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.

Apple Persuades Jury, but Galaxy S III Could Still Dominate

by Holly Shoemaker

Apple has won the current legal battle against Samsung in the United States. After not even three days of deliberation, a jury found Samsung guilty of “unlawful” infringement, and awarded Apple $1.05 billion in damages. The "unlawful" part means that the judge could triple the amount Samsung owes. The jury found Apple did not violate any of Samsung’s patients.

Instead of rehashing the details of the case, I have focused on my initial reactions beyond the only taking two and a half days part to reach a verdict.

Not the End of Legal Battles and Not Global Domination

This ruling will not stop impending lawsuits, or ones that Apple decides to pursue now that it has won this one. As a quick recap, Apple won a pre-trial injunction against the Google Nexus tablet. However, a federal judge in Chicago threw out a lawsuit against Motorola, but litigation continues with the two companies and the International Trade Commission.

In South Korea, a court found that Apple and Samsung both infringed patents. The Court ordered Samsung to halt sales of its 10 products, including the Galaxy S II, and banned Apple from selling four products, including the iPhone 4.

Samsung May Still Rule with Galaxy S III

Based on the verdict, the Court could ban the Galaxy line of smartphones in the United States. However, many analysts expect Samsung to take swift action to alter any designs that violate patent infringements. Samsung has said the company started making changes when Apple took action over a year ago.

What Apple cannot do with this lawsuit is challenge the Galaxy S III, as that was not part of the lawsuit. The ruling could cause people to see Apple as greedy and check out why the S III has gained popularity in the United States and abroad.

Consumers Lose

I agree with Samsung who later called the ruling “a loss for the American consumer.” To cover the costs of tweaking its products, Samsung could raise the price of its products, meaning consumers will ultimately pay Apple, regardless if they are customers or not. The verdict does tests the limits of capitalism as it could stifle competition.

Apple to Enter Pre-Paid Phone Market

by Holly Shoemaker

Apple may have entered new territory with its announcement of its new map app, but Apple will soon enter a new market – the pre-paid phone market. Both Virgin Mobile and Cricket Wireless will sell pre-paid iPhones.

Cricket Versus Virgin Mobile

Cricket Wireless became the first carrier to announce it will sell the pre-paid iPhone. Starting on June 22, 2012, customers may purchase the iPhone 4S for $499.99 and the iPhone 4 for $399.99. Its “unlimited everything plan” will cost $55 a month plus taxes. However, potential customers should know that Cricket may cap data usage levels at 1 GB.

Virgin Mobile will sell the iPhone at full retail price, but will offer the cheapest monthly plan. Consumers will have to pay $649 for the iPhone 4S and $549 for the iPhone 4 upfront. Both iPhones will become available on June 29, 2012 and will use Sprint’s network as Sprint purchased Virgin Mobile in 2008. While customers may see a higher upfront cost, Virgin Mobile's plan costs the least amount of money over a two-year period. For $35 a month, customers will receive: 300 voice minutes, 3,000 texts, which Virgin classifies as “unlimited,” and 2.5 gigabytes of data per month.

Concluding Thoughts

The entry of the iPhone into the pre-paid market opens up more opportunities for Apple, additional carriers and customers who do not want to go with a traditional phone plan. By opening itself up to more carriers and consumers, Apple strengthens its position in the mobile device and app markets. AT&T may become the biggest loser as it used to be the only carrier to sell the iPhone. The biggest winner could ultimately become Sprint. Sprint has a four-year contract with Apple to sell a certain number of phones. Sales generated from Virgin Mobile will count toward those overall numbers.

Let the Map App Wars Begin

by Holly Shoemaker

Apple made it official this week at is annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) that it will no longer rely on Google Maps as its default map application. At the conference, Apple unveilved its own Apple Maps. In addition, many people have said that Apple shunned Google in favor of Facebook. Apple also announced that users will soon have the ability to sign into Facebook from their iPhones.

Overview of Apple Maps

When the iOS 6 deploys this fall, users will have the ability to gather traffic information from other iOS users and turn-by-turn navigation will also be integrated into the operating system. The app also takes advantage of Siri. Apple's voice-activation assistant will provide spoken turn-by-turn directions. TomTom also announced that it will provide Apple with "maps and related information." The app will also have a flyover feature that provides 3D-drawings for all major cities. Users should be aware that the iOS 6 is only available on the following devices: iPad 2, the new iPad, the fourth-generation iPod Touch, iPhone 3 GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.

Let the Map Wars Begin

While Google Maps will no longer be the default map app for Apple, users may still use Google Maps on their iPhones. Although, I concede that Google Maps lacks functionality for iPhone users when compared to Android ones. Therefore, it is not a complete "break up" if iPhone users still want to use Google Maps.

Despite the somewhat blow to Google, its product will remain beloved by many. In February 2012, comScore reported that 71 percent of people in the United States who looked at a map that month, did so using Google Maps. While Apple has a loyal following, Apple Maps has a lot to live up to. Users should also keep in mind that Google announced its own changes, prior to Apple's announcement. Soon, Google Map users will have the ability to use that app without an Internet connection and the company announced its own 3-D enhancements. Let the map wars begin!

Apple’s WWDC to Focus on Software

by Holly Shoemaker

Apple will hold its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) from June 11-15, 2012 in San Francisco. While previous speculation and Apple’s history of launching the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 left many thinking Apple would announce its new iPhone during the conference, the company has left the community guessing again on a new iPhone release. At this time, a fall release date seems likely.

Apple’s Invitation to Developers

Based on the invitation and information Apple has provided thus far, software appears to be the main focus as Apple gets ready to showcase iOS and OS X Mountain Lion at the conference. In Feb. 2012, developers received a sneak peek at Mountain Lion’s features.

Concluding Thoughts

I do not think the WWDC announcement lives up to its tagline of “It’s the week we’ve been waiting for” as Apple focused on software at last year’s conference. However, developers will gain access to 100 breakout sessions that will help them produce better apps. While tickets sold out in about two hours, Apple will post all sessions online for free at this developer’s link.

Apple Best Selling U.S. Handset Brand in Q4 but Android Market Gains First-Time Buyers

by Holly Shoemaker

The NPD Group, a market research company, has reported that in Q4 of 2011, Apple became the best-selling handset brand in the United States. In Q4, Apple launched the iPhone 4S, its newest model that featured Siri, a voice recognition system, an improved camera and faster processor. Sprint also became a carrier for the iPhone. These factors helped Apple capture 43 percent of the U.S. smartphone market.

Apple’s iPhone Numbers at a Glance

• The iPhone 4S outsold the iPhone 4 by 75 percent.
• The iPhone 4S outsold the iPhone 3GS, available for free at A&T, five to one.

Android Numbers at a Glance for First-Time Buyers

While iPhones were the top-selling smartphones of 2011, the Android Market showed signs of good news too. First-time smartphone buyers preferred the options available on the Android Market and the better choice of carriers. The numbers were reported as follows:

• 57 percent of consumers purchased Android smartphones.
• 34 percent of consumers purchased iPhones.

Concluding Thoughts

Ultimately, these types of studies show people tend to remain loyal to Apple and those entering the smartphone market go with Android because they have more choices and price points to consider. With Android, it is also important to remember that studies need to drill down based on manufacturer. As I have mentioned before, consumers should take the time to find the right Android phone based on their needs.