| Cult of Mac

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.

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.

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.