How Verizon Half-Assed the iPhone

January 12, 2011, 6:56 pm

≫ Next: WINNER ANNOUNCED: Buy me an iPad2 Contest

ViPhone2 120x250 How Verizon Half Assed the iPhone

Verizon iphone, or ViDud?

So I was sitting in Houston, TX with Jake Luddington. I made this prediction (the night before the announcement) that the iPhone on Verizon was going to hit 40 million in the first 30-60 days. It was a stretch, but it was based on the masses who have been waiting patiently for the CDMA iphone, mixed with those 3GS, 3G and first gen iPhone users also biding their time.

Jake said I was insane to make that prediction. That is because I thought Verizon would have at least the patience to wait for the iPhone 5 to come out. With the 4G service and Verizon network, I could see that population do a mass-exodus like no other phone would.

But then Verizon had to go ruin it.

Of course, we heard that Verizon is going to release the CDMA version of the iPhone4. You cannot do data on at the same time, because there is no 4G (well, Verizon is even doing that half-assed as it’s not a true 4G network – It’s HSOPA). Therefore, no facetime for you!

Most likely, the iPhone GSM chip is just replaced by a CDMA chip. As I have guessed since the beginning of iPhone, I always expected Apple to have a CDMA version of their phones – in case they needed to jump ship within a week.

So this band-aid phone was apparently acceptable by Verizon execs to ship out. The real question is: Will you buy it?

What is really sad is that we just interviewed Verizon for CES 2011 and they had some great new Android phones using LTE. Why would they want to shadow those items with a half-assed iPhone?

If I was HTC or Samsung, I think I would really be frustrated with Verizon’s action. After all, HTC is one of that leaders of Android devices. They have come out with some great alternatives.

I own an iPhone 3GS. I am seriously thinking about switching off it when the contract is up. iPhone 5 will really have to impress to keep me – Otherwise, I am seriously looking at a couple Android phones.

But in no way will I pay $199 and $125 a month for a 16 GB iPhone that doesn’t have full functionality.

I think it’s safe to say that I will not win this bet. Thanks Verizon – can you hear me now?

How Verizon Half Assed the iPhone

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WINNER ANNOUNCED: Buy me an iPad2 Contest

April 1, 2011, 12:46 am

≫ Next: iPhone 5, Mark Zuckerberg, Videos Galore!

≪ Previous: How Verizon Half-Assed the iPhone

Buy Me an iPad2 Contest

Congratulations to the winner!!

Flora Spoli from Long Island is the winner of the Buy me an iPad2 contest!

—

This was a contest where the winner will buy me an iPad2. Your choice of model – However, if you buy me a 3G version, it must come with 1 year of 3G service from either Verizon or AT&T. I will accept iPad2 16 GB, 32GB or 64GB.

Of course, the iPad2 became available on March 11th, 2011. The choice of White or Black models with front and rear facing cameras allow for Facetime, which I will use a lot.

The iPad2′s A5 processor is perfect for creating music on GarageBand, or video using iMovie. I will be able to really use these options in creating new content.

As an added bonus, if you would like to purchase any accessories, like the Video dock cable, I will accept those, too.

If you are a company or website, I will definitely talk about your website during the contest (restrictions apply). You can also purchase a “Wrap” for the iPad that has a Geekazine branding and your branding as well (restrictions apply).

To win the Buy me an iPad2 Contest, just fill out the form below by March 31st. Winner will be announced on April 1st.

WINNER ANNOUNCED: Buy me an iPad2 Contest

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iPhone 5, Mark Zuckerberg, Videos Galore!

September 18, 2012, 3:15 pm

≫ Next: Online Sales Tax – How, Why and Will it Work?

≪ Previous: WINNER ANNOUNCED: Buy me an iPad2 Contest

GSV144 iPhone 5, Mark Zuckerberg, Videos Galore!

Geek Smack!

Well it’s been over 1 months since the last Geek Smack! It’s been a wild month as I went to drive a car, VMWorld and TechCrunch Disrupt. Now I am back and revitalized to bring you a Geek Smack! episode. Lots to talk about!

Get 20% off with code “Geekazine” at Zagg

Geek Smack Sponsor board!

ZAGG use code "Geekazine"
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Gear I use: Check out Jeffrey Powers page at B&H Audio and Video
Check out the Geekazine Store

Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version
Subscribe to the podcast via: Feedburner - Zune - iTunes - TechPodcasts - Blubrry - Stitcher

You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine - Geekazine Facebook Group - About.Me

Other shows: Day in Tech History - Geekazine Special Media Feed - iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 236 Tech News:

Twitter 125x125 iPhone 5, Mark Zuckerberg, Videos Galore!

Twitter ‘s new look.

Twitter Rolls Out New Look - Does this new design look good to you? It’s just a picture on top of your Twitter…
Internet Explorer Breach – Watchdog warning of a big hole in IE 6,7,8 and 9. Suggests to switch browsers until fixed.
Apple Event Roundup – Did the Apple iPod Nano go in the wrong direction?
Google Buys Snapseed – iOS photo editor competes with Instagram
Subway Hacking Spree – Two Romanians hacked into 150 Subways and stole 146,000 Credit Card numbers.
AT&T Lawsuit on Net Neutrality – Getting sued for not allowing Facetime over cellular network.
Patent Trolls & Startups – You could get slapped with a Troll’s lawsuit easier than you think.
Google+ at 100 million Active – 400 million users, 100 million active. How Google does it.
Nuance Buy Ditech Networks for $22.5 million – Adding voicemail to text and voice quality assurance services to Nuance products (Siri?)
Ford Fusion gets 47/47 – Gas mileage getting better. Best fuel economy of a mid-size car
Zuckerberg Interview- Shares jump up after Zuckerberg talks the struggles of IPO and “No Facebook Phone”. Still not close to $38 share. -

Geek Smack! Geek News:

Pirate – Get a Free Krispy Kreme
Podcasts – Congrats on Geek News Central #800
Branding – Will you Get a Brand Tattoo?
Space – Warp Drive Possible?
Music – 34 Impressive Photos
HeMan – Real Life Sculpture of HeMan
Skydiving – GoPro Falls off Helmet - Fell 12,500 feet! -

Geek Smack: Why I Bought an iPhone 5

iPhone5

If you’ve been following my feed, you know I got a new phone 2 months ago in a Nokia Lumina 900. I don’t dislike the phone – I just am missing the functionality of the iPhone. Right now Windows 7 phones are pretty much on hold for a developer for Windows 8. With this new OS, a couple more lines of code will allow them to create a mobile version of their program.At that time, it might be something to look at.

Right now, I miss the iPhone. The new iPhone has a processor that will let you do a lot more. Dual core at almost 2 GHz (because Tim Cook said it will double the speed of the 4S) means I can use this for video. I can also get some powerful apps on the phone if I need it. One concern I have is the head issues. The iPad retina display gets hot and I expect this iPhone to do the same thing. Hopefully I am wrong. I get the iPhone on Friday.

I cannot wait to see what it has to offer.

Geek Smack! is a weekly video show and podcast that comes out every Tuesday evening. Your host: Jeffrey Powers – talks tech news, IT news and geek news for the week. Geek Smack! is ©2012 under a Creative Commons no-deriv license. Never take candy from strangers. If you would like more information about what is technology, recent news, Geekazine, and Jeffrey Powers, feel free to contact him. Jeffrey Powers does interviews, just ask!

iPhone 5, Mark Zuckerberg, Videos Galore!

↧

Online Sales Tax – How, Why and Will it Work?

May 7, 2013, 12:30 pm

≪ Previous: iPhone 5, Mark Zuckerberg, Videos Galore!

GSV144 Online Sales Tax How, Why and Will it Work?

Geek Smack!

Started a new healthy campaign for the month of May. 10,000 steps a day for the month. So far, so good. Today, I’ll be doing it after the podcast so we’ll see how that goes. Its getting warm here and the switch to shorts has been made.

Get fit! Learn how standing can help your back and lower blood pressure – JustStand.org

Geek Smack Sponsor board!

ZAGG use code "Geekazine"
Get a Roku - Prices start at $49
Gear I use: Check out Jeffrey Powers page at B&H Audio and Video
Check out the Geekazine Store

Hotline – 608-205-4378 – geekazine (at) gmail.com

Download the audio version

Subscribe to the podcast via: iTunes – TechPodcasts – Stitcher
You can catch me on Twitter @geekazine – Facebook Group – About.Me
Other shows: Day in Tech History – Geekazine Special Media Feed – iPad365

Geek Smack! episode 261 Tech News:

Adobe Creative Cloud
Will retire the Creative Services (CS) disc license system and go Cloud subscription only – for $50 a month
3D Gun Fired
Is making a gun on a 3D printer a good idea?
Samsung Buys MOVL
Mobile company is going to incorporate more Swipe to TV technologies
iPad is “Frustrating”
Bill Gates thinks people will switch to Windows 8 tablets because they are frustrated with iOS devices.
Extract Human DNA
Machine will separate DNA easier and faster.
EA Gets Star Wars
EA has exclusive rights to make Star Wars games
USCellular Gets iPhone
Virgin, T-Mobile and now USCelluar get the Apple iPhone
Apple Sued Again
National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan is suing Apple for video compression in Facetime, Quicktime
LEGO VW
This LEGO creation is a VW bus AND an Imperial Walker

Geek Smack! Geek News

The Onion Was Hacked
Satirical news source’s Facebook and Twitter were compromised. Not sure why…
Aereo Sues CBS
Online local TV website files a complaint to curb CBS lawsuits
Beam USB LTE
USB dongle costs $20 plus two year contract
Time Warner Eyes Aereo
CEO is watching Aereo’s business model in thoughts to duplicate. Game changer?
YouTube Subscriptions
Next week YouTube will allow some content creators to put a subscription model on their shows. Will you pay?
Prenda Trolls
Judge issues 11 page document to get Prenda Law fixed
3D Cube Comes to Staples
Small form 3D printing in the cube is available for purchase starting at $1299
Best Movies of All Time?
This subway map makes a stop at all the best movies. Which ones have you seen?

Geek Smack: Senate Passes Sales Tax Bill. One Step Closer

The final number was 69 to 27 as Congress passed Online Sales Tax. This would be required for online stores to add Sales Tax from your state. It’s now on to the House of Representatives where its going to go through further debate.

Right now you are required to pay Sales tax on anything you buy, but do you do it? Did you even know that you were suppose to?

So this can mean if you run an online store that you have to put in some algorithm to figure out where the customer is from and then add the tax. You then will have to report that tax to each state you sold items in.

Will this mean Internet companies might locate outside the US? Will companies outside the US have to deal with Sales Tax?

This bill is in debate partly because of the Commerce Clause. It says in Section 8: The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States.

This tax will supersede whatever the state thinks. That is one of the problems with this law. With some states that don’t charge sales tax, they are opposed to this bill.

The real question is if this will change how people shop. If Amazon still has 2 day shipping and great deals – even with Sales Tax – then I still might just purchase from there.

Online Sales Tax How, Why and Will it Work?