Have you ever scratched your head in wonder or frustration or anger at how 3G data plans are priced by the carriers? It often seems like a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma to quote Winston Churchill. Certainly there’s no consistency and to be frank, my opinion is that is just the way [...]
Verizon just started running a new TV ad promoting its iPad and MiFi bundles. We aren’t used to seeing the United State’s largest wireless carrier promoting Apple products, so it’s interesting to see how Verizon’s positioning the pairing. In the commercial, Verizon shows an iPad user sitting in a living room. Of course, he has [...]
The case of the ZTE Peel Case for U.S. CDMA carrier presents an interesting proposition for onlookers of Apple’s iPhone but reluctant to commit either to AT&T or a two-year contract. With the ZTE Peel, a case with an integrated CDMA radio, owners of Apple’s iPod Touch–which has been described as an iPhone without the [...]
There’s rumor of a disturbance in the force wafting around the Internets today. Stacy Higginbotham of GigaOm is reporting that European sources are saying Apple is working with SIM-card maker Gemalto to create a special SIM card that would work with any carrier. The big speculation that is building around that story is that this [...]
AT&T will soon begin selling iPads directly to businesses with discounted 3G data plans. AT&T will offer both Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + 3G versions of the iPad. Companies will be able to buy up 3G data plans in bulk, just like they do with BlackBerry smartphones. As I mentioned earlier this week, more and more [...]
It’s not quite a CDMA-equipped iPad, but the news out of Verizon Wireless and Apple comes pretty close: starting on October 28th, Verizon Wireless will sell an iPad + MiFi combo with data plans starting at $20 a month without a two-year contract.
AT&T’s CEO said that about half a million iPad owners actually pay for AT&T 3G service. That might sound like a lot, but it’s only a fraction of the total number of iPads out there considering more than three million were sold in the second quarter of the year alone. Even worse, from AT&T’s point [...]
Boy Genius Report is hearing that the Samsung Galaxy Tab may be coming to Sprint this November and that is very possibly both a 3G and 4G device. That’s a lot of “possibly” in there and given the lack of clear information at this point from Samsung (and or anyone else) this quite probably (ha) [...]
Good news out of IntoMobile: Virgin Mobile USA will be streamlining their prepaid mobile data offerings and introducing an unlimited plan for only $40 for 30 days. That’s cheaper than 2-year contract plans with data caps. Might be time for me to order a VM Mifi hotspot.
It’s no secret that advertisements are designed to put products in the best light possible, but sometimes the copywriters take things a little too far. I was watching TV last night when a Virgin mobile ad ran, offering unlimited web and email and ‘hundreds’ of voice minutes for $25. Sounds like a pretty good deal, [...]
Over the years I’ve owned more than my fair share of PCs, Macs, phones, cameras and gadgets. But the single device that’s had the most impact on how I work is the Novatel MiFi. The version I own will likely be put to rest as 4G is lit up across U.S. and reliability improves. The [...]
Apple will begin selling the iPhone 4 unlocked in Canada starting this Friday, but I don’t think very many Canadians will pay the premium. Our northern neighbors have a lot more choice than those of us shackled to AT&T’s network in the U.S. Canadians can already choose between three carriers, all of which will be [...]
Last week I started experiencing solid AT&T 3G service at home for the first time and I speculated that AT&T must have built a new tower somewhere in my neighborhood. Well, I was right. In fact, the closest AT&T tower is now exactly 100 ft from my bedroom window. My brother has had similar frustrations [...]
Good news everyone! Turns out AT&T is not reducing your wireless upload speeds on purpose. Rather, an equipment bug is to blame. A fix is in the works for all you folks who normally enjoy their HSUPA speeds. I am not one of those folks.
People are noticing that their uploads on AT&T, “the nation’s fastest 3G network,” are considerably slower today compared to last week with some claiming a drop from 1Mbps to 100kbps – a 90% hit! I am stunned – stunned, I say – that some people actually saw 1Mbps uploads on a regular basis. Welcome to [...]
For everyone using the Skype 2.0 application on their iPhone, there was a worry for users. Originally, Skype was going to start charging for Skype-to-Skype 3G calls in August, instead of keeping them free. However, Skype has decided to change that. They have announced that they are going to extend the free calling until January [...]
There’s a lot to like about the Sprint Evo 4G and I’ve had a few friends tell me that they’re going to buy the device. It runs on Sprint’s speedy next-gen network, can act as a hotspot and runs on Google’s Android operating system. But, Walt Mossberg from the WSJ reviewed the phone over the [...]
As Warner pointed out a few weeks ago, iPhone users are still unable to tether their notebooks here in the U.S. If the latest version of the iPhone 4.0 Beta is any indication, AT&T customers may be able to use their iPhones as a mobile 3G modem when the new OS and new iPhone launch [...]
Google announced that it will soon stop selling the Nexus One online and will work with wireless carriers to offer a better buying experience. Uber-geeks might be willing to purchase expensive smartphones sight unseen, but most people want to try a phone out before using it. It’s an important choice and something phone buyers have [...]
Zach Epstein at Know Your Cell has taken it upon himself to see if the iPad’s so-called “unlimited” 3G plan is truly unlimited. Of course, with an upper limit on data speed and finite amount of time in a month, it can’t be truly unlimited, but 30GB in two days should cover most people.
XCom Global announced a new high-speed wireless data rental service that I may need to try out on my next trip overseas. The most intriguing part of this service is that they offer MiFi cards, which means I could actually use my iPhone 3GS when traveling abroad. The company’s Unlimited aXcess plan is only $14.95 per day [...]
Apple announced that it sold its millionth iPad on Friday, exactly four weeks after the product went on sale on April 3. That’s a huge success by any measure, especially considering the iPad Wi-Fi + 3G just started shipping and the device hasn’t even gone on sale outside of the U.S. In a press release, [...]
The guys over at iLounge just got the 3G version of the iPad, which is supposed to deliver all-you-can-eat 3G for $25 per month. Unfortunately, there seems to be a major catch. In early testing, Charles Starrett from iLounge found that video applications behave differently on the 3G network compared to Wi-Fi. In other words, [...]
Getac, announced that its B300 rugged notebook and V100 rugged convertible Tablet PC are now Verizon Wireless Network Ready. In other words, the 3G module is standard issue and customers can switch it on at their leisure. The Getac V100 is a fully ruggedized tablet that features an outdoor readable touchscreen display. Getac’s customers include [...]
Xavier mentioned in my intro that I am lucky enough to have access to all kinds of Tablet PCs on a daily basis. And I do enjoy getting to try out so many different Tablets. When Xavier asked me to write about how I use a Tablet PC, I have to admit that I had [...]
Ok, for everyone who was waiting until the iPad got 3G service, an official date has been set. According to an article over at Boy Genius Report, anyone who has pre-ordered the iPad 3G will get their new device on Friday, April 30. On that same day, the iPad 3G will be made available in [...]
Sprint seems to be going all out with its quasi 4G push and the Overdrive. For those that don’t know the Overdrive is the portable modem that allows you to suck down Sprint’s broadband signal and use it with up to 5 devices as a WiFi connection. If you’re in an area where Sprint’s WiMax [...]
Okay, who am I kidding? I’m totally going to buy an iPad at some point. Maybe not right away, but I’d be lying if I claimed it would never happen. And when it does, I’ll be getting a 3G model.
Early this morning I wrote about the hardware issues I’ve had with my iPhones. I already have a T-Mobile SIM card and I’ve been eying the Nexus One since they were announced a couple of months ago. Judie, Larry and Dan have each had a chance to use a Nexus One for an extended period [...]
Late last week I got my eighth and ninth iPhone. I bought an iPhone the first day they went on sale back in 2007, an iPhone 3G the next summer and an iPhone 3GS last year. The other six were replacements for bad apples. My most recent visit to the Apple store was prompted by [...]
Still got a year left on your USB 3G or 4G modem contract and wish you’d gotten a Mifi instead? Connect One’s Wi-REACH Classic might be what you need – a mobile wifi hub in which you can plug in your modem and share your connection with up to ten users.
Looks like some things might be changing. AT&T has notified Sling Media and Apple that it will now allow Sling Media’s Slingplayer app to be run on 3G over the iPhone. When Sling released the $30 app there was a hue and cry because it was limited to WiFi only. This will be a big [...]
As Xavier pointed out, there’s not enough voice connectivity to go around at CES, even though the main event hasn’t started yet. My brother who resides in Vegas tried calling me a few times and nothing came through, not even the call record. However, he mentioned that calling is terrible in the casino areas, so [...]
My mobile computing lifestyle has come a long way over the past decade. A lot of the gadget changes and upgrades were gradual, which meant I eased into what I and other geeks consider normal at the dawn of 2010. But during my trip to India this month I realized something – I live in [...]
Gizmodo sent a bunch of 3G modems all over the U.S. to see how speedy various networks are. AT&T was the clear champ, with the fastest download times in six of the 12 markets. AT&T had the fastest upload speeds in all 12 markets. If you’re lucky to live and work in places with rock [...]
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Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE Review: A Worthy Successor to the Original (Video)
When Sprint had debuted the original WiMax-capable HTC EVO 4G nearly two years ago, it was an instant hit on the Now network. Not only was the HTC EVO 4G the first 4G smartphone in the world taking advantage of Sprint’s then speedy WiMax network, but it brought some new features and pizzazz to the [...]
Last year Toshiba waded into the Android tablet market with the Thrive, a 10.1-inch slate that served as the company’s response to what they deemed missing in the then current crop. Thus, it had several full-size ports, a rugged-ish exterior, and a thick chassis to accommodate both. Though a decent tablet, the Thrive didn’t generate [...]
Samsung Shows That It Is a Software Company
As exciting as it has been to talk, postulate, and speculate about the Galaxy S III’s hardware and specs before the third-generation Galaxy flagship smartphone was announced on May 3rd in London, once the device was announced one thing became apparent: Samsung is now a software company. That doesn’t mean that Samsung is shying away [...]
Autumn Dynasty Review: A Great RTS for the iPad
With its large touchscreen, the iPad seems like the perfect platform for Real Time Strategy games, and Autumn Dynasty proves it, mostly. Autumn Dynasty is an RTS iPad game with art that looks like tradition Chinese painting. The story involves quelling a rebellion while solving a mystery of shady noblemen. The story though, just serves [...]
Griffin GuitarConnect Pro Review: Record Your Jams with Ease
The Griffin GuitarConnect Pro interfaces with your Guitar and your iPad or iPhone so you can record your music easily using apps like Apple’s GarageBand. My son Daniel, who’s learning to play guitar, helped me test it out and he loved it. When he gets as good as Jimi Hendrix, I’m sure he’ll steal my [...]
Google Search App iPhone and iPad Update Looks Beautiful (Video)
Google just delivered a beautiful update to the company’s Google Search app for the iPhone and iPad The Google Search app for iPhone and iPad replaced Safari as my browser of choice, earning a spot in the iPhone and iPad dock. It’s faster and offers a beautiful new full screen image search which looks awesome on the [...]
