2 posts tagged “at&t”
NOTE: This story was posted around 2:00PM CT. Some of this may be old, but I thought I might as well cross post it.
With the day that will live in infamy in Apple's eyes, consumers are going absolutely hysterical over Apple's new baby. The details are still rolling in about the iPhone and other related products to go along with the iPhone and I'm sure even more will be revealed after those waiting in line get their iPhone, but let's start with today's details and where we stand currently.
#1. AT&T's possible renovation of their cellular EDGE network. Apple has been criticized for not putting in a 3G compatible chipset in the iPhone so users can get broadband-like speeds on their iPhone, comparable to Verizon and Sprint's EVDO network. Before these couple weeks, people have complained that the speeds of EDGE that they were getting would simply translate into a horrible experience when using the fully-capable Safari browser. Now MacRumors, along with Engadget and HowardForums users, are reporting that they are seeing a boost in download speeds on EDGE. There were rumors going around that AT&T would increase the speeds due to pressure from Apple, and it's not clear whether this is just a temporary speed boost or a permanent speed boost.
#2. Ringtones on the iPhone. This is still a rumor, but due to the fact that the images are in the iTunes' 7.3 update, we can almost confirm this. Apple will allow you to put your own ringtones onto your own iPhone. According to Engadget Mobile, a user, and they also confirmed this as well, told them that in the directories for the iTunes program, that there is a GIF file titled "Ringtone.gif" and the image clearly shows the possibility of adding ringtones, due to the fact that the logo is a bell, an image widely recognized as a ringtone symbol on most phones. The pricing, if any, is unclear, and no details regarding whether you will be able to use your existing songs as a ringtone, or whether you will be forced to download them from the iTunes Music Store.
#3. Apple's Accessory Line. One of the first accessories for the iPhone released by Apple is their own Bluetooth headset that announced alongside the iPhone back at MacWorld 2007. The headset has a rated talk time of 5.5 hours and a standby time of 72 hours. It will include a dock that will both synchronize and charge the iPhone as well as charge the bluetooth headset. The dock, if it were not included with the headset, would cost $49. There is also a travel cable that will plug in to the bottom of the iPhone and also has a slot to plug the headset in, with a USB cable leading either to a USB Wall adapter, or your computer. A side-note, some accessories, such as some FM transmitters, may not work with the iPhone properly, causing the cellular radios to shut off due to the possibility of interference.
#4. The possibility of a 3G-capable iPhone for European networks. Guy Kewney of Newswireless is reporting that Apple has struck a deal, or at least close to, with European mobile carriers Vodafone and T-Mobile, as well as Carphone Warehouse as the MVNO, also more typically known as Pay-As-You-Go carriers. The announcement is expected to come Monday. Engadget Mobile is doubting this report because "do you really think Apple will provide Europe a 3G iPhone before the end of the year and not release it in the US at the same time?" It would make sense that the possibility is there because 3G networks are far more widespread in Europe than here in the United States.
And to end it with a humorous ending.
#5. Authority waiting in line for their iPhone. Engadget Mobile is reporting that Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street was spotted waiting in line at an Apple Store for his chance to get an iPhone. While they reported that he was there, they later updated that he left his spot and someone has taken the spot. No word yet on whether he will return.
There will be much more news later on in the day to go along with the release as more details come in.
Sources:
Wow. It seems like I've become quite the opinionated writer/ranter. But not yet a debater.
In this day and age where YouTube reigns the internet and Skype is a verb, we see broadband connections getting fatter and fatter (for the most part). For those who are not fortunate enough to live near a town, have enough money/patience for satellite, and or other financial/geographical reasons, we are stuck using the all-time hated method of getting on the internet: dial-up.
I wanted to write this post mainly because AT&T is being their stuck up, unknowning selves, at least on my phone line. About a two years ago, AT&T (then SBC) said by some magic and pixie dust, we could get DSL. Know, we thought we were out of range, which we are and it is confirmed, but AT&T decided to let the order go all the way through the system up to the point where they sent the equipment out to us. About 5-7 days after we got the equipment, the local AT&T office (St. Louis) called up and said, "We are sorry, but DSL is not available at your location," click. That's it. Abrupt ending. To say the least, I was mad. So we stuffed all the equipment back into the box and continued on with our SBC dial-up account, thinking that we were doomed to dial-up.
About a year ago, they once again said we could get DSL. So naturally we ordered it and waited for the equipment. They called us up and said that we had no chance of getting DSL and once again, that abrupt end. So to say the least, the rest of my family was a little mad as well. We never got the equipment, so at least kudos to them for stopping the shipping.
Now, about a month ago. They once again said we could get DSL. The third time. A AT&T rep on DSLReports gave me an employee referral line to call up. Before I had a chance to call up, they retracted that statement from their prequal site and it's like nothing happened. Now about two days ago, they once again, for the FOURTH time, are saying that we can get DSL. I am just really frustrated at them, that I'm not even thinking of trying anymore. I know we are at 30,000+ feet, and DSL only reaches about 18,000 feet. I know that for a fact, so don't call me uninformed.
Now our only options for high-speed are wireless, satellite, and broadband-over-powerline; but they all have catches.
The wireless provider is a local one for our area and looks very intriguing. The main catch; we'd have to raise a 50-60' tower to clear our tree line to get line of sight. We live about 2.5 miles from the wireless base, so we don't know if we could get a signal with N-LOS, but my parents aren't willing to even get a site survey (free) to see if they can "sniff" the antenna.
The next option is satellite. I really, really want to stay away from this type of connection because I want to Skype without a whole second of lag, I want to stream video at full speed for most of the day, not only 15 minutes and then get my bandwidth cut into a fraction of what it's rated and then possibly get it reduced to dial-up speeds for the whole month. Plus the fact that all of them suck and cost a ridiculous amount of money is just not even plausible.
Lastly is BPL. The catch here; the power company hasn't even formally
announced it. They were doing a "survey" to see if people would be
interested in it. That was posted in their newsletter for the
September-October issue. Nothing has been even mentioned since. I would
contact the company via email, but they don't even have a contact page
on their site except for phone calls, and I'd much rather just send
them an e-mail.
