All posts in: Cell Phone Plans

How to block calls and texts on your smartphone

Electronics
By Isabel Eva Bohrer on March 19, 2013 in

block unwanted texts and calls

Whether it's a former boyfriend, girlfriend or a persistent telemarketer, unwanted calls and texts can be a pain, and depending on your cellphone plan, an added expense. Thankfully, there are ways to block these calls or at least find out who is pestering you. The following apps and services will help limit the ringing of your cellphone. Availability may vary according to your cellphone model and carrier.  Read more

Apple iPhone showdown: Should you buy the iPhone 5?

Electronics
By Molly McLaughlin on September 12, 2012 in

Apple iPhone 5

Many of you probably already know whether you're going to buy the iPhone 5, but for those who aren't quite ready to pull the trigger, here's what you should know. The new iPhone 5 promises a lot: a bigger, 4-inch screen, but a thinner and lighter body than the 4S. Apple says it's faster AND has better battery life. It can finally access "real" 4G LTE. The camera's been upgraded and has a new panorama mode. And at last, turn by turn directions are built into the iPhone's GPS. The iPhone 5 will come with the latest software--iOS 6--built in. If you have an iPhone 4S, 4 or 3GS, you can upgrade to iOS 6 for free starting September 19.

The iPhone 5 can be pre-ordered starting on Friday, September 14th and ships September 21st. Here's what it will cost you: Read more

Buying and selling used iPhones: How to get the biggest bang for your buck

Electronics
By Brad Chacos on September 12, 2012 in

iPhone 4s

The iPhone 5 is almost here and if scads of recent surveys are any indication, plenty of people plan on upgrading to Apple's latest and greatest in short order. But what if you already own an iPhone? Well, you could repurpose it for other uses, as I outlined in a previous post, but iPhones hold their value better than virtually any other phone, so trading in your slightly worn handset could take part of the financial burden of upgrading to the iPhone 5 off your shoulders. Read more

T-Mobile and Sprint: Competing unlimited data plans compared

Electronics
By Brad Chacos on August 29, 2012 in

unlimited data plans

"Why would anyone want to limit the iPhone?" That's the question Sprint poses in recent television ads, highlighting the value of its unlimited, unthrottled data plans in a world where Verizon and AT&T have ditched unlimited plans in favor of pricier tiered caps and shared data. Sprint's not the only one who can play that card any longer, however; T-Mobile may not sell the iPhone, but it recently announced a new Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plan that's very competitive with Sprint's offerings.

Which is better for you? Let's see how the two carriers compare -- and highlight where one of them is playing with fine print to make your monthly bill seem lower than it actually is. Read more

Data share plans: not exactly moneysavers

Electronics
By Molly McLaughlin on July 25, 2012 in

Cell carriers

Last month, Verizon introduced shared data plans, which at first sounded like a possible money saver for its customers. Unfortunately, our research revealed just the opposite: most customers will pay more on the new plans. Now AT&T has announced something similar. Are AT&T's Mobile Share plans a better deal? Read more

With Windows Phone 8 on the horizon, does it make sense to buy a Windows Phone right now?

Electronics
By Brad Chacos on July 10, 2012 in

Windows Phone 8

Microsoft has spent a lot of time, care and money to convince the public that Windows Phone 7 devices are just as attractive an option as the iPhone or various Android-based devices. However, the company recently announced the next-gen Windows Phone 8 (WP8) operating system is coming by the end of the year, and it won't be backwards compatible with the hardware found in current generation models.  This begs the question: should you buy a Windows Phone right now or wait for the next version? Read more

Will Verizon's new Share Everything plans save you money?

Electronics
By Brad Chacos on June 21, 2012 in

Verizon's Share everything plans

Does every member of your family use a smartphone? Or do you access the Net on the run with several devices -- say, a tablet, a phone and a Wi-Fi USB dongle?  Up until now, the major cellular carriers have required each separate device to carry a data plan of its own, and at roughly $30/month each for a basic plan, that adds up quickly.

Earlier this month, however, Verizon announced it was rolling out new "Share Everything" plans on June 28th, which lets customers buy a monthly bucket of data along with unlimited calls and texting. Up to 10 devices can sip from the centralized pool. Sounds good. But will Verizon's Share Everything plans actually save you money? Well, that depends. Read more

Comparing Verizon HomeFusion Broadband with other rural Internet options

Electronics
By Brad Chacos on June 4, 2012 in

Verizon HomeFusion Broadband

For most people, stacks of AOL CDs and the not-so-gentle beep boop WHHHHRRRR of dial-up modems are things long since left in the past, and thankfully so. But while broadband lovers chat about streaming music and ditching cable for Netflix, 18 million homes across America still lack access to a high-speed Internet connection (mainly in rural areas). There's new hope on the horizon, though; recently, Verizon launched HomeFusion Broadband, a service capable of bringing the company's speedy 4G LTE mobile service into homes across the country. How does it stack up against other rural Internet options? Read more

Verizon pushes buttons by curbing unlimited data plans

Electronics
By Sage McHugh on May 21, 2012 in

verizon

The lucky Verizon customers clinging to a grandfather clause that allows them unlimited data for $30 a month might have to let go. Even though Verizon ended unlimited data plans for new customers in July 2011, they allowed old customers to keep their plans as long as they remained loyal to the company. But all this changed last week.

Speaking at the recent J.P. Morgan 40th Annual Technology, Media and Telecom Conference in Boston, CFO Fran Shammo said grandfathered customers who migrate off of 3G phones to 4G Long-Term Evolution LTE phones will have to give up their unlimited plans and purchase a data-share plan. This transition is expected to take place mid-summer. Read more

What's the latest in 4G LTE? Oh, and what IS 4G LTE?

Electronics
By Molly McLaughlin on March 5, 2012 in

cell tower

If you watch network TV, chances are, you've seen (or fast forwarded through) commercials for both Verizon's and AT&T's 4G LTE networks. (Saturday Night Live recently did a great spoof of Verizon's commercial.) 4G has been on carrier and smartphone manufacturers' minds for a long time now, and 2011 saw a lot of growth in terms of coverage and devices. We last looked at the 4G landscape back in May, and there's been a lot of progress since then, so it's a good time to revisit. Read more

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