Argh! iPhone purchase decision time: AT&T vs. Vz

[Geckotek]

I would say it is highly unlikely that Apple will present anything at CES. They like to hold their own shindigs.

I still find it suspect that we haven't seen one leak. If the Verizon iPhone is approximately 1 month away, how is it being kept so secret? You're telling me there is no promotional materials, computer systems, packaging, etc floating around somewhere?

With all the supply chains involved, you would think SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE, would have a concrete piece to upload on the big ole internet.

Just my 2 pennies.

I don't believe past leaks have been any of the items you listed above. Usually they are things like cases and parts. However, in this case a lot of those items might be identical to the iPhone 4.

IIRC, Apple has announced products at other events before. But I could be wrong. And since this is more of iPhone 4.5, that would make it a bit more believable. Why hold an entire event for just one slightly revised model? No major OS release. No new iTunes version. Etc....etc...

 

[brando123b]

I would assume Apple would announce some other things at this event. They like to mention iPhone sales, iPad related numbers, all kinds of new milestones they have reached. It wouldn't be solely a VZW iPhone announcement I wouldn't think.

I will be the first person in line if it turns out it is coming. I just hope it isn't announced in January, to be released in June.

 

[jekjones1558]

My contract with ATT recently expired and I am sticking with my old iPhone 3G until a Verizon iPhone is available. I think it will be relatively soon (JMHO after reading lots of rumors). I used to have Verizon and switched in order to get an iPhone. My service with ATT was good at the beginning of my 2 year contract but has continued to decline over the 2 years. I agree with others that choosing the best carrier is crucial and for me Verizon is it.

 

[Sticman]

My contract with ATT recently expired and I am sticking with my old iPhone 3G until a Verizon iPhone is available. I think it will be relatively soon (JMHO after reading lots of rumors). I used to have Verizon and switched in order to get an iPhone. My service with ATT was good at the beginning of my 2 year contract but has continued to decline over the 2 years. I agree with others that choosing the best carrier is crucial and for me Verizon is it.

I'm in Silicon Valley & know someone at Apple. VZW iphone is indeed coming. So, its worth waiting for. I'm doing the same thing as you...holding onto my 3GS until VZW iphone is released.

 

[Primejimbo]

I'm in Silicon Valley & know someone at Apple. VZW iphone is indeed coming. So, its worth waiting for. I'm doing the same thing as you...holding onto my 3GS until VZW iphone is released.

How many times have we heard this? "I know someone..." sorry, don't believe stuff like that. I think everyone knows it probably happen someday.
What I would like to know, why does everyone have a freaken ha*d on for Verizon?
I have Verizon for work, AT&T for personal and they are the same. I drop calls on both, but AT&T is a lot faster on internet.

 

[Applejuiced]

I'm in Silicon Valley & know someone at Apple. VZW iphone is indeed coming. So, its worth waiting for. I'm doing the same thing as you...holding onto my 3GS until VZW iphone is released.

Yeah sure...

 

[Sticman]

Dude, you need to get a life.
I'm just trying to help out the man. If he wants to be on VZW, he should not jump on an AT&T iphone.

 

[aohus]

I'm in Silicon Valley & know someone at Apple. VZW iphone is indeed coming. So, its worth waiting for. I'm doing the same thing as you...holding onto my 3GS until VZW iphone is released.

so? I met Dick Cheney back in 2002 during a luncheon with moderate republicans back in DC. At the time he was selling the war on Iraq to his constituents (republicans).

He looked like a penguin, i swear. His neck cranked to the side, holding a stack of newspapers. They cordoned off the entire Rayburn Building (senate office building) with TONS of SWAT, Cement blockades, K-9 units.

It was fun stuff. Shook his hand, but didn't take any pics, stupidly.

I will never forget that day. Its just one of those things you don't forget.

 

[Geckotek]

Dude, you need to get a life.
I'm just trying to help out the man. If he wants to be on VZW, he should not jump on an AT&T iphone.

I'm pretty sure his "Yeah sure" comment was pointed at you knowing someone @ Apple that knows anything about a Verizon iPhone; not your attempt at helping.

 

[goobot]

so what happened to the "rumored" one coming out this november? i wish people would at least try to be original about rumors by now.

 

[Applejuiced]

I'm pretty sure his "Yeah sure" comment was pointed at you knowing someone @ Apple that knows anything about a Verizon iPhone; not your attempt at helping.

Thank you very much sir
Thats exactly whats up. How many dozen posts we see every time that someone knows someones friends, uncles, 1st cousin who's barbers brother-in-law is someone higher up at Apple who happened to confirm that the iphone on verizon is coming
Nonsense....

 

[tigress666]

Your listed requirements:

-She forgets to charge her phone
Well thats going to be an issue with any phone. Period.

But I understand the reasoning here. I once had a PDA and stuck my nose up at PDA-phones. Once I got a laptop, I kept forgetting to charge the PDA. Since I did still remember to charge the phone and there were some functions I missed about the PDA (but not enough to remember to charge it), i had caved in to the idea of a smartphone. And now I do remember to charge my "PDA" (iphone 4 btw) enough. Point is if she's also using it for something else that she does remember to charge, she'll more likely remember to charge it.

As for the idea of getting an iPhone 2G, I will mention to OP that I would not consider any iPhone before the 4 as being a decent camera replacement. The 4 is good enough that if she wants a basic point and shoot I would say it is worthy. Shoot, I used the phone (even the 3G I had before this one) as a camera more than my camera simply cause it would be with me when I happened to see something I wanted to take a pic with. But the 3G's camera was not all that great (they did improve it with software. At first it had such a slow shutter it was practically useless honestly).

It was one of the things I wanted to see improved about the iPhone (which the 4 answered quite well). I love my 4's camera and don't even touch my digital camera anymore honestly (it's still a better camera and has an optical zoom, but not worth carrying around, my iPhone 4 is enough).

 

[Mliii]

Thank you very much sir
Thats exactly whats up. How many dozen posts we see every time that someone knows someones friends, uncles, 1st cousin who's barbers brother-in-law is someone higher up at Apple who happened to confirm that the iphone on verizon is coming
Nonsense....

^^ This!
If you've motored these boards for any amount of time, there have been dozens of "I Know someone at..." posts. Eventually, one of them will turn out to be legit. Till then...YAWN...

 

[brando123b]

The reason "Everyone" wants a VZW iPhone is due to the reliability of the service. Verizon has always focused on their network first, phones second. I don't know if you all remember, but there was a time before Android (November 2009, when the first Droid came out) when all they had was LG phones and subpar flip phones.

I will admit that it is easy to jump on the AT&T sucks bandwagon. I used to believe the service was horrid, just based on rumblings around the internet. My brother recently switched to ATT for an iPhone 4 and he loves it. He used to routinely spout abuot how bad ATT was, until he got it.

Is Verizon better? For a lot of people I think so. Is ATT garbage? Probably for some, but I would agree the cool thing to do now is bash them.

I say a VZW iPhone just means better apps, more accessories and more people to Facetime with. Holla!

 

[thetexan]

Why does everyone assume it has to be Apple / Steve Jobs to be the one to announce a Verizon iPhone. This year we've seen the iPhone come out on other carriers without a peep from Apple; it was the carrier making the announcement. Same with the iPad on Verizon, it was Verizon who announced they'd sell it not Steve Jobs.

 

[ReallyBigFeet]

The reason "Everyone" wants a VZW iPhone is due to the reliability of the service. Verizon has always focused on their network first, phones second. I don't know if you all remember, but there was a time before Android (November 2009, when the first Droid came out) when all they had was LG phones and subpar flip phones.

I've been a Verizon customer for as long as they've been calling themselves Verizon. I was even with PrimeCo prior before they were rolled into the company that would become Verizon Communications.

First off, I think you left out this little thing called the Blackberry RIM device in your selective memory there. Verizon was the last of the major players to carry the Blackberry Pearl, Curve and whatever the 8800 was called (forget its name now). And by last I mean DEAD last. They did have a few Windows Mobile smartphones to offer as well during that time but their entire focus wasn't on their network, but on the Verizon-properietary 'walled garden' of apps, ringtones and downloadable music. Everyone else in the industry was going with open platforms but Verizon spent an indordinate amount of time and R&D dollars delivering crippled RIM devices with GPS disabled and forcing their smartphones (now called Feature Phones) with their proprietary V-everything marketplace.

I've not seen them repeat this mistake with their Android offerings so I hope this bodes well for an iPhone introduction as well. I honestly don't think Apple would let them cripple anything on the iPhone in favor of a VZW proprietary slant but this was VZW's dark history when it comes to working with popular brands like RIM in the past.

Regardless, I do think Verizon has a more reliable user experience when it comes to network coverage, at least for voice. I carry a Verizon-powered MyFi every day and have done so for the past 16 months or so. Data speeds vary greatly from abysmal to pleasantly quick. At least with my iPhone on AT&T if it says 3G in the signal meter I get a pretty predictable speed.

Oh and for you tin-foil hat wearers:

When VZW eventually DID release the Blackberry Pearl, Curve and 8800 models, they were released in a pretty cool color of silver, unique to the RIM world at the time. Maybe that's what REALLY happened to the white iPhone plans? Hmmmmmmm?????

 

[brando123b]

Blackberries make me cringe. I use one for work and it is so hopefully outdated. I literally get claustrophobic when I try to do anything on it. The screen is so tiny. It's great for e-mail but anything else is just unbearable.

 

[el-John-o]

Just thinking out loud (ok, maybe I'm ranting a bit):

I want to get my wife an iPhone for Christmas. She really needs it. She has a basic phone now that she always forgets to charge, a camera that she takes with her to so many places for simple pics and video, and now she wants an iPod so she can have her music from iTunes in the car. That equals an iPhone (and might actually allow me to call her when needed, because she'll keep the phone charged for the music and pictures).

BUT I HATE AT&T. I was thinking about "waiting" for the Vz iPhone announcement, but then again, weren't the Beatles always right around the corner on iTunes? How long did that take to actually happen -- like five years or something?

I suppose another upside -- if Vz does do the iPhone, maybe that will un-congest the AT&T pipes (though it still won't help with their coverage issues).

When's the last time you USED AT&T? I think alot of the "coverage issues" are pure farce. I know it's geographically dependant but AT&T does physically cover more of the states then anyone else (I know 3G is less than some of the competition but you can make a phone call just about anywhere.) Last time I checked, that was a fact, as in percentage of the continuous United States covered. I don't have a problem, I drove from Chicago to St.Louis streaming videos over 3G the whole way, I get a full signal and 3G almost anywhere. In fact, my phone gets nabbed all the time from my sprint and verizon friends, because they can't call out of their calls drop at some places (like church) where I get a full strong signal.

I know they get a bad rap, but give them a chance. Their support SUCKS, but I've been satisfied with the actual product.

 

[jekjones1558]

When's the last time you USED AT&T? I think alot of the "coverage issues" are pure farce. I know it's geographically dependant but AT&T does physically cover more of the states then anyone else (I know 3G is less than some of the competition but you can make a phone call just about anywhere.) Last time I checked, that was a fact, as in percentage of the continuous United States covered. I don't have a problem, I drove from Chicago to St.Louis streaming videos over 3G the whole way, I get a full signal and 3G almost anywhere. In fact, my phone gets nabbed all the time from my sprint and verizon friends, because they can't call out of their calls drop at some places (like church) where I get a full strong signal.

I know they get a bad rap, but give them a chance. Their support SUCKS, but I've been satisfied with the actual product.

I live in a major metropolitan area and my ATT coverage has dead spots in several neighborhoods that I frequent. I may be just unlucky but it gets REALLY annoying. My friends on Verizon have no problems in these same neighborhoods. As has been stated several times on this thread, it is best for each person to assess her/his own coverage situation when judging ATT and resist the temptation to assume that your own experience is same for all others. Unfortunately it may be hard to know what ATT coverage will be like for YOU until after you have signed on the dotted line.

 

[kdarling]

Everyone else in the industry was going with open platforms but Verizon spent an indordinate amount of time and R&D dollars delivering crippled RIM devices with GPS disabled and forcing their smartphones (now called Feature Phones) with their proprietary V-everything marketplace.

Verizon's smartphones were always able to download apps from anywhere. If there was a Verizon market app included, it was optional and meant more as a convenience for new users.

Featurephones are a different animal, and almost by definition can only run specific apps.

The GPS situation came about because Verizon had chosen to put A-GPS chips in all their phones since about 2001 for better E911 locating. (ATT chose cheaper and far less accurate cell locating.)

To be able to deploy this even on cheap dumbphones, the A-GPS chipsets were quite simple and relied on extensive computing aid from Verizon servers.

To help pay for this system, Verizon had planned to sell LBS access. Unfortunately for them, but great for us consumers, the advent of internet-enabled phones with GPS assistance from chipset maker servers, doomed their plan.

 

[ReelAction]

When's the last time you USED AT&T? I think alot of the "coverage issues" are pure farce. I know it's geographically dependant but AT&T does physically cover more of the states then anyone else (I know 3G is less than some of the competition but you can make a phone call just about anywhere.)
I know they get a bad rap, but give them a chance. Their support SUCKS, but I've been satisfied with the actual product.

I use AT&T daily. My two primary locations in the SF Bay area have dropped calls daily, as well as travel between these locations.
I use the ATT app "Mark the Spot" to try and help them out, but nothing has improved with my service in these locations.
When in LA it is impeccable and quick service, but that is not where I require it on a routine basis. And been in Ohio areas where it has 0 service, voice or data.
I have given them a chance for over 3 years, they failed, so on to Verizon, or other choices.

 

[AbSoluTc]

1 - Verizon does not have the iPhone and as usual, it is only speculation about whether it will be getting it. Nothing has ever been confirmed to date.

2 - You should base your mobile purchase on which carrier gives you the best service for your area.

3 - Never wait unless you are aiming for the iPhone and a new one is set to release in a month or so.

Lastly, make your OWN decisions. Don't ask people here to do it for you. It never works and always winds up in an argument about this or that. Go to each store, get a device and try them out for a few days to see who/what works the best for you. As far as I know, all carriers allow this.

 

[Geckotek]

Lastly, make your OWN decisions. Don't ask people here to do it for you. It never works and always winds up in an argument about this or that. Go to each store, get a device and try them out for a few days to see who/what works the best for you. As far as I know, all carriers allow this.

Sometimes it makes sense to make your own decision after processing feedback from others (in addition to testing devices on your own). Of course the OP will be making their own decision.

 

[asleep]

so? I met Dick Cheney back in 2002 during a luncheon with moderate republicans back in DC. At the time he was selling the war on Iraq to his constituents (republicans).

He looked like a penguin, i swear. His neck cranked to the side, holding a stack of newspapers. They cordoned off the entire Rayburn Building (senate office building) with TONS of SWAT, Cement blockades, K-9 units.

It was fun stuff. Shook his hand, but didn't take any pics, stupidly.

I will never forget that day. Its just one of those things you don't forget.

Sooooo ..... is the Dickster an AT&T or Verizon guy?

 

[alent1234]

I would say it is highly unlikely that Apple will present anything at CES. They like to hold their own shindigs.

I still find it suspect that we haven't seen one leak. If the Verizon iPhone is approximately 1 month away, how is it being kept so secret? You're telling me there is no promotional materials, computer systems, packaging, etc floating around somewhere?

With all the supply chains involved, you would think SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE, would have a concrete piece to upload on the big ole internet.

Just my 2 pennies.

with the iPhone 4 apple ships it direct from China. if the VZW iPhone is real then it could be the same thing