7 Differences iPhone/touch

The iPhone and iPod touch are closely related - and not just because they look alike. Starting with the iPhone 4 and 4th-generation iPod touch, they share the same OS, support for FaceTime video conferencing, Retina Display screens, and Apple's A4 processor. But, even though the touch is often called an iPhone-without-the-phone, there are some significant differences between the two devices.

While both the iPhone and iPod touch have two cameras, the iPhone 4's camera is substantially better than the 4th-generation iPod touch's. The cameras break down this way:

iPhone 4

Back camera: 5 megapixels, records 720p HD videoUser-facing camera: 640 x 480, video at 30 frames/second

4th Gen iPod Touch

Back camera: 960 x 720, records 720p HDUser-facing camera: 640 x 480, video at 30 frames/second

As you can see, from a photo-quality perspective, the iPhone 4's back camera is substantially better than the 4th-generation iPod touch's.

HDR, or High Dynamic Range, photos combine multiple exposures of the same image to create better-looking, more-detailed, more-accurate photos. The iPhone 4 offers HDR photos as an optional setting, while the iPod touch doesn't.

Here's the first category in which the 4th-generation touch has the edge. Its high-end model offers 64GB of storage, meaning you can hold about twice the music, movies, games, and apps as the iPhone 4, which tops out at just 32GB.

While the iPod touch can only access the Internet when there's an available WiFi network, the iPhone 4 can get online anywhere there's phone service. That's because it has a 3G cellular data connection that uses the phone network to provide Internet access. And, as that indicates, the iPhone has a phone, while the touch doesn't.

And though this gives the iPhone more features, it also costs more: iPhone users have to pay at least US$54.99/month in service fees, while iPod touch users don't have to pay any subscription fees.

Since it packs in more features, the iPhone 4 is a bit bigger and heavier than the 4th generation iPod touch. Here's how they stack up:

Dimensions (in inches)

iPhone 4: 4.5 tall x 2.31 wide x 0.37 deepiPod touch: 4.4 tall x 2.3 wide x 0.28 deep

Weight (in ounces)

This is an interesting situation. In some ways and with some models, the iPod touch is more expensive than the iPhone 4 even though it offers less. The only instance in which it doesn't offer less is when you take into account the iPhone's monthly fees - in that case touch owners are saving.

Upfront Cost

iPhone 4 - 16GB: $199 (with two-year contract)iPod touch - 16GB: $229iPhone 4 - 32GB: $299 (with two-year contract)iPod touch - 32GB: $299iPod touch - 64GB: $399

Monthly Cost

iPhone 4: $54.99-$99.99
iPod touch: none

Now that you know what the differences are, check out the reviews and then comparison shop to find the best prices on the device you prefer.

View the original article here

iPhone Plans: Regional Carriers

iPhone 4S

image copyright Apple Inc.

July 2012 UPDATE: With the ever-increasing number of small carriers offering the iPhone, this page is becoming impractical to update. As such, it will no longer be updated. If you're interested in finding out what regional carriers offer the iPhone--as well as what national, and pre-paid, carriers do--check out A List of & Info About Every U.S. iPhone Carrier.

While AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon are the major phone companies that offer the iPhone in the U.S., they're not the only ones. If you live in a number of regions throughout the country, you may have the option to get an iPhone 4 or 4S from your regional phone company. While not all parts of the country have regional carriers that offer the iPhone, the list is growing all the time.

These regional companies don't have all the features and coverage that their national competitors do, but many have close ties to the community, special programs for different populations in their areas, and--maybe most importantly--advantageous pricing.

All the regional carriers listed below offer the iPhone at lower prices than AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. While both the big companies and the regional carriers require a two-year contract to get the best prices, the smaller companies price their iPhones at about $50 less.

The big three charge $99 for the iPhone 4, and $199, $299, or $399 (depending on the model) for the iPhone 4S. The regional carriers charge $50 for the iPhone 4, and $149, $249, or $349 for the iPhone 4S.

If the promise of lower prices, or just service in your area if the big companies don't offer it, has piqued your interest, read on to discover what regional carriers offer the iPhone and what their monthly rate plans cost. (In most cases, an empty cell in the chart means that the company doesn't have an offering that matches. In a few cases, I haven't been able to confirm whether the company offers something in that area; when I do, I'll update the chart as needed.)

Matanuska Telephone Association$89.98
(800 min)
or $94.98
(1200 min)Unlimited Mobile-to-Mobile on Same NetworkPrice for Unlimited + 200/250 Texts + 3 GB+ Data
(before taxes and fees)

View the original article here

Set Up & Use iPhone Tethering

Now that tethering has been added to your AT&T account, you need to configure the iPhone to use tethering.

Turn tethering on by going to your iPhone's home screen and tapping the Settings icon (assuming you haven't re-arranged icons and put the app elsewhere. If so, go to it wherever you've put it). Select General -> Network and scroll to the bottom. You'll see a button called Internet Tethering. In iOS 4.3 of later, the option is now called Personal Hotspot. It should read "Off."

If it doesn't, make sure you've added tethering to your AT&T account properly. Call AT&T if necessary.

Tap the Internet Tethering/Personal Hotspot button. On the Internet Tethering/Personal Hotspot screen, you'll see an on/off slider and instructions on how to connect your iPhone to your computer to use tethering. Your options are WiFi, USB and Bluetooth.

Determine which of those you want to use. If USB, plug your USB cable into your iPhone (but not the computer yet). If Bluetooth, make sure Bluetooth is turned on for both your computer and phone (via Settings -> General -> Bluetooth). If WiFi, you'll join the WiFi network created by the iPhone using the password listed on this page.

Slide to slider to "On."

View the original article here

iPhone Without Contract Price

Most people assume that, when you buy an iPhone, you're also signing up for a two-year contract with AT&T or Verizon (if you're in the U.S.; there are lots of other carriers and plans in the rest of the world). That's because the attractive price of US$199 or $299 is advertised as requiring a two-year contract.

But it's possible to buy an iPhone without contract.

This is somewhat more common in the rest of the world, but it's possible the the U.S., too. The benefits of buying an iPhone without contract include that you're not tied to a two-year contract with a phone carrier, can pay month-to-month, and can switch to other phone companies whenever you want (though, as of now, AT&T-compatible iPhones don't work on Verizon, and vice versa).

The major downside, though, is that you don't get the benefit of the subsidized price offered by AT&T and Verizon. Which leads to the question: which is the cost of an iPhone without contract?

AT&T
16GB model - $599
32GB - $699

Verizon
16GB - $649
32GB - $749

While you won't find iPhones without contracts for sale on the Apple, AT&T, or Verizon websites, you can buy them in those companies' retail stores. You have to ask a salesperson for that option specifically.

Last Updated: April 6, 2011

View the original article here

Used iPhone Review: Gazelle

While my experience with Gazelle wasn't absolutely perfect, it was pretty close. Hard to argue with getting more than you'd expected.

Gazelle, formerly SecondRotation, is unique among the companies I've sold my used iPhones and iPods to: after I'd sent them my iPods, they judged them to be in even better shape than I'd promised and paid me more than they said they would. That's a nice surprise.

To sell your used iPhone or iPod to Gazelle, you visit their site, select the model you want to sell, and answer a few questions about its condition. Based on that, the site offers an estimated purchase price. If the price is acceptable to you, Gazelle ships a box and pre-paid shipping label to you to return the device in.

This step was where I encountered my only problem with Gazelle. Though I was selling them two iPods - a second-generation touch and an iPod video - they only sent a box big enough for one iPod. I contacted customer support, who told me to use whatever box I wanted and their shipping label would cover the postage. This was a little bit annoying as it made the process slightly less smooth and required me to buy a box, but it wasn't a major issue.

Once Gazelle has your device, it assesses it and emails a purchase offer. This was the stage where I got my good news - they wanted to pay $5 or $10 (I can't remember which) more than they'd estimated. Sellers can either accept or reject the offer.

If the offer is rejected, Gazelle returns the device. If it is accepted, Gazelle provides payment by check, PayPal, or Amazon gift card based on the seller's preference.

View the original article here

What is Retina Display?

Definition:

Retina Display - The name given by Apple to the high-resolution screen technology introduced on the iPhone 4 in June 2010.

Retina Display is designed to smooth the jagged edges of pixels are provide a higher-quality image than previously available on mobile devices. Apple claims that it's resolution is so good that it makes it impossible to distinguish individual pixels. The effects of the display technology are noticeable in many uses, but especially in text, where font edges are curves are substantially smoother than on previous display technologies.

Retina Display's image quality derives from a number of factors:

A greater density of the pixels that make up the iPhone's screenHigher contrast ratio than previous models for brighter whites and deeper blacksIn-Plane Switching (IPS) technology to improve viewing anglesChemically treated glass over the screen and LED backlighting to improve the quality of the image

Resolution
The Retina Display, as used on the iPhone and iPod touch, offers a resolution of 960 x 640 pixels. Since both devices have 3.5-inch diagonal screens, this means they offer 326 pixels per inch.

It's this resolution--326 pixels per inch--that Apple claims is the same as the human eye. The resolution was achieved on a relatively small screen thanks to pixels that are just 78 micrometers wide, according to Apple.

Claims Disputed
Some experts disagree with Apple's claims that Retina Display actually offers the same resolution as the human eye, pointing out that the iPhone would need varying numbers of pixels per inch, depending on how close it is to the eye, to mimic the human retina.

Use in Apple Products
Retina Displays are available on the following Apple products:

View the original article here

How Much Does an iPhone Cost?

Answering the question of how much an iPhone costs isn't as simple as looking up whatever Apple's latest listed iPhone price is. That's because the iPhone includes a monthly service fee, as well as different costs for buying the phone itself. So figuring out how much an iPhone costs requires some math.

Let's start with the basics: the cost of the iPhone. In the most recent version – the iPhone 4S – Apple sells three models, 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. The 16GB iPhone is priced at US$199 with a two-year AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon contract (these figures are all U.S.-specific. Different countries have other carriers and other costs), the 32GB model costs $299 with the same contract, and the 64 GB model costs $399.

But the cost of the phone itself isn't quite as simple as that. Those are the prices if you're signing a new contract, but there are lot of other situations you may be in with your current cellphone contract. Some of those include:

If you're switching to a new cellphone company to get the iPhone, you'll get the $199/$299/$399 price.Make sure you don't have to pay your old cell provider an early termination fee, though, since those can run up to $350.

If you already use AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon, but don't yet have an iPhone, you've got some options. First, check to see if you're eligible for an upgrade. If you are, you'll get your iPhone at the prices listed above. If you're not upgrade eligible, you've got a choice: either wait until you are, switch to a new carrier (though, remember, this may include termination fees), or pay the early upgrade price (usually about $200 more than the discounted price).

If you want to buy the iPhone without being tied to the two-year contract--which will allow you to pay for your service month to month and switch to other compatible carriers whenever you want--the phone can be yours for $649, $749, or $849. These prices are so much higher than the others because they're not subsidized. Phone companies pay Apple the different between the actual price of the phone (which is the contract-free price) and what they charge new customers as a way to attract new business. But, if you're not going to sign a two-year contract with them, they aren't going to subsidize your phone. So, contract free means freedom, but it means a more expensive phone, too.

Once you've purchased your phone, you have to factor in the cost of phone and Internet service provided by AT&T.

IPhone plans can include a $20/month or $25-$30/month data fee. You can then choose from $39.99/month for phone service on the low end to $99.99/month on the high end.

You also have to factor in text messaging plans, which range from $5 for 250 texts/month to unlimited texts for $20. This is optional, though, especially now that iMessage offers free text messaging to all iOS devices.

Since the common AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon contract is two years, that's what I'll base the calculations on. At the cheapest (cheapest calling plan, lowest number of texts, and data), a two-year iPhone contract costs $1,439.76. At its most expensive, iPhone service from AT&T costs $2,639.76.

This calculation doesn't include add-ons that carry service fees like text messages (which can add $10 or more per month to your bill), tethering (which adds $20/month), or insurance.

Here’s the breakdown of the total iPhone price over a new or upgrade-eligible two-year AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon contract (not including overages, tax, or additional charges).

AT&T: $59.99/month
450 minute plan $39.99 +
300 MB data plan $20Sprint: $109.99/month
Unlimited calling $99.99 +
unlimited data $10 +
unlimited text messages $0

View the original article here