Johnnie's posts with tag: apple iphone
AT&T has announced detailed pricing information for its iPhone 3G plans and will start selling the iPhone 3G at 8am on July 11th!!
AT&T also confirmed that they will be subsidizing the price for new and current iPhone customers at the WWDC-announced price of $199 (8GB) and $299 (16GB). These prices are specifically available to the following customers:
- iPhone customers who purchased before July 11
- Customers activating a new line with AT&T
- Current AT&T customers who are eligible, at the time of purchase, for an upgrade discount
For AT&T customers who are ineligible for the subsidized pricing, AT&T is offering an "early upgrade" price of $399 (8GB) and $499 (16GB). You can check your eligibility in your online AT&T account (screenshot).
Finally, AT&T is offering an unsubsidized price of $599 and $699 at a later date as a "no commitment" price for individuals who do not wish to sign a long-term contract.
Why iPhone Wannabes Don't Cut It
Apple's influence on high-tech markets has long exceeded the company's relatively small market share, and nowhere is that more obvious than in the wireless phone market. Barely a year after it introduced the original iPhone, Apple has redefined the wireless handset. And with the impending shipment of a new version that should put the iPhone in the mainstream of consumer and business markets worldwide, Apple is extending its sway over much larger players such as Nokia (NOK) andSamsung. The most immediate impact of the iPhone has been on hardware design, encouraging a rash of imitators with big touchscreens. That includes the new Samsung Instinct, which Sprint Nextel (S) has been billing as an iPhone killer. Even Research In Motion (RIMM), whose executives have ridiculed the iPhone's lack of a physical keyboard, is rumored to be developing a touch-based BlackBerry. (The company declined to comment on future product plans.) Such efforts largely miss the point. Certainly, the beautiful hardware design adds tremendously to the emotional appeal of Apple products. But it's the software that makes the iPhone, the Mac, and the iPod stand out from the pack of wannabes. PROBLEMS MAGNIFIED Consider how you explore the Net on an iPhone compared with on the Instinct ($130 after rebate with a two-year contract). The iPhone's Mobile Safari browser is in a class by itself: It is the only handheld browser I have used that makes it pleasant to view Web pages designed for big computer displays. The Instinct browser benefits from a big screen, but it is otherwise typical of the lame software found on other non-Apple handhelds. It offers a choice of displaying a page at magnifications labeled 1/2x, 1x, or 2x, a dramatically inferior option compared with the iPhone's ability to smoothly enlarge and shrink the page with a gesture. As a result, full-size Web pages that the iPhone handles easily are very difficult to read or navigate around on the Instinct. The problems go deeper. Sprint —and just about everyone else —lacks the vigorous third-party software development effort that Apple is building around the iPhone. If you develop a program and want to make it available to Instinct users, you have to persuade Sprint to offer it through its online store. That's fine for, say, game maker Electronic Arts (ERTS) but leaves independent developers without a chance. When the iPhone launched a year ago, I was critical of Apple's decision not to let outsiders build applications for it. So were many others, and Apple fixed the problem by offering software creation tools that have won near-universal praise from developers and by providing a simple way to get their products to consumers. It was a dramatic change that will make a very attractive product even more appealing. By the time the $199 iPhone hits stores on July 11, there will be dozens of applications ready for download from Apple's new App Store, some free, some to be purchased the same way you buy music or videos on iTunes. One of the most important apps will let companies give workers BlackBerry-like access to corporate mail, contacts, and calendar data from Microsoft Exchange. TomTom (TOM2.AS) has announced a program that will turn an iPhone into a full-featured GPS navigation unit. And based on demos Apple has shown, there will be games with graphics quality never before seen on handsets. Some will use the iPhone's motion sensors so players can control the game just by tilting the device. There's even a music program that turns the touchscreen into a piano keyboard. GUT REACTION: THE INSTINCT'S GOOD, BUT… The Instinct shows that Samsung and Sprint have learned a lot, too. It's a handsome product—maybe Samsung's best ever. Its no- button face, with a display just a bit smaller than the iPhone's, makes it look like the Apple handset's brother, and it even comes packed in an iPhone-like box. Sprint offers the Instinct only with its $99-a-month Simply Everything plan, which includes unlimited voice and high-speed data plus unlimited streaming music and video, navigation service, and more. For some users, this may be a better deal than AT&T's (T) cheapest unlimited 3G iPhone data plan at $70 a month plus à la carte iTunes music and videos. Yet despite its strong multimedia capabilities, the Instinct offers little more than the typical cell phone, and nothing near the iPhone's computerlike capabilities. Yes, good hardware design is critical. But in the end, it's the software that really makes the difference.
Barrons reports on a recent analyst note from Oppenheimer which claims that AT&T is discounting the iPhone by $325 to reach its $199 (8GB) and $299 (16GB) prices. This means the actual unsubsidized iPhone cost would be $524 and $624, respectively.The higher subsidy rate for the iPhone, he says, “reflects AT&T’s faith in the iPhone’s ability to attract new subs and increase ARPU.” And he also says it has positive implications for Apple, since it effectively results in a playing field that is tilted in their favor. “Rivals must scramble to hit a lower, less profitable price point,” he writes. The analyst also reports that AT&T is paying Apple an additional $100 per phone for iPhones sold in Apple stores for a total commission of $425. No reasoning for this additional commission is given.
Based on this higher-than-standard subsidy, it is believed that Apple's revenue for the iPhone 3G is comparable to the original iPhone where Apple received a portion of the monthly subscriber fees. This agreement has been modified with the iPhone 3G with the substitution of an upfront subsidy rather than a monthly payment.
The large amount of the subsidy introduces some interesting issues for some AT&T customers who are trying to upgrade to the iPhone 3G. Little official information has come out of AT&T or Apple regarding rate plans or eligibility to qualify for the subsidized iPhone price. It seems clear that existing iPhone customers will be able to buy a fully subsidized iPhone 3G, but the answer for current non-iPhone AT&T customers remains murky. Known and rumored information for upgrade eligibility has been consolidated in this guide.
In the wake of Apple's iPhone 3G announcement and AT&T's press release detailing their new agreement with Apple, additional details are surfacing regarding the companies' attempts to reduce the number of customers unlocking their iPhones for use on other carriers.
Gizmodo spoke with AT&T's President of National Distribution Glenn Lurie, who revealed that all iPhone activations will take place in-store. This is in contrast to the current system in which customers may activate their iPhones from home using iTunes. Additionally, Reuters reports that AT&T has said that purchasers who do not activate their iPhones within 30 days will be subject to penalties. No details on these proposed penalties have been made public.
iphone_features_enterprise_20080609_r640-9cie.mov (16.3 MB)
After months of anticipation, the heavily rumored 3G iPhone was announced today during Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference Keynote.
Features
- 3G-capable. 2.8 times faster than EDGE.
- GPS built-in
- Thinner
- Better battery life - 300 hours of standby, 2G talk-time 10 hours (as opposed to 5), 5 hours of 3G talk-time (competition is 3 hour 3G talk time), 5 to 6 hours of high-speed browsing, 7 hours of video, 24 hours of audio.
- flush headphone jack
Pricing and Availability
The iPhone 3G will be available July 11th in 22 countries for $199 for 8 GB and $299 for 16 GB. The 16 GB model also comes in white. Apple has posted details on their website, but it is currently overwhelmed.
apple_iphone_hallway_tv_ad_20080609_848x480.mov (2.7 MB)
Apple has continued to add new features to their upcoming iPhone 2.0 firmware release. The latest version seeded to Enterprise customers has a added geo-tagging to the Camera application, according to Appleinsider.
The latest iPhone 2.0 Beta (5A292g) asks the user for permission before transmitting their location information. Apple currently uses Wi-fi and Cell tower identification to pinpoint locations, but is rumored to add GPS support in the next version of the iPhone. Essentially, geo-tagging is the process of adding geographical identification metadata to media files such as latitude and longitude coordinates -- or even names of places -- so that those files can later be referenced, searched, and grouped based on their origin. This functionality appears to fall under a broader "Location Services" preference that can be turned on or off. The use of location in mobile phone applications is a growing trend. iPhone developers are already working on location based social networks and even a multiplayer role playing game (MMORPG) set in the real world.
AT&T announced today that they will complete their deployment of High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) technology in the six remaining markets across AT&T's entire 3G (third-generation) wireless broadband network.
This will complement its deployment of its HSDPA network, making AT&T the only U.S. carrier to have fully deployed HSPA technology on its 3G network. AT&T's 3G network is available in more than 275 markets and will expand to nearly 350 markets by year's end.With the new addition of HSUPA technology, AT&T 3G users can enjoy uplink speeds between 500 and 800 Kbps. The technology is available in all but the few remaining AT&T 3G markets and will be included in all future deployments. The new upload speeds complement AT&T's 3G download capabilities, which currently offer up to 1.4 Mbps across all markets for customers who have capable devices, such as AT&T's LaptopConnect wireless modems. The timing of the rollout conveniently coincides with the rumored Apple iPhone launch, though fast upload speeds, which is the technology described in this press release is less critical for the current version of the iPhone. In the future, as applications are deployed on the iPhone, uploading larger files, such as video, or even video chat from the iPhone could become more common. Regardless, the "completion" of their 3G network in time for a June iPhone rollout remains interesting.
U.S. customers can use this map to determine if they have 3G coverage in their area. Alist of cities is also provided.
Interesting turn of events! Do you think Apple was pissed off about a possible leak of a new product? Notice all the back peddling....
Fortune's Apple 2.0 blog notes that Intel has now denied the statements published by ZDnet.de yesterday. Specifically, they claim that the Intel Germany's CEO was making general remarks about the kind of mobile devices that the Atom might power in the future. They go on to claim they know "nothing" about future products from other manufacturers. Fscklog also contacted an Intel Germany spokesperson who also states that this statement never happened.
The confusion, however, is not one of poor German-to-English translation, as the original ZDnet article clearly stated what was reported. ZDNet's original article is now linking to another account of the events.PCGamesHardware.de confirms statements like these were made, though without direct quotes the exact interpretation of it remains up for debate (translated by Leo from Fscklog):Quote: | PCGH-Editor Daniel Waadt was there as well an can attest, that Schwaderer referred to the iPhone as an example for the use of the atom-processor from Intel. The Intel CEO mentioned furthermore, that the display on iPhone 2 would be bigger than on iPhone 1 (although it is already quite big). iPhone 2 is also thinner than iPhone 1. |
  
According to ZDNet.de, Intel CEO Hannes Schwaderer confirmed that Apple would be using the "Intel Atom" processor in the next version of the iPhone. The new model will reportedly be a larger model with a 720x480 pixel display, correlating with circulating rumors about a mini-tablet device rumored to be coming from Apple. English translation:As part of an Intel event for the 40th birthday of the semiconductor company at Munich’s BMW World, Germany managing director Hannes Schwaderer confirmed today what has long been a rumor on the Internet: namely, that there is an iPhone with Intel’s new Atom chip. The device is slightly larger than the current version, Schwaderer said. That is not, however, because of the Intel chip, but because of the larger display used in the new iPhone. He goes on to say that an upgraded version of the current form factor of iPhone would also exist as a 3G-model. While Schwaderer calls the larger device a "version of the iPhone", it seems clear that it refers to the rumored mini-tablet device. Some rumors have suggested that it would be introduced at WWDC.
Hey, any Apple-devotee superdelegates out there? Because Obama is our new favorite Machead! It appears that in this video on the Politico blog taken from the other day, he's using an iPhone!!
AppleInsider has noted that AT&T's website for existing users now has an option for a black iPhone.
There have been rumors that Apple's upcoming 3G iPhone would come with a glossy black back. While there have also been some reported image leaks as well, the authenticity of such images remains highly doubtful.
Update: According to one report from the forum thread, Apple's online retail staff is indicating that news about the iPhone may be forthcoming in the next week. Whether this pertains to the current iPhone availability shortage or if it indicates a 3G iPhone announcement is uncertain. Typically retail staff are not told about upcoming announcements until immediately beforehand, however the iPhone shortage may have prompted a change from that procedure.
Update 2: An AT&T spokesman spoke to Gizmodo regarding the 'iPhone Black' option on their website.An AT&T spokesperson just told us that the iPhone Black dropdown reference on the AT&T Wireless website is just a temporary placeholder. The spokesperson says that it was used over the weekend for a "scheduled catalog update," distinguishing the various iPhone models (4GB, 8GB and 16GB). The explanation does not explain why the "black" distinguisher was used.
This new preference was found in the latest iPhone 2.0 Beta 5 distributed to developers. By default, the preference is hidden, but one developer (Chronic Productions) claims to have activated it. We have since confirmed that the text shown is indeed in the iPhone 2.0 Beta firmware, so the screenshot appears to be legitimate.
While the iPhone 2.0 firmware appears to contain 3G code, current iPhone owners will not be able to take advantage of the 3G speeds without buying the new iPhone. It appears that Apple will be using a common firmware for both the existing iPhone and the unreleased 3G-capable iPhone.
Also of interest is that due to the higher 3G power consumption, Apple is giving users an option to fall back to EDGE speeds in order to prolong battery life.
The 3G-capable iPhone is widely expected to be released in the coming months, possibly at the Worldwide Developer Conference in June.
Both the U.S. and U.K. online Apple Stores are currently out of both the 8GB and 16GB iPhones.
Customers trying to order the iPhone will find that both models are "currently unavailable." This comes just daysafter UK's O2 carrier's website also reflected that the 8GB and 16GB iPhones were "no longer available". Some speculated O2's lack of iPhones might may have been a decision to deplete regional stock while awaiting the next generation iPhone, but it appears even Apple's U.S. supply of iPhones has dwindled down. Reports from U.S. retail stores have confirmed the same.
Apple has been widely rumored to introduce their next-generation iPhone at their Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC), though that event is still almost on month away. While it remains possible that this is a temporary supply issue, the proximity to WWDC will certainly generate a lot of speculation.
Silicon Alley Insider first reported that NBC has developed an iPhone-specific version of their website that will stream Quicktime versions of their television shows!!
iPhone and iPod Touch owners need only to point their mobile browser to NBC.com and they will automatically be redirected an optimized version of their site that offers video clips and full episodes.
iPhone is good and done in the UK..... 
The headline kind of says it all, but if you weren't already sure enough that the first gen iPhone's stint in the UK was coming to a close, O2's pushing to make things crystal clear. It's hard to imagine both companies are going to just stop selling such a high profile device for too long, but clearly we're all still in the dark as to when its 3G replacement will officially be out.
 The Associated Press launched a web-portal for iPhone and iPod Touch users to deliver breaking news.
The new "Mobile News Network" is accessible from your iPhone or iPod Touch via apnews.com and provides an optimized site that delivers news from more than 100 newspapers.
The site is very well designed for an iPhone web-application and offers both photo and Quicktime video that plays directly on the iPhone.
Adobe made comments today that they will be delivering a Flash client for the iPhone. According to Adobe's Chief Executive Shantanu Narayen, Adobe has downloaded the iPhone SDK and is planning on building a Flash Player for the iPhone and distributing it via Apple's online store.Quote: | "We believe Flash is synonymous with the Internet experience, and we are committed to bringing Flash to the iPhone," Narayen said. "We have evaluated (the software developer tools) and we think we can develop an iPhone Flash player ourselves." |
It's not clear how exactly Adobe would bring Flash to the iPhone, as there are several restrictions in the iPhone SDK that could prevent its release.
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