Dell's Android-based Mini 3iX has surfaced in Brazil with support for Wi-Fi and 3G UMTS/HSDPA on 850MHz, 1900MHz and 2100MHz bands, according to photos posted on the Brazilian site CelularCafe. The integration of 850MHz 3G components adds evidence to rumors suggesting Dell is planning to bring its Mini 3i smartphone design to the US market.
nova media has launched the GlobeSurfer X.1, a WLAN b/g/n router that connects via ethernet or 3G modem. The router has two 100 Mbps ethernet ports, a USB 2.0 port for a 3G connection and a standard USB 2.0 port that supports an external drive or offers print-serving with an attached printer. It uses a web interface for configuration and arrives with a quick setup wizard for assembling a local network.
Modem Mate is launching an external antenna for USB-based 3G modems that lack an antenna connector. The device couples inductively with the internal antenna of most 3G modems. The antenna ships with an adapter that features a fastening strip for attaching/detaching the coupler to a 3G modem. The antenna then clips to the upper portion of the display for the best signal strength.
nova media has launched the GlobeTrotter Express 441 ExpressCard modem, providing Macintosh notebook users worldwide access to 3G connections. The modem supports HSPA connections in the 850-, 900-, 1900- and 2100-MHz bands providing maximum 7.2 Mb/sec download speeds and 5.76Mb/sec upload speeds. GPRS and Quad-Band Edge connections are supported within the afore-mentioned bands. The modem features an auto-off switch, triggered by retracting the antennae, so it can remain in the express card slot of a MacBook Pro constantly, only drawing power when the antennae is raised, and not interfering with airplane signals when retracted.
In brief: Gameloft is currently working on a new iPhone game that is based on the Apple II classic "The Oregon Trail". The game has been updated for the iPhone platform and will have several new features to take advantage of the devices capabilities. No release information has been detailed yet but several screen shots have been released. The WebObjects Community Association has started conducting their annual survey for collecting information from its community. The collected information is used to plan ahead for next year and also to help plan for the next WOWODC. In other news, nova media has released a new hardware development kit for 3G devices based on a 3G embedded wireless module.
Berlin-based nova media today unveiled the iCON 431, a 3G USB modem with a rounded form-factor that is designed to match the visual aspects of Mac computers. The device supports download speeds of up to 7.2Mb per second and upload speeds up to 2Mb per second using HSUPA, while EDGE and GPRS connections will provide downloads speeds up to 220Kb per second. An integrated Micro-SD card slot allows memory expansion up to 8GB.
AT&T and Apple are pushing to have a New York court dismiss a number of charges in a class-action suit alleging that the iPhone's 3G performance falls short of advertising claims. The plaintiff in the case, Avi Koshitzki, also added additional accusations regarding cracks in the phone case. In the event that the dismissal is rejected, the companies have also filed a motion to compel arbitration, claiming that the arguments would be better suited for an alternative dispute resolution process outside of the court.
nova media has released the GlobeSurfer III, a 3G wireless router for the Mac. The router can link to a mobile network using WLAN (802.11 B and G networks) and gigabit Ethernet to distribute the connection. The router supports up to 7.2Mb/s downloads speeds and 5.7Mb/s upload speeds. It also links to the Internet via WLAN connections at 54Mb/s speeds.
T-Mobile has announced the expansion of its 3G voice and data network to include the San Francisco area. The company claims that it will add at least 20 more markets by the end of the year. Customers with 3G handsets can expect faster data speeds in the areas with the new service. Users in the SF area will be able to use the full network capabilities of the upcoming G1 smartphone, right next door to the iPhone manufacturer's headquarters.
A new leak today reveals the much-anticipated HTC Touch Diamond will support HSDPA and HSUPA 3G data networks in the US market. The news comes after the device was spotted on Best Buy's online store, listed as unlocked and sporting a near $700 price tag. Best Buy estimates customers will get their HTC Touch Diamonds sometime between September 29 and October 4, although that may be postponed closer to those dates.
Yet another FCC filing has brought news of a new cellular phone, this time from Samsung. According to the specs, the A837 will support HSDPA 3G data network access and will be outfitted for reliable use in the field thanks to its ruggedized body, large speaker and push-to-talk functionality.
LG made everyone wait until Thursday to release its rumored X110 10-inch notebook that would compete with the likes of the ASUS EeePC and the MSI Wind at the IFA 2008 consumer electronics expo. The portable computer uses HSPA 3G for mobile access to data, in addition to a 802.11b/g wireless LAN connection and dedicated Ethernet port. The processor will be an unspecified one from Intel’s Atom line-up, working with 1GB of RAM.
Thorough testing of the iPhone 3G's various antennas have revealed that they are not the cause of users' 3G woes, after three of the devices were run through trials in a $100,000 test chamber similar to ones used by Motorola. When placed in the chamber, the iPhone demonstrated no irregularities when sending or receiving 3G data, showing only a 2 dB variance from a Sony Ericsson P1 and Nokia N73. Göteborgs-Posten reveals [1|2] that a 4 to 6 dB variance would be cause for alarm.
Swann Communications today announced its latest security solution, the IP-3G ConnectCam 1000. This camera allows users to access the live video from their 3G phone. Video feeds are transmitted through 802.11b/g to the home wireless network, where it is made available on the internet using SSID filtering and 64/128 bit WEP encryption to ensure privacy. MJPEG and MPEG4 compressions are supported, the former for higher quality and the latter for sending over the internet.
In light of a large roundabout of finger-pointing, a study reveals that the slow iPhone 3G speeds are stemming from poorly implemented carrier networks, rather than reported firmware issues with the device. Wired offered its Gadget Lab test results, collected from over 2600 international users, showing that Apple's highly-coveted iPhone is limited by overall network performance, rather than being susceptible to poor performance, due to its firmware or hardware components.
Apple say its latest iPhone update partially fixes connection problems with high-speed 3G networks that have sparked complaints from users around the world. Apple spokeswoman Jennifer Bowcock said Tuesday the v2.0.2 update "improves communication with 3G networks," according to USA Today. Such a statement is uncommon from Apple, which rarely comments on software updates and has been largely mum on recent problems with the iPhone 3G.
Apple is facing the first of what could be many lawsuits over the iPhone 3G's performance and reliability. According to Ars Technica, Jessica Alena Smith filed a complaint against Apple Tuesday, seeking class-action status. The complaint reads that the Birmingham woman's text messages, data and e-mail were slower than she had expected since Apple had been advertising the 3G as "twice as fast for half the price." She said her iPhone would only connect to AT&T's 3G network less than 25 percent of the time.
MacNN has confirmed that Best Buy is expected begin selling the iPhone 3G in early September, making it the first independent US retailer to offer the device. Best Buy has reportedly struck a deal with Apple to carry new iPhones in 970 stores and 16 Best Buy Mobile outlets starting September 7th. An announcement could come as soon as early Wednesday morning, according to report first noted by AppleInsider. Best Buy is no stranger to Apple products, having a long-standing on-and-off relationship with the company over the years. The company has been selling iPods for several years and recently expanded Mac sales at more than 600 of its larger stores.
A number of iPhone 3G users, particularly in Canada, have been reporting a strange error when using Safari at 3G Speeds. Users receive this error message: "kCFErrorDomainCFNetwork error 302." Users on Apple's support pages and a variety of other forums have written about the problem.
After trials in New York, T-Mobile is preparing to unveil its nation-wide 3G network on October 1st, according to a poster that reveals a selection of major US cities to first receive the service. While members of the community previously tossed around the date, the poster confirms that users in Los Angeles, as Vegas, Dallas, New Jersey, Washington, and 21 other cities will be able to use 3G-capable T-Mobile devices with the network's faster transfer rates and superior call quality.
Audio accessory maker iLuv has announced a full line of form-fitting cases for the iPhone 3G, including a unique two-toned silicone model. There are four models available: a basic silicone case in black or white, the two-toned silicone model, and hard cases in acrylic or clear plastic. All of the cases allow full access to the iPhone's controls and ship with a glare-free screen protector film. Users can charge or sync thier iPhones without removing the case.
While Apple claims to have sold 1 million iPhone 3Gs during the device's opening weekend, metrics appear to show that AT&T did not earn as many switchers as the first time around, and even indicate that the company may have lost as many customers as it gained. Engadget reveals that it obtained data regarding the number of ports in and out from T-Mobile in the US, as it was observed by a national wholesaler, which indicates out that T-Mobile gained as many customers as it lost to and from AT&T during the 3G launch.
ezGear has begun shipping its newest ezSkin, developed for the iPhone 3G. The skin is produced from smooth textured silicon. ezGear says the ezSkin will not interfere with the use of the phone's controls and ports. In addition to the phone case protection, there is also a thin static screen protector that will not inhibit the use of the touchscreen. Other than the screen, silicon protects every other part of the phone. Additional silicon is added to the case above the buttons to preserve the button's feel.
Despite the iPhone 3G launching Friday, potential owners are still lining up to purchase one, but even Apple's flagship Manhattan stores are starting to run dry, and are placing limits on the constant long lineups. In calls to the Fifth Avenue, SoHo and West 14th retail locations, representatives tell MacNN that they each expect lineups to last four to five hours, and are informing others that join the line that the stores can not accommodate them, since the store will be closed by the time staff could service those customers.
Despite the iPhone 3G's more modern wireless communication standards, arguably thinner design, and inclusion of GPS, its overall cost of manufacture has dropped just over $50, according to iSuppli. The company's Teardown Analysis Service reveals that the device is geared towards cutting costs, while increasing worldwide presence, rather than simply filling the iPhone with the latest and greatest. The iPhone 3G is assessed at $174.33, almost exactly the predicted $173 issued in June.
While Apple CEO Steve Jobs' concerns about 3G's impact on the iPhone's battery life were valid, the iPhone 3G still maintains a longer-running battery life than other popular competing mobile devices, including the new Samsung Instinct. PC World investigated several 3G smartphone handsets, showing that the iPhone 3G bests the Instinct, the HTC Touch Dual, and the LG EnV with 5h 38m, the only three others which featured over five hours of talk time.
Among the dozens of new product announcements today are a wide variety of tiny utiity programs to enhance the new iPhone 3G. Whether it's copying a file from a Mac, writing a shopping list, searching for restaurants, sharing and organizing photos or securing the iPhone's Wi-Fi connection, there are utilities available at the iTunes AppStore.
In advance of the iPhone 3G launch, Griffin, EA Mobile, and Gameloft have all announced games for the device, with offerings ranging from classics like Tetris and Poker, to more recent hits like Sudoku and Brain Challenge. Griffin makes a transition from iPod accessories to unveil 5 Card Touch, a Vegas-style video poker game that boasts an easy-to-learn playing system and rich visuals. Griffin is selling 5 Card Touch for $2 from the iTunes App Store.
Friday creeps ever closer, bringing the iPhone to dozens of countries worldwide, and the press reviews are thus far turning out well, with one journalist claiming he is giving up his BlackBerry 8300 in favor of Apple's smartphone. Macworld Australia writer Matthew Powell gives the iPhone 3G an overall rating of four out of five, citing its ease of use, "speedy" web browsing, and great media playing functionality, but noted the Mail client needs just a bit more work.
In brief: Milliamp offers iPhone 3G battery replacement, FileMaker launches "Tell Us Your Bento Story" sweepstakes, New Aperture 2, Mac OS Security Tutorials, and Freeway 5.1.3 adds Simplified Chinese localization ... Milliamp has announced a battery replacement service for the new iPhone 3G. "Although the new iPhone won't hit the U.S. market until later this week, we wanted the world to know that we have the capability to replace the battery in the new iPhone 3G," said Anthony Magnabosco, the owner of the iPhone battery replacement service provider. Milliamp LTD has been offering battery replacement kits for practically every iPod model, as well as battery replacement services for the more difficult-to-open iPods for three years. Every iPod and iPhone has a lithium-ion battery, so over time, the battery will fail to hold it's original charge and will eventually have to be replaced.
Taiwan-based ECS is preparing to bring its netbook to the US market to compete with the likes of the ASUS Eee PC range and MSI's Wind netbooks. Unlike its other products, the G10IL will be the company's first netbook designed for business use exclusively instead of education. Only a 10.2-inch version of the G10IL will likely make it to the US market, also bringing with it optional and unique to the segment 3G support via the HSUPA and HSPDA mobile broadband networks, as well as EDGE.
In anticipation of the coming iPhone 3G launch, Apple has updated several of its pages that prepare customers for a smooth purchase or transition to the new device. A page entitled "Get Ready" is geared towards new or inexperienced users, but also provides a small refresher on the newer commonly-used features of the iPhone 3G. The guide illustrates to users that through the iTunes synchronization, they can be ready "in minutes" with all of their music, contacts, and personal content on the device.
With a little over three days to go before the iPhone 3G sees its launch, Apple has clarified a time where customers can find the device in its retail stores, while potential New Zealand and Mexican iPhone customers can now browse official rates. Apple silently placed a notice on its retail homepage, saying that customers can get the long-awaited device at its US retail stores at 8AM on July 11th, coinciding with AT&T's previously announced morning launch.
After confirming last week that it would host early hours on July 11th as the iPhone 3G launches, O2 on Monday confirmed seeing "unprecedented" demand for the device, citing sales numbers for pre-orders through its website. Pocket-lint reveals that the UK wireless carrier offered customers who pre-registered through its website the chance to purchase the iPhone on its online store, and noted that, within hours, it had completely sold out of the stock set aside for those orders.
Apple is expected to have a large boost to its revenue due to how profit from the iPhone 3G will flow, with some analysts predicting it would sell through between 35 and 40 million units by the end 2010, representing up to $4 billion for the company. CNN Money writes that while customers will pay around $200 less than the previous generation device, Apple still stands to make an extra $100 off each unit, due to larger subsidies with wireless carriers.
T-Mobile clarified its 3G iPhone offerings for the Netherlands, which were previously hinted at on the company's website, offering unlimited data plans starting at €30 (~$50). The plans start at a basic 150 minute/SMS plan, with the next at 300 and 500 minutes/SMS messages, and offer varying discounts on the actual device itself. From lowest tier to highest, the 8GB and 16GB iPhones are priced at €80 (~$130)/€160 (~$250), €1 (~$2)/€80 (~$130), and €1 (~$2)/€20 (~$30), offered under a two-year contract.
In response to exorbitant pricing for the iPhone 3G data and voice plans suggested by Canadian wireless provider Rogers Communications, RuinediPhone.com (site down as of 9PM EST) has commenced operations with changing the telco's less-than-ethical pricing practices. Since launching at the end of last week, RuinediPhone.com has so far obtained just over 22,000 commented signatures asking Rogers to impose fair plans and pricing in line with what is seen with the US and other international countries.
Hutchison Telecom and T-Mobile on Monday announced pricing and plan information for the 3G iPhone for Hong Kong and The Netherlands, respectively, while Debitel unveiled plans for German distribution of the device. According to iLounge, Hutchison will offer the device at a price dependant on the plan chosen, of which there are four. The 8GB model will range from free to HK$2938 (~$380), while the 16GB will sell for HK$138 (~$20) to HK$3738 (~$480).
NetCom, the iPhone 3G carrier in Norway has published its iPhone 3G plans, confirming that the 3G version will lack MMS, just as the original version did. The news, first reported by Italian website setteB.IT (English translation here), means that MMS (Multi-media Messaging Service), which provides media rich text messaging, including video, audio and rich text, will be unavailable on the new iPhone 3G. MMS is considered the evolutionary step from SMS, which is limited to simple text.MMS has been available on AT&T and Verizon's networks for half a decade or more, and many thought that the iPhone 3G would add the service.
Apple has unveiled the eighth incarnation of the iPhone SDK beta, but for the first time, requires users to install the pre-release version of iTunes 7.7. An insider tells MacNN that the new beta is compatible with the finalized iPhone 2.0 OS, and is App Store upload-capable – a feature most likely present in the new version of iTunes. The 3G iPhone, v2.0 OS, and App Store are set to land in July, with the apps themselves theoretically ranging from free to just shy of $1000.
PDO has announced three new products for Apple's upcoming iPhone 3G, the TopSkin for iPhone 3G, the Flipp Leather Case for iPhone 3G and Screen Protector sets for iPhone 3G. All will ship in early July. The TopSkin for iPhone 3G is a play-through design that covers the power, volume, and home buttons, with cut-outs that allow access to the phone’s camera, vibrate switch, speakers, and microphone. It includes a slim-profile belt clip and full frontal screen protector and 3G will sell for $20, available in black, blue, pink, and white.
Dow Jones reports that Telefonica SA has received 300,000 pre- registrations in the United Kingdom and Spain to buy the iPhone 3G. A company spokesperson said that individuals have been reserving units of the device on the Telefonica Web site. Telefonica will begin selling the 3G iPhone July 11 in Spain, the Czech Republic and twelve Latin American countries. Apple's own retail stores in the UK may not be able to sell the iPhone 3G on July 11th, an industry publication reports. The issue stems from Apple's new activation policy, which forces customers to subscribe to a given carrier in-store, rather than at home through iTunes.
Fabrix on Thursday unveiled a new collection of sleeves for the iPhone 3G, available in seven different designs. The sleeves are currently offered in the company's Red Damask, Grey Suit, and Chalkboard patterns, as well as the red, pink, green, and blue from the Gingham series. Each sleeve has a quilted inner padding to ensure that the iPhone does not get harmed. The sleeves start at $22, and fit both the 3G iPhone, and the former 2.5G model.
AT&T reportedly paying a $325 for each iPhone 3G, an unprecedented dollar amount that would put the device well above competing smartphones and mobile devices in terms of carrier-supplied financial assistance. Oppenheimer analyst Yair Reiner told Barron's that typical smartphone gets a subsidy of about $200, but the iPhone will command a dramatically higher subsidy because of "AT&T's faith in the iPhone's ability to attract new subs and increase ARPU." The report also claims that AT&T is paying Apple an extra $100 for subscribers signed up in Apple stores, for a total commission of $425.
iPhone enterprise developer Webstate has announced iSharephone, a native application for Apple's iPhone 3G that allows the user to access the Microsoft Office SharePoint portal. Sharepoint is Microsoft Office 2007's server program that allows content management, publishing and collaboration. It also allows people, data and document searches and data analysis. iSharephone, as yet unpriced, will allow users of Sharepoint to access the information from the field.
The iPhone 3G carries a lower price, but it also costs about half as much to make, according to a report in the EETimes. The report says tests by teardown specialist Portelligent put the bill of materials for the new model as low as $100. That should help offset the 3G’s lower $199 price point. Portelligent estimates that based on materials alone, Apple’s gross profit on the iPhone 3G totals about $99, compared to $229 for the previous version. Apparently, Apple is counting on sales volume to make up the difference and Apple may also be receiving a payut for each carrier activation, although the revenue sharing plan with carriers, as with the original device, is no longer in place.
In April, specifications were allegedly leaked from Hon Hai/Foxconn offering users a glimpse of the then-unreleased 3G iPhone, showing a third sensor, which has now been confirmed. iLounge writes that the 3G iPhone features an ambient light sensor, as with the previous model, but also two proximity sensors, which sources indicate is to improve face-detection functionality. The original device reportedly had issues dimming the screen when a phone call was answered using the handset.
Following closely on yesterday's 3G iPhone C.E.O. Sleeve announcement, Marware on Thursday unveiled three newly updated cases for the device: the Sport Grip, the C.E.O. Premium, and the Sportsuit Convertible. The Sport Grip offers 3G iPhone owners a slip-free silicone shell that covers the entire body of the phone, while leaving access to the camera, display, dock connector, headphone jack, speaker, and microphone. Sport Grip for the 3G iPhone sells for $20, and is available in both black and white silicone rubber.
Despite a series of conflicting news releases, Vodafone has confirmed that there will not be a pay-as-you-go version of the iPhone 3G available in New Zealand. NZMac.com first spotted the confusion in statements from Vodafone and Apple New Zealand which announced both contract and prepaid versions of the iPhone in various press releases. Vodafone cleared things up this morning, saying only the contract versions will be available in New Zealand and Portugal beginning in July 11.
Hot on the tails of the 3G iPhone release, both Marware and Griffin have updated a few of signature cases to fit the new device. Marware officiated its entry into 3G cases with its popular C.E.O. Sleeve, a leather case with snug-fitting elastic material. It features the company's Multidapt belt clip, which can be switched out or removed. The C.E.O. Sleeve is available in black, with a microfiber interior, selling for $25 from Marware's website.
