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iPhone coming to VerizonJan 15, 2011 (Beaver County Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- It had been rumored for so long that the moment when officials from Verizon Wireless and Apple appeared together onstage last week seemed a little surreal. But there were Verizon Chief Executive Officer It had been rumored for so long that the moment when officials from Verizon Wireless and Apple appeared together onstage last week seemed a little surreal. But there were Verizon Chief Executive Officer Dan Mead and Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook, telling the world that Apple's iPhone would finally be available to Verizon customers in just a matter of weeks. Those who blogged live from the press conference didn't mention the presence of angels singing hallelujah, but there's no question that the long-awaited marriage has generated a ton of discussion, and a ton of questions: How it will be used by Verizon? Will it be worth switching from another Verizon device? Will current users -- gasp -- give up service with AT&T, the previously exclusive service provider for iPhone, in favor of Verizon? Here's some information that might help you make up your minds: NUTS AND BOLTS The phone: A Verizon-specific version of iPhone 4, the newest model. Price: $199 for a 16 gigabyte model, $299 for a 32 GB model; those promotional prices require a two-year contract. Customers can also pay full retail price to get one unencumbered by a contract, but "full retail" equals steep: $499 for the 16 GB, $599 for the 32 GB. Plans: Verizon hasn't released specifics on service plans for the iPhone, but it offers unlimited data service for its other smart phones, something AT&T canceled last year. When: Existing Verizon customers will be given the chance to order an iPhone sometime during the first week of February. It'll be available in stores Feb. 10, although Verizon cautions that demand will be heavy. WHAT YOU GET If you're buying an iPhone from Verizon, you'll get much of the same experience as AT&T's iPhone customers -- the App Store, Apple's smooth native applications and, nearly everyone seems to agree, a more robust network than that of AT&T. There are some differences, and a couple fall in favor of the Verizon model: l Wi-Fi hotspot. The Verizon model will allow users to wirelessly tether up to five other devices to the phone, a goodie that AT&T doesn't offer. l Reliability. ChangeWave Research, a firm that tracks trends in consumer electronics, published a report last summer that says about 2 percent of calls made on the Verizon network drop; the figure for AT&T was just less than 6 percent. WHAT YOU DON'T There is no question that network reliability will be a big factor when folks try to make up their minds about the Verizon iPhone. But comparing it with the AT&T model highlights some shortcomings for the newcomer: l No simultaneous voice and data. The Verizon model will use Verizon's current network, which doesn't allow for voice service and data service -- checking e-mail or Web browsing -- at the same time. Those snarky AT&T commercials starring Luke Wilson were right; with the AT&T iPhone, you can do that, but with Verizon, you can't. l 3G in a 4G world. This isn't necessarily a Verizon problem. AT&T iPhones aren't using the latest generation of cellular wireless standards either, but with Verizon touting its new, fast 4G phones, getting excited about a slower, 3G device seems kind of tough -- especially when 4G models to be unveiled this year use the Android operating system, which has turned out to be the iPhone's chief competitor. l Slow and steady. And slow. Since there probably won't be a 4G iPhone for a while -- perhaps not until 2012 -- it's worth noting that 3G service on AT&T is quicker than that of Verizon. A test conducted last year by PCWorld checked download and upload speeds in 13 cities across the country found that AT&T devices could hit downloads at 1,410 kilobytes per second, while Verizon's reached 877 KBPS. IS IT FOR ME? The day after the announcement we asked some local Verizon customers whether they were ready to make switch to the Verizon iPhone; the responses ranged from "No" to "Maybe." Among those not ready to sign up was Moon Township resident Ted Ruggiero, who is A) happy with his Android phone and B) not happy with the prospect of a 3G phone when 4G is ready to take off. "If they were had come out with a 4G iPhone at the start, it might be different for me," Ruggiero said. "Instead, Verizon customers are getting an older product. I feel a little like I'm getting shafted." Chippewa Township resident Adam Logan won't switch immediately. He has a 6-month-old Droid Incredible, so changing right now would be expensive, and he said he'd take a wait-and-see approach before making up his mind. "I really like the Droid, and I think it would take a lot to get me to change," Logan said. "I might think about it when a 4G iPhone shows up, but by then there could be a Droid phone that's even better." Center Township resident Cindy Hall stopped by the Verizon store in the Beaver Valley Mall last week to inquire about when the iPhone would be available. She said her Blackberry is working OK, but she's tempted to try an iPhone for better Web surfing. "I use this a lot for e-mail, but getting on the Internet (on the Blackberry) isn't what it could be," Hall said. "I think I'd like an iPhone because of the ease of use." To see more of Beaver County Times, Pa., or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.timesonline.com. Copyright (c) 2011, Beaver County Times, Pa. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. 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