by Derald Freeman

THE RIGHT DECISION

With the January 11, 2011 announcement of the Verizon iPhone, many smart phone users will be contemplating making the switch from their current network to Verizon.

One of the most obvious questions for anyone interested in the iPhone is what the differences are between the AT&T version and the upcoming Verizon version. From the basic functionality standpoint, it's essentially the same phone; it will use the same apps, get them from Apple App Store, sync with iTunes and they are both 3G phone networks.

The primary differences are in the technology used inside to connect to the different networks (GSM for AT&T, CDMA for Verizon) and the networks themselves. This means existing iPhone users cannot simply switch to the Verizon network with their old phone, they must buy a new Verizon specific CDMA iPhone when it's released

iPhone4 Features

COMPARISONS    AT&T   VERIZON

Price      $199 16 GB    $199 16 GB
           $299 32 GB    $299 32 GB
Data plan  $15 / 200 MB  $15 / 150 MB
           $25 / 2 GB    $29.99/unlim?
Early upgrades at launch Yes    No
Global roaming capable   Yes    No
Simultaneous voice/Data  Yes    No
WiFi mobile hotspot      No     Yes
4G data (HSPA+ / LTE)    No     No
Talk time  2G voice:14 hrs  2G avail?
           3G voice:7 hrs   3G 7 hrs
           3G voice:6 hrs   3G 6 hrs
WiFi web:  10 hrs           10 hrs

3G AND 4G NETWORKS

What is the difference between 3G and 4G for your iPhone? I installed the Ookla Speed test app on my 3G phone. The ping, upload, and download speeds are all over the scale depending on the cell tower you connect with at the moment of the test and these tests were run in the same geographical location. You can be on 4G service and be getting sub-3G speeds at any time of the day. Besides, 3G is rock solid and wide spread.

Outside of Verizon connectivity, the phone is basically unchanged, although the Verizon CDMA network does not support simultaneous voice and data as with the GSM version. It does have the new antenna design we were hearing about last week, but that is just because CMDA requires a different configuration of antennas.

The Verison iPhone is not an LTE phone, which means like every other Verizon phone, no simultaneous voice and data. With CDMA you lose simultaneous data and voice. Let me ask you, though...how many of you actually use this? If you do, it would be important.

AT&T uses the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network technology infrastructure, which is capable of handling both voice and data at the same time, but is only able to connect to one tower at a time, which means there is a "hard handoff" from tower to tower. This increases the number of dropped calls and reduces the stability of the voice network when on phone calls.

Verizon uses a type of CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) network, which allows multiple tower connections for "soft handoff" between towers so that your phone can connect to two or more towers at the same time and switch from one to another incrementally. This leads to less frequent dropped calls, but the CDMA network cannot handle voice and data at the same time.

HOTSPOTS

Consider all the locations that are AT&T WiFi hot spots. These include Starbucks, McDonalds, Border Books, and others. I doubt that these locations will offer Verizon WiFi also.

GETTING OUT OF A CONTRACT

You signed a two-year contract for the service and your commitment is no different from signing a loan papers to buy a car. AT &T provided an iPhone at a considerably reduced price based on your commitment which they will recoup over the next 24 months. You would have paid $300-$400 for that phone without the contract. It is only fair that you honor your agreement.

They want to keep your business, of course, but they do not plan to lose on their investment on the phone either. If you bail out early, you will pay up. If you lose your phone and have to buy another one you will pay full price. It is just business.

If you really want out of your contract Lifehacker has outlined a few of the techniques that you can use to avoid (or reduce) the dreaded early termination fee. Whether or not these tactics will work depends entirely on your determination and level of trickery. Go to http://lifehacker.com . Enter the search words "Ditch Your AT&T ". On the next screen you will see "Here is How to Ditch Your AT&T iPhone and Switch to a Verizon iPhone for Free. " We do not recommend trying to get out of your contract just to switch to another carrier. We only offer this information if your service has been lousy, you have frequent dropped calls in various areas, you have complained and received no satisfaction and have a no-win situation.

IPHONE 5

What is the new iPhone 5 release date?

The Apple iPhone 5 is expected to be released in June of the year 2011 with AT&T support. The key issue that iPhone 5 is going to address is the antenna reception that was much of a hassle for users of iPhone 4.

And more, if rumors are to be believed, then Apple is also contemplating on creating a terrific payment procedure which involves the use of your iPhone 5 to make payments in a number of retail stores. Wow! Did you know Apple has hired Benjamin Vigier, an eminent veteran in the field of mobile payments, for his services to Apple? Well, FYI, Vigier was assigned the task of dealing with the Apple Mobile Commerce Division which will involve iPhone engineers, mobile technicians, and communication. Apple has geared up to be innovativeness and originality!

What will be new in iPhone 5?

Speculations, speculations! There are lots of conjectures everywhere about the latest iPhone 5 features. It is forecasted it will be so sleek it will surpass the state-of-the-art Apple iPod and iPad. Other than that, some awesome features and applications such as video chat on 3G and 4G, better iPhone downloading, and face recognition promise to bring a smile on the face of iPhone aficionados. In addition to that, the new iPhone 5 is going to have dual core processors with even more powerful graphic chips for better resolutions in both videos and images. It is forecasted that some of the most awaited features of this Apple enigma will be included below:

Apple is on track, making sure that it does not leave users befuddled and raging like they were from the previous experiences they had. While the iPhone 5 release date is somewhat tentative, Apple is carrying out numerous testing as well as pre-production formalities just to ensure satisfaction and avoid the fiasco of the antenna problem in the iPhone 4.