Apple and Verizon announced earlier today that the iPhone was now going to be available to Verizon Wireless customers effective February 10th, 2011, thus ending AT&T’s exclusivity on one of the most popular smart-phones on the market. The nearly 100% growth in cell phones nearly killed AT&T’s network back in 2007. While it has improved over the past few years, many iPhone users continue to complain about coverage. But what will happen to Verizon’s wireless network once the millions of iPhone users jump ship from AT&T?

courtesy Verizon

There have been rumors of an iPhone / Verizon partnership for over a year, so hopefully Verizon has used that time to bolster its own network in preparation for the exodus of disgruntled AT&T subscribers. Verizon has been offering iPad server for a while now, but the iPhone will bring millions of new users almost overnight.

This is good news for all iPhone users. If you love AT&T, your network will see less of a burden. If you have a stronger Verizon signal in your area, you can finally have the smart-phone you wanted now that the iPhone is available on Verizon. In fact, if you scurry to Verizon wireless right away you can pre-order your iPhone 4 16GB for $199.00 with the usual 2-year contract and additional data plan.

Don’t worry, we won’t SPAM you.

For those that are new to our site, PCTechBytes has been providing quality tech support and tips since 2002. We have a great community forums and several other spin-off sites all dedicated to technology we use and love each day. The newsletter is a service to our great community, a way for us to reach them in their otherwise busy schedules.

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The newsletter should contain the following format:

Unique Newsletter content.

Links to our best articles of the week.

Favorite download of the week.

Maybe some real tech news.

Much, much more.

iOS 4.2 Important Features

AirPrint – Airprint will help you print directly from your iOS device, something which was either difficult or impossible to do in the past. This is a huge update–especially for the iPad, which is considered a laptop replacement for some people.

Folders – Folders are just a common sense way to organize your apps and de-clutter your desktop.

Airplay – If you have an Apple TV, you can stream movies, pictures and music from your iPad, iPhone or iTouch to the Apple TV so it can be displayed on your television.

Find My iPhone, IPad or iTouch – This is a Mobile Me feature that helps you locate your device if you leave it behind somewhere.

The iOS 4.2 software update should be available today, so be sure to check iTunes frequently.

Visit Apple for more information on the 1OS 4.2 update.

Each week, we’ll cover some of our most important articles. It’s been a great week and we’ve covered a lot of interesting topics. But before you get your party clothes on and get to enjoying your weekend, we need to recap some of the things we covered in case some of you missed them. While there were certainly more, these are some of the highlights. They deal with troubleshooting, security, gadgets and a rant about technology.

Remember, we want your comments, so be sure to let us know how you feel about anything we covered this week. You can agree, disagree or pose your own insights and experiences with these topics. Enjoy.

Update Your Browser Plugins

It’s important to update your computer and we know you do a good job with that. But you may be forgetting about your web browser plugins, which is one area an exploit can sneak through your impenetrable defenses.  This article discusses how to update your Firefox plugins, but all browsers use plugins so be sure to check them on occasion to make sure your browser is safe and secure.

Read more about Updating Your Browser Plugins.

Setup An IP Webcam

What’s more cooler than checking on your dog at home while you’re in the office plowing through your workday? Internet webcams are a fun way to watch over your house while you’re bored or away on a vacation. But not all webcams are created equally. Before you buy, read through some of the things to consider and get the IP webcam that best suits your needs and budget.

Read more about IP Webcams here.

Recovery Disks Fail

You did everything you were supposed to, but when you go to use the recovery disks for your major brand name computer, they don’t work and now you’re stuck. This article deals with that topic and discusses what you, the consumer, can do to get your machine up and running again. Fortunately, there are some things you can do before having to call in a technician.

Read more on Recovery Disk Failure.

Cloud Computing

We have been promised a world where the Internet would store all of our data and applications in the Cloud. That hasn’t happened yet. In fact, we’re far away from a time when the average user can do anything productive without a real computer. Is Cloud computing real or a bedtime story not unlike Jack and The Beanstalk? You decide and let us know. Speak out.

Read more on the Cloud Computing fairytale.

Troubleshoot A Dead Computer

Computers monitors can stop working. Hard drives can fail. But what do you do when there is absolutely no sign of life? If your PC is completely dead, you need to know how to quickly eliminate some of the possibilities before you can fix it yourself or decide to take it to the shop. In this article, we discuss troubleshooting the power supply, motherboard and even the case.

Read more on Troubleshooting A Dead Computer.

Current categories include:

• Anti-malware software
• Audio and video software
• Backup and Syncing Utilities
• Browsers and Plugins
• CD and DVD Software
• Computer Utilities
• File Transfer Software
• Firewall and Security Software
• Hard Drive Software
• Messaging and Chat Software
• Network Software
• Photo and Imaging software

Once you place your link, we will review it for inclusion into our Downloads site. Please be sure to stop by and help us populate the site with all of the downloads you love and recommend. So be sure to get your download listed today!

So if you have an idea for a new category or download, be sure to visit our Computer Software Downloads site and place your link.

Read more about what to expect on February 15th here.

You are strongly urged to backup any data you have on those machines. Because there is no upgrade path from a pre-release version to a valid copy of Windows 7, you will need to perform a full install of Windows 7 and then reinstall any applications and data you had running on the RC version.

For tips on how to install Windows 7, be sure to review instructions on Microsoft’s website.

The criteria for blog submissions will be as follows:

1. Articles must be 100% original. No exceptions.
2. Articles MUST be “how-to” as in how to format your hard drive.
3. Article ideas must be submitted for review before you begin writing. Contact us.
4. Email articles to us when finished. Be sure to include a short bio and a link to your website or business.
5. Articles must be around 400 words–give or take 100.
6. We reserve the right to reject the article if it doesn’t suit our needs.

We generally publish articles that fit into the following areas:

1. Computer Troubleshooting
2. Network Setup
3. Virus and malware security
4. Windows XP, Vista, 7
5. Internet Explorer, Firefox Tips
6. Major brand name tips for Dell, HP, Acer

If you have ideas outside of those categories, be sure to check with us before you begin writing. PCTechBytes looks forward to working with our new writers and we’re sure everyone in our community will enjoy reading the articles they submit. If you’re in the industry, or if you want to get valuable links back to your site, our Guest Blogging option is a great solution.

This blog area should be a great addition to our site and hope everyone participates.