By now you must have heard that AT&T didn't have the exclusivity of the iPhone anymore, as Apple signed a multi-year deal with Verizon. Business Week has an interesting article showing how it took years for this agreement to take place.
In this article, Verizon's President Lowell McAdam gives us an idea of what it was like to deal with Apple. Let's analyze what he has to say...
After recently becoming the largest tech company in the world, Apple just passed RIM to become the 4th largest vendor of mobile devices in the world, just behind Nokia, Samsung, and LG Electronics (who the hell owns an LG phone?).
Apple shipped 14.1 million units within the last 3 months, while Nokia, Samsung, and LG respectively shipped 110.4 million, 71.4 million and 28.4 million units. RIM is just behind Apple with 12.4 million devices shipped.
Apple is still pretty far behind the first 3 but remember that the company got into the mobile space only 3 years ago. You can only imagine where it's going to be in 3 more years...
[RWW]
Last week it was reported that Square, a mobile credit card reader, had opened its doors and was available for download in the app store. Square is the brainchild of Jack Dorsey, who is also co-founder of Twitter.
The app, when used in conjunction with a small card reader that plugs into the auxiliary port, allows anyone to process credit card payments. This takes "mobile payments" to a whole new level as now small businesses and vendors can process payments without the need for a wired or complex point-of-sale system.
All you need is a compatible device (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or one of select Android devices), the card reader, and a signal on your device.
So what does this mean for retailers and small businesses? Is it secure to use? And what about the cost? Will this be the new method businesses large and small use? Read more to find out...
Apple just released their fourth quarter financial results and let me tell you right away that the numbers are pretty amazing. The company posted record revenue of $20.34 billion, compared to $12.21 billion in the same period last year.
The company sold 14.1 million iPhones in its fourth quarter, which represents an increase of 91% compared to last year. They also sold 3.89 million Macs, 9.05 million iPods, and 4.19 million iPads during the quarter.
The most interesting thing about this press release is the "surprise" Apple has for us...
The most annoying commercials I see in the very little TV I watch in a week have to be the Bing commercials. They give me a headache. That being said. I won't have to worry about Microsoft's search engine replacing Google as the default topic finder.
Mac Rumors reports that Google CEO Eric Schmidt told Charlie Rose that the company recently extended their initial deal with Apple as the default search engine for all iOS devices. There were rumors that the iPhone and others might jump, leaving Bing to be the front runner. Apple recently allowed iOS users the ability to use Bing as a search engine, though users have to opt-in to participate...
The thing we love about rumors is also the thing we hate about them. They change every day. This has been truer nowhere else than in the Verizon iPhone hoopla. It's truly the story that just won't find a resolution and here we are.
Computer World has a lengthy update about the possibility and state of the 2011 Verizon iPhone. It isn't happening. If it is going to happen it will not be until the carrier gets their 4G network up and running...
You have to love the mind of the opportunist. Always lurking in the weeds just waiting to strike the opportunity at the chance of making some money. That's exactly what's going on over in Britain.
9 to 5 Mac reports that the folks across the pond are lining up to buy brand new iPhone 4s and then sell them back to China (where they are made), unlocked at a higher price. The same thing is happening in New York where the New York Times is quoted saying the following about the "grey" market back and forth:
About 4 months ago, Apple made the headlines for surpassing Microsoft in terms of market value. Today, Apple is making the headlines again, this time for becoming the world's second largest company by market value.
Apple's stock went as high as $292.76 today, passing PetroChina to become the second largest stock in the world, right behind Exxon Mobil...
I thought when Apple announced they were loosening up their restrictions as far as the App Store was concerned, that life things would snap in the other direction as far as the relationship with Adobe went. Turns out wounds don't heal at the drop of a few guidelines.
While it is certainly better, 9 to 5 Mac reports that an Adobe CEO calls the effect that Apple's new stance has had is "muted". It didn't stop there though. The entire conversation has Shantanu Narayen talking about anything except the iPhone or Apple as a whole...
I like people with confidence. They maintain an aura of cool while some intense situations are presented to them. Then once in a while their confidence is largely mistaken as delusion. Is that what is happening with the CEO of AT&T and his latest claim of not caring about losing iPhone exclusivity? Not really.
Market Watch has a report that cites Randall Stephenson telling investors that basically the majority of current iPhone users are in long contracts as it stands. That's certainly true however those "long" contracts are less than 2 years and will eventually need to be renewed to stay long term...
I just knew it. I knew it wouldn't be long until the latest Verizon iPhone rumor hit the web waves and I'd be writing about it shortly thereafter. I did not think it would be as concrete as this appears to be.
An analyst with Susquehanna Financial Group mentioned in a note to suppliers that Apple is preparing to build 3 million CDMA capable iPhones by December. This is to keep on track with an apparent early 2011 release. Are you getting a headache yet?
A new survey by Credit Suisse shows that only 23% of AT&T customers would be willing to switch to Verizon if the carrier got the iPhone. The good old talk about a Verizon iPhone. Sigh. It seems I am the only believing there won't be a Verizon iPhone next year.
According to this survey, 23% would switch to Verizon, 3% would switch to Sprint, and only 2% would switch to T-Mobile. 9% are not sure what they would do. If you do the math, that leaves 63% of people staying with AT&T, most likely because they are satisfied...