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Microsoft's newest mobile OS -- Windows Phone 8 -- will add some key functionality to Microsoft's smartphones, but is it worth waiting for?

The new software offers a few more bells and whistles in terms of functionality for smartphone subscribers. But the bigger deal is that it will offer the necessary hooks for developers and device makers to build more advanced hardware. Finally, this could mean that Microsoft's live tile interface may finally be installed on some heavily spec'ed devices.

In this edition of Ask Maggie I help one reader figure out if he should wait … Read more

Verizon Wireless announced its new share everything plans last week, and subscribers are still confused and trying to figure out what the new plans will mean for them.

In the last edition of Ask Maggie, I tried to answer some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the plan. And now in this edition, I answer some specific questions from subscribers still confused by the changes. I've received lots of e-mails asking questions about the new service plans. And I'll do my best to answer as many as I can.

Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S III before June … Read more

Verizon Wireless's new Family Share plans were supposed to simplify pricing for Verizon Wireless customers. But since the new plans were unveiled earlier this week, it seems like wireless users are more confused than ever.

In this edition of Ask Maggie, I'm going to handle things a little differently than usual. Typically I select a couple of questions that I've received from readers and I answer them. But since I have gotten so many emails asking me about this particular issue, I decided to put together a quick FAQ that will help explain and clarify some of … Read more

Google and Apple have upped their game in 2012, and a new crop of smartphones running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and Apple's new iOS 6 will offer consumers a tough choice when it comes to choosing a new phone.

Apple isn't expected to launch the next iPhone until the fall. But the company gave a preview of what's to come with the unveiling of iOS 6 mobile software this week at its WWDC conference in San Francisco. From what I can tell, the new iPhone will give the current crop of Android 4.0 devices … Read more

The Apple iPhone has finally come to the prepaid market in the U.S., but is it really worth paying full price for the device when you can get it cheaper from a carrier that is subsidizing the cost?

The short answer is "yes." In this edition of Ask Maggie I explain why even with a higher upfront cost, a prepaid iPhone is a better deal than buying a subsidized version of the same phone from AT&T or Verizon Wireless. And I lay out why prepaid is still cheaper even for people with discounted family plans.… Read more

Summer is here. And for lots of people that means it's time for a vacation abroad. So what should you do about your smartphone to ensure you don't get surprised with a massive phone bill upon your return?

If you're planning to leave the U.S., you might want to consider taking a few precautions before you leave to make sure you don't end up spending more on your phone bill than you spent on your plane ticket.

You could rent or borrow a phone for your trip with local service in the country or countries … Read more

Wouldn't it be great if you could get a data-only service for your smartphone?

Wireless operators are pushing their new data services in a big way. They want everyone and their brother to upgrade to smartphones. And the reason is simple. Carriers can make more money if customers add more services to bills. But what if you just want data service?

In this edition of Ask Maggie I explain the best and cheapest options for using data only on a smartphone. I also answer some more questions about Verizon Wireless' plan to get rid of its unlimited data service … Read more

Talk about kicking up a dog doo-doo storm. Verizon's chief financial officer Fran Shammo sure knows how to stir up a frenzy.

Comments the executive made earlier this week ignited a backlash among Verizon Wireless customers. Shammo said in an interview at a JP Morgan investor conference that the company plans to force its existing unlimited data plan customers to move to a tiered offering this summer in an effort to drive more data revenue for the wireless carrier. This is a switch from the company's current policy, which has allowed so-called "grandfathered" users to keep … Read more

Verizon's latest line-up of 4G LTE smartphones is impressive, but there's one feature these cutting edge smartphones lack: global roaming.

For years, Verizon Wireless customers were unable to use their cell phones while traveling in many parts of the world, because Verizon's technology was incompatible with most of the world's wireless carriers. Then the company started offering a handful of "world phones," which finally allowed Verizon subscribers to roam onto most carrier networks overseas. But now as the carrier pushes its new and existing customers to sign up for 4G LTE service, Verizon is … Read more