“This device is capable of determining its (and your) physical, geographical location and can associate this location data with other customer information,” it reads. “To limit access to location information by others, refer to the User Guide for Location settings and be cautious when downloading, accessing or using applications and services.”

The letter was sent to Representatives Ed Markey and Joe Barton, both of whom had asked the four major carriers to “explain how and why they track mobile location data”

Interestingly enough, Rep Markey says that even after “thoroughly reviewing” their responses he is still “left with a feeling of uneasiness and uncertainty. He said there still exists a real problem when it comes to third-party applications.

He adds:

The companies informed us that customer consent before access of location data is a common practice, but the disconnect is when third-party applications come in to play. While I am happy to hear that carriers inform their customers of the risks of using independent third-party applications, third-party developers can access the location of customers anytime they want. This is a huge problem. They shouldn’t have free reign over your location data and personally identifiable information. I believe it is time we hold third-party developers accountable, and I am determined to work with other members of Congress to get this done.

He’s right. It’s one thing to tell users they could be tracked by the handset itself, but what about taken steps to prevent third-party applications from monitoring your whereabouts?

Full copies of the company responses can be found here:  T-Mobile Sprint AT&T Verizon

Verizon Wireless will be offerring three iPad 2 models: $629.99 for the 16 GB model, $729.99 for the 32 GB model and $829.99 for the 64 GB model, all available in either black or white colors.

Monthly data  plans will run the gamut from:

1. $20 for 1GB
2. $35 for 3GB
3. $50 for 5GB
4. $80 for 10GB

All data plans will be available without a contract, providing the freedom to activate or cancel a plan at any time, but users will have to make some hard choices about where and how they use their iPad 2.

As for features, as many of you already know the iPad 2 has an entirely new design that is 33% thinner and up to 15% lighter than the original iPad, while maintaining the same 9.7-inch LED-backlit LCD screen. iPad 2 features Apple’s new dual-core A5 processor for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics and now includes two cameras, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime® and Photo Booth, and a rear-facing camera that captures 720p HD video. iPad 2 still delivers up to 10 hours of battery life.

“This was an exciting day,” said Dan Mead, president and chief executive officer for Verizon Wireless. “In just our first two hours, we had already sold more phones than any first day launch in our history. And, when you consider these initial orders were placed between the hours of 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., it is an incredible success story. It is gratifying to know that our customers responded so enthusiastically to this exclusive offer – designed to reward them for their loyalty.

Mead also said customers will have another opportunity at being among the nation’s first to own an iPhone 4 on the Verizon Wireless network.

“Yesterday’s launch set the pace for next week when we open up sales to everyone across America.”

The general public will be able to purchase the iPhone 4 next Thursday, February 10th at all Apple store locations, Best Buy, select Wal-Mart stores, and online at www.verizonwireless.com and www.apple.com.

“We are pleased to introduce millions of wireless users to the industry leading iPhone 4 on the nation’s most reliable network,” said Lowell McAdam, president and chief operating officer of Verizon. “This is an important step for the industry as two great companies join forces to give wireless customers one of the most important technological additions to the mobile landscape this century.”

The iPhone 4 features a stunning Retina display, resulting in super crisp text, images and video, and FaceTime, which makes video calling a reality. The iPhone 4 on Verizon Wireless will also sport new Personal Hotspot capabilities allowing customers to connect up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices.

Other features include:

• 5 megapixel camera with LED flash and HD video recording,
• A4 chip
• 3-axis gyro
• iOS 4
• AirPrint wireless printing.

“Verizon Wireless customers have told us they can’t wait to get their hands on iPhone 4, and we think they are going to love it,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s chief operating officer. “We have enormous respect for the company Verizon has built and the loyalty they have earned from their customers.”

The iPhone 4 iPhone 4 will be available at a suggested retail price of $199.99 for the 16GB model and $299.99 for the 32GB model with a new two year contract.

The plan is part of its effort to bringing its customers more advanced mobile-entertainment capabilities on more devices.

“Verizon is pushing the boundaries of TV with innovative technology that continues to spur the industry’s evolution,” said Eric Bruno, vice president of product management for Verizon. “We’re giving customers more control over their TV entertainment whenever and wherever they want it. Extending our FiOS Mobile app to customers using iPads gives more subscribers more ways to conveniently manage their FiOS TV services.”

Verizon already rolled out the app for Android devices earlier this year.

The app automatically personalizes options based on the tablet connected to the set-top box, enabling customized favorites and other preferences. Customers can use the app to change channels; manage parental controls; and pause, rewind and fast forward or record a TV show. Users can also click the video-on-demand button and browse and search on-demand titles; or click on the FiOS TV button and jump to live TV.

Verizon Wireless says it plans to add new features to the FiOS Mobile application over the next few months, including photo flicking for the iPad, which allows customers to use their iPad to send or “flick” stored photos from the iPad to the TV. 

Earlier this month I mentioned how “credible” rumors have been circulating that Verizon Wireless would announce the launch of the iPhone after Christmas so that AT&T, whose exclusive contract with Apple expires on December 31st, would have one last holiday season to boost the number of subscribers to the popular iPhone.

It even instituted a policy that allows any customer whose contract expires sometime in 2011 to upgrade to the iPhone early in order to lock in customers.

Now another hint of an imminent launch has surfaced.

Skype briefly posted a new support document that linked Verizon Wireless and the iPhone.

“How do I make video calls with Skype for iPhone?” the support document asked, with the logos of Verizon and Skype prominently displayed.

According to MacStories, an iPhone user on the AT&T network had his upgrade eligibility date bumped up from mid-February 2011.

He writes: “I know because I check, often. It’s always been that … until today. I just got an email not 30 minutes ago from AT&T and is said that I am now eligible to upgrade to the new Apple iPhone 4. Why 2 months early? Could this indeed mean Verizon could be showing off their iPhone after Christmas? The email is pushing me to get it NAO. Could they be trying to lock people into another 2 year contact before some other carrier gets their hands on Apple’s iPhone? We’ll see soon enough.”

Verizon Wireless is supposed to formally announce the launch of the iPhone shortly after Christmas, the reason for the post-Xmas delay being that one of AT&T’s last demands was reportedly the chance to “maximize” holiday sales.

According to rumors attributed to a “sole source” believed to be “credible,” Verizon Wireless will formally announce the launch of the iPhone shortly after Christmas, and that iPhones will be immediately available for purchase once this happens. The reason for the post-Xmas timing is that AT&T’s last demand was reportedly the chance to “maximize” holiday sales of the iPhone.

The source said that Verizon Wireless held management training session for iPhone sales last week, and that during the training sessions they used “functioning iPhones (LTE-capable).”

Other reports:

• Steve Jobs is said to be upset that carriers cannot seem to get their LTE act together more quickly
• Apple is “helping” U.S. carriers (money?) to build out LTE more quickly

The new iPhone for Verizon Wireless would become the only 4G LTE version around, and is well timed to follow Verizon Wireless’ recent launch of the 4G LTE network this past December 5th.

Verizon Wireless will offer three bundles, all featuring an iPad Wi-Fi model and a Verizon MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot, for a suggested retail price of $629.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 16 GB + MiFi, $729.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 32 GB + MiFi, and $829.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 64 GB + MiFi.

Verizon Wireless is also offering all three iPad Wi-Fi models on a stand-alone basis.

The MiFi 2200 is an “Intelligent Mobile Hotspot” small enough to fit in a person’s pocket. It allows customers to create a personal Wi-Fi cloud capable of sharing their 3G connection Internet with up to five Wi-Fi devices.

Verizon Wireless is offering a monthly access plan to customers who purchase an iPad with a MiFi beginning at 1 GB of data for just $20 monthly access.

It says the prices will range from $629.99 for an iPad with Wi-Fi 16GB + MiFi to $729.99 for an iPad with Wi-Fi 32GB + MiFi, and $829.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 64GB + MiFi.

The MiFi 2200 is small enough to fit in a pocket and allows users to create a personal Wi-Fi network capable of supporting up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices, and sports a battery can last up to four hours with active use and 40 hours on standby.

“This is the perfect pairing for holiday travels,” said John Stratton, chief operating officer for Verizon Wireless. “iPad together with the nation’s largest and most reliable 3G data network allows customers to easily connect on the go wherever they are.”

Verizon Wireless also says it’s is offering a monthly data plan for iPad customers that will give them up to 1GB of data for $20p/mo.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Verizon Wireless to get iPad into the hands of even more customers this holiday season,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s COO. “iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”

It goes without saying how revolutionary Apple’s iPad is, allowing users to browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, using the iPad’s Multi-Touch user interface.

Now all Verizon Wireless needs is an iPhone of its own which rumor has it will debut sometime early next year.