iPhone Deal Between Apple and Sprint Could Mean Apple A Step Closer To Apple "Owning" Carrier

Part of the prelaunch buzz of the next iPhone by Apple in a few hours is Sprint's supposedly deal with Apple to buy more than 30 million iPhones worth $20 billion over the next four years.

That comes out to about 7.5 to 8 million iPhones a year.  Crazy, I know but it makes for fun speculation while we wait for the main event. 

The Next Web suggests that Apple pretty much will own Sprint in many respects.  Figuratively, I would say that will be the case.  Sprint is counting on Apple to not only stop the bleeding at Sprint but also start to steal users, probably carriers without the iPhone and those who might be enticed by Sprint's offer of unlimited wireless data access.

Financially, TNW suggests Apple could become a virtual carrier on its own.  This isn't a new concept but one that has not been discovered for a while.  They also suggest Apple could buy out Sprint at some point in the future and set up Apple Wireless (I came up with that).  

Perhaps, as a part of tomorrow's announcement, Apple's one more thing is that "Apple has bought Sprint".  Okay, probably never gonna happen.  However, Sprint as the third iPhone carrier has possibilities that Apple can probably explore. 

And if Apple wanted to buy out Sprint, it would cost a mere $10 to 12 billion - so as yourself this.  Would go the better deal, a possible Apple buyout of Sprint or Google's $12+ billion Motorola buyout?

Obviously, Google has probably thought about becoming a carrier itself.  Google did bid on wireless spectrums a few years ago.  And that was before Android become such a dominate mobile force.  

Should Apple or Google ever consider becoming carriers, their entry into the wireless carrier market would be scrutinized until time ends.  That is just how powerful both companies have become.  And should either of them decide to get into the business of providing wireless access, they would likely be forced by regulators to make sure they cannot exclude devices from competing mobile platforms working on their network.

Between, the two, I see Apple as not the type who would share.  However, Google, who is more interested in selling ads, probably would not mind as much.

T-Minus 10 Hours: What Would Be Your Reason For Upgrading Your iPhone After Tomorrow

I can't say that there will be one specific reason or feature that would entice me to upgrade my months old iPhone 4 after tomorrow. No, I'm not made of money but there's a way I can upgrade without additional cost for my next iPhone but that'll be my little secret, for now.

So, what can it be? A better camera with 8MP camera? No, it cannot be just that. I've long talked about having better battery life. I would have to have the kind of battery life that I have with my iPad but I would have to take a long hard look to make sure that's what I'm getting.

Having A5 chip would not be enough. I think for the most part, the iPhone 4 is plenty fast enough for my mobile use. Don't get me wrong, I can certainly use more speed but that isn't enough either.

A change in form factor definitely will not be enough.

Bigger screens? I wouldn't mind a 4" screen but only if Apple is able to retain the Retina Display quality. I don't know how but I'm sure they'll be able to find a way to make it happen, if it happen.

A combination of a bigger screen and better battery life could do it.

11 Hours Away From Apple's fall Event

Just like that the title says, we are 11 hours from Apple's fall event. I wanted to check in and say that we are no closer to find out just Apple has in store for us tomorrow.

What's clear is that the anticipation is building rapidly. I am hoping someone will have some sort of a true breakthrough that and broke some kind of information a bit early. And there will be. So, let me say this: read but do not trust because we will be unable to verify.

Sprint Getting Exclusive iPhone 5 Makes No Sense

It's been widely reported that Sprint will not only guarantee to buy 30.5 million iPhones and pay Apple $20 billion over the next four years, it will also get an exclusive period of time to sell the iPhone 5.  No way, dude.

I've had a couple of hours to ponder over this.  This is what I think is likely if any whiff of this is true.  Sprint will likely get a specially modified iPhone 5 that runs on its WiMax network.  Nothing more, nothing less.

And having this WiMax iPhone will give Sprint a quarter or two lead on any LTE iPhone that could be coming out in 2012.  It's possible that Apple can try to get folks to fork over more money in the first quarter of 2012 for those who want LTE access.  

This would grant Sprint a small window all to itself to market a "true" 4G wireless experience.  

So, relax, iPhone fans iPhone 5 for all tomorrow, assuming there is such a device.

There Could Be A WiMax iPhone

An update to the Sprint story I shared earlier.  According to WSJ, Sprint could get an exclusive iPhone designed with WiMax.  If true, this would be a dramatic departure from Apple's previous behavior.  However, it would make sense given that the iPhone is very much the premiere device despite Sprint being heavily invested in Android.

Do I think this is likely?  I'm leaning towards possible WiMax iPhone but no exclusive design just for Sprint.

Source:  Macrumors.

Sprint Bets Big On iPhone - More Than 30 million

Over the next four years, Sprint is committed to buy 30.5 million iPhones from Apple. That is at a cost of $20 billion or more.

That is a big big number. But is it risky? Probably not. And Sprint likely has no choice but to do this.

At the same time, don't be surprised if Sprint finds that 30+ million iPhones won't be enough.

Now, I like to know how many iPads is Sprint committed to.

Source: Yahoo.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Steve Jobs Could Be "One More Thing" Tomorrow

Chances are that Steve Jobs won't be at the unveiling of the next iPhone, iOS 5, and iPod lineup tomorrow but with nothing more to talk about, it seems blogs, joined by traditional print and online media, have gotten into guess whether Steve Jobs will be at the Apple event tomorrow.

I don't know.  It'll be Tim Cook's moment tomorrow.  

But boy, would I love for Tim Cook to lay in a "one more thing" tomorrow and that being Steve Jobs.  It'll be sort of a finale that is fitting of the man who has brought up so many wonderful "one more thing" products.  

And to top that off, I wouldn't mind see Steve really introduce somthing a bit extra at the end - say an iPad XL with a 12' screen?

iPhone 3GS for Free?

I think the idea of the iPhone 3GS going for free makes good sense.  It's go after the low-end of the market for Apple in carriers across the mobile market here in the US.

That is exactly what Appleinsider is reporting.  Will this happen?  Maybe.  Also, I think the retail price could be lower - closer to $300.  It'll probably cost closer to $125 for Apple to make the 3GS now and it could flood the pre-paid market along with the revamped iPhone 4 with 8 GB that should take its place at $400.  

Source:  Appleinsider.

iPhone 5 Clone - Looks Eerily Like What We Hope To Be The Real Thing

Check out this video from MicGadget from China.  It's a Vimeo video.

The device claims to be an iPhone 5 clone made from the factory of where vast majority of electronics are made in China.

It isn't close to the real thing as far as the OS is concerned.  It certainly doesn't run the iOS but the feel and look is very close.  It's a dead giveaway that it's not the real thing because it has a stylus.  Other than that, from a far, it looks like the real thing.

Check it out.  And we'll come notes to see how close this thing is to the form factor of the updated iPhone.  I can tell you now, I like the look of this iPhone 5 clone.



"iPhone 5" Clone from M.I.C. Gadget on Vimeo.

Next iPhone: Lots of Phantom Signals, No Confirmations

iPhone 4S or 5? Does it matter when these items appear in the slots of databases of retailers who might simply trying to be ready for what comes next on Apple's Tuesday fall event that will feature the next iPhone?

Well, it should not because these retailers are likely among the last to know about them, just after carriers and certain bloggers whose sources come close to getting it right.

At this time, I simply dismiss whatever it is that Radio Shack, regional carriers, or anyone else might have leaked screen captures of what are simply place holders for the next iPhone or iPhones.

I don't mind speculations which is just what these guys are playing at and preparing for.

It's likely one blog or two will strike gold and leak some early. Maybe they'll find out of Steve Jobs will make a guest appearance or two. Maybe they'll be able to confirm whether there will be one or two new models of iPhones or even three.

Until then, keep enjoying reading these conjectures and rumors but remember they are what they are. Don't be disappointed if they don't pan out on Tuesday.