Morning Report: iPhone 6 VoLTE Now on Verizon, Apple's New Repair Costs

They came, they saw, they purchased! At this writing, Apple hasn't yet posted sales figures for the iPhone 6 launch weekend, but judging from the long lines, we're guessing they'll have plenty to brag about in addition to the four million preorders racked up more than a week ago. Today's Morning Report kicks off with a look at new LTE enhancements from Verizon, out-of-warranty repair costs for the latest handsets, and how Windows users have an edge over Mac (for now).

Verizon iPhone 6 Users Can Finally Use Voice & Data at Same Time

Verizon Wireless promised HD Voice and video calling on its 4G LTE network last week, and the carrier has now delivered for owners of compatible handsets. According to MacRumors, that includes the latest iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models, thanks to Verizon's Advanced Calling service, which takes advantage of the Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) feature Apple executive Phil Schiller gushed over during the keynote two weeks ago.

VoLTE not only offers a wider pipe with higher resolution for voice calls, but also allows Verizon Wireless customers to hold a conversation at the same they're accessing a data connection — a convenience AT&T subscribers have enjoyed all along. Verizon customers will need to activate the free Advanced Calling 1.0 feature from the carrier's website first, then make sure Voice & Data are selected under Settings > Cellular > Enable LTE.

In addition to the new iPhone 6 models, Verizon's Advanced Calling features also work with two recent Android models, the LG G2 and the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Apple Posts Out-of-Warranty iPhone 6 Repair Costs

Did you pick up AppleCare+ when you purchased that new iPhone 6? If not, you may reconsider after seeing Apple's updated US repair options, which were posted Friday to the support section of the company's website. Although all iPhones include a one-year limited warranty, that doesn't cover accidental damage, which the $99 AppleCare+ will cover for two incidents for a $79 service fee each time.

Without AppleCare+, out-of-warranty repairs will cost a flat $329 for iPhone 6 Plus, with the iPhone 6 only $30 less; the previous two generations (iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5) cost $269, with iPhone 4s at $199 and all older models (including the original 2007 model) at $149. All repairs are also charged a $6.95 shipping fee above and beyond these costs.

Thankfully, the more common screen damage and battery repairs are more affordable at $109 for iPhone 6, and $129 for iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, or iPhone 5. Likewise, all iPhone models can have a battery serviced out-of-warranty for only $79.

Apple Serves Up iCloud Drive for Windows Before Mac

Hey, no fair! ArsTechnica is reporting that Apple updated iCloud for Windows along with iOS 8 last week, and the new version arrived with one feature that most Mac owners can't yet enjoy: iCloud Drive support. Although not as full-featured as what OS X Yosemite will bring next month, iCloud for Windows does indeed allow access to iCloud Drive folders and files via Windows Explorer — basic functionality which the current OS X Mavericks cannot do.

Windows users shouldn't start feeling too superior, however: The report notes iCloud for Windows can't use iCloud Keychain to sync passwords, Notes syncing, or any sort of Find My iPhone support. In addition to iCloud Drive, the update does retain existing support for syncing iCloud bookmarks, calendars, contacts, reminders, and Photo Stream.

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(Image courtesy of MacRumors)