iPhone News Updated

Verizon’s ‘iPhone’ has arrived!

Verizon’s ‘iPhone’ has arrived!

It’s sleek, it has apps and it’s running on “America’s largest and most reliable network.” Folks, I got my hands on what could be Verizon’s iPhone.

It comes in a larger size — up to 32 gigabytes!  It also includes a separate battery for the modem and it’s even slightly smaller than last year’s version, though it has a bulky 3G modem attached to the back.

Of course, the phone isn’t perfect. Sometimes the modem falls off so I suggest using either Krazy Glue or Velcro to bind the two pieces together. And you have to use one of those Voice-over-Internet Protocol services, like Skype, to make phone calls.

But with that special modem, the phone turns into a portable Wi-Fi hotspot so you and four friends can surf the Internet on laptops, iPod Touches or other Wi-Fi devices anywhere,  including traveling at 65 mph on the Interstate. In a test, I had three friends mooching off its wireless Internet!

Okay, yes, I’m obviously joking. Verizon isn’t coming out with an iPhone, although there have been plenty of rumors this week, including a non-denial from Verizon officials. But with Sprint releasing the Palm Pre tomorrow and Apple potentially announcing an updated iPhone next week, I thought it would be fun to show you how to build your own iPhone on the Verizon network.

I’ve been playing with Verizon’s new MiFi 2200, a mobile hotspot mentioned on the blog earlier (see “Wi-Fi hot-spot on the go for $15/day“).  When I held it next to an iPod Touch, I realized, hey, I’m holding a Verizon iPhone! The above scenario is completely real, but, of course, this isn’t an iPhone. I’ll post my full MiFi review later (hopefully) today.

While the initial price of $329 to $499 will set you back more than AT&T’s iPhone, the monthly price is much lower, at $40 to $60/month. That’s cheaper than, er, everyone else who sells an iPhone. You can also pay as you go for $15/day.

But the huge flaw is that Apple forgot to add a microphone! Fortunately, you can buy one an add-on like this one for $13, according to iPod-friendly iLounge.com.

As for its lack of GPS? No to worry. There’s an add-on for that.  The missing camera? There’s an add on coming for that. And Bluetooth? Yup, there’s an add-on for that, too (it’s called OS 3).

[Thanks: http://gadgetress.freedomblogging.com]

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