February 2015 – Page 2

iOS 8 iPhone Facetime Data Usage: How Much Data You Consume

There are a lot of programs that let you make audio and video calls from the iPhone. This includes Hangouts, Skype and FaceTime. Most iOS device users prefer calling each other through the last program mentioned. Do you know how much data is used by FaceTime on iOS 8 firmware?

Ever since the release of iOS 7 Apple fans fell in love with FaceTime as it allows making free calls which you still have to pay your network for [if you are not using the unlimited data plan] because FaceTime data consumption takes the place with this VoIP call service.

About iPhone FaceTime Data Usage

This information can be useful to iPhone owners who are not on the unlimited data plans and make such calls on their cellular network. Since such users have to pay for their data, it is important to understand how good or bad their communication method is if judged by the amount of money you pay for it.

Here is an example of how much data can be used by FaceTime on iOS 8.1.3 or any earlier firmware version. A 6-minute audio call can take about 4MB data and a 5-minute video call can take about 42MB data. Based on your carrier’s data plan you can calculate how much one call can cost you.

How to Check How Much Data Your FaceTime Calls Use

Step 1. You can easily get the information on how much data your phone calls made via FaceTime consume. Apple created an improvement for iOS 8 firmware and this is what you have to do.

Step 2. Open FaceTime iOS 8 application.

Step 3. Select Video tab or Audio menu.

Step 4. There will be an ‘i’ icon. You can find it near the Contact Name. This information screen will show the details on your calls. You can see the history for both outgoing and incoming FaceTime calls including the duration of the conversation and data that was used for it.

There is a different method you can use. Just launch your Phone application and go to Recents where you will also see everything about the FaceTime video or audio call you have just made or got.

Upgrade to iPhone 6s Program Announced by Apple

Are you planning to upgrade to iPhone 6s? All U.S. carrier will soon offer this opportunity to customers who wish to bring their older model and exchange it to the newest one. The final iPhone 6s upgrade price depends on the smartphone working condition and other parameters you’ll learn more about once you bring the device to the carrier.

Apple upgrade iPhone 6s program also comes to the company’s retail stores. Every year the ‘fruit’ giant is offering the new generation handset. This year, for example, Apple releases two new versions: iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.

Networks offer different installment plans to make the upgrade fasterand simpler for customers. The Cupertino-based company is also helping out. The iPhone maker starts the special iPhone Upgrade Program in 2015. Through this particular program you get a chance to get the completely SIM unlock iPhone 6s or 6s Plus including AppleCare+ option. You’ll be able to pay monthly installment for the final cost of this handset.

Such a program was earlier available from carriers only and it finally comes to the Apple retail stores across the U.S. It is fun that you can the SIM free gadget. In other words, you don’t have to pay extra for unlocking it from a carrier.

Apple plan offers 24 months of installment payments. The monthly payment starts at $32. According to news, Apple will allow users upgrade to the latest gen gadget every year. This sounds interesting however it is not clear if you have to pay off your device after 12 months in order to get the next generation device or not.

We don’t know when exactly the program launches. The official iPhone 6s release date is September 25th. This could also be the date when you can come to Apple retail store and pick up your unlocked ‘s’ model.

iOS 8.4 Release Notes: New Features for iPhone Users from Apple

While developers are testing the first iOS 8.3 beta [the previous official iOS 8.1.3 can be unlocked], Apple is reportedly working on its next iOS 8.4 features trying to improve its mobile firmware for iPhone 6, 6 Plus and earlier models, iPad and iPod touch 5G.

There are no official iOS 8.4 release notes yet still rumors mention a lot of interesting options we might see in the future. According to different sources, the ‘fruit’ company is planning to add a new music service to its iOS 8.4 specs making the OS even better.

This next firmware version even has its codename. Some sources say Apple calls it Copper, and this operating system update should be unveiled soon after the Apple Watch official release which is planned for April 2015.

iTunes that has been also developed by Apple offers a lot of music to iPhone 6 and 6 Plus users, but since the company stopped upgrading its iPod touch line experts believe it can introduced a new music streaming service to current and new iPhone, iPad and future Watch owners.

There are no details about this project yet. We hear only rumors and suggestions. Maybe the first half of 2015 will bring something interesting and useful to all fans of music and Apple products. The time is so fast we won’t even notice it when the Cupertino-giant introduces its wearable gadget to public along with next OS updates.

How Much Data iPhone 6 Plus Generates Compared to Other Models

Different posts review iPhone 6 vs iPhone 6 Plus specs and compare these two models to earlier Apple products. The new iPhone is surely bigger than its predecessors but it also consumes more data. Customers who care about how much their smartphone needs data each month might be curious to learn about iPhone data usage based on the information from different carrier subscribers.

How Much Data iPhone 6 Plus Generates

The report has some interesting points. As most users note, the iPhone 6 Plus generates double the data of the other model, iPhone 6. At the same time, while this might not sound as ‘too much’ to some of you, compare it to the iPhone 3GS and you’ll hear that the 6 Plus consumes ten times as much as the early version of the smartphone.

Such huge iPhone data usage is pretty notable. It is understood that each new model ‘eats’ more data so when you are eager to update to iPhone 5S, 6 or 6 Plus you must be ready to this as your gadget will need a bigger amount of data than iPhone 4 or 3GS.

You should also keep in mind that users with the most recent models use their smartphones more time compared to users with older versions. Thus, users who have the iPhone 5S say they use it about 55% of the time and owners of the 6 Plus model assure they use it 80% of the time.

You can guess that it’s the phone itself that consumes too much, it’s just the fact that customers spend different time with their gadgets and this results in the monthly amount of data they consume.
Still, compared to old models modern customers consume much more. The 6 Plus customers use 10 times more than users who had the 3GS model.

How are you engaged with your smartphone? Do you use it most of your free time and at work or not? Will you choose the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus? How eager are you to pay much more for your bill if you upgrade to the 6 Plus?

Consumers have to answer these questions themselves before purchasing a new device. The carrier’s data plan bill will be surely bigger for the bigger screen device that generates more data if compared to the iPhone 6 users.

CTIA Established New iPhone Unlocking Policy in the USA

Have you heard of DSU and MSL iPhone unlocking methods yet? The rules offered by CTIA [Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association] in 2013 asked wireless carriers to unlock all iPhones based on requests from customers. You should know all about unlocked iPhones because the situation is changing slightly in 2015, and all American networks should offer two services, MSL and DSU unlock for iDevice owners.

What are the two new methods offering consumers? Here is everything about iPhone unlocking rules that become real this year.

Beginning on February 11, 2015 all out of contract iPhone users will be able to order free MSL unlock from their carrier. MSL stands for Master Subsidy Unlock. This new type of service should be available for free to all current AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon subscribers who are out of contract or paid off their iPhone by the time they request the free unlocking service.

All iPhone models should be able to be unlocked this way. After you request MSL iPhone unlock your carrier will provide you with a code. You will have to enter this unlock code to remove all the restrictions from your smartphone and start using it with any SIM card inside and outside the U.S.

Beginning on February 19, 2015 some iOS users will be able to order DSU type of unlock which stands for Domestic Sim-Unlock service. It will work only on DSU-capable gadgets which includes the iPhone 6 Plus, 6 and 5S. Earlier models of ‘fruit’ device aren’t supported.

DSU is automatic unlock that is provided via OTA update. Your mobile company will distantly remove the restrictions and you will become unlocked after you use over-the-air update option.

All these types of official U.S. unlocks for iPhones will be available to out of contract subscribers only or users who pay off the full price of their smartphone. Former and new AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon subscribers will have to pay for the unlock service for iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 5S, 5, 5c, 4S, 4.

Contract iPhone unlock is available through factory IMEI unlocking service only as it is not supported by American carriers.

Verizon Offers Lower Data Plans Prices for iPhone 6 Users

Soon after Verizon Wireless announced that it was planning to increase the activation / upgrade cost for iPhone 6 customers in the U.S., the same American carrier, the Big Red one, introduced its new Verizon iPhone 6 data plans with lower pricing.

The company has tweaked its More Everything data plans. The average price has been decreased by $10 so this fresh Verizon data plans prices look more attractive. The mobile operator has offered some other changes as well.

Will the new Verizon iPhone 6 data plans attract customers or act opposite making it lose its current and future subscribers? The idea about more expensive activation and upgrade policy doesn’t sound too cool. Still the company added some other options that do sound nice when you wish to use more data on your iDevice every month.

Here is more information on the updated Verizon data plan changes for U.S. customers who are to purchase iPhone 6 off contract or on contract.

If you were using the 6GB data plan and paid $80 a month for it you will be glad to pay $70 from now on. Users with 1GB-4GB plans should also be happy as their monthly cost has also dropped by $10 a month from the original price.

Those who are on the 8GB plan will pay $85 instead of $90 a month.

Only users who were on the 500MB will pay the same $20 a month.

The 10GB plan costs $100 and the 20GB plan is $140 per month. Users with the 12GB, 14GB and 16GB plan have to pay $110, $120 and $130 respectively.

All these effects are already going on. Edge plan subscribers can also get some discounts which is $5 less a month if they are on 6GB or 6GB+ plan.

New iPhone Unlock Eligibility Requirements in the USA in 2015

The new iPhone unlock USA eligibility requirements that start on February 11, 2015 should make unlocking easy, fast and simple for all customers. It was previously pretty hard to become SIM free directly from your mobile carrier, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular etc. The game is changing this year.

Users who will want to unlock their iPhone out of contract from AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile will have to meet some requirements, but these rules are simpler than it used to be. The new standards for iOS 8 iPhone 6 unlock that also work on all other models, including iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5S, 5c, 5, 4S and earlier models were announced back in 2013, but only in 2015 they finally become real. The set of requirements for unlock has been made by CTIA.

This new AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint iPhone unlocking policy works only for users who have paid the full price for their smartphone or are already out of contact. If you are still on contract, you can order factory IMEI unlock for iPhone 6 / 6 Plus and other models which is not free, but guarantees fast and reliable result that lasts forever.

If you are out of contract and your IMEI is clean you will have to call your carrier and ask it to unlock you whether by MSL or DSU type of service. The first one supports all iPhones [carriers will send special unlock code for iPhone users that should remove the restrictions]. The second method is the special auto unlock via OTA update that will support only iPhone 5S / 6 and 6 Plus models starting on February 19, 2015.

It is also must-know that only existing customers will get the free service from their network. New subscribers as well as former users will have to pay AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile for the chance to become SIM free even once they are out of contract and have a clean IMEI.

How to Protect iPhone 6 from Possible Theft in Big Cities

Customers always wish to protect their iPhone from theft and search for the most convenient way which can prevent third-party users from taking the device that belongs to someone else. According to the reports, iPhone Activation Lock that was introduced on iOS 7 [find out if your Activation Lock is enabled or not] and works on iOS 8 firmware helps Americans in big cities.

The ‘fruit’ cell phones are a target for pickpockets because of the high price and huge popularity. A lot of people wish to purchase a gadget from Apple and potential thieves could earlier steal and resell the smartphone after deleting user’s personal information.

You can protect your iPhone from thieves if you are running iOS 8 or iOS 7. The Activation Lock protection does help in New York City and San Francisco, as noted by one report. It states that 40 percent less of iPhones are now stolen in San Francisco and about 25 percent less of Apple smartphones are stolen in NYC.

Thieves don’t want a gadget that becomes locked and cannot be easily unlocked because of the protection feature installed by the iOS giant.
So once you buy a new iPhone 6 remember to enable Find My iPhone option on it which automatically turns on your Activation Lock option that allows no one unlock your Home screen without your Apple ID and passcode.

There are services that allow users bypass iOS 8 / iOS 7 Activation Lock but the fact that thefts had fallen in general is real in both the U.S. and the UK. Robberies still happen but the situation has improved.

Where to Buy iPhone 6 with Best Discounts in U.S.

Where are the best deals on iPhone 6 in the U.S. right now? There are so many stores and each one offers discounts once in a while. If you wish to get a bundling gift card with your purchase or need a cheap Apple smartphone [different models] it might be a good time to buy iPhone 6 in February.

Some American stores have nice iPhone 6 deals for February 2015. It might be impossible to buy iPhone 6 in USA online if you want it to have the biggest discount. The tastiest deals are offered in store so you might need to visit the store and make the purchase there.

Awesome iPhone 6 Discount in USA Target Stores

The two seven-gen smartphones that are running iOS 8 firmware can be bought with a $30 gift card and a nice discount. The offer lasts till February 14, 2015. You can get the locked 16GB iPhone 6 at $169.99 + $30 gift card. The 64GB and 128GB models will cost you $269.99 and $369.99 respectively. The 6 Plus models are more expensive. The cheapest 16GB variant starts at $269.99 and the most expensive 128GB version goes up to $469.99 plus a gift card.

Target also has attractive pricing on older cell phone models, with iPhone 5c offered at $0.01 and iPhone 5S reaching $49.99.
There is nothing to worry about getting a locked smartphone from Target. You can always unlock iPhone 6 AT&T or order Verizon iPhone 6 / 6 Plus unlock and become SIM free in almost no time.

iPhone 6 Deals at Walmart

Another American store also cut the cost for Apple gadgets. You can purchase off-contract iPhone 6 at $498.00 or pay $100 more for the 6 Plus model. The only downside to this sweet deal is that both gadgets are refurbished.
If you are not a fan of flaws on the iDevices you can pay $150 on top of this to buy the brand new iPhone 6 or 6 Plus directly from Apple.

Even if you get a never-locked smartphone you will still need to activate iPhone 6 within Verizon, AT&T or any other network. Being able to switch SIMs is really great, but this doesn’t mean that you have to avoid buying the locked models.

FCC Internet Net Neutrality to Get New Regulation Proposal

How can FCC Internet regulation protect net neutrality in the U.S.? Back in November of 2014, President Barack Obama urged the Federal Communications Commission to make up the rules that can complete this goal. Recently the Commission announced its FCC Internet net neutrality proposal. It is interesting that it also made it expensive for companies to block iPhone personal Wi-Fi hotspots not so long ago so hotels and businesses should now avoid such steps.

According to the FCC chairman Tom Wheeler, the regulations should remind of a public utility. As different sources mention, the new strong rules will not allow providers to make ‘fast lanes’ in order to provide faster speeds for money.

The new FCC regulations for Internet should reclassify high-speed Internet which will become telecommunications service instead of being information service. It will appear under Title II in the new Act.

According to net neutrality principle, Internet data must be treated equally. This topic has been widely discussed across the United States, and the FCC even approved ‘Open Internet’ rules in 2014. This should improve service and stop ISPs from throttling and blocking websites across country.

How will ‘net neutrality’ continue to enhance with time? Will it truly create transparency between providers and their customers in the future?

Right now the FCC is working on a new proposal that will be focused on neutrality rules and not on paid prioritization. The new proposal will be voted on in the end of February.

It is curious that the iOS giant, Apple, is trying to develop its own network and wished to work with different ISPs in order to professionally deliver content to clients and consumers, but such deal might not be allowed in 2015 once the new proposal is implemented by the FCC.