Verizon iPhone, White iPhone 4s & iPhone 5 Make 2011 Busiest iPhone Year Ever For Apple

For as much as 2010 was a banner year for Apple, with the debut of the iPad and iPhone sales topping 40 million units sold, a busier, more frenetic iPhone release schedule for 2011 is bound to supercharge sales unlike anything we’re ever seen before. With the appearance of the Verizon iPhone in early 2011, the impending release of the white iPhone 4 and purported iPhone 4s, and the eventual iPhone climax — the iPhone 5 — the public will get its fair share of the iPhone this year.

Many might wonder why Apple has upped the ante on iPhone releases for this year, considering how much anticipation and excitement surrounds the usual June release of the newest iPhone. While Android and Blackberry phones outnumber the iPhone, all of them combined do not add to the media frenzy and consumer fervor over the iPhone. On this blog alone, it isn’t unusual for there to be over 60,000 page views a day from people worldwide, all seeking out the latest news on the iPhone 5.

Why would Apple want to subdivide and possibly dilute the buzz that they have so deftly created for iPhone releases by offering multiple releases of the iPhone in a given year?

Some in the media suggest that the staggered releases of the Verizon iPhone, white iPhone 4, and eventual iPhone 5 all point to a sloppy, disorganized release schedule of Apple this year, indicating that perhaps the complexity of adding Verizon to the mix, Steve Jobs’ ongoing health concerns, and unforeseen calamities such as the Japanese earthquake all shaking up the technology giant’s best-laid plans.

More likely, however, is that Apple is evolving their marketing approach to meet the heightened competition brought on by Google’s Android-equipped smartphones. Unlike Blackberry, which designs and manufactures its own smartphone devices like Apple, Google’s partnership with multiple smartphone producers makes competing with them more cumbersome; while the iPhone has traditionally hosted just one big release each year, Droid phones seem to continuously pop up here and there throughout the year. One of the more recent Android offerings, Kyrocera’s Echo, is an impressive new dual-touchscreen design that is already making the iPhone 4 seem outdated, upping the ante on which new features the iPhone 5 will offer.

Even though Android smartphones don’t garner the same attention as the iPhone, the multitude of different models keep new Android technology fresh in the tech bloodstream.

Apple, in turn, has to answer these challenges in the marketplace.

So, the result may be this new release schedule, where we are treated to multiple iterations of the iPhone throughout the year. Instead of having to wait for the iPhone 5, for example, we’ll also have the white iPhone 4, and who knows — maybe an iPhone 4s available to the public? We’ve already discussed at length how the white iPhone 4 is a bit of a paper tiger and perhaps nothing more than a way of keeping the iPhone hype machine running. But even if that is its only purpose, for Apple it is what they perceive to be necessary in order to keep competing against Google in the smartphone race.

iPhone 5 To Be Released On The Cusp Of The New Fiscal Year?

Just a note about the purported September release of the iPhone 5 for September 2011: for most of us, the “year” runs from January to December, so anything that happens within that time frame is considered to be happening in 2011. But for Apple, their fiscal year ends on September 24th. If the iPhone 5 ends up being released on the other side of September 24th, for Apple, that will mean that the earnings for the iPhone 5 will start at the very beginning of fiscal year 2012.

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News Of Dual-Network iPhone 5 Benefits Verizon More Than AT&T

Verizon’s recent gaffe confirms that the iPhone 5 will indeed be a dual-network device that will work with both CDMA and GSM. While the notion of a dual-network iPhone 5 isn’t much of a revelation, the news helps Verizon more than AT&T. Here’s why:

Another slip of the tongue has confirmed yet another detail about the upcoming iPhone 5.

Less than three weeks after Sony CEO Howard Stringer tacitly admitted that the next iPhone 5 camera would be of the 8 megapixel variety, Verizon’s Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo seems to have now confirmed that the iPhone 5 will indeed be a dual-network device, supporting both AT&T’s GSM and Verizon’s CDMA technologies. Venturebeat reports that “in an attempt to deflect an analyst probing for details on Apple’s next phone, Verizon inadvertently mentioned that [the iPhone 5] will be a ‘global device’.”

While the iPhone community is always happy to have virtually any detail about the iPhone 5 confirmed or corroborated (except, perhaps, for the recent report of a late September release), news of a dual-network iPhone 5 should not come as an earth-shattering revelation to those who have followed the it over the past six month of so. It is true that Apple had to fashion an alternate CDMA-equipped iPhone 4 to work on the Verizon network, creating two network variants with very slight design differences between the two.

But the production of the CDMA model was a work-around for Apple; obviously, a deal with Verizon had not been solidified by the time the iPhone 4 was launched in the summer of 2010, meaning that the initial AT&T model had no CDMA capabilities. And as we all know, there was no way that Apple could have clandestinely outfitted the original AT&T iPhone to run on CDMA — too many iPhone geeks out there pop open their new iPhones to look under the hood. Any stealth move to equip the iPhone 4 for both networks would have been discovered. This time around, however, it makes good business sense to make sure that the iPhone 5 works on both networks; it will keep production costs down and make shipping and inventory far easier.

An interesting question to consider, however, is whether or not a dual-network iPhone 5 benefits either carrier, or is it just a wash?

I would argue that, while the dual-channel iPhone 5 revelation isn’t going to be any kind of groundbreaking game-changer for either mobile carrier, it is Verizon that may have the most to gain from the notion that both companies will share the same iPhone design.

More than any other iPhone 5 topic on this blog, the subject of AT&T versus Verizon has inspired more angst, vitriol, and hurt feelings. We wrote an article about it a while back, and people weighed in on the issue with gusto, defending their mobile network providers with bravado. It’s a fact: iPhone users are passionate about their carriers. AT&T and Verizon are like political parties around here. (I guess Sprint customers are the Independents.)

Thus, I know that I am stepping into a minefield with Verizon customers when I reluctantly state that CDMA is generally considered to be the slower of the two mobile technologies, disallowing the kind of multi-tasking that AT&T iPhone users typically enjoy. Whether or not this is true, however, is not the issue: the fact remains that this is the prevailing belief about Verizon.

With this is mind, one can imagine that it can only benefit Verizon for prospective iPhone 5 customers to see that the device works on both networks. Unlike the iPhone 4, which has two variants for GSM and CDMA, the iPhone is the same phone, same specs, same technology. AT&T will no longer be able to infer that they have the “better iPhone” model.

Sameness is the name of the game for Verizon this time around, as they will finally have a chance to compete with AT&T right out of the gate with the iPhone 5. The game plan will be the same for both carriers: AT&T will tout speed and versatility, and Verizon will roll out their maps. It should be a real hoot.

Perhaps this admission by Verizon about the dual-channel iPhone 5 will turn out to be the first innoquous shot fired in the iPhone 5 network wars?

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Greenpeace’s “Green Libel:” Calling Apple the “Least Green” Tech Company Doesn’t Add Up

For years now, Apple has led the way in the technology sector on environmentally-friendly design concepts and business practices. But Greenpeace’s recent report indicating that Apple’s investment in a data center — reportedly for a soon-to-be-unveiled cloud data storage feature on the iPhone 5 — doesn’t jive with Apple’s eco-ethics. What gives?

Anybody who is a big believer in Apple products knows that green technology and environmental concerns have long been a priority for their research and development. Regardless of where one charts on the ideological spectrum when it comes to environmental issues, one thing is for sure: Apple has been an honest broker in its environmental initiatives. While a cynic might suggest that the green angle on Apple products is little more than a marketing pitch for its devoted customers, the end result of Apple’s eco-friendly developments are unquestionable.

Browse the various gadgets at Apple.com and you’re bound to notice that its most popular products boast a wide array of green-inspired features. For the MacBook series of laptops, Apple devotes an entire section to the environment, highlighting how an efficient power supply, advanced power management, 5.2 energy star qualification, and fewer toxins used in the construction of the design materials all lead to some of the greenest electronics out there on the market today.

The same is true with the iPad, iPhone, and iPod: Apple’s glass displays are recyclable, as are the aluminum chassis used on the MacBooks. In addition, Apple goes out of its way to package its products with an emphasis on minimalism, saving tons of cardboard, plastic, and other packaging materials.

But what is most impressive is Apple’s advancement in battery technology. For as much as carbon emissions are the flavor of the month when it comes to the environmental debate, fewer things pollute a landfill more than alkaline batteries and the grandpappy of rechargeable battery technology: the NiCad. Apple’s LiON battery technology — which really came into its own in 2010 with the iPad and MacBook Pro — is simply out of this world, allowing users to get maximum longevity and performance out of the battery packs used to power their mobile devices.

Given all of the efforts that Apple has made to accommodate environmental concerns, does it strike anyone as strange that an eco-activist organization like Greenpeace would levy such a scathing claim against them, labeling Apple as the “least green” tech company in the world?

It is, in effect, a green libel.

Greenpeace’s report, which is entitled How Dirty is Your Data?, is specifically targeting data centers throughout the world who rely on coal-fueled electricity to power their energy needs. The Guardian reported that, “The facility’s power will be supplied by Duke Energy, with a mix of 62% coal and 32% nuclear.” Apple’s top ranking on Greenpeace’s list stems directly from their recent purchase of petrabytes of data storage at this facility in North Carolina. In case you didn’t hear about it, this investment by Apple is most likely going to account for ushering in cloud data storage on the next iPhone 5 — something that the vast majority of avid iPhone users are incredibly excited about.

The Guardian goes on to state that Greenpeace’s findings are little more than an educated guess: ”Greenpeace drew on publicly available information on investments made in data centres, to estimate the maximum power these facilities will consume, and matched that information with data from the government or utilities.” In short, their findings are mere speculation, in spite of the fact that they are reported empirically.

Guess what, folks — you can’t power petrabytes and petrabytes of data storage for all of the music, photos, videos, and files that we love — not to mention the vast amounts of data storage that top corporations and governments rely on to keep commerce and services running — with a few windmills. The Guardian says, “Data centre energy demand already accounts for 1.5% to 2% of world electricity consumption and is set to quadruple over the next 10 years.”

Regardless of what we may think of coal-powered electricity, we have still yet to come up with a means of powering high performance technology assets like mass data servers with anything less than fossil fuels (or nuclear power, though these days it isn’t the most popular alternative power source). It is unrealistic for Greenpeace or any other iPhone user for that matter to desire more power, more storage, more productivity, and more Appley goodness without their being an increase in the carbon footprint.

We cannot have our cake and eat it, too.

The good news is that Apple has already been so pro-active in reducing its carbon footprint that one could argue that it has some leeway for expanding its data servers. After all, imagine how much less power is used throughout the world on Apple machines, thanks to all of the above-mentioned eco-features? Given all of these advancements, is Greenpeace claiming that Apple is a bigger eco-offender than the top Chinese technology companies, which do not have to abide by any carbon standards whatsoever?

Scan the Greenpeace website, and you quickly come to realize that destroying the coal industry is their primary focus. Whether or not you agree or disagree with coal power or Greenpeace, you have to ask yourself this question: is Apple really the best company to bully over coal-powered electricity and environmental responsibility?

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Late iPhone 5 Release Affected By iPhone 4 Sales

The iPhone 4 has been Apple’s most successful iPhone by far, as the delayed release of the Verizon iPhone and rumors of a white iPhone 4 on the way keep sales brisk. But is the success of the iPhone 4 pushing back the iPhone 5?

You know the old saying: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

For as much as Apple analysts have pointed to the rise of the Droid platform in 2010 as the first shot fired in the smartphone wars, and that the iPhone 5 has to “keep pace” with Droid technology to remain competitive, iPhone 4 sales remain brisk. Apple sold nearly 40 million iPhones in 2010 alone — most of which were of the iPhone 4 variety — and the launch of the Verizon iPhone in 2011 and the soon-to-be white iPhone 4 (which we predicted as a spring 2011 release back in October) all point to continued robust sales throughout the spring and early summer.

Given this reality, why are we even surprised that the iPhone 5 remains sidelined?

There’s no doubt that the iPhone 5 has been completely designed and tested by Apple — there have even been rumors of iPhone 5 prototypes being spotted from North America to Asia. But we know for a fact that Apple has yet to begin iPhone 5 production, with some reports indicating that even no “production roadmap” has been presented to Apple’s component suppliers and assemblers.

Now, just because the news leak-prone Asian suppliers haven’t seen the production roadmap doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist: the iPhone 5 could most likely be put into production at a moment’s notice by Apple, since by this time, all of the plans and specs for the next iPhone are in place. But when you consider how successful the iPhone 4 has been over the past 10 months or so, why even bother rushing the iPhone 5?

To be sure, a severely-stalled iPhone 5 could irk enough stalwart iPhone users to defect to Droid, as we have reported on in another article. But there is another angle to this iPhone 5 delay: Apple may may have realized that stalling the iPhone 5 will funnel more prospective iPhone users to the iPhone 4.

After all, why spend all of the time, money, and resources to improve on the iPhone 4 if it’s still selling like hotcakes?

I often use Nintendo’s various gaming consoles as an analogy to Apple’s own marketing and production logic, and the Wii proves this rationale beautifully: the Wii hasn’t been updated in years, and yet the console — and its litany of games — continue to sell robustly. All Nintendo has to do every year is refresh the product with something cosmetic — such as the black and red Wiis — or the addition of new accessories, like the Wii Motion Plus.

In many ways, the white iPhone 4 is akin to these above-mentioned examples, and a simple, cost-effective way of extending the lifecycle of the iPhone 4.

Will Apple Wait Until 2012 to Release the iPhone 5?

Up until this point, the iPhone 5 News Blog hasn’t entertained rumors that the iPhone 5 could get pushed back as far as 2012 — for the most part, we’ve stuck to our belief that it will make its debut at the end of the summer. (And we were the first blog to predict a late-summer release of the iPhone 5, by the way.) However, the only factor that supports the notion that the iPhone 5 could be released as late as 2012 is the continued sales success of the iPhone 4.

In the first quarter of 2011 alone, Apple has sold 16.24 million iPhones. And with the release of the white iPhone 4 sometime in April or May, as well as continued rumors of the late iPhone 5, it isn’t unrealistic to imagine that Apple may come close to doubling up on sales at the end of the second quarter.

With all of this in mind, perhaps the most effective way of ensuring a timely release of the iPhone 5 is for people to stop buying the iPhone 4?

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Metal Back Would Be a “Mea Culpa” For Apple

The “Antennagate” scandal of 2010 spooked iPhone users and marred the early image of the iPhone 4. While Apple fought hard in the press to brush off the reception issues, if the iPhone 5 features either an Internal Antenna and/or metal back, will it be a tacit admission that the iPhone 4 was flawed?

We’ve talked in the press about a panoply of possible new features for the iPhone 5. However, the discussion of either a return to the internal antenna or a metal back (or both) is seldom mentioned in iPhone rumor roundups. The primary reason for this is that the appearance of either or both of these features on the iPhone 5 would not in fact constitute “new features,” but rather would be “fixes” to the contentious Antennagate issue that gripped the tech world in the summer and fall of 2010.

Regardless of where you might be on the antenna issue for the iPhone 4, few current or prospective iPhone users seem to be against the iPhone 5 design returning to earlier, more reliable reception technology. In their March 17th posting, 9 To 5 Mac aptly stated the high probability of the reemergence of the metal back feature. Referencing a reliable source from Foxconn, writer Mark Gurman reported that “Apple has decided to move away from the back-glass enclosure found on the fourth-generation device and move to something similar to the back of the first-generation iPhone from 2007.”

Gurman went on to explain that “if Apple keeps the same antenna design (which was not mentioned by sources) as the iPhone 4 and adds the flat aluminum back, this back should not cause any reception issues.” International Business Times seconds this rumor, and also adds that the iPhone 5 will indeed revert back to the internal antenna seen on the iPhone 4. In this way, Apple is essentially doubling up on fixing the antenna issue.

However, should these two fixes show up on the iPhone 5, how is Apple going to handle it from a PR perspective?

After all, Steve Jobs and the rest of Apple’s marketing and PR mechanism worked overtime last summer to squelch the escalating criticism about the purported faulty antenna and “death grip.” Their approach to dealing with the problem turned out to be complex at best: while on one hand they brushed off the criticism as “overblown,” affirming that the iPhone 4 had the same level of reception quality as its competitors, Apple also responded by distributing free bumpers for the iPhone 4, which was seen by many to be a work-around for an obvious design flaw in the antenna.

This time around, with the iPhone 5, Apple will have to address the decision to return to previous designs when it comes to reception. By utilizing either the internal antenna or metal black, it will be a de facto admission that the iPhone 4 was indeed flawed to some extent. With the metal back, Apple will have some plausible deniability — they can always claim that the decision was entirely aesthetically motivated, especially if they go with a Liquid Metal over Aluminum.

But a return to the internal antenna on the iPhone 5 will be harder to spin.

Apple has always prided itself as a product leader when it comes to quality, performance, and innovation of personal computers and mobile computing devices. And for the most part, the company has managed to live up to the reputation that it espouses. And while the iPhone 4 was indeed an advancement of the iPhone technology as a whole, it is more likely to go down in history as the first hiccup in the iPhone lineage. Let us hope that the hiccup ends with the iPhone 5.

What do you think? Was “antennagate” just a witch hunt by the press, or was it a big enough problem to be newsworthy? And will a return to the internal antenna and/or metal back on the iPhone 5 convince you that the iPhone 4 antenna design was indeed faulty?

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Apple Shipping White iPhone 4 This Month?

It's been a long time since we've been able to run a story on the white iPhone 4 without a question mark in the title. Now Bloomberg reports the long-awaited white iPhone 4 will be available by the end of this month. Previous reports have also pointed to an April release, however nobody is counting their chickens before they hatch.
apple iphone 4 white

Best Buy leaks pointing to a February 27 white iPhone release have already turned out to be false. Apple continues to stick by its spring 2011 launch schedule although the season officially began on March 20. After a 10-month wait since the iPhone 4 keynote what's a few more weeks?

The late white iPhone 4 release has analysts buzzing about a possible iPhone 5 delay. After all, why launch last year's product in a different color just two or three months ahead of rolling out the newer model? Those who claim to be connected with Apple's supply chain have not seen the kind of ordering and movement that has characterized previous summer iPhone announcements. This has led some to speculate that Apple will wait unti September or October to launch the iPhone 5.

Any later would cut into holiday sales, making a 2012 iPhone 5 launch unlikely. When it comes to the white iPhone 4, it sounds like Apple finally has a handle on manufacturing issues. Problems with light leaking into the camera through the white-painted glass back and color matching issues between the bezel and home button were just two of the issues cited. The process for painting and curing the iPhone 4 glass in white was also mentioned as a difficult one that was time consuming and didn't meet quality control standards.

Regardless, several white iPhone 4 models have been spotted in the wild. Presumably those with a white iPhone 4 know someone at Apple, and these sightings have fanned the flames of hype surrounding the device. If Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal are talking to the right sources, pretty soon the white iPhone 4 will be in the hands of millions of consumers who are AT&T and Verizon customers.
Source : http://www.iphonefaq.org/archives/971332

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Apple Updates iPhone iOS on AT&T (4.3.2) and Verizon (4.2.7)

Apple has released the latest firmware files for iOS devices containing bug fixes and security updates. Verizon iPhone 4 owners were not left out of the fun this time, getting their own iOS 4.2.7 updates specifically for the CDMA device. Those experiencing blank or frozen FaceTime video issues should find that the firmware update fixes these problems.
iOS 4.3.2 firmware update iTunes Verizon 4.2.7

Both iPhone 4 and iPad 2 owners reported the FaceTime issue was affecting Apple devices running iOS 4.3. Another issue that was widely reported in the news was a connectivity problem causing issues with the iPad connecting to 3G networks.

According to Apple, a fix for the 3G connection problems is also included in the latest update. iOS 4.2.7 doesn't seem to have many major changes, however Verizon customers will be happy to know they get the latest security updates and bug fixes as well. AT&T iPhone owners have seen their version of the iOS mobile operating system updated more than once since the launch of the Verizon model.

The iOS 4.3.2 update is compatible with the following devices:

- iPhone 4 (GSM on AT&T)
- iPhone 3GS
- iPad 2
- iPad
- iPod touch 3rd generation
- iPod touch 4th generation

The iOS 4.2.7 update is compatible with the iPhone 4 (CDMA on Verizon). The correct version of the firmware for your device will appear in iTunes automatically when your hardware is connected to the computer and you proceed with an update.

Complete security update information can be found at Apple for both the iOS 4.3.2 and the iOS 4.2.7 updates. Webkit, QuickLook and Certificate Trust Policy were all patched in both versions of the firmware. Still no word on whether or not these updates contain any battery life improvements for those who have found their battery to run down quickly after installing iOS 4.3.

Apple was the source of many other software releases this week, as the company launched the new iOS firmwares along with security updates for Snow Leopard, Leopard, and Leopard Server, a new version of Safari (5.0.5) and Xcode (4.0.2) for developers.

Source : http://www.iphonefaq.org/archives/971331

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iPhone Smart Bezel Coming Soon?

Thanks to Patently Apple, we recently saw how Apple could be planning a smart bezel on the iPad. Now it seems Apple engineers are also working on a similar concept for a future model iPhone. The iPhone smart bezel patent revealed by Patently Apple details some interesting features that could be added to the area surrounding the main display.
apple iphone smart bezel concept

The smart bezel is described as an area outside of the main LCD screen comprising printed segmented electroluminescence displays. Presumably these would be dark until needed, and could be illuminated in different patterns to create buttons or give the user information depending on what the iPhone was being used for at the moment. This would free up more space on the main screen.

Gaming controls or other buttons could appear when needed and provide a touch sensitive surface in the black bezel surrounding the iPhone screen, hence the term "smart bezel." These controls would also be configurable by users using the Settings screen. For example, secondary display buttons (referred to as "side indicators" in the patent diagram) could be turned ON or OFF depending on a variety of conditions including orientation, location and application running or other factors. Even the brightness of the side indicators could be adjusted much like the main display brightness is adjustable on current iPhones.

Although the feature could make it into future iPhone designs, the likelihood of seeing a smart bezel in the iPhone 5 remains slim to none. Patents could go either way, as Apple might seek to protect an idea but never implement the concept on a final consumer product. Any major addition to the iPhone interface would take some time to develop. It's still possible that secondary display features will make it into a future iPhone, but this is probably a way off. To date, leaked iPhone 5 designs show a larger screen with a smaller bezel, leaving little if any space for any smart bezel functionality in the next generation device.
Source : http://www.iphonefaq.org/archives/971326

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iPhone 5 Next Generation Camera Rumors Surface

Two interesting new rumors have surfaced surrounding future iPhone camera designs. The first involves a leak from Sony regarding an 8 megapixel camera the company manufactures that sounds like it's headed for the iPhone 5. 9to5 Mac reports Sony CEO Howard Stringer explained how their best image sensors are produced at a factory that was affected by the earthquake in Japan.
Sony iPhone 5 camera 3D rumor

He noted that this problem will delay shipment of images sensors to companies like Apple. The only thing is that Sony doesn't make image sensors for Apple... yet. The Street reported in April of last year that Apple would be moving away from current supplier OmniVision for the iPhone 5, and going with an 8 megapixel Sony component instead.

The same article correctly forecast that the iPhone 4 would carry its current OmniVision 5 megapixel camera. It would make sense for Apple to keep improving the iPhone camera to keep up with the competition and improve image quality on its multimedia focused devices. It's not clear whether or not the Sony manufacturing delays will push back the release of the iPhone 5.

The second and more far-reaching rumor is actually a patent discovered by AppleInsider. Apple has been working on 3D imaging and the patent details a system that would use two built-in cameras in a mobile device to capture a stereoscopic image. The 3D images could be displayed after capture on a special screen. Apple's patent explains that the dual camera system would be superior to single-camera 3D solutions and the system could even be used to record 3D video as well.

3D televisions and digital cameras have begun to surface in the consumer market, however they have yet to be commonplace. If Apple indeed goes with the 8 megapixel Sony camera for the iPhone 5, it looks like 3D will have to wait for a future generation iPhone. Maybe in a year or two we'll see an iPhone 3D. In the meantime, you can get 3D games now with Hasbro's MY3D viewer which launches tomorrow.
Source : http://www.iphonefaq.org/archives/971322

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iPhone 4 Survey: Verizon Drops Less Calls Than AT&T

ChangeWave Research contacted 4,068 iPhone 4 users to get a detailed comparison of Verizon Wireless vs. AT&T Mobility services. According to the survey results, AT&T customers experienced dropped calls almost three times as often in the past 90 days as those with a Verizon iPhone 4. Whereas Verizon subscribers reported a dropped call rate of 1.8 percent, AT&T clocked in at 4.8 percent for the same question.
att vs verizon dropped calls

You might think these numbers would pose a problem for the AT&T customer service department. Actually, when looking at overall customer satisfaction with their iPhone 4, both companies came out even. Very satisfied and somewhat satisfied customers together made up 98 percent of respondents from both AT&T and Verizon.

Although consumers are satisfied with their iPhone 4s, the dropped call woes for AT&T don't stop there. ChangeWave also performed another study and asked customers with any cellular phone from the four major US carriers about dropped call frequency in the past 90 days. Guess who came in last.

- Verizon Wireless 1.6%
- T-Mobile 2.3%
- Sprint/Nextel 2.7%
- AT&T Mobility 4.6%

A survey of future iPhone 4 buyers paints an interesting picture. Of those planning to purchase an iPhone 4, ChangeWave found that 46 percent planned to buy from Verizon. 27 percent indicated they would go with AT&T and 27 percent were in the "Don't Know/Other" category. On the surface this looks good for Verizon and bad for AT&T, however as more iPhone 4 users sign on to the Verizon network, their service could suffer.

As more subscribers start using loads of data it will inevitably put more pressure on Verizon's systems. Similarly, AT&T could see in improvement in future survey results as some customers will make the switch to Verizon. What's clear is that US consumers are incredibly satisfied with their iPhones and the user experience they provide, regardless of how many calls are dropped.
Source :
http://www.iphonefaq.org/archives/971325

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Turn Your Old iPhone into Cash with HelloTotem

The folks behind cash4iPhones.com and cash4BlackBerrys.com have launched a new, comprehensive site called HelloTotem.com that promises to pay you top dollar for your old, unwanted iPhone. HelloTotem wants to send you cash for that iPhone that's been collecting dust on your desk since you upgraded. HelloTotem is currently offering payment, often issued the same day your device lands at HelloTotem, for many different models of outdated smartphones including devices from Apple, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, HTC, Nokia, LG and BlackBerry. Every model of iPhone Apple has produced, save first generation iPhones, are exchangeable for what HelloTotem promises are the most competitive prices in the industry. HelloTotem also has plans to start offering cash for tablet devices, such as the iPad, in the near future.
HelloTotem

The process is incredibly straightforward. Simply visit HelloTotem.com and enter your device and it's condition right on the homepage. You'll get an instant quote, a quote which Totem indicates is reliable 98% of the time. The other 2%, when quotes change, are typically from customers drastically overstating the condition of their device. According to Nicholas Fiorentino, Totem's CEO, in some cases customers understate the condition of their device and actually receive payment that exceeds their quoted offer. Once you accept Totem's quote, you'll receive a postage pre-paid mailer that you simply put your device in and ship back to Totem. Once Totem receives and processes the device, they issue payment.

Payment can be issued via check or via PayPal and, if your used phone arrives at Totem before 10am on a business day, they'll issue payment that day.

A 32GB iPhone 3GS currently in "good" condition (which allows for minor scratches typical of day-to-day use) is worth $193. Who knew you had a nearly two-hundred dollar paperweight sitting on your desk all this time? Oh, and don't worry if you've lost your charger, USB cable, original box or anything else that came with your iPhone. Totem doesn't want them. Just send the phone.

So, how do you know you're not shipping your phone off into a black hole, never to be seen again? Totem stresses their understanding of customer concerns regarding online scams and reliability. After all, Totem isn't the first company to offer cash for old phones. HelloTotem.com has a detailed tracking system that shows the progress of your payment every step of the way. Totem also received an A rating from the Better Business Bureau, showcases a myriad of customer testimonials and also takes care to protect customer privacy through their TRUSTe certification.

For more information, or to get a quote for your unwanted phone, visit HelloTotem.com.

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iPhone iOS 4.3.1 Jailbreak Released by Dev-Team

iPhone Dev-Team is celebrating the third anniversary of their PwnageTool with the release of an untethered jailbreak solution for the latest Apple firmware, iOS 4.3.1. The new version of redsn0w will jailbreak all devices that support iOS 4.3.1 except for the iPad 2. Apple got smart with the iPad 2, and the device can't be compromised by the limera1n or SHAtter exploits used on other devices.
iPhone Dev-Team jailbreak PwnageTool icon

The current jailbreak was made possible by developer Stefan Esser (@i0n1c) who has a long history of researching security on Apple products. Redsn0w is available directly from the iPhone Dev-Team for both Mac OS X and Windows platforms. PwnageTool is also available for Mac OS X and required to jailbreak the second-generation Apple TV.

Unlockers must watch out and follow special instructions from the Dev-Team. They say not to update if you're already running ultrasn0w as a fix for compatibility issues with firmware 4.3.1 is currently in the works for older basebands. Otherwise, redsn0w provides the simplest comprehensive jailbreaking solution for those with later model iPhones, iPod touch devices and the original iPad.

Three years ago the iPhone was running iPhone OS version 1.1.4 and the PwnageTool made a big impact on Apple and iPhone owners everywhere. The official App Store didn't even exist yet, so jailbreaking was the only way to get third-party software on your device. Jailbreakers were also not sure of their legal status even as Apple tried to combat the phenomenon as a security risk and violation of warranty terms.

Apple continues to stand by these two assertions, however now the US has officially legalized jailbreaking as a fair-use exception to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Of course, even though independent software development is now free from the threat of lawsuits, software piracy remains against the law. iPhone jailbreakers everywhere owe the iPhone Dev-Team and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) thanks for all of their hard work.
Source :
http://www.iphonefaq.org/archives/971323

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Hasbro Announces MY3D Viewer and Apps for iPhone

Hasbro is launching the MY3D handheld viewer this weekend for the iPhone and iPod touch. The accessory converts your mobile device screen into a three-dimensional entertainment and gaming platform thanks to stereo viewing. Eight free apps from Hasbro are already on the App Store and can be used with the MY3D.
iPhone Hasbro MY3D viewer apps

The concept is a 21st-century version of the View-Master 3D viewer from Fisher-Price. The View-Master has been around for 65 years, and features circular reels of 3D scenes. MY3D takes advantage of the accelerometer and graphics capabilities of the iPhone to produce a 360-degree 3D viewing experience. The apps simply render graphics in stereo vision, and the viewer tricks your eyes into seeing in three dimensions.

The apps that Hasbro released include several games such as the space shooter Sector 17, 360° Sharks, Bubble Bolt, Shatterstorm, and Tunnel Pilot. Apps will be free for the month of April, but starting on May 1, 2011 the prices for some MY3D apps will go up to $1.99 or 4.99 each. Other titles include Teleport LA which is a tour of Los Angeles, and MY3D Presents featuring movie trailers and other sample media in 3D.

It's a pretty neat concept that seems to fit in the "why didn't I think of that" category. We look forward to third party developers taking advantage of Hasbro's MY3D and running with it to make creative titles and even maybe some DIY virtual reality contraptions. Anyone with an iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod touch 3rd or 4th generation can get in on the 3D action. Target will be the first retailer to carry MY3D when it launches on April 3 at a cost of $34.99. Hasbro plans to roll out MY3D to retailers nationwide starting in June.
Source :
http://www.iphonefaq.org/archives/971321

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Experience Vimeo.com on your iPhone

Popular video enthusiast site Vimeo.com does not have the same level of viewership as YouTube, but it's definitely a great place to find interesting user-made videos. Today, Vimeo released a free iPhone app that lets you bring the video site with you on the go, but it lacks one very important feature.

Vimeo for iPhone (free) lets you join up with the site or log in within the app so you can upload, edit, and view videos on your iPhone. It comes with many of the popular Vimeo user-requested features like the Inbox, the ability to Watch Later, and Vimeo's selection of Channels. The interface uses buttons across the bottom of the screen, letting you browse your finished videos in My Videos, flick through your current projects in Recordings, and look at videos you previously "liked" in My Stuff. There's also a place to Browse Vimeo videos and look at your account information.

When you want to make a video of your own, simply hit the My Videos button and create a new video using your iPhone camera or choose an existing video from your library. From there you'll be able to edit the video for length, join video clips together with some simple transitions, add audio (the Vimeo app offers some samples, but you can also use your music library), and add a title to your project.

The video-editing screen lets you choose and add transitions, audio, and the title of your video.

(Credit: Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET)

In our testing, whether we were watching regular or HD videos, the Vimeo for iPhone experience was incredibly smooth. We were able to browse videos by category and flick through several submissions. The one feature that's not available is the ability to search for videos at the Vimeo site, but the folks at Vimeo pointed out that they made sure to get many of the traditional Vimeo features like Watch Later and Channels into this version first and will be adding search hopefully in the next release.

Overall, Vimeo for iPhone is an excellent way to check out the popular video Web site's content with many of the features Vimeo users have come to love. Once Vimeo adds search to this well-made app, it will be the ideal app for browsing Vimeo.com.

Source : Cnet

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Google updates finance search for Android, iPhone

Google made a few tweaks today to the way it presents financial information in its mobile search results.

Now, typing a stock symbol into the Google.com search bar in on your iPhone or Android smartphone (2.1 or above) returns useful data in a glance, including the stock's share price and an interactive graph you can click on to see fluctuations over a day up to a five-year span.

What's more, the results appear on four "cards," or screens, that you can swipe through to see additional news, and a market overview. Those of you signed on to your Google account can also swipe to see a summarized view of your Google Finance stock portfolio.

Source : Cnet
Read more: http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-20049376-85.html#ixzz1IGS1MP5U

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More Reports of Delayed iPhone 5 Launch

AppleInsider predicts that Apple could wait until October or later to release the fifth-generation iPhone. Apparently the company has not ordered any parts for the iPhone 5 yet, making a summer launch unlikely. According to the report, the iPhone 5 will launch during the first half of Apple's 2012 fiscal year, which starts at the end of September.
Apple WWDC 2011 iPhone 5 delay

Putting off the iPhone 5 until after the holiday retail season could cost Apple sales during a season when consumers are typically anxious to spend money on new gadgets. Rumors of a September iPhone 5 launch surfaced previously, however the iPad 2 did not get released over the summer as some had anticipated.

WWDC 2011 invitations are out, and they seem to corroborate news of an iPhone 5 delay. With the tag line "Join us for a preview of the future of iOS and Mac OS X," it sounds like the event will focus solely on software this time around. Apple has used the occasion to reveal iPhone hardware updates in the past. With the white iPhone 4 expected in April and the Verizon iPhone 4 relatively new to the market, Apple may need some time to focus on iPhone 5 design and manufacturing. As for iOS 5, the firmware will feature several cloud-based features and could also be delayed until the launch of the iPhone 5 hardware this fall.

When it comes to the iPhone 5 hardware, Apple has already started production trial runs of a prototype device. The new handset will feature a form factor similar to the iPhone 4, except the antenna will be redesigned and the glass back might be replaced with aluminum. Other reports have claimed the iPhone 5 will be completely redesigned to look more like the iPad 2 and iPod touch. This would involve a curved aluminum back and a front bezel available in both black and white.

This year's Apple WWDC (Worldwide Developer's Conference) will focus on iOS and the App Store as well as the upcoming release of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion for Apple's desktop computers. The event takes place June 6-10 in San Francisco.
Source : http://www.iphonefaq.org/archives/971317

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Apple Releases iOS 4.3.1 Security and Maintenance Update

The latest firmware from Apple is already here. Just over two weeks after the release of iOS 4.3 for GSM iPhones, Apple has added bug fixes and other minor updates to iOS 4.3.1. The update was made available on iTunes earlier than expected. Verizon iPhones (CDMA) will remain at iOS 4.2.6 for the time being.
iOS 4.3.1 firmware update iTunes

This update is also designed for the iPad, iPad 2 and fourth generation iPod touch. Although the update is relatively minor, if you are one of the users affected by issues addressed in the update you'll want to install the new firmware right away.

According to Apple, the iOS 4.3.1 update contains the following fixes and improvements:

- Fixes an occasional graphics glitch on iPod touch (4th generation)
- Resolves bugs related to activating and connecting to some cellular networks
- Fixes image flicker when using Apple Digital AV Adapter with some TVs
- Resolves an issue authenticating with some enterprise web services

On Monday, BGR reported that the iOS 4.3.1 update was expected within one or two weeks. Sources also told them the update would include the following fixes:

- Baseband updates for the iPhone 3GS and original iPad
- Fixed memory hang that results in memory corruption when reading large files from USIM filesystem
- Fixed problem with NTLM authentication in apps and on websites
- Fixed issue with the Springboard and 3rd party apps not recognizing the gyroscope on the iPad 2
- Fixed iPad 2 jailbreak vulnerability

Some reports have indicated that the update improves battery life, but this is unconfirmed. Apple also makes no mention of a Safari security fix reportedly in the works. Security researcher Charlie Miller exposed a flaw in the mobile browser that Apple is said to be working on patching, if they haven't already. It remains to be seen whether or not any further updates to 4.3 are forthcoming. With the release of the iPhone 5 coming soon, Apple is expected to jump to iOS 5.0 in June.
Source :
http://www.iphonefaq.org/archives/971316

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Will the iPhone 5 Recognize Your Face?

Apple as usual has made a business decision that could lead to exciting new features on the next generation iPhone and beyond. The company has acquired Swedish company Polar Rose, known for its mobile face recognition technology FaceLib among other similar products.
apple iphone polar rose face recognition

With full face detection and tracking of faces in video, the solutions Polar Rose delivers could change how you interact with your iPhone. Now that the iPhone 4 has a front-facing camera, passcode lock could end up going the way of the dinosaurs.

Imagine holding your iPhone up and the device automatically unlocking to reveal your home screen. The neat trick is that your iPhone won't do this for anyone else. If the software on the iPhone recognizes your face, this replaces your passcode. Some Apple patents have recently been revealed that could lead to iPhones recognizing the shape of your hand, which could also replace the four-digit passcode.

Other interesting uses for the technology include automatically tagging people in photos and recognizing FaceTime callers from contact information. As the photographs taken on the iPhone improve, various image analysis algorithms could also be used to automatically classify and organize photos by type or subject.

Apple's iPhoto currently recognizes faces in pictures for tagging purposes. It's possible Apple is looking to improve and expand this functionality. Polar Rose removed its free tagging services for Facebook and Flickr earlier this month, citing interest from larger companies in licensing their technology. Staying true to form, Apple has not confirmed the acquisition of Polar Rose.

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iPhone Radiation Monitor App Rejected by Apple

The fact that cellular devices emit radiation is nothing new, and the debate over how much exposure is harmful is far from settled. Tawkon has developed an app for BlackBerry and Android devices to help those concerned about the issue. The company was hoping to bring an iPhone version to the App Store but the software was rejected by Apple.
apple iphone SAR radiation monitor Tawkon app

Tawkon has made the app available on the Cydia app store for jailbroken iPhones and is appealing to customers to help urge Apple to lift the ban. Reports have indicated Apple CEO Steve Jobs himself responded to the company with a short email stating simply, "No interest."

All cellular phones emit different levels of radiation depending on distance from cell towers, local environmental conditions and even the position of the device. The iPhone is no different, however Apple has been keen to reduce perceptions that the iPhone 4 external antenna suffers from the so-called death grip. Some users have experienced a drop in signal strength when holding the iPhone 4 in specific ways. Tawkon has used their RRI (real-time radiation indication) technology to demonstrate an increase in predicted radiation when this signal attenuation occurs.

The problem is not limited to iPhones by any means. When it comes to the app in question, Tawkon seeks to educate interested mobile phone users on the radiation levels they are exposed to from their devices. Using RF parameters and other data such as information from the proximity sensor, RRI measures emission and exposure as the phone is used. The app will track long-term statistics of exposure and recommend changes in behavior such as turning the phone or using a headset when conditions are right to reduce absorption.

In normal operating circumstances the iPhone SAR (specific absorption rate) is well within levels considered safe by the US Federal Communications Commission. Unfortunately for those who are interested in more details on their iPhones, jailbreaking is the only way to get Tawkon at the present time.
Suorce: http://www.iphonefaq.org/archives/971315

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iPhone 5 Begins Production as Hardware Details Leak

China Times reports that the iPhone 5 has entered a trial production phase and will feature a larger screen. Purported iPhone 5 parts have already leaked that seem to match the claim of a four-inch screen. The iPhone 5 itself is expected to have a similar form factor as the current model, with the display reaching all the way to the edge of the device.
apple iphone 5 mockup four inch screen

The rendering above by Piotrek Photos shows how a larger iPhone 5 screen might compare to the current iPhone 4 display. This news comes as the New York Times has confirmed Apple is working on near-field communication (NFC) technology so that future iPhones can easily make wireless mobile payments at specially equipped cash registers. The NFC hardware would be integrated with the iPhone processor and linked directly to the owner's iTunes account.

Although Apple is working on NFC technology it's not clear whether or not the feature will make its way onto the iPhone 5. The company could be saving this functionality for a future model iPhone, as there are many different versions of the e-wallet concept currently entering the market. Competing Android phones are already getting into the act, with the Samsung Nexus S already equipped with NFC.

Other highlights of the iPhone 5 design include the switch to a metal back, much like the original iPhone. Apple could completely redesign the iPhone 5 with a curved aluminum back, to bring it more in line with the iPad 2 and recent iPod touch designs. More recent information points to a next generation device much more similar to the iPhone 4, except replacing the back glass panel with metal. A redesigned antenna would be integrated into the smartphone to help prevent the reception issues that were cited by Consumer Reports when they refused to recommend the iPhone 4.

According to China Times, the iPhone 5 is on track for a summer 2011 release. This contradicts some reports that the iPhone 5 could be delayed until September. Apple typically updates the iPhone every year in late June to early July. Plenty of time left for more rumors, leaks and speculation before an official Apple announcement.
Source : http://www.iphonefaq.org/archives/971313#42

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