T-Mobile Wants the iPhone And Diss Slow Networks of Rivals Carrying It

T-Mobile is my network of choice. CDMA doesn't work for me and until Verizon has build out a sufficient LTE network, VW doesn't work for me. And forget ATT. So I don't mind the series of commercials that dissed ATT's poor wireless coverage (perceived or not, I don't like ATT).

And now, T-Mobile has released a new commercial that dissed both of the US networks that carry the iPhone. And it's a great one.



Having said that, Seattle Times is reportedly got a T-Mobile representative on record saying We would be interested in offering the iPhone, but ultimately it is Apple's decision".

So would commercials like this put any chance of the iPhone on T-Mobile in jeopardy? No. T-Mobile disses the carriers but not iPhone. Just like a year or so ago, it was Verizon that dissed ATT in a near identical good-natured manner.



And here we are a year later, a CDMA iPhone.

Will it take another year before T-Mobile or, for that matter, Sprint get their own iPhone? It's like the T-Mobile rep said, it's Apple decision. While I hope it will not take that long, keep in mind that VW's CEO made a similar statement about six months ago.

More at Seattle Times.

Future iOS Devices Found In New iOS Codes

We are 3 to 4 months away from a new iPad and about six months away a new iPhone if past Apple patterns hold.

And tech blogs, many Apple- or iOS-centric ones, have been focused on new codes denoting models that have not been released.

There are some explanations for what they are. MacRumors has provided their own.

• iPad2,1
• iPad2,2
• iPad2,3
• iPhone4,1
• iPhone4,2

I have read other explanations about what they may mean.  And generally, it made sense.  Regardless, here's what I think as far as the iPhone and iPad on the market for sale.  If you can wait, I would, just like I am doing right now.

I am in the market for a new iPad so I can pass along my current one to my nephew.  But if you need one now, the iPad is second to none in the tablet market.

And if you're in the market for an iPhone, the iPhone 4 is only at the midterm of its cycle as the top mobile device from Apple and it is by one the best smartphone on the market.  You can't go wrong with it.  And obviously, you will have the option of buying from ATT or Verizon Wireless on Feb 10th.

But you want to wait, I don't see why not.  Buy now or buy later, there is always something new that will come along the way.

More at Macrumors.

White House App, Tuscan Memorial, Need Update For Comments

I watched the full memorial service at University of Arizona on CSPAN.

It was a great speech by President Barack Obama. So I wanted to see what the White House app on the iPod touch offered in the way of news and a better video of the president's 30-minute speech.

I took some screen shots to show you.

I like this very much. I think apps like this can work both ways. Government apps can allow messages and news to be conveyed and stay in touch with citizens.

What I like to see is some way for citizens to voice their ideas and concerns through the apps as well. President Obama has expressed concerns about the cocoon that is the White House and the layers of security and aides that stand between him and Main Street.

Forget the Blackberry that the President carries. He needs to get an iPhone and just have an updated White House app that allows him to read comments from the voters.

Again, great speech by the President tonight and a decent White House app. Let's see if it can be improved.

iPhone: Switching Carriers, Depends On Where You live

Before Tuesday, the thought of choosing between Whig carriers to get your iPhone would not have been possible. Now that you can get the iPhone from Verizon or AT&T, there is much you have to consider.

And no, you don't automatically go with Verizon. In this post from Yahoo News, one of the analysts made an important point.

You get the iPhone where you have the best signal between the two carriers.

And if you already have one, it depends on where you live. If you're in an urban area with a high concentration of iPhones using the AT&T network, you might consider taking a look at Verizon if you are having a hard time getting calls though or have connection issues.

However, if you're doing alright in a less dense area with lesser concentration of iPhones, AT&T's superior network would be a better pick.

Where I live, I see iPhones just about everywhere. Going with Verizon might be a smarter choice.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod touch

For Some, the CDMA iPhone Is Perfect

I don't talk a lot on my phone and that's why I no longer have it.  And as you know, my iPhone and G1 has been replaced with an iPod touch and Clearwire's iSpot which costs me $25 a month of WiMax access. And for folks like me but aren't willing to go to such extremes to avoid paying for voice minutes I don't need, the CDMA iPhone is perfect.

Now, one of the complains about the CDMA network, not specifically about the CDMA version of the iPhone, is that it cannot allow the mobile warrior to talk and use the data simultaneously.

However, for some folks, that might not be a huge drawback.  For most mobile users, talking and surfing does not occur all that often.  It's either or.  

And if you're paying for about the same price, I think the CDMA iPhone is probably a better deal.  Here's why.

It's beginning to look like Verizon will offer new iPhone users unlimited data access.  Albeit it's on a slower CDMA network compared to ATT's newer HSPA+.  But we're talking about mobile access here, not downloading huge 2GB movies.  

Plus, as I imagine it, most people will be socializing on the Twitter or Facebook apps, gaming, or surfing away on the browser.  There simple is very little need or time for chatting. Worse case scenario, get a Google Voice app and have it alert you of incoming calls, voices, or SMS.

And yes, data could cost $5 more at the high end of the data plan with Verizon but it is unlimited.  Personally, I don't see saving an extra $5 with ATT's limited data plan worth it.  Seriously, that's like just one trip to Starbucks these days or 40% of the cost of a movie ticket.

Note this though.  While I did not hear anything about VOIP like Skype or video chat through FaceTime, imagine being able to do that with your CDMA iPhone as much as you want.  But with ATT, you're limited by the 2GB monthly restriction when using Skype or other VOIP apps.  Furthermore, ATT does not allow Facetime use over 3G.  

And if you absolutely must chat, Verizon seems to have a better connection than ATT.  With ATT, what's the point of a faster 3G network when you get drop calls or simply unable to make connections at all.

Again, this really depends on the user and what you're mobile habits are.  If I did not have the option of the iSpot and I'd have to choose now between ATT or Verizon, well, you know which I'd go with.  

Note:  This post isn't a slam against ATT. If you know me, my disdain for the wireless providers is universal.

Another note:  Between ATT and Verizon, I'd pick the CDMA iPhone if I had to.  Right now, I am happy with my iPod touch and iSpot hook-up while keeping an eye and ear out for a T-Mobile version of the iPhone.

2 Hrs Until iPhone-Verizon Event

Judging by my last few posts, you know very well by now that I am immensely excited by the fact that we are ever closer to having the iPhone available to Verizon customers.

And in the last, I have said that I am a dedicated T-Mobile customer, I just might be swayed if this was a LTE rather than a CDMA model.

Having said that, I have gotten up early this morning, did my workout, came into work early to finish my morning tasks (e-mails, faxes, phone calls with folks in other time-zones). The mocha is set and my buttered bread ready to be toasted.

I have allocated the hours between 8AM to 10AM PST for nothing other than to enjoy the live blogs from a variety of sources and to read about the post-event thoughts.

It's likely I'll get nothing done for the rest of the day as I chatted excitedly with friends about what we've seen or be disappointed by what we don't hear.

I wonder, on a macroeconomic scale, if Apple events have an impact on loss of productivity.

8 Hrs Until iPhone-Verizon Event; Pass On That $49 iPhone 3GS, Now, Thank Me

ATT lowered their price on the iPhone 3GS and Apple followed with their own price drop today. And no, it's not a competition between Apple and ATT. Rather, it's likely a concession to ATT from Steve Jobs' softening heart (dude's become a wuss of late). Or it could be a previous contractually agreed upon move.

Regardless the intention of this 50% price cut, don't get it. You'll thank me for this.

Here's Why.

The iPhone 3GS was a leap and bound ahead of the iPhone 3G. It was a spectacularly more powerful device and it really bought serious gaming into the iOS ecosystem. Not only that, it was a very strong device with a very long battery life when used moderately.

However, all those praises I just lavished on the 3GS means nothing now that it has been eclipsed by the iPhone 4. And who knows what'll happen in two or three weeks or months. Apple might time it right and lower the price on the iPhone 4 (say by $50 to bring the 16GB model down to $149) when those new phones from running on Android and dual-core chips from the just ended CES finally goes on sale.

And we know for sure that when the iPhone 5 (or iPhone 4G) goes on sale in June, the current iPhone 4 will sit nice and pretty at $99.

Back to the 3GS. Even if Apple doesn't lower the price for the iPhone 4 until June, the $150 will seem like nothing as you happily enjoy all the features of iOS 4 as it was mean to. And thought I have only the latest generation iPod touch and not the iPhone 4, I know what I am talking about.

The speed alone is well worth the $150 premium.

Having said that, if you must get the 3GS, I can say it is without a doubt, the second best mobile device out there. You won't be disappointed, especially if you compare it to the other phones on the market. Just make sure you're not comparing it to the iPhone 4.