AT&T Release iPhone U-Verse AppAT&T Release iPhone U-Verse App

AT&T has released an iPhone application that makes it possible to use the Apple smartphone to download and watch TV shows through the carrier's U-verse service.

AT&T said the U-verse mobile app was available on Apple's App Store as of Monday. Along with remote access to TV shows, the app makes the iPhone function as a remote control for the U-verse digital video recorder.

iPhone users who are also U-verse subscribers can download TV episodes over a Wi-Fi connection, but not AT&T's 3G wireless network. Once downloaded, shows can be watched anytime. AT&T is the exclusive service provider for the iPhone in the United States.

Along with watching programming, iPhone users can use the handset to browse the U-verse TV program guide, view program descriptions and schedule and manage DVR recordings.

The ability to download TV episodes is available only to subscribers of the U-verse U300 package or higher. AT&T did not list the TV shows available for download, saying only it would offer episodes from "several popular networks." The carrier said it planned to add content on an ongoing basis.

The mobile service is available at no additional charge, and the application is free. Before the iPhone app, U-verse subscribers could watch TV shows on their personal computers, as well as their Internet-enabled TVs.

"Our U-verse multi-screen promise is now a reality for millions of U-verse TV customers, with content available on U-verse TV, U-verse Online, and today, U-verse Mobile," David Christopher, chief marketing officer at AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, said in a statement.

AT&T's latest announcement followed several days after rival Dish Network released an application for Apple's iPad that turns the tablet-style computer into a full-feature remote with access to all functions and features on the DVR distributed by the satellite TV provider. Dish also offers through the App Store a similar iPhone application.

AT&T has yet to release a mobile app for the iPad, which uses the same operating system as the iPhone.