7 posts tagged “iphone”
I've been quietly observing the rising hysteria and rumor-mongering about the next iPhone (iPhone 2 or 3G iphone or whatever) and whether or not it will launch during/after WWDC 2008...
- Apple have built a truly global iPhone.
- They have built millions of them already.
- Each and every iPhone is the same - there is no difference between a US iPhone and an Australian one.
- Apple have pre-installed every iPhone with a bootstrap firmware that only allows it to boot and sync with iTunes.
- Each iPhone will ship with an empty SIM tray. You will decide at purchase time which carrier you want and receive the appropriate SIM to install (for countries like the UK where there is only one carrier you will obviously not get a choice).
- Buyers of the new iPhone have to therefore have to put the SIM in the phone then connect it to their iTunes to get the iPhone OS installed & activated.
- The iPhone OS will then be customised to the country & carrier required, perhaps using iTunes & SIM information (language settings, 3G network parameters, ringtones & wallpaper will be installed at this point). These customisations would permit the carriers some flexibility in getting their brands onto the iPhone (future customisation updates could also be carried out through this process).
- For Apple, this allows them to develop and fine tune the iPhone OS right up until launch time.
- Furthermore by having a bootstrap firmware Apple ensures that all iPhones (either on contract or pay-as-you-go) have to be activated. This stops the "bootleg" iPhones that have flooded the market, raising the revenue stream for carriers AND Apple.
- What about power? Well, Apple will remove the power adaptor from the package and have charging by USB (they'll declare that most of their users probably don't use the separate charging plug, that it reduces the packaging and makes it more environmentally friendly).
- Apple can build as many of these global iPhones as they like, distribute them wherever there is demand and the user that buys it actually completes the build of the iPhone.
Goodness, it's like a merry-go-round for UK iPhone news. Now O2 look to have won the rights to the iPhone in the UK
If this is indeed true, this is good news for me as my wife is on O2, their network is excellent and their customer service is second to none.
The one thing that does trouble me is the comment in the article that says "O2 ’s network will also have to be specially configured to accommodate the Apple handset."
What would that mean I wonder? 3G?
It's likely to cost about £350 for the 8gb model....anyone got money saving tips?
So Monday has come and gone and no announcement regarding the European iPhone.....boooo!!!
Well I guess it could be announced on Tuesday - isn't that when Apple generally announces things?
We live in eternal hope.
Well the iPhone has finally launched in the US - some great coverage of the waiting lines, unboxing and first usage :
- Engadget hands on and unboxing
- Engadget reporting iPhone happiness
- TUAW line report mania
- TUAW first impressions
- TUAW waiting in line
Here's hoping the Monday announcement of the European iPhone is genuine.....
The Register is carrying a story alleging that Apple will announce the European iPhone on Monday - yay!
If true this would be an interesting setup - Carphone Warehouse either setting up a new MVNO (Apple Mobile anyone?) or expanding their existing MVNO - Fresh (which might suit Apple as it's got a bit of a "cool" factor).
Of course having Vodafone or T-Mobile as underlying carrier would be fantastic, both have great data plans (T-Mobile a think have the slightly better deal?)
Steve Jobs has just announced the iPhone - what an absolutely gorgeous piece of technology. Just a pity I'll have to wait until the "end of the year" for it to reach the UK...boo hoo.
My Groups
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UK Voxers Updated: 6 hours ago
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Scotland Updated: 4 days ago
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MacAddicts Updated: 5 days ago
