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.


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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.