blog.JacobBurke.com

Goodbye Verizon, it’s been a great 7 years…

Posted on: November 6, 2008 at 12:16 am | Posted under: Life, Technology
Tags: AT&T, iPhone, Verizon Wireless

For those of you that don’t follow me on Twitter @jacobburke, then you are not aware of the switch that I made on Tuesday over to AT&T.  After 7 years of locked down phones, trying to sweet-talk customer service representatives and who knows how many handsets, I have walked away from the big V.

My most recent issue with Verizon over the weekend was the last nail in the coffin.  I had enough of being told one thing and then another.  I was sick of being financially stunned each month with crazy fees and outrageous charges.  I got an iPhone.

I took a sip of the Cupertino kool-aid when I purchased iPods, yesterday I took a gulp out of that same cup by getting the iPhone.  I have yet to drink the whole thing and buy a Mac, just not ready to fully join the Apple empire.

I will admit that in the past 24 hours, I am really liking the phone and the AT&T reps have been great.

I still can’t believe I did it, after all of the hating on AT&T and the iPhone - I just figured if I couldn’t beat them, then I might as well join.

Cheers!

Apple’s new service…

Posted on: August 5, 2008 at 9:31 am | Posted under: Rants, Technology
Tags: Apple, iPhone, iPhone 3G, MobileMe

Released just in time for your cracked iPhone 3G.

iPhone…just maybe

Posted on: July 12, 2008 at 3:57 am | Posted under: Technology
Tags: iPhone

Thinking I might purchase the original iPhone from a friend.  Not going to worry about purchasing a calling plan with AT&T at this point.  I want to try out the device and the new software and some of the apps.  I would end up getting it for much less than the cost of an iPod touch and if I want to enable service later on, I would have that option.

I will hopefully come to a decision over the weekend, lots to think about.

Cheers!

Control is out of Apple’s hands

Posted on: July 9, 2008 at 2:50 am | Posted under: Technology
Tags: 3G, Apple, AT&T, iPhone, mobile, Verizon, wireless

Last year when the iPhone was released, a new precedent was set that took control away from the wireless carrier and gave it to the phone manufacturer.  This was something that had never been done before, and many people were singing praises to Apple for making it happen.

One year later: The control is out of Apple’s hands and back with the wireless carrier.

When the iPhone 3G was announced at WWDC 2008, I was a bit intrigued.  The new $199 price point and the 3G data option are big selling points for me.  I am a heavy data user and have always been pleased with the stability and speed of Verizon’s EV-DO 3G network.  I have always carried my smartphone (Motorola Q9) and an iPod, I need to trim this down to one device.

As the details became clear about how things would work with the launch of the second phone from Apple, I got depressed.  AT&T has taken back control of the activation process and is now releasing horribly produced videos to make sure that current and new customers are "iReady".

With all that AT&T is doing to take back control, I am still not sure that I will switch to the iPhone 3G this month.  I would be switching from a reliable network that has provided me with great service for over 7 years to one that has spotty data coverage and horrible customer service.  I wish that Apple never went with AT&T, because it is the one thing holding me back from an amazing phone that has everything I need in one device.

The power is back with the wireless carrier, and they are making sure that we are paying them for the privilege of owning one sexy piece of mobile technology.

Cheers!