iPhone 2.0

3G iPhone Confirmed

2008-05-20T14:42:44Z

Gizmodo reports, only hours ago, that a source ""very, very close to the 3G iPhone launch" has confirmed that the 3G iPhone will be announced during Steve Jobs' keynote speech June 9th at the WWDC. The text of the report follows:

We all suspected it, but now it is confirmed: someone very, very close to the 3G iPhone launch has told me that Apple will announce their new model at the WWDC Keynote on June 9th. The second-generation iPhone will be available worldwide right after the launch, and not at year's end, as previously thought. The new model will also herald new sales policies in some countries..

In Spain, for example, the 3G iPhone will be available for sale at the June 18th grand opening of Telefonica's megastore—an Apple Store-like shop located in the company's historical building in Madrid's Gran Vía— with nationwide availability right the next day or after a few hours. The other European countries with iPhone availability will have similar launch schedules.

According to another source involved in the launch, the 3G iPhone will no longer be available at a fixed price point—at least in some countries, and its launch will also bring new sales policies, although these have not been completely specified yet.

The move is a logical step, since the iPhone has clearly solidified its position as the cellphone to beat during last twelve months, and companies in the cutthroat European cellphone market need to use it as an incentive to capture clients aggressively.

This most probably means the new 3G iPhone will be integrated in the usual marketing systems of carriers, with point-based trade-ups, discounts for carrier switchers, and other service-based subvention packages.

3G iPhone design details released?

2008-05-01T14:52:36Z

MacRumors today detailed a report by iLounge based upon information from third party accessories makers regarding the new design of the upcoming 3G iPhone:

Rumors of the new iPhone, however, are being published almost daily now, with several conflicting claims. This latest report claims that the new iPhone will carry a tapered design along the edges, replacing the aluminum backing with a glossy plastic back that approximates the look of metal. The iPhone's front silver metallic bezel will remain though it is expected to be much thinner. Meanwhile, the overall form factor and screen size is expected to be comparable to the current iPhone, though the possibility of black, white and even red backings is being considered.

The most interesting information in the report is the addition of an 3rd sensor near the ear piece of the iPhone. The existing iPhone houses two sensors (ambient light and proximity sensor) adjacent to the phone's earpiece speaker. The upcoming design is said to have a 3rd sensor in the same location. iLounge speculates that it could represent a small camera, which would fulfill circulating iPhone video-chat rumors, but they also concede it may be something far less glamorous.

See the entire article here.

Current iPhone maker wins contract for 3G iPhone

2008-04-29T15:06:13Z

As recently reported by MacRumors, a report from the Chinese newspaper Commercial Times states that Foxconn Electronics has won orders for the assembly of the upcoming 3G capable iPhone. Foxconn is reportedly expected to deliver 3 million iPhones by June 2008, with an expected production of 24-25 million units during the iPhone lifecycle. Interestingly, Commercial Times was the same paper that reported in November 2006, well prior to the official announcement of the iPhone, that Foxconn had one that contract as well.

iPhone coming to Canada

2008-04-29T14:59:07Z

According to a report by Marketwatch, Rogers Communications, Inc. has announced a deal to bring the iPhone to Canada later this year. Rogers Communications is a wireless communications firm, but is also Canada's largest magazine publisher and cable television provider. Rogers Communications (ticker: RCI) doubled its first quarter net income on strength in its pre-paid wireless division.]]>

Apple to license technology to create touchscreen physical feedback for the iPhone

2008-04-27T14:49:54Z

Palluxo, Apple is in serious talks with the Immersion Corporation to license their Haptic Technology for the iPhone. This technology allows for pinpointed vibrations which would provide a tactile response when the user touches an otherwise flat screen. One of the major complaints levied against the iPhone since its release last June has been the difficulty that some blackberry users have had making the transitions from their "clickable" keyboards to the smooth touchscreen of the iPhone. While a majority of people that went straight from regular cell phones to iPhones had no problems, the lack of such feedback when typing has seemed to cause some people pause when considering their iPhone purchase.]]> Whether or not vibration technology can fix this is yet to be seen, but it's interesting that Apple is so openly listening to its critics when the company's product innovation is based upon the theme of CEO Steve Jobs' favorite quote of Henry Fords: "If [before he built the Model T] I'd asked my customers what they wanted, they'd have said 'a faster horse'". It's good news though -- Apple is beginning to listen, and catering to these uproars in customer sentiment can only help tweak the design of an already amazing product.

2nd Gen. 3G iPhone already in the hands of testers

2008-04-26T14:41:19Z

According to an insider tip reported by Engadget, the second generation 3G capable iPhone is already out in the pockets of approved (but heavily classified) testers. According to the Engadget report, the tipster, whom they state is a "trusted source" states the upcoming device has the following features:

same size and shape as the current model
3G capabilities
GPS!
glossy black back covering (although this has since been questioned as merely a case)
slightly thicker than current model
a flush headphone jack instead of the current recessed one, which will work with all headphones (THANK YOU!)
same non-removable battery
same screen size and resolution

Honestly, if you think about it, simply the addition of the actual GPS makes this version a steal. A fully functioning GPS system the size of the iPhone ALONE would be a fantastic buy (try fitting a TomTom or a Garmin in your front pocket), but we can't forget -- it's also a phone, and an internet device, an iPod, a gaming device (after the software update).....

8gb iPhone sent to that old electronics heap in the sky?

2008-04-25T15:20:48Z

According to a breaking report by Engadget, the 8gb iPhone and iPod Touch have reached end of life status, at least in the United Kingdom. According to an internal memorandum Engadget received from (UK iPhone distributor) O2, which was sent out last evening to its sales affiliates, the company will no longer be receiving any stock of 8gb iPhones and iPod Touches. They go on to request that all mentions of the 8gb product be removed from their marketing materials.

This is yet just another piece in the mysterious puzzle that is the upcoming 3G iPhone release. To summarize, we've got slashed prices in Europe, preparation by AT&T for a mysterious June in-store event, leaks about the 3G chip maker being chosen and production starts. Add on top of all that actual confirmation that a 3G iPhone will be available in Italy in the coming weeks, and there's little doubt that the 3G iPhone will be arriving here soon. I think I might just as well go get in line right now....

3G iPhone Confirmed in Italy

2008-04-21T14:24:28Z

As broken stateside by engadget early this morning, Italian newspaper La Repubblica is reporting that a 3G iPhone is confirmed to be arriving in Italy shortly, and will be supported by Telecom Italia without a revenue sharing deal (unlike here, where Apple receives from AT&T a reported 15% per user per month share of the revenue of all iPhone subscribers). Even more importantly, La Repubblica is further reporting that there will also be no long-term exclusivity, meaning multi-carrier support of the iPhone could be a reality as soon as this summer. ]]>
I for one am blown away by that prospect. I've had my iPhone since the day it was released, and the single thing I've heard over and over from everyone else is: "I'd get one but I'm stuck in my contract with X". Either that, or "I hate AT&T." To think what would happen if that excuse weren't available....

p.s. Not surprisingly, Apple's stock is up over $2 a share in early trading.

Apple's Stock Has a Fantastic Week

2008-04-18T21:44:29Z

A combination of 3G iPhone speculation and exciting earnings reports from Intel (ticker: INTL) and Google (GOOG) spurred Apple stock (ticker: AAPL) to a great week, posting a gain of $14.77 for the week and closing out at $161.04. This solid week comes in advance of Apple's scheduled second quarter earnings report, next Wednesday, April 23, after the market closes. While a majority of analysts are predicting Apple will well outperform their second quarter projections, one analyst has predicted that they will miss these estimates, and has changed his rating on the company's stock to a Sell, informing his clients that he believes that softening consumer spending will have an adverse effect on Apple's stock, as well as other companies in the electronics and technologies industries. Yeah....tell that to Intel and Google, why don't you. I personally will enjoy watching Apple stock crest over $200 a share sometime this summer (not just because I kept buying it as it fell lower and lower, eventually to $119 a share a month or two ago), but because this particular short-sided analyst (I won't name names, but you can easily look him up) will have cost his clients boat loads. Too bad for him.

Report: Apple Orders First Round of 3G iPhones

2008-04-18T16:49:40Z

British online news agency, Times Online, reported today that it has been told that Apple has placed an order with its Asian supplier to produce 200,000 iPhones by May 30, with an additional 500,000 per week raising that number to two million by the end of June. The Times goes on to state that "With a four week lead time between production and placement, that would leave Mr Jobs free to launch the device during an annual developers conference at which he usually speaks."]]> here by iPhone 2.0, seems to lend a certain air of credibility to their claims, they continue on with additional reports that deflate much of the air from their standing. The Times goes on to state that the industry sources have told them that the second generation 3G iPhone will be "radically different" from the first generation iPhone released last June.

The Times states that "among the possibilities are flip version, which would enable the screen to be larger, and a sliding model with a regular qwerty keyboard - as opposed to a touchscreen one." Followers of Apple and their quest towards the iPhone know that the current design took nearly three years to perfect, making any drastic changes to their iconic design, only a year later, highly unlikely. I for one place absolutely zero reliance upon their "industry insiders" regarding the second generation design.

Their claims regarding the production orders, however, are in line with various reports over the past several days, as well as the the price drops over in the UK, Germany, and now potentially France. One way or the other, with the WWDC only 7 weeks away, we shall see soon enough....

AT&T Stores Prepping for a June iPhone "Event"

2008-04-18T14:16:22Z

AT&T has begun prepping its stores for a mysterious June iPhone "event," with plans for rearranged displays and exterior signage all for the purpose of "emphasizing the iPhone." The company and franchise stores are set to have these changes in place by mid-June. Is it just me, or does it seem like, with the daily news links, Apple and AT&T are collectively winking at us? I can't help but read the tea leaves on these news bits and feel that the June second gen 3G iPhone is all but a certainty.]]>
And another note -- its seems analysts on the Street are beginning to believe to. Apple's stock has shot up over $15 a share in the past 7 days, at some points in stark contrast to the tech industry as a whole. Thus far today, after only an hour of trading, Apple's stock (ticker: AAPL) is up $4.50, to $159.00. This is, of course, due in part to the joyous earnings announcement of Google's last night, which sent that stock (ticker: GOOG) skyrocketing up nearly $80 a share in after hours trading. Amazing.

Google's earnings aside, these fortunate series of events are painting a vivid picture. Get ready. Oh, yeah, and just so you know, I keep buying more Apple stock.

32gb iPhone and iTunes 8 leaked?

2008-04-17T15:38:55Z

Our respected friends over at macrumors.com just posted screenshots from a webpage emailed to them by a reader, in which several yet to be released Apple products are shown, including a 32gb iPhone and iTunes 8 with a release date of June 10th (which, ironically, is smack dab in the middle of the WWDC -- the conference that iPhone 2.0 has recently speculated to be the announcement time and platform for the second generation iPhone). While macrumors correctly caveats that such a public display of Apple pre-release details is highly unlikely to be accurate, I concur with them that you cannot discount the fact that the website has an active @apple.com iTunes store account and password, with an $859 iTunes store credit no less (do you have an $850 store credit? I don't.....seems like an employee benefit to me....).]]>
And one more thing -- while Apple is famously tight lipped about its upcoming products, and further un-swayed by their stock price, winds of circumstantial change seem to be blowing through the Cupertino headquarters. After Apple's lower than expected earnings forecast this January, the precipitous stock plummet was so discouraging that Steve Jobs himself sent a company wide email to employees telling them to be vigilant, as the stock is certain to recover. The current nature of our economy has created a divisively fickle and volatile market, one that a company such as Apple, built as much on passion for its product as care of its results, would do right by attempting to control.

There is no doubt in anyone's mind -- mine, Jobs, or the multitude of stock analysts that follow Apple -- that a 3G iPhone will open the floodgates for Apple as to the iPhone platform. Steve Jobs is a genius marketer -- and therefore, it is possible that a slow leak would do wonders for his company's financial position. Case in point: fading inventories and lowered prices over in Europe, all strong indicators of an upcoming release, shot Apple's stock up nearly 4%, with the rally continuing today, while bucking the aggregate market.

But yeah, it's probably still a massive fake....but rest assured, the 3G iPhone cometh, and soon.

3G Chip Maker Chosen -- iPhone Spring Production Likely

2008-04-17T14:33:57Z

Economic Daily News reports today that United Microelectronics Corporation has been chosen as the manufacturer for the Infineon baseband processor that will be found in the upcoming 3G iPhone. The report is that UMC will use a 65 nanometer plant to produce the chip, which is an integrated circuit that provides cellular data on HSDPA networks up to 7.2Mbps. For those of you that remember, this is the source of the hidden chip reference in the latest beta of iPhone's 2.0 firmware.]]> Although there is no solid evidence as to when these chips are set to ship out to Apple, Infineon insiders have noted in the past that a spring production window for the iPhone is likely. This can mean only one thing -- somewhere out there, it's likely that a 3G iPhone is being physically crafted this very second. I for one, cannot wait much longer.

Investors React to Impending 3G iPhone

2008-04-16T20:23:03Z

Apple stock (ticker: AAPL) closed the day up over $5 a share, at $153.70, upon refreshing earnings reports from industry bellwether Intel (ticker: INTL) and even more news hinting at the impending June release of the second generation iPhone with 3G capability. The stock continued its surge after hours, gaining an additional $1.07, to $154.77, at the time of this writing. While there is no doubt that the impending 3G iPhone release, and the continued near-embarrassing crushing of Apple's personal computer market share compared to the rest of the market, will do excellent things for Apple's stock, there is near term discomfort at Apple's upcoming second quarter earnings report, scheduled after the market closes next Wednesday, April 23. ]]>
Needless to say, near term, Apple's stock will likely continue its roller coaster ways. Apple is expected by most analysts to well outperform their conservative second quarter estimates, and there is no reason to expect to the contrary. Only time will tell....until the 3G iPhone is announced, and the iconic electronics company's stock will make massive leaps towards its record high of $202.96, last seen on December 27, 2007.

UK Dealers Slash iPhone Prices -- 3G iPhone Arriving in June

2008-04-16T16:19:00Z

Our dear friends across the pond awoke this morning to discover that their first generation iPhones were suddenly 100 pounds cheaper (nearly $200). O2, the UK mobile division of Telefonica, and Carphone Warehouse, UK's largest independent mobile-phone retailer announced today that they would be implementing the price cuts immediately. And you know what that means....the 3G iPhone will be here soon.
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Wall Street, in digesting this information, is comparing it to recent news of mass iPhone shortages across the country, which were first reported out of New York Apple stores citywide, which began to run out of both 8 and 16gb models nearly a month ago. iPhone 2.0 has believed strongly for some time that the next generation of iPhone, 3G compatible, will be released late spring or early summer, with an expected release date of some time in June. With this most recent piece of information regarding the price cut, iPhone 2.0 makes this bold prediction:

The next generation iPhone, with 3G compatibility and video conferencing, will be announced at the Apple World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC), held June 9-13 in San Francisco.

My sources tell me there will be two models, the 8gb and the 16gb, priced at $349 and $399 respectively. There is also rampant speculation that the 8gb model will be phased out (much like the 4gb was), with the introduction of a 32gb model sometime before the 2008 holiday season (likely early November).

The Street warmed to this information, with Apple's stock up nearly $4.50 (to $152.80) as of this article's print time. iPhone 2.0 doesn't give stock recommendations, nor is it qualified to do so -- but it will say this: IT'S TIME I BUY SOME MORE APPLE STOCK!!!