Tech Pedia » Cell Phones

Apple to Provide Free Case to Cover Up Antenna Issues

Abhinav Kaiser — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 09:09:45 +0000

Apple, the giant of present day mobile telephony generation has offered to subdue the pending litigations against iPhone 4 by buying off consumers with a cheap $5 mobile phone case, made of plastic and rubber. This is a cheap tactic by a company regarded highly for its antics in computer and mobile technology.

iPhone 4 launched earlier last month amidst reported issues of bad reception and sub par transmission levels. The problem was the design and the antenna situated in the bottom section of the phone cut calls when users clasped the phone with their palms. Apple was ludicrous at first, and blamed users for the lost signal and later induced sense into themselves after several suits were filed.

Apple had options before it to rectify the problem. They could recall all the sold units, fix the design flaw and relaunch it. This was the expensive route which would bring in a permanent fix. But, as you would expect, the company opted for a cheaper alternative. A rubber and plastic case would fix the issue as it would prevent users from covering the antenna with their palms. Apple tried to pull a fast one by asking users to purchase one. But, when the suit count reached the roof, they decided to bear the cost on themselves, and will issue a case for all buyers of iPhone 4. So, if you have an iPhone, go to the nearest Apple store to claim one. If you have already bought one, Apple will reimburse it to you anyways.

Apple has sold 3 million pieces so far, and roughly around 7 million pieces are sitting in its stores waiting to be sold. That would be an extra expenditure of around 50 million dollars in the blink of an eye.

To add, the company is pursuing with the design and is mass producing new iPhones. They expect to sell around 70 million units by the year end. Who in the right sense would buy a product that does not work well by itself? Not me! Are you one of the fools?

iPhone 4 takes a Consumer Beating

Abhinav Kaiser — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:07:38 +0000

Apple is in the dock again. This time around, Consumer Reports have asked Apple to find a permanent solution to the antenna problem in the newly launched iPhone 4.

We think it’s the company’s responsibility to provide the fix—at no extra cost to consumers.

Apple skirted the issue stating that the users held the phone in a wrong manner – palming around the lower part of the new iPhone. A workaround was offered to purchase a $30 rubber cases that would keep their hands away from the problem area.

Within a week, Apple turned around and put the blame on the software. They say that a release is stated to fix the problem.

Our tests, conducted in our labs using controlled signals, confirm growing anecdotal indications that the iPhone 4’s problems are anything but illusory. Our tests found that when your finger or hand touches a spot on the phone’s lower left side—an easy thing to do—the signal can significantly degrade enough to cause you to lose your connection altogether if you’re in an area with a weak signal. We tested several other AT&T phones the same way, including the iPhone 3G S and the Palm Pre. None of those phones had the significant signal-loss problems of the iPhone 4.

Tech Pedia believes that Apple should recall the faulty phone and reimburse the consumer including the delivery charges and taxes paid during purchase. It is obvious that the design is a flaw and the market has sensed it, and rightfully Apple’s stock price fell by 2 percent.

Apple will have to do something quickly. There are dozens of lawsuits pending in this regard and the consumer forums across the country will get cracking if the company chooses to plug its mouth.

Some iPhone 4 pre-orders to arrive early

Anuroop Kaiser — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:50:23 +0000

Some customers who first pre-ordered an iPhone 4 last week are reporting that they received an e-mail from Apple stating their order will arrive one day earlier than expected, on Wednesday, June 23.

“Although Apple and FedEx tracking information may currently indicate a later date, you can check the FedEx website the morning of the June 23 to track your package to your doorstep,” reads the text of the Apple e-mail.

Apple has scheduled the iPhone 4 delivery date for June 24, but the e-mail from the company confirms the first delivery date as June 23. Apple advises those who cannot accept delivery on June 23 to use the pre-signed delivery option.

This is an unusual move for Apple, as the company usually held back deliveries until a set date, despite the goods being in FedEx custody a few days earlier than the delivery date. In the case of the iPhone 3GS, and more recently the iPad, FedEx stuck to the initial Apple-set delivery dates.

Apple said last week it saw record numbers of iPhone 4 pre-orders in the first couple of days of availability, as many as 600,000, but the process was painstaking.

Problems plagued AT&T’s servers, which in turn took down Apple’s pre-ordering site, leading to queues at brick-and-mortar stores.

Apple had to apologize to customers for the iPhone 4 pre-ordering mayhem, so the move to send the first batch of pre-orders one day early could be aimed at regaining customer satisfaction.

Spreading iPhone 4 deliveries over two days would also help to ease the load on AT&T’s activation servers, as well as putting less stress on FedEx’s delivery schedule.

After June 24, the second batch of iPhone 4 pre-orders is slated to arrive on July 2, and a third batch by July 14.

If you still want to get an iPhone 4 on launch day, your best bet is to try your luck at Wal-Mart, Best Buy or Radio Shack stores on June 24.

via

Verizon’s 3G Data Plans Aren’t Changing

Anuroop Kaiser — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:23:43 +0000

Okay. Take a deep breath now. Bloomberg ran a story this morning which is being misinterpreted by some as Verizon following in AT&T’s footsteps lowering caps on 3G data plans, when it looks to me like nothing of the sort.

In the story, Verizon’s CFO John Killian is clearly talking about the carrier’s upcoming 4G network. Verizon execs have consistently said that the 4G network would have different types of data plans than the 3G system. Chief executive Lowell McAdam has several times proposed a sort of “data pool” approach where you buy a certain number of gigabytes which you can then share over several 4G devices. (We reported on this in May, among other times.) McAdam has said that’s the best way to achieve “500 percent penetration,” meaning each US household having five mobile devices.

For the record, Verizon spokeswoman Brenda Raney said there are no current plans to change Verizon’s 3G smartphone data plans.

Motorola Droid and HTC Incredible users seem to be using much more 3G data than iPhone users do, if the Bloomberg story is to be believed. Killian said users of top Verizon smartphones consume 600-800 MB of data monthly. When we checked the data usage of six iPhone owners here at PC Mag, we found they used more like 200-400 MB monthly. Perhaps iPhone users spend more time on Wi-Fi?

via

Verizon Teases Droid X, Big Reveal Next Week?

Anuroop Kaiser — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:17:48 +0000

Verizon Thursday confirmed the existence of Droid X with the launch of a new section on its Web site spotlighting the phone. The long-rumored Droid X, which will be a Motorola smartphone running Google’s Android OS, will join the growing family of Verizon-carried Droid phones alongisde the first Motorola Droid and the HTC Droid Incredible. Verizon appears to be readying the big Droid X reveal for next week.

Verizon’s site includes an image of Droid X, an e-mail prompt where users can sign up to receive Droid X details, and the tagline “The Next Generation of Droid: Droid Does.” Flanked by images of the Motorola Droid and the HTC Droid Incredible, Droid X is listed as “coming soon.”

According to the Verizon site, Droid X has a 4.3-inch display, video capture for 720p video and HDMI output. That’s all Verizon’s saying officially, although for months, rumors have circulated that the new Droid will be running Google Android 2.2, have at least 8 GB of internal storage, include an 8-megapixel camera to rival the one seen on the HTC Droid Incredible, and sport a 1GHz processor.

Pictures of an alleged Droid X also have been circulating this week thanks to Engadget, which claims to have obtained a Droid X. According to Engadget’s rundown on the phone, Droid X also has a Swype virtual-typing function, multitouch typing and no physical keyboard.

Engadget added that the Droid X appeared to be running Android 2.1 with a different version of Motoblur, Motorola’s mobile social networking interface.

Verizon Wireless has scheduled a media event for next Wednesday, June 23, in which it seems likely Droid X will see its official reveal. The timing for Verizon seems too fitting for coincidence: June 24 is the day when Apple’s iPhone 4 officially arrives.

via

Samsung Galaxy Beam landing in July?

Anuroop Kaiser — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:50:55 +0000

The world’s first mass-market projector phone, the Samsung Galaxy Beam, could just be a couple of months from launch in the UK.

Engadget has got word that the phone will be launching in Singapore next month, which means it shouldn’t be too long before we get to see it on our cloudy shores.

When we got a hands on with the Samsung Galaxy Beam at Mobile World Congress in February, we were told this would be in the UK at ’some point in Q3, probably before Autumn’ so fingers crossed that still hold true.

Beam me up

The Samsung Galaxy Beam, which has a projector bolted on the back but only with a paltry six lumens output, is so packed with technology you might be able to see past the poor brightness. In fact, you almost certainly will be able to.

But don’t forget it also has 16GB of internal memory, Android 2.1 and a 3.7-inch version of that lovely Super AMOLED screen Samsung is touting all over the place.

It’s also got an 8MP camera with HD video recording, an 1800mAh battery and a microSD slot too – so even if you just want a heavily-specified phone without ever using the projector, this could be the one for you if you don’t mind the chunk.

via

Apple Debuts iPhone App Called App Store

Anuroop Kaiser — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:44:11 +0000

Want to pre-order the new iPhone 4 or buy a new Mac mini on your iPhone? Starting Tuesday, there is an app for that. Apple debuted its own iPhone app called App Store that allows you to buy Apple hardware and other goodies via your iPhone or iPad.

Just as iTunes lets you buy apps, music, and movies via your iPhone, the App Store app allows you to brows before and buy iPhones, iPads, Macs, or any other Apple product your credit card can withstand. In a less-than-amazing coincidence, Tuesday is also the day that pre-orders for iPhone 4 are being taken.

Even More Handy

The free App Store app also helps you find nearby Apple stores, in case you want to shop in person. It’s tied into location services, so once you give your permission to be found, it will point you toward the nearest Apple store. From there you can make reservations to speak with an Apple Genius or sign up for an event like a workshop.

Five navigation buttons sit at the bottom: Featured, Products, Stores, Search and Cart. One bonus: many products have a “Q&A” section, in which folks ask questions about the product, and others answer.

The App Store app appears to make shopping for Apple products easy and painless. There’s nothing innovative or ground-breaking about it, but it offers a more direct mobile link to Apple merchandise compared to other third-party Websites.

via

iPhone OS Lead Belies Rise of Android, Says Quantcast

Anuroop Kaiser — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:41:50 +0000

Apple’s iPhone iOS led the market with nearly 59 percent of mobile Web consumption on iPhone and iPod Touch devices in May. Google’s Android notched roughly a 20 percent OS share for May, followed by 10.9 percent of “other” operating systems and 10.4 percent for RIM’s BlackBerry OS, according to the latest data collected by industry metrics firm Quantcast. But Android is making some steady gains on the iPhone and other platforms. These figures prove there is momentum for Android, which is saturating the market with myriad devices.

Apple’s iPhone iOS blew all mobile operating systems away with nearly 59 percent of mobile Web consumption on iPhone and iPod Touch devices in May.

But Google’s Android operating system is making some steady gains on the iPhone and other platforms.

Android notched roughly a 20 percent OS share for May, followed by 10.9 percent of “other” operating systems and 10.4 percent for RIM’s BlackBerry OS, according to the latest data collected by industry metrics firm Quantcast and made available June 14 here.

Android, which has seen the Motorola Droid, HTC Droid Incredible and HTC Evo 4G smartphones launch to varying degrees of success since November 2009, has taken market share from Apple’s iOS and the rest.

Android took 1.3 percent share from its rivals from April to May, 4.6 percent in the quarter from March to May and 12.2 percent from May 2009 to May 2010.

Quantcast, which calculated its figures by counting the share of page views from mobile devices, said Android took 4.7 percent market share from iOS for the quarterly numbers and 8.1 percent year-over-year.

“This is not the same as the number of devices, however we believe that the ability to easily browse the Web is a key leading indicator of the long term position of the various platforms,” Quantcast said in its blog post about the stats.

These figures prove there is momentum for Android, which has saturated the market with some 60 devices.

However, Apple has sold more than 50 million iPhones, including almost 9 million in the previous quarter. Nielsen puts iPhone’s share at 28 percent of the U.S. smartphone market, tripling Google’s own 9 percent.

Moreover, Apple’s iPhone 4 goes on sale June 24, paving the way for the company to boost those iPhone unit shipments.

It wouldn’t be inconceivable for Apple to crack double digits for the quarter, selling 10 million iPhones between the now-discounted iPhone 3GS and the iPhone 4.

This battle will play out over time and the mobile OS platform war only starts with smartphones. Expect a new front in the battle between iOS and Android to open in the tablet market. Quantcast did not include the iPad in its mobile OS numbers.

In selling 2 million-plus units in 60 days, Apple’s iPad is already raking in money and plaudits.

Android tablets are sprouting up everywhere. Verizon is building an Android tablet with Google, while Dell’s Streak is coming to the United States next month. Samsung is building a tablet now, too.

Of course, there is also Google TV to consider in the future and whatever Apple decides to do on that front to answer Google.

via

T-Mobile unveils free-phone promotion for Father’s Day

Anuroop Kaiser — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:38:17 +0000

T-Mobile USA is offering every phone in its stores for free in a one-day promotion geared toward Father’s Day.

The nation’s No. 4 carrier, struggling to attract subscribers, said that on Saturday, June 19, it will offer every phone for free when new customers sign up for a family plan–a service plan that has at least two lines, each with a two-year contract. The promotion, which had been rumored for the past few weeks, allows customers to get up to five free phones with a single family plan.

Included in the promotion are some of T-Mobile’s newest smartphones, including the HTC HD2, which runs on Windows Mobile, and the Android-powered myTouch 3G Slide, which usually sells for $180 with a two-year contract and after rebate. In addition, the company will be offering the Garminfone as part of the promotion. The Garminfone just launched for $200 with a two-year service contract and after a $50 rebate.

The promotion comes near the end of the second quarter, and T-Mobile USA Chief Operating Officer Jim Alling told the AP he thinks the promotion will appeal to both new and current customers, serving as a way to increase gross adds and possibly reduce churn. T-Mobile reported a net loss of 77,000 subscribers in the first quarter, and it struggled with both postpaid customer losses and weaker prepaid growth.

via