Galaxy S III Finally Outsells iPhone, but iPhone 5 Likely to Rule Q4

by Holly Shoemaker

Samsung has already established itself as the leading manufacturer of smartphones for the Android market. Now, the company officially has the world’s best-selling smartphone model with its Galaxy S III, and it hit another milestone. For the first time, Samsung sold more units than Apple. 

Strategy Analytics reported that in Q3 2012, the Galaxy S III shipped 18 million units, compared to 16.2 million units for the iPhone 4S. That resulted in the Galaxy S III capturing 11 percent of the global market share.

Concluding Thoughts

While a victory for Samsung, especially since all the legal arguing with Apple, it may be short lived. The iPhone 5 will likely rule Q4 2012. Many contribute the decrease in iPhone 4S sales to customers holding out for the iPhone 5, which became available in September 2012. Apple sold five million iPhone 5 devices that first weekend. With the holidays arriving soon, it will sell even more. Even if Samsung does not win the top spot at the end of the year, it will remain the darling of the Android community as it has sold over 30 million phones to date. Plus, the Galaxy S III remains the only smartphone anyone will call the “iPhone killer.”

iPad mini's Interesting Component: Its Samsung Chip

by Holly Shoemaker

Reviews continue to come in regarding Apple’s newest edition, the iPad mini, and the device has now gone international. The main complaint among customers deals with the lack of retina display. However, iFixit, a repair services company, has discovered the most interesting component – the device uses a display driver chip courtesy of Samsung.

Reliance There, but Decreasing 

Apple clearly wants to reduce its reliance on Samsung, and Samsung seems to have the ability to live without Apple. According to DisplaySearch, a supplier of information for display chain and display-related industries, Samsung has stopped supplying displays for the iPhone and does not supply as many chips for the full-sized iPad. 

Concluding Thoughts

While Apple will continue to phase out what it can, the company understands that it needs components from the most logical supplier to meet market demand. If Samsung has the needed part, then both companies profit. I am sure more will follow on this love-hate relationship and of course, its endless patent battles.

Purple Haze All Around: Apple Blames iPhone 5 Users

by Holly Shoemaker

Apple is not doing itself any favors. After an insincere map app apology, the company now says that the purple flare seen on the edges of some photographs taken with the iPhone 5 is related to user error.

Apple’s Stance

Pictures may show a purple flare if users aim the smartphone near a light source, which causes a reflection typically on the edge of a photograph. Apple suggests users take photos away from bright light and change the angle of the shoot. These are not suggestions that users could not figure out on their own.

My Investigation

I consulted a professional photographer, Alan Rosenberg, to get an expert opinion on the iPhone 5 camera issue. While he confirmed light sources may cause the issue, he said it also depends on what covers the lens. When light hits the lens, the covering may cause the flare.

So what does Apple use to cover the lens? The iPhone 5 has a sapphire cover that protects the camera’s lens. That crystal material could cause the purple haze seen in photographs.

Concluding Thoughts

While Consumer Reports gave the iPhone 5 high ratings, better than the iPhone 4S, and noted the eight-megapixel camera was one of the best cameras tested, Apple’s response is ridiculous and intuitive. The company basically says do not look directly into the sun. It makes me think as a child being told not to look directly at a solar eclipse. To me, the response is also like saying do not use flash with a lot of light or the picture will look like an x-ray.

Apple never likes to admit fault, but it ignores a basic rule of business – the customer is always right. In this case, as well as the map app one, Apple just shows poor customer service and insults its loyal users.

T-Mobile Targets AT&T: Wants iPhone 4S Users

by Holly Shoemaker

T-Mobile wants in Apple's iPhone, but not the iPhone 5. T-Mobile has targeted AT&T iPhone 4S owners who no longer want to renew contracts with AT&T. While this does not receive a lot of press, and T-Mobile does not sell the iPhone, owners have had the ability to switch to T-Mobile for years. To date, the company has about one million iPhones on its network.

What Models Work?

T-Mobile does not support Sprint and Verizon iPhone 4 models. However, those who have the iPhone 4S on either of those networks  have the ability to switch too.

Good Move?

The answer is a mixed bag. Switching will likely come with a speed sacrifice – it takes about 50 times longer to download files using an iPhone on T-Mobile’s network. However, T-Mobile offers the best price and an unlimited data package. T-Mobile has worked to improve speeds, which was reflected in the Consumer Reports Buyers Guide 2012 rankings.

I suggest those considering a switch stop into Best Buy. Because that company sells plans from different carriers, it can access coverage areas quickly and at one time, allowing consumers to see how close they are to cell phone towers. Consumers may also access coverage maps online. However, I found that some Best Buy associates offer unbiased advice in this area, and it was helpful when I needed a wireless device. I now connect my Android phone on T-Mobile's network to my hotspot device through Verizon. T-Mobile has the best smartphone data plans and Verizon offers the fastest and most reliable connection to the Internet.

iPhone 5 Reveal Fails to Wow, but Stock Hits Record High

 by Holly Shoemaker

As expected, Apple revealed the iPhone 5 yesterday. While the listed features did not come as a surprise to many, two stood out – the weight of the phone and the screen size. The smartphone will have a four-inch screen, but will be 18 percent lighter than the iPhone 4S.

Why Change the Screen Size?

Despite the ruling against Samsung in the United States, and the new addendum to an additional lawsuit against Samsung, that company still remains Apple’s biggest competitor. A larger screen makes Apple more competitive with other Android phones, and Samsung has increased the size of its Galaxy S phones each year. It is a bit ironic that Apple did that as it has consistently accused Samsung of copying its moves.

Other News to Know

• Price – The phone will cost $199 with a two-year contract. The iPhone 5 will become available September 21, 2012 in the United States and in eight other countries.
• Connectivity – The phone will have the capability to connect to data networks in the United States. However, the phone will not come with a standard connection port.
• Operating system – The iPhone 5 comes with the latest version of the iOS. Other users may download it beginning September 19, 2012.

Concluding Thoughts

I said last week that perhaps Apple had iPhone 5 insecurity. Many have said that the product lacks a "wow factor." Despite the criticism, the market favorably responded to the announcement. Shares of Apple’s stock hit an all-time high today at $685.50.

JP Morgan said that the sales could boost the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by .05 percent. The company expects Apple to sell eight million devices in Q4 2012. Time will tell how accurate this becomes.

Does Apple’s Latest Lawsuit Addendum Show iPhone Insecurity?

by Holly Shoemaker

It seems that the ongoing lawsuits in the smartphone and tablet markets will not come to an end anytime soon. Apple’s latest action against Samsung makes me think the upcoming iPhone may not be enough to stop the popularity of the Galaxy S III.

At the end of August, Apple asked the Court for a new jury trial. Apple filed an additional 21 lawsuit infringement claims, stating that Samsung repeatedly copied Apple’s designs and innovation techniques. This is not an addendum to the earlier court ruling against Samsung, which excluded the Galaxy S III, as that trial and verdict only applied to older products. The amended complaint stems from a different lawsuit filed in February. To date, Samsung's flagship device has provided the most competition to Apple’s iPhones.

Concluding Thoughts

I still maintain these monopoly efforts stifle competition and do nothing for consumers. It also reinforces the concept that ideas cannot to be improved upon, which of course is counterintuitive to how companies thrive. I am not advocating that companies have the means to pursue whatever avenues they want, but this keeps going too far. The Galaxy line of smartphones pushed the Android Market further, and the Galaxy S III excited consumers in ways Apple has done in the past. Apple should have news to celebrate next week with the upcoming release of the iPhone 5. This latest move makes me think the iPhone 5 is not as strong as Apple thinks.