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All posts tagged "verizon"


Thursday, July 19, 2012

AT&T Doesn't Make Same Mistake as Verizon

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad" @ 05:00 AM

http://www.macworld.com/article/116...l#lsrc.rss_main

"When Verizon Wireless announced its new shared-data plans in June, it should have enjoyed a big advantage over its arch-rival, AT&T."

Pooling data is a great idea, and one that many wanted, but they didn't want to be forced into it as Verizon was planning to do. AT&T at least is making their pooling plans optional. Choice is always better, but only if it is truly your choice! What are your thoughts on this misstep on Verizon's part and the resulting plans from AT&T?


Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Home Button Problem on Verizon or Sprint iPhone? Here is Some Help

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad" @ 10:08 AM

http://www.imore.com/2012/06/05/rep...print-iphone-4/

"If the Home button on your Verizon or Sprint iPhone 4 is not responding when you press it, or sometimes misreads a double tap, you may need to get it fixed."

A problem if you are out of warranty. Or, perhaps not. Following the tips in the article it's possible to take care of it yourself. Just make sure you give it a thorough read to make sure it's something you can handle.


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Verizon Adds Upgrade Fee

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad" @ 09:00 AM

http://9to5mac.com/2012/04/11/veriz...iscussion/embed

"Following suit with other carriers, Verizon Wireless announced this morning its plan to instate a $30 mobile device upgrade fee on April 22nd. This means if you're an existing Verizon customer looking to purchase a new device on a two-year contract, you'll have to pay $30. Thanks!"

Yes, thanks! Oh well, it was bound to happen right? This fee covers all mobile devices so the thought is that it would also cover iPads, but that isn't confirmed. You can read the announcement from Verizon here.

Tags: upgrade, fee, verizon

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

New iPad Works Great for Mobile Hotspot

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad" @ 03:30 PM

http://www.tuaw.com/2012/03/26/new-...-over-24-hours/

"Anandtech took a closer look at the new iPad's 42.5 Wh battery and discovered the battery is fantastic for those using the device as a mobile hotspot."

Anandtech was able to get 25.3 hours on a single charge when using their WiFi+4G iPad as a mobile hotspot on Verizon. Pretty impressive, but not unexpected I guess since this is in line with what the iPad 2 was getting when tested previously.


Thursday, October 13, 2011

International Travel and the iPhone

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad" @ 02:00 AM

http://www.macworld.com/article/162...l#lsrc.rss_main

"One of the most interesting wrinkles in the iPhone 4S-which I review at length elsewhere-is its status as a "world phone." Unlike previous generations, it supports both CDMA (Verizon, Sprint) and GSM (AT&T, the rest of the world) wireless technology right out of the box. But there are some interesting quirks to this product that may please savvy international travelers."

Basically it means that if you are Sprint or Verizon subscriber, you may have a better International experience than those of us with AT&T, or at least a cheaper one. All you have to do is ask for an "International Unlock" of the SIM slot apparently (with Verizon after 60 days, Sprint already comes this way). This way its a bit cheaper to roam apparently, but you can't use the same phone number. Decisions decisions. Have you used international services with your AT&T phone? How was the experience for you? I'm sure it's not as simple as I'm making it out to be but since I've never done it, I am wondering just how well it works.


Friday, September 9, 2011

Verizon iPhone at Radio Shack on September 15th

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad" @ 12:00 PM

http://www.cultofmac.com/verizon-ip...w+(Cult+of+Mac)

"Following its move to shun T-Mobile and begin selling Verizon devices instead, a screenshot from Radio Shack's internal system reveals the retailer is set to begin selling the CDMA model of Apple's iPhone, and its iPad 2, from September 15."

And why not since T-Mobile may not be around anyway, depending on how the proposed merger with AT&T goes right? So if you want a black iPhone 4 on the Verizon network you can get one via your Radio Shack store starting on September 15th.


Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Verizon Airs iPad 2 Ad

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad" @ 10:30 AM

http://www.tuaw.com/2011/09/07/veri...eatures-ipad-2/

"Everyone remembers the iDon't ads Verizon Wireless aired for its DROID handsets. In a refreshing change, the carrier has released an iPad 2 ad that is airing on national TV."

And Apple has a new iPad 2 ad as well...


Friday, July 8, 2011

Verizon iPhone 4 Accounts for 32.3% of Market Share

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad" @ 04:30 PM

http://www.tuaw.com/2011/07/08/veri...hone-4-traffic/

"Data from mobile app analytics firm Localytics suggests the Verizon iPhone 4 now accounts for 32.3% of the U.S. iPhone market share. The CDMA version of the iPhone has been steadily climbing since launch, while the AT&T iPhone has apparently declined."

Steady growth since February, all the while AT&T has been dropping. I don't think this is too surprising to anyone though, do you? Some speculate it's due to the unlimited plan, so since Verizon has discontinued that aspect of their plans we will see if the growth will continue, but I'm betting that it will. What are your thoughts?


Tuesday, July 5, 2011

No More Unlimited Data Plan for New Verizon iPhone Customers

Posted by Michael Knutson in "Apple Talk" @ 11:30 AM

http://www.cultofmac.com/verizon-wi...ata-on-thursday

"It’s finally happened, the window is closing. Verizon has killed off its unlimited iPhone data plan and has instituted tiered data caps. Here are the new plans, going into effect on Thursday. Warning: for most people, they kinda suck."

Yup, it does suck. More and more capabilities within the hardware and software, more and more limitations on bandwidth usage. Seems to me that the carriers are sending VERY mixed signals - we offer MORE, and want you to use MORE, but we will charge you through the nose for it. We're building ever larger and faster pipes to carry your data, but it ain't gonna be cheap. Reminds me of the early internet days, where my company severely restricted web access because they didn't want to slow down their precious mainframe traffic (that paid the bills). It would be interesting to see carrier capacity management numbers to see just how close they are to capacity, or are these arbitrary data caps just another long-term scheme to keep their revenue up?


Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Verizon Expands LTE Wireless Network

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "The Competition" @ 11:16 AM

http://www.macworld.com/article/160...l#lsrc.rss_main

"Verizon Wireless announced 19 more cities that will get its faster LTE wireless network service starting Thursday, bringing the total to 74 metropolitan areas."

19 new locations across the country, including Sacramento, CA, Hartford, Conn, Boise, ID and many more. You can get the full list here in case you are wondering if your city made the cut. This just adds fuel to the competitive fires so to speak as AT&T is going to launch their own LTE 4G network this summer in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas Houston and San Antonio, while Sprint is rumored to be in the planning process to add LTE to it's 4G network. This can't come soon enough for me, with data speeds up to 10 Mbps it certainly will leave 3G in the dust.


Monday, June 13, 2011

Apple Recalls Some Verizon iPad 2s Due to Duplicate Serial Numbers

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad" @ 06:00 AM

http://www.appleinsider.com/article...cate_meids.html

"Apple has confirmed that an "extremely small number" of iPad 2 units for Verizon have been recalled because they were accidentally shipped with identical electronic serial numbers."

Well that is embarassing isn't it? Apple was able to catch "most" of the devices with the problem but the several passed through, unknown how many exactly. It could be a pretty high number though, as in this story at All Things D they reported that one store alone sent back 100 of the units. Ouch.


Thursday, May 19, 2011

Verizon Set to Cancel Unlimited Plans for Data

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad" @ 07:36 PM

http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile...hone-5-details/

"Verizon CEO Fran Shammo told Reuters today that the carrier's unlimited data plans are no more. Verizon will introduce its new pricing strategy this summer, which will now be based on tiered packages - bad news for data hogs."

Couple interesting things about this announcement. One is that they talked about doing something along the lines of a family plan for data. The bigger thing is they gave details about the iPhone 5 saying "it would be a global phone (which Verizon claimed last month) - that it would operate on CDMA and GSM networks. He also mentioned the handset will launch on Verizon and AT&T at the same time, but couldn't give a definite answer about an LTE-capable iPhone 5. Shammo more or less said when it comes to 4G, the ball's in Apple's court." I'd wager he won't be invited to any Apple events anytime soon.


Wednesday, May 4, 2011

iOS 4.3.3/4.2.8 Updates Available Now

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 02:30 PM

http://gigaom.com/apple/apple-relea...tion-bug-fixes/

"Apple released iOS 4.3.3 (and iOS 4.2.8 for Verizon iPhones) Wednesday, which brings changes in the way location information is stored and backed up, as well as a number of other fixes and improvements."

This update fixes the location database, reducing the size of the cache, stops the backup being done to iTunes, and deletes the cache completely when you turn off Location Services. You can get the direct downlinks from OS X Daily, or just use the software update feature. There are also some battery life improvements in 4.3.3 for good measure.


Thursday, April 21, 2011

Verizon Releases Q1 Earnings...2.2 Million iPhones Sold

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad" @ 02:30 PM

http://www.tuaw.com/2011/04/21/veri...nes-in-q1-2011/

"This morning Verizon released its quarterly earnings for Q1 2011."

That is quite the number, 2.2 million iPhones sold in Q1 of 2011 for Verizon in only six weeks. This comes in under the 3.2 million iPhones that AT&T reports selling in Q1 but still impressive. The total number sold by AT&T and Verizon come in at 5.8 million, which is about 30% of the total Apple sold in the quarter. I'm thinking this number would have been higher for Verizon had this been the iPhone 5, but then again, that is due out later this year so it will be interesting to see what the numbers are then won't it?


Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Several Updates Available Now if You Haven't Noticed

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 12:30 PM

http://www.appletell.com/apple/comm...-itunes-10.2.2/

"Fixes an issue that prevented some international users from connecting to 3G networks on iPad Wi-Fi + 3G..."

The much anticipated update to hopefully fix the Verizon 3G problems on the iPad is now here. You can find out more about this update at the Apple support page located here. And we also have the update from Apple for iTunes, updating it to version 10.2.2, with more info available here. For those of you wondering, it appears this iTunes update is safe for jailbreakers per this story at Appletell, as quoted: "yet again, iOS hacker MuscleNerd has stated via his Twitter that the new version of iTunes is safe for jailbreakers as well as unlockers using their iDevices on unofficial carriers, through the following tweet: 'iTunes 10.2.2 confirmed safe for JBers (DFU, saved SHSHs, syncing). Safe for ultrasn0w and recent IMEI unlockers too.'" Jailbreak away!


Friday, April 8, 2011

Verizon Ending One Year Contract Option on April 17th

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "The Competition" @ 09:30 AM

http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2011/04...-on-april-17th/

"Don't mind making a commitment, but don't want to commit to two whole years with the same carrier? Verizon's gonna have one less option for you, soon."

I never even knew they offered a one year option for contracts, so I guess it would have been great to continue to be ignorant since they are doing away with that option on April 17th.


iPad 2 Connection Problems on Verizon?

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad" @ 08:51 AM

http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/res...0.usr105634.jpg

"So much for all the excitement that the iPad 2 is available for a carrier other than AT&T."

A co-worker came to me yesterday asking me if I had heard anything about this, and was pretty concerned since she had just ordered one with the 3G service from Verizon. I'm hoping they get beyond the finger pointing and fix the problem that some owners are having when using the 3G service from Verizon on their iPad 2.


Thursday, April 7, 2011

Verizon and AT&T Compared

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "The Competition" @ 04:00 AM

http://mashable.com/2011/04/05/att-...n-iphone-users/

"Now that the Verizon iPhone has been out for a few months, what do its owners think of the device?"

Both sets of customers appear pretty satisfied according to this study, with 80% satisfaction rate for AT&T customers to 82% satisfaction rate by Verizon customers. An interesting contrast to this is that 46% of those thinking of purchasing an iPhone 4 in the future would buy it through Verizon versus going with AT&T (and I suppose T-Mobile if the merger goes through). Clear winner in the dropped calls category was Verizon, with only 1.8% of their calls dropped versus 4.8% of AT&T calls that were dropped. I'm not sure how many total calls were made with each provider, but that doesn't seem like a lot of calls to me, although if it were an important call one drop would be bad news.


Monday, March 7, 2011

AT&T Restricting Hotspot to Three Devices? Or Are They...

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 05:00 AM

http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/04/...hree-wifi-devi/

"Say it ain't so! According to this here slide, which details a bit of insidery AT&T information about the impending release of iOS 4.3, Ma Bell's iPhone 4 will have its Personal Hotspot restricted to use with just three devices."

I don't know that it is that big of a deal, I normally would only have one or two devices sharing my hotspot anyway. And it turns out based on documentation with iOS 4.3 it's actually the software that limits you to 3 devices and not AT&T. If you want to have 5 devices, you have to use Bluetooth or USB to add the other two. This was found on the Apple site about iOS 4.3: "You can share your connection with up to five devices at once over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB - with up to three of those connections using Wi-Fi."


AT&T and Verizon Plans Compared

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad" @ 02:00 AM

http://www.macworld.com/article/158...l#lsrc.rss_main

"With the original iPad, you had a simple choice to make: to 3G or not to 3G. But with the addition of Verizon 3G data options alongside those from longtime Apple partner AT&T, you now have to not only decide if you want 3G connectivity in addition to Wi-Fi, but which carrier you want service from as well."

Pretty clear that as you progress in usage, the Verizon tiered plan will actually be more affordable. Nice chart so you can actually compare side by side the two plans, along with some explanation about the charges for the data usage on the iPad.


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