T-Mobile iPhone: What's the Call?

I don't do rumors on this site but I do need to address one particular rumor that was the rage for a full 36 hours or so before it died down. First, I love rumors but OnApple, I don't like spreading them.

Here, I'm going to get into this a bit because I don't want people to get their hopes up. Well, there is hope and I'll explain in a bit.

First, Cult of Mac reported that a highly placed source within T-Mobile has informed them that the iPhone has an 80% chance of being available for sale in the 3rd quarter, July through the end of September, of a traditional financial calendar.

That means sales in the next 70 or so days. Does that make sense? Okay, CofM also said that a deal isn't finalized but close to being signed. Still, if it's that close, only a mere 80% chance of the iPhone coming to T-Mobile USA? Fine, it might be 75% or 90%. It's subjective.

However, from my understanding, wireless providers who signed agreements with Apple all did it about a year before they started selling the iPhone. It is improbable that Apple will agree to a deal and turn around and start selling the iPhones a mere few days later.

So am I saying there is no deal? Here's the hope I mentioned above. For the iPhone to appear on another network, such as T-Mobile or Verizon, a deal would have to be done a year ago. Or at the very least, months ago. And in the last few months, there have been signs that iPhone exclusivity with ATT has ended and at the very least, ending.

• ATT finally embraced Android - for years, ATT avoided Google's mobile platform like a plague.  I attribute that to some kind of a deal with Apple.  
• ATT is also carrying Palm's WebOS devices this year.
• ATT is said to be interested in the first batch of Windows Phone 7
• ATT ending unlimited wireless data for mobile devices
• Apple's Steve Jobs hinting that there is some good to having multiple networks in the US.
• A lot of chatters from suppliers in Asia about another iPhone
• The timing of T-Mobile's HSPA+ and Verizon's LTE network completion.
• T-Mobile executive hinting at iPhone sales in the US in late 2010 or early 2011.
• Verizon confessed it was a bad move to turn down the iPhone and Apple has changed the mobile industry and opened their eyes about app stores.

So in conclusion, I have a highly placed doubt about CofM's source's information. I am still hopeful for a T-Mobile iPhone in the coming months. But any deal between Apple and T-Mobile would have been completed months ago. If anything, it's about the launch, not dotting the "i" or crossing the "t".

More on prospects of the iPhone on other US networks:

• Who's going to get the iPhone next?  T-Mobile or Verizon
• T-Mobile's Device Chart - Comparison with the iPhone and strangely, it doesn't say anything bad about it
• Does iPhone 4's chips say T-Mobile 3G compatibility?

Note: I don't do rumors so I've not offered a link to the Cult of Mac page. But here's the main page.

Starbucks To Expalnd iPhone App Payment

I can’t wait for mobile payment through my iPhone or Android device and it looks like Starbucks is making that possible even more. In the coming months, Starbucks will expand payment for drinks and other products with the iPhone app to other stores.

A couple of days ago, I misplaced my wallet at a supermarket and, luckily, it was found with my two dollars still in side. I was coming back from the gym and my shorts didn’t have pockets. I had in my hands the keys to my car, wallet, and my G1. I suppose losing my wallet meant my G1 was more important of the two.

It would have been a great hassle had I not gotten it back. DMV, credit card companies, and the bank would have all heard from me.

So you see why I can’t wait for a digital replacement for my wallet.

Starbuck’s move is a small one in that direction. I’m sure all the major credit card companies as well as dozens of other firms are trying to find a way to capitalize on the coming revolutionary change in how we pay for products and services that is made possible by advances in mobile tech.

For now, I’m be contend to order my drinks and pay for it through my iPhone app at Starbucks. Let’s hope soon, I’ll be able to walk into a supermarket, mall, or anywhere else that takes all the major credit cards will also take payment from my iPhone.

More at Starbucks, ReadWriteWeb.

Are the Days of Unlimited Wireless Internet Over?

Those of us who are fortunately enough to have relatively unlimited wireless Internet, and I say relative because our definition of unlimited is not the same as those of wireless providers, we need to remember these days when we tell our grandchildren about them. Because like ATT, Verizon Wireless (VW) is looking to rid themselves of us freeloaders and institute a similar pricing and limitation on data like Ma Bell.

How will this play out?

More at Onxo.

iPad Not Cannibalizing Macs But How About PC?

I think not. Well, not likely. That's the answer I've got to the question to the title of this post. This subject came up in today's Apple earnings call when an analyst asked about what Apple think about potential cannibalization of the Macs by iPads in the future, since today's report showed no sign this is going on. But a statement by Apple's Tim Cook, COO, seems to have set off a storm in this regard.

"Our guts tell us that this market is very big...if it turns out that iPad cannibalizes PCs, that's fantastic for us because there is a lot of PCs to cannibalize..." was what he said. However, it was merely an off the cuff statement and nothing more.

But is the iPad really capable of cannibalizing PCs?

If There Is an LTE iPhone, This is How Apple Will Launch It

When Verizon Wireless launches its LTE network, far ahead of any plans ATT, Apple currently and only iPhone partner in the United States, has for its own 4G network. The question for iOS fans is will Apple be on the LTE network? Yes would be my answer. The next question is "when?".

This is how I think it will go down when Apple releases an iPhone for Verizon customers.

Toy Story 3 Portrait Done On An iPad (Video)

I have an iPad. I also have many drawing apps including the wonderful app, Brushes. Alas, I don't have the talent for what you're about to see next: A drawing, portrait if you will, of the gang from Toy Story 3 done entirely on an iPad and Brushes for the iPad.

It is done by artist, Kyle Lambert. I don't know how it took him but he's definitely got the mojo for this kind of stuff. Gotta see the video for yourself. It's just amazing!



Now, that you've seen it, e-mail or leave comments if you've got your own work created on the iPad you like to sure with the rest of us.

More at Pixar Blog, Kyle Lambert

Comment on iPhone 4 Antenna Issues

As an Apple fan, I should be coming to Apple’s defense about this whole antenna thing especially after Consumer Report said they can’t recommend the best phone on the market to you, the consumer.

Now, the best phone part isn’t my conclusion. It’s Consumer Report’s conclusion. The issue they have is the alleged design flaw of the antenna. Again, it’s their word that the iPhone 4 is the best phone on the market.

I only want to say that personally, I haven’t been able to duplicate what CR and other blogs are talking about. One, it’s probably because ATT is so crappy in my area but I have gone to other places where ATT’s coverage is pretty good and even there I had no issue with the “grip of death” phenomenon.

However, Apple did issue an confusing statement of how they calculate signals and I’ll leave the details to those who know more what they are talking about. Personally, I am waiting to see just how Apple plan to patch up the signal issue.

There is obviously a hardware issue that Apple may or may not make go away with a software patch.

I think this is why Apple hasn’t said anything about giving out free bumpers that to those who have experienced the “grip of death” when they hold the iPhone with their left hands. Perhaps, Apple has found a software solution to their hardware problem.

Only time will tell. I do know this though. The iPhone 4 is pretty much sold out everywhere. I’m still trying to get another for my family and I’m simply having to wait through the crazy demands.

So for now, I’ll hold judgment until we get something official from Apple. However, I do agree with Consumer Report on this. The iPhone 4 is a pretty damn good phone.

And yes, this will blow over in a few weeks. So moving along, people, nothing to see here.