Apple releases iLife software update.

Monday, November 10, 2008 at 10:27 PM | Posted by kazouz

Apple today released an update to its iLife ‘08 software suite.

iLife Support 8.3.1 provides system software components shared by all iLife ‘08 applications. This update improves overall stability and addresses a number of other minor issues. It is recommended for all users for iLife ‘08.

iPhone 3G leads U.S. consumer purchases in Q3 2008.

Monday, November 10, 2008 at 01:14 PM | Posted by kazouz

According to new survey data gathered by the leader in wireless market research, the NPD Group, Apple’s iPhone 3G is now leading handset purchased by consumers in the United States.

The iPhone surpassed the Motorola RAZR, which had been ranked as the top-selling consumer handset for the past 12 quarters.

The top 5 ranking is currently as follows:

1. Apple iPhone 3G
2. Motorola RAZR V3 (all models)
3. RIM Blackberry Curve (all models)
4. LG Rumor
5. LG enV2

AT&T iPhone tethering coming soon.

Thursday, November 06, 2008 at 06:35 PM | Posted by kazouz

AT&T Mobility chief executive Ralph De La Vega revealed in an interview at the Web 2.0 summit that the carrier will be offering an official tethering option for the iPhone “soon.”

Tethering is a method that allows you to use your iPhone as a 3G modem for your laptop, allowing you to connect to the Internet through the iPhone’s cellular connection.

The interview did not provide any kind of pricing information.

SingTel: 170,000 activations during September quarter.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008 at 11:05 PM | Posted by kazouz

SingTel Group and its associates launched the iPhone 3G in Australia on 11 July 2008 and in Singapore, India and the Philippines on 22 August 2008.

Presently, both SingTel and Globe are the sole operators to offer iPhone 3G activations in Singapore and the Philippines respectively, while Optus and Bharti are amongst multiple operators with rights to offer iPhone 3G activations in their markets.

The launch of iPhone 3G has met with robust demand from customers with more than 170,000 iPhone activations for the Group and its associates in the September quarter.

Apple airs new iPhone ad: ‘Dilemmas’.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008 at 10:24 PM | Posted by kazouz

Apple today added a new ad to its iPhone television advertising campaign.

The new ad, ‘Dilemmas’, shows how the Urbanspoon application from the App Store works.

High quality videos of the iPhone ads can be viewed on Apple’s website.

Mark Papermaster joins Apple as Senior VP of Devices Hardware Engineering.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008 at 07:05 PM | Posted by kazouz

Apple today announced that Mark Papermaster is joining the Company as senior vice president of Devices Hardware Engineering, reporting to Apple CEO Steve Jobs. Papermaster, who comes to Apple from IBM, will lead Apple’s iPod and iPhone hardware engineering teams. Papermaster has 25 years of product and technology experience, and was previously a vice president at IBM.

Apple also announced that Tony Fadell, Apple’s senior vice president of the iPod Division, and his wife Danielle Lambert, vice president of Human Resources, are reducing their roles within the company as they devote more time to their young family. Fadell will remain at Apple as an advisor to the CEO. Lambert will depart the company at the end of this year after a successor is in place.

“Mark is a seasoned leader and is going to be an excellent addition to our senior management team,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Tony and Dani have each made important contributions to Apple over the past eight years. We’re sorry to see Dani go, and are looking forward to working with Tony in his new capacity.”

Apple to cut iPhone production?

Monday, November 03, 2008 at 04:08 PM | Posted by kazouz

FBR Capital Markets said on Monday that production of the iPhone might plunge more than 40 percent in the fourth quarter from the previous period, Reuters reports.

“Previous checks indicated that iPhone production would fall about 10 percent sequentially in calendar 4Q,” said FBR’s note by Craig Berger, “(but) our new checks indicate that iPhone production could fall more than 40 percent sequentially in 4Q.”

NPD Group analyst Ross Rubin said: “To cut volume by 40 percent would be dramatic.”

Van Baker of Gartner said that if there were such a cut, it might reflect Apple’s ramp-up of delivery to countries outside the United States. While the company needed to produce many phones to fill the supply chain overseas, he said, all it now needs to do is meet continuing demand, which may be tapering off.

Lower-Income users boost iPhone sales.

Friday, October 31, 2008 at 07:29 PM | Posted by kazouz

A new study reports that the strongest growth in purchases of Apple’s iPhones comes from those earning less than the median household income.

According to the digital-media research firm comScore, iPhone adoption since June soared 48 percent among those earning $25,000 to $50,000 annually, and by 46 percent among those earning between $25,000 to $75,000. Under $25,000, the growth rate was 16 percent.

About 43 percent of iPhone buyers still earn more than $100,000 annually, but the growth rates for the lower earners is three times greater.

Jen Wu, a senior analyst with comScore and author of the report, acknowledged that “a $200 phone with at least $70 per month for phone service seems a bit extravagant for those with lower disposable income.” But, he added, “one actually realizes cost savings when the device is used in lieu of multiple digital devices and services, transforming the iPhone from a luxury item to a practical communication and entertainment tool.”