Hasta La Gadget!

Is an iPhone 4, an iPhone 4? Not quite, now that Verizon has launched a CDMA version of the device — in fact, there are a number of notable differences that you’re going to want to consider before buying either model (or making the jump from AT&T to Big Red). We wanted to dig in and see exactly what has changed — how does pricing compare, for instance? What features have been added or removed? In light of both Verizon’s and AT&T’s harping on 4G data in the past week at CES, do either of these phones support it? Let’s have a quick look!

Continue reading AT&T iPhone 4 vs. Verizon iPhone 4: what’s changed?

AT&T iPhone 4 vs. Verizon iPhone 4: what’s changed? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 11:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve waited and waited, and now Apple and Verizon have made a million dreams come true: the iPhone is coming to Big Red. After talking up his new LTE network a bit, Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam confirmed a CDMA (non-LTE) version of the iPhone 4 is coming to Verizon Wireless next month. Talks started way back in 2008, and the phone has been in testing for a year — it sounds like they wanted to get this one right. Current Verizon customers will be able to pre-order on Feburary 3rd for the standard $200 price for the 16GB model on a two year agreement, $300 for the 32GB version — everyone else can order on February 10th (see it compared with AT&T’s iPhone 4). Just to clarify and put any wild rumors to bed, the phone is Verizon 3G (EV-DO) only, no 4G data or GSM roaming. It’s not a world phone or an AT&T + Verizon phone, it’s just a Verizon phone.

Outside of Verizon connectivity, the phone is basically unchanged, although Verizon’s CDMA network doesn’t 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’s just because CMDA requires a different configuration of antennas. (Apple says they didn’t go LTE just yet because first-gen chipsets would force unwanted design decisions, and customers want a Verizon device now.) That slight modification also equates to a slight bump in where the volume buttons and mute switch — a new case might be required. Software-wise the big innovation is five user WiFi hotspot functionality, something that’s standard on Android phones, while Apple has kept the iPhone only able to tether directly to one computer.

Check out our full hands-on with the Verizon iPhone right here, and stay tuned — we’ve got lots more coming up.

Continue reading The Verizon iPhone

The Verizon iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 11:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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See that image above? It’s not a forthcoming Palm LTE phone for Verizon Wireless, but it could be a sneak peek into Big Red’s plans for the future. If you’ll recall, VZW’s CTO Tony Malone hinted last week at CES that integrated LTE voice + data wouldn’t come until 2012 or 2013 at the earliest, and for now, all LTE devices would be relying on 3G for voice and 4G for data. Heck, not even all of the first-wave LTE devices will support simultaneous 4G data + 3G voice. Of course, we all know that LTE voice is coming eventually, and a new test portal at Verizon’s official website may be a clue as to how things will be arranged once it’s live. We’re guessing that an admin simply populated this page with information and images from the standard Pre Plus page — there’s no way an LTE-enabled Pre is planning to slink into VZW’s lineup — but it’s pretty obvious that at least someone within the company is thinking about a world where voice calls are completed over LTE. Potentially more interesting is the “4G plan pricing on this phone” line — during Verizon’s second LTE presser at CES, none of the executives on stage would talk dollars and cents, but this makes it fairly clear that there will definitely be separate plans for 4G phones, most likely ones with higher prices. Feel free to hit the source link if you’d like to poke around, but we wouldn’t expect it to remain online for much longer. One more look is after the break.

Update: As we predicted, the page has been pulled. Good thing the important bits are right here for you and yours.

Continue reading Palm Voice Test portal foreshadows Verizon’s LTE voice plans, quasi-affirms new pricing

Palm Voice Test portal foreshadows Verizon’s LTE voice plans, quasi-affirms new pricing originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 13:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We said we’d bring you an Verizon LTE speed test on the Acer Iconia Tab A500, but we can give you better than that — here’s a test of latency in cross-platform online multiplayer gaming and a FiOS app that streams live television. Hosting a game of Dungeon Defenders on an Alienware M11x laptop (also connected to LTE), Verizon joined the party with an Acer Iconia Tab, and a pair of the slates were able to go head-to-head in a peer-to-peer Asphalt 5 race over LTE as well. What’s more, the carrier showed us an experimental version of its FiOS DVR Manager app, which streamed live television to the Iconia over LTE — similar to what we saw on the iPad. Unlike the games, it was choppy and took some time to cache, but we’ll have to see what it’s like when (or if) it’s finalized. Of course, if you had just clicked the play button on the above video instead of reading these words, you’d already know all that.

Eyes-on: Verizon LTE gaming and live TV on the Acer Iconia Tab (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looks like Verizon is shopping for ways to get its brand spanking new 4G airwaves loaded, because Sling’s just announced an unusual subscription-based deal with them that should kill the upfront cost normally associated with buying a Slingbox and a $30 SlingPlayer Mobile app. Monthly pricing hasn’t yet been announced, but if you’ve got one of Verizon’s new LTE phones, you’ll have the option of getting some dollar figure tacked onto your monthly bill and a box will get shipped to your door on loan; cancel the subscription, and you’ll presumably have to return it or pay a fee. It’s an interesting shift in Sling’s business model, but from Verizon’s perspective, it’s also got an air of anti-net neutrality to it — especially if the $30 SlingPlayer option in the Market goes away. Here’s hoping it doesn’t! Follow the break for the full press release.

Continue reading Sling hooks up with Verizon to rent Slingboxes to LTE customers

Sling hooks up with Verizon to rent Slingboxes to LTE customers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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