Tag: AT&T

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Verizon iPad 3G Connectivity Problem

What’s up with the iPad 2? A great piece of technology, but it seems to be experiencing one of its greatest necessities, the 3G part. Since the beginning of April, users have been experiencing an issue with the connectivity with the Verizon iPad 2. When a user turns off their iPad and turns it back on, the user tends to lose their 3G connectivity. They then have to reboot their whole iPad in order for it to find the 3G again. We all know it is a big hassle to reboot our iPad’s because it does take some time for the iPad to start up again. There is a solution to this problem: 1) Turn the cellular data switch on. 2) Power off your iPad. 3) Power on your iPad. 4) Turn on cellular data. 5) The Verizon connectivity should work again. Many users still experience the same problem even if they follow these steps. Rebooting your iPad 2 is the best solution until Apple finds a fix for this problem. Apple has acknowledged this problem and is working hard to fix this. In the new iOS 4.3.2 update, the solution should be in the update. In the mean time, keep rebooting your iPad 2 until you get connect back to the 3G. There doesn’t seem to be a solution to this problem just yet. This problem doesn’t seem to affect the Wi-Fi connectivity or AT&T’s 3G network.

 

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AT&T Cracking Down on Jailbreak Tethering

What is tethering? Well, tethering with your iPhone is using your iPhone as a modem for other devices to connect to the internet. Tethering allows you to use your iPhone as a means for Internet access, through WiFi, USB, or Bluetooth. There are many people who jailbreak their iPhone and use it for tethering. One of the most popular jailbreaking apps is MyWi. MyWi allows you to bypass AT&T’s DataPro plan check and enable you to tether independently. Running jailbreaking apps such as MyWi gives you the chance to use your iPhone as a hotspot for other devices to connect to the internet. It appears AT&T has noticed that people are jailbreaking their iPhone devices and are tethering without AT&T’s permission. AT&T has been sending this letter to customers who are suspected of tethering without permission:

Dear [Name of Account Holder],

We’ve noticed your service plan may need updating.

Many AT&T customers use their smartphones as a broadband connection for other devices, like laptops, netbooks or other smartphones— a practice commonly known as tethering. Tethering can be an efficient way for our customers to enjoy the benefits of AT&T’s mobile broadband network and use more than one device to stay in touch with important people and information. To take advantage of this feature, we require that in addition to a data plan, you also have a tethering plan.
Our records show that you use this capability, but are not subscribed to our tethering plan.

If you would like to continue tethering, please log into your account online at www.wireless.att.com, or call us at 1-888-860-6789 Monday — Friday, 7 a.m. — 9 p.m. CST or Saturday, 8 a.m. — 7 p.m. CST, by March 27, 2011 to sign up for DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering. Here are details on the plan:

DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering
– $45 per month (this gives you 4GB in total, combining both your smartphone data plan for $25 and the tethering feature, $20)
– $10 per each additional GB thereafter, added automatically as needed
– Mobile Hotspot capabilities are included for compatible Smartphones

If we don’t hear from you, we’ll plan to automatically enroll you into DataPro 4GB after March 27, 2011. The new plan — whether you sign up on your own or we automatically enroll you — will replace your current smartphone data plan, including if you are on an unlimited data plan.

If you discontinue tethering, no changes to your current plan will be required.

It’s easy to track your usage throughout the month so there are no bill surprises. For example, we send you free text messages when you reach 65, 90, and 100 percent of your plan’s threshold. If you would like to monitor your account more closely, go to www.att.com/dataplans to learn about other ways to track your data usage.

As a reminder, our smartphone data plans also include unlimited usage of Wi-Fi at no additional charge. AT&T smartphone customers can use Wi-Fi at home or on-the-go at any one of our more than 23,000 U.S. hotspots already included in your data plan.

Thank you for bringing your account up to date. We appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve your mobile broadband needs.

Sincerely,

AT&T

Please update your data plan by March 27, 2011 if you intend to continue tethering

To learn more and update your plan, visit att.com/dataplans

Reach us for assistance during business hours: Monday — Friday 7 a.m. — 9 p.m. CST Saturday 8 a.m. — 7 p.m. CST at 1-888-860-6789

If you are suspected of tethering without permission, you are most likely going to receive this email letter. If you receive this email, you should contact AT&T immediately. If you decide to discontinue tethering without permission, you will not be penalized. If you decide to continue to tether, you will have to enroll into DataPro 4GB.

AT&T is really cracking down on those who are jailbreaking and tethering without permission. Many people will definitely be disappointed that they can no longer tether without having to pay for the DataPro 4GB.

Feel free to leave questions or comments below.

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How To: Buy an iPad 2

On March 2, 2011, Apple introduced the iPad 2. We all know that it will be lighter and thinner and all those other features such as cameras for FaceTime and Photo Booth, but what we don’t know, is how to buy an iPad 2. The iPad 2 is going to be released on March 11, 2011. As far as you can tell by looking at the Apple website, it says it will be starting at $499. You also have to worry about the fact that you can’t pre-order it and you will have to deal with tons of other people fighting to buy an iPad 2 once it come out. So how should you deal with this? First of all, figure out where you can buy it. You can buy it at the Apple Store, the Apple Online Store, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Target. The Apple Store will definitely have long lines. I think the Apple Online Store would be the best bet because you won’t have to wait in lines or get through crowds. You will have to wait for it to arrive because it ships on the day it is released, but it is the easiest way to get it. Patience is definitely required for the Apple Online Store method. Best Buy will have some on sale, but the amount is unknown. You will have to hope they have some in stock by the time you get there. Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Target are also the same story as Best Buy. They will have some available, but how much is unknown. AT&T and Verizon will also have 3G iPad 2 models available on March 11.

My recommendation is to just order it on the Apple Online Store. You just need to be patient. People who are patient always get rewarded. People will also try to sell it on sites such as Ebay, but don’t bother because they will just raised the price.

Now let’s go over the models and the prices. The iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will come in three models and two colors each. The prices are as follows:

16 GB = $499.00
32 GB = $599.00
64 GB = $699.00

The iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G will come in three models and two colors each, but will be sold by two separate providers, AT&T and Verizon, at the same prices. The prices are as follows:
16 GB = $629.00
32 GB = $729.00
64 GB = $829.00

That is about it for the rundown of the iPad 2. Good luck buying one. Leave questions and comments!

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Verizon’s iPhone 4, from the inside out

The iPhone 4 for Verizon has been released and already stripped down by the team from iFixit. The iPhone 4 from Verizon has some differences, but do the changes really change your mind about switching over form AT&T to Verizon, let’s find out. On the new iPhone, there is a redesigned vibrator, and changes to the location and design of the RF components. The most surprising part about the new iPhone is that it has a Qualcomm MDM6600 chip, which is a dual-mode GSM and CDMA compatible. On the back on the iPhone, they removed the visual warning o not throw your iPhone 4 in the trash. Unlike AT&T which has he image on the back of their iPhone. Apple has updates the model number from A1322 to A1349. This and the warning not to throw your iPhone away may be the only external difference on the iPhone. There is no Verizon emblem just like the AT&T iPhone. If you put the two iPhone 4’s side by side, there wouldn’t be a difference, until you look at the back that is.

On the iPhone, there used to be a SIM slot, but Apple has removed it from the iPhone for Verizon. According to Apple, the SIM card and SIM slot were the only user-serviceable parts on the iPhone 4. Apple now says that “iPhone does not contain any user-serviceable parts.” When you uncover the back of the iPhone4, you will notice a couple of differences. The battery is interchangeable and is listed as the same 5.25 watt-hour capacity. The battery does have a new model number, 616-0520, but I doubt that really makes a difference between the iPhone 4’s. The new battery weighs less too, from 26.9 grams to 25.6 grams. The Wi-Fi antenna is exactly the same as the GSM iPhone 4. That may be the only RF component that did not receive a revamp. The chipset is the same as the Droid Pro world phone; it supports both GSM and CDMA. Apple chose not to support GSM because they may have thought that it’s easier to design antennas for a CDMA-only phone. The last thing that may have changed is the iPhone 4’s vibrator. The vibrator has a quieter, softer feel. It also sounds a little better when it vibrates on a table. DO you think that these are big differences between the AT&T and Verizon phone? Let us know, drop a comment below.

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AT&T vs. Verizon: Battle of the Features [Ad Edition]

If you live in the United States, the day has come. What day you ask, the day where Apple has created a CDMA version of it’s iPhone to run on the Verizon Wireless network. Though Big Red (Verizon) boast their network will be able to handle the new iPhone, do some of the features of the GSM AT&T iPhone seem necessary. Talk and data usage are extremely important – especially if you need to make a quick reservation. But the Verizon call quality is incomparable.

Pick your poison!

What network do you choose?