iOS App Shows 3G coverage from four carriers
Just discovered a very cool iOS app that can simultaneously display cellular coverage for four major USA carriers at the same time.
It work's great on iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone and requires iOS 4.2 or higher.
Future versions are likely to include 4G coverage, and there may be a version for Android devices.
For more information, check out the developer's website at technomadia.com
(click image for larger view in new window)
Apple iOS 4.2 enables multitasking on iPad
iOS 4.2 Software Update is now available and brings all-new features to your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. To upgrade your device, just connect it via USB cable to your computer which should trigger a check for updated software. Note: Apple's update servers are under heavy load as this post was being made, so be patient.
iOS 4.2 lets you do even more with the world’s most advanced mobile operating system.
Multitasking on iPad iOS 4.2 brings multitasking from iPhone and iPod touch to iPad. So you can be more productive as you work, have more fun as you play, or do a little of both. Everything happens smoothly and efficiently — without slowing down the performance of the foreground app or draining the battery unnecessarily.
Folders on iPad Now your iPad has more room for more apps. Move apps into folders with drag-and-drop simplicity to declutter your Home screens and keep your apps organized for fast access to your favorites.
AirPrint makes it simple to print email, photos, web pages, and documents right from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. A few taps is all it takes to go from viewing it onscreen to holding a printed copy. There’s no software to download, no drivers to install, and no cables to connect.
AirPlay lets you stream digital media wirelessly from your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch to your Apple TV and AirPlay-enabled speakers. So you can watch movies and photos on your widescreen TV and play music through the best speakers in the house.
Find My iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch — the MobileMe feature that helps you locate your missing device and protect its data — is now free on any iPhone 4, iPad, or fourth-generation iPod touch running iOS 4.2.3 Once you set it up, you can find your lost device on a map, display a message on its screen, remotely set a passcode lock, and initiate a remote wipe to delete your data. And if you eventually find your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you can restore everything from your last backup.
For complete details on Apple's iOS, visit apple.com/ios
Verizon Tiered Data Plan Offerings
Its rumored that Verizon Wireless will soon be offering tiered data plans as add on feature to their voice plans for feature phones and smart phones.
Here is a breakdown of those tiered rates based on information published by engadget:
Q: What are the new 3G data plan options?
A: Customers may choose from the following 3G Device Data plans:
3G Feature Phones -- $1.99 pay as you go or $15 monthly access for 150 or 150 MB ($15/150 MB overage) or $29.99 for unlimited monthly access.
3G Smartphones Plans – $15 monthly access for 150 MB ($15/150 MB overage) or $29.99 for unlimited monthly access.
3G Tablet Plans – $20 monthly access for 1 GB ($20/1 GB overage), $35 monthly access for 3 GB ($10/ 1 GB overage); $50 monthly access for 5 GB ($10/1 GB overage) and $80 for 10 GB ($10/1G overage).
3G Netbooks/Notebooks Built-In Plans – $50 monthly access for 5 GB ($10/1 GB overage) or $80 monthly access for 10 GB ($10/1 GB overage).
MiFi 2200 and Five Spot Mobile – $50 monthly access for 5 GB ($10 /1 GB overage), $80 for 10 GB ($10/1G overage) or as part of a 90-day promotion $35 monthly access for 3 GB ($10/1 GB overage).
There is lots more Q&A and analysis at the original engadget post.
High-Gain Cellular Antennas and Signal Amplifiers
Over the past 4+ years on more than a dozen RV forums, I've helped thousands of RVers get the most out of their 3G mobile broadband data service from cellular carriers like Verizon, Sprint and AT&T.
This post will summarize my opinion of the usefulness of gear that amplifies cellular signal for data devices like aircards and usb modems. While the info is specific to data service, much of the advice also applies to cellular voice service.
First let me point out that while all three major carriers continue to expand their 3G data service, not all of them are expanding into rural areas that many RVers frequent. I monitor press releases from the carriers that have to do with coverage, and I watch for RVers who report success/failure as they travel the nation. Based on my research, my opinion is that Verizon is still the most aggressive at expanding into rural areas, Sprint is a distant second, and ATT can hardly keep their city customers happy and put nearly zero effort into rural expansion. I make a point of all this because its important to understand that who you have as a carrier combined with where it is you like to travel, are probably the two most important factors to consider in deciding whether or not you will need to outfit your recreational vehicle with a high gain cellular antenna, a signal amplifier, or both.
Most RVers with Verizon's mobile broadband 3G/EVDO data service will find that as much as 90% of the time, they won't need any additional cellular antenna or amp to manage a connection -- but the further into rural territory they venture, the more often they will be connected to verizon's slower national access (1xRTT) service instead of the faster 3G/EVDO broadband access service.
With at least a high gain cellular antenna attached (to those data devices that have an rf/antenna jack), many RVers can still connect to Verizon's faster service and avoid the slower 1xRTT service. Is the faster service worth it? Some RVers consider it a hassle to mount an antenna outside their RV and drill a hole to run a cable to where they have their computer. Others don't really need the fastest possible service because rather than trying to upload/download large photos and videos (3G service preferred), all they use the internet for is email, instant messaging, blogging and forum watching (slower 1xRTT service is acceptable).
Earlier I stated that 90% of the time, Verizon customers won't need anything to manage at least a slow-network connection. What about the other 10%? having at least a high gain cellular antenna can help to establish at least a slow-network connection for another 5-7% of the nation, but for that last 3-5% -- areas far far away from a cell tower -- a signal amplifier will be needed in addition to the high gain antenna, in order to attain the highest speed connection available. If I were an RVer who demanded the fastest possible speeds in as many areas as I may travel, I would outfit my RV with a high gain cellular antenna and a highly-rated dual-band signal amplifier.
As I'm writing this post I realize how important it is that I make this point: no matter what equipment you buy, there is NO WAY to guarantee you can connect to a cellular network, 100% of the time. There are places in this nation that are simply outside of all carrier networks, and no hardware will turn a complete lack of signal into a useful signal.
The information/opinion I gave was very Verizon-centric -- What about Sprint and AT& T customers? Those who chose any carrier besides Verizon need to understand that their carriers have fewer cell towers in rural areas, and that fact alone means they need to consider high gain cellular antennas and signal amplifiers MORE OFTEN than a Verizon customer would. Without antennas and amps, Sprint customers will be lucky to find themselves able to connect to Sprint's slow-network 80% of the time, and AT&T customers... as little as 60% of the time. Mind you, I'm talking rural environments, not city or highway.
In a future post, I'll summarize my opinion on the different kinds of high gain antennas and signal amplifiers I've had the opportunity to do hands-on testing with... if you are an RVer with an urgent question, look for me on the Escapees RV tech forum as 'alexsian'.
Want to talk to a professional who can sell you high-gain antennas and/or signal amplifiers for any application? I suggest you talk to at WPSantennas.
VirginMobile planning unlimited mobile broadband for $40/mo
Samsung Galaxy Tab: first credible iPad threat?
The confirmed specs look pretty good for Samsung's Galaxy Tab:
The Galaxy Tab is being released in Europe first, and expected in the US later.
I love my 3G iPad, but I'd love it better with cameras and an SD slot...
