3g - page 2

Why The iPad Mini Doesn’t Sell For $199

By

Premium parts don't come cheap.
Premium parts don't come cheap.

The iPad mini is Apple’s answer to smaller Android tablets from the likes of Amazon and Google. But there’s a good reason why it doesn’t come with the same $200 price tag. A teardown has revealed that the new iOS device costs at least $188 to build, and that price rises when you add bigger storage options and 4G connectivity.

iPhone 5 Gets Regulatory Approval On Its Way To China

By

The iPhone 5 is now in China.
It's coming, China.

In December, Apple will launch the iPhone 5 in December, the world’s largest mobile market. Before it can do that, however, the handset needs regulatory approval. Two devices have just been given the go-ahead by China’s State Radio Management, one of which is destined for China Unicom and China Mobile, which the other is headed to China Telecom.

T-Mobile Expected To Offer iPhone 5 In Early 2013 [Report]

By

T-Mobile deal could give Apple more than 2 million extra customers in Q1 2013.
T-Mobile deal could give Apple more than 2 million extra customers in Q1 2013.

T-Mobile is now the only major carrier in the United States that doesn’t offer the iPhone, because Apple’s device isn’t compatible with its 3G network. However, that could be about to change. One analyst believes that T-Mobile will finally get its chance to offer the iPhone 5 from early 2013.

Every Single Feature That Is New In iOS 6 [Mega-Guide]

By

iphone5
iOS 6 drops today!

We’ve all been itching to get our hands on iOS 6 since it got its first unveiling at WWDC back in June, and today, three months after that announcement, the software finally gets its public debut. Apple’s packed a ton of new features into this update, including some major new features like Map and Passbook, plus some enhancements to existing apps and features, such as new Siri capabilities and a VIP inbox in Mail.

Apple’s been promoting some of these features on its website, but there are tons you may not have heard about. With that said, here’s your comprehensive guide to everything that’s new in iOS 6.

AT&T Will Receive Net Neutrality Complaint For Charging For FaceTime Over Cellular

By

AT&T will make you change plan to use FaceTime over 3G/4G.
AT&T will make you change plan to use FaceTime over 3G/4G.

When Apple releases iOS 6 tomorrow, it will finally allow users to make FaceTime calls over 3G and 4G data connections. But AT&T has decided — unlike most other carriers — that it’s going to charge its customers extra to take advantage of the feature. Understandably, this has annoyed a lot of people.

So much so that the Free Press, Public Knowledge, and the New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute have warned AT&T that they will be filing a complaint with the FCC against the carrier for violating network neutrality rules.

OpenSignalMaps, An Amazingly Slick Way To View International Cellphone Coverage

By

wpid-Photo-05092012-1300.jpg
Probably the best way to check network coverage we've seen.

Did you ever check to see which carrier offers the best coverage in your town? Or – worse – did you ever wonder which carrier’s pre-pay SIM you should buy when you go on vacation? It’s hell, right? Those maps are so deeply hidden in the carriers' sites that it’s almost like they didn’t want you to find them.

Enter OpenSignalMaps, which is not only an independent map showing you the 2G, 3G and 4G coverage in much of the world, but is also just about the sleekest and slickest map/info site we’ve ever seen. And it works just great on iOS devices.

 

T-Mobile Wants Unlocked iPhones And Offers Big Savings, But Is Its Network Ready?

By

T-mobile-store

For a company that’s wanting to “sell against the iPhone,” T-Mobile still wants whatever business it can get from unlocked iPhone owners. Earlier today we told you about T-Mobile’s new microSIM kits that will easily unlock an iPhone 4/4S to run on its GSM network.

It appears that T-Mobile is also readying flyers that say “Bring Your iPhone to T-Mobile for BIG SAVINGS!” But can T-Mobile’s network really support iPhone users on 3G and eventually 4G speeds?

AT&T: Because FaceTime Is Built Into Your iPhone, We Can Block It And There’s Nothing You Can Do About It

By

If you're an AT&T customer, you'll need a certain plan to enjoy this with a data connection.
If you're an AT&T customer, you'll need a certain plan to enjoy this with a data connection.

AT&T upset a lot of customers when it revealed that it would only allow those subscribed to its new Mobile Share data plans to access FaceTime over 3G/4G on their iOS devices. Today it has responded to that upset by explaining that because FaceTime is a feature built into the iPhone — and not one that is downloaded by the user — the company can disable it as it wishes and there’s nothing you can do about it.

iOS 6 Allows Apps To Use ‘Wi-Fi Plus Cellular’ Connections

By

Finally!
Finally!

Have you ever watched your iPhone attempt to load a webpage with a poor Wi-Fi connection, and wondered why it doesn’t just switch to 3G automatically? In currently iOS releases, your device can’t do that. If you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network, it will only use the Wi-Fi network. But iOS 6 changes that. You’ll soon be able to use “Wi-Fi Plus Cellular” connections, which allows apps to switch to a cellular data connection automatically when Wi-Fi is poor.

Senator Al Franken Also Thinks AT&T Shouldn’t Charge For FaceTime In iOS 6 [Video]

By

al-franken-headshot-intro

It’s safe to say the general consensus is against AT&T charging for FaceTime over cellular in iOS 6. The carrier is expected to introduce some sort of fee for Apple’s video calling service this fall, and AT&T has been trying its best to keep the issue quiet for as long as it can. While you would still be able to use FaceTime over a WiFi connection, carriers like AT&T obviously doesn’t want a bunch of video calls hogging everyone’s bandwidth.

Minnesota Senator Al Franken has been very vocal in the tech scene for years. He famously emailed Steve Jobs about the iPhone tracking debacle back in 2011, and he has continued to stand up for consumer privacy rights with the carriers and companies like Carrier IQ.

Franken recently spoke out on AT&T potentially charging its subscribers for FaceTime over cellular, noting that it would be flat-out “wrong.”

Analyst Predicts Demand For LTE iPads To Diminish Significantly

By

CSS Insight predicts demand for 3G/4G-enabled iPads and other tablets will drop from now through 2016.
CSS Insight predicts demand for 3G/4G-enabled iPads and other tablets will drop from now through 2016.

As AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon continue extending their LTE networks across the country, a new market analysis suggests that most users will eventually choose not to buy LTE iPads and other 3G/4G-enabled tablets. The report, which comes from research firm CCS Insight, says that demand for iPads and other tablets with built-in mobile broadband support will continue to drop over the next four years. Following that logic, the company says that it expects Apple and other manufacturers to reduce the number of iPads and other tablets with built-in cellular connectivity.

Carriers Could Force 3G/LTE iPhones and iPads To Use Wi-Fi To Conserve Spectrum

By

As mobile data traffic continues to explode, carriers may need to shift 3G/4G data to available Wi-Fi networks.
As mobile data traffic continues to explode, carriers may need to shift 3G/4G data to available Wi-Fi networks.

The wireless spectrum crunch is forcing most mobile carriers to consider options to address a future in which there simply isn’t enough frequency available to easily meet the ever-growing demand for 3G and LTE connections. One idea that has been floated is developing systems that can offload mobile data onto Wi-Fi networks.

That idea isn’t new. In fact most iPhone and 3G/LTE iPad users tend to offload data service to home or public Wi-Fi networks. Doing so has clear advantages to consumers in that it helps avoid any overage fees and it can provide a faster connection in some circumstances.

Dealing with limited spectrum resources, however, carriers have been forced to consider ways of offloading data themselves rather than waiting and hoping that users to take action on their own.

Sprint Promises To Not Charge For FaceTime Over 3G, AT&T And Verizon Keeping Quiet

By

facetime-for-ios-icon

It was recently discovered that AT&T will likely charge for FaceTime over 3G when iOS 6 launches for the public this fall. Users could previously only use Apple’s FaceTime when connected to a WiFi network, but iOS 6 (now in its third developer beta) will allow for FaceTime over both WiFi and a cellular connection.

Sprint, the nation’s third largest carrier, now says that it will not charge its customers for FaceTime over 3G in iOS 6. Both AT&T and Verizon still refuse to give any details.

AT&T CEO Responds To Rumors Of Charging Customers For FaceTime Over 3G

By

We're probably going to charge for everything we can get away with. Until, you know, we can't.
We're probably going to charge for everything we can get away with. Until we can't.

AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson responded today to the recent rumor that the telecommunications company is planning to charge customers for data used in FaceTime calls over 3G. The feature was announced for iOS 6 in June at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco.

Asked about the rumor at the Fortune Brainstorm Tech conference in Aspen, Stephenson acknowledged the rumor, but then also said it’s “too early to talk about pricing,” which may in fact be executive-speak for, “we won’t tell you how much we’re gonna charge.”

Samba Launches Ad-Funded Free Mobile Broadband In U.K.

By

Samba offers free 3G mobile broad band to U.K. iPad owners willing to watch commercials.
Samba offers free 3G mobile broadband to U.K. iPad owners willing to watch commercials.

Earlier this year, we reported on the plans by NetZero and FreedomPop to offer free 4G mobile broadband in the U.S. over ClearWire’s WiMax network. Both companies planned to operate on a freemium basis where users get a limited amount of data each month and can buy more if they choose.

This week, a company in the U.K. called Samba joined the free broadband bandwagon with a model that’s ad-based and freemium in nature, making it somewhat similar to NetZero’s original business model from the good old days of dial-up service. 

Five Years Of iPhone [Video]

By

iPhone 5 Years

Today marks the 5th anniversary of the launch of the original iPhone, the phone that undoubtedly changed the world forever. To celebrate 5 years of iPhone, I’ve put together a little video showing just how much the iPhone has impacted not only our culture, but our everyday lives. Check out the video after the break.

T-Mobile Will Launch The LTE Network It Needs To Support The New iPhone Next Year

By

Unlike its 3G network, T-Mobile's LTE offering should be compatible with the new iPhone.
Unlike its 3G network, T-Mobile's LTE offering should be compatible with the new iPhone.

Believe it or not, there are over one million iPhone users in the United States who cannot access 3G networks because their carrier of choice is T-Mobile. Apple’s smartphone isn’t officially available on T-Mobile right now — because the operator’s unique 3G network isn’t supported by the handset’s wireless chip — but people choose to use its 2G network instead.

That situation will change for the new iPhone, however, because T-Mobile has announced it will launch a new LTE network next year.

How To Access Tweetbot’s ‘Super Secret Settings’ Menu & Activate Streaming Over 3G

By

Did you know about Tweetbot's Super Secret Settings menu?
Did you know about Tweetbot's Super Secret Settings menu?

When connected to a Wi-Fi network, Tweetbot’s terrific streaming feature continually delivers new tweets to your timeline without the need to refresh manually. But did you know that the app contains a “Super Secret Settings” menu that allows you to activate streaming over a 2G or 3G cellular connection?

Here’s how to access it.

If Apple Could Do It From The Start, Why Won’t The Microsoft Surface Launch With 3G?

By

Don't be fooled by Microsoft's claims just yet.
Don't be fooled by Microsoft's claims just yet.

For all the buzz about the Microsoft Surface, we don’t know really know the most important things about it yet. We don’t know when it’ll be released. We don’t know how much it’ll cost. As nice as the Surface looks, Microsoft didn’t even say if it would come with 3G, let alone with LTE. And according to Bloomberg, the reason they didn’t announce it is because the Surface won’t: it’s WiFi-only.

iPhone Owners Are Bigger And More Consistent Data Hogs Than Android Users

By

iPhone users consumer more 3G data on average than any other platform
iPhone users consumer more 3G data on average than any other platform

It’s a pretty good bet that iPhones and iPads will be responsible for 3G/4G traffic spikes around the Moscone Center in San Francisco this week as Apple developers lucky enough to score a ticket attend WWDC. Beyond this week, however, it seems that iPhone users have a tendency to gobble up a large amount of data – more so than other platforms including Android.

On average, iPhone owners represent about 20% of smartphone customers for mobile carriers worldwide. You might expect that those customers would amount to around 20% of data usage. That isn’t the case as  iPhone users account for an average 45% of carrier data traffic and data use by iPhone users is more consistent than data consumed by Android customers.

Never Worry About Your Data Limit Again With DataMan Pro for iPad [Review]

By

dataman-pro-ipad-1

Having the ability to connect to the ‘net over a cellular network from almost anywhere is a huge asset, and one of the best things abput the iPad (if you have the 3G/4G version — which you should). But there’s nothing like the shock of suddenly discovering a $300 bill for data overage to make one extremely skittish about ever using data again — which completely ruins the whole point of getting a 4G iPad in the first place (unless, of course, you just bought it for the GPS receiver).

To banish this evil conundrum, you’ll need DataMan Pro for iPad ($4), an app that watches your data usage like a hawk and alerts you when you’re gobbling data too quickly. It’ll even tell you which apps are the most data hungry.

AT&T Plans To Give Users A Free Ride But Only For Certain Content

By

post-171211-image-46d5ad42c5b1cd767530803e3ff4fab0-jpg
AT&T "toll free" plans will provide free access to some online content

Unlimited data plans are becoming scarce options for smartphone and tablet users. Sprint remains the only carrier to offer an unlimited data plans. Most Verizon and AT&T customers, however, need to make do with tiered data plans. Tiered data plans get more cash from customers and deter customers from overloading mobile networks with excessive data use.

As a result, a lot of us try to avoid excessive data use by limiting the types and amount of content that we access when using a device’s 3G or LTE connection. That, in turn, blocks many content companies from capturing ad or subscription revenue from mobile users. That reality is leading major content companies to complain to the carriers and which AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson recently said may lead to “toll free” data plans.

Carriers Still Don’t Know How To Implement iPhone Shared Family Data Plans

By

Despite the call for shared data plans, no one knows for sure the impact they'll have
Despite the call for shared data plans, no one knows for sure the impact they'll have

The concept of shared data plans has been floating around in the U.S. mobile industry for a while.  So far, however, only Verizon has announced plans to offer them. This idea of shared data plans is based on the various family and business plans available from almost all major carriers in which multiple lines and corresponding devices are bundled as a single plan on a single account. That allows all the devices share the same pool of minutes.

While it seems like shared data would function in a similar manner, the issue isn’t quite so clear-cut from the perspective of mobile carriers. In fact, according to AT&T CFO John Stephens, carriers still aren’t sure how to configure shared data options or how much money they would make or lose by implementing them.

Netflix iOS Update Focuses On Usability And Saving Customers Money

By

Netflix aims to make its iOS app easier to use and manage
Netflix aims to make its iOS app easier to use and manage

Netflix announced an updated version of its iOS app on Thursday for customers in the U.S. and Canada. The update is centered around improving the overall user experience while streaming movies and TV shows to an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. One important improvement beyond that, however, is the ability to control mobile data use and avoid expensive overage fees.

MyWi Internet Tethering Utility Gets Support For Devices Running iOS 5.1.1 [Jailbreak]

By

MyWi allows you to share your iPhone's data connection with other devices over Wi-Fi.
MyWi allows you to share your iPhone's data connection with other devices over Wi-Fi.

If you love tethering your iPhone to other devices to share its 3G (or fake “4G”) data connection, but you hate paying the additional fees demanded by your carrier, then you’re likely to be a MyWi user. MyWi is an incredibly popular utility for jailbroken iOS devices that allows you to turn your iPhone or iPad into a personal Wi-Fi hotspot without activation from your carrier.

Those who recently upgraded to iOS 5.1.1 to take advantage of the Absinthe 2.0 untethered jailbreak will be pleased to know that MyWi has now been updated to support this release.