14 DAY TRIAL // If you’re thinking of switching to another carrier, but you aren’t exactly sure which one, enter CarrierCompare - an iPhone app that tells you which operator has the best service for you.
CarrierCompare performs a speed test on your device to determine the quality of your service. According to Gigaom, the app then uses speed tests and data from other iPhones in your area to compare the three major carriers in the United States - Verizon, AT&T and Sprint.
The app basically tells you which iPhone carrier is best for your next upgrade (i.e. the iPhone 5).
Up until a few days ago, the app used signal strength as one of the key metrics to assess service quality. No more, as the developers have been forced to remove this feature in order to stay compliant with the App Store guidelines.
According to the release notes for CarrierCompare 1.0.1, “this update removes the ability to measure signal strength as one of the metrics we use to compare carriers. Luckily, when compared to our other measurements, signal strength has the smallest impact on the quality of your data service.”
“We are actively working to find a way to bring this feature back in the future. If it is important to you, please let us know by emailing us from CarrierCompare or our website,” reads the note from SwayMarkets, the developers.
SwayMarkets elaborates on its web site, stating that “Apple has been very cooperative through this process, and we are pursuing ways of bringing signal strength back in the future.”
“As mentioned in the CarrierCompare update description, signal strength has the smallest impact on the quality of your data experience, so the rankings we present will continue to focus on that,” the company says.
CarrierCompare is free to use as an ad-supported app. You can buy CarrierCompare Pro to eliminate the ads, says SwayMarkets. The app is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation) and iPad and requires iOS 5.0 or later.
Download CarrierCompare - Find the best service for you (Free)