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iphone 3g

Apple to launch 32GB iPhone: Rumors

by Mahesh Kukreja on April 9, 2009

With anticipation high for a new iPhone this summer, rumors are rising after a recent Apple purchase from Samsung. Apple bought 100 million 8GB NAND flash chips, which DigiTimes says points to increased storage for the iPhone.

Flash-chip suppliers Hynix, Intel, Micron and Toshiba may also have had a part in the Apple purchase. The order fueled rumors that Apple is building a bigger-memory iPhone, likely with 32GB of storage, to share shelf space with the 8GB and 16GB iPhone 3G models already on the market.

Industry observers are expecting new Apple iPhone hardware to be announced as early as Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.

Conflicting reports have surfaced, with some saying the storage chips in question are eight-gigabit chips with 1GB of storage each, while others say they each have 8GB of storage.

Ramping up storage to 32GB would help Apple boost its success with the iPhone and App Store, which has had more than 800 million downloads, according to Apple.

Summer Expectations

The extra storage, expected to be used for video capability, may come around the same time the iPhone OS 3.0 arrives, which is expected to be this summer. Apple’s iPhone OS 3.0 includes 100 new features, including search functionality; cut, copy and paste; and the ability to send photos, contacts and audio files via MMS. The new OS also allows users to read and compose e-mail and text messages.

The iPhone isn’t the only device expected to receive the extra storage. Apple is also rumored to be working on a 32GB NAND chip for the iPod shuffle.

“It’s all speculation right now, so it could be more storage for the iPhone, or even the iPod touch,” said Ramon Llamas, an IDC analyst.

Shortage and Competition

The timing of such storage and rumors of a next-generation iPhone are significant as app-store competition heats up from other companies, including Microsoft, Palm and Research in Motion.

Some think Apple’s large order will create a shortage for others in the market for NAND flash chips, including Nokia and Sony.

Contract prices for multi-level cell or MLC NAND flash chips (which allow more bits to be stored) have increased up to 16 percent for the first half of this month because of shipment adjustments by chip suppliers, according to DRAMeXchange. Mainstream MLC 16GB and 32GB prices also rose between eight to 13 percent.

Major NAND flash chipmakers usually put aside more shipments for device makers, and don’t increase production for the second quarter in order to maintain price stability. Supply is expected to stay tight until at least next month.

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AT&T will sell Unlocked iPhone 3Gs

by Mahesh Kukreja on March 25, 2009

After all the controversy about unlocking Apple’s iPhones, AT&T has made it moot by agreeing to sell iPhone 3Gs without a two-year contract. The company confirmed an Associated Press report that it will begin selling unlocked iPhones next Thursday for $599 and $699, depending on memory configuration.

Consumers can still purchase iPhone 3Gs for $199 and $299 with the two-year contract, or purchase a refurbished model for $149 from AT&T or Best Buy.

An unlocked iPhone has been on AT&T’s agenda since at least July. When Apple released the iPhone 3G last summer, the wireless carrier said it would sell a contract-free iPhone in the U.S., but didn’t give a date. The unlocked iPhone can be used on T-Mobile or AT&T networks, but it’s not compatible with Verizon or Sprint networks.

A Stampede Is Unlikely

AT&T’s announcement brings the iPhone into line with standard procedures for every other phone on the market, according to Avi Greengart, a wireless analyst at Current Analysis. AT&T has always been willing to sell the phones it offers unlocked without a contract if consumers ask and are willing to pay for it, he said, but the iPhone has been an exception.

“One of the reasons AT&T hadn’t sold the iPhone unlocked is because there was a kickback to Apple for service revenues,” Greengart said. “The ability to get an unlocked phone is less of a threat to Apple’s goal of getting carrier distribution in multiple markets with the second-generation iPhone. Consumers can buy iPhones from local carriers in Europe and parts of Asia.”

Despite the availability of an unlocked iPhone, analysts don’t expect a rush on AT&T. That’s because, for most people, there’s no need for an unlocked iPhone. For consumers who intend to use the iPhone in the U.S., it makes better financial sense to allow AT&T to subsidize the purchase and save $400 with the two-year contract, Greengart said. The cost of the voice and data plan are the same regardless of the price of the phone.

Unsanctioned Applications

But for some consumers an unlocked iPhone is welcome news. For travelers who commute between Europe and the U.S., an unlocked phone makes the wireless experience more seamless between networks. Members of the military who move around frequently and don’t want to sign a two-year contract might also find investing in an unlocked iPhone a smart idea.

Unlocked iPhones may also be attractive to people who want to install applications on the iPhone that Apple has not sanctioned. Renegade stores are launching to sell unauthorized applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. The Cydia Store is selling applications not available on Apple’s sanctioned store, and another company plans to sell adult games for the iPhone.

Until now, consumers had to jailbreak their iPhones — modify them so they can install and use unauthorized apps. A third party called Rock Your Phone helps users who haven’t modified their iPhones.

Analysts caution, however, that manually unlocking the iPhone voids the warranty.

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Hackers successfully unlock Apple iPhone 3G

by Mahesh Kukreja on December 16, 2008

Five months after the release of the iPhone 3G last July, a team of hackers has finally figured out a way to alter the device’s software so that it can be unlocked for use on networks other than AT&T’s. That team is, of course, the infamous iPhone Dev-Team, most recently seen hacking the iPhone to run Linux.

The unlocking hack isn’t out yet, but the team plans to release it on December 31st; it will require that your iPhone 3G be running version 2.11.07 or earlier baseband (the software that controls the cell phone part of the iPhone) and already be jailbroken. The Dev-Team also plans to release the hack as a standalone software program that can be run by most end users.

Hackers and Apple waged war over iPhone unlocking when the original model was released in 2007, with Apple repeatedly throwing up additional obstacles with subsequent software updates. Indeed, there’s little reason to think that we won’t see a repeat performance this time around. It’s anybody’s guess how long before Apple releases its next software update, but if last year was any indication, the hackers will continue to find ways around Apple’s blocks.

Of course, those willing to spend a little extra money can always try and import a legitimately unlocked phone from the likes of Taiwan.

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