There is an article at wirelessweek: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\WirelessWeek_com.htm
This explains that the takeover by Cingular may be starting soon, as more movement is shown with this.

So, does the deal with Cingular have anything to do with new phones to be released with AT&T? There are many models that are supposted to be coming, like the NEC 535, Audiovox 5600, Sony Ericsson z500a, Nokia 3220, and Motorola Mpx220. Are we going to see any of these models before the takeover?

It just may be a matter of re-branding some of these models to reflect the "Cingular" name, but we're are in need of higher end phones other than the entry level to mid range Motorola trio that just came out.