Verizon iPhone 5 won’t ever be locked, most likely due to FCC agreements

Verizon is not going to re-lock the iPhone 5, according to a report today from the AP:



NEW YORK (AP) — Verizon Wireless said Monday that it won’t prevent its version of the iPhone 5 from being used on AT&T’s network. The Verizon version of the iPhone 5, which went on sale Friday, came with an unexpected feature: it works on the network of AT&T and many other phone companies [including T-Mobile], as well as on Verizon’s. It’s the first time Verizon, the country’s largest cellphone company, has sold a phone that works on competing U.S. networks with no complicated hacking, or “unlocking,” procedures.

But, does Big Red even have that option? Verizon tends to do everything possible to lock customers in, and allowing AT&T customers to use the handset is totally against everything it stands for. A Howard Forums poster notes that when Verizon purchased its 700MHz spectrum a few years ago, which it would eventually use for LTE, the carrier told the Federal Communications Commission it would not lock phones that used this network as part of the deal.

I’ve been reading up on the open access provisions in regards to the C-Block of 700 mhz LTE spectrum. There is a very specific line saying that a licensee(Verizon) cannot configure devices to be locked against use on another network. This means that Verizon would be violating Federal law if the iPhone 5′s sim slot is even partially locked. Unlike on the iPhone 4S – these regulations mean that Verizon must even allow an AT&T sim card to be used in any Verizon iPhone 5.

The relevant law is found here in the Code of Federal Regulations
Title 47 – Telecommunication. CHAPTER I – FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED). SUBCHAPTER B – COMMON CARRIER SERVICES. PART 27 – MISCELLANEOUS WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES. Subpart B – Applications and Licenses. § 27.16Network access requirements for Block C in the 746-757 and 776-787 MHz bands.

Take a look at this : (e) Handset locking prohibited. No licensee may disable features on handsets it provides to customers, to the extent such features are compliant with the licensee’s standards pursuant to paragraph (b)of this section, nor configure handsets it provides to prohibit use of such handsets on other providers’ networks.

The one caveat is that Verizon iPhones cannot utilize LTE on AT&T’s network, but it will be able to use T-Mobile’s 2G and new 1900MHz 4G network.


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iPhone 5 on Verizon Sports LTE in NYC

It seems that Verizon is sporting LTE in NYC while AT&T is still on their HSPA+(aka 4G). I guess we now know who is over exaggerating their service. Once we get a Verizon LTE iPhone 5 we will test the speeds and post a video.






Let us know what carrier and service you are getting in your area, post a comment and email us a pic, we will post them up.

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Verizon iPhone 5 Confirmed to be Unlocked, Works on GSM 3G Network

The Verizon iPhone 5 has been confirmed to be unlocked and working on GSM 3G networks, even if the phone was sold on contract. This means that any user with a nano-sim can place his sim into the Verizon iPhone 5 and use it on a GSM carrier like AT&T.

I can confirm that the Verizon iPhone 5 is indeed GSM unlocked. Even though I bought an iPhone 5 from Verizon under contract, I was able to cut down my AT&T Micro SIM, and use it in my Verizon iPhone 5 to pick up an AT&T signal. By doing so, I was able to hop onto AT&T's HPSA+ network, or "4G" as they so ridiculously name it.

It is not possible to get AT&T LTE however, due to differences in the frequencies that the carriers operate on.

This is great news for those Verizon iPhone 5 owners who often travel the world.


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Unlock Your iPhone 4S Without Jailbreaking?

A new unlock method has surfaced today which claims to work without the need of any software, hardware or jailbreak.

A bug in iOS 5 discovered by Michael Capozzi theoretically allows any iPhone 4S to be unlocked to any GSM carrier. However, Capozzi says he was only able to test with T-Mobile.

We are currently working towards independent confirmation of his method. It does require you to have an active T-Mobile SIM card (with data working). Remember it must be cut to micro-SIM size to fit the iPhone 4S.

The Steps:
● Insert original carrier AT&T SIM card
● Dial 611 for AT&T customer service hotline and drop the call
● Turn on Airplane Mode
● Take out AT&T SIM card
● Insert T-Mobile SIM card
● Make sure WiFi is off ( also tap on 'Forget this Network" to make sure it doesn't connect automatically later)
● Switch off Airplane Mode and iPhone will search for network. This is followed by the Apple splash screen appearing.
● Activation Required will be displayed on the screen
● EDGE network will activate automatically – notice the 'E' on the top left corner of the screen
● Wait for about 20-30 seconds and turn off the phone
● Turn on iPhone and the same Activation Required screen will be displayed
● When you see one signal bar, tap on Use Cellular Connection
● Eject SIM card
● Activation Required screen will be displayed the second time
● Insert SIM card
● Unlocked!

We are getting some confirmation reports. If you are able to test this, please let us know your results. Remember this method may unlock your device; however, it will not last through a reboot. So while not practical for day to day use. It may benefit those traveling abroad.

Update:
Gizmodo is claiming some confirmation as well.


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iPhone 4S pre-orders hit one million in 24 hours

Apple has just issued a press release confirming they have topped one million pre-orders for the iPhone 4S in 24 hours. This surpasses the previous single day pre-order record of 600,000 held by iPhone 4. It also comes after AT&T on Friday confirmed processing over 200,000 preorders in the first 12 hours alone. Apple quoted its worldwide marketing honcho Phil Schiller in the release:

We are blown away with the incredible customer response to iPhone 4S. The first day pre-orders for iPhone 4S have been the most for any new product that Apple has ever launched and we are thrilled that customers love iPhone 4S as much as we do.
Full press release:

iPhone 4S Pre-Orders Top One Million in First 24 Hours

CUPERTINO, California—October 10, 2011—Apple® today announced pre-orders of its iPhone® 4S have topped one million in a single day, surpassing the previous single day pre-order record of 600,000 held by iPhone 4. iPhone 4S is the most amazing iPhone yet, packed with incredible new features including Apple’s dual-core A5 chip for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics; an all new camera with advanced optics; full 1080p HD resolution video recording; and Siri™, an intelligent assistant that helps you get things done just by asking.

“We are blown away with the incredible customer response to iPhone 4S,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “The first day pre-orders for iPhone 4S have been the most for any new product that Apple has ever launched and we are thrilled that customers love iPhone 4S as much as we do.”

iPhone 4S will be available at all 245 Apple retail stores in the US beginning at 8 a.m. local time on Friday, October 14. Every customer who buys an iPhone 4S at an Apple retail store will be offered free Personal Setup service, helping them customize their iPhone 4S by setting up email, showing them new apps from the App Store™ and more, so they’ll be up and running with their new iPhone before they leave the store.

iPhone 4S includes iOS 5, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new features, and iCloud®, a breakthrough set of free cloud services that work seamlessly with your iPhone, iPad®, iPod touch®, Mac® or PC to automatically and wirelessly store your content in iCloud and push it to all your devices.

Pricing & Availability
iPhone 4S comes in either black or white and will be available in the US for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) for the 16GB model and $299 (US) for the 32GB model and $399 (US) for the new 64GB model.* iPhone 4S will be available from the Apple Online Store, Apple’s retail stores and through AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, and select Best Buy, Target and Walmart stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. iPhone 4 is available for just $99 (US) and iPhone 3GS is available for free with a two year contract.

iPhone 4S will roll out worldwide to 22 more countries by the end of October including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

*Qualified customers only. Requires a new two year rate plan, sold separately.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced iPad 2 which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.


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Court Accepts Verzion/T-Mobile Briefs Supporting Samsung Against Apple

Judge Lucy Koh of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has allowed Verizon's and T-Mobile's amicus curiae briefs in support of Samsung against Apple's request for a preliminary injunction on Galaxy devices.

FOSS Patents notes that Verizon had filed its brief on September 23. Apple objected on Tuesday, September 27th citing the timing of the letter. Verizon defended its request on Thursday.

T-Mobile submitted its brief this past Wednesday and Apple objected to it on Thursday. Unlike Verizon T-Mobile wanted to participate in the October 13th hearing on the preliminary injunction; however, the court denied this request.

Apple asked for permission to reply to those amicus briefs (if they were going to be admitted, which is what has just happened) by October 6, but the judge "considers any rebuttal argument on these issues to be duplicative and unnecessary at this time". I don't think this is a major problem for Apple. While its lawyers would have liked to respond, the public interest argument in connection with a possible injunction had to be addressed all along, irrespectively of those amicus briefs.

FOSS Patents also notes that Apple succeeded in obtaining permission to file a 30-age brief to Samsung's opposition to their motion for a preliminary injunction. In that brief Apple also addressed allegations that they doctored evidence and manipulated pictures.

"[...] Samsung re-raises a bizarre argument that Apple allegedly manipulated photographs in its preliminary injunction papers to mislead this Court. It is unfortunate that Apple must address this allegation in connection with a page limit request, of all things. It should be sufficient to note that, in addressing similar allegations by Samsung of photo manipulation in Germany, the Regional Court in Düsseldorf rejected them as 'irrelevant' and 'non-prejudicial.' [...] The German court did so in the context of affirming, with modification, the entry of a preliminary injunction against Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1."



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Want unlimited data on your iPhone 5? Sprint will hook you up mid-October

Bloomberg reports that Sprint will differentiate itself from AT&T and Verizon iPhone offers by offering a truly unlimited plan.

Sprint, the third-largest U.S. wireless carrier, plans to begin selling the device in mid-October under a deal with Apple for the next model, the iPhone 5, said the people, who wouldn’t be identified because the plans aren’t public. Becoming the country’s only operator to offer the device with unlimited data service for a flat fee may help Sprint draw customers from AT&T and Verizon Wireless, which already carry the phone, they said.
Sprint, probably because it has to, offers reasonable plans without data capping or tiers. Its subsidiary Virgin Mobile would be even better with its $35-$55 unlimited plans.



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Deutsche Telekom confirms iPhone 5 reservations Christian Zibreg Apple InciOS Devices no comments September 5, 2011 at 4:59 am German-language Focus.de is reporting (Google translation) that T-Mobile customers in the country are now allowed to reserve Apple’s unreleased handset, the iPhone 5, since this morning. The iPhoneblog.de first broke the story and 9to5Mac has also received several tips from our readers confirming that the Deutsche Telekom-owned wireless operators has in fact begun issuing so-called Premieren Ticket. These are basically support tickets – one per customer – for early adopters and informed buyers who couldn’t be otherwise convinced into buying the existing iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS. Those coupons will eventually let folks claim their handset, when it arrives, on a first-come-first-served basis. Only the carrier’s customers are eligible and only upon contacting sales representatives in one of the carrier-owned brick-and-mortar stores or by calling customer support. As you could imagine, Deutsche Telekom is pretty low-key about the initiative and thus shuns from advertising it apart from a rather cryptic hint on their website. Shortly after the report was published, Bloomberg was able to verify it with a company spokesperson, who said: Deutsche Telekom AG (DTE) will allow customers to reserve the next generation of Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s iPhone as of today in anticipation of supply bottlenecks for the device, spokesman Alexander von Schmettow said by phone. The operator will hand out coupons to people who expressly request the successor model to the iPhone 4, without providing the name or release details of the device, he said. Hints have been multiplying since last week that Apple could be close to unveiling a fifth-generation iPhone. Apple store employees have received their iOS 5 and iCloud training material and internal Best Buy documents have pointed to a Sprint iPhone 5 launch in the first week of October. Both nuggets confirm 9to5Mac’s discovery from July that Sprint would get iPhone 5, based on an April job posting seeking cellular engineers in the Kansas City region, right in the neighborhood of Sprint’s headquarters. 9to5Mac also originally broke the news that Apple would begin accepting iPhone 5 pre-orders in early September, gearing up for an early October launch. Also… …This past Saturday, Japanese blog Macotakara wrote (Google translation) that contract manufacturers Pegatron Technology and Foxconn have begun assembling iPhone 5 at a rate of 85 percent and 15 percent, respectively. The blog notes that the units are not yet being packaged in boxes until Apple iOS 5 is ready for prime time. With so much clues out in the open, it’s safe to assume that invites for an Apple media event are ready and that it is now up to Apple’s marketing and CEO Tim Cook to hit the Launch button.

German-language Focus.de is reporting (Google translation) that T-Mobile customers in the country are now allowed to reserve Apple’s unreleased handset, the iPhone 5, since this morning. The iPhoneblog.de first broke the story and 9to5Mac has also received several tips from our readers confirming that the Deutsche Telekom-owned wireless operators has in fact begun issuing so-called Premieren Ticket. These are basically support tickets – one per customer – for early adopters and informed buyers who couldn’t be otherwise convinced into buying the existing iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS.

Those coupons will eventually let folks claim their handset, when it arrives, on a first-come-first-served basis. Only the carrier’s customers are eligible and only upon contacting sales representatives in one of the carrier-owned brick-and-mortar stores or by calling customer support. As you could imagine, Deutsche Telekom is pretty low-key about the initiative and thus shuns from advertising it apart from a rather cryptic hint on their website. Shortly after the report was published, Bloomberg was able to verify it with a company spokesperson, who said:

Deutsche Telekom AG (DTE) will allow customers to reserve the next generation of Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s iPhone as of today in anticipation of supply bottlenecks for the device, spokesman Alexander von Schmettow said by phone. The operator will hand out coupons to people who expressly request the successor model to the iPhone 4, without providing the name or release details of the device, he said.
Hints have been multiplying since last week that Apple could be close to unveiling a fifth-generation iPhone. Apple store employees have received their iOS 5 and iCloud training material and internal Best Buy documents have pointed to a Sprint iPhone 5 launch in the first week of October. Both nuggets confirm 9to5Mac’s discovery from July that Sprint would get iPhone 5, based on an April job posting seeking cellular engineers in the Kansas City region, right in the neighborhood of Sprint’s headquarters. 9to5Mac also originally broke the news that Apple would begin accepting iPhone 5 pre-orders in early September, gearing up for an early October launch. Also…




…This past Saturday, Japanese blog Macotakara wrote (Google translation) that contract manufacturers Pegatron Technology and Foxconn have begun assembling iPhone 5 at a rate of 85 percent and 15 percent, respectively. The blog notes that the units are not yet being packaged in boxes until Apple iOS 5 is ready for prime time. With so much clues out in the open, it’s safe to assume that invites for an Apple media event are ready and that it is now up to Apple’s marketing and CEO Tim Cook to hit the Launch button.



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‘Apple Fixture Installation’ could point to October 21st iPhone 5 launch at BestBuy

Discovered by This is my next, an internal BestBuy document points to an ‘Apple Fixture Installation’ Friday, October 21st. Interestingly, this date lines up with the mid-October range that’s being tossed around for the iPhone 5 release.

This is my next’s source says that a manager being at the store at 6 A.M. to open the doors is out of the ordinary, seeing as they usually get there at 7 A.M. The source also said that this similar procedure happened with the iPhone 4 launch. BestBuy managers have a meeting scheduled on October 10th to talk “upcoming BIG release dates”. Sounds fishy, huh? If these reports and precedent are correct, we can expect the device to land early Friday morning.

Apple is rumored to be hosting a press event at the end of September where they’ll announce the iPhone 5, and officially release iOS 5. You’ll remember our report that Apple will release the iPhone 5 October 7th, which is also a Friday. In terms of carriers, WSJ is reporting that Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint will be getting their hands on the device.

Also, of note: October 23rd (Sunday) will be the tenth anniversary of the introduction of the iPod. Video below:



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WSJ: Sprint to carry iPhone 5 at same time as AT&T and Verizon

We’d originally heard that Sprint was getting iPhone engineers ready in their Kansas City headquarters in May and heard directly that they were ramping for the iPhone in June. Today the Wall St. Journal is reporting that Sprint will carry the iPhone 5 along with AT&T and Verizon in the US. The nation’s third largest carrier has been struggling of late and the addition of the iconic device on TRULY unlimited plans would certainly be a differentiator.

Sprint Nextel Corp. will begin selling the iPhone 5 in mid-October, people familiar with the matter said, closing a huge hole in the No. 3 U.S. carrier’s lineup and giving Apple Inc. another channel for selling its popular phone. The timing, however, indicates Apple’s new iPhone will hit the market later than expected and too late to contribute to sales in the company’s fiscal fourth quarter, which ends in September. Most observers had expected the device to arrive next month. Top U.S. carrier Verizon Wireless and No. 2 AT&T Inc. will begin selling the phone in mid-October as well, two of the people said. Sprint had more than 52 million subscribers at the end of the second quarter, compared with 106 million for Verizon and nearly 99 million for AT&T.
Sprint will also carry the iPhone 4, starting at the same time, one person familiar with the situation said. There has been some question previously whether the Sprint iPhone will be launched simultaneous to AT&T and Verizon. A Sprint forum member last month was able to get the same information as the Wall St. Journal but questioned the release timing.

Additionally, Sprint subsidiary Virgin Mobile has been refiguring its plans for throttling in early October, perhaps signalling that the iPhone may make its first US pre-paid appearance.

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AT&T verifies data throttling for top 5% of users officially for October 1st

As we reported yesterday: October 1st, top 5% of AT&T users will see reduced speeds.

A new change for AT&T Wireless’ Unlimited Data subscribers will soon be taking place. Rumored to be starting in the first week of October, we’ve heard that AT&T will start throttling the data speeds of the network’s top data hogs. As Verizon (PDF) and Virgin have recently done, AT&T will be adopting a similar plan to try to curb the problem of data congestion and overall network issues that have hurt its 3G network’s performance since the onset of the iPhone.
Today AT&T made it official. Full statement below the fold:



An Update for Our Smartphone Customers With Unlimited Data Plans
Like other wireless companies, we’re taking steps to manage exploding demand for mobile data. Many experts agree the country is facing a serious wireless spectrum crunch. We’re responding on many levels, including investing billions in our wireless network this year and working to acquire additional network capacity. We’re also taking additional, more immediate measures to help address network congestion.

One new measure is a step that may reduce the data throughput speed experienced by a very small minority of smartphone customers who are on unlimited plans – those whose extraordinary level of data usage puts them in the top 5 percent of our heaviest data users in a billing period. In fact, these customers on average use 12 times more data than the average of all other smartphone data customers. This step will not apply to our 15 million smartphone customers on a tiered data plan or the vast majority of smartphone customers who still have unlimited data plans.

Starting October 1, smartphone customers with unlimited data plans may experience reduced speeds once their usage in a billing cycle reaches the level that puts them among the top 5 percent of heaviest data users. These customers can still use unlimited data and their speeds will be restored with the start of the next billing cycle. Before you are affected, we will provide multiple notices, including a grace period.

This change will never impact the vast majority of our customers, and is designed to create a better service experience for all.

The amount of data usage of our top 5 percent of heaviest users varies from month to month, based on the usage of others and the ever-increasing demand for mobile broadband services. To rank among the top 5 percent, you have to use an extraordinary amount of data in a single billing period.

There will be no changes for the vast majority of customers. It’s not how much time you spend using your device, it’s what you do with it. You can send or receive thousands of emails, surf thousands of Web pages and watch hours of streaming video every month and not be in the top 5 percent of data users.

Typically what puts someone in the top 5 percent is streaming very large amounts of video and music daily over the wireless network, not Wi-Fi. Streaming video apps, remote web camera apps, sending large data files (like video) and some online gaming are examples of applications that can use data quickly. Using Wi-Fi doesn’t create wireless network congestion or count toward your wireless data usage. AT&T smartphone customers have unlimited access to our entire Wi-Fi network, with more than 26,000 hotspots, at no additional cost. They can also use Wi-Fi at home and in the office.

The bottom line is our customers have options. They can choose to stay on their unlimited plans and use unlimited amounts of data, but may experience reduced speeds at some point if they are an extraordinarily heavy data user. If speed is more important, they may wish to switch to a tiered usage plan, where customers can pay for more data if they need it and will not see reduced speeds.

But even as we pursue this additional measure, it will not solve our spectrum shortage and network capacity issues. Nothing short of completing the T-Mobile merger will provide additional spectrum capacity to address these near term challenges.

http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=20535&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=32318&mapcode=corporate


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- Posted using my iPhone 4

AT&T to implement data throttling in early October, just in time for iPhone 5

A new change for AT&T Wireless’ Unlimited Data subscribers will soon be taking place. Rumored to be starting in the first week of October, we’ve heard that AT&T will start throttling the data speeds of the network’s top data hogs. As Verizon (PDF) and Virgin have recently done, AT&T will be adopting a similar plan to try to curb the problem of data congestion and overall network issues that have hurt its 3G network’s performance since the onset of the iPhone.

AT&T will also be releasing its first LTE devices later this year.

We’ve heard that AT&T will rejigger its insurance structure that week as well, which makes us think a certain high profile device may be launching on or around that time.

The throttling plan will work like the others’. The heaviest users will see significant speed decreases for one billing cycle once they go over a threshold of data (we’re guessing 2-4GB?). These heavy users will still be able to access the network, but at a much slower speed. At the start of the next billing cycle, their speeds will return to normal. We don’t have numbers for AT&T’s throttle speeds but Virgin takes you down to 256Kb/s once you’ve reached their 2.5GB limit (not too bad actually – sometimes we’re happy to get 256kbs). Interestingly, Virgin’s throttle also will also be implemented in the first week of October which may indicate that they’ll be carrying a certain high profile mobile device as well.

Frankly, throttling isn’t so bad if done fairly. It is a good way to penalize heavy users but without them having to worry about overage charges. For high end users, however, it wold make sense for AT&T to add the ability to buy more regular speed data like they do now…



Ever since the introduction of the original iPhone 1 back in the summer of 2007, AT&T has seen a 8000% increase (80X) in mobile data traffic. Combine this with the release of more and more smartphones capable of streaming Netflix, Pandora, Spotify, MLB, Sling and other 3G streaming apps, demand for bandwidth continues to rise dramatically. The heart of the problem is spectrum and infrastructure. However expanding either of those for AT&T’s immediate needs can take years. Combine this with the building out of their 4G/LTE network, they need to come up with answers fast.

We’ve heard that, just like tiers before them, throttling of data will not effect 95% of the subscriber base. In fact, that top 5% of users using the most data account for approximately 30% of the bandwidth. There is no defined GB amount that is known yet that will put someone in the top 5%, but we’ve been told that 12,000 emails, 12,000 website views, 4 streaming movies and 5 hours of streaming music will start to put you close to that upper range of usage.


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FaceTime 3G for Verizon iPhone may be restricted to tiered data plans

In June we reported that the fifth-generation iPhone had reached its final testing stage, and within that report we noted that Apple and Verizon Wireless were yet to strike a deal for FaceTime video calling over 3G networks. Now our sources have followed up to let us know the progress on this situation. Currently, Verizon has multiple engineers testing FaceTime over 3G in many regions with heavy iPhone usage. According to a couple of people who have seen such Verizon 3G FaceTime in action, the quality looks fairly good. Perhaps Verizon has been tweaking its comparatively-slow network in order to reach this seamless FaceTime video calling experience. In addition, Apple’s iOS 5, which is launching this fall, includes a tweaked FaceTime backend that provides a better quality video call overall.

To put it simply, Apple and Verizon are still in negotiations over bringing FaceTime 3G to end users. The issue is not particularly on Apple’s side, as support for FaceTime 3G is fully integrated into iOS 5 as proven by the aforementioned testing and our own findings in iOS betas. The reason that negotiations are still ongoing is due to a disagreement between Apple and Verizon. Apple wants FaceTime over 3G to a be a seamless experience for the end user: a feature that works for all Verizon iPhone customers. This would mean that Verizon 3G FaceTime needs to work for users with both unlimited or tiered data plans. The problem is that Verizon stresses that the feature should be limited to tiered-data plan users only. This would consequently limit usage over 3G, furthermore leaving open more bandwidth. This would mean higher quality calls over 3G.

This is a big deal for a few reasons. The first and more important is that if Apple and Verizon cannot close an agreement, Verizon iPhone users may be far from FaceTiming over 3G. Speaking of which, we have yet to hear anything out of the AT&T camp. Knowing their past history with adding iPhone features, AT&T iPhone users may not see 3G FaceTime when iOS 5 launches later this year. This is also a big deal in the case that Verizon wins the argument. Customers who are paying more for unlimited data will be out of a really neat feature: a feature that will surely make FaceTime more popular. The third scenario is Verizon giving into Apple’s demands. This would mean lower-quality video calls as more people will be using the feature without a penalty.

We’re thinking that Verizon’s point might be the better way because it will provide a better experience: higher quality FaceTime calls. In addition, Verizon removed unlimited data plans from their lineup earlier this month, so newer and all future Verizon iPhone customers will not even be affected. This argument might even mean that Apple will give in and push out FaceTime 3G on Verizon’s terms. It is, quite frankly, better than nothing at all. Be sure to check out our video, after the break, of a 3G FaceTime call.



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More news on the Verizon iPad 2 recall

We’ve been getting a steady stream of news since we broke the Verizon iPad 2 recall news late last night. We initially postulated that the recall may have been due to FedEx glitches or issues with engraving since most of the people in the discussions had both of those in common. However, we’re now hearing that Apple Store employees are also being told to scan iPad 2s and if they are a certain serial number allotment, to send them back to Apple.

Apple has given all the stores a list of serial numbers to scan, if it’s a match we were told to set aside and ship back to Apple, these are only for Verizon ipads. This was to be done on Monday and continue to scan all shipments thru June 11. I had over one hundred to send back.
Why is Apple pulling these? We aren’t sure but we’re hearing this:

Verizon iPad 2s aren\’t being sent back due to engraving. If someone activates a cellular connection on the device, then wants to view or edit account information, they can’t. They receive a message that it is activated, and that\’s it. I saw someone open at least 6 looking for one that didn\’t do it. It\’s device specific, not software.
Again, please send any further information on this to TipsForLimerain.com@gmail.com – especially specific serial numbers of affected iPad 2s..
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Is Apple recalling Verizon iPad 2s?

Update: We’ve heard this from an Apple Store employee and have an updated post:

Apple has given all the stores a list of serial numbers to scan, if it\’s a match we were told to set aside and ship back to Apple, these are only for Verizon ipads. This was to be done on Monday and continue to scan all shipments thru June 11. I had over one hundred to send back.
We’ve gotten numerous tips over the past few hours that Verizon iPads being shipped from China are being being returned to Apple mid-shipment. It isn’t certain why they are being returned but they appear to all be Verizon iPads, engraved and shipped via FedEX.

This isn’t the first issue Apple has had with Verizon iPads. Earlier this year, Discussion forums went ablaze with complaints that were later fixed.

One reader writes:

Apple may be having problems with Verizon iPad 2. I was supposed to receive my ipad2 64gb today but all of a sudden fedex sent it back to apple and said that apple requested it\’s return. Apple\’s customer care seems to be unaware or unwilling to acknowledge the problem. I went on the discussion boards on apple.com and there are a number of people discussing the same thing and all posters so far have all ordered Verizon ipad2\’s.
Apple’s Discussion forums are also starting to fill up with similar complaints:

Let us know if you find anything out. I ordered mine early may and yesterday I was thrilled to see it actually say out for delivery! Then I got the delivery exception. Called fedex and heard the same thing you did. Called Apple and they had no clue why just that it would be delivered tomorrow(today). Called fedex again and they assured me that the package was already on it’s way back to it’s origin. Now this morning my tracking number reads undeliverable, return to sender. So, my 1-2 weeks turned into 3 to ship and it some how took fedex 2 weeks to get it to my city and now this. I wonder how long it will be before I actually see my iPad.
Update: We’ve just received this report from a reader:

I was in the apple store in Lakeside Mall (LA) and I saw two people coming from back of the store (exiting the stock room) and leaving the store with a cart full of boxes. The boxes had \”verizon 64gb\” and \”verizon 32gb\” written on the outside of them. I assumed they were iPads. This may relate to your story of Apple recalling Verizon iPads. -Rory
Another:

I am having the exact problem right now. And it makes no sense that it is Fedex problem, because Apple explained to me that a new one was being sent out. However, my iPad is engraved so they would not make a duplicate, or waste a perfectly good iPad. If Fedex had this problem Apple would fix it right away to avoid customer service problem. There must be a problem with Apple, because Apple would fix a problem with Fedex on the spot to eliminate extra work and cost to them self. I am actually having trouble getting a credit.
Another:

Mine is a white, 32GB, Verizon 3G with engraving, Apple just told me they were recalled and that they would be re- ordered and that they were authorized to issue a $ credit. He said I would get an email about it. I think it was Apple’s bad. We ordered a black one at the same time and recieved it on Monday, he said that one is fine.
Another:

So same bunch of crap is happening to us as we type….ipad2 makes it all they way from CHINA to within 40 miles of our house and they are returning it to the sender!! In Elk Grove! I called Fedex and they said it was an Apple request. Apple says it’s a fedex problem – and I quote “why would we ask to return your ipad that you have been waiting for”. She went on to say that it should be delivered to us in “1-2 days”. I wonder if they weren’t hacked or something and a bunch of return to sender requests were sent out. I just can’t believe it frankly….
Another:

Exactly the same thing happened to me yesterday too!! I got the same response from FedEx, the customer service rep there said the package was flagged “return to sender” several times. I don’t believe they even attempted delivery as there was no tag left on my door either! Apple was clueless but did tell me they had a lot of calls from customers with the same problem. He said he’ll pass the information on to his manager & a new order will be placed for me. I’m thinking they had tech problems with this batch of iPad units but aren’t admitting it! Its frustrating that they won’t admit what the problem was. So back to the waiting game I go.
Another:

Mine was a black, 64G, Verizion 3G with engraving. I did order the dock & a camera connection kit. These were delivered in less than a week. I just spoke to my FedEx delivery person too. He said he hadn’t any package, for me, from Apple yesterday. Interesting!
And many more. Anyone else having this issue?

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LTE iPad 3 coming for the holidays?

The Wall St. Journal reports on a research note by Asia-based CLSA which says that Apple is working on an LTE-iPad in time for the holiday shopping season.

“While most vendors appear fixated on matching the specs and features of iPad2, our checks suggest Apple will release iPad3 in time for the holiday season, sporting a better display and LTE capabilities.”
AT&T’s LTE rollout begins later this year, while Verizon’s is already giving users eye-popping download speeds around the country.

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iPad 3G Has Been Hacked to Enable Full Phone and SMS Functionality!

The iPad 3G has reportedly been hacked to enable full phone and SMS functionality by iPhoneIslam.

A hack that will change the game. Can you imagine turning your iPad to a fully functional phone.

With No Special Hardware all what you need is Jailbroken iPad 3G and your iPad 3G will do anything you expect from iPhone... Phone Calls, SMS, FaceTime by Phone Number... ETC

iPhoneIslam was behind the FaceIt3GS tweak as well. While they have no released date for PhoneItiPad. It will apparently be available on the Cydia Store 'very soon'.

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Millennial: Verizon iPhone helps iOS gain over Android in March

Verizon iPhone has boosted the iOS platform share, according to the latest Mobile Mix report from Millennial Media, which is the largest independent mobile network. Analyzing the top mobile devices and operating system, they found out that Verizon iPhone accounted for 8.2 percent of iPhone impressions last month, which helped grew the iOS platform share 11 percent on a month-over-month basis. Tablets had 17 percent of the total device impression share versus 64 percent for smartphones and 19 percent for feature phones.

Android and iOS took 48 percent and 31 percent impression share, respectively. That’s a drop from Android’s 51 percent share and an increase over 27 percent for iOS. The Android-Apple competition is heating up significantly in terms of apps. Revenue breakdown for apps shows Android represented more than one third (36 percent) of the overall application platform mix. How about iOS? Read on…

Apple is leading the charge in software and still winning the hearts and minds of developers, with an estimated 47 percent of the application platform mix.

The report noted that Android remained the leading smartphone operating system for the fourth consecutive month with a 48 percent impression share. They say 14 of the current top 20 devices are Android-driven.

Regarding individual phone brands, iPhone is the most popular handset, followed by the BlackBerry Curve and the HTC Evo, which is the top Android handset as well.













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Apple acknowledges Verizon iPad issue, working on a fix asap might be in 4.3.2

Apple’s Discussion Forums are filling up with Verizon iPad 2 owners who are having issues connecting to Verizon’s 3G network. The issue forces users to have to restart if they want to connect to 3G after disconnecting. Mobilized got Apple to make a statement on the matter:

“We are aware that a small number of iPad 2 customers have experienced connectivity issues with the Verizon 3G network and we are investigating it,” the company said in a statement to Mobilized. A Verizon representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Verizon and AT&T iPad 2s have different chipsets as was discovered last month. AT&T’s uses the Infineon chipset while Verizon’s uses a new Gobi chipset from Qualcomm.

A fix will likely occur in an upcoming software update.





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Sprint officially opposing AT&T/T-Mobile deal, urges government to intervene

Following last Monday’s news of AT&T’s $39 billion acquisition of T-Mobile USA that sent Sprint Nextel’s stock down 15 percent, the carrier is now officially opposing the deal which is pending federal review by the FCC and Department of Justice, which could take at least a year. A statement Sprint put out yesterday mentions duopoly and voices concerns for consumers and competition, urging the government “to block this anti-competitive acquisition”.

A duopoly created would threaten Sprint’s existence, the statement argues. Revenue-wise, the combined company would be three times the size of Sprint, it reads. Sprint warns the transaction “will likely spark a host of hearings in the US Congress,” adding:

AT&T and Verizon are already by far the largest wireless providers. If approved, the proposed acquisition would create a combined company that would be almost three times the size of Sprint in terms of wireless revenue and would entrench AT&T’s and Verizon’s duopoly control over the wireless market. The wireless industry moving forward would be dominated overwhelmingly by two vertically integrated companies with unprecedented control over the U.S. wireless post-paid market, as well as the availability and price of key inputs, such as backhaul and access needed by other wireless companies to compete.

Sprint is the third largest wireless carrier in the country, behind AT&T and Verizon Wireless. Interestingly how those super-profitable carriers that rake in billions of dollars raise their head when their interests are jeopardized, but keep mum when consumers are really being taken advantage of with pricey tariffs and fine print.


Above image: Flickr user “forklift”

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Our new Forum is now open here or on the top tabs marks Forums, please register and post.. For the latest limera1n, rubyra1n, and all tech stories, follow us on Twitter at @iphonepixelpost or @limerain_com www.iPodSets.com
- Posted using my iPhone 4