News/Rumors

China Mobile to spend $6.7B to make way for Apple’s iPhone

China Mobile will spend 41.7 billion yuan ($6.7 billion U.S.) to develop 4G technology this year in anticipation of the arrival of the world’s most popular smartphone — Apple’s iPhone — on the world’s most populous wireless carrier.

China Mobile revealed on Thursday that it will spend 190.2 billion yuan ($30.1 billion) on its networks this year, with nearly a quarter of that going into its TD-LTE 4G technology, according to Reuters.

The next version of Apple’s iPhone, according to some industry observers, is expected to support China Mobile’s TD-LTE 4G, even though that technology is less widespread in use than FDD-LTE.

china-mobile2

 

For China Mobile, the investment will boost speeds on a network that, while hosting 715 million subscribers, lags far behind its competition in connectivity. Only 13 percent of China Mobile subscribers are on 3G, while that figure is 33 percent for China Unicom and 44 percent for China Telecom. China Mobile’s 3G speeds are also quite slow, with many users relying on the carrier’s widespread Wi-Fi hotspot network for bigger downloads.

Despite China Mobile’s popularity, the carrier has not yet landed Apple’s industry-leading smartphone. More than 10 million of its customers already have iPhones operating on its network, even though the device is not compatible with China Mobile’s 3G standard. The inability to offer customers an iPhone on contract, though, is seen as a reason for the carrier’s slowing profit growth.

China Mobile’s 4G network, the company announced at this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, will consist of 200,000 base stations. The network will cover more than 100 Chinese cities and more than 500 million potential users, roughly 37.2 percent of China’s population.

With more than twice as many subscribers as the United States has citizens, China Mobile represents a massive opportunity for Apple. The iPhone maker has increased its focus on China in recent years, as the world’s most populous country recently surpassed the United States to become the world’s largest smartphone market. Apple CEO Tim Cook has taken multiple trips to China, most recently meeting with China Mobile in order to find a way to bring the iPhone to its network.

News/Rumors

iPhone 5 Motherboard Surface with antennas and battery

It seems that 9to5Mac via WeiPhone has provided photos believed to be the logicboard for the expected iPhone 5. It’s rumored that the computer inside the previous version of iPhone, iPhone 4S is four times more powerful than NASA’s Curiosity, so everyone is wondering how evolutionary and revolutionary would the iPhone 5 be? The iPhone 5 motherboard provides an extra wireless connection port, which could lead to a more advanced Wi-Fi, 802.11ac or 4G. When it comes to the iPhone’s processor, there are no signs of it in the pics. It’s stated that the pictures highlight an A5- based CPU, just like on the previous version of iPhone but different from the rumoured A5-2 processor for iPhone 5.

The smaller SIM card slot may be a hint for the usage of the Nano-SIM format. The Chinese forum also argues that the battery connector has 5 pins, where the previous version of iPhone has only 4.

Now the question that everybody thinks of, “Is the source reliable?” It seems that the same person has offered legitimate IPhone 4S motherboard pictures in August 2011 that turned out to be accurate.

iOS, News/Rumors

Update: iOS 6 News at WWDC 2012- FaceTime will now run over 3G and 4G

We stated before the WWDC that 3G FaceTime is one of the expected features of iOS 6 among Siri API, Maps app instead of Google Maps, Facebook Integration and so on and so forth.

If you were to establish a FaceTime call with Wi-Fi active on iOS 5.1.1, turning off the “Enable 3G” would put you forward to „Disabling 3G may end FaceTime. Are you sure you want to disable 3G?”. It’s seen as a proof that Apple will come with 3G support to FaceTime. Disabling 3G does not interrupt FaceTime and video calling will still work with Wi-Fi interrupted. The fact was first noticed by iDevice, the Romanian Apple website.

When the user attempts to turn 3G on, he would be he would be encountered by “Enabling 3G will end your phone call. Are you sure you want to enable 3G?” The fact is that neither of the two warnings will interrupt the FaceTime video call. The FaceTime feature was first revealed on Apple gadgets in 2010 with the launch of the iPhone 4. Afterwards it was introduced on Macs, iPads and iPod touch. 

At WWDC, Apple  announced that Facetime will now run over 3G and 4G cellular connections. FaceTime calls can be answered from both Mac and iPad with the new update and both phone number and Apple ID are being unified by Apple. The last news in what concerns FaceTime is the phone number is also being integrated into iMessage.

iPad, News/Rumors

Think twice before using your new iPad on a 4G or LTE Network

Thanks to CNET, we have now an interesting report about how operating on 4G or LTE networks could influence your data and wallet consumption. While Apple seems to avoid showing any piece of information that could help making this kind of predictions, Verizon and AT&T offer data calculators that give some figures about data usage.

The predictions can’t be very accurate because the devices handle data differently, so the results from data calculators are guidelines and the real consumption of data may vary. But customers will be somehow aware about what to expect from data plans and could choose the one that better suit their needs.

According to CNET findings using these calculators, it is highly recommended that you avoid using 4G LTE because the new iPad’s resolution doesn’t limit the bandwidth for displaying HD video. Otherwise, you may choose to spend $50 a month for 5GB data plan, just to watch a single HD streaming movie on your iPad through 4G.

You might think to use 4G LTE iPad just on Wi-fi home networks or hot-spots. But, I guess this was not the intended purpose and doesn’t worth after all.

I hope this article will help you taking the best decision.

iPad, iPad 3, News/Rumors

Astonishing colors on the new iPad

The new third generation of iPad is capable of more than you imagined so far, and now I wonder, can your imagination picture something in so many and so rich colors such as to turn your thoughts into lifelike experiences?

iPad Product Marketing, Scott Brodrick, introduces the new iPad in a way that I fancy:

“The display is what the iPad is all about. When you enhance the display, you enhance everything.”

And I agree. The Retina Display is the most attractive aspect of the new iPad and what brings the changes to this third generation; it is neither a new name nor a new design. It’s all about the iPad’s capability of reproducing detailed images that feel truly lifelike.

Once with the display, Apple improved all other important elements of the iPad that can back up the stunning graphic performance, namely the new A5X quad core chip for a smoother pixel experience, a 5MP iSight Camera and an efficient battery that has a 10 hours life.

The new iPad integrates the highest resolution display that no other mobile device disposes so far.  It features four times more pixels than the iPad 2 and a million more than a HDTV. Besides, the speed of the 4G LTE connection and the new apps for music, movies and photos turns the new iPad into the most pleasant and attractive way of experiencing technology.

iPad, iPad 3, News/Rumors

The new iPad is here – revolution with no second name

The Apple event just ended and I thought that the new iPad will have a name! I was expecting the name till the end and it didn’t come! It was confusing because there already is an iPad (the first one) and there is an iPad 2 that is older than iPad(the new one). So we can call it “The New iPad” !

 

Why Apple would prefer to renounce the HD or 3 designation for the new iPad?

  • In the good Apple tradition on the computer market I think that they do not want to introduce to many names for their products but rather keep innovating where maters. We can take a look at some examples at the Apple laptop products: MacBook, MacBook Air and that’s it (MacBook White is no longer on the market).
  • Apple is the dominant player in the tablet market and saying that all you need is the new iPad, not HD not 3, just iPad! We all know that Apple has a very effective marketing machine that can change even the dictionary by replacing the term “tablet” with “iPad”.  In fact, Apple is saying that “iPad” is the tablet market!

What name can we expect for the iPhone 5? The new iPhone?

Here are the prices for the new iPad and for the iPad 2. I will write more about this later!

 

 

iPad 3, News/Rumors

Limited supply of iPad3 because of Retina Display Shortage

Rumors argue that Apple will provide a limited number of the third-generation iPads due to the shortage of the high-resolution Retina Displays.  The famous iPad3 is expected to be launched at the Yerba Buena for the Arts in San Francisco. Apple keeps its traditions alive because the last two iPads were introduced in the same place.

The new gadget that would hit the market is said to have twice the resolution of the 1,024-by-768 screen available for the second generation of the iPad, performing with a resolution of 2,048 by 1,536 pixels. Sharp, LG Display and Samsung Electronics are the suppliers for the third generation Retina Displays but it seems that their supply wasn’t enough.

Apple Insider states as following:

“As a result, iPad 2 will remain the mainstream in shipments in the most part of the first quarter before shipments of the iPad 3 start gaining momentum in the second quarter”.

The same source came with the rumor that Apple will unveil an 8GB iPad2 on March 7, the day when iPad3 is expected to be released.

A lot of rumors and curiosities have been wondering around, that maybe the iPad3 will integrate or not a quad-core processor and a 4G LTE connectivity but it only remains to wait until its launch and be enlightened by the features.

Accessories, iPhone, iPod

Yosion Apple Peel 520 turns your iPod Touch into real iPhone

This device comes in handy when you already have an iPod Touch but would want to buy an iPhone. You might want to check also this possibility of getting iPhone additional capabilities directly on your iPod Touch. The device which makes this real is Apple Peel 520.

Citing the Peel 520 website, “the Yosion Apple Peel 520 is a new wireless device that adds mobile voice and text messaging capabilities to the iPod Touch.”

It is practically a case for the iPod Touch with attachments such as a SIM slot, external battery, and dock connector, which allow your iPod to act as an iPhone. To use the device, you have to install a software program on your iPod Touch in order to get the calling capabilities and recognize the new hardware.

You can watch this video to understand better how to install and use the device:

It is compatible with iPod Touch 4G and is guaranteed to work globally with all GSM cellular carriers. AT&T and T-mobile fully support the device and already have arranged monthly pay, or pay-as-you-go plans.

Beside the GSM functionality, you should watch other available features:

  • GPRS Access: Access the internet in any country via the GPRS standard. This is perfect for those who need to be connected anytime, anywhere, whether at home, in the café or even in the library!
  • Custom Ringtones: Customize SMS and Call ringtones with your favorite songs, sounds and melodies! If you’re like us, then you’d love to personalize your iPod /iPhone so that everyone will notice.
  • Powerful Phone App: Yosion has developed an amazing phone application. Everything is almost like an original iPhone: caller ID, call history, address book and vibration mode – you won’t notice the difference!
  • FM Radio and Integrated Bluetooth: You can listen to almost ANY local radio station in your area while you’re jogging, having a walk or literally doing anything. Also, Bluetooth is integrated into the device with the possibility of using your own hands-free headset!

SOURCE: peel520

iPad, News/Rumors

4G LTE iPad 3 might come to Verizon and AT&T

According to yesterday rumors posted on The Wall Street Journal and other tech news websites, the next generation of iPad most likely will support 4G LTE.

“Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc. will sell a version of the coming iPad that runs on their newest fourth-generation wireless networks, according to people familiar with the matter, as the battle to cash in on big investments in mobile broadband heats up.”

Same source specifies also that, where LTE signal isn’t available, iPad 3 will fall back to a slower network technology such as 3G or EDGE.

This rumor is contrary to previous beliefs and discussions given the battery drain issues with 4G connection, but maybe Apple has already found a way to overcome it. Until now, there is no piece of information whether other carriers besides this two, are ready or have plans to launch LTE iPad as Sprint Nextel Corp., T-Mobile USA and Apple declined to comment this issue.

Don’t forget that the new iPad generation is expected to have an A6 quad-core processor, higher resolution display, upgraded camera, 4G LTE connectivity, and NFC mobile payments system according to multiple rumors we also commented in a previous article.

While it’s unclear which one of these rumors are true, we have only three weeks to expect until the expected Apple official announcement date of March 7.