I promised I would post a solution to this if found so..
As I set up my wireless laptop next to the wired PC in preparation to call Verizon tech support, I remembered a handy app I had on my phone.. Wifi Analyzer.
I checked the range of wireless signals the the app picked up and low-and-behold, there were two new wifi signals of decent strength operating in the same channel (1) that I was set up in! (I hadn't checked this since I first set up my router over a year ago and the apartment building next door is always getting new people)
This was totally unacceptable! The app showed that channel 11 had only a single, very weak signal in the area and recommended I switch to that. After logging into the router and doing so, it was as if all the wireless tech in my house was instantly given new life!
I could once again be downloading a game from Steam on a wired PC, steaming netflix on the wireless PS3, watching a YouTube video on my phone, all while the wireless laptop was downloading (way too many) windows updates.
Solution: Regularly monitor the amount of congestion in the channel your wireless is operating in. This is especially important if your reside in or near a rental/leasing property that often has people moving in and out.
Changing the wifi channel on your router is easy, fast and not scary at all. It could save you a lot of headaches.