Very reliable sources have told me that Verizon is about to rock the Wireless industry with         several amazing 4th of July announcements. Nobody can deny that Verizon has one of the         most reliable networks out there. Up until now, they were one of the most costly though. It       was too easy to exceed your data allotment which meant no more data, or paying extra until the next billing cycle begins. Well, if what I heard is true, Verizon subscribers may want to send T-Mobile's CEO, John Legere a Thank you card and here is why...

Initially, T-Mobile was the only network that "throttled" or slowed down speeds to 2G. While the other networks bagged on them for doing that, T-Mobile's customers didn't mind. That's because even on T-Mobile's cheapest 2GB plans, if you surpass your 2GB, they simply slowed you down. Your data still works and there is no fear of ever getting charged overage fees. Sprint recently adopted the throttle approach and it looks like Verizon is going to do the same thing. I am hoping this will be the first announcement. 

If that wasn't cool enough, it appears that Verizon may also be implementing another T-Mobile exclusive, Roll Over Data. AT&T jumped on this the month after T-Mobile. This promotion allows what ever 4G LTE data you have each month to rollover to the following month.  If this is true, Verizon is likely going to attract AT&T and T-Mobile users like never before. Again, all of the above is speculation and goes 180 degrees against what Verizon CEO Fran Shammo said not even a year ago. Times change in the wireless industry and at the risk of being modest, I am rarely wrong with this kind of stuff...

While the other carriers use summer travel as an excuse to gouge customers with outrageous roaming charges and/or expensive “add-on” plans, T-Mobile just launched a ton of awesome perks for travelers this season. If you are going to Europe or South America, check this out...
 
From July 1 through August 31, TM  is unleashing unlimited high-speed data for T-Mobile customers traveling in nearly every country in Europe! That’s right, absolutely no extra charge for unlimited data and texting in the most popular destination for overseas travel. Unfortunately, users in Asia and the Middle East are not eligible for this promotion and will only get standard free 2G speeds. Customers don’t have to do anything to get this added benefit. 
 
You probably already know TM's customers already get unlimited data in over 140 countries with Simple Global. And now, on July 1, they've even added Belize to their list of Simple Global countries. That means customers never have to worry about data overages in ALL of South and Central America.
 
That’s a lot of summer love. And to kick it all off, they are even about to give every wireless customer in America a taste of what it’s like to be a subscriber of the "Un Carrier"
 
This weekend only (Friday, June 24 through Sunday, June 26) passengers on any domestic flight equipped with Gogo service can access a free hour of Wi-Fi from their smartphones, courtesy of T-Mobile. Yep, even AT&T and Verizon customers can take advantage of a free hour of Wi-Fi on TM, so they will get to see how much better it is to travel as a T-Mobile customer!
 
Connect to Gogo Wi-Fi during the flight and select the free T-Mobile option for a full hour of surfing the web to your heart’s content. With more than 33,000 flights scheduled for this weekend, that’s a whole lot of passengers who get to experience in-flight travel the way Un-carrier customers do every single day.
 
Face it, there is nothing your current carrier can do if you want a better deal. Every carrier, including T-Mobile, will now buy out your contract and pay up to $650 per line to cover the penalty costs of moving and leaving your current carrier. If it's time to bust a move, contact Joel for more details...

One Rumor has Apple replacing their 3mm headset jack with a lightning connector. Another has Apple reversing their decision because of public outcry and leaving it. I have also heard that the new iPhone may, or may not have improved camera optics with a new dual lens camera capable. My guess is the new iPhone 7 device itself will not be much different from the iPhone 6s devices. I believe the biggest differences will be on the new iOS 10 software. While this may not sound like great news, it really is. That's because anybody with an iPhone 5 or newer will see an improvement with their current device, once downloading the new software. Here are some of the benefits that you can look forward to...

1) Improved notification pane. It will be possible to see new messages, photos,  and videos etc... right from your home screen without having to launch into the actual APPS. Simply raise your phone to wake it up and see your notifications immediately.

2) Users can now hide APPS they don't want to use. It doesn't actually delete them but hides them, erases user data, and makes them dormant.

3) New Apple HomeKit APP allows you to control light switches, unlock doors, raise blinds, control temperature thermostats, and other home functions remotely from your smartphone.

4) SIRI is getting smarter. SIRI will better understand phrases and react accordingly. "She" will also soon work with third party Apple APPs. In other words, if you need a ride, ask Siri to book a LYFT or UBER ride. SIRI will soon be able to communicate with many Apple APPS. 

5) Apple Music will be improved with the addition of a new categorization feature. The simple, intuitive new design makes it even easier to enjoy your favorite songs. You can also view the lyrics while you’re listening to them.

6) Apple has integrated their 3d touch feature with applications making it quicker to open and access. Use 3D Touch in apps like Calendar, Weather, and Stocks for a quick glance at the information you need.

7) Apple Messaging also improved. Write it yourself! Send a message in your own handwriting. Your friends will see it animate, just as ink flows on paper. There's a cool "invisible ink" feature where you can send a message or photo that remains hidden until you swipe to reveal it.  Change the way your message bubbles look. Say it proud. Say it loud. Or whisper it.  Also new is Tapback. Just tap to send one of six quick responses that let people know what you’re thinking. You can also now send fireballs, heartbeats, sketches, and more. You can even draw over videos.

8) Apple improved their keyboard experience. Now you can type in two languages at the same time without having to switch between keyboards. Typing is quicker and easier than ever. When you type something like “I’m available at,” the free time in your calendar pops up as an option.

9) Apple MAPS improves. Book a table through apps like OpenTable, and a ride with Uber, or LYFT — all within Maps. Maps can make proactive suggestions for where you’re likely to go and the fastest way to get there. See what’s around the corner and easily find the closest places for gas, food, or coffee. Maps even tells you how much extra time it will take to arrive.

10) Apple News has improved. With all of the competing news alert APPS, it was only a matter of time before Apple addressed this issue. Easily find the stories that matter to you most, in distinct sections of the beautifully redesigned News app.

11) Apple Pay just got easier too! Shopping online is now faster, safer, and more private than ever. Just browse, then pay in your browser. 

Apple has already confirmed that this new iOS 10 platform will be released in the fall, probably the same time the iPhone 7 debuts. Again, the beauty of this software is everyone with an iPhone 5 or later, or an iPad Mini 2 or later, will be able to download this and improve their current experience. 
This is what makes Apple devices a bit more scalable than Androids.

Follow the latest Apple developments on our website, and/or Facebook page.

Can you, or your business afford an extended interruption in communications?
We have all learned from past experiences what happens when there is a natural disaster. Unfortunately, we now need to add terrorism to our list of potential disasters. In any case, it is a good idea to have a few contingency plans.  Past experience tells us that the sheer volume of phone calls is usually enough to take down both the landline and wireless carriers voice networks. Here are some Dr Wireless Tips when that happens...

Redundancy (AKA The Dr Wireless Law of Relativity)
Do not assume that your communication solution is going to work, just because you performed a "test drill" and everything worked fine during optimal conditions. Make a list of "go to" options should your landlines go down. Often times, the voice networks of the cellular carriers also go down because of over congestion. In these cases, it is often possible to still make cellular phone calls -  but over your carriers data networks, instead of their voice networks. Most of the newer Androids, iPhones and carriers are finally on board with Native voIP dialing.  I would try using this and/or Voice over IP solutions like Viber, SKYPE, Whatsapp, Telegram, Text+, Google Voice and dozens of others. Many people overlook the fact that their SmartPhone has HotSpot capabilities offering data capabilities.
My next move is taking a walk outside into a clearing and pulling out my GlobalStar GSP 1700 Satellite Phone.  It's even possible to send and receive e-mail via Satellite (see Below). 

Going Mobile 
Obviously, the reason satellite service usually works when other solutions don't is because there is no reliance on local infrastructure. The call goes 900 miles straight up to a satellite. Often times, if you are in a car with a cellphone, it is possible to drive from one busy cellsite to another that may not be as congested. Another advantage to an automobile is having access to 12volt DC power. This means you are not only able to power your device, but charge it as well.

Regardless of the disaster, make sure that you have plenty of bottled water on hand. I keep a lighter, candles, flashlights, and hand crank radio in my home and office for power failures. These days, with all of the "Push" news applications available, it's easy to get the latest news, providing you have wireless data connectivity. If you don't, that's where the "old school" radio comes in. For help in assembling your own Disaster Preparedness Kit, please visit our FEMA page.  Learn more...

Dr Wireless is an authorized GlobalStar dealer and has a great FREE Satellite phone offer with a one year plan. For details, contact Joel.

I'm always looking for good deals on great products and found one worth mentioning. I was looking for a great product for a father's day gift and found the perfect solution. CNET had recommended this Turtle Shell BlueTooth BoomBox because it was weather proof and sounded great. It also operates as a great sounding BlueTooth Speakerphone as it has a built-in mic.

In any case, this product is being offered two for the price or one at less than the MSRP for one of these devices. You can even order different colors for each device. 
http://www.cnet.com/news/buy-one-turtle-shell-2-0-outdoor-speaker-get-one-free/

I've been using one of these for about a week and the sound quality is quite good. Most people have no idea I am on a Speakerphone when using it with my iPhone. For a small device, it has pretty rich bass. My music sounds great and streaming video sounds much better than through my phone.

More Free Stuff...

T-Mobile subscribers should download T-Mobile Tuesdays from the App store (Apple or Google)

They are offering Free Medium Dominos pizzas, $15 Lift rides and other cool stuff. The catch... You can only get the stuff from their site on Tuesdays.

What do Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital and the University of Calgary have in common? Both were recently victims of the latest threat to businesses - Ransomware. In both cases, hackers took full control of their web and/or e-mail accounts. With Ransomware, the hackers take over e-mail accounts and company websites. They generally encrypt everything so access is denied. Then, they usually offer to sell the victims a decryption key, for a Bitcoin payment.

I recently attended a Cybersecurity training meeting that was co-hosted by the FBI. One of my questions was whether they had any success cracking Ransomware cases, or tracking Bitcoin payments. The answer to both was no. Obviously, both of these organizations have IT and legal departments. Hackers were still able to penetrate their organizations. I'm sometimes asked how can small businesses prevent being a victim of Cyber security crimes, if the "big guys" can't. There are actually quite a few things that can be done. Dr WIreless and Microsoft jointly offer Cyber security training programs in your office or ours. Most often, the breach is at the employee level.

The most common way hackers gain access is through company employees that are sloppy with security.  Confusing passwords often cause employees to write them on sticky pads they hide under a kleenex box, or hide in a book, on their desk. Inserting a USB drive may seem harmless enough, unless it is used to deliver Malware. One of the biggest problems is Phishing. If you get an e-mail from your bank, PayPal, e-bay, etc., beware of opening any links. Often times, hackers will produce e-mails that actually look like they are coming from an organization that you deal with but they are not. Never open links from pages like this without sweeping your mouse over the return address and right clicking if needed. Launch a fresh web page to the organization versus clicking in from an e-mail.

​For more information on how to protect your business from being a victim of cyber theft, visit or site, or contact me.

​Just when it seemed like T-Mobile had run out of stuff to give out, they did it again! This time they are giving out two things to both new and existing users. 
T-Mobile will give each new and existing primary account holder a single share of stock, currently worth $43.63. Customers with a post-paid voice account are eligible, which the company estimates to be roughly 11 million to 12 million people. If you're part of a T-Mobile family plan but aren't paying the bill, you're out of luck. Any T-Mobile customer can get a share of stock for each person they refer who signs up for service. You can visit T-Mobile's site and enter up to 10 numbers at a time of people you plan to refer. If they sign up for new service, you get a share. The company said it takes 24 hours to process a name.

Taco Tuesdays? Not quite but even cooler. T-Mobile just introduced T-Mobile Tuesday, an app that offers giveaways each week. Each Tuesday, customers will be able to get a free medium two-topping Domino's pizza, Wendy's Frosty, and a movie rental from Vudu, Walmart's online video-on-demand service.


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T-Mobile Tuesdays is an app that thanks our customers with free stuff and awesome prizes every Tuesday. The app is available now, go download it, because the first T-Mobile Tuesday is tomorrow! 
In typical Un-carrier fashion, TM partnered with best and coolest brands to thank their customers every single week. Brands that include Gilt, Domino’s, StubHub, Wendy’s, VUDU, Fandango, Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures, Lyft, and more. T-Mobile will announce new gifts and more partners every Tuesday!

Starting tomorrow, T-Mobile customers can carry out a FREE medium two-topping Domino’s pizza, FREE small Wendy’s Frosty, and FREE movie rental from VUDU! And they can get that free dinner and a movie every, single week until further notice. Read that part again: Free pizza, frosty and a movie. Every. Single. Week. I think this is so cool!!

Also, one TM customer will win a truly EPIC prize every Tuesday. Tomorrow, someone will win a private screening to Warcraft with 40 of their friends. And, we’ve got some other really cool prizes lined up. Prizes like a trip to Vegas, a trip to the MLB All-Star weekend in San Diego and a $10,000 shopping spree in New York in a private Gilt showroom.
As if that wasn’t enough, TM is  enhancing what is already the best wireless offer for travelers. Starting June 13, they are giving their customers the ability to access a full FREE hour of Wi-Fi on EVERY Gogo-equipped domestic flight.
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As you know, in-flight texting has been free for T-Mobile customers since 2014, but starting June 13, T-Mobile customers can email and go online with Gogo Wi-Fi for up to an hour for FREE. They're also beefing up their free in-flight texting to include some of the most popular messaging apps like iMessage, Google Hangouts, WhatsApp, and Viber. Texting and messaging works for the ENTIRE FLIGHT whenever Gogo service is available!
And it's all at my "favorite price" – FREE!! For details, contact me!

If you wanted to buy a car, the best deals always seem to be the last few days of the month when the quarter ends. In wireless, it's always between Thanksgiving and New Years, and then in nothing until great until June (Fathers Day and Graduation). Ironically, both of these promotions were previously offered but ended so quickly, we had to turn people away because both offers expired. Well, they're both back! 

Starting May 27, 2016 and for a limited time, eligible customers who buy any Samsung device on EIP (and add a line) can get a second Samsung device (on EIP or at FRP) of equal or lesser value for free (via rebate).  The Fine Print... 
Details

To be eligible for this offer, customers must:

• Purchase any new Samsung device on EIP.
• Purchase a second Samsung device of equal or lesser value on EIP or at FRP.
• Activate a new voice line on the same account to use with one of the EIPs during the promotional period(May 27, 2016 - TBA)
  • Activation and device purchase can occur on different days, but the second device must be purchased within 14 days of the first device.
• Submit a rebate on t-mobile.com/promotions using promo code SAMSUNGBOGOMAY16 within 30 days of purchasing the second device starting May 28.Attempts to submit a rebate before May 28, 2016 (or prior to 24 hours after device order(s)) will not work.

FREE Virtual Reality Samsung Gear with $50 worth of Oculus content
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Starting June 1 and for a limited time, new and existing customers will receive a free Samsung Gear VR via mail and $50 of Oculus content, when they purchase any new Samsung Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S 6, S 6 Edge, S6 edge+ or Note5 on EIP/JOD or FRP.


Important: Customers must have received their device and have the IMEI available to redeem the offers. The Fine Print...

Details

• Customers must purchase (any purchase option including at full retail price, with EIP, or JUMP! On Demand) a Samsung Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S 6, S 6 Edge, S6 edge+ or Note5 starting June 1 and for a limited time to receive a free Gear VR and $50 of Oculus content.
• To redeem this offer:
  • Customers must redeem on http://www.SamsungPromotions.com/FathersDay.
  • Customers must redeem with Samsung no later than June 30, 2016.
  • Samsung will ship the Gear VR within 6 - 8 weeks.

Contact [email protected] for details, or to place an order. T-Mobile will ships directly for Dr Wireless and will bill your monthly phone bill for device charges.


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