Apple iPad 2 Features Include SD Card Slot, Dual GSM/CDMA Chipset?
We have already written quite a bit about the iPad 2 that is likely going to have a release date somewhere around in April this year. Earlier reports have also suggested that the new iPad is going to be thinner and sleeker than its predecessor with a new screen technology similar to the retina display on iPhone 4 – although some sources have speculated that such a move is improbable considering the costs involved.
A fresh report however notes that the new iPad could come with a display similar to the retina display with “super high resolution“. The source further claims that the screen will stay at 10 inches and will also feature front as well as rear cameras along with a built in SD slot. We also hear that iPad 2 could come with a dual GSM/CDMA chipset manufactured by Qualcomm which will mean both AT&T and Verizon could carry the iPad simultaneously.
This new chipset manufactured by Qualcomm marks Apple’s migration from its existing chipset manufacturer Infineon for all its mobile devices. Reports also suggest that Apple’s new A5 processor which is said to have blazing fast speeds will be making its way to the iPad 2, but there are no confirmations regarding this as yet.
CDMA iPad On Verizon Launching Next
Verizon Wireless, that has announced that it will be selling a CDMA variant of the iPhone starting next month has also confirmed that the carrier will soon begin selling iPads that can directly connect to the carrier’s CDMA network. Speaking to Bloomberg, Verizon Communications CFO Francis Shammo has said that future iPads sold over Verizon will come with an embedded chip that will enable this connectivity.
At present, iPads sold on Verizon stores are Wi-Fi only devices that are packaged with the Mi-Fi to connect to the CDMA network. These upcoming iPad devices will make the use of such extra devices redundant. The CDMA iPads are expected to be priced between $629 and $829 – same as the 3G-enabled iPad and the Verizon iPads that are packaged with Mi-Fi.
No estimated date of arrival has been revealed yet.
Verizon iPhone 4 Vs. AT&T iPhone 4 – What’s New?
As expected, Verizon announced the new CDMA variant of the iPhone at their media event yesterday. The device is expected to go on pre-0rders in the United States starting February 3 and will launch on Apple and Verizon stores on February 10th.
So what is changing with the new launch? Here is a roundup
New iOS Update :
Apple is expected to roll out iOS 4.2.5 shortly. The Verizon iPhone will run on this new iOS platform that will also bring some new features.
Mobile Hotspot :
The Verizon iPhone will let users set their device as a wireless internet router that can be connected from up to five devices. This feature will require a software update that the new iOS 4.2.5 is supposed to provide. It is not clear if the feature will also simultaneously make its way to the GSM variant of the iPhone.
Modified Antenna :
The iPhone 4 antenna design that had invited severe criticism now stands slightly modified with the new launch. The antenna break points are now no longer on the top and are instead on the sides – something that will reduce the death grip issue. However, Apple claims this new design change is to accommodate the CDMA communication frequency that is different from GSM’s.
Simultaneous Voice & Data :
The EVDO Rev-A CDMA network that Verizon operates on does not support simultaneous usage of voice and data. This means Verizon iPhone users cannot talk and surf the web in the same way as AT&T users do. Verizon however maintains that this will be a pretty small compromise in comparison to the other things on offer with Verizon
No SIM Card Slot :
There is no SIM card slot – as it is with a CDMA phone. What this also means is that international travelers will find it difficult to use their iPhones when they travel abroad since CDMA network penetration is not high in many parts of the world.
The Verizon iPhone is not exclusive which means Apple could soon be offering CDMA variants of its iPhone across other carriers around the world. The Verizon iPhone shall be priced at $199 and $299 for the 16GB and 32GB variants respectively.
Verizon iPhone 4 Price To Be Higher Than AT&T’s?
All eyes are now set on the Verizon media event that is scheduled for later today when the carrier is expected to make the highly anticipated announcement regarding the launch of a CDMA iPhone on their network. There are already speculations that Verizon could be announcing unlimited data plans for iPhone users in a bid to compete against AT&T.
However, according to JP Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz, Verizon could also be facing some challenges. He says that the carrier could be pricing their iPhone at a price that is $20 to $30 higher than the price of an iPhone on AT&T. This, he says, is because the redesigned iPhone will require components like CDMA radio that are pricier than the UMTS components.
But considering the cut-throat competition in the segment, we do not expect Verizon to transfer the higher costs to consumers. Instead, Verizon is likely to reduce their own margins in the short term to consolidate their iPhone subscriber base.
New Verizon Return Policy To Reduce Return Period To 14 Days
Verizon Wireless could be making a drastic change to their official handset return policy. According to reports, the carrier will now mandate that all users who are not satisfied with their new purchase may return their handsets within 14 days. This is a significantly shorter period compared to the existing original return window that is open for a 30 day period.
The reports suggest that Verizon could be making this change as early as January 16th. There has been no official communication from the company in this regard as yet. Also, it is not clear why the carrier is looking at modifying its return policy, although we guess this to be due to a possible decreasing demand for refurbished phones in recent times. With a number of new handsets releasing from Verizon, customers may no longer be looking at refurbished phones as an option and that is likely to have triggered Verizon’s new policy. What do you think?
Verizon iPhone Accessories Put On Sale Briefly
A number of industry observers have speculated that Verizon could be announcing their new iPhone on the sidelines of the Consumer Electronics Show starting this week. That seems more likely with claims that popular third party accessory manufacturers have already been prepping up for the launch of accessories aimed at the new Verizon iPhone.
CaseMate – the developer of the popular Tough and Pop cases are learned to have recently launched a new website that shows up this homepage
Not only this, Offwire – an online retailer too had, until recently, posted references to accessories pertaining specifically to a Verizon iPhone. With word about these references getting out, the two websites seem to have purged these details completely.
An interesting revelation though is CaseMate’s post that reads, “The Verizon iPhone 4 is on its way“. This is indicative of sufficient lead time between the announcement and launch of this new CDMA iPhone. With rumors suggesting that the new iPhone could be released “by Valentine’s Day“, we hope an announcement is made shortly – during CES.
“iPhone On Verizon” Domain Name Registered By Verizon Wireless?
We have been seeing rumor upon rumor pertaining to the imminent launch of a Verizon iPhone. While the launch date, price and distribution (whether it shall be only on Verizon or will the CDMA iPhone make it to the rest of the world as well?) all remain a mystery as of now, there is more news today that points out that Verizon may in fact be prepping for the launch of an iPhone.
A couple of domain names – iPhoneOnVerizon.com and iPhoneForVerizon.com seem to have been recently purchased by Verizon Wireless. The information comes courtesy the WhoIs records for these domain names that show Mark Monitor as the registrar with Verizon Trademark Services LLC as the registrant.
It may be noted that WhoIs records for domain names can be faked and hence this revelation is not entirely conclusive. Nevertheless, with rumors on a Verizon iPhone heating up, the latest revelation is quite interesting.
Verizon Palm Pre 2 Price On Best Buy Revealed
A spyshot of the Best Buy inventory system has once again revealed the imminent arrival of Palm Pre 2 on Verizon to the American market. It may be recalled that a Palm Pre 2 running on Verizon made its way to an eBay auction last month only to be pulled soon after.
The latest revelation also comes with details of price and other details. The Palm Pre 2 is expected to be available at $499.99 – and that’s without the contractual obligations. Of course, Verizon is expected to offer subsidized prices in return for a two year contract. Interestingly, the screenshot also provides a launch date that is set for December 30 that, quite evidently, didn’t happen. It is not clear if the launch itself has been delayed at the last moment or if this is simply a placeholder text waiting to be modified when details are finalized.
In any case, what is evident is that the Palm Pre 2 is coming soon to the American market that should be happy news for readers from this region.
Verizon iPhone Release Date Before Valentine’s Day?
Here is the ‘launch date rumor‘ for the day. According to a new report on Bloomberg Businessweek, the highly anticipated Verizon iPhone could be launching “by Valentine’s day“. The report does not carry a specific launch date and notes that the launch “will come sometime after the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in early January“.
What is interesting is that the report also hints at the possibility of Sprint and T-Mobile losing out on the iPhone at least in the short term. Businessweek notes that with just Verizon and AT&T carrying iPhone in the next year, the subscriber numbers for Sprint and T-Mobile could fall by as much as 650,000 and 950,000 respectively.
Of course, all that we are hearing now is speculation based on anonymous rumors. But with both Verizon and Apple seeming to be prepping up for a new release, the question is now no longer an ‘if’ and is merely a matter of ‘when’.
Motorola Droid 2 R2D2 Price Dropped
The holiday shopping season is in full swing in the United States and that is quite evident in the way Verizon has been cutting down the prices of some of the hottest gadgets that it has released over the past couple of months. After the carrier dropped the prices of Droid 2 and Droid 2 Global, we now hear that the price of Motorola Droid 2 R2-D2 StarWars edition too is seeing a price cut.
According to the new listing on the Verizon website, Droid 2 R2D2 can now be purchased at a price of $199.99. This is of course with a two year contract and requires users to sign up for a monthly data package of at least $15.00.
So what this price drop means is that the Droid 2 R2D2 can now be purchased at the same price as the Droid 2 Global. You will remember that this model with international roaming capability too saw a price drop earlier that brought its price down to $199.99. You can check out the R2D2 from the Verizon website here.