Mixed reactions from our panel on the announcements made by Apple at WWDC last week, from excitement to disappointment, fuel the discussions on this month’s episode. Topics include iCloud, iOS5, OS X Lion, iTunes Match, Mac Defender, AT&T’s 4G LTE network, the Apple / Nokia patent settlement and more.
OWC Radio is a monthly, forum-based podcast focused on the events and happenings in the Mac community. This week’s hosts are: OWC Grant, OWC Chris S., and OWC Mike H.
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The new iMacs are out and there’s so much we’ve been discovering. A firmware update unleashed 6Gb/s speeds on two of the SATA ports, then an interesting design choice essentially takes one way. A couple of programmers take advantage of a tracking oversight in iOS, but is it much ado about nothing? A debate begins over the official news about AT&T’s new data cap pricing structure that went into effect just a few days ago. Hear all the details about this news and more on this episode of OWC Radio.
OWC Radio is a monthly, forum-based podcast focused on the events and happenings in the Mac community. This week’s hosts are: OWC Grant, OWC Chris S., and OWC Mike H. Article Continues…
The iPad 2 was announced earlier this week, and like its predecessor, there are WiFi-only and 3G+WiFi versions available. While Apple is offering 3G wireless models for both AT&T and Verizon, you have to pick one or the other – there is no “hybrid” model available. Since both the AT&T models and the Verizon models cost the same, we are left to determine which network offers the best data plan?
It is important to note that you don’t need to get an iPad with 3G; getting the WiFi-only version will save you $130 on similar sized models. If you’re not really on the go a lot and have wi-fi available where you’ll mainly use the iPad, you just may be paying for a feature you don’t need.
However, don’t underestimate how useful a constantly connected iPad can be. 3G does untether you from wi-fi only locations, so you may not totally know the impact of where you would use the iPad until you have one. Article Continues…
As with most things Apple, any announcements by—or related to—their products is subject to national media attention and wild speculation. Such was the case with today’s Verizon event; the announcement last week coupled with photos of a slightly modified iPhone 4 frame led to rumors that Apple’s wildly-popular smartphone would be finally be available on a network other than AT&T, which has had an exclusive contract with Apple since the first iPhone’s release in 2007.
Rumors of a second US carrier have popped up from time to time, with Verizon being a top contender. The only reason people discounted them was its CDMA network. But Apple’s exclusivity agreement with AT&T was the biggest thing keeping the iPhone from working with other carriers.
That exclusivity agreement has apparently run out. Starting in February of 2011, the iPhone will be available on Verizon as well as AT&T. Apple had made some internal changes to work on Verizon’s CDMA network, but the only outward signs are a slight repositioning of a couple buttons and an extra antenna gap. This slight repositioning of the buttons may make it incompatible with some custom-fit iPhone cases, but otherwise the form and functionality is practically the same.
Plan pricing details at the moment seem to be somewhat lacking, though we do have these bits of info:
The purchase prices of the phones are the same as through AT&T. Though specific details aren’t available yet, similar plans from Verizon indicate a similar price strategy. So, as OWC Grant asked as we discussed this earlier today, what does this mean? Article Continues…
Sometimes I wonder how many couples out there are in the same place as my husband and I. He is a Sprint customer – and an HTC person. I’m a AT&T customer – and an iPhone user. (It’s almost as bad as being a Sox-Twins couple!) Just about once a week one of us takes a dig at the other’s phone or service provider (admittedly, he wins the service provider spat more often than not). However, historically, I win the hardware fights.
But with the recent launch of the HTC EVO, followed by the release of the iPhone 4, nights have become heated with technology chatter. I have ‘played’ with his EVO and here are some things to consider.
While it’s a pretty phone with a big screen – the EVO’s too big for my taste. The size is great for him because he’s kind of a big guy (6’6”), so he doesn’t really have the smallest hands and fingers. One could say that the EVO makes me think about Burger King – its portion sizing is over-the-top. There is no chance of the EVO fitting into any cell phone pouches and one handing it isn’t very practical for smaller hands or most females. Personally, I like my phone to have sweet capabilities, but still be a portable phone at the end of the day – so the iPhone wins there.
The kickstand is a great concept and my hubby does use it from time to time – but isn’t necessary for daily usage and in the opinion of a parent – just something that will eventually break. I would much rather use a stationary mounting device. Article Continues…