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Verizon iPhone Launches with Mobile Hotspot and Redesigned Antenna

Don't know what you got till its gone

The title from on of rocks great bands..... Those words are what a few people are going to be singing after they ditch AT&T for Verizon.

Misconception #1....... I have read lots of posts here of people saying that they do not use data and voice at the same time, but it isn't until you actually lose that ability that you will realize just how data intensive the iPhone is.

Right now I can be talking to a friend, we can be talking about the weather so I can pull up the weather app and see what it is. We can be talking about a funny story or an email, I can forward that email to my friend so that they can see what I am talking about. I am talking to a friend to make dinner reservations, I can pull up my restaurant app and find the nearest restaurant to meet at. And the list goes on and on and on.

With Verizon, once you are on a call with someone, there will be a lot of apps that will stop working until you are done with that app. Just go to your settings and turn off data services and see what you would be missing.

Misconception #2.... Unlimited data and hotspot support. Having been a Verizon customer in the past, I know that there is no such thing as Unlimited with them, and that hotspot support is not going to be free. The question is, how much are you willing to spend for hotspot support ?

Finally.... VZ Navigator, VCast ? Are they serious? Knowing Verizon, they will disable the map and itunes apps on the phone and force people to use their VZ apps instead ( which of course involve a monthly fee ).
 
Sinfire said:
The title from on of rocks great bands..... Those words are what a few people are going to be singing after they ditch AT&T for Verizon.

Misconception #1....... I have read lots of posts here of people saying that they do not use data and voice at the same time, but it isn't until you actually lose that ability that you will realize just how data intensive the iPhone is.

Right now I can be talking to a friend, we can be talking about the weather so I can pull up the weather app and see what it is. We can be talking about a funny story or an email, I can forward that email to my friend so that they can see what I am talking about. I am talking to a friend to make dinner reservations, I can pull up my restaurant app and find the nearest restaurant to meet at. And the list goes on and on and on.

With Verizon, once you are on a call with someone, there will be a lot of apps that will stop working until you are done with that app. Just go to your settings and turn off data services and see what you would be missing.

Misconception #2.... Unlimited data and hotspot support. Having been a Verizon customer in the past, I know that there is no such thing as Unlimited with them, and that hotspot support is not going to be free. The question is, how much are you willing to spend for hotspot support ?

Finally.... VZ Navigator, VCast ? Are they serious? Knowing Verizon, they will disable the map and itunes apps on the phone and force people to use their VZ apps instead ( which of course involve a monthly fee ).
Click to expand...

I have a feeling Verizon only got the iPhone after they promised Apple that they would preserve the Apple experience that AT&T users have become accustomed to...well, maybe not the crappy coverage in some areas.:D
 
This is breaking my heart....

I accurately predicted (in June in person; and then in July here on MacRumors) that Verizon would see the iPhone by January 31st.

I was hoping they would announce it early in January, start taking preorders a week later and that I'd have one in my hands on January 31st.

I've saved every piece of spare change I could for six months, even taking pennies off the ground, waiting for this day. Now with Verizon's existing customers getting a week's head start, and I can't even pre-order until Feb. 10th, ( a whole MONTH from today) I fear I won't get to hold one in my hand until March... :(
 
TheRealTVGuy said:
This is breaking my heart....

I accurately predicted (in June in person; and then in July here on MacRumors) that Verizon would see the iPhone by January 31st.

I was hoping they would announce it early in January, start taking preorders a week later and that I'd have one in my hands on January 31st.

I've saved every piece of spare change I could for six months, even taking pennies off the ground, waiting for this day. Now with Verizon's existing customers getting a week's head start, and I can't even pre-order until Feb. 10th, ( a whole MONTH from today) I fear I won't get to hold one in my hand until March... :(
Click to expand...

And when iPhone 5 is announced for both carriers in June, won't you feel silly for having waited all this time only to have jumped in prematurely?
 
Jeez. I'm eligible for an upgrade on Verizon. I've waited for the iPhone on Verizon. I am SO TEMPTED to get it really soon. Someone tell me to wait...

On the other hand, I do want to wait to see what problems develop with the CDMA iPhone and let them fix those problems. Also, what's going to drive me nuts because of you, MacRumors fellows, is "what if" Verizon gets the updated iPhone during the summer (June right?). But the other argument is ATT has the exclusivity and will make Verizon wait awhile to get the updated version.

Gah, too bad there wasnt going to be anything about the iPhone this year. But, oh yeah, I forgot, Apple was thinking about holding two events, one for iOS and another for OSX, can't forget about OSX Lion!
Someone tell me to wait!
 
cmaier said:
And when iPhone 5 is announced for both carriers in June, won't you feel silly for having waited all this time only to have jumped in prematurely?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm wondering about that. I feel like Apple's more likely to have two product cycles (at least until both AT&T and Verizon complete their 4G networks) and then maybe put out a 4G iphone for both networks in June ___ year. Until then, it makes since to me that they'd just have two different product cycles.

Of course you may be right and the fact that they're announcing now with the iPhone 4 is just because they wanted to jump on the fact that the AT&T exclusivity ended on December 31st. In that case we'd see this year's June iPhone update come out for both networks.

Either way, I don't think this year's update will feature a totally new form-factor like we saw last year. Just a bump in specs.

Oh... decisions, decisions. If only AT&T had good coverage in Phoenix, AZ and Old Forge, NY, AND had wi-fi tethering (without raping my wallet). It would be great for me...
 
TheRealTVGuy said:
Yeah, I'm wondering about that. I feel like Apple's more likely to have two product cycles (at least until both AT&T and Verizon complete their 4G networks) and then maybe put out a 4G iphone for both networks in June ___ year. Until then, it makes since to me that they'd just have two different product cycles.

Of course you may be right and the fact that they're announcing now with the iPhone 4 is just because they wanted to jump on the fact that the AT&T exclusivity ended on December 31st. In that case we'd see this year's June iPhone update come out for both networks.

Either way, I don't think this years update will feature a totally new form-factor like we saw last year. Just a bump in specs.

Oh... decisions, decisions. If only AT&T had good coverage in Phoenix, AZ and Old Forge, NY, AND had wi-fi tethering (without raping my wallet). It would be great for me...
Click to expand...

My prediction: In June they announce iPhone 4S (with more RAM, Cortex A9-based A4, single core, GFX core improvements, maybe NFC and an improved rear camera, and some newly announced iOS features will only run on it) on both networks, and that iPhone 4 will continue to be sold as the low-end phone on both networks (replacing the 3GS as the base model on AT&T). It won't be a big enough improvement (sort of like 3GS vs. 3G) to make verizon iphone 4 buyers too pissed off.
 
cmaier said:
My prediction: In June they announce iPhone 4S (with more RAM, Cortex A9-based A4, single core, GFX core improvements, maybe NFC and an improved rear camera, and some newly announced iOS features will only run on it) on both networks, and that iPhone 4 will continue to be sold as the low-end phone on both networks (replacing the 3GS as the base model on AT&T). It won't be a big enough improvement (sort of like 3GS vs. 3G) to make verizon iphone 4 buyers too pissed off.
Click to expand...

I'd agree with that except for maybe some of the iOS features being restricted to the newest phone's hardware. I'd say they'll at least support anything 4, just maybe not the 3GS.

BTW, interesting call on the single core. I haven't been following the info on the chips as much as I should be. So you think no multi-core until next year? Do you think they'll make the jump to 4G next year (2012)?
 
cmaier said:
And when iPhone 5 is announced for both carriers in June, won't you feel silly for having waited all this time only to have jumped in prematurely?
Click to expand...

Feel silly about what? The current iPhone 4 is a great smartphone. Will having a 8MP camera make a big difference over the current 5MP camera? No. A slightly faster CPU? No. Apple will be saving the good stuff for next year, probably including LTE (4G).
 
I wanted it...

I wanted this. I really did. But there's a problem.

1. I spend a month a year in Europe and this thing will be a brick.
2. I store a lot of info on my ipod currently. If I were to upgrade, I'd want something beyond 64 GB. This isn't it.
3. I do not want to be locked into an inferior phone.

I'm hoping that the next iPhone will be GSM/CDMA-really-with 128GB/64GB options, as 64GB was available last year but Apple didn't do it to keep costs down. While its a nice product, and the screen can't be matched, I question its usefulness, and I do not think I'm the only one on this forum. Yes, its good news, and its nice to see that you can't hold this one wrong. Competition and all that. But I do not like the idea of getting an RIM device so I hope apple comes through-I will not go 10% of a year without a smartphone.
 
OllyW said:
How do you know 64GB was available for the iPhone last year?
Click to expand...

The chips were announced by Toshiba IIRC shortly before the iPhone launched, but the OP fails to realize that by that time Apple had already sourced hardware and was deep into manufacturing the phones that had to be ready by launch.
 
tdmac said:
Why so you can be surfing on your devices while all of your phone calls go to voicemail, since you can't get calls and surf at the same time ;).
Click to expand...
Maybe you're incapable of reading and have apparently never used CDMA, but let me make this clear again. SMS and Incoming Calls have priority over data usage/browsing. If you're surfing the net and someone is trying to call, it will take the incoming call and stop the network connection. I have never had an incident where I missed a call while I was downloading something or browsing the net. I also haven't had to "start over" downloads when I'm downloading over the net either, the download resumes right where it left off. That is how it works. As for the GPS, I've used Google Maps while listening to Pandora in my car and I got an incoming call. It paused everything and when the call was over it began playing Pandora again right where it left off and the GPS just resyncs almost immediately. There isn't an issue here. Yes having nothing paused when you have a call is a nifty little thing which I'm sure I wouldn't mind having, but the people spouting all this stuff about data/voice don't seem to understand how other types of networks function. I always get new e-mail notifications, text messages, phone calls, etc... during my data usage. You just can't do both simultaneously, but your phone calls will never take a lower priority than anything you may be doing.
 
Must be nice for two companies (Apple and Verizon) to finally come together and offer a phone that no one will buy cause we don't wanna pay $599 for a product that only costs about $180 to make. <--- Now that's a long sentence.

I have two phone lines, and on Apple's site 1 of them is eligible for upgrade. When I look on Verizon's site, it says they both aren't, but both are. Makes total sense. No doubt in my mind I'll be getting both phones for $199.
 
darthraige said:
Must be nice for two companies (Apple and Verizon) to finally come together and offer a phone that no one will buy cause we don't wanna pay $599 for a product that only costs about $180 to make. <--- Now that's a long sentence.
Click to expand...

It may be long, but it also makes no sense at all.
 
darthraige said:
Must be nice for two companies (Apple and Verizon) to finally come together and offer a phone that no one will buy cause we don't wanna pay $599 for a product that only costs about $180 to make. <--- Now that's a long sentence.

I have two phone lines, and on Apple's site 1 of them is eligible for upgrade. When I look on Verizon's site, it says they both aren't, but both are. Makes total sense. No doubt in my mind I'll be getting both phones for $199.
Click to expand...

Who you kiddin'? I buy overpriced crap all the time! :D


:cool:
 
TheRealTVGuy said:
I'd agree with that except for maybe some of the iOS features being restricted to the newest phone's hardware. I'd say they'll at least support anything 4, just maybe not the 3GS.

BTW, interesting call on the single core. I haven't been following the info on the chips as much as I should be. So you think no multi-core until next year? Do you think they'll make the jump to 4G next year (2012)?
Click to expand...

You may be right re: software features, but I would expect at least one to only run on the new phone.

I think no multi-core for awhile - it's not really necessary for iPhone (different story for iPad 2, perhaps) at this point, and there are likely lots of ways to make A4 significantly faster without adding a power-sucking/area-consuming second core (e.g. out-of-order instruction issue, improved branch prediction, bigger, independent caches, etc.)

Hard to speculate of 4G - I think it depends how far the carriers have rolled it out by then. By 2012 the silicon for 4G might not suck, at least.
 
Wait...

longball11 said:
Jeez. I'm eligible for an upgrade on Verizon. I've waited for the iPhone on Verizon. I am SO TEMPTED to get it really soon. Someone tell me to wait...

On the other hand, I do want to wait to see what problems develop with the CDMA iPhone and let them fix those problems. Also, what's going to drive me nuts because of you, MacRumors fellows, is "what if" Verizon gets the updated iPhone during the summer (June right?). But the other argument is ATT has the exclusivity and will make Verizon wait awhile to get the updated version.

Gah, too bad there wasnt going to be anything about the iPhone this year. But, oh yeah, I forgot, Apple was thinking about holding two events, one for iOS and another for OSX, can't forget about OSX Lion!
Someone tell me to wait!
Click to expand...

Wait until at least June. Even if only to avoid mocking from the fanboys when the Verizon iPhone performs poorly and you are told you were a fool to buy version 1 of any Apple product.

And wait to see there is a new version on the normal GSM cycle. Have you looked at the new Verizon Android phones announced for Q1 release? Real LTE 4G performance. Dual core processors which blow away the prior generation of single cores yet provide even better battery life when driven normally. Super Amoled screens that make the iP4 display look a little dingy (to be kind). Higher resolution cameras with all the contrast and dynamic range of the iP4 camera. Front facing cameras which can do video chat on either the OTA or WiFi networks.

If you are going to lock yourself into a 2 year contract, getting a phone without LTE is going to be a real issue. There will be features and services that rely on high data speed well before the contract expires. And getting a Verizon phone off contract is a major waste, since you are locked into them anyway by virtue of using CDMA.

So wait at least until June to see what Apple delivers. Because right now you'd be buying an unproven piece of hardware with specs that are similar to Verizon phones that are ancient in terms of smartphone development (ie. a year old). By the time your contract runs out this phone will feel like a anchor.
 
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