China Unicom is internally targeting October 15 as its launch date for the iPhone in China, according to a China Business Times report (Translated Link). Pricing for the handset will reportedly be 1,999 yuan (roughly $293) for the 8GB model and 2,999 yuan (~$439) for the 16GB model; both prices would require a two-year contract with a minimum monthly fee of 186 yuan (~$27). The 8GB price is slightly lower than the 2,500 yuan speculated in an earlier report, but the two-year contact and 186 yuan are the same as previously reported. When announcing its three-year deal with Apple to sell the iPhone in China, Unicom did not give an exact launch date, saying only that it planned to launch the handset in the fourth quarter.
Archive for the ‘iPhone News’ Category
China Unicom To Possibly Launch iPhone On October 15
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009AT&T Will Roll Out iPhone MMS Friday
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009AT&T today announced on its Facebook page that a carrier settings update for MMS on the iPhone will be available in the “late morning” Pacific Time on Friday, the previously-announced launch date for the service.
A rumor from earlier today had claimed that AT&T would begin rolling out MMS for the iPhone around 10:00 AM Eastern Time on Friday and that the company was rushing to complete infrastructure improvements to support the expected crush of data upon initial activation from users testing out the service.
AT&T: ‘Hundreds Of Thousands’ iPhone 3G S Units Pre-Ordered Online
Friday, June 19th, 2009AT&T has revealed that it has already sold “hundreds of thousands” of iPhone 3G S units through its online pre-order system. AT&T corporate communications representative Michael Coe told AppleInsider, “AT&T sold hundreds of thousands through our preorder process prior to the launch, which exceeded our own expectations for iPhone 3G S.” Coe declined to comment on the exact number of orders, or if the figure exceeded 300,000 units, but analysts had previously pegged launch weekend estimates at roughly half a million units; the figure from AT&T does not include pre-orders made through Apple’s online system.
Apple: iPhone 3G S Activation May Take Up To 48 Hours
Friday, June 19th, 2009Following a relatively smooth morning roll out of the iPhone 3G S, reports are beginning to surface suggesting that early morning West Coast sales and pre-order deliveries are beginning to put strain on Apple’s servers as larger numbers of users try simultaneously to activate their new handsets. According to AppleInsider, Apple is now providing a warning message through iTunes to affected users, stating that their activation needs extra time to complete, and may take up to 48 hours to go through. The message states that an email will be sent to the customer’s email address when activation is completed, apologizes for the inconvenience, and suggests the user try out some of the phone’s features that don’t require a cellular connection. The situation recalls memories of last year’s iPhone 3G launch debacle, when thousands of users were left waiting for hours in- and outside AT&T and Apple stores while employees tried in vain to activate their new phones.
Some AT&T Stores Sell Out Of iPhone 3G S In Less Than An Hour
Friday, June 19th, 2009While the verdict is still out on how well stocked U.S.-based Apple retail stores will be for this morning’s iPhone 3G S launch, some of AT&T’s shops are reported to have already run out of their initial allotment of the new handsets.
O2 Warns Against Unsupported Tethering
Friday, June 19th, 2009U.K. iPhone carrier O2 has said that it will disconnect any customers found to be using the tethering feature of iPhone OS 3.0 that aren’t signed up for one of the company’s tethering Bolt-On plans. A number of iPhone users who have installed the 3.0 update have reported that it is possible to use the new tethering solution without singing up for the plan. O2 is planning to roll out its tethering Bolt-On plans for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S today with the launch of the 3G S, more information on rates and plans can be found in this article.
Apple Now Selling Unlocked iPhones In Italy
Friday, June 19th, 2009Apple has begun direct sales of unlocked phones in Italy, the first time the handset has been offered outside of carrier stores in the country. SetteB.IT reports (Translated Link) that the change was just recently confirmed by employees at the Roma Apple Store, who had previously denied any plans to offer the handsets directly. Macity goes on to explain (Translated Link) that while the phones were offered unlocked through TIM and Vodafone previously, neither would sell the phone without forcing the customer to sign a contract. iPhones purchased through Apple, by comparison, are free to be used on any service. Pricing for the iPhone 3G S is €599 for 16GB models and €699 for 32GB units through Apple, and €619 and €719, respectively, through TIM and Vodafone; the iPhone 3G S goes on sale in Italy today.
Rogers Offers iPhone 3G S Discounts To Prior iPhone Users
Friday, June 19th, 2009Rogers Wireless has announced a set of iPhone 3G S discounts that it will offer to certain prior iPhone customers. For customers who bought an iPhone 3G between July 11 and Sept. 30, 2008, and with an average monthly spend of at least $100, Rogers is cutting $500 off the cost of an iPhone 3G S, bringing the prices down to $199 and $299 for the 16GB and 32GB models, respectively. For customers that bought an iPhone between July 11 and Dec. 31 2008 but aren’t eligible for the above offer, the company is offering a $250 discount, resulting in prices of $449 for the 16GB model and $549 for 32GB units. Both offers expire on July 31 and come with the addition of a one-year term to the customer’s existing agreement. Customers may also purchase the iPhone 3G S at cost through the company’s website or retail channels; this pushes the prices up to $699 for the 16GB and $799 for 32GB models.
Interestingly, Fido customers will not be offered the same deal; they may redeem FidoDollars towards a new iPhone 3G S, with an additional $100 top-up from Fido. It appears that Rogers/Fido will allow customers to switch over to Rogers and purchase the phone at the new contract price. Finally, both carriers will be offering the 6GB/$30 data promotion until July 31; this plan is valid on a new or existing iPhone plan. The iPhone 3G S will launch in Canada today, and will be available at Apple retail stores as well as Rogers/Fido locations.
Apple Posts iPhone 3G S-Ready User Guide
Thursday, June 18th, 2009Apple has posted an updated version of its iPhone User Guide (PDF Link) online. The new guide, which is labeled as “For iPhone OS 3.0 Software,” features several sections on iPhone 3G S-exclusive features, including entire chapters dedicated to the compass and Nike+ integration. Also mentioned in the guide are iPhone 3G S controls for the Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic, Voice Control, complete with instructions on how to use the feature, MMS messaging, and a section on how to shoot and edit videos with the Camera application.
AT&T Wi-Fi Supports Auto-Authentication With iPhone 3.0
Thursday, June 18th, 2009AT&T has announced that with iPhone OS 3.0, iPhone users will no longer need to go through a two-step authentication process in order to access one of the company’s Wi-Fi Hot Spots. According to AT&T, auto-connect will be established once a customer connects his/her iPhone to an AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spot for the first time; following this connection, the user should be able to seamlessly switch from AT&T’s 3G network to an AT&T Hot Spot without being prompted. AT&T operates more than 20,000 Wi-Fi Hot Spots in the U.S.