Subsizided iPads - A Solution For Wireless Providers

You want an iPad but you can't get it? What do you do?

Oh, I'm talking to the wireless carriers out there. Not us regular mobile warriors. But if you're T-Mobile and you want your users to have the iPad but Apple isn't looking to make a deal with you, what do you do? You can go with an Android option. I'm sure HTC or Motorola will be happy to hook you up.

But it's not the iPad after all. No app store or anything like that. Well, I've got a couple of options for you. Neither is as perfect as having AT&T provide the 3G with Apple's blessing. But it'll work.

Option One. Stick with EDGE. Just like what I've got going on with T-Mobile, I continually switch between my G1 and my iPhone. I get 3G speed with the G1 and I often use it to provide wireless connection to my iPhone or Macbook through tethering, thereby, turning my G1 into a Wi-Fi access point.

But when I switch out my SIM card over to the iPhone, I'm instantly downgraded to 2G speed. It's fine by my needs. And it was fine for millions of the original iPhone users as well before the iPhone 3G came along and millions of the original iPhones are still in use.

It might not be a detriment for some iPad users to suffer through EDGE. T-Mobile can sweeten things somewhat with a cheaper data plan. Say, $20 of unlimited use. That can work. T-Mobile can then provide subsidies as well. Maybe something between $100-150 for folks who sign up for a multi-year data plan. These folks would need to buy the 3G version of the iPad and after tax, say in California where sales tax is about 10%, it comes out to about $150 more than the iPad with Wi-Fi only. So, it'll be gentleman-like of T-Mobile to lessen that pain by provide a rebate in exchange a two-year contract.

Why pay $20 for EDGE from T-Mobile when you can get a plan from AT&T for $15 a month? Well, the $15 a month plan limits you to 250MB a month. Slower speed but unlimited or faster speed, cheaper but a real cap. Your choice.

Now, what's more is that in some countries that offer 3G access using the same frequency as AT&T, they can offer 3G speed at whatever price they want.

Option Two. I like this option only because it precludes you from having to buy the more expensive iPad 3G. And unlike option one, option two allows just about any wireless provider support the iPad. Instead of the EDGE option, 3G speed is possible.

All the wireless provider has to do is offer a 3G modem. And there are two ways to do this. The mobile user can buy the modem along with a monthly data access plan or receive the modem for free in lieu of a contact. I like this plan very much because you get a modem along with faster wireless access. Similarly, getting a 3G plan from AT&T provides fast Internet but there is no tethering allowed.

The two drawbacks to consider. One is that you'll end up having to carry around another device. And second, it's a device that relies on an energy source. You know, a battery. And I've yet to come across a battery that doesn't die yet.

Both of these two options aren't limited to T-Mobile USA. As a matter of fact, 3, an Austrian carrier, plans just that by provide a 3G modem along with an iPad along with a two-year data contract. A pretty good deal as the 3G modem allows you to share the connection with other devices within range.

As a matter of fact, just about anyone can provide subsidies on any device by going with the second option. All you need is a 3G modem.

So, for any provider who are feeling down that Apple didn't select you to be an official wireless provider for the iPad or Steve Jobs is currently making you jump through hoops, let him know that you're determined to provide support for the iPad, with or without his blessings.

ATT: Liberalization of 3G Network, Soon Supporting Slingplayer

ATT is now saying that after working through things with Sling Media, the next update for the iPhone app will support 3G streaming. Let me repeat: once the update is available, you can stream video over ATT's 3G network using the iPhone app Slingplayer.

You pay $30 for an app, you kind of expect to be able to use it when you want to, where you want to, and how you want to, right? Well, if you're like me and you play $30 for the Slingplayer, you had to be tethered to a Wi-Fi access point or hotspot.

Well enough since just about everywhere these days have a wireless hotspot.  Starbucks, MacDonalds, Borders, and Barnes And Noble. What if you're not frequenting these social places or anywhere else where Wi-Fi access is unavailable? Well, you're out of luck.

What changed? Techno-magic. It's as simple as that. I'm not kidding. This is what ATT said in their press release: AT&T been been working collaboratively with Sling Media since December to test its revised SlingPlayer Mobile app, which has been recently optimized to more efficiently use 3G network bandwidth and conserve wireless spectrum. Optimization reduces the risk of the app causing congestion that could disrupt the experience of other wireless customers so, with that improvement, we will support it on our 3G mobile broadband network.

This subject specifically touch on the iPhone 3G and 3GS. How about the iPad? Hey, like Steve said, all of the 140,000 apps will work on the iPad. I'm guess that Steve also mean anything that works on the iPhone will translate over to the iPad. And this includes the ability to streaming video via the Slingplayer on the iPad 3G.

This liberalization is due to collaboration between AT&T and Sling Media as the press release says. So I have to ask this. What about other video streaming services on the Internet like Hulu and Netflix?

I'm going to do a bit of speculation here and say that Apple had a hand in it and probably is readying some sort of video streaming service in the second half of the year (there's too much going on already and it's not in Apple's DNA to try to confuse the consumer).

Plus, there are other factors that seem to be working towards this anyway. This new development followed closely on the heel of Apple's changes to the iPhone OS to support VOIP over 3G. I don't know about you but even if you don't care for 3G video streaming (there was already some apps doing this) and chatting over the Internet, this really flies in the face of all the complaints against Apple and AT&T.

I surmise this is in some part due to competitive pressure from the likes of Android and Verizon Wireless. So I think we'll see more wireless and access developments leading up to June, when Apple's likely to introduce their next generation iPhone.

More at 9to5mac.  You can google this subject if you like to know more about it.  Frankly, it's a waiting game for me.  Waiting for the 3G-enabled Slingplayer and waiting for the iPad 3G.

What's Likely To Be Updated First? iPhone or iPod Touch

In the late 2009 refresh of the iPod lines, the iPod Touch got a great update when Apple ram the internal organs of the iPhone 3GS into the insides of iPod Touch. Hence, we got the 3rd generation Touch. Still that wasn’t enough for some folks. Rumors had it that it was suppose to include a camera. Nevertheless, Touch sales rocketed, much to the chagrin of these critics and analysts. Magical. Unbelievable. Incredible. You may continue down this line by using whatever adjectives Steve Jobs has used in the past and any additional ones that you think he would approve of.

Now today. The iPhone Blog is reporting evidence of upcoming iPhone revision as well as the 4th iPod Touch lifted from the iPhone 3.2 SDK and the just released iPhone OS 3.1.2. I’ll let you enjoy the gory details there.

What I want to know is which of the two will get the upgrade first? Well, I’m inquiring about this point because the Touch was suppose to get a camera last fall but it was taken out at the last minute, likely, due to technical reasons as many have surmised. Months already passed and ample time for Apple to work out the kinks in the camera for the Touch, would now be a good time to make the upgrade?

Here’s why I think we’ll see an iPod Touch upgrade sooner rather than later and before the next iPhone. Frankly, Apple isn’t this sloppy. It’s unlike Apple to leave evidence of what it’s going to do 8-9 months down the road, that’s when the traditional iPod line gets updated in Sept or Oct. And as far as product line goes, Apple will focus on the iPhone in June, which means no iPod Touch update in the summer. So, don't let the rumors fool you. June will only be about the iPhone, OS X (maybe MobileMe) updates. Apple's very good and they don't like confusing the message.

Hence, the best time to sneak in an iPod Touch upgrade with a camera is now, between Feb and early March. Because in March, April, and May, it’ll all be about the iPad.

More at The iPhone Blog.

Note:  This is would be against standard Apple behavior but with the mobile war  heating up, standard doesn't cut it anymore.  There's also talk of a Zune phone as well as new clouds that signal new pressure from Nintendo and Sony in the coming months.  Look for Apple to stunt any momentum its competitors have or try to gain in the marketplace.

iPad: 3G Or Just Wi-Fi

54 More days until the Wi-Fi iPad is available and 84 more days until the Wi-Fi+3G version will be on sale. So I've got plenty of time to ponder this issue: which version to buy.

For most iPhone users, their iPhone cannot tether to another device so that device can share the iPhone's Internet connection. Nor can mine. But I’ve also got a rooted G1, an Android phone with T-Mobile, that allows me to tether any Wi-Fi enabled device like my Macbook or iPod Touch and use my G1's 3G connection.

Now my T-Mobile contract is coming up and that means I should be free to cancel my data plan with T-Mobile at any time (I’ve got a family plan for voice. Canceling that will make many folks unhappy). This allows me to go with the $30 3G plan for the iPad if that's what I end up deciding to do.

Or I can stick with T-Mobile, buy an iPad with Wi-Fi only and retain the freedom to use the G1 as a 3G modem. The drawback of this is that I’d have to carry an extra device with me wherever I go.

You’re probably saying well, you have to carry a phone around anyway. Not necessarily.

Well, the thing is I use my mobile devices like the G1 and the iPhone exclusively as, well, mobile computing devices. The few phone calls I get in between are social calls that I can move to Skype or Fring at any time with the iPad or the iPhone now that VOIP over 3G is possible (still waiting on you, Skype!). (It’s absolutely insane to make plans and change things at the last minute. If I’m driving through midtown Wilshire, I don’t want to be getting a call saying that the dinner plan have changed and I’m gonna have to brave to 405 Southbound to get to another restaurant. We make a plan. We stick to it, people!)

For my mom, it’s easier. On the day Steve Jobs officially unveiled the iPad to the world, I got a few calls from my mom that I missed. I thought it was an emergency. It was. She wanted an iPad with 3G. (She also wanted to know if she can get it with a 15” screen for her Slingplayer.) For my mom, who has a 2G iPhone, the decision to get her a 3G iPad is a lot easier.

I”ve got between 54 and 84 days left to decide what I want to do. Meanwhile, maybe Apple will reveal more details about the iPad that I’m sure we’re gonna like and that will factor into my decision which model to buy.

Update: There are issues about whether there is space for a webcam in the iPad from some updates last night about this. An authorized Apple repair company received parts that indicate room for a webcam. While I am hoping for a last minute change that includes a webcam, I'm not hopeful.

Sane Explanation Of Why NO Verizon iPhone or iPad For A While

In the days leading up to the iPad announcement, speculations were hot and sweaty about what the iPad can do and who Apple will partner with for the iPad's 3G data needs.

Well, I'll be honest. I want to see an iPhone on Verizon's supposedly wireless network for two reasons. First, I'm a believe in Apple's mobile devices and strategy. No, 100% but close. Second, I want to know once and for all just what the impact of the weight of tens of millions of iPhone users on VW's vast 3G network.

But alas, that will not come to pass. In fact, I still firmly believe T-Mobile will see some Apple love before anyone else. That being said, AllThingD has a good post about why VW will not see an iPhone for a while and probably not until the next generation LTE network has sufficiently covered a majority of the US market.

Here's why:

• Money, money, money.  ATT is will to play.
• ATT's network might be more robust in the coming year.  And with 3G improvements in terms of speed and reliability, Apple will have less reason to be looking at Verizon's aging CDMA network.
• Apple is willing to wait for the LTE network to come online.
• Cook is a believer in ATT's network roadmap.  He said so himself.
• ATT is looking for a fight. Just look at the commercials.  A and A have taken their gloves off.  

One thing I don't see anyone point out about a CDMA iPhone that has been in the commercials.  How can an iPhone on a CDMA network miraculously make calls and surf the Web at the same time when all the other devices cannot?  It would go contrary to the marketing message, right?

However, I do believe a CDMA iPad is possible provided that VW is will to pay.

Note:  Aside from the fact that T-Mobile USA also runs a GSM network and will be running on their 3G network for a while.  A long long while since they're still expanding it.  Keep in mind that Steve Jobs has a long memory.  He's probably not happy with VW executives who spurned him when he approached them with the iPhone.  He's likely to go with Sprint before he does a VW deal.  Ask Eisner how his fight with Steve Jobs went and you'll know what kind of grudge the Apple founder can hold.

More at ATD.

iPad A Secret Push Into China

This is the first of many speculations and analysis regarding the iPad on my part. Mostly speculation because while the Apple media event to officially, and I say "officially" only because we've known about it in one capacity or another for months), to the world, we still don't know a whole lot about it.

But it's interesting that many folks have indicated that it supports simplified Chinese while not traditional Chinese writing. Why is this significant?

Simplified Chinese is the official written language used by China while pretty much Chinese everywhere else still use Traditional Chinese. And with 1.3 billion Chinese in China, it means more folks uses it.

So, is Apple's omission of support for Traditional Chinese a signal that Jobs and company will be pushing the iPad hard into the Chinese market?

We'll see where the iPad goes from here but don't be surprised if Apple will use the iPad as a Trojan Horse, to create a halo effect for other Apple products and services. $499 iPad versus a $999 Macbook is a no brainer.

McGraw-Hill CEO Confirms iTablet's existence; Not iCar We Had Hoped

This is as much as a confirmation we're gonna get about the iTablet.  Rumors no more.  We'll know the features and the iTablet's implications to the mobile computing world tomorrow.

iTablet And-Or iPhone On All Major Wireless Networks (Including

I think we ought to have a moratorium on any and all rumors (speculations are okay) 24 hours before any major Apple event. Nah, I couldn't stand the silence. But there is one rumor that I would like to move into the speculation category just so that I can talk about it here.

As you know, Apple will be holding a special media event on the Wednesday morning, January 27th, at 10am PST to introduce their "latest creation" (I wonder what might be).

But many folks believe there will be other announcements as well. According to one analyst, the Wall Street kind (hissss), from Oppenheimer, Apple will be making the iPhone available to the four major wirless providers in the United States, plus one that I previously didn't consider if not only because it just doesn't seem plausible.

This particular Wall Street "analyst" believes that the following networks will be seeing the iPhone running on their networks in 2010:

• ATT - we already know them well.  Apple currently has an exclusive deal with them and as with any deal, it'll end.  Many folks thinks it's this year.  
• Verizon Wireless - the next likely candidate.  Well, legend has it that Apple previously went to them before going to speak with ATT but VW wasn't keen on ceding control to Apple.  But since the iPhone's introduction and the quarter after quarter of bloody noses the Apple-ATT combo has given them, VW is finally coming around.  Plus, it's got more than 80 million users and many of them are hungry for the iPhone.
• T-Mobile - I think they've got just as good a chance of getting the iPhone as VW because of the network they use -GSM which is the same as ATT (different wireless frequency).  The only ding against them is that they're got a small 3G footprint.  However, Apple has worked with T-Mobile USA's German parent company and that probably helps a bit.  
• Sprint - I like Sprint before I went to ATT and then T-Mobile now.  Sprint works for me.  However, it's not exactly healthy at the moment.  Maybe the iPhone will help.  
• Last, Clearwire.  Just WiMax service.  No voice.  I think this most unlikely in 2010.  But I included Clearwire only because of its association with Sprint and because it was mentioned as part of this Oppenheimer prediction.

Those are the five networks (other than ATT which already has the iPhone) that Apple will make the iPhone available in 2010.

What's interesting is that the iPhone is being sold by ATT with a voice plan.  For Clearwire, it would need to also offer some sort of a voice plan to match what's already on the market from ATT.  Otherwise, we're talking about an all data service here.  That would mean a lot of things that Apple and Clearwire would need to provide to supplement the lack of a voice function.  Things like VOIP or, dare I say, video conferencing.

Anyway, Macrumors turned the original colorful artwork from Apple's invitation and put a spin on it with the colors representing these 5 networks.

Doesn't that make sense?  I ran this by Dave The Mobile Warrior.  Frankly, I think Apple used just about every bright  and cheerful color possible in their event invitation.  It's likely a coincidence but I think we can all hope right?

With less than 48 hours before Apple's main event, I doubt we have reached the crescendo of rumors and wild speculations.  No, no moratorium on rumors.  I wouldn't be able to survive tomorrow without specks of false hopes, wild innuendos, and improbable predictions to get me through the day.

More At Macrumors, Businessweek,

Water Damaged iPhone

Have you had an iPhone damaged beyond repair?  Well, I certainly feel for you.

I was informed via e-mail last night that my friend's iPhone 3G suffered some water damage.  It was quite unfortunate to hear this since earlier in the week, she had to go into the Apple store and pay for a new battery replacement.

I've often dropped my 2G iPhone here and there.  And here.  And There.  Had babies drooled on it.  I've even had it flung out of my hand a few times.

I'm happy to say that Apple really built a solid device.  But when it comes to water, it's pretty much over.

I've recommended my friend to wait out the water.  Let's it dry up a bit and see if things improve.  I've spilled coffee over my keyboard before.  But a few days later when the liquid dried up, it was working again.

I'm not sure this will be the case with the iPhone since it's an infinitely more complicated device than a Dell keyboard at work.

Suffice to say, it is the only option my friend has at this time.  She's eligible for an upgrade in a few days.  I've counseled her to wait until the 27th, Apple's next media event to introduce the iTablet.  Though I'm doubt we'll see anything more than the iTablet, I'm hopefully we'll see "...one more thing..." in the form of a new 4th generation iPhone.

More Proof iTablet Is Coming

There is certainly no shortage of rumors and speculations going on about Apple's January 27th event and what Apple will unveiling.  Well, you want more proof that the iTablet is coming?

Amazon, according to TechCrunch, is introducing a new royalty scheme where publishers and writers can earn more.

Why now?  Couldn't Amazon simply have done this to begin with and spread the wealth a bit when they released the Kindle?  Well, no.  At the time there was no competition.  At least, not the kind of competition Amazon is likely to get soon in the form of an Apple tablet.

Yes, this is proof that the tablet is coming.  After all, isn't the split between Apple and developers for the App Store also 70% to the developers and Apple gets to keep 30%?

What's also interesting is that Amazon is still trying to control the price with this new scheme.

At the same time, Apple has been holding meetings with publishers.  Wouldn't you like to be a fly on the wall of these meetings?  As an avid reader, I can't help but wonder what Apple has to offer the publishers - more than just pricing, also what kind of revolutionary technology is Apple offer - videos, blogs, etc. for each book.

More at Techcrunch, 9to5Mac, Bookseller