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If you are a Sprint iPhone 5 user and you are experiencing data connection problems (slow data, no connection to 3G, difficulty connecting to WiFi, etc.) your are not alone.

By not alone we mean that EVERY iphone 5 user on Sprint and possibly other networks is having the same problems.

Over the past few weeks both Sprint and Apple have acknowledged the problems in message boards on their respective websites. However, they have not made any official announcement to the media about the problem. Rather than post dozens of links to these message boards, we invite the reader to simply do a Google search for “iPhone 5 Sprint data problems” or “Sprint iPhone 5 connection problems.”

The problem affects texting as well as all forms of data usage. We have read most of the messages on the boards and here’s what we found.

1. Resetting the network settings via the fancy code that Sprint gives you for tower updates will not work.

2. Resetting the network setting on the iPhone itself often works temporarily. Heavy data users will have to do this 5-10 times per day.

3. Sprint and Apple are both aware of the problem and they claim that they are working on a fix.

4. Apple blames Sprint and Sprint blames Apple.

5. Both seem to agree that the problem has something to do with LTE even though the problem is worse in areas without LTE. However, they aren’t sure about this because LTE is so spotty in the few areas that do have it.

6. Our interpretation of things is that Apple really wants to resolve this problem but they are waiting on Sprint to provide something (maybe testing results, maybe confidential radio information) and Sprint is dragging its feet.

7. Sprint seems pretty sure that the problem will go away when they do some sort of planned LTE update in or around 2013.

8. Nobody in a Sprint store has access to any information that gives them the ability to predict a timeline for a fix.

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Image via Wikipedia

What is new media? Rather, what is new about new media? Of course, the Internet has changed media and added a new dimension of communication and innovation, but when should those who produce and consume online augmented communication stop considering their methods and means as new?

Of course, the argument for new media is not new vs. old, but new vs. traditional. Traditional media comes in the form of television, radio, newspaper and magazines. However, listening to terrestrial radio via the Internet stream would most likely fall under new media. Same for television. The nightly news broadcast is a form of traditional media, but logging into the broadcast’s website to comment on a story is considered new media.

If new media is defined as online media consumption, but all traditional media outlets now have online methods of distribution and interaction, is the concept really new anymore?

So, what’s the alternative? When it comes to research, advertising and study, it is very handy to divide the media into two groups – traditional and…

How about emerging media? Emerging says it all. It’s not mainstream media, it’s not new or old. It’s emerging. A Google search suggests that others have already claimed the word emerging and associated it with specific types of media. However, the words new and social were also in existence before they were adopted into their contemporary meanings.

It’s important that those within the industry insist on using a different term for it. Otherwise, we will still be calling ourselves part of the new media 20 years after YouTube and Facebook were created. By that time, all media will be `a la carte.

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Podcast: Play in new window

If you have ever had to hire a service business to get you out of trouble, this podcast is for you. If you own a service business, this podcast for you. If you own a business but do not consider it to be a service business, think again. Rick recently left town for a week. Although this episode is done rant-style, the advice we share will help anyone looking to improve their business reputation and performance.

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