Verizon is once again reminding their employees and family members to put the customers first and refrain from buying a Verizon iPhone themselves, at least for the time being. An email memo sent out today to all employees says:

Focus on Customer Is Key to Verizon iPhone Launch

To help ensure we meet customer demand for iPhones, Verizon is urging employees and their families to postpone purchases of the popular smartphone, whether online or in retail stores, for the time being.

"Customers and non-customers alike have waited for years to see this product on America's most reliable wireless network," notes Verizon Wireless Chief Operating Officer John Stratton. "Demand will be unprecedented.

"Now it's here. This is our chance to show those millions of people what it means to be a Verizon customer — providing them the best network, joined by the very best customer service and support, all adding up to a world-class customer experience.

"Part of that experience is ensuring we're able to meet our customers' needs in the midst of what will surely be unprecedented customer demand.

"I know customers aren't the only ones who are excited – employees are, too. While I share your excitement, over the coming weeks we all need to do our part to meet our customers' needs — this means putting our customers first.

"After all, that's the way we do business. That's the Verizon Credo in action.

"This is an historic moment in time to rally together and show our loyal customers and new ones what our culture is all about."

Are you happy Verizon brass is putting your Verizon iPhone first, or are you just wondering how many Verizon employees or family members will sneak off to Apple Retail Stores on February 10 to snag a Verizon iPhone on the sly?

Verizon employees and family members being asked not to buy Verizon iPhone is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Curious how to watch our podcasts, iPhone Live and iPad Live on your iPhone and iPad? If you come here to TiPb.com on your iOS device you’ll likely realize we’re trapped in little, unsupported Flash boxes. However, there is a way to see and hear at least some of the show while mobile. We’ll tell you how after the break!

We use Ustream to stream our iPhone Live! and iPad Live! podcasts and they use Flash on the browser end, which is not supported by Apple and iOS. However Ustream has made an app that will let you watch the hosts video and everyone’s audio. Here’s how it works:

1. Download the Ustream Viewing Application [Free - iTunes Link]
2. Wait until about 9pm ET on Wednesday (iPhone Live) or Sunday (iPad Live).
3. Launch the Ustream Viewing app.
4. Search for “iPhone Live” (both shows use that name for the broadcast).
5. There might be several results, look for the one that actually says iPhone Live and tap on it.
6. Wait for the stream to buffer.
7. Watch along with us!

Unfortunately you can’t watch everyone at once and we’re using a different chat program at the moment, so you can’t watch and chat but we’re working on solving both those problems. In the meantime you can still keep up with both iPhone Live and iPad live on the go with your iPhone or iPod touch, or with your feet up on iPad!

Bonus Tip: You can also try watching via http://www.tipb.com/live/ with the Skyfire Flash-transcoding browser but we’ve had mixed results at best. [$2.99 - iTunes link]

If you have any questions or any other Ustream tips to share with us please leave them in the comments!

Tips of the day will range from beginner-level 101 to advanced-level ninjary. If you already know this tip, keep the link handy as a quick way to help a friend. If you have a tip of your own you’d like to suggest, add them to the comments or send them in to dailytips@tipb.com. (If it’s especially awesome and previously unknown to us, we’ll even give ya a reward…)*

Daily Tip: How to watch iPhone Live and iPad Live on your iPhone and iPad is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

iPhone Live! podcast is tonight people and we want you to show up and chat with us! 6pm PT, 9pm ET, 2am GMT so you better be there!

http://live.tipb.com/live/

If you have any questions or stuff you want us to make sure we cover tweet them to @TiPb, email them to podcast@tipb.com, or leave them in the comments below!

Bring it!

iPhone Live! podcast tonight! 6pm PT, 9pm ET, 2am GMT is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

AT&T announced today that beginning on February 13, their tethering plan will include an additional 2GB of data for no extra cost; in addition, the carrier will be launching AT&T Mobile Hotspot next to the HTC Inspire 4G (we’re hoping that means iOS 4.3 personal hotspot will be a go as well).

We want to extend the benefits of an additional 2GB to smartphone customers on our tethering plan. This delivers more value today for the price they’re already paying – and that’s what our customers want.

This brings the grand total to 4GB for the tethering plan. If you are already signed up for a tethering plan, you don’t have to do anything go receive the extra data – your service will be automagically updated and you’ll receive a text message informing you of the change.

Here’s what was in the press release:

Select smartphone customers will soon be able to connect multiple devices from their smartphone – via Wi-Fi – thanks to the new AT&T Mobile Hotspot application. The feature will first be available February 13, beginning with the in-store launch of the HTC Inspire™ 4G. Bundled with the AT&T Data Pro plan, customers will benefit from a total of 4GB for $45 per month.

So what do you think? Available only for the HTC Inspire at first? Or will it be available for the iPhone 4 soon.

Here is the pricing details on AT&T Mobile Hotspot:

• Connectivity for multiple wireless devices to AT&T’s mobile broadband network
• 2 GB of data usage for $20 a month, bundled with AT&T’s Data Pro plan ($25 / 2GB)
• The combined AT&T Data Pro plus AT&T Mobile Hotspot will provide 4GB for $45 per month
• 4GB applies to collective use among all devices
• Overage fee of $10 per gigabyte

Are you signed up for AT&T’s tethering plan and looking forward to this extra data? Was anyone switching to Verizon strictly for the mobile hotspot feature and now thinking of staying with AT&T? Sound off below!

[Engadget]

AT&T adding 2GB to tethering plans and launching AT&T Mobile Hotspot on February 13 is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

iFixDirect now offers red and blue color swaps for the iPhone 4, and they not only sent me both conversion kits to take a look at and share with you, but are generously giving away a conversion service to one of you, our awesome readers!

Both colors look phenomenal. The red kit is very vibrant and rich in color and the blue kit is a nice deep blue and not quite as showy as the red. What’s interesting about the blue kit is that it is very reflective like a mirror.

One of my concerns was that the parts would have a painted look to them. I’m happy to report that they do not. In fact, if Apple were to design red and blue iPhone 4’s, I believe this is exactly what they would look like. I am very impressed with the authentic look of these parts.

Now for the give-away! For a chance to win a red or blue conversion from iFixDirect, head on over to our forums and let us know which color you want and why. We’ll randomly choose a winner next week and put you in contact with iFixDirect to have your iPhone 4 converted to red or blue.

Now go enter!

Give-away: iFixDirect red or blue iPhone 4 color swap is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Best Buy announced today that they will be carrying the much anticipated Verizon iPhone 4 beginning February 10.

The iPhone 4 is an important device for Best Buy and we are excited to help Apple and Verizon Wireless bring it to even more consumers," said Shawn Score, president of Best Buy Mobile. "Our customers have come to expect Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores to carry the best selection of mobile phones anywhere, and offering the iPhone 4 on Verizon's network is our latest effort to deliver on that promise.

Anyone planning to head to Best Buy to purchase the iPhone 4 on Verizon?

[BBY]

Best Buy will carry Verizon iPhone 4 beginning February 10 is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Following the Verizon iPhone announcement in January it looks like Apple and Verizon surveyed Apple Retail Store to determine which ones needed additional antennas installed to improve Verizon reception.

Not huge news considering big buildings like malls can play havoc with reception and extra antennas are typically used to provide better reception in many of them. It is nice to know Apple and Verizon are doing everything possible to make the launch go as smoothly as possible.

Just remember, it isn’t the signal strength at a store you should be paying attention to, but the signal strength at home, at work, at school, and at any other location you frequent. If in doubt ask colleagues, friends, and anyone else using Verizon (or AT&T) in those areas what their reception is like.

Full letter after the break. Pre-orders start tomorrow!

Apple Stores to have additional antennas to improve reception for Verizon iPhone launch is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

If you’re downloading The Daily, or any other app right now, from the App Store you’ll be presented with new Terms and Conditions to agree to that include the new subscription service, how it handles auto-renewal, and how Apple may ask to share your personal information with publishers:

A new “In-App Subscription” section has been added to the Terms and Conditions to explain how in-app subscriptions auto-renew, how the auto-renewal can be managed and turned off, and that we may request permission to provide personal information to the Licensor for marketing purposes which, if declined, will not affect your purchase.

You’ll have to agree to them before you can download from the App Store again. Since we can opt-out of the personal information sharing and manage auto-renewal I don’t find anything objectionable in there. You?

Apple adds subscriptions, auto-renewal, personal information sharing to iTunes Terms and Conditions is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Following the just-completed News Corp and Apple launch event, The Daily has gone live in the US App Store. An everyday newspaper focusing on a mix of editorial, news, and entertainment coverage it’s goal is to provide the best in traditional content presented using the best in iPad video, image, internet, and multitouch technology. Highlights include 360 degree photos, animation, live social streams like celebrity Twitter feeds, and the ability to update during the day if events warrant.

Using Apple’s new subscription service it will cost $0.99 a week or $39.99 a year. (Though the first 2 weeks are free, courtesy of Verizon.)

And yeah, US only right now.

Anyone giving it a try? Anyone sold on a year’s worth already? Anyone taking a pass? Let us know in the comments!

[Free with subscription - iTunes link]

The Daily subscription newspaper now available in App Store is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Apple USB Power Adapter with Sync and Charge Cable 50% off!

Whether you’ve had an iPhone for a while or are picking up a new Verizon iPhone next week, nothing comes in more handy than an extra Apple charge and sync cable with USB power adapter. One for home and one for the office, one for travel and one for your school bag, whatever the combination a good backup is essential and a good backup at 50% off… well that’s just outstanding.

Shop Apple USB Power Adapter with Sync and Charge Cable now…

Apple USB Power Adapter with Sync and Charge Cable 50% off! is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog