iPhone coming to Verizon/Sprint in 2009? September 30, 2008
Posted by Eli Blumenthal in : Cell Phones, Rumors , 12comments
Coming in 2009?
This is the latest rumor hitting the streets, but before you Verizon users get your hopes up, remember this is just a rumor. What is this rumor exactly? As you may have guessed from the title, 9to5 Mac is reporting that come next year, Apple will be launching an iPhone designed to use CDMA networks — the network technology for Sprint and Verizon.
Now this would make sense for a couple of reasons:
- AT&T exclusivity agreement with Apple is already 2 years old — The rumor on how long this will last was between 2 and 5 years.
- Apple is letting go of some restrictions on the phone — In Hong Kong they are officially selling the iPhone 3G unlocked (albeit for $600- $700, or the same price it would cost to buy without contract here in the US). Apple also is letting the carriers control pricing of the phone, another sign they are “loosening up.”
- Apple is letting other stores beside carrier and Apple stores sell the phone- For example here in the US, you can now go to Best Buy to buy your iPhone instead of going to an Apple or AT&T store.
Now why wouldn’t Verizon work with this? Two reasons I can think of:
- Verizon initally turned down Apple- Yup in 2005 they were the first people approached by Apple for an iPhone, and turned them down (yeah I know- what in the world were they thinking!).
- The CDMA technology is a dying breed- Within the next few years, companies including Verizon and Sprint, will be going off CDMA in favor of 4th generation networks like LTE (Long Term Evolution- 4G network Verizon, AT&T and probably T-Mobile will use, very fast networks, and based on GSM- which is what AT&T and T-Mobile currently use), and XHOM (aka WiMax- very fast 4G network Sprint is using, actually started testing in Baltimore area). The 4G networks are expected to begin rolling out over the next few years (not until at least 2010 though), and that would make a iPhone for CDMA a really short term investment that might not be worth taking.
Chaim and myself highly doubt the iPhone will be coming to Verizon or Sprint anytime soon, but hey, you never know with Apple 
What are your thoughts/prayers- how bad you want the iPhone to come to Verizon or Sprint (and based on our doubts we really mean prayers 
), or are you happy with your Samsung Instinct or LG Dare and don’t need an iPhone. Let us know in the comments.
Info from 9to5Mac
Soon-to-be Dicontinued PS3 40 GB Getting a Price Cut Too September 27, 2008
Posted by Eli Blumenthal in : Video Games , 2comments
We all know the Xbox 360 got a very welcomed price cut a couple weeks ago, and now Sony is stepping up and trying to match Microsoft with a price cut of its own. Just a note to start: However this price cut for the 40 GB PS3 has a countdown clock. Like Microsoft did with the 20 GB Xbox 360, Sony is giving it a price cut until all the remaining PS3′s are sold.
Now what is this PS3 price cut? According to Gizmodo.com, it will bring the PS3′s 40 GB price down $40 to $359.99 (from $399.99). Additionally, these PS3s will be bundled with Spiderman:The Movie and Transformers: The Game.
This isn’t a revolutionary price cut like the 360, where the Arcade version is now the cheapest “Next-Gen” system available — and yes, cheaper than the Wii by $50 — but for those of you who wanted a PS3 for a little less cash, today is the day to go and buy one because nobody knows when the clock will run out!
Info from Gizmodo.com
Apple Store: My Customer Support Experience September 25, 2008
Posted by Chaim Gartenberg in : Computers , add a comment
Apple Store
As frequent readers may know, I happen to have a Macbook, which I think is awesome. Recently however, my faithful Macbook began to experience some keyboard problems, so I had to take it in to get some repairs. Now, as every person whose ever had technical issues knows, tech support is effectively the worst nightmare. So, bracing myself for the worst, I scheduled an appointment online with my local Apple Store to get it checked out. So far, so good. I go, and after a short wait, I met with one of the Geniuses. He was very helpful, and basically said it was covered under warrenty, and that they would fix it, no problem. It was fast, easy, and I didn’t need to ship it anywhere, which alone saves me a couple of weeks on the repair. Overall, great experience, and a great model for customer service.
T-Mobile G1 Out! September 24, 2008
Posted by Eli Blumenthal in : Cell Phones, Google , 4comments
The T-Mobile G1!!!
Forget all that iPhone 3G update stuff- that’s old news now Yesterday Google and T-Mobile, along with HTC, officially announced the T-Mobile G1 (previously called the HTC Dream) onto the world. This bad boy is loaded! So whats it all about and how does it compare to the iPhone 3G? Read on to find out!
iPhone 3G Update Rumor- Update September 23, 2008
Posted by Eli Blumenthal in : Cell Phones , add a comment
No major updates coming?
Remember the other day when we wrote on about an iPhone 3G update? Well, more news for you today on what is going down. Today the iPhone 3G got at home activation, but its slightly different than the first iPhone — the first half of the activation happens at home and you finish it up at an Apple store (not sure if it also works at AT&T or Best Buy). While it would be better if everything could be done in the comfort of your own home, this still makes buying an iPhone far easier. Check out the new process here.
Oh, and the 32 GB iPhone memory rumor? According to the Boy Genius Report, those are just rumors and we shouldn’t expect them anytime soon- but hey, it still could happen .
What do you think: will you buy your iPhone 3G now, since no major updates are expected any time soon, or will you specifically not buy the iPhone 3G because of the change in memory and only semi in-home activation? Is the semi activation better than going to a store and starting from scratch there? Let us know in the comments.
Info from Boy Genius Report.com
iPhone 3G Getting Updated? September 21, 2008
Posted by Eli Blumenthal in : Cell Phones, Rumors , add a comment
iPhone 3G- now with double the memory?
With all this talk (covered by us here) of new touchscreen phones going to Verizon (Blackberry Storm), and T-Mobile (HTC Dream/G1, as it is now going by), as well as Sprint’s Samsung Instinct App Store release date nearing (October 10 is when the winners of the contest for best apps should be announced, and we assume the time when we will also then get more word on when this “App Store” will launch), it is only right to go back to the phone that started all this touchscreen madness: the iPhone and its successor, the iPhone 3G.
The latest rumor we got for you today is that as soon as next week, Apple could be updating the iPhone 3G to 32 GB of storage (moving the 16 GB model to where the 8 GB is now, and dropping the 8 GB entirely), and may even go back to in-home activation!
These are two updates I would personally love because I now get a much-needed, bigger iPod for my music and videos (I right now am on an old, original 1st Gen 4 GB Nano), a better cell phone (I am on AT&T), and the fact that I can handle the whole activating process from my computer — and not have to deal with all the craziness of lines and such that go on in Apple and AT&T stores — would be AWESOME!!!
Let’s hope this comes true and soon, but in the meantime: would you go for this “new” iPhone 3G, and hold off your existing purchase of an iPhone or one of these other upcoming phones for different carriers (see top), or are you just gonna say “This isn’t going to happen, and I want my iPhone 3G/LG Dare or Samsung Instinct NOW!” Let us know your thoughts and plans in the comments.
Info from Apple Insider.com
HTC Dream Price Comes Out September 18, 2008
Posted by Eli Blumenthal in : Cell Phones , add a comment
HTC Dream- only $199.99
As we told you before, T-Mobile and Google plan to officially announce their upcoming new phone- the HTC Dream- on Tuesday. No Tuesday hasn’t come yet (hey the weekend has to come first ), but word has leaked via the Wall Street Journal that it will cost $199.99 (same as iPhone 3G) with a 2 year contract when it comes out for T-Mobile. No pricing has been announced for those who want to buy the phone without an upgrade or who don’t want to sign up with a T-Mobile plan (and will probably unlock it and use it on another network like AT&T ), but we expect that on Tuesday, along with the release date.
In the meantime, feel free start saving up some cash for what may be your new phone .
Info from the Wall Street Journal.com (Warning: to read full article you need to have an account to the Wall Street Journal Online).
Rumors and Releases on Much-Anticipated Cell Phones September 16, 2008
Posted by Eli Blumenthal in : Cell Phones, Rumors , add a comment
Blackberry Storm for Verizon
Some really exciting news in the cell phone world coming out now, including updates on some phones that are really revolutionizing not only their brands but what we expect from a cell phone. News about the Samsung Omnia, Blackberry Thunder/Storm, Blackberry Pearl Flip, and the most anticipated- HTC Dream running Google’s Android is all here.Take a look.