Posted by: Hayesimus in iphone cases, iphone 3g on
Jan 2, 2009
The iPhone of course.
The iPhone Dev Team had marked January 1st, 2009 on their calendar to release their iPhone 3G unlock software. The software called yellowsn0w is an application that unlocks the iPhone 3G for use on other networks. Great if you are planning on using T-Mobile here in the U.S. (not sure why you'd want to do that) or traveling overseas without paying a small fortune in roaming charges.
In any event, it appears the beta release 0.9.1 is not yet up to par. According to an informal survey at Gizmodo, 65% of people who used the software did not have success. The Dev-Team has relased 0.9.4 beta, so hopefully the results will improve.
So Apple is up to it again... but what are they up to exactly? According to Boygeniusreport.com, ATT is offering up refurbished iPhones for $99 for the 8gb and $199 for the 16gb, but wait... you will get an additional $50 off your purchase. Yes, they are only refurbs, but last time they actually discounted iphones, our wonderful 3G iPhone came out. This is purely speculation by me, but maybe Apple is getting ready to implement a new model. Either there's a new model coming out, or Apple is just clearing their stock of refurbs... :)
AT&T is offering up the iPhone 3G 8GB refurbished models for $99. Of course, it comes with a 2-year commitment, but still it's a great price. They also have white and black 16GB models at just $199. This offer ends on December 31st or when they run out. Clearance before MacWorld or simply clearance?
Starting today through Saturday, January 3rd, the iPhone 3G will be on sale at Best Buy Mobile locations for $189.99 for the 8GB and $289.99 for the 16GB model. While only a $10 savings, this is the lowest price available in the US. This will even best the Walmart price. Reward Zone members will receive double reward zone points as part of their purchase. Of course, these prices do require a 2-year commitment.
The iPhone Dev Team, the developers of the PwnageTool and QuickPwn applications used for unlocking and jailbreaking iPhones and iPod Touches, have announced that they have successfully unlocked the iPhone 3G and will release the unlocking application on New Year's Eve.
With over 10,000 applications in the App Store, it's getting harder and harder for developers to get their app noticed. Clearly, the name of the game is to get your application among the Top Paid Apps list. Making the list is not enough and many are looking for new ways to get you to their application. Developers are now using their icons to promote discounts or accomplishments. One fifth of the Top Paid apps now contain promotional language such "On Sale" or "Game of the Year".
Analysts regularly check with supply and distribution channels in an effort to forecast sales of products and the iPhone is no different. The wild card this December quarter is the emergence of the iPhone Gift Card. According to Kaufman Bros. analyst Shaw Wu, demand estimates are are 6 million units down from 6.9 million units in December of 07. Wu believes this numbers are inaccurate, as they do not account for iPhone Gift Cards, the wild card in trying to estimate iPhone demand this holiday season.
Starting today, Google search on the iPhone and T-Mobile G1 will no longer be ad-free. Both phones offer the "real Internet" and now it's about to get more real as you'll start seeing sponsored ads in your searches. Advertisers can also target mobile users. Google is the default search engine on mobile Safari, a move that stands to offer them a substantial competitive advantage when targetting iPhone users. According to Alexandra Kenin, product marketing manager for Google's mobile ad team, "iPhones and other mobile devices with full Internet browsers" option in AdWords, advertisers also can exclude this class of devices from their ad campaigns."
There had been speculation that Walmart would start selling the iPhone and this was confirmed earlier today by Bloomberg. Walmart will carry two models starting later this month. It's still unclear if this will be the 8GB and 16GB models available today or perhaps a new $99 4GB iPhone 3G. Bloomberg contacted five stores, all of which confirmed the late-December availability. Employees are currently being trained on how to use the device. Employees have not been told what models will be available, leading to more speculation of a 4GB model.
