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AT&T vs. Verizon: Who Will Back Down First?

GeekSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:35:33 -0800

AT&T and Verizon clearly don't get along - after several commercials and one lawsuit, the feud doesn't look like it's ending anytime soon. Today in AT&T vs. Verizon drama: a new AT&T commercial features a checklist of reasons AT&T is better than Verizon, and why you, too, should believe that AT&T is the best wireless network in America.

Verizon's response:

"AT&T did not file this lawsuit because Verizon's 'There’s a map for that' advertisements are untrue; AT&T sued because Verizon’s ads are true, and the truth hurts."

I'm curious if Verizon will launch another counterattack, but at some point, one of these companies will have to give it a rest.

More Verizon Commercials Bash AT&T Service

GeekSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:44:10 -0800

Fresh off the heels of the Droid launch last week, Verizon just released its new holiday ads, featuring the same 3G coverage maps that appeared in previous ads.

The latest anti-Apple commercial features an iPhone banished to the "land of misfit toys." While Verizon did add a disclaimer at the bottom of the screen explaining the illustration (highlighted in the image), I'm wondering if AT&T will have similar issues with these ads. Not only are they showing the map in question from previous commercials, they're also taking a direct hit at the iPhone - and ending the commercial by showcasing their brand new phones.

To watch the controversial commercial, just read more.

Daily Tech: The Droid Invades the Nation!

GeekSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:05:51 -0800

Shoppers line up bright and early for the Motorola Droid - Engadget

TechCrunch writes an open love letter to the Droid - TechCrunch

Here's how you can scoop up a Motorola Droid for only $150 - CNET

Verizon has already promised tethering for the Droid - Wired

David Pogue says the Droid's design screams "Star Wars" if not "Darth Vader" - NY Times

It's giveaway time on GeekSugar! Log in for your chances to win one of these AT&T Smartphones - GeekSugar

AT&T Sues Verizon Over a TV Commercial

GeekSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:44:00 -0800

Who didn't see this coming? AT&T is suing Verizon over their recent ad campaign, playing on Apple's iPhone catchphrase "There's an app for that," and laying into AT&T's supposed lack of coverage. According to AT&T, the side-by-side view of maps showing each network's 3G coverage areas is confusing to consumers, leading them to believe that there are large parts of the country where AT&T doesn't provide service.

I can see how the side-by-side view of the maps could be misleading, but Verizon isn't fudging any numbers. The maps in the commercial show 3G network coverage for both providers. The difference is, where there are holes in Verizon's maps there isn't coverage. On the AT&T map, much of the white areas not covered by 3G, AT&T's 2G network is offered. Apparently Verizon did add a disclaimer to the ad, but AT&T is still dissatisfied.

AT&T's main goal seems to be to get these commercials off the air. . . Do you think they have a case?

The BlackBerry Storm2 Is Official - Coming This Wednesday

GeekSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:47:45 -0700

Get ready for another smartphone to take the world by storm - the BlackBerry Storm2 will be making its way to Verizon stores this Wednesday and will cost $180 on a two-year contract after a $100 mail-in rebate.

The second generation BlackBerry Storm is said to include many improvements from its predecessor, like the addition of WiFi, and a better, more responsive touchscreen. Oh and all of those annoying bugs and that the original BlackBerry Storm couldn't seem to shake? Those are said to be gone, too, especially with the latest OS 5.0 update.

Daily Tech: Windows 7 Goes On Sale Today!

GeekSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:06:16 -0700

Just as Windows 7 hits store shelves around the country, Microsoft debuts some new commercials - CrunchGear
The Beatles: Rock Band, doesn't seem to be selling as well as analysts had expected - USA Today
Men seem to like tweeting after sex - CNET
Verizon will be hosting an event on Oct. 28 when they will most likely announce a new Android handset - Gizmodo
Are you an old GameBoy addict who now loves her iPhone? Check out this spectacular phone case. - Technabob
Here are some very well-designed USB hubs - Unplggd
It's giveaway and game time on GeekSugar! Be sure to log in and play our Best Video Game Ever bracket! - GeekSugar

Verizon Announces New Android 2.0 Phone

GeekSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:50:15 -0700

Has the iPhone met its match? A new Android phone called Droid is on the way. It's a joint venture from Verizon, Motorola, and Google, and may be available by the end of the month. The phone, which is set to compete with the iPhone, will feature a pull-out keyboard and be available on the Verizon network. The announcement comes with an ad campaign calling out several iPhone's weaknesses - "iDon't take night shots. iDon't have a real keyboard. iDon't have interchangeable batteries."

The phone will run Android 2.0, and according to the Verizon site, features "video, directions, a 5-megapixel camera, and over 10,000 apps". There's no official release date for the Droid yet, but you can register to be notified when it's ready. Will the Droid - specifically targeted to capitalize on the iPhone's weaknesses - finally give Apple a run for its money? If any phone was going to, this could be the one.

To see the full-length Droid ad, read more.

Fun New "There's a Map For That" Verizon vs. AT&T Ad

GeekSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:47:56 -0700

Ha! Verizon is really getting cheeky. Not only has it copied Apple's "There's an App For That" ad campaign, but it's also gone head-to-head with AT&T saying that it has five times more 3G coverage in comparison to AT&T's spotty service. Ironically, when I asked you if you had ever experienced dropped calls because of bad cell phone reception, those of you with Verizon said that you haven't had any service problems, so maybe Verizon is on to something after all!

Which Cell Carrier Do You Use?

GeekSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:40:29 -0700

Obviously, I use AT&T to power my iPhone. I'm not saying that it's the best network out there (hello, dropped calls!), but it's the one I prefer to stay at in order to enjoy the Apple smartphone. What network would I prefer to be on? Probably Verizon - they really do have the best coverage and largest network on the market.

I recently read a story on Wired that reiterated this fact, and also pointed out that they may be the best network around, but they are at the bottom of the food chain when it comes to top-of-the-line mobile devices. T-Mobile is quickly moving up the ranks with their selection of Android phones, and Sprint is still in the game with the Palm Pre. This made me wonder - which cell carrier do you use?

Are Your Parents Becoming More Tech Savvy?

GeekSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:05:19 -0700

Are the tides slowly changing? Whereas just months ago we were commiserating about being our parents' tech support (not to mention guffawing over cartoon dads asking computer questions), it seems now that more and more parents are joining social networks like Facebook. My mom recently asked me if she should start tweeting, and she's dying for an iPhone, intrigued that her phone could do more than just make calls.

Verizon's latest commercial makes the most of this role reversal - the two kids are seen pestering their parents about spending too much time on their cell phones updating Twitter and Facebook. It's a satire, but becoming truer all the time.

Tell me, are your parents starting to become more tech savvy?