Posted by Daniel Feeney on October 8, 2011
Apple’s iPhone 4S became available for pre-order –in just a select few countries– just days ago. Since, quite a few news stories have appeared with rumors and news surrounding the new device. A recap follows…
Danish professor Gert Frølund Pedersen is speaking out about the iPhone 4S’ new antenna. According to the professor, the changes made will likely solve all possible “antennagate-related” issues, however whether or not it is allowed to use said solution is in question.
Pedersen as well as others at Aalborg University believe Apple will/could run into legality issues related to patents the professors sold to Samsung in 2007.
The Verge is reporting that AT&T is “working together” with Apple to change the indicator in the iPhone 4S’ status bar to show “4G.” The iPhone 4S tops out at 14.4Mbps, up from the iPhone 4′s 7.2Mbps.
Palo Alto police department spokeswoman Sandra Brown told Bloomberg Apple executives were likely aware of Steve Jobs’ condition at and before the iPhone 4S launch event.
The Apple representatives told the police department there was “a possibility that it could happen this week,” Brown said in a phone interview. “It’s common sense for us to work together. If you think about who he was and his contribution to the world, people might come out in masses.”
According to Brown, Apple was supposed to inform police of Jobs’ passing prior to issuing a public statement, however police ended up learning of the death through Apple’s press release on October 5th.
AT&T announced it processed more than 200,000 pre-orders for the iPhone 4S within the first 12 hours of sales. Apple, Verizon Wireless, and Sprint have yet to release a statement on their sales figures.
AT&T has seen extraordinary demand for iPhone 4S with more than 200,000 preorders in the first 12 hours alone, the most successful iPhone launch we’ve ever had. It’s obvious customers like AT&T’s 4G network, which is the only one that lets their iPhone download twice as fast and talk and surf simultaneously.
Last year, there were approximately 600,000 iPhone 4 preorders (through all carriers) within the first 12 hours. Taking into account AT&T alone sold more than 200,000, it is likely sales figures easily surpassed those of last year.
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Posted by Daniel Feeney on October 6, 2011
And the date is set. Tonight –or is it tomorrow night?– preorders for Apple’s new iPhone, the iPhone 4S begin at 3:01am EDT.
Customers within the United States this year have three options to choose from: AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint.
Read on for PCMag’s chart differentiating the carriers… (more…)
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Posted by Daniel Feeney on October 6, 2011
Yesterday, one of, if not the most influential man of the century –and last’s– died. On October 5, 2011, at the age of 56, Steve Jobs died. Today, more reacting are being felt across the world. Some follow:
TIME Magazine stopped the presses which were previously working on an upcoming issue in order to devote its cover and 21 pages of the full issue to Jobs’ life and career.
Today, TIME releases a special commemorative issue on Steve Jobs to hit newsstands and tablet devices tomorrow, Friday, October 7.
To produce this special issue, TIME stopped the presses on its previously planned issue in order to devote its cover and 21 pages of the full issue to Jobs’ life and career. The issue includes a six-page essay by Jobs’ biographer Walter Isaacson, a historical report on Jobs career by TIME technology reporters Harry McCracken and Lev Grossman and a photo essay by Diana Walker, who has been shooting Jobs for TIME since 1982.
The cover image (right, click to enlarge) is a photograph of Jobs taken by Norman Seeff in 1984. This is the seventh time Jobs has appeared on the cover of TIME.
The magazine is increasing its print run for this special issue, which will be available worldwide.
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, a biography of Jobs’ life has upped it launch date to October 24th due to the events which have taken place. According to the WSJ, Isaacson was aware of the fact that Jobs was near death at the time his interviews took place (roughly four weeks ago).
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Posted by Daniel Feeney on October 6, 2011
Today, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs has passed away.
Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.
Reactions to Jobs’ death after the jump… (more…)
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Posted by Daniel Feeney on October 5, 2011
Just recently, news broke that Samsung would make an attempt to stop sales of Apple’s –at the time– future iPhone as soon as it becomes available. Today, Samsung delivered. In an announcement on its corporate blog, Samsung has released news that it is in fact looking to ban the iPhone 4S in Italy and France due to two patent infringements:
Samsung Electronics will file separate preliminary injunction motions in Paris, France and Milano, Italy on October 5 local time requesting the courts block the sale of Apple’s iPhone 4S in the respective markets.
Samsung’s preliminary injunction requests in France and Italy will each cite two patent infringements related to wireless telecommunications technology, specifically Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) standards for 3G mobile handsets.
The infringed technology is essential to the reliable functioning of telecom networks and devices and Samsung believes that Apple’s violation as being too severe and that the iPhone 4S should be barred from sales.
Apple has continued to flagrantly violate our intellectual property rights and free ride on our technology. We believe it is now necessary to take legal action to protect our innovation.
Samsung plans to file preliminary injunctions in other countries after further review.
Perhaps this is retaliation after Apple got its Galaxy Tab banned in various countries.
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Posted by Daniel Feeney on October 4, 2011
After today, the question as to whether or not to get the new iPhone 4S is a difficult one indeed. After all, there isn’t a new design. Internally, the two iPhones are Yin and Yang. The Verge (This is my Next) has put together a chart comparing the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, and Samsung Galaxy S II. (more…)
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Posted by Daniel Feeney on October 4, 2011
Today, Apple held its “Let’s talk iPhone event” where it announced the iPhone 4S, Siri (Assistant), an updated (?) Nano, Find my Friends, and Cards. Rather than making this into several different posts, here is the summary… (more…)
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Posted by Daniel Feeney on October 3, 2011
After the constant buzz over the past year or so regarding a possible Sprint iPhone, it appears the deal might actually happen (if it hasn’t already). The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Sprint has finally sealed a deal with Apple which will allow it to offer customers the iPhone. However, the multibillion dollar deal it made with Apple is a gamble which Sprint Chief Executive, Dan Hesse believes won’t be profitable till 2014.
The No. 3 wireless company is making a multibillion dollar gamble that Apple Inc.’s gadget will be the ticket to a turnaround, even though Sprint Chief Executive Dan Hesse told the board in August that Sprint would likely lose money on the deal until 2014, according to people familiar with the matter.
According to the Journal’s report, Sprint agreed to purchase at least 30.5 million iPhones over the next four years—a deal which translates to $20 billion at current rates. Further, the carrier is expected to subsidize the cost of each phone to about $500. (more…)
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Posted by Daniel Feeney on October 2, 2011
Gizmodo’s Brazilian counterpart, Gizmodo.com.br has gotten its hands on what appears to be a next-gen iPhone being made at a Foxconn factory in Brazil.
Inside the factory, an inside man was able to snap some photos of what appears to be a current-gen iPhone, however, on a quality control form the device is being labeled with the model number “N90A.” This model number has been tossed around rather frequently over the past few days and labeled as a possible inexpensive iPhone.
The iPhones in the photos were make as disqualified by the manufacturer, however based on “hard to read” scribbles, the label says “lenses sent:”
These particular phones won’t be hitting any shelves anytime soon though—they didn’t meet Apple’s manufacturing standards.Gizmodo Brazil editor-in-chief Pedro Burgostells us that, though the note scribbled in the “reprovado” (“disqualified”) section is hard to read, he’s pretty sure it says “lenses sent.” Now what the hell does that mean? Who knows. It might have something to do with the camera lens, or maybe that’s an aberration on the screen shown in photo 4.
The next-gen(s) of Apple’s iPhone is expected to be released at its on-campus event next Tuesday.
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Posted by Daniel Feeney on October 1, 2011
9to5Mac has found within the latest iTunes beta the specific mention of the “iPhone 4S” name. The image accompanying the “iPhone 4S” name is that of the CDMA iPhone 4.
Unless Apple still has the CDMA iPhone 4 as a placeholder image until the new iPhone is announced, we’re fairly confident that the iPhone 4S will pack the CDMA iPhone design. iTunes only holds two iPhone 4S references: black and white versus the four iPhone 4 references of black/GSM, black/CDMA, white/GSM, and white/CDMA. This may also confirm the rumors of the new iPhone being a dual-mode/CDMA + GSM handset.
It is likely the majority of changes which will be announced next week are internal. However, it is possible the CDMA iPhone 4 image is a placeholder. (more…)
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Posted by Daniel Feeney on October 1, 2011
Apple’s iCloud is its improved, cloud-like service which is replacing its not-too-successful MobileMe service. With its launch expected to occur alongside iOS 5′s and the next-gen iPhone, time is of the essence.
CNet is reporting that Apple is attempting to lock down worldwide cloud-music rights for an October 4th launch.
Sources familiar with the discussions between Apple, record companies, and music publishers, say Apple is seeking international music licenses for its iCloud service. The licenses would be similar to those the company has already obtained for U.S. operations, the sources said.
According to the online publication, deals are close but “nothing is signed.” (more…)
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Posted by Daniel Feeney on October 1, 2011
As we have seen throughout the week, rumors surrounding Apple’s release next week has got the rumor mill running at full speed. With countless stories appearing each day, it is only right to do a recap of the news (Sept 29-30).
BGR has gotten its hands on what appears to be an AT&T inventory page in which a list of Case-Mate’s iPhone 5 cases exists. The cases appear to be modified versions of the already available iPhone 4 cases. Further, MacRumors later reported that some AT&T stores have already received shipments of (non-Case-Mate) off-brand cases designed for the iPhone 5.
In June, it was learned that AT&T would be increasing its premiums on iPhone insurance on October 4th, the same day of Apple’s iPhone event. 9to5Mac points out that this could indicate a rather short period of time between the device’s announcement and availability. (more…)
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Posted by Daniel Feeney on September 29, 2011
There have been quite a few stories appearing today regarding Apple’s next generation iPhone. Most of these recent news pieces have titled the device as an “iPhone 4S” rather than an “iPhone 5″ which brings into question what exactly Apple is planning to announce next week.
9to5Mac received word from its source (known as “Mr. X”) that both the new iPod touch and iPhone have appeared in Apple’s internal inventory system.
The three new iPod touch models received the codename N81A; N81 is the code for the current (fourth) generation iPod touch. 9to5Mac, as well as other publications believes the addition of the “A” translates to new white versions of the same (current) iPod model. (more…)
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Posted by Daniel Feeney on September 28, 2011
T-Mobile Chief Marketing Officer, Cole Brodman has published a letter to customers regarding the wireless carrier and iPhone. In the letter, Brodman says T-Mobile would like to add the iPhone to its lineup, however it is up to Apple to deliver.
We’ve heard from many customers who love their T-Mobile service, but are disappointed that we don’t carry the iPhone. To these customers, first, thank you for your business. Please know that we think the iPhone is a great device and Apple knows that we’d like to add it to our line-up. Today, there are over a million T-Mobile customers using unlocked iPhones on our network. We are interested in offering all of our customers a no-compromise iPhone experience on our network.
Brodman also mentions all the functionality and benefits Android devices have to offer and that, for now, “[its] focus continues to be giving customers the best that Android has to offer, coupled with 4G speeds that let you browse the Web faster than on average home internet” (more…)
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Posted by Daniel Feeney on September 27, 2011
Mozilla, the non-profit organization behind Firefox and Thunderbird, has released the newest version of its popular browser, Firefox 7. Aside from the normal fixes and updates, this version of Firefox utilizes a MemShrink project which reduces memory use by 20 to 50 percent.
As a result of its slimmer memory usage, users have more memory to run other applications without the lag which has plagued users in the past. This also results in both faster performance and a lower likelihood of crashing. (more…)
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Posted by Daniel Feeney on September 27, 2011
Today, Apple sent invitations to a select few –thanks, Apple for not inviting us– to an on-campus press conference next Tuesday, October 4. The invitation is composed of four icons (Calendar, Clock, Maps, and Phone) which not only read out the day and time of the event, but also could shed a light on apps which might be changing.
Piper Jaffray’s Gene Munster believes Apple’s “Let’s talk iPhone” on the invitation is a clue to the new iPhone’s Siri-like Assistant feature (voice-recognition) which Apple acquired nearly 18 months ago.
“In the past,” Munster writes in a note to clients, “Apple has used its invitation to include cryptic hints as to what it will announce. The phrase on this year’s invite, ‘Let’s talk iPhone’ may be a simple play on words, but may also refer to new speech-based features for the iPhone.”
Also in the invitation is a notification badge with a “1″ on the Phone icon. John Gruber said on his Daring Fireball blog that “Something tells me [him] there’s only one new iPhone.” (more…)
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