Before You Buy A Verizon iPhone: Something You Need to Know

When it comes to cell phones, there's the world and there's Verizon. Virtually every cell phone service provider in the world uses a technology called GSM; Verizon, standing alone, uses something called CDMA.

Does this matter? Yes, especially if you purchase an iPhone. Because Verizon's technology is incompatible with every other country in the world, your brand new iPhone will not work outside of the United States -- and that includes our neighbors, Canada and Mexico.

But even if you're not planning on traveling to another country with your Verizon iPhone, there's something else you need know: The Verizon iPhone cannot handle data and voice at the same time. This is a big deal. If, for example, you're on the phone and want to make a reservation at a restaurant, you first have to end the call. If you're looking for directions on Google Maps and a call comes in, you'll be bumped off of the Internet. Forget fiddling with Facebook and talking at the same time -- that's out, too.

Verizon's network gives priority to voice, so every call will disconnect your data application.

Verizon's data and voice incompatibility is a technological step backwards, but it's what you'll have to put up with if you get a Verizon iPhone.