iPhone 3G, or why EDGE Sucks we want EVDO

illiterate · EVDO User Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 97

Won't stop the tech support for that cdma carrier getting calls "How do I put my iphone on your service?

deparson · EVDO Junkie Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 249

Not saying you are wrong but 3 years would be the ENTIRE lifespan of the device or more.

I just don't see Apple locking into one carrier for that long.

-D

illiterate · EVDO User Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 97

I think it's important to note that the european release is expected before the end of 07. There's no guarantee that it will be locked to the same degree as the US version.

The blackjack, a cingular "exclusive", is available all over the place unlocked.

While VZW has a us "exclusive" on the chocolate, plenty of unlocked chocolates make their way to the states from international retailers.

Michael · Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:30 am Post subject:

Interesting, "Report: Verizon Wireless rejected iPhone deal", almost 2 years ago, Apple approached Verizon to be the exclusive reseller:

http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/01/29/verizon/index.php
_________________
EVDO :: EVDO News :: EVDO Antennas :: Buy Verizon :: Buy Sprint :: EVDO Amplifier

spectrumwrangler · EVDO Newbie Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 10

75k - 128k is plenty of speed for a device with a 3 inch screen i mean how much bandwidth do you need to look at web pages and to view flash files?!!!

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2004

^Can't stream very good quality audio/video under 128K... I'm doing it today on Treo 700p.

Also, if you hookup phone-as-modem to laptop, it's not in the same ballpark as 3G phones.

spectrumwrangler · EVDO Newbie Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 10

EVDO is not 3g. 3g is not in America yet!

Scott · Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 3:27 pm Post subject:

Feefer · EVDO User Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 73

spectrumwrangler · EVDO Newbie Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 10

juanvaldez · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:30 am Post subject:

So I have my iPhone now and love it. But the EDGE sucks. I have a Sprint EX720 that I use for mobile broadband with Rev A speeds.

I just bought a TopGlobal MB6000 router that I'll plug this card into so that when I'm traveling by car, I can get Rev A speeds on my iPhone by having it connect via WiFi to the router.

Sweet!!

Michael · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:38 am Post subject:

We just spoke to a customer who is going to be doing EXACTLY that.

It is a great way to get around the slow EDGE.

Purchase a WiFi Router for your car (or office/home/etc). Hook up the iPhone to Wifi of the Router via EVDO and now you have your iPhone going at truely 3G Fast speeds!

Great idea!
_________________
EVDO :: EVDO News :: EVDO Antennas :: Buy Verizon :: Buy Sprint :: EVDO Amplifier

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2004

I played with an iPhone for a few hours and was blown away by the interface. It has set new standards in terms of usability. The cellphone industry will be pushed to improve usability.

I just wish it had 3G, replaceable battery (I've gone through 4 Treo batteries in 3 years, big mistake Apple), tethering to laptop and the OS opened up for 3rd party apps. And what's this about no A2DP bluetooth and exclusive SIM? Apple has become very proprietary. Can't use your own video codecs either, tied to Apple sponsored content.

Not a bad first gen phone but they made a major series of mistakes for power users. I have a feeling future versions will still limit you to an Apple-exclusive proprietary experience.

Feefer · EVDO User Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 73

I know EDGE is getting a lot of bashing (EDGE = slow), but I wanted to add a bit of test results to maybe help put EDGE service into proper perspective, based on the results I'm getting.

I was out on California's Central Coast with my iPhone this weekend, using the built-in EGDE service for comparing to Verizon's National Access service (I have a Kyocera KPC650 and KR-1 router combo, with National/Broadband access service for $60 per month).

First thing to realize: Verizon doesn't offer mobile Broadband service along the Central Coast, instead selling the slower National Access service (cjeck coverage maps and you'll see the area is being developed by Sprint for the faster Broadband service, while California's Central Valley is mostly Broadband EVDO for Verizon, but not Sprint).

As a result, I averaged about 100-120 kbps with Verizon's National access, while EDGE showed speeds of about 180-200 kbps. Latency for both was fairly large, around 600-1000 ms. So EDGE easily beat out Verizon, as all the speed tests for Verizon vs EDGE were showing slower speeds and larger latency with Verizon's service. This is rather interesting, as I was paying $60 a month for Verizon service even before it went EVDO in my town!

The point is, EDGE service is considerably cheaper (starting at $20 per month) and faster than Verizon's National Access, and a great value (especially if your town doesn't offer EVDO via Sprint or Verizon).

However, once I got back to my town (Bakersfield), I find my EVDO Broadband service offers downloads of around 1.0MB per second, with latency in the range of 300-500 ms. So in a EVDO area, the service is much faster, and browsing feels snappier, and downloads are noticeably faster (although EDGE doesn't feel as pokey as some are making it out to be: it all just depends on your area. Like I said, I paid $60 a month for Verizon wireless National Access service for many months, simply because it beats dial-up with the mobility advantage. However, it is noticeably slower than the maligned "slow" EDGE, which is actually faster, somewhat in between National Access and Broadband access).

FWIW, the wi-fi network for the Apple Store in San Luis Obispo was incredibly fast, with about 5 mbps on downloads, and 2.0 mbps on ups, with minimal latency. No doubt the store's wireless network is on a dedicated IDSN line, etc. Just goes to show that speeds are all relative, and after a certain level, increased speeds offer diminishing returns, as other factors come into play to limit real-world performance....

Furthermore, realize the EDGE network had much better coverage than Verizon's or Sprint's Broadband networks, by offering signals in more areas than the other two services. That's important, as it's nice to have a back-up signal for data, especially if you're using the service on the road (for maps, directions, etc). What's nice is the iPhone offers seamless switching, automatically picking up wi-fi when the EDGE service drops out, and vice-versa.

So don't be too quick to dismiss EDGE as slow or impractical: it beats the hell out of the non-EVDO plans by Sprint and Verizon, and offers better coverage, to boot. Furthermore, realize the iPhone CANNOT use voice and EDGE data channels simultaneously, while you CAN use voice and wi-fi simultaneously. Practically speaking, that means you'd have to place the call on hold to Google for directions, etc.

Bottom line: I probably wouldn't bother to bring the router and card to an area that's not EVDO, unless I just wanted a back-up. Pay $60 a month for a data plan that's SLOWER than EDGE, which is only $20 a month? That doesn't make much sense nowadays, with other alternatives.

boycott-walmart · EVDO User Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 63

Wonder why Apple didn't make clear to people the iPhone battery only lasts 300 to 400 charges and then you have to buy a new battery for $79 plus a $6.95 shipping charge!

This is from a MSNBC story:

There is a significant difference between iPod battery failure and iPhone battery failure. If an iPhone fails before two years pass, consumers will still be obligated to pay their monthly subscription fee to AT&T, regardless of whether or not they can use the service. Apple’s iPods have no associated monthly fee. And of course, for most people, living without an iPod for a few days is much more palatable than living without a cell phone.

The replacement fee does not apply to consumers who must replace the battery while it is covered by Apple’s 1-year warranty. But given Apple’s expectations of a 300-400 recharge lifespan, many iPhones will predictably require replacement during the second year of a contract.

Rosenfield also complained about other hidden iPhone fees: the iPhone return policy is only 14 days, as opposed to AT&T's 30-day return policy. And even consumers who beat that 14-day deadline -- say, if they bring the phone home and just can't get a working cell signal -- must pay a 10 percent restocking fee.

"We all love how cool Apple products look, but that doesn't mean there isn't something wrong with these policies that need to be recognized and addressed," Rosenfield said.

The rest of the story can be found at http://tinyurl.com/28yfze