Verizon iPhone Launches with Mobile Hotspot and Redesigned Antenna

[NebulaClash]

they probably didn't redesign it in the sense of 'secretly fixing the great big design flaw' because there wasnt one. But folks will read into any changes as being that kind of fix

Yes, there are some real sore heads that insist, months after the fact, that Antennagate was a BIG DEAL for Apple, even though the sales rate shows it was a minor blip driven more by bad PR than bad technology.

Yes, Steve admitted there was a problem, so quit pretending he's still trying to deny it. But what Steve pointed out is that it was simple physics that potentially affects all phones to one degree or another (though the dead spots will vary due to differences in antenna design from phone to phone).

That's why the original iPhone 4 continues to sell well despite this supposed "defective" design (that isn't defective).

Naturally the antenna design will change in the future -- it always does from year to year. No need to run around with your head on fire yelling "they are admitting they made a mistake!!!" They're doing nothing of the kind other than trying to improve a product with every new iteration . . . as always.

 

[Lesser Evets]

That Verizon site is semi-suck. It was annoyingly anemic with data I wanted: phone sans plan. I'd love to have one with those $100/year BloMe minutes, but then you pay $599 for and iPhone?? ... assuming they charge similar un-contracted rates to AT&T.

The iPhone is still quite a racket after several years.

 

[Centient]

For all the hype that's developed over the years about iPhone on VZ I have to say this is something of a let down. I'm not surprised, or disappointed necessarily, but there just isn't alot here to WOW! anyone.

Though I suppose if you're in San Fran, NYC, or one of the other places that suffers from AT&T coverage this was a big enough deal in itself.

 

[spazzcat]

the fee is $325....i wouldn't call that WAY more.

It's prorated, so I am 9 months in, so that would be $90 off the $325...

 

[Fraaaa]

Yes, A-GPS is faster than regular GPS. What it does is use cell phone towers (as available) to triangulate an approximate location while it's trying to find the GPS sat and then hands it off to the GPS sat. The end product is that it pinpoints where you are faster.

I do understand about the speed and the triangulation, but how about accuracy? Is the sat more accurate or it isn't?

 

[MacManTexas56]

LOL this is kinda funny, a majority of people never use data while on the phone. Im not sure how this would be taking a step backwards when they just created a long term relationship with the best wireless network in America.

how would it work if you're using a google voice app on data plan to receive text messages and someone texts you while your on the phone....you don't get the text message right?

 

[aristobrat]

I was wondering the same thing. So if i'm surfing the 'net or listening to Pandora or Rhapsody or checking my email or tethering and a call comes in they just go straight to voice mail, which you won't even know about until you stop any data apps? Same with text messages? Or if I'm on a call I can't do any of those things either?

No, if you get a voice call, it will (by default) pause the data connection and let the phone ring.

IIRC, that behavior is configurable.

 

[nygiants242]

Conclusion:

Overall.. I would sum this up in two brief points.

1. If you are an AT&T user, I think you are satisfied with staying with the network. Using data while on a call seems to be very important to at least the majority of us, me included. I don't want to give that up! Why get used to the CDMA way of life? SIM Card FTW.

2. If you are a Verizon user, you have already had to deal with this "problem" of voice and data with other smartphones. Therefore, you are familiar with the phenomena. Now, given that the iPhone is better than anything offered by Android, you can/will get the iPhone 4. The problems that people are bitching about have come with any CDMA Verizon smartphone anyway.

Sound good?

 

[MacManTexas56]

It's prorated, so I am 9 months in, so that would be $90 off the $325...

chances are the trade in number is gonna drop significantly once they hear of this announcement. plus you then have to turn around and pay $199 again for another phone.

 

[GeekLawyer]

Where's all the posters with "Apple will never make a CDMA phone", or the "iPhone will never be on Verizon until LTE"? Wow I guess they are hiding under rocks...LOL

I was one of them. Glad I was wrong!

 

[VenusianSky]

So the mobile hotspot is free, or are people assuming that it is free? I have handylight and I have hardly ever used it. It is nice to have the option to tether, but I never found myself in a situation where I needed to tether any device to my cellular.

 

[macnews]

Ok, pretty much a wash today. iPhone to Verizon. Will have data/voice concurrent issues but will have mobile hotspot. Thus, the experience will not be the same on either network allowing for competition.

Mobile hotspot could allow AT&T to offer it, which there is a difference with mobile hotspot v tethering, with your same data plan (HINT AT&T - I know you would get extra money out of me and my wife IF you offered this because we would use more data on 3G). Verizon might drop prices to compete with concurrent voice/data usage on AT&T.

Still unknown - how fast an iPhone will be on the Verizon network. If their network will bog down or not. If and how AT&T will counter.

A few takes - if you don't think concurrent data/voice is a big deal then you either don't understand the iPhone potential (in a good coverage area granted). Also, your take on "good coverage" really does depend on WHERE you live. Where I am at, AT&T has Verizon beat or at least neck and neck. I have traveled to other cities where that same is true but also others like NY, Phoenix and parts of SF where I totally understood the frustration of iPhone users living there! I was in Phoenix for just over a week and wanted to throw my iPhone in the trash! I expect many iPhone users in these cities will switch because coverage is so poor concurrent use is only a very small factor.

Bottom line there is no major change, aside from a different carrier, to cause people to switch. I say this because of the rumors of a CDMA/LTE iPhone, more/better features all of which didn't happen. Even mobile hotspot isn't a huge change since you can do tethering (yes, I know not the same) on AT&T. I like the competition and think it will be good for anyone wanting an iPhone.

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

Q: Did you change the antenna?
A: Cook: We've optimized things to work on CDMA, but I'm not commenting on anything beyond that.

i get the feeling there's something were not being told about the new antenna.

i get the need to readjust to cmda, but did they need to redesign it ?

i feel like there hushing up the fact that they've just implemented a new antenna, time will tell if non verizon iphones start rolling out with this antenna design.

Also, its gonna suck that apple is not gonna give older iphone 4's any antenna support if this new design is a better one.

if they were, theyd have mentioned it by now.

= class action lawsuit

 

[Geckotek]

HSPA+ will be automatic when AT&T lights it up at the end of March.

You got data to back that somewhere? I'm fairly certain the chipset in the iPhone 4 doesn't support it.

 

[Centient]

Overall.. I would sum this up in two brief points.

1. If you are an AT&T user, I think you are satisfied with staying with the network. Using data while on a call seems to be very important to at least the majority of us, me included. I don't want to give that up! Why get used to the CDMA way of life? SIM Card FTW.

2. If you are a Verizon user, you have already had to deal with this "problem" of voice and data with other smartphones. Therefore, you are familiar with the phenomena. Now, given that the iPhone is better than anything offered by Android, you can/will get the iPhone 4. The problems that people are bitching about have come with any CDMA Verizon smartphone anyway.

Sound good?

Yep. This is a pretty good round up of the days events.

 

[spazzcat]

That number will surely go down when the second-hand market gets flooded with people thinking like you.

I agree, so once I see what VZW data plan costs will be, and if I like them, I will sell my iPhone 4 now, and go back to my 3G one for a month or so...

 

[rjohnstone]

Both of you are a bit off.

CDMA by design doesn't support simultaneous data/voice.

HSPA+ will be automatic when AT&T lights it up at the end of March.

These are network design and backhaul issues, not phone limitations.

No, I'm not off at all.
The iPhone does not support HSPA+... period.
It is uses HSDPA/UMTS, not HSPA+.

 

[inkswamp]

My wife is going to be thrilled when she hears about this. She bought a Droid Eris about a year-and-a-half ago, loved it for about a month and then grew to hate it as all its eccentricities and lack of polish started to show through. She constantly picks up my iPhone and has been wishing Verizon would get it (has a discount for Verizon through her employer.) So, soon we'll be joyfully giving the Eris the kick in the backside it deserves and replacing it with something far, far better.

 

[bergmef]

AT&T's HSDPA network allows users to browse the Web or load up applications via its 3G network while on a call, but Verizon's CDMA network does not. That also means that the 3G Wi-Fi hotspot feature would be disabled when a call comes in on the new iPhone. ~ AppleInsider

It's new on the scene, but this CDMA iPhone is currently old school to me. I think it's not revolutionary nor magical to not be able to multi-task with data while on a call. The iPhone 4 just went back to the future.

I'm surprised allowed this, but money talks and I guess Verizon CDMA complaints can .....!

If you read the SVDO spec, the network is fine but it's up to the handset maker to implement. That would put the ball in apple's court. It's apple not allowing it if I read the spec correctly. I guess you can say apple crippled the phone.

 

[QuarterSwede]

I do understand about the speed and the triangulation, but how about accuracy? Is the sat more accurate or it isn't?

GPS is much more accurate (within 3 feet). The assisted part is just a lot faster at finding your location than GPS. It's not nearly as accurate but it gives you a general idea of where you are. So combine the two and you get a quick, gradually more accurate location.

 

[fcortese]

Hopefully, I'll be updating my sig below on February 10th! Finally!

 

[spazzcat]

chances are the trade in number is gonna drop significantly once they hear of this announcement. plus you then have to turn around and pay $199 again for another phone.

I am also paying $30 for data on my iPad. One year of that service is $360. So, the big issue for me is, can I live with no data when I am on the phone....

 

[Popeye206]

I want Sprint!!!!!!

That does it... I'm buying a Win7 Phone on Sprint.

Just kidding... of course, now that we have the Verizon thing behind us, we need to start wanting a different carrier!

 

[BlkEagle]

Drrrrooooollllllinnnnnnggggg is over

Finally, what they all been waiting for, the drrrrooooollllliiiiinnnnnggggg is over but still a useless device as expected CDMA cannot be used at the same time for internet and voice what useless device!!!

Now the moment they've all been waiting for and finally people get educated with CDMA that it is and what it is, the device's internet and voice CANNOT BE USED AT THE SAME TIME.... and on top of that when you travel LEAVE YOUR IPHONE at home, nyak, nyak, nyak, nyak.... PATHETIC..., still people are proud with a pathetic device but then again PATHETIC, nyak, nyak nyak!
Well at least people in the AT&T network will be happy because the clog is finally over.

 

[cvaldes]

I do understand about the speed and the triangulation, but how about accuracy? Is the sat more accurate or it isn't?

The GPS satellite location is more accurate, but sometimes it takes a while to pin down and it doesn't work well indoors.

Also, the GPS satellite provides altitude. Cellular/wifi triangulation does not.