Yesterday after the Apple event, we received a tip saying the iPhone 5 wouldn't be able to do simultaneous voice and data over LTE, which mean Verizon and Sprint wouldn't be able to do voice and data at the same time at all, and AT&T and other GSM carriers would have to drop data down to HSPA in order to do it. It sounded strange to us, because almost every other LTE phone launched to date has been able to do simultaneous voice/data.
AT&T has aired their second iPhone 4 commercial since losing exclusivity and it once again pushes the concept of simultaneous voice and data. While the first one focused on a hapless husband who forgot his anniversary, this time AT&T features a man arguing with a friend over the phone and trying to use Safari to settle the argument during the call -- something that's not possible on the Verizon iPhone without Wi-Fi. (Which is admittedly a little easier to believe in this commercial's restaurant setting as opposed to the first commercial's office setting.)
While many have been waiting a long time for the Verizon iPhone, the same CDMA network that gives Verizon its terrific coverage and reliability brings with it a host of other problems, including the famous lack of simultaneous voice and data and limited international roaming, but also some lesser known issues such as split SMS messages and greatly reduced conference calling options.
None of these are new to the Verizon iPhone but they are new to iPhone now that it's on Verizon, and new to users who haven't experienced CDMA before. We'll take a look at them after the break.
The Verizon iPhone can't do simultaneous voice and data, something AT&T is quick to point out in their latest commercial. But how important is that to you? Many of us have Wi-Fi at home and at work or at school so it's not an issue but how about when you're out and about? If you're on a call how critical is it that you be able to surf the web, send email or get push notifications? (Or if the call is just deathly boring how much do you need the distraction of the web or online games?)
