Category Gadgets & Gear
Apple to make new iPhone for Verizon
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL/NEWSCORE
Apple plans to begin mass producing a new iPhone by the end of 2010 that would allow Verizon Wireless to sell the smart phone early next year, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.
Apple plans to begin mass producing a new iPhone by the end of 2010 that would allow Verizon Wireless to sell the smartphone early next year, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing people briefed by Apple.
The new iPhone would be similar in design to the iPhone 4 currently sold by AT&T but would be based on an alternative wireless technology called CDMA used by Verizon, these people said. The phone, for which Qualcomm is providing a key chip, is expected to be released in the first quarter of next year.
An Apple CDMA iPhone would spell the end of the exclusive U.S. arrangement that Apple and AT&T have had since 2007, when the original iPhone debuted.
Separately, Apple is also developing a new iPhone model, said people briefed on the matter.
To read more, go to wsj.com
Posted by eBrand Media Research Department in Gadgets & Gear on October 6th, 2010
Mobile web draws more eyeballs with continuing growth in smartphone sales
By Suzanne Choney
Maybe “mobile Web browsing” should be called “mobile Web squinting” considering what it takes to view the Internet using a cell phone. Yet, largely because of Apple’s iPhone and other smartphones such as the BlackBerry and Palm, more users are checking the Internet this way, and the importance of those browsers are growing.
At CTIA, the wireless industry’s trade show this week, expect chatter about the mobile browser “wars,” with Opera Mini, long popular in Europe, likely soon to have more of a presence in the United States, and a test mobile version of another challenger, Firefox, underway.
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, the dominant desktop Web browser for PCs, lags behind Apple’s Safari and Opera Mini in the mobile market. Company officials say improvements are coming to IE Mobile on new Windows-based phones due out later this year. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal.)
In the meantime, Microsoft will launch a new test version of Windows Live Hotmail that can be used through a cell phone’s Web browser, and has an improved look and search features, the company said.
Also coming: a new Palm Web browser to match the slickness of the company’s Pre smartphone, due out mid-year.
Posted by Tom Polanski in Gadgets & Gear, Mobil on April 1st, 2009
Why Best Buy Matched An Online Price No Questions Asked
By Tom Polanski
Simply put, they’re fighting to stay relevant in the minds and pocket books of the American consumer. As Anthony Mirhaydari points out in the article below there are a number of reasons why Best Buy, despite the breathtaking revenue generated from the Federal stimulus package, could be in pain again soon. One alternative is, and it’s a drastic action for a company like Best Buy, would be to take a smaller margin for the sake of generating a higher volume of conversions. People are driven be price, no more so, than when the economy is turning down.
“Best Buy and Circuit City are reeling this week from the loss of their edge over discounters in the minds of high-definition television buyers — just as total industry sales are beginning to slow. Yesterday’s retail numbers showed that more consumers are trading down to price-focused shops for entertainment products, eschewing the better service and selection offered at specialty stores. Wal-Mart, the king of discounters, yesterday reported “extremely strong sales” of flat-panel TVs and home entertainment furniture.
Posted by Tom Polanski in Gadgets & Gear, Small Business on June 20th, 2008
Best Buy Matches Lowest Online Price. Trouble for Competing E-tailers?
By Tom Polanski
I underwent an extremely unusual purchasing process with a Best Buy located in Portland, Oregon. It could mean trouble for online electronics retailers.
I’ve been in the market for a replacement plasma display for the family room and since I’ve been a member of AVS Forum for over 5 years I decided to start my research there. Once I targeted the television I wanted I began to contact the forum sponsors regarding pricing and availability. For the sake of clarity, forum sponsors are companies, usually Mom and Pop stores located across the country, that place ads within AVS Forum. The assumption is that the publisher, AVS Forum, only allows reputable companies to place ads within their site and that these companies will give forum members the best prices and service. It’s a great relationship for AVS Forum, online electronics retailers and forum members.
In fact, I was given great prices by authorized dealers and would have been comfortable buying from any of them. I liked them all. I settled on a company in Seattle to make my purchase from. However I began to have second thoughts when I came across a thread regarding problems this new generation display was occasionally exhibiting. A great, award winning display but, again, there are reports of problems every now and then. It’s to be expected with a sophisticated piece of technology but worrisome, nonetheless.
Posted by Tom Polanski in Gadgets & Gear, Seeing Into the Future, Trend Tracker on June 16th, 2008
What to Know Before You Buy that Hot New Gadget or Gizmo
By Tom Polanski
If you’ve been on the internet for any length of time, you’ll quickly learn that there’s a LOT of neat stuff out there. iPods and iPhones, An MP3 player inside a pen, or even a Blackberry or Palm to store your information and keep appointments are all examples of the latest and greatest must-have gadgets to keep you organized and on schedule.
But what do you do with all that…stuff? How do you know if you really need that gadget or if it’s just a passing fad? One way is to use the Internet (also once declared to be just a passing fad!) to research before you buy. But what, exactly do you look for?
Posted by Tom Polanski in Gadgets & Gear on April 12th, 2008