Will smartphones be the new PC Xmas gifts? - Page 2

urb · 2009-12-02, 04:36 AM

In the UK you can get iPhone on a few networks including O2 and Orange. So I'm assuming that AT&T are not a good network and have the exclusive deal on iPhones in America?

If that's the case, then ask Apple why they're doing a choice of networks over the pond and not in the USA.

I am technologically retarded..... behold, my glorious Sony Ericsson...

Cleo · 2009-12-02, 05:34 AM

That looks just like the Sony Ericsson that I had before switched to an iPhone. It was a great phone with a really good camera.

Yeah AT&T has an exclusive with the iPhone in the US but that ends this summer. There are lots of rumors floating around on what will happen then including rumors that Apple will release a phone that will work on both CDMA networks and GSM networks but no one actually knows. I'm actually pretty happy with AT&T but that is because they have very good coverage where I live.

cd34 · 2009-12-02, 01:46 PM

For the IPhone to work in the USA, there are a few networks that they could use. AT&T & TMobile run GSM (though on different bands). TMobile's network is tiny compared to AT&T. However, GSM is pretty well understood worldwide and is used in most European countries. One design, one radio, one spec to write code for.

Verizon runs CDMA, as do some Asian countries. In order to support Verizon, it requires different hardware and new API to access CDMA.

Then there's Sprint which runs EVDO, requiring a separate radio and API.

So, in the USA, we have 4 major networks running 3 different standards. And TMobile/AT&T don't even use the same GSM frequency.

In Europe, they have a fairly unified, universal standard which makes it easy to have one model of the IPhone that works on multiple carriers.

While I know a lot of people have had problems with the AT&T network, in South Florida, I have found it to be more reliable than Verizon and Sprint. I've not used TMobile, but, have talked with people that have and while call coverage is good, they routinely complain about SMS delays.

AT&T did approach Verizon and Verizon didn't want the IPhone with Apple's terms and conditions. With CDMA, there is no talk and surf, so, an early complaint of the IPhone would be a technical/network problem with Verizon.

Personally, if a droid or droid-like phone were on AT&T, I wouldn't hesitate.

HTC Lancaster was announced for AT&T, then held back until 1Q10 and recently seems to be shelved.

Apple did turn down iDroid

2009-12-02, 04:36 AM	#26
urb All the way from Room 101 Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 3,557	In the UK you can get iPhone on a few networks including O2 and Orange. So I'm assuming that AT&T are not a good network and have the exclusive deal on iPhones in America? If that's the case, then ask Apple why they're doing a choice of networks over the pond and not in the USA. I am technologically retarded..... behold, my glorious Sony Ericsson... __________________

2009-12-02, 05:34 AM	#27
Cleo Subversive filth of the hedonistic decadent West Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Southeast Florida Posts: 27,936	That looks just like the Sony Ericsson that I had before switched to an iPhone. It was a great phone with a really good camera. Yeah AT&T has an exclusive with the iPhone in the US but that ends this summer. There are lots of rumors floating around on what will happen then including rumors that Apple will release a phone that will work on both CDMA networks and GSM networks but no one actually knows. I'm actually pretty happy with AT&T but that is because they have very good coverage where I live. __________________ Free Rides on Uber and Lyft Uber Car: uberTzTerri Lyft Car: TZ896289

2009-12-02, 01:46 PM	#28
cd34 a.k.a. Sparky Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: West Palm Beach, FL, USA Posts: 2,396	For the IPhone to work in the USA, there are a few networks that they could use. AT&T & TMobile run GSM (though on different bands). TMobile's network is tiny compared to AT&T. However, GSM is pretty well understood worldwide and is used in most European countries. One design, one radio, one spec to write code for. Verizon runs CDMA, as do some Asian countries. In order to support Verizon, it requires different hardware and new API to access CDMA. Then there's Sprint which runs EVDO, requiring a separate radio and API. So, in the USA, we have 4 major networks running 3 different standards. And TMobile/AT&T don't even use the same GSM frequency. In Europe, they have a fairly unified, universal standard which makes it easy to have one model of the IPhone that works on multiple carriers. While I know a lot of people have had problems with the AT&T network, in South Florida, I have found it to be more reliable than Verizon and Sprint. I've not used TMobile, but, have talked with people that have and while call coverage is good, they routinely complain about SMS delays. AT&T did approach Verizon and Verizon didn't want the IPhone with Apple's terms and conditions. With CDMA, there is no talk and surf, so, an early complaint of the IPhone would be a technical/network problem with Verizon. Personally, if a droid or droid-like phone were on AT&T, I wouldn't hesitate. HTC Lancaster was announced for AT&T, then held back until 1Q10 and recently seems to be shelved. Apple did turn down iDroid __________________ SnapReplay.com a different way to share photos - iPhone & Android