unlocked

Verizon has no plans to lock unlocked iPhone 5

Verizon Wireless has no intention of hobbling its version of the iPhone 5, potentially allowing its customers to use the GSM smartphone on competing wireless carriers.

Verizon's version of the new iPhone, which was released on Friday, comes "GSM unlocked" out of the box, allowing it to be used on Verizon rivals AT&T and T-Mobile. While it was understood that this "feature" could be fixed via a future update, in much the same way Sprint did with the iPhone 4S last November, the nation's largest wireless carrier told the Associated Press it … Read more

Finding flaws in the iPhone 5

Monday's CNET Update is a bit scratchy:

Apple sold more than 5 million iPhone 5 units as of the first weekend. That's a million more than the launch of the iPhone 4S. But looks like Apple could have sold many more if there was enough supply. Several retail stores in major cities had only 8 or 10, according to reports, and didn't get enough to fulfill preorders.

When you have millions of people around the world racing to be the first to have one, there are high standards. So there's been quite a bit of press … Read more

Verizon iPhone 5 comes unlocked, usable on AT&T

The Verizon iPhone 5 comes unlocked out of the box, a Verizon representative confirmed with CNET today.

Reports have been trickling out over the last 24 hours or so saying that Verizon's iPhone 5 can used on AT&T's network.

A Verizon representative confirmed that it is "GSM unlocked" -- and that the iPhone is unlocked out of the box.

Of course, there are a bunch of caveats. This "feature" could be "fixed" via a future update. And AT&T's and Verizon's 3G/4G-class networks achieve different levels … Read more

Apple applies for another facial unlock patent for iOS devices

Your face is once again the subject of a patent Apple has filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The technology described in the patent, which was discovered by Patently Apple and AppleInsider, isn't all that different from one that surfaced from the iPhone maker in December, which described a method for users to lock and unlock their handsets with their face. However, the latest technology uses the front-facing camera on a mobile device to determine whether to lock or unlock the product.

According to Patently Apple, the front-facing camera takes rapid snapshots that then translate into … Read more

eBay sellers: iPhone 5 is yours for a mere $1,600

Those trying to cash in on the iPhone 5 craze have taken to eBay to sell off iPhone 5 devices even before they've gone on sale.

A check of eBay shows that the range of prices varies wildly. The secondary market thinks nothing of asking more than $1,000 for an unlocked 64-gigabyte iPhone 5 and there were was one going for $1,625. Unlocked 32GB models could be found for between $800 and $1000. Those selling unlocked 16GB versions of the smartphone were asking mainly between $900 and $1,000.

In the United States, Apple is selling unlocked … Read more

Apple reveals prices for unlocked iPhone 5 in U.S., Canada

If you're in the market for an unlocked iPhone 5, Apple has posted a handy tool detailing how much you can expect to pay for each configuration.

The Apple Store's comparison tool lists the 16GB iPhone 5 at $649, the 32GB at $749, and the top of the line model 64GB at $849. In Canada, where all models sold by Apple are unlocked, the same models are priced at -- in Canadian dollars -- $699, CAD $799, and CAD $899 , respectively.

However, those expecting to get their hands on Apple's next-generation smartphone soon will have to put … Read more

T-Mobile: Bring your unlocked iPhone over to us

T-Mobile USA badly wants to be known as an iPhone carrier, even if it doesn't actually sell the iPhone.

The nation's fourth-largest national carrier, and one of the few that doesn't offer Apple's smash-hit product, plans a big campaign to get iPhone users to switch over to its less-expensive service plans.

T-Mobile has long quietly welcomed unlocked iPhones, but it soon plans to dispense with the subtlety. Under a campaign titled, "Unlocked & Unlimited," the carrier plans to start carrying unlocked iPhones in its stores for demonstration purposes, air national commercials inviting unlocked iPhone … Read more

Google wins patent on face-to-unlock feature

Your face just helped Google win a patent.

The search giant yesterday was awarded a patent, called "Login to a computing device based on facial recognition," that describes a technology for identifying a person's face and delivering to that person full access to personal information on a device.

In order for the technology to work, Google's patent requires a camera that can identify a person's face. If that face matches a "predetermined identity," then the person is logged into the respective device. If multiple people want to access a computer, the next person … Read more

Smartphone battery life: 2 problems, 4 fixes (Smartphones Unlocked)

Imagine a smartphone that charges completely in 5 minutes and lasts a full 10 hours before running on empty. Crazy, right? Toting along the charging cord is just another part of life with 4G streaming and a power-hungry screen.

Back in January, Motorola's Droid Razr Maxx offered the first real glimmer of hope for long-life batteries with the 3,300mAh ticker that dwarfed the battery in any other available handset -- it ran for 19 hours in CNET's tests, a longevity that hasn't been reproduced since.

That leaves the question I get asked over and over again: … Read more

Why you can't take your unlocked iPhone 4S to another U.S. carrier

If I can unlock my Verizon iPhone so I can use it on a local carrier's network while I'm on vacation in Europe, why can't I pop in a SIM card to that same unlocked phone, and use it on AT&T or T-Mobile when I get home?

In this edition of Ask Maggie, I explain why the term "unlocked" doesn't really mean "unlocked" when it comes to the iPhone 4S.

Why a Verizon Wireless unlocked iPhone 4S won't work on AT&T

Dear Maggie, I have a Verizon … Read more