Verizon

Today in Apple history: iPhone comes to Verizon at last

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Four years of AT&T exclusivity on iPhone finally comes to an end.
Four years of AT&T exclusivity on iPhone finally comes to an end.
Photo: Jon Fingas/Flickr CC

February 3: Today in Apple history: iPhone comes to Verizon at last February 3, 2011: The iPhone finally arrives on Verizon Wireless, the United States’ largest carrier, ending nearly four years of exclusivity with AT&T.

The move comes as Apple faces pressure to expand its customer base as Android phones grow in popularity. The deal commences with the iPhone 4 available for preorder by Verizon’s 93 million customers.

Why you’re probably spending too much on cellular data

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iPhone 12 Pro parts cost shockingly little
You might be wasting money on your unlimited data plan.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Most Americans pay for more cellular data than they need or ever use, according to a recent study. Dropping to a plan that offers less data would benefit 72% of subscribers for an obvious reason: These plans are more affordable.

In short, unlimited data plans usually aren’t a good value.

Verizon could bundle Apple One with its most expensive plan

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Verizon
Verizon's most expensive 5G plan could soon bundle Apple One for free.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Verizon could soon become the first U.S. carrier to bundle an Apple One subscription for free with one of its plans. The network operator reportedly plans to announce the offer alongside the iPhone 14 series.

Apple One subscription pricing starts at $14.95 per month in the United States for a single user.

T-Mobile beats the competition in 5G speeds

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T-Mobile 5G service
Put your iPhone on T-Mobile for the fastest average speeds,
Photo: T-Mobile

T-Mobile is the clear winner in a cross-country study of cellular data by PCMag. For the second year in a row, rivals Verizon and AT&T can not come close to providing the same average download or upload speeds.

PCMag summed its results up with, “T-Mobile isn’t just America’s fastest network, it’s also the best.”

NFL ‘considers’ its own streaming service for mobile devices

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NFL plans its own streaming service
It could cost just $5 a month.
Photo: Adrian Curiel/Unsplash

There may soon be yet another streaming service to add to your roster. The National Football League is said to be considering a platform of its own, dubbed NFL+, that will stream live games to smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

NFL+ could also provide access to radio, podcasts and team content, according to a new report, which claims teams were briefed on the plans at the annual NFL owners’ meeting that recently took place in Palm Beach, Florida.

Verizon makes Apple Arcade a permanent fixture of its Unlimited plans

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Verizon makes Apple Arcade a permanent perk
Or you can choose a Google Play Pass instead.
Image: Verizon/Apple/Cult of Mac

Verizon this week made Apple Arcade a permanent perk for those who subscribe to one of its Unlimited 5G plans. The carrier last year began offering Apple Arcade for six to 12 months. Now it’s a fixture for eligible customers.

That’s a pretty generous bonus — especially now that Apple’s own Arcade trial is just a month long. And it’s in addition to other Verizon entertainment perks, like access to Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+ and Apple Music.

Yes, your 5G iPhone supports new C-band service from AT&T and Verizon

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5G iPhone
C-band 5G is here, and it’s available on every 5G iPhone and iPad.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Both AT&T and Verizon began rolling out a new 5G version on Wednesday. And getting access via C-band doesn’t require getting a new iPhone. If your iOS device supports 5G, it can use the new version.

The same goes for iPad. If it has built-in 5G, it supports C-band.

AT&T and Verizon agree to put 5G expansion plans on hold

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AT&T and Verizon postpone 5G expansion
The FAA is worried 5G will interfere with pilot systems.
Photo: Philip Myrtorp/Unsplash

AT&T and Verizon have agreed to postpone major 5G expansion plans at the request of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Both carriers initially rejected a delay. They argued that it would be “an irresponsible abdication of the operating control required to deploy world-class and globally competitive communications networks.” But statements released Monday evening confirm they changed their minds.

T-Mobile and Verizon scrap frustrating, unreliable iPad rebate program

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iPad mini in hand, held up to the sky
You could get up to $200 back.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

T-Mobile and Verizon have discontinued the iPad rebate program which offered customers up to $200 back when they activated a cellular device. The move comes after growing complaints about the program’s reliability.

Many users who tried taking advantage of the promotion were met with frustrating responses and poor customer service from both carriers, which reportedly denied the rebate program ever existed on a number of occasions.

Verizon tracks almost everything you do on iPhone. Here’s how to stop it.

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Stop Verizon tracking iPhone
Don't let Verizon keep tabs on everything you do.
Image: Verizon/Cult of Mac

If you use an iPhone on Verizon, there’s a good chance your carrier has been tracking everything you do when you’re connected to its cellular network. This includes the websites you visit, the apps you use, your location and more.

It’s all part Verizon’s “Custom Experience” and “Custom Experience Plus” programs, which are designed to “personalize” the carrier’s communications with its customers. In other words, it’s to build a profile about you so Verizon can better serve you targeted ads. (According to Verizon’s typo-riddled website, “The Custom Experience programs help us personalize communications, recommandations [sic] and offers to make them more relevant to you.”

There’s nothing Apple can do to stop this — despite its new privacy protections baked into iOS — because its tracking does not require an app installed on your iPhone. But there is something you can do to prevent it. We’ll show you how.

T-Mobile denies $100 Apple Watch rebate promised by Apple

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Apple Watch Series 7 T-Mobile rebate
Some customers have redeemed the rebate successfully.
Image: Apple

T-Mobile customers are reportedly being denied a $100 rebate on Apple Watch Series 7 that was promised by Apple at the time of purchase.

As of Thursday morning, Apple’s website still advertises the promotion — which is supposedly available between October 8 and December 31. But some customers who have tried to redeem their cash say they’ve been unsuccessful.

How to fix Verizon 5G problems on iPhone 13

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How to fix iPhone 13 problems with Verizon 5G
If your iPhone 13 won‘t connect to Verizon 5G, you’re not alone. But there’s a fix.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Verizon customers with a new iPhone 13 model might notice something missing: 5G. The faster cellular networking is a signature feature of the handset, and one nobody wants to live without. Fortunately, the answer is fairly simple. But it’s not something you’ll be able to fix all on your own.

Here’s what to do.

Surprise, T-Mobile blows away the competition in 5G speeds

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T-Mobile 5G service
T-Mobile leapt ahead of its competition in 5G.
Photo: T-Mobile

T-Mobile is the carrier to go to for the fastest 5G speeds. A cross-country study of cellular data by PCMag found that AT&T and Verizon couldn’t match their rival’s average download speed. Not even close.

Lots of people bought an iPhone 12 for the 5G. And T-Mobile the carrier that lets users get the most benefit from it.

Verizon hands out annual subscriptions to Apple Arcade

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Apple Arcade is closing in on 200 games.
Get your gaming fill with Apple Arcade.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Commencing May 25, both new and existing Verizon unlimited plan subscribers can get up to a year of free Apple Arcade, along with the other goodies already offered.

Customers on the $90 per month Get More Unlimited or $80 per month Play More Unlimited plans will receive the full year of free access. Meanwhile, those on other unlimited plans will get six months.

Bag HomePod mini for $89 with this rare $10 discount

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Preorders start for HomePod mini, iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini on November 6.
Don't miss out!
Photo: Apple

Verizon is offering a rare $10 discount on HomePod mini to celebrate Earth Day. It takes the smart speaker’s price tag down to $89 — the lowest we’ve seen since HomePod mini’s debut — but it’s only available for a limited time.

Enjoy it while you can.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Bag an iPhone 11 Pro free from Verizon when you take out a new line

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iPhone 11 Pro
Bag yours before the deal ends!
Photo: Apple

Verizon is now offering the iPhone 11 Pro with 64GB of storage for free when you activate a new line on its Unlimited Plan. You can also receive a $250 credit if you’re switching from another carrier.

The deal could save you as much as $1,249 in total. It’s only available for a limited time, so take advantage of it before it’s too late.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Get the newest iPhone SE free when you take out a new line on Verizon

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Pandemic iPhone: The 2020 iPhone SE seems perfect for the times.
Bag yours today before the deal ends.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Verizon is now offering the 2020 iPhone SE for free when you purchase it online and take out a new line. That’s a staggering saving of $399 — and you’ll get another $20 off line activation, which usually costs $40.

This deal ends soon, so enjoy it while you can!

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Why you shouldn’t expect too much from 5G on iPhone 12

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Tim Cook seems really excited about 5G. Should you be?
Tim Cook seems really excited about 5G. Should you be?
Photo: Apple

One of the biggest reasons to upgrade to iPhone 12 this year is for its 5G connectivity. It promises to be significantly faster than the 4G networks we’ve become accustomed to, making things like mobile gaming, content streaming, web browsing — basically everything you do online — better than ever.

You should be excited, but not too excited. 5G can be as spectacular as Apple led us to believe during this week’s iPhone 12 unveiling … but only if you can get good 5G coverage — and the right kind of 5G connection.

Allow us to explain what you need to know about 5G.

These 5G supercuts will burn the word into your brain

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Apple isn't exactly subtle about pushing high-speed 5G networking. These 5G supercuts from the
Apple isn't exactly subtle about pushing 5G.
Photo: Apple

Apple execs uttered the term “5G” so many times during Tuesday’s iPhone 12 unveiling that they could have triggered semantic satiation. (That’s when you hear something so many times that it starts to sound … really weird.)

If their repetition of the word didn’t burn 5G into your brain — or turn your gray matter into mush — the 5G supercuts that followed certainly will.

iPhone 12 costs extra for T-Mobile/Sprint customers [UPDATED]

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iPhone 12 pricing is lower for Verizon and AT&T customers.
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini come with a “T-Mobile Tax.”
Photo: Apple

UPDATE: Apple lowered the iPhone 12 price for T-Mobile/Sprint subscribers on Friday.

 


The prices Apple promotes for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini aren’t for everyone. Subscribers to T-Mobile/Sprint must pay $30 more. The same goes for anyone who wants an unlocked unit.

This isn’t the case for the iPhone 12 Pro series.

Save on AirPods, AirPods Pro with big discounts from Amazon

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AirPods Pro with black background discounts
Or enjoy even bigger savings on Beats.
Photo: Apple

Amazon has increased its discounts on AirPods and AirPods Pro for a limited time only. Bag yours today to enjoy up to $44.02 off the usual price — or check out even bigger savings on Beats headphones.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Bag AirPods Pro at a brand-new low of just $194.99 today only

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AirPods Pro with black background discounts
Don't miss out!
Photo: Apple

Best Buy is offering certified refurbished AirPods Pro units for just $194.99 today only. That’s $55 off the regular selling price, with free shipping and a 90-day Best Buy warranty.

Get yours before they’re all gone!

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Verizon or T-Mobile might be best option for your 5G iPhone

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T-Mobile 5G service
T-Mobile offers 5G in more areas than any of its rivals. But Verizon is faster.
Photo: T-Mobile

It’s not too soon to pick out the best 5G network for your 5G iPhone. And right now, there are two top contenders, according to testing dozen by an analytics firm. Verizon offers the fastest download speeds by a wide margin. And T-Mobile offers 5G in a much broader area.

But AT&T is in there swinging too.