Redesigned antenna coming to iPhone 4?A revised Apple iPhone 4 sporting a new antenna design could be available as early as September 30th, according to a Mexican wireless carrier executive. Mexican technology site canal-mx.com cites a Telcel press release in which Marco Quatorze, its Director of Value Added Services, is quoted to say that a revised iPhone will be available on September 30th.
In July, Apple announced the iPhone 4 Case Program offering free cases to iPhone 4 customers to address antenna signal attenuation issues. At the time, it indicated that the program would end on September 30th and that Apple would review its options at this time.
It's not clear what this potential fix could be. Could Apple have coated the antenna or used a different material? And is Apple ready for the uproar from existing customers if it suddenly announces a redesign?
For now, I suggest taking this report with a grain or two of salt.
Note: The 'Read more about this story' link is in Spanish. [Google translation]
September 3, 2010
Samsung LTE smartphone coming to US in September?According to Digitimes sources, Samsung could unveil its first LTE-enabled smartphone for the US market at the IFA trade show. The Samsung Craft (SCH-R900), is reportedly headed to MetroPCS and would support both LTE and CDMA networks.
An LTE/HSPA+ dual-mode netbook, the Samsung N350, could also be unveiled at IFA.
Unannounced Samsung Galaxy Apollo shows up at Best BuySamsung may not have announced the Samsung Galaxy Apollo but that did not stop Best Buy from posting it on their website today.
Samsung Galaxy Apollo specifications:
- Operating system: Google Android 2.1
- Connectivity: Quad-band GSM / dual-band HSPA
- Other connectivity: A-GPS, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
- Input: Virtual QWERTY keyboard
- Display: 3.2-inch WQVGA touchscreen
- Storage: 150MB / microSD cards up to 32GB
- Camera: 3MP camera with auto-focus
- Battery: 1,500mAh
- Connectors: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB
- Dimensions: 115 by 57 by 13 millimeters / 113 grams
- Other: FM radio
To be offered by TELUS, it will sell for CA$49.99 with a three-year contract or CA$249.99 without any contract. There is no word on when it will be available.
Source: MobileSyrup.com
Verizon now offering US$30 prepaid unlimited data plan for smartphonesVerizon yesterday announced a new 3G Prepaid unlimited data plan for select 3G smartphones and multimedia phones as well as an additional data plan for multimedia phones only.
"These new data offerings will help our prepaid customers experience the full breadth of Verizon Wireless' robust device portfolio and the many engaging, informative and helpful applications that depend on a data plan," said Jim Sullivan, director of marketing for Verizon Wireless. "Our prepaid customers will now have the freedom to enjoy all of the capabilities that these phones have to offer, while controlling costs and without being tied to a contract."
The 3G prepaid unlimited data plan will cost US$30 per month. Multimedia phone users will also be able to choose a $10 monthly data plan offering 25MB of data for US$10 per month.
Among the select smartphones are a number of BlackBerry devices, the Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus, and the DROID family of devices. Multimedia phones include the LG enV Touch, the Samsung Alias 2 and Renown, and the Nokia Twist.
The new prepaid data plans will be available today from Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online starting on September 28th.
Samsung Galaxy Tab headed to Sprint in November? (Updated)The Boy Genius is reporting that Sprint could offer a CDMA version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab as early as November. There is little else to go on at this point unfortunately.
Past rumours have suggested that Verizon could also offer the Galaxy Tab.
Yesterday, Samsung Canada confirmed that the Galaxy Tab would be available here by the end of the year. That makes availability south of the border around the same time pretty much guaranteed.
Update: The Boy Genius has landed another tantalizing bit of information: The Galaxy Tab from sprint could be a 3G/4G device!
Samsung Galaxy Tab pricing to start at US$200?One key question that went unanswered yesterday as Samsung unveiled the Samsung GALAXY Tab was the cost. With no official pricing, rumours are filling the void with quite a range of answers.
Some rumours suggest prices as high as 699 euros with tax (about US$900) for the 16GB version and even higher for the 32GB version. For example, Expansys is currently listing the 16GB model for £679.99 (about US$1050).
A report in The Daily Mail suggests instead that, according to Samsung product executive, prices could start between US$200 and US$300 albeit with a wireless contract. The same report cites other "company officials" suggesting a price of £200 (about US$310).
Samsung, care to settle this?
September 2, 2010
Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant now available at SaskTelThe Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant made its debut yesterday at SaskTel:
Experience the mobile revolution with the 3G+ Network capable Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant. Powered by ANDROID 2.1, the Galaxy S Vibrant is designed to give you a fully integrated entertainment, messaging, and social networking experience. Its impressive 1 GHz processor and advanced video support lets you watch and record HD videos and enjoy mobile gaming like never before. With the world's first 4 inch SUPER AMOLED touch screen providing stunning, out-of-this-world HD graphics, you'll see that Vibrant is not just smart, it's absolutely brilliant.
SaskTel is offering the Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant for CA$150 with a three-year voice and data contract, CA$450 with a two-year voice and data contract, CA$550 with a one-year voice and data contract, and CA$645 with no contract. It is also available with voice-only data plans.
Toshiba announces Folio 100 tabletThe Samsung GALAXY Tab was not the only Android tablet to be unveiled today at IFA 2010. Toshiba Europe today announced its Folio 100 tablet device for "people looking for a 100 percent portable and versatile device that is always at hand for making the most of their digital life."
Toshiba Folio 100 specifications:
- Processor: Nvidia Tegra 2
- Operating system: Google Android 2.2 with Toshiba UI
- Connectivity: Model/country dependent
- Other connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, DLNA
- Display: 10.1-inch capacitive multitouch (1024 by 600)
- Storage: 16GB onboard / SD cards
- Camera: Front-facing 1.3MP webcam
- Connectors: One miniHDMI, 1 USB 2.0
- Dimensions: 281 by 181 by 14 millimeters / 760 grams
Toshiba will also work with developers to help them optimize their applications for the FOLIO 100. A support website, www.toshibatouch.eu, has been set up for this purpose but there is scant content available so far.
The Toshiba FOLIO 100 will be available in Europe, the Middle East and Africa in Q4 2010 for around €399. There is no word yet on North American availability.
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