All Entries Tagged With: "3gs"

iPhone 3G No Longer Available for Sale on Apple Store

Just yesterday, rumor had it that Apple was going to discontinued its 8GB iPhone 3G. Later in the day, the story began transitioning from speculation to fact, after Walmart lowered the price of the iPhone 3GS to $97. Today, we have the first official confirmation from Apple itself that the iPhone 3G will be part of history soon. The Cupertino-based company has actually removed the “Select” button from the iPhone 3G listing, thereby making the device unavailable for sale. 

Walmart Lowers iPhone 3GS’ Price to Just $97

Earlier today, Erictric reported on a rumor stating that Apple was to discontinue its 8GB iPhone 3G. The story is gradually evolving from rumor to fact. Just hours after our report was published, Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart announced that it’s reducing the price of the iPhone 3GS to just $97 with a two-year contract with AT&T. The price reduction will be effective beginning on Tuesday.

Now, if you put the pieces together, it all makes sense. By discontinuing the 8GB iPhone 3G — which currently costs $99 — Apple is able to lower the price of the iPhone 3GS to be able to launch the new iPhone 4G [or HD] next month for $200. However, this currently is just speculation. Until Apple itself makes an official announcement, we can’t be sure of this. 

Apple Granted Design Patent for iPhone 3G and 3GS

Just last month, Cupertino-based Apple was granted a design patent for its original first-generation iPhone and iPod Touch. Things improve a bit today, as we have just learned that the company was finally granted a design patent for its iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS by the United States Patent and Trademark Office [USPTO]. As usual, Apple CEO Steve Jobs and Apple Senior Vice President of Industrial Design Jonathan ["Jony"] P. Ive among others are listed as patriarchs for the devices.

Apple to Sell iPhones at Full Retail Price

Word going around today is that Apple will begin selling iPhones at full retail price with no AT&T contract required. While Apple has been offering the iPhone at full retail price, a contract with AT&T was mandatory. Bear in mind that unlike some reports [or tweets] this doesn’t mean the iPhones will be sold unlocked, or that you’ll be able to use it with your favorite wireless carrier. You’ll still tied to AT&T.

The device is fully priced at $499 for the 8GB iPhone 3G. The iPhone 3GS will be priced at $599 and $699 for the 16 GB and 32GB versions respectively. Apple currently sells completely unlocked iPhones at full retail price in many countries around the world, including France, Spain, Hong Kong, and Poland. On the other hand, all iPhones sold in the United States are locked. However, it’s said that it’s not that difficult to unlock an iPhone.

It is not entirely certain if the announcement by AT&T this morning to carry Palm and Dell smartphones has something to do with the decision by Apple not to require an AT&T contract anymore when purchasing a new iPhone.

Check out a screenshot of Apple internal message to its employees explaining the new change after the break.

New iPhone 3.1 Jailbreaking Tool Released

It hasn’t been very long since iPhone OS 3.1 was released, and already a new tool on the internet is allowing users to jailbreak and unlock iPhones with the latest operating system version [3.1].

The new tool, dubbed Pwnage Tool 3.1 (very aptly named, of course) is specifically put together for Mac OS X users. The catch? Pwnage tool will only jailbreak first generation iPhones, along with the iPhone 3G. iPhone 3GS users are out of luck. On the iPod spectrum, the tool will only work for the first generation. iPod Touch 2G and 3G users are [again] out of luck.

It’s Official, The iPhone Goes to China

Last month, we reported that China would get the iPhone. Today, China Unicom officially announced a 3-year deal with Apple to carry 2 different models by the end of this year. As we reported before, the devices to be carried will not feature Wi-Fi. Unfortunately for China Unicom, the deal does not include exclusivity.

We’ve learned that the 2 models that will be offered are: the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 3GS. Check out photos from the conference here. Price and revenue have not been announced. Although, it is known that China Unicom ordered 5 million iPhones for 10 billion Yuan or US$1.46 million two weeks ago.

Mobile YouTube Uploads Spike at 400% Thanks To iPhone 3GS

It certainly looks like iPhone 3GS users are really enjoying the video features on their iPhone 3GS’. So much in fact, that a recent figure provided by TechCrunch indicates a jump of about 400% since the 3GS’ release not long ago. One could imagine that most of what is being upload is non-sense and likely “test videos”, but telling of how successful the 3GS may become with its incredibly simple video mode.

400% is quite a figure, and is expected to increase whilst users become more familiar with their devices. In the last six months, YouTube  Mobile’s uploads have gone up 1700%.

What does that tell you?

[ source: TechCrunch ]

AT&T Fails And Disappoints … Again

Believe it or not, some new iPhone customers are still sitting on the edge of their seats with an unactivated iPhone in their hands. For the second straight time, AT&T has proven themselves somewhat unprepared. Apparently, AT&T is working with Apple to resolve the issue as quickly as possible (every company says this), though it may be another two days before the unactivated iPhones become live on the AT&T network. So if you’re on a hunger strike until your iPhone is activated, give up.

So, what does AT&T do to comfort their customers during this time? Not much, really – just hang out, maybe catch a game, go out for a drink – you know. Instead, Apple’s doing the dirty work. According to tips received by TechCrunch, Apple is offering $30 iTunes store credit to those stuck in the hole. You see, I was under the impression tha tthe whole “pre-order” deal was to avoid this type of situation. In a normal world though, things go wrong – just very frequently for AT&T.

[ source: TechCrunch ]

Let The Chaos Begin – iPhone 3G S Releases Today

Only in America do you find scores of people awaiting for a piece of plastic at a cost of hundreds of dollars (and then some). Engadget posted images of an already forming line on Thurday outside of a New York Apple Store. The release of the iPhone 3G S has many techies excited. So, what’s better than waiting out in the rain for an iPhone? Well, nothing, apparently. The scene outside of both AT&T and Apple stores today surely will surely be something an Asian tourist can snap their camera at. We admire your dedication, iPhone fans! Now, let’s see what Apple has in store for you!