Wireless

AT&T offers iPhone user a settlement in throttling case

AT&T has offered a settlement to the iPhone user who took the wireless giant to small claims court over its throttling practices for unlimited data users.

Last week AT&T sent a letter to Matthew Spaccarelli, a 39 year-old truck driver from Simi Valley, Calif., who sued AT&T and won his small claims case against the company last month. In the letter, AT&T didn't say whether it would offer him more money. But the company threatened to shut off his service if he didn't sit down and talk with them. The … Read more

Should I buy iPhone 4S now or wait for iPhone 5?

It's that time of year again, when anxious smartphone shoppers flood my inbox with questions about whether they should buy the current iPhone now or wait for the new version.

And with good reason. No one wants to be the dupe who buys the older version of a product a week before the latest model is introduced. In this edition of Ask Maggie, I advise a reader who recently lost his iPhone 3GS to the smartphone gods about whether he should buy an iPhone 4S now or wait another three to six months for the new iPhone to be … Read more

Will 4G LTE devices ever roam internationally?

It's true that today iPad owners, along with other 4G LTE smartphone and tablet owners in the U.S., won't be able to roam onto international 4G LTE networks while traveling. But will that change in the future?

When Apple introduced its third-generation iPad last week, it took the wraps off the first Apple device to get 4G LTE, giving the tablet super-fast wireless access on both AT&T and Verizon Wireless, even when Wi-Fi isn't available. But for iPad users taking their devices overseas, 4G LTE access won't be available. For some, this tiny … Read more

Nokia Lumia 900 launch pushed back until April 22?

Folks who hoped to have their hands on Nokia's Lumia 900 by the end of next week may have to have to wait a little longer.

A report from the blog Boy Genius Report says that the March 18 release date, which the site had previously reported, has been pushed back until April 22.

Nokia declined to comment on the rumors and noted that hasn't disclosed the release date of the Lumia 900. AT&T also hasn't officially given a release date or price for the devices.

Assuming the rumors are true, it's unclear why … Read more

Has iOS 5.1 turned the iPhone 4S into a 4G device overnight?

You say eether and I say eyether. You say neether and I say nyther.

AT&T says 4G; I say 3G. Let's call the whole thing off.

The confusion around 4G wireless networks rages on as the network indicator on the iPhone 4S changes from "3G" to "4G" after its update to the new iOS 5.1 software from Apple. In this edition of Ask Maggie, I deal with two questions from readers who are confused about what the icon change means for their iPhone 4S's and their service plans.

4G or not … Read more

What you need to know about the third-generation iPad (FAQ)

Apple debuted its third-generation Apple iPad yesterday, and many CNET readers still have some unanswered questions about the device.

The new tablet is set to hit store shelves on March 16. Apple has already outlined the basic new specs of the device. But there is still some confusion around what some of these new features are and how they can be used.

In this FAQ, CNET answers some of these questions and provides a basic primer on what Apple is calling simply, the new iPad. If you've got more questions regarding the third-generation iPad, let us know and we will update the FAQ. … Read more

The new iPad has 4G LTE, but should you care?

Apple has introduced its first 4G LTE-enabled device, the new iPad. But will the speedier network connectivity drive sales of carrier-enabled iPads? Probably not.

At its event in San Francisco today announcing the new product, Apple said the new version of the tablet will operate on 4G LTE networks from Verizon, AT&T, Rogers, Bell, and Telus. The 4G LTE network connectivity is significant because it means that users can stream movies or download files at network speeds between 5Mbps and 12Mbps, even when Wi-Fi isn't available. But at current prices, most consumers will still likely opt for … Read more

Apple's new iPad gets 4G LTE

Apple's new iPad will be super fast with support for 4G LTE service.

At its event in San Francisco Wednesday announcing the new product, Apple said that its latest tablet will operate on 4G LTE networks from Verizon, AT&T, Rogers, Bell and Telus.

There will be two versions of the LTE version of the new iPad in the U.S. One will be for Verizon Wireless, which has the largest 4G LTE network to date, with more than 200 million potential customers covered. The other version will be for AT&T's LTE network, which covers … Read more

Jumbo smartphones: Is bigger really better?

In this edition of Ask Maggie, I offer some advice for buying a new smartphone that doesn't require a crane to hoist it up to your ear. And I explain why Nokia's new 41-megapixel technology is on such a lame OS.

Dear Maggie, I've been using the iPhone since it first came out and have not looked back until recently. Now I'm considering switching. But I've run into a huge problem, every new phone is too big for my personal taste.

I would like the latest greatest flagship device, but it seems that every manufacturer … Read more

Verizon rivals to FCC: Halt review of cable spectrum deal

T-Mobile USA and Sprint Nextel have asked the Federal Communications Commission to suspend its review of Verizon Wireless's purchase of wireless spectrum from cable operators.

The wireless operators want Verizon to disclose more information about the marketing deals it struck with cable operators as part of its $3.6 billion deal with these companies hashed out late last year. The companies say the FCC should suspend its 180-day review of the deal until that information is made public.

In an FCC filing, T-Mobile and Sprint were joined by DirecTV and several consumer groups in asking that Verizon Wireless provide … Read more