white-collar landline losses

(NEWSER) - As it adjusts its business model to lowered demand for landlines, AT&T will lay off 4,600 employees, the Wall Street Journal reports. The company plans to create about the same number of new wireless, broadband, and TV jobs, a trade-off that will create savings through dropping more senior, white-collar workers. "There are parts of the business that are growing and others that are not," a spokesman said. More»

(NEWSER) - AT&T has had a change of heart—perhaps prompted by an ongoing FCC inquiry into competition—and will now allow iPhone users to connect with Skype and other Internet phone services over its 3G wireless network. Previously, AT&T had allowed such services in only a limited capacity—through hot spots or Wi-Fi networks. More»

(NEWSER) - Americans are gleefully dropping landlines at a rate of 700,000 per month without any regard for the long-term consequences, the Economist says. Few of us will weep for businesses that rely on landlines—telemarketers and pollsters come to mind—but emergency services like fire and police also need them. And as home phones fade away, landline taxes are liable to rise to keep the outdated copper-wire system alive. More»

iPhones et al might have more than you need; here are some cheaper alternatives

(NEWSER) - Smartphones may be the future, but you may not need one just now, writes Marguerite Reardon of CNET. The iPhone and its pricey brethren probably have more features than the average user needs. Here are some cheaper feature phones that might meet your needs. Prices are for a 2-year contract:

• AT&T—Motorola Karma QA1—$79: This little 3G wonder features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and home screen access to Facebook and MySpace.

Text messages force 'sassy' applicants to get to the point

(NEWSER) - A British firm is asking job candidates to apply for its marketing job by text message, BBC reports. With a 160-character word limit, mobile phone services company Teimlo hopes to separate those who “just want any job” from applicants who are “sassy” and “good with words,” says founder Phil Terrett. If they advance, applicants will next be asked to submit a “funky CV.” More»