Apple to make iPhones for CDMA networks
If reports are to be believed, Apple Inc. is getting ready to manufacture an iPhone model that will work on the cellular network operated by Verizon Wireless, though it doesn’t essentially means that it is coming on the carrier.
According to Lowell McAdam, the head of Verizon Wireless, there is the possibility of an iPhone on Verizon’s current 3G network. Verizon anticipates one to come later for Verizon’s newer, faster 4G network.
According to reports, the company will start mass-producing of the iPhones that work on CDMA cellular networks, the kind used by Verizon, by year’s end. They could go on sale early next year.
Current iPhones only work on GSM networks, including that of the iPhone’s exclusive U.S. carrier, AT&T Inc.
The report further revealed that Apple is developing a 5G iPhone that looks different from the ones on sale these days. New iPhone designs, including ones with smaller and larger screens than the existing models, have also long been rumored to be in the works.
T-Mobile USA to sell Microsoft Windows Phone
If sources are to be believed, T-Mobile USA will unite with AT&T Inc. in selling a smartphone using Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Phone 7. T-Mobile USA, a unit of Deutsche Telekom AG, will sell a device made by Taiwan’s HTC Corp. T-Mobile USA may sell a more business-oriented Windows Phone 7 later.
According to the company, T-Mobile has indicated support for Windows Phone 7 and will announce details of the Window Phone 7 offering on Oct. 11.
Microsoft is launching with AT&T and T-Mobile first because they both run on GSM network. Windows Phone 7 handsets compatible with the networks that Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel Corp. operate are expected to hit the market next year.
Having another carrier partner gives Microsoft an additional channel for distribution and boosts its chances for mass acceptance of its platform. The Windows Phone 7 software symbolizes Microsoft’s effort to revive its ailing mobile business and stay significant in the area that technology is headed.
According to Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Balmer, the company had missed a cycle with the mobile phone business.
Android is the first choice for Smartphones buyers in US
Google Inc.’s Android software grabs the top position in the U.S. among new smartphone buyers, passing the iPhone and BlackBerry platforms.
According to Nielsen, Android was the top choice for U.S. consumers who bought a smartphone in the past six months with RIM’s BlackBerry and Apple’s iPhone tied for second place.
Android has gained popularity as the software is free to any company who is willing to build phones using it and a wide range of manufacturers like Motorola Inc. and HTC Corp. have adopted it. Verizon Wireless, the largest U.S. wireless operator, has promoted Android devices, and AT&T Inc., the exclusive U.S. carrier for the iPhone, now also offers several Android models.
According to Roger Entner, Nielsen’s head of telecom research, distribution and choice is king. They expand their distribution to Verizon, Sprint and AT&T and introduce a whole swing of devices and their market share goes up like a rocket.
AT&T, the second-largest U.S. wireless operator will start selling three new Motorola Android phones, ranging in price from US$79.99 to US$129.99 with a two-year contract.
In the recent past Nielsen revealed that Android had passed Apple’s iPhone in sales among new U.S. smartphone buyers in the second quarter, though it still trailed the BlackBerry. While BlackBerry retained the top spot among all U.S. smartphone owners with a 31% share, its lead over Apple as it is declining. IPhone accounted for 28% of users and Android reported 19%.
Facebook working on two Smartphones: Reports
If reports are to be believed, Facebook is working with mobile phone maker INQ Mobile Ltd to create two smartphone devices that may have a network tie up with AT&T Inc.
According to sources, the devices, which will feature Facebook social-networking services, are due to be introduced in Europe in the first half of 2011 and in the U.S. in the second half. AT&T, the second-largest U.S. wireless service provider, is still considering whether to carry the devices and haven’t made a deal yet.
According to Jaime Schopflin, a spokesman for Facebook, the company’s current projects included deeper integrations with some manufacturers.
According to the company, it continues to work with INQ Mobile, which has previously sold phones with Facebook features, along with other companies.
INQ Mobile, which is based in London and is backed by Hong Kong telecom firm Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.
Apple plans to Sell iPhone 4 in China
Apple is planning to launch iPhone 4 in China and is also in discussions to open two new Chinese stores with its partner China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd. this week amid growing competition from rival Smartphones. The device will attack the market on September 25. Official Apple stores will sell contract-free 16GB and 32GB models for US$743 and US$892. The company will add a store in Beijing and one in Shanghai on the same day.
According to Analysts International analyst Fang Li, the world’s biggest technology company by market value is expanding in China, which overtook Japan last quarter to become the second-biggest economy globally. Demand from Chinese consumers for the iPhone, which faces competition from Smartphones made by local vendors including Lenovo Group Ltd. and Huawei Technologies Co., has lagged behind expectations.
Fang explained that the iPhone is expensive compared with other devices in the market. There are many Smartphones that offer comparable features and performance, but are priced much less.
According to the company, U.S. consumers can buy the phone for US$299 with an AT&T Inc. contract.
In Beijing, a store will be opened in Xidan Joy City at the same time as the iPhone 4 goes on sale. In Shanghai the store will be opened in Hong Kong Plaza.
7-inch Apple iPad soon to appear: Analyst
Apple is planning to set up an iPad with a 7- inch screen which is said to be launched early next year . The device is expected to have FaceTime support, a flagship feature used by Apple to market the fourth 4G iPhone and iPod touch.
According to an analyst at Rodman & Renshaw LLC, Apple Inc. may be readying a version of its iPad tablet computer with a 7-inch screen to fend off a threat from competing smaller-sized devices.
As per the reports by Rodman analyst Ashok Kumar, the product may be ready as soon as the first quarter of 2011. The current iPad has a 9.7-inch screen.
If this is true than Apple may have plans to launch the smaller iPad to compete with Samsung Electronics Co., maker of the Galaxy Tab. The iPad will run on Google Inc.’s Android operating system and will be offered by the four biggest U.S. wireless carriers: AT&T Inc., Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel Corp. and T-Mobile, a unit of Deutsche Telekom AG. According to Samsung, the Galaxy Tab will have a 7-inch display and video-conferencing features via Wi-Fi networks.
According to Kumar, Apple will be playing catch-up on the videoconferencing features. Apple’s latest iPhone and iPod Touch support a Wi-Fi videoconferencing feature called FaceTime, which Apple would extend to the new iPad.
After representing the product in January this year, Apple started selling the iPad in the U.S. in April. By the end of the quarter, Apple had traded 3.3 million iPads in around 10 countries. Apple also started selling the iPad in China last Friday.
Apple is setting up an iPad with a 7- inch screen which is said to be launched early next year. The device is expected to have FaceTime support, a flagship feature used by Apple to market the fourth 4G iPhone and iPod touch.
According to an analyst at Rodman & Renshaw LLC, Apple Inc. may be readying a version of its iPad tablet computer with a 7-inch screen to fend off a threat from competing smaller-sized devices.
As per the reports by Rodman analyst Ashok Kumar, the product may be ready as soon as the first quarter of 2011. The current iPad has a 9.7-inch screen.
If this is true than Apple may have plans to launch the smaller iPad to compete with Samsung Electronics Co., maker of the Galaxy Tab. The iPad will run on Google Inc.’s Android operating system and will be offered by the four biggest U.S. wireless carriers: AT&T Inc., Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel Corp. and T-Mobile, a unit of Deutsche Telekom AG. According to Samsung, the Galaxy Tab will have a 7-inch display and video-conferencing features via Wi-Fi networks.
According to Kumar, Apple will be playing catch-up on the videoconferencing features. Apple’s latest iPhone and iPod Touch support a Wi-Fi videoconferencing feature called FaceTime, which Apple would extend to the new iPad.
After representing the product in January this year, Apple started selling the iPad in the U.S. in April. By the end of the quarter, Apple had traded 3.3 million iPads in around 10 countries. Apple also started selling the iPad in China last Friday.
Apple’s share rose 1.9% to $280.51 in Nasdaq Stock Market trading. The shares mounted 31% this year.
