Verizon Wireless iPhone 4 is here! (Almost)

AT&T has been the exclusive authorized wireless carrier of Apple’s iPhone since day 1, but that is all about to change. Verizon Wireless will now offer pre-orders for the iPhone 4 as one of its authorized phones starting February 3, 2011 for existing Verizon Wireless customers then open up the orders to new customers starting February 10, 2011. The number of iPhones be allotted to Verizon Wireless for this no-longer-a-monopoly is not being divulged.
Read between the lines and anticipate that the iPhone 4 will sell out quickly from Verizon, that perhaps only existing customers will be able to snatch up the devices, and that you might have to wait a very long time to receive them.

And then if everything turns out hunky dory and everyone who wants one is able to order and receive an iPhone 4 is a reasonable time frame then we can all be happy! That could happen! (It could.)

The cost of a Verizon iPhone 4 with a new 2-year contract and data pak is $199 for the 16 GB model and $299 for the 32 GB model.

One very important difference between AT&T and Verizon is GSM (AT&T) vs. CDMA (Verizon). With GSM you can carry on a phone call while you use the data portion of your phone. So, for example, if you are on the phone with a client you can look something up in email or on the web while you keep the call going. With CDMA you would have to tell your client you’ll call them right back, hang up, look up the info, then call them back to communicate the info. This is, unfortunately, the main reason why if you want to switch from AT&T to Verizon you can’t just activate your AT&T iPhone 4 on the Verizon network, and will need to buy a Verizon iPhone 4.

So, why exactly would you buy the Verizon iPhone 4 instead of the AT&T version? A few reasons:

• you strongly dislike AT&T for [insert your reason here, perhaps most likely because your phone calls drop every 3 seconds]
• your area has better Verizon coverage than it does AT&T coverage
• you’ve always been a Verizon customer and now the iPhone 4 is coming to Verizon!
• you enjoy change

One cool feature that deserves more than a bullet and that Verizon is hoping will attract new and existing customers is that their version of the iPhone 4 is able to be used as a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 5 other devices. This will slow down your iPhone 4 while you have the feature enabled, but this might make long car rides with family, friends, or co-workers much more pleasant.

The Verizon iPhone 4 will use the 3G network instead of 4G, but hopefully the iPhone 5 that is scheduled for a July 2011 release will catch up to 4G. Verizon has started rolling out 4G network for other phones in their line to help existing and new customers not be plagued by the slowdown that the iPhone 4‘s addition will undoubtedly contribute to, but 3G is *sad panda* news for those itching to snap up the current batch of Verizon iPhone 4 phones.

For more information about the Verizon iPhone 4 visit Verizon‘s Existing Customers page or their New Customers page, whichever is applicable to you. To view purchase information about the Verizon iPhone 4 visit their It begins page.

For less awkward reading I used Verizon in place of Verizon Wireless throughout this post. In all instances Verizon Wireless is meant in place of Verizon.

Image credit: Verizon Wireless

Want To Get Fit? There’s An App For That

Was losing weight, gaining muscle, or otherwise increasing your fitness level one of your goals for 2011?  Here are five iPhone apps that will help you accomplish your goal.

5 Great iPhone Fitness Apps

1. LoseIt – Keep track of your calorie intake and your calories burned with this handy app that comes pre-loaded with data for hundreds of foods, including restaurant items. You can also customize your own foods and recipes.  For me the best part of LoseIt is that it lets you add friends for your own built-in support group. LoseIt will even update your accomplishments to Twitter for you if you like.
2. RunKeeper Pro – RunKeeper Pro uses the GPS in your iPhone to track your route for you, much like an expensive GPS watch would do.  It can be programmed to give you audio cues for time and/or distance through your headphones, while playing music from your playlists.  You can program it to give cues for splits and intervals, and all of the data can be uploaded to runkeeper.com where you can view your entire activity history.  While the name indicates that the app is meant for running, it can actually be used for a wide variety of activities including cycling, skiing, hiking, skating, and rowing.  And right now, through January, it’s FREE! (regularly $9.99).
3. C25K – Most people have heard of the Couch to 5K program, but if you haven’t I highly recommend it for non-runners who would like to get into the sport. It’s a nine-week program that takes you from not running at all to being able to complete a 5K, and it does it by starting you off slowly and gradually working up to longer run intervals.  I love this program, and the C25K app makes it so easy because you no longer need to time yourself with stopwatch.  Just listen to the audio cues that tell you when to run and when to walk, all while listening to your playlist, through your headphones.
4. Couch to 10K – If you’re feeling a little more froggish, there’s also the Couch to 10K app.  This app has longer workouts than the C25K app, and it goes for 13 weeks instead of 9.  At the end of that 13 weeks you will be able to run a 10K without stopping.  Quite honestly, I use both of these apps and switch back and forth between them, depending on how I (and my trick knee) feel.  The C210K workouts are all around 60 minutes, while the C25K workouts run about half that time.
5. Jillian Michaels’ Slim Down Solution – This free app from Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels is loaded with tips, recipes, calorie blasting circuit workouts, and advice for Self, Science, Sweat, and Sticky Situations.  It’s not perfect, some of segments are obviously pieces of a larger excerpt, but it’s free and there is a lot of good information packed in this little app.

Apps can be a great tool to help you reach your fitness goals.  What are your favorites?

Featured Photo used under Creative Commons license by: Griffintech

iAdore iFrogz

Greetings and salutations and all of that funky jazz.  I’m Jill.  I’m very excited to be joining the Buy-Her review team and I’m looking forward to sharing my opinion on a plethora of products.  When I’m not out shopping for new gadgets to quench my geek thirst, I can be found blogging here.  I can also be found rambling nonsensical tids and bits on Twitter.

Now that you know who I am, I’d like to tell you about one of my favorite things.  It’s no secret that the iPhone 4 is the phone to have right now.  I happen to be an Apple fanatic.  I have an iMac, a Mini Mac, iPod Touch 64gb and now the iPhone 4. I treasure my Apple products and I like to make certain that they’re well protected.  This is where iFrogz hops into the picture.  Before my iPhone 4 was ever delivered, I had my iFrogz Luxe Lean Case purchased.  Do you know how difficult it is to look at an empty phone case every day for 14 days while you’re waiting for it’s companion to be shipped? It’s excruciating!  That’s not the point of this review though.  My point is, and I do have one, the iFrogz Luxe Lean Case is perfect.  It’s very sleek and stylish.  I love the smoothness of the case and the fact that it almost has a satin-like feel to it.  It slides easily into the pocket of my jeans and doesn’t get hung up or caught by the fabric.

With the iFrogz case, I feel as though my phone has the ultimate protection.  I went as far as to buy a second silicone case that fits over the Luxe Lean case.  It gives me a double layer of protection for my iPhone.  I’ve dropped my phone once (why yes, yes I did just about have a coronary when this happened) and my phone was perfectly alright.  With any other phone that I’ve dropped,  I’ve always ended up with a scratch or a ding.  iFrogz protected my iPhone as though it were a newborn baby.  Who doesn’t want that kind of protection?

The iFrogz case allows access to all ports, sensors and buttons.  Even with the extra silicone guard over the Luxe Lean Case, I have no issue plugging the phone into the charger.  As I stated above, I also have the iPod Touch.  Up until recently, I had another brand name case on my iPod.  Each time I wanted to charge it, I had to take the case off because I didn’t get a proper fit between the charger and the iPod.  I have since outfitted my iPod with an iFrogz Swerve case specifically made for the iPod Touch 2G and 3G.  There have been no issues with the charger fitting into the iPod and I love the way the case looks and protects my iPod Touch.

I find the iFrogz products to be beyond reasonable in price in comparison to the amount of protection that they provide your device.  The case for my iPhone 4 lists for $24.99 and the case for my iPod Touch 3G lists for 29.99.  I purchased my phone case in my local AT&T store and I purchased the iPod case online direct from the iFrogz website.  Shipping was speedy, accurate and hassle free.

So there you have it.  The iFrogz line provides protection for your device at a price that is more than comparable.  The designs are sleek and eye catching as well as functional.  So take my word for it…if you’ve ordered your iPhone 4 and have to wait for delivery, kill a little time and pick out an iFrogz case to welcome your new baby to the family! You’ll be glad you did.

5 Holiday Gifts For iPhone Junkies

Chances are, you have at least one person on your holiday list who is an iPhone junky.

You can tell they’re an iPhone junky because you know what kind of freaking cell phone they have. They don’t call you.  They “call you on their iPhone.”  They don’t lose their phone or their cell.  They lose their iPhone – except they don’t, of course, because iPhone users are rarely far enough away from their iPhones to lose it.

Shopping for an iPhone junky can be difficult, because they already have the whole world in the palm of their hand.  Just ask them.  But, there is something that iPhone users love even more than their iPhones: stuff to go with their iPhone.

5 Holiday Gift Ideas For People With iPhones

1. iHome Docking Station and Clock Radio

I did a review of the iHome Docking Station and Clock Radio back in September.  I still love it.  I’ve since run into several readers of this site who have added it to their own wish lists because a good speaker system and iPhone compatible alarm clock is hard to come by.

The problem with most “iPhone docking stations” like this is that they are  made for iPods, not iPhones, and so you have to put your phone in airplane mode to use it, or endure the annoying buzz of interference.  This system is compatible with every single iPhone, way back to the first generation (what I had until about 24 hours ag).

The iHome docking station lets you play music over the speakers with impressive sound quality.  It also lets you wake to and fall asleep to specific playlists.  On top of that, it’s a great alarm clock that allows you to set two separate alarms and designated an alarm for a 1, 5 or 7 day schedule (no more accidentally waking up early on Saturday or forgetting to reset the alarm for Monday morning!).

The iHome iP9BR Clock Radio for iPod is $81.88 right now on Amazon. ($79 if you get it in silver.)  Buy it here.

2.  Mophie Juice Pack Case – Rechargeable iPhone battery

This is something I don’t have and want desperately.

The biggest downfall of the iPhone is that the battery isn’t removeable, so heavy users can’t buy extra batteries to keep charged.  The Juice Pack addresses that problem by giving you a fully rechargeable battery that doubles as an iPhone case.

Like I said, I don’t have this and have never used it.  But reviews online as well as reviews from people I know who have this product say that it doubles the battery life of your iPhone.

You can charge the case and the iPhone simultaneously and switch the case’s power source on and off to decide if you want to save your extra battery life for later.

The juice pack will add a little bulk to the iPhone – more than a simple silicone case – but the extra power you get is worth it for someone who uses their phone constantly.

Amazon offers a variety of colors for the juice pack that will fit the iPhone first generation, 3G and 3Gs.  Click here to see the full range.

3.  Bluetooth Stereo Headset

Another “don’t have, want badly” product for me. I’ve been looking forever for a headset that works for music and phone conversations, and isn’t plagued with reviews about a short product lifespan.

This looks to be the answer I’ve been looking for.

The Sony DRBT160AS Bluetooth Stereo Headset is perfect for iPhone users who like to run or workout regularly.  This headset gives you the ability to listen to music and take a call (although obviously not at the same time).  Headsets that do both can be difficult to find for the iPhone.

The “behind the head” design is ideal runners and the wireless aspect makes it perfect for just about anyone.  It’s also going to provide much higher sound quality than the stock ear buds that come standard with iPhones.

The Sony DRBT160AS Bluetooth Stereo Headset is $81.95 on Amazon. That’s more than $40 off what they’re charging at the Apple store for the same product. Buy it here.

4. iPhone Armband

Speaking of people who run – an armband case is pretty much a necessity if you’re the type of person who works out while listening to music on your iPhone.  Otherwise you end up trying to shove your iPhone down the back of your pants.

Trust me on this – not. comfortable.  Also not comfortable?  Having to dig down the back of your pants to retrieve your slipping iPhone while you’re in the middle of a packed gym.

Ahem.

ANYway, the Tuneband from Grantwood Technology uses a silicone case to secure the iPhone in place.  The case has a screen protector, but still allows you to access all of the ports and camera.  The band itself is stretchy velcro to fit most arm sizes.

Another fun fact: it comes in lots of pretty colors!  (Oh, and navy or clear if, for some odd reason, you’re not into pretty.)

The Tuneband is designed for the 3G and 3GS iPhone models.

(Hint – it’s cheap and a great stocking stuffer idea.  Jared.)

The Tuneband Armband with Silicone Skin and Screen Protector is just $16.99 at Amazon. Buy it here. (in pink, if you’re my husband.)

5.  Go Groove FlexPod: iPhone FM Transmitter and Car Mount System

This?  Is a freaking awesome device.

You plug the device into your car’s cigarette lighter (or power source if you have a newer, snobbier car) and put your iPhone into the cradle.  Your phone is now charging.  Yay.

BUT, more than that, the FM transmitter lets you play your music from your iPod through your car stereo’s speakers.  For those of you unfamiliar with the idea of an FM transmitter – it works good.  You should have it.

For those of you who know what I’m talking about – this is one of the more advanced models of FM transmitters and seems to have a strong locking system that makes it easier to find (and keep) stations available to play your music.

Added bonus: it turns your car into a bluetooth device for phone calls.  When a phone call comes in while you’re listening to music, the music fades and the call options come up on the screen.  Accept the call and you’ll hear the voice via your car’s speakers.  End the call and you go back to the music you were listening to.

The Flexpod (that’s the official name of this thingie) also has a USB port so you can charge other USB powered devices through it.

The entire iPhone cradle is held up on a flexible gooseneck device so you can hold your iPhone steady at multiple angles.

You can watch a video on how the entire thing works here.

The Go Groove FlexPod Car Mount System is $34.99 on Amazon. Buy it here.

10 Things Every Woman Needs To Travel

In the last few years, I’ve become an avid traveler.  Like anything else, the more you do it, the better you get at it.

How can you be good at traveling?

Watch someone who travels for business pack.  They never forget anything, they know what’s essential and what’s dead weight, and they’ve discovered all kinds of tips and tricks for making life out of a suitcase easier.

Whether you’re planning your first vacation in years, or cashing in your frequent flyer miles again, here’s a few things you can’t leave home without.

10 Things To Buy A Woman Who Travels

1. Hanging Toiletry Bag

Baggallini Hanging Cosmetic Bag

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Get Your Geek On: Shirts & Gifts For Bloggers

The Internet is a strange and wonderful place, filled with strange and wonderful people.  And not all of us are living in our parent’s basement anymore.

While blogging and the blogosphere haven’t gone completely mainstream yet (we all still have friends who “don’t get it” and use air quotes when talking about “the Internet”), our cool factor has definitely gone up in the last few years.

Here’s a few products to help you embrace our geek chic.

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Free parking apps for iPhone

I recently wrote a post for UpTake that featured top iPhone apps for travelers.

I’ve been obsessed with one of the free apps in that review ever since.

Specifically, Take Me To My Car.

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