Month: January 2013

Verizon activates 9.8M smartphones in Q4 amid a ‘higher mix’ of iPhones

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Verizon announced it activated 9.8 million smartphones during the holiday 2012 fourth quarter. In a statement to federal regulators, the nation's largest carrier said there was a "higher mix of smartphones", causing some observers to believe the wireless provider sold more than 5.3 million iPhones during the three-month period.

Rival AT&T yesterday told the Securities and Exchange Commission it sold 10 million smartphones during the fourth quarter, prompting one analyst to suggest the Dallas-based carrier sold at least eight million Apple handsets...

Why T-Mobile is the right fit for the $99 iPhone mini

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 9, 2013

With both The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg now reporting that Apple is considering a less-pricey iPhone for emerging markets with the unsubsidized price starting as low as $99, the question is arising which of the top wireless carriers will get the honors of launching the handset here in the U.S. And if by its very nature Apple's upcoming new iPhone is targeted at the low-end where people are unwilling to buy heavily subsidized devices with long-term contracts, shouldn't T-Mobile be the most logical launch partner?

Bloomberg: less pricey iPhone to cost $99 to $149, arriving late-2013

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 9, 2013

Yesterday, The Wall Street Journal (again) backed the swirling rumors previously calling for a redesigned and inexpensive iPhone model aimed at China and developing markets, where handsets are more often than not sold contract-free. Today, Bloomberg piggy-backs on the rumor with its own take, saying this new and less expensive iPhone model could cost anywhere from $99 to $149. That's the full, unsubsidized price customers would be paying without having to commit their soul to a carrier...

CES 2013: Magic Cube laser-projects a big virtual keyboard on any surface

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 9, 2016

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia8mamWybcY

Fan-made concepts envisioning an iPhone with a laser projection keyboard are so captivating that even Fox 5 News thought the iPhone 5 has one built-in. While we have our doubts as to whether or not Apple would even consider such a technology, the prospect is tantalizing, at least on the paper. And now, one company has sought out to turn it into a reality. Enter the aptly named Magic Cube from Celluon.

What this gadget does is it enhances your device with a cool laser projection keyboard while also doubling as a virtual multi-touch mouse for your computer. Just to dispel any doubts: it’s not a proof-of-concept. This thing is as real as real gets and works as advertised. The little Bluetooth accessory will effectively laser-project a full-size QWERTY keyboard on nearly any flat, opaque surface to let you type away on its big virtual 'keys'...

AT&T’s ‘best-ever’ smartphone sales hint at 8M iPhones in Q4 2012

Ed Sutherland ∙ January 9, 2013

What can be divined from AT&T's announcement of record smartphone sales during the holiday quarter? According to one Apple watcher, the fact that the Dallas-based carrier sold ten million Apple, Android and Windows smartphones likely means the bulk - more than eight million - were iPhones. According to Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster, during the holiday quarter of 2011, the wireless company sold 9.4 million smartphones, 7.6 million of which were Apple's handset. Because of that trend, Munster is forecasting 8.1 million iPhones were sold during the fourth quarter of 2012...

T-Mobile to start selling the iPhone in ‘three to four’ months

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Good news for T-Mobile subscribers looking to get their hands on the iPhone. In a new interview, the carrier's CEO John Legere says it will begin offering Apple's popular handset sooner rather than later.

Legere first confirmed that his company would be becoming an official iPhone partner, as well as eliminating device subsidies, this year, back in December. And now he sees both happening in the next 3-4 months...

CES 2013: Incipio announces NFC-enabled iPhone wallet

Cody Lee ∙ January 9, 2013

Like Griffin, Belkin and other iOS accessory powerhouses, Incipio turned up at CES this week to unveil a wide range of new products. Among them are a dual iPhone 5 car charger, and an iPhone case with a built-in tape measure.

Perhaps most interesting, though, is its new Cashwrap iPhone case. The thin case not only protects the handset from drops and other accidents, but it also gives it the ability to make NFC transactions using the Isis platform...

AT&T and Verizon also looking into ending device subsidies

Cody Lee ∙ January 8, 2013

Last month, T-Mobile confirmed that it was ending device subsidies ahead of its official iPhone launch. The carrier hopes that customers will buy into the idea, which has them paying full retail prices for mobile devices in exchange for lower monthly fees.

Well apparently, the idea has attracted the attention of the big wigs at Verizon and AT&T. According to a new report, CEO's from both companies are intrigued by the theory, and will be watching T-Mobile's experiment closely over the next several months...

This is how strong Corning’s new Gorilla Glass 3 is

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 8, 2013

Apple's been using Corning's tough cover glass on all iPhone models, up to the point where you could safely conclude the iPhone helped Corning a great deal make a name for itself. Ahead of CES, the New York-based company announced its third-generation Corning Glass, 40 percent more scratch resistant and 50 percent stronger. Here's a nice demonstration of just how strong it really is. I'm sure it'll give you a pause, it's right past the fold...

Walmart to begin offering the iPhone 5 through Straight Talk this week

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Walmart and Straight Talk Wireless have issued a press release announcing that starting this Friday, the retail giant will begin offering the iPhone 5 through the popular prepaid service. The phone will come with a $45 unlimited talk, text and data plan, and no contract. And Walmart will be offering special financing for those who can't pay for the device up front...

WSJ: Apple working on less expensive iPhone

Cody Lee ∙ January 8, 2013

As hard as we try, we just can't escape the ongoing 'iPhone nano' rumors. It seems that everyone in the tech industry is waiting on Apple to diversify its handset lineup and introduce a less expensive iPhone for prepaid and emerging markets.

In fact, we've already heard a report on the topic today from DigiTimes, who says that their sources have actually seen the low-cost smartphone. And this afternoon, The Wall Street Journal throws its hat into the ring with its own scoop...