Archive for iPhone 3GS
Plucky Little iPhone 3GS Counfounds Expectations, Tops Japanese Sales For July
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Well, look at that: The iPhone 3GS 32GB was the best-selling phone in Japan for the month of July, according to a survey being reported by a number of sites, including Electronista and Mainichi Daily News. Not bad for a handset that doesn’t even support 1seg TV, huh? Trailing behind the aforementioned handset at number nine (and the only other American model to make the top ten) is a little something called the iPhone 3GS 16GB. Of course, the mobile market in Japan features plenty of virtually identical phones that manufacturers assign different model numbers to, depending on carrier — so we’re going to take this with a grain of salt. But still, we have to wonder what, exactly, to attribute Apple’s new found Japanese popularity to. Maybe it’s because they got the phone a mere month after the Stateside 3GS launch, while the hype machine was still in motion? Or maybe someone juked the stats? We can’t be sure just yet, but we do have the top ten for you — in handy list form.
Japan’s top 10 cell phones (with carrier) for July, 2009:
- Apple iPhone 3GS 32GB (Softbank)
- Sharp SH-06A (Docomo)
- Panasonic 830P (Softbank)
- Sharp SH-05A (Docomo)
- NEC N-08A (Docomo)
- Sony-Ericsson Premier3 (au)
- Sharp SH-02A (Docomo)
- Casio W63CA (au)
- Apple iPhone 3GS 16 GB (Softbank)
- Sharp SH001 (au)
Apple Giving $30 iTunes Credit For iPhone 3GS Activation Snafu
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Following iPhone 3GS/AT&T activation delays that were in some cases 48 hours long, Apple has allegedly responded with a $30 “We’re sorry” gift that will be good at the iTunes Store on Monday.
Notification came by way of an email, which we’ve seen from Giz readers as well as around the Net this weekend:
Dear Apple Customer,
Thank you for your recent Apple Store order. We appreciate your patience and apologize for the inconvenience caused by the delay in your iPhone activation.
We are still resolving the issue that was encountered while activating your iPhone with AT&T. Unfortunately, due to system issues and continued high activation volumes, this could take us up to an additional 48 hours to complete.
On Monday, you’ll receive an email from Apple with an iTunes Store credit in the amount of $30. We hope you will enjoy this gift and accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience this delay has caused.
Thank you for choosing Apple.
Sincerely,
Apple Online Store Team
So, on the one hand you’re going to get $30 in free stuff from Apple on Monday. On the other hand you could be one of the unlucky saps on the far end of this issue who’s about to experience 96 hours without a phone. Worse still, your new iPhone 3GS could be singing to you right now too.
AT&T’s iPhone 3GS Pre-Orders Already Sold Out
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AT&T is telling customers that any iPhone 3GS pre-orders placed after today, June 13th, will not be available at the June 19th launch, instead shipping out between one and two weeks later. In addition, those lining up for a 3GS should note that it’ll be available at 8:00AM, not 7:00, as had been previously thought. Looks like those crappy ugrade fees haven’t deterred too many people from ordering the newer iPhone. If you do want to pre-order, you’ll receive an email once the 3GS is back in stock, saving you the trouble of having to wait in line, though of course it is still being sold at Best Buy and Walmart.
iLuv Announces iPhone 3GS Accessories
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Yesterday all the rumors finally proved to be true about a new iPhone. Apple unveiled the iPhone 3GS that will be shipping on the 19th. The device is packed with new features, one of which is the ability to be used just like a PND with turn-by-turn driving directions.
iLuv has announced new accessories for the iPhone 3GS including a windshield mount kit that holds the iPhone in place in either landscape or portrait mode. Landscape mode is perfect for using the driving direction function.
The windshield mount kit also includes a power adapter to charge the iPhone from the DC outlet in your car. The kit will ship in July for $34.99. The other accessory is a new line of cases made from thermoplastic polyurethane that resist rips and tears. The cases are going to be available for $24.99 in mid-June with pink, blue, clear, and black colors available.
Next iPhone Code Named -iPhone 3GS,Maybe
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What does S stand for? Don’t ask. I don’t have a clue.
The iPhone 3GS:
I expect Apple to announce updated iPhones with significantly faster processors, twice the RAM, and twice the storage. I expected prices to remain the same as the current lineup: $199/299 for 16/32 GB, respectively. The video camera is going to be a major selling point.
Lower-priced iPhones:
I believe this is true, and the new price will be $99. But since I expect the new top-of-the-line iPhone 3GS to start at $199, that means the $99 iPhone must be something else. I see two possibilities: (a) a new device, something that is to the iPhone what the iPod Mini was to the original iPod; or (b) the existing 8 GB iPhone 3G, unchanged but reduced in price.
And an iPhone nano might round out the three tiered line some day, but not tomorrow.
“Marble”:
While I am convinced that “Marble” is a real design project at Apple, I no longer believe it is slated for Snow Leopard. A new visual appearance isn’t something Apple can spring on third-party developers at the last moment. If they plan to ship Snow Leopard soon – say, by the end of August – that just isn’t enough time to allow developers to update their software to look good under a new UI theme.
Oh, and that about tablet thing… Gruber seems to think it exists in some shape or form, but don’t expect it tomorrow. Like the rest of these predictions, that sounds pretty safe.
