Why can't I get unlimited data? How can I get it?

For many people who make the switch to an iPhone, the concern arises, "Why can't I get unlimited data?" Well the question "why?" isn't as important as "how can I get unlimited data?".

Unfortunately, if you were with Verizon and are making the switch from a basic phone to an iPhone (or any smartphone), the unlimited data plan no longer exists. So you are SOL. If you currently have a smartphone, and signed that contract with the unlimited data feature, you can keep it. It's grandfathered in, and they won't change it.

With AT&T, the same rule applies (as far as they'd like you to know). They no longer sell the unlimited data plan. Same rule applies with a grandfathered unlimited data plan... if you have it already, you can keep it.

With Sprint (as of today), you're in luck. Sprint is allowing new smartphone users to still sign new contracts with an unlimited data plan. How long this will last for, I don't think anyone knows... so if you're with Sprint (or are anxious to switch to Sprint) --- get goin'! Although I personally feel Sprint comes in a clear 3rd place among the 3 major networks (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint).

So again, with Verizon I don't know of any fix that can help you get unlimited data if you didn't have it already. With Sprint, as of now, you can still get it. But with AT&T, if you don't have unlimited data and you're just dying to get it... there is a way! Now this may feel old fashioned... but it's been tested, and it works.

Remember the first iPhone?

Well with the 1st iPhone (exclusively with AT&T) the data plan was $20 for unlimited data. It is an iPhone only feature. It only runs on AT&T's EDGE network (or 2G)... and you can't just go into a store (or call AT&T) and have them put it on your plan. There is only one way.

If you can find one of these old iPhone's, you activate it through iTunes. You would need to place your SIM card inside of the iPhone, and simply plug it into iTunes. iTunes was the only way people could accept the data terms contract with AT&T of for the iPhone... and the only feature there was for this iPhone was the $20 unlimited data for iPhone feature.

Still today, if you find this old phone, place your SIM card into it, and plug it into iTunes, you'll be walked through the same process to activate this iPhone on your phone's number. Then you will have an unlimited data feature.

Now the question arises, "How do I get this unlimited data feature on a new/newer iPhone?" Simple: Now that you have unlimited data, you're grandfathered in. However you choose to get yourself a new iPhone (new purchase in store, online through carrier's website, or if you buy a used one and take it into AT&T to switch devices), you now have the unlimited data feature... and they will simply change your data feature to a 3G/4G feature that is unlimited data for $30/month.

THIS BLOG also shows the step by step process of activating a first generation iPhone through iTunes with AT&T. It is the only way to do it. Here are the basic steps, or feel free to go to that site to walk through it in detail (it's very simple).

When you first plug in the phone, this screen will appear (See above).

After clicking "continue", you will be taken to this screen (See above).

The next screen walks you through making sure you get the correct phone number set up with this iPhone.

Choose from the listed AT&T plans... this screen above shows for individual plans, if you're with a family plan, I'm not sure if it will show those options instead... but either way, don't worry about it. Your overall purpose of this process is to get the unlimited data feature. After you have that, you can call AT&T and ensure all lines are on the correct family plans or individual plans.

Here is the next screen in the process.... you can see here that the data feature is unlimited for iPhone (accompanied with 200 Text messages; if you have unlimited text or a different text feature, don't worry, it will override).

And last but not least, you'll eventually get to this screen that shows you've completed the process.

Now call AT&T and tell them you got a new iPhone; the 3G, 3GS, 4, or 4S model and they'll help you walk through switching devices... which will consequently upgrade your data feature to a $30 unlimited data feature.

What's not to love about iOS 5?

So the new iPhone 4S came out last week, and sales for this iPhone launch more than doubled that of the iPhone 4, with over 4 Million iPhone 4S's already sold! And although there are some distinct functions that only the iPhone 4S can do, it's operating system iOS 5 can be uploaded on the iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS (those are the two phones my wife and I have... so I'm aware of exactly how iOS 5 functions on both of them).

iOS 5 is a big deal! Before going into some of iOS 5's great features, we'll make a small list of the advantages you'd have with the iPhone 4S in comparison to the older generation iPhone's.

1. 8 megapixel camera/1080p video camera
2. The A5 chip (same speed as the iPad2)
3. "Siri" - one-of-a-kind voice recognition software

Those are the major differences.... all the other differences are functions that come along with iOS 5's software and these are fantastic!

1. iCloud (more on this in a moment)
2. iMessaging from iOS 5 device to iOS 5 device (text on iPod or iPad)
3. Improved Camera and functions and Photo Editing
4. Quicker access to any alerts from lock screen
5. Newstand
6. Reminders

Now descriptions in more detail on each of these.

1. iCloud

iCloud stores your music, photos, documents, and more wirelessly pushes them to all your devices. Automatic, effortless, and seamless --- it just works. iCloud is so much more than a hard drive in the sky. It makes it quick and effortless to access just about everything on the devices you use every day. iCloud automatically and securely stores your content so it's always available to your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, or PC. It gives you access to your music, apps, latest photos, and more from whichever device you happen to be using. And it keeps your email, contacts, and calendars up to date across all your devices. No syncing required. No management required. In fact, no anything required. iCloud does it all for you.

2. iMessaging from iOS5 device to iOS5 device (text on iPod or iPad)

iPad and iPod touch join the conversation. With iMessage, Apple has created a new messaging service for all iOS 5 users. You can send unlimited text messages via Wi-Fi or 3G from your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch to anyone with one of those devices. iMessage is built into the Messages app, so you can send text photos, videos, locations, and contacts. Keep everyone in the loop with group messaging. Track your messages with delivery receipts and optional read receipts, see when someone's typing, and enjoy secure encryption for text messages. Even start a conversation on one of your iOS 5 devices and pick up where you left off on another.

3. Improved Camera and functions

Since your iPhone is always with you, it’s often the best way to capture those unexpected moments. That’s why you’ll love the new camera features in iOS 5. You can open the Camera app right from the Lock screen. Use grid lines, pinch-to-zoom gestures, and single-tap focus and exposure locks to compose a picture on the fly. Then press the volume-up button to snap your photo in the nick of time. If you have Photo Stream enabled in iCloud, your photos automatically download to all your other devices.

4. Quicker access to any alerts from lock screen

You get all kinds of notifications on your iOS device: new email, texts, friend requests, and more. With Notification Center, you can keep track of them all in one convenient location. Just swipe down from the top of any screen to enter Notification Center. Choose which notifications you want to see. Even see a stock ticker and the current weather. New notifications appear briefly at the top of your screen, without interrupting what you’re doing. And the Lock screen displays notifications so you can act on them with just a swipe. Notification Center is the best way to stay on top of your life’s breaking news.

5. Newstand

Read all about it. All in one place. iOS 5 organizes your magazine and newspaper app subscriptions in Newsstand: a folder that lets you access your favorite publications quickly and easily. There’s also a new place on the App Store just for newspaper and magazine subscriptions. And you can get to it straight from Newsstand. New purchases go directly to your Newsstand folder. Then, as new issues become available, Newsstand automatically updates them in the background — complete with the latest covers. It’s kind of like having the paper delivered to your front door. Only better.

6. Reminders

Next time you think to yourself, “Don’t forget to...,” just pull out your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and jot it down. Reminders lets you organize your life in to-do lists — complete with due dates and locations. Say you need to remember to pick up milk during your next grocery trip. Since Reminders can be location based, you’ll get an alert as soon as you pull into the supermarket parking lot. Reminders also works with iCal, Outlook, and iCloud, so changes you make update automatically on all your devices and calendars.

Basic Organization

iPhone has created easy ways for you to keep all of your apps organized. To move them around on your screen, simply place your finger on an app, and hold it for 3 seconds. All of your apps will start shaking/wiggling and you are then able to move them around from screen to screen or into different positions. If you would like to create folders, just drag the app onto another app of it's kind (utilities/cameras/games/etc) and it will create a folder. You can customize your name for these folders too. Above are some screenshots of how some of my folders and apps are organized.

Shortcut Typing is here!!!!

Do you have any idea how exciting this is?!?!

Once upon a time, I had a Blackberry, they were practically the only smart phone that worked at one time in 2007. I did not like it. But there was ONE FEATURE on Blackberries that I have yet to seen duplicated that I always loved: shortcut typing. With shortcuts, you can program different shortcuts to display whatever words you like! IE: type "mon" and "Monday" appears!

This is ideal for everyone who sends even a few texts a day or ANY emails! I create shortcuts for every word I can think of! "u" becomes "you"... "c" becomes "see", and so on! Now you can type in the lazy ways you like to, but your emails and texts will appear with proper grammar, spelling, and capitalization! AWESOME!