AT&T Brings Out 'Send To Mobile' FeatureAT&T Brings Out 'Send To Mobile' Feature

AT&T wants to make it easier for users to push content from the Web to their cell phones, and it has launched a feature that ties its Web portal to its mobile subscribers.

AT&T wireless subscribers can sign up for a free account at ATT.net, which features a variety of Web content that's aggregated by Yahoo. With a click of a button, users can send news, weather, stock, entertainment, and other Internet links to their cell phones automatically. Customers can also send their handsets quick-access links to social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace.

With devices like the iPhone 3G packing a strong browser, AT&T is seeing increased Web usage from its mobile subscribers. The latest feature is just another way for customers to manage their content and applications from any device, the carrier said, and is part of the company's three-screen integration strategy to provide services and programming for TVs, PCs, and cell phones.

"Three-screen integration is emerging as a transformational force in communications and entertainment," said Larry Hettick, principal analyst at Current Analysis, in a statement. "Consumers are already beginning to ask for all their digital content whenever they want it on the device they choose. Service providers who move first to deliver consumers an integrated three-screen option will have a definite advantage."

This is just the latest move from AT&T to adapt as cell phones are increasingly transitioning from voice-centric devices to mobile computing handsets. Mobile applications are helping to accelerate this transition, and Apple's App Store is leading the charge with more than 1 billion downloads in about nine months. AT&T recently launched an Apps Beta program to make it easier for developers to test apps for regular cell phones and smartphones without a dedicated app ecosystem like the BlackBerry App World.

Mobile applications can boost a workforce's productivity but can bring up multiple questions about security. information analyzed how to get a handle on locking down data when it's on the move, and the report can be downloaded here (registration required).