Let the hive mind of Engadget get that for you.
"As someone who doesn't reside in the USA, I was wondering what would be the best way to get internet for my computer in the US for a couple of weeks? If it were Europe I know I'd look for some prepaid data. Is there anything similar offered by American carriers? A MiFi or a data SIM that I can tether from would work, but I'm trying to maintain a tight budget. Help!"
Too bad Steve is above the law... :/
@vvtopkar While I think Apple is taking much deserved flack for the antenna issue, I think this jackass should quit his attention whoring and spend his time (at least his staff should) on more important issues. This is just something in the news that he's trying to get his name attached to for free publicity.
@vvtopkar
Too bad this guy is only doing this to scrape re-election votes.
@vvtopkar
Whether or not he is, this letter will *hopefully* do something to get the word out beyond the tech-savvy crowd. God knows how many of the millions who bought the phone still have no idea about any of this.
Good on the senator for calling out Jobs/Apple on this complete bullshit manner in which they've conducted themselves over this debacle. Let's see the Fruit Footsoldiers try to sweep this one under the carpet. I hope now that this is out, there's people over in Cupertino scrambling to re-think whatever bull they were going to pull at the press conference tomorrow.
@vvtopkar
is it me or does engadget sound butt hurt in this article?
Oh no he didn't!
@dan828 yup, the open letter definately confirms that this was a bogus way to get some pub.
@vvtopkar
Dear Senator
Please worry about other major issues like the BP oil spill, and the crumbling US government, instead of a phones design flaws.
Sincerely,
Matt
@dan828 Agree. At least he could have waited until after tomorrows press conference..damn gloryhunter.
@tehslax Not just you and poor Laura sounds the most butthurt of the bunch
@whySoSerious hahahah, do you watch the news or read it at least. this story is all over the world.
i can understand why you would think only "techies" would know about it because you probably just read tech blogs and tech news. probably...
if you dont know about this problem, then you wont have to worry about this problem.
@MoonWalkerCTE Senatoh no he didn't
@vvtopkar Steven Segal and Steve Jobs stars in Above the Law 2.
@vvtopkar
Are you guys really upset when a senator fights for your consumer rights? Really??
@uckApple I believe a Senator can't do much about the major issues.
@vvtopkar
Hey Chuck: The antennae are two close together. Can you go back to sponging off your crappy country now? Thanks.
@whySoSerious
if millions of iphone owners aren't aware of the problem, it's probably because the issue is not affecting them.
@vvtopkar
Okay... I believe Apple is in the wrong with the situation but a letter from this schmuck is unnecessary.
Although, I can see Jobs' reply now:
"I OWN YOU!"
Sent from my iPad 3GS
@vvtopkar In a related story, the BP Oil spill has just gotten ten times worse because Chuck Schumer took 5 minutes out of his day to have an aid type of a letter.
I love this site, but really, you're using some pretty lame logic here Engadget.
@vvtopkar
He just wants to be seen. How about an open letter on that Oscar Grant decision the other week?
You know the only real problem with the iPhone 4 is that it is with AT&T. hopefully Steve has learned the lesson and They'll switch carriers for the iPhone 5
@vvtopkar
Sharks. They're emerging.
@vvtopkar
God I freaking HATE this ahole. I'm actually ashamed he's my senator.
@TomSawyer Cause you know, it's the carriers fault. or so the people will say.
people are too quick to blame their carrier. Lots of people complain about rogers and its bad service. 6 and a half years and i rarely have no service, oh and i can count how many dropped calls i have ever had (due to my phone) on my hands. People are lazy and wont report issues just wait for a fix and bitch about how much their carrier sucks.
Sheeple.
@Level 5 We're at war on two fronts, the economy is a nightmare, and the Gulf of Mexico is well on it's way to be destroyed. But this guy champions the iPhone Death Grip Crisis? Oh yeah, he has my vote. Seriously. I own an iPhone. Voting for him.
@vvtopkar - Chuck knew the golf Oil leak was finally stopped **BREAKING NEWS from AP** and had some spare cycles to devote to this pressing Apple issue. Sayin...
@uckApple uckApple for Senate!
@anonymouspam
I don't believe it is his business either... as much as a rip of apple is, I think the government should stay out of private business. As a matter of fact give up on net neutrality. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE A PRODUCT DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THAT COMPANY!!
@vvtopkar
El Jobso is just damn happy is not Chuck Norris the one scolding him, other wise he would Have to fix that friggin phone
@anonymouspam
I've never head of this fellow before (not living in the USA and all). My questions is... does this person have a track record of advocating for consumers? Does he have a track record of seeking publicity? Is this act in character for him?
@vvtopkar
If Engadget feels he is doing this just for attention then why do an article about it? oh yeah, because it is about apple, forgot.
@haas599 BP Oil spill? come on, this guy represents New York, not New Orleans....
@vvtopkar engaget post system is so wrong
@vvtopkar If you've looked at this guy's past, it looks like all he does is write letters and then claims credit for when something is done. I haven't seen him actually do anything else besides "calling for change" or "calling for an investigation".
@whySoSerious Google drones at its finest. Did you get your apps nuked remotely yet?
@vvtopkar
Just because the senator wrote a letter to Apple does not mean he is putting everything else on his desk on the back burner. He can multitask, you know. He's not an iPhone.
It's kinda sad that the negative tone taken by the article is totally shaping the tone of the most of the comments. Can't people think for themselves for a change? I, for one, am glad that my elected official is watching out for my interests.
@vvtopkar Well, at least that's what engadget thinks.
STFU Engadget and prove yourself neutral (at least) once by not supporting apple.
@vvtopkar
This is why New York state is so fucked up and has budget problems -- seriously why is this a matter for a senator!?
@tehslax SOOOOO hurt!
@vvtopkar this guy only wants free publicity :(
@Drago
AT&T has exclusivity until 2012. It's been reported here numerous times.
@whySoSerious Wait, you're calling tomorrow's press conference bullshit even before it happens?
So what, if they come out and actually do something that pleases pretty much everyone, I guess that means they responded to Schumer, just like you said, huh?
@tehslax
What did you expect from a writer who advocated mute contemplation as you bought your Apple goods instead of vocal protest and boycotts during the Foxcomm suicide crisis?
@Son Of a Gun Ever hear of The Gulf Stream? You know, major current that originates near the Gulf of Mexico, runs up the East coast of the US, makes its way over to Europe?
Even if you don't know about that, how can you think that the possible destruction of an entire ecosystem the size of the friggin' Gulf of Mexico wouldn't, in some way, affect more than a single city?
In any case, I agree with the sentiment that Chuck is just looking to get his mug in the press. This is an election year, right? I could not bring myself to vote for a public figure that wants to tell a private business how to run their company. Especially given how our current government is doing as far as "helping" the economy.
@whySoSerious
If you own the phone you ought to know whether it works or not. For most people this isn't their first phone!
The google sponsored smear campaign is getting ridiculous. Just block ad mob and google ads already!
@anonymouspam Yeah, the reaction to this is beyond idiotic. People piss and moan for their government officials to do things to help them, and when they do, people piss and moan that they have more important things to focus on.
People, this is about more than the iPhone. Him sending out this letter is stating that companies need to be held responsible for what they do. It is an attempt to prevent a corporation from taking advantage of the consumer. He's fighting for your rights and you are bashing him for it.
The response to this makes me think some people DESERVE when they get taken advantage of.
@vvtopkar
Yeah, but this senator looks like freakin Hannibal Lecter.
Just open the nice bottle of Chianti for him, and quickly step aside.
This very senator want's to push this 1984 style law as well, don't think he is a nice guy
http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/27/senators-push-for-tracking-of-pre-paid-cellphones/
Also, don't get disillusioned that he cares about you. He just wants to capitalize on cheap popularity amongst 2+ millions pissed iPhone 4 owners.
@TomSawyer Or, they're just living with the problem, thinking that it's "supposed to be this way".
Consumer Reports gave the iPhone 4 a bad review, unlike the Apple worshiping tech sites like engadget. Consumer Reports reviews are spread amongst the populace through word of mouth, much more than reviews by Apple-apologist tech sites. That word of mouth wasn't fast enough to prevent Apple from selling millions of defective devices right out of the gate, but that word of mouth is spreading, slowly but surely. Wait until Motorola makes "I'm a Droid, I'm an iPhone" type ads mocking the iPhone's attena. That'll really spread the word around.
The media has been giving Apple a free ride for years, under-reporting their many problems, but Apple has become too big for them to get a free pass anymore. Welcome to the big leagues, Mr. Jobs. Oh, and a more scrutinizing (non-tech) media is just the beginning. Here come the class action lawsuits, the government actions (the EU is licking its chops right now), etc.
The tech media will continue to defend Apple for a while; they'll be the last group to finally jump of the apple bandwagon and begin reporting on Apple objectively.