Comments on: Is your hometown iPhone 3G ready?

By: Cabo Rojo, PR

Cabo Rojo, PR — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:53:52 +0000

In Puerto Rico we also have, Mayaguez and Hormigueros covered from the west area… most of Cabo Rojo is also covered! Why are these places (among much others) not on that list… and more importantly… if we have AT&T and Apple here… how come the iPhone is not making its way to Puerto Rico? When it was first announced it was said that it was coming! Confirmed by Jobs and the Apple website… along with information from AT&T and other News Paper articles (Caribbean Business, etc). What made them change their minds? Is Apple leaving Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands out again? Why? When? I know the economy is NOT at it's best… but if you are going global… why not start in your own backyard? Why?

By: NuShrike, Los Angeles, CA

NuShrike, Los Angeles, CA — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:37:09 +0000

It's articles like this that drive the ignorance of technology in the USA such as the Ace Wireless phone store in Gardena, CA that claims and will bet money (but not pay up) that AT&T has no 3G voice because the 3G isn't voice, and 3G isn't WCDMA.

3G IS WCDMA is UMTS is HSPDA that encompasses VOICE AND DATA. There is no dual-mode usage of GSM GPRS/EDGE data and 3G voice, nor 3G voice and 2G data. It is a one spectrum technology that performs both at the SAME TIME and is the major technological advantage over Sprint's/Verizon's CDMA-EVDO where the DO means Data-Only.

It's much like claiming the optical outputs from your receiver carry electrical analog audio!

The major issue is even MOST AT&T customer representatives do not understand this either and automatically assume if you talk about WCDMA, it has to be Sprint's/Verizon's network, and then hang up on you.

Now back to the point topic, from my experience in the SoCal area, actual 3G coverage is pretty wide-spread if you're either in a metropolitan area, or in a flat valley area (Riverside). However, definitely NOT in hilly points such as mountains north of Irvine, hilly routes of the 101 in LA, nor the underground subway system (unlike the rest of the world).

By: Shawn, Moscow, ID

Shawn, Moscow, ID — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:27:03 +0000

Where did this city list come from? It lists Pullman, WA but if you go to AT&T's page listed in the article, it is NOT 3G!

ex ped: It came from AT&T's list of cities covered.

By: Derrick, Greenville SC

Derrick, Greenville SC — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:09:33 +0000

This doesn't seem to be complete either. I had 3G on AT&T in Myrtle Beach, but it's not listed for SC.

By: Matt, Cleveland, OH

Matt, Cleveland, OH — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:44:19 +0000

Whoever wrote this article, as well as Scott McNulty of TUAW, is making the public more stupid. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VOICE AND DATA 3G. In fact, I have not a clue what 3G voice is! 3G coverage is 3G coverage, and that's it! Unless AT&T has started using VoIP over its data network, there is no such thing as 3G voice. Wow.

ex ped: The confusion stems from AT&T's coverage tools, which offers two sets of 3G maps, one for voice, the other for data.

By: Michael Koren, Durham, NC

Michael Koren, Durham, NC — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:55:13 +0000

Yuki of Pinehurst (7/5/08 at 7:59) – I would agree with your statement about the iPhone not being as good etc if you had instead phrased it as "I don't like the iPhone as other people seem to based on what I've read and heard". Saying it is not as good as others say is like telling the vast majority of iPhone users that they are full of it. Because you have not doubt noticed that iPhone satisfaction has blown away all prior satisfaction of nearly every consumer product ever made that has had a satisfaction survey. On the other had I fully agree with you about the next release because if there is any one thing that seems to be true in technlogy, ex=specially as Apple seems to have it wired, that would be that the next release of anything seems to be a significant improvement. Perhaps when that happens, it would be a good time for you to reflect on all that doesn't measure up to your standard and then find more reasons to dis it.

I have been using cell phones for many many years for personal and business use both here and in Australia and I can say that while there are aspects to the iPhone that I too would like to see different, implemented or improved upon, there is no question that for me at least it has raised the bar far beyond anything in this sort of technology that I ever imagined.

By: Yuki Pinehurst, NC

Yuki Pinehurst, NC — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 11:59:02 +0000

personally the iphone isnt as good as people say it is. It has no mobile tv like many smart phones now. this is because apple is notorious for finding ways to attach hidden fees for their products, like they want you to buy the shows for $2.00 a pop. It also has no Picture MMS. and the iphone has no replaceable batteries as with most all apple products. and honestly i think it is best to wait before buying the new iphone because watch, by christmas time rols around apple is going to realse yet another iphone.

By: John Baltimore

John Baltimore — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:37:15 +0000

Whatever you do, don't buy a BlackBerry. My trackball wheel is CONSTANTLY sticking, making it unusable at the worst times. It is a universal problem. Here is one of the many links http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2007/06/13/how-to-clean-your-blackberrys-trackball Buy an iPhone, buy a Palm, buy anything than a BlackBerry. You will be in hell (and btw, I have been a BB user for years)

By: Jay Marietta OH

Jay Marietta OH — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:56:07 +0000

Roy Said "90% of the population of the US would be served by 3G. 98% by next year."

While that is possible that is not really the whole truth. 90% of the population may have 3G in the area they live and/or work but travel just a few miles east – west – north or south and you get EDGE or none at all. So yea it may be nice for a large part of the population as long as they don't travel too far from a major population center.

BTW yes I am an AT&T customer – no I don't have an iPhone – yes I uses Macs – my area is EDGE only and 4G will be old news before we get 3G

By: AAPLpie

AAPLpie — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:20:28 +0000

any argument that 3G isn't worth it because it's not available everywhere on the date of iPhone release is hilarious. do you think new networks get turned up nationally overnight? amazing that anyone would think that capitalism isn't driving roll-out locations and schedules. if a few extra shillings a month are too much to trade-off for your time waiting for downloads, then save your money and buy a box of Cracker Jacks. sorry, but technology doesn't get held up until we are absolutely sure that every person in Montana has the exact same access as the guy in midtown. don't like it, then friggin' move. if you like the slower life in the country, then the slower downloads should fit right in with that lifestyle.