The IPhone is totally awesome oh my gawd thread

[Murph]

The latest: Verizon to Offer iPhone Users Unlimited Data.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 62244.html

[Diablo25]

Android...iOS...Android...iOS...whatever. It's a personal preference. Both have something to offer and both have big followings. Shitty phone on a good network, good phone on a shitty network. Again, whatever.

[wco81]

The latest: Verizon to Offer iPhone Users Unlimited Data.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 62244.html

YMMV but I'd rather have lower prices than unlimited data. I'm near Wifi most of the day so I don't use 3G that much. Fact is, smart phone penetration would be a lot greater than it is if people didn't have to sign up for data contracts.

Now, LTE would be worth unlimited data. At least initially, there are reports of 20 Mbps downloads on LTE. That will probably go down as more people use LTE but future revisions of LTE will boost maximum speeds near 100 Mbps. So if you can get 20 Mbps downloads regularly (as opposed to bursts), then you might think about ditching your wired broadband service and just using the wireless service for home and on the road.

But if the service is capped, all that speed is meaningless. In fact, you could eat through a 5 or 10 GB cap in a matter of hours at 20 Mbps. So they'd have to boost the cap to something like 250 GB which Comcast imposes and let you tether. Or use some kind of mobile to Wifi router at home.

Given the state of wireless in this country though, it wouldn't surprise me if they eventually throttled speeds at 5 or 10 Mbps and capped it, still marketing it as 4G.

[dbdynsty25]

As expected, Verizon announces a phone that's been out for six months. Yawn. Hey, at least you can use the wireless hotspot feature that Verizon loves. At least their network can support it.

[LAking]

I'm curious to see how the iphone performs on Verizon. I have an iphone 4 and it's great for playing games but horrible as a phone. Despite the fact that there is a tower very close to my workplace I get dropped calls all the time. When I sit at my desk it generally shows 3 bars all the time, yet it is impossible to complete a phone call without it dropping. Most of the time I don't even receive the call. I only notice that I got a voice mail once i've walked to another area.

I get similar problems all over my workplace and no service in a million other places. I know ATT isn't the greatest but i'm beginning to believe it has more to do with the iphone than the network. When i had a blackberry i never got dropped calls. If the signal was weak the sound quality would be kind of lousy but at least it wouldn't drop. I never missed calls at my desk, that's for sure.

Will the iphone stop dropping calls on Verizon? Will the mass emigration of ATT iphone users to Verizon burden that network thus eliminating the perceived superiority of Verizon over ATT?

[dbdynsty25]

It's the network...there have been hundreds of tests proving that. Hell, any smartphone on At&t suffers the same fate. They simply don't have the network infrastructure to handle all of the devices. The good news for At&t...with everyone who flocks to Verizon, they'll get plenty of cash from ETFs and the network should improve since the number of devices will decrease significantly.

You're in LA...Verizon is king (no pun intended)...switch and you'll be plenty surprised at how solid Verizon's network is here. It's night and day. It won't degrade the network because they are ready for it. There are a comparable amount (slightly less) of Android devices on Verizon's network than iPhones on At&t and everything is fine and dandy in Verizon land.

[LAking]

It's the network...there have been hundreds of tests proving that. Hell, any smartphone on At&t suffers the same fate. They simply don't have the network infrastructure to handle all of the devices. The good news for At&t...with everyone who flocks to Verizon, they'll get plenty of cash from ETFs and the network should improve since the number of devices will decrease significantly.

You're in LA...Verizon is king (no pun intended)...switch and you'll be plenty surprised at how solid Verizon's network is here. It's night and day. It won't degrade the network because they are ready for it. There are a comparable amount (slightly less) of Android devices on Verizon's network than iPhones on At&t and everything is fine and dandy in Verizon land.

I do believe the network has something to do with it but why was my crappy old blackberry curve not dropping calls in the same locations that my iphone 4 does regularly?

I'm on ATT because that's what is available through work. I use google voice for my personal line and just have it ring on my work provided iphone 4. I would switch to Android on Verizon if I had the choice.

I may be moving to NYC in a month or two and i'll get my own personal cell phone service once that happens. I'll definitely be getting an Android since I'm use google for just about everything. I hear Verizon is good there but it seems like Manhattan isn't the most cell phone friendly city because of the density and number of high rise buildings. Being able to use a cheaper network like Sprint or T-Mobile would be nice but the coverage would probably be a deterrent.

Anyway, back on-topic, I'm really just curious to see once and for all how much of the problems with the iphone 4 are caused by the network and how much is the phone.

[10spro]

No issues with dropped calls from Rogers here up North, but I just don't like how fast the battery goes these days since the last update.

[JRod]

Verizon can't handle data and voice. I think a lot of switchers will be disappointed by that. People new to the iPhone probably won't care.

That is a bonus with ATT. There have been times, when I've been on the phone and needed to look up something online.

[dbdynsty25]

Verizon can't handle data and voice. I think a lot of switchers will be disappointed by that. People new to the iPhone probably won't care.

That is a bonus with ATT. There have been times, when I've been on the phone and needed to look up something online.

I really have no idea why anyone would switch from ATT to Verizon for a 3G iPhone really. Talking/surfing being a big reason NOT to...especially at 2/3 hundred bucks and a 2 year contract. Wait till the LTE version comes out so you can do both. Or go Android in one to three months and have a better phone and LTE.

This is pretty much what I think too:

http://www.bgr.com/2011/01/11/heres-whe ... lls-short/

[wco81]

Timing isn't the best.

But most people don't pay attention to CES or tech blogs discussing what's coming down. What they do know is the iPhone brand and have seen others using it but may have held off on switching to AT&T. But that said, iPhone sales start to tail off around this time of the year because a new model is expected to come in the summer and some people will hang on to their old phone as long as it works. If they have another leak like last year, then more people will be interested in waiting.

LTE isn't going to be a factor this year, only a small percentage will bother go on it for what is likely premium pricing. Also the caps that come with the faster speed (provided you have coverage) doesn't make sense. You'd hit the cap in a few hours of downloading. It's like getting a high-performance car with a 5-gallon gas tank.

Also, the first 3G phones had horrible battery life because the chipset wasn't optimized for the then new tech. Evo gets a bad rep for battery life on WiMax. We'll see how the first LTE phones do.

[dbdynsty25]

LTE isn't going to be a factor this year, only a small percentage will bother go on it for what is likely premium pricing. Also the caps that come with the faster speed (provided you have coverage) doesn't make sense. You'd hit the cap in a few hours of downloading. It's like getting a high-performance car with a 5-gallon gas tank.

Why do you keep saying this? You're completely wrong. The price is exactly the same as Verizon's 3G data was when it came out (and what most people are already paying). As for the cap, there was ALWAYS a cap on "unlimited data plans" it just wasn't published. Who's going to sit there and download torrents on their phone? I use like 400-500mb a month of data on my phone now...what makes you think that if I have a faster connection i'm just all of the sudden gonna use 10x as much data? Not gonna happen. I'm just going to download what I download a hell of a lot faster. And yes, LTE is going be factor this year....

[Murph]

Verizon can't handle data and voice. I think a lot of switchers will be disappointed by that. People new to the iPhone probably won't care.

That is a bonus with ATT. There have been times, when I've been on the phone and needed to look up something online.

I don't know if this means anything:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-20028 ... 7-1_3-0-20

In terms of wireless service, CDMA technology currently does not allow voice and data to be sent over the network simultaneously, which means you can't, for example, make a phone call while checking e-mail or using the maps app. The CDMA Development Group has said this will change for all CDMA operators sometime this spring.

[Rodster]

I'm really curious to see how Verizon handles the surge in subscribers when the Iphone 4 becomes available. Verizon at least for me has the BEST phone service. I could count maybe 4-5 dropped calls in 6 years of using them.

Nextel use to have great service then they became the official sponsor of Nascar and shortly after their service was crap, which caused me to switch to Verizon.

[wco81]

What percentage of Verizon's subscriber base will be using LTE by the end of this year?

20%? 10%?

Even 10% represents 8-9 million people. Are they going to sell that many LTE phones and modems this year for Verizon?

We'll see but I doubt it. Actually an LTE iPhone will probably make a lot of people aware of LTE for the first time. Not talking about people who surf tech sites all the time, just average smart phone users.


Carriers will push video streaming. Those LTE Android phones for VZ probably will have VCast prominently displayed. Caps will make a difference for people who want to stream a lot of video, even upload video. Or else why put big screens with SOCs to play back 1080p or do 720p capture (and no doubt 1080p capture eventually).

[dbdynsty25]

What percentage of Verizon's subscriber base will be using LTE by the end of this year?

20%? 10%?

Even 10% represents 8-9 million people. Are they going to sell that many LTE phones and modems this year for Verizon?

I'm betting it'll be less than that. My point is simply that it's pointless to buy any 3G devices now on Verizon, iPhone included since there is a better technology that is HERE NOW and will be expanding exponentially this year and next, and being completed by early 2013. You can already stream content to Android phones without VCast, so not sure what your point is about that.

[pk500]

What are these things called cell phones?

Seriously, I enjoy reading this thread because it educates me for the upcoming decade when I become the last adult in North America under the age of 65 to purchase a mobile phone. You cats know your sh*t.

[Murph]

What are these things called cell phones?

Seriously, I enjoy reading this thread because it educates me for the upcoming decade when I become the last adult in North America under the age of 65 to purchase a mobile phone. You cats know your sh*t.

PK's first mobile phone...coming soon!

[Rodster]

PK's first mobile phone...coming soon!

His first phone??? That is his current phone until he downloads his new phone via BT.

[JRod]

What percentage of Verizon's subscriber base will be using LTE by the end of this year?

20%? 10%?

Even 10% represents 8-9 million people. Are they going to sell that many LTE phones and modems this year for Verizon?

I'm betting it'll be less than that. My point is simply that it's pointless to buy any 3G devices now on Verizon, iPhone included since there is a better technology that is HERE NOW and will be expanding exponentially this year and next, and being completed by early 2013. You can already stream content to Android phones without VCast, so not sure what your point is about that.

Is Verizon offering these phones with no penalty for an upgrade. Here's the problem with LTE from the business of users standpoint.

Early adopters are going to pay for a LTE phone no matter what. But that market is small because how many Apple early adopters are going to get a LTE non-apple phone. So it's pretty much hard-core techies here. This group is the people that buy technology.

Then you have the people available that are buying or in need of a phone. This group is people who are eligible for an upgrade and will buy a more expensive phone.

I don't see a LTE phone pulling people in. They will get a LTE phone when it becomes cheaper. LTE isn't like the iPhone where there's an inhuman draw to apple products. It's not going to be a flop but it's not going to be a big deal until the network in larger and the phones are cheaper to reach the masses other than techies.

[JRod]

PK's first mobile phone...coming soon!

His first phone??? That is his current phone until he downloads his new phone via BT.

Let's not make fun of Paul. He's the only one that well-adjust for the apocalypse!

[dbdynsty25]

Is Verizon offering these phones with no penalty for an upgrade. Here's the problem with LTE from the business of users standpoint.

Early adopters are going to pay for a LTE phone no matter what. But that market is small because how many Apple early adopters are going to get a LTE non-apple phone. So it's pretty much hard-core techies here. This group is the people that buy technology.

Then you have the people available that are buying or in need of a phone. This group is people who are eligible for an upgrade and will buy a more expensive phone.

I don't see a LTE phone pulling people in. They will get a LTE phone when it becomes cheaper. LTE isn't like the iPhone where there's an inhuman draw to apple products. It's not going to be a flop but it's not going to be a big deal until the network in larger and the phones are cheaper to reach the masses other than techies.

What do you mean cheaper? The LTE phones are cheaper than the iPhone! The price point is 200 bucks for Android. They found that it's the sweet spot and that's what the best of the best come out at. Now, if they rise that slightly to say 300 bucks, now you're competing with the iPhone 32Gb. Sure, the layman may not know the difference between 3G and 4G, but if they hear about it in the next few months, they may be inclined to go 4G Android just because it'll seem newer on a new network.

And why do you and WCO keep saying LTE is more expensive...IT'S NOT. It's the same f'n price, but they have announced tiered data MAY be introduced when the smartphones are released. It's exactly the same price for the LTE USB modem as it is for a 3G one. SAME. I'm all for tiered data anyway...it's cheaper for 98% of the population that uses a smartphone. It's only the mass downloaders (apparently wco is one if he can download 5GB of data in a day over a smartphone) that will be hurt by the pricing scheme. No way Verizon charges more than 30 bucks for smartphone data on LTE...they simply can't afford it when sprint is offering Wimax for that price.

You ask about people being eligible for upgrades, but you seem to forget that most people on Verizon that were waiting for iPhones had just jumped on Android phones. None of them will be eligible for an upgrade when the iPhone comes out in a month. NONE. Verizon did away with 1 year upgrades as of Jan. 16th and the first Android phone on Verizon came out in November of 2009...so you're still a good six months away from being able to upgrade. Guess what that coincides with? Yup, all of the 4G LTE Android phones and whatever the NEXT iPhone is.

The simple point is it's stupid to buy an iPhone on Verizon right now...I don't care how long you've waited. You're going to be stuck with 3G technology for 2 years when the next technology is here now (in 38 markets, lol).

[Rodster]

Let's not make fun of Paul. He's the only one that well-adjust for the apocalypse!

12-21-2012 FTW !!!

[pk500]

PK's first mobile phone...coming soon!

His first phone??? That is his current phone until he downloads his new phone via BT.

Let's not make fun of Paul. He's the only one that well-adjust for the apocalypse!

When the entire world is covered by a wireless signal, I'll be the only one left who can truly get away from it all. I look forward to that day.

[JRod]

Is Verizon offering these phones with no penalty for an upgrade. Here's the problem with LTE from the business of users standpoint.

Early adopters are going to pay for a LTE phone no matter what. But that market is small because how many Apple early adopters are going to get a LTE non-apple phone. So it's pretty much hard-core techies here. This group is the people that buy technology.

Then you have the people available that are buying or in need of a phone. This group is people who are eligible for an upgrade and will buy a more expensive phone.

I don't see a LTE phone pulling people in. They will get a LTE phone when it becomes cheaper. LTE isn't like the iPhone where there's an inhuman draw to apple products. It's not going to be a flop but it's not going to be a big deal until the network in larger and the phones are cheaper to reach the masses other than techies.

What do you mean cheaper? The LTE phones are cheaper than the iPhone! The price point is 200 bucks for Android. They found that it's the sweet spot and that's what the best of the best come out at. Now, if they rise that slightly to say 300 bucks, now you're competing with the iPhone 32Gb. Sure, the layman may not know the difference between 3G and 4G, but if they hear about it in the next few months, they may be inclined to go 4G Android just because it'll seem newer on a new network.

And why do you and WCO keep saying LTE is more expensive...IT'S NOT. It's the same f'n price, but they have announced tiered data MAY be introduced when the smartphones are released. It's exactly the same price for the LTE USB modem as it is for a 3G one. SAME. I'm all for tiered data anyway...it's cheaper for 98% of the population that uses a smartphone. It's only the mass downloaders (apparently wco is one if he can download 5GB of data in a day over a smartphone) that will be hurt by the pricing scheme. No way Verizon charges more than 30 bucks for smartphone data on LTE...they simply can't afford it when sprint is offering Wimax for that price.

You ask about people being eligible for upgrades, but you seem to forget that most people on Verizon that were waiting for iPhones had just jumped on Android phones. None of them will be eligible for an upgrade when the iPhone comes out in a month. NONE. Verizon did away with 1 year upgrades as of Jan. 16th and the first Android phone on Verizon came out in November of 2009...so you're still a good six months away from being able to upgrade. Guess what that coincides with? Yup, all of the 4G LTE Android phones and whatever the NEXT iPhone is.

The simple point is it's stupid to buy an iPhone on Verizon right now...I don't care how long you've waited. You're going to be stuck with 3G technology for 2 years when the next technology is here now (in 38 markets, lol).

I'm not comparing the iPhone 3G to an LTE phone. I'm talking the LTE phones in general.

By cheaper I mean, the price point some are willing to pay for a smart phone. $200 bucks is a lot of money for some people. They want something more in line with $100.

No one except the techies are clamoring for an LTE phone. It's the next progression of the phone and unless Apple creates market demand for LTE to be expanded nationwide by the middle of the year (which is not going to happen) LTE phones are not going to be a large part of the market in 2011.

That said, if Apple release an iPhone 5 (4G) to coincide with ATT LTE rollout in the middle of the year, then I would say you will see LTE phones become huge this year. Simply put, the Android phones are too fractured to create huge demand for an LTE phone. But that's not even Google's strategy, Google's strategy is to put their OS on every phone that doesn't have Apple on it. And it's working. I doubt even they care if LTE goes widespread.

Right now LTE will progress like 3G where mobile companies control how wide-spread it becomes unless Apple goes LTE in June. But Apple seems to upgrade it's phone in the second generation. I think we'll see an iPhone LTE next year. Thus eliminating taking out 3G iPhones maybe even 3GS. Like they did with the iPhone 1G with the OS upgrade.