No Game Changer

Just a poor, clunky substitute: Verizon iPad comes with problems, not solutions

If the iPad is the ultimate workhorse in technological simplicity, then Verizon has totally overburdened the burro.

Squarely dousing (or raising, depending on how you look at it) hopes of a Verizon iPhone, Apple and Verizon Wireless announced today that more than 2,000 Verizon stores will sell Apple's iPad, starting Oct. 28.

Accompanied by a few new buddies, of course.

You see, Apple has that pesky exclusive service agreement with AT&T, right? So, without the ability to offer Verizon's much-loved network on the iPad, Apple and Verizon put their heads together to figure their way around the legalese.

The answer? MiFi mobile hotspots for everyone!

Yes, you heard that correctly.

While the Verizon customer isn't obligated to purchase the iPad-MiFi combo pack, the Verizon iPad owner must stake out an available wireless connection, if the user opts to strike down the MiFi add-on.

But if the consumer does decide to include the MiFi in the Verizon iPad arsenal, concerns stem from worrying about toting yet another device around — defeating the purpose of the iPad altogether — and making sure both the MiFi and the iPad have enough juice to get a techie through the day.

If you're looking for an expensive way to get an iPad while avoiding AT&T at all costs, we think this deal's for you.

But us? We'd rather wait out The Great Verizon-Apple Experiment, thank you very much.

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50 years of TRF

First Renaissance Festival since owner's death draws strong attendance

Photo by Steven David Photography

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Those who were worried about the Texas Renaissance Festival (TRF) not performing well the first year after a court mandated its sale and the death of its founder can rest easy. The final gate totals show that the 2025 season was just as well attended as previous ones.

“The 51st annual Texas Renaissance Festival was another successful season thanks to our wonderful guests and dedicated team members,” TRF marketing director Tyler Moyer said. “Our team worked tirelessly to bring the magic of the Renaissance to life every weekend, and we’re grateful that our patrons love us more and more with every passing year. We’re so thankful to everyone who helped make this another great event, and we can’t wait to welcome folks back in 2026.”

In total, 492,910 patrons visited TRF over its eight themed weekends, with almost 100,000 coming through the gates for the final, extended Christmas weekend alone. On Friday, November 28, some, including this reporter, might have felt the event felt too crowded. Still, people made merry in medieval Santa costumes and the occasional Krampus.

While attendance was down about 8 percent from 2024 (533,356), that year featured many 50th anniversary celebrations. Over the past five years, TRF has averaged about 486,000 visitors according to the TRF media office. The numbers for 2025 are even more impressive considering that the last week of October featured torrential rain across the Houston area.

There was much concern about how well the festival would run. Earlier this year, founder George Coulam lost a court case mandating that he sell the festival after Coulam attempted to back out of a deal with Austin developer Meril Rivard. The matter was further complicated by Coulam's death in May, throwing the appeal process into chaos.

Throughout the tangled legal maneuverings, everyone running the festival vowed to keep it going just as it is. Grimes County Judge Gary W. Chaney appointed a pair of special masters to administrate TRF at the top while the matter sat in court, which they appear to have done flawlessly if the gate receipts are any indication.

Now that the season is over, all parties involved with the lawsuit will have free rein to continue the fight and another indicator of how popular and profitable TRF is. The 90 day appeal window open to Coulam's beneficiary closes in early 2026, Hopefully, the matter will be settled before the next season looms.

texas renaissance festival