4G

Cellular data plans not cutting it for content-hungry 4G LTE iPad users

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 21, 2012

That entry-level data plan you signed up for to go along your brand spanking new iPad? It's obsolete, thanks to the device's 4G LTE networking that allows for speeds easily exceeding your home broadband connection. As a result, folks planning on enjoying 4G speeds on the go may likely blow past through their monthly allowance in a couple days. Your mileage may wary, of course, depending on your mobile usage habits.

Here in the U.S., entry-level data plans for iPad begin at $15 or $30 a month, depending on your carrier. AT&T's entry-level 250MB plan will set you back $14.99 a month, with 2GB/5GB plans costing $30/$50 a month. Rival Verizon Wireless is offering 2GB/5GB/10GB tiers priced at $30/$50/$80 a month.

But even five gigabytes a month is conceivable insufficient when you stream high-definition movies and television shows to your device over 4G LTE networks, upload big photos to your social networks or edit and upload full HD movies to YouTube, etc. The Wall Street Journal has the full story (subscription required)...

The new iPad review

Jeff Benjamin ∙ March 20, 2012

The new iPad. Two generations from the somewhat enigmatic, yet overwhelmingly successful debut, Apple’s latest tablet is firing on all cylinders.

No longer is there a question as to whether such a device has a place in people’s day to day lives, it’s now a question of how many such devices are necessary to have for one household.

Indeed, the iPad is about as mainstream as mainstream gets, only a few years removed from many pundits, including myself, questioning its viability.

The truth is that maybe only a handful of people knew how insanely successful Apple’s tablet would be, but now everyone but the most blinded of opposers is a believer. Even if you don’t own an Apple device, you’re compelled to give credit where credit is due...

European carriers not impressed with the iPad’s 4G branding

Oliver Haslam ∙ March 18, 2012

Apple may be an American company, but at times it forgets that it also deals in markets that are outside the United States. Australia, the whole of Europe and plenty of other countries and continents are represented in Apple's list of release territories for new devices, and the new iPad was no different.

Apple is now very much branding its new iPad as a 4G device, something which makes plenty of sense in the United States thanks to LTE being available on both AT&T and Verizon. The problem is, 4G isn't exactly prevalent elsewhere, and branding the device as 4G has apparently upset carriers in both Australia and Europe, leaving Apple with something of a problem.

Just how does a 3G carrier explain that a 4G iPad isn't quite 4G...

New iPad still doesn’t allow FaceTime calls over cellular connection

Cody Lee ∙ March 15, 2012

Even though it's been around for a couple of years now, FaceTime has really struggled to gain massive user adoption. Mac and iOS owners just aren't using it as much as you think they would for a free, no-hassle video-calling service.

One of the main reasons for its stumbles is the fact that iOS devices have not been able to make FaceTime calls outside of Wi-Fi networks (unless you're jailbroken obviously). And it doesn't look like that's going to change with the new iPad...

Did Verizon’s CTO just confirm LTE for the next iPhone?

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

The theory that Apple's next handset is going to feature an LTE radio has been tossed about for several months now. In fact, a lot of folks expected the wireless technology to make its way into last year's iPhone. But obviously that never materialized.

This year, however, it's almost a given that Apple's new smartphone will ship with LTE compatibility. After all, it's new tablet did. But just in case you had any doubts, just read these recent comments made by Verizon Wireless CTO David Small...

T-Mobile 4G network will be compatible with the iPhone

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

In a blog post published today, T-Mobile CTO confirms what we already heard last month: the company is working hard on upgrading its network to fully support the iPhone:

A nice side benefit of the refarming effort is that our 4G network will be compatible with a broader range of devices, including the iPhone. The other important benefit of our network modernization effort is the coverage improvements it will deliver, especially when it comes to in-home coverage.

It would sure be a welcome gesture for the one million T-Mobile customers who currently have to use their iPhone at 2G speeds.

Shocker: next iPhone expected to launch later this year with LTE

Cody Lee ∙ March 12, 2012

BGR passes along a report from DigiTimes this morning which claims that Apple is planning to launch a new iPhone later this year equipped with LTE technology. You don't say?

Well, considering that Apple has released a new iPhone every year for the past 5 years, it's safe to assume that we'll see another one in 2012. And given the fact that the company's latest tablet contains LTE, it's not hard to fathom that its next handset will too...

AT&T 4G LTE coming to 12 more cities

Sébastien Page ∙ March 12, 2012

AT&T is still lagging behind Verizon when it comes to 4G LTE coverage – the real 4G – but it's coming to 12 more markets:

AT&T plans to roll out 4G LTE soon in Naples, Fla.; Bloomington, Lafayette and Muncie, Ind.; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, La.; St. Louis, Mo; Akron, Canton and Cleveland, Ohio; Bryan-College Station, Texas; and Staten Island in New York City.

These launches are scheduled for April, May and into the early summer.

iOS 5.1 brings back the “Enable 3G” switch for some

Oliver Haslam ∙ March 9, 2012

When Apple removed the "Enable 3G" switch in iOS 5, the decision was universally met with confusion, even anger by those of us that used it to save battery life in areas where 3G was flaky. By removing the option to disable it, Apple caused us all a headache we could do without.

Now, with iOS 5.1, Apple has reinstated the option quietly, once again giving us iPhone owners a little control over the speed at which our handsets connect to the internet. It may not seem like much, but this little switch is a big deal to many.

It's perhaps fitting that Apple has brought a power saving feature back in a release of iOS which is meant to increase battery life in the power-hungry iPhone 4S, too...

The new iPad 4G LTE confirmed for Verizon, AT&T and others

Jeff Benjamin ∙ March 7, 2012

The rumors were true. The new iPad will come equipped with a 4G LTE option for speeds much faster than current 3G speeds.

Even better is the fact that almost everyone in the United States will be able to benefit, because LTE is for both Verizon and AT&T, just as we expected.

But folks in other countries won't be left out. Verizon, Rogers, Bell, Telus and AT&T are all featured LTE partners.

iPad 4G shows up in Apple inventory

Cody Lee ∙ March 7, 2012

Apple's highly-anticipated iPad 3 event is just half an hour away. But that hasn't stopped tipsters from coming forward with some last-minute information regarding today's announcements.

9to5Mac is reporting that it has just received a couple of tips from its always reliable "Mr X" source. It appears that 4G LTE iPads are already populating in Apple's inventory, as are the "mystery" accessories we've been hearing about...

Both AT&T and Verizon hype a new addition to their lineups on eve of iPad 3 event

Jeff Benjamin ∙ March 6, 2012

Both AT&T and Verizon have something big up their sleeves that will apparently be revealed soon. Could it be the iPad 3?

On Verizon's Wireless site you're greeted with the following: Something Is Coming. Be among the first to hear the news. Flip the channel over to AT&T's site, and you'll see similar verbiage: Coming Soon! Get ready to see an exciting new addition to our line-up.

If you ask me, that doesn't sound like the next "Motorola XZY Board Extreme Molotov Cocktail Edition 4G" phone...