Latest On Apple's Phone: Cingular Out, MVNO In?
Cingular officially announced today its new mobile music service, deciding to partner with Microsoft, Napster, Yahoo! Music, XM Satellite Radio and eMusic for a subscription-based service model.
Many have seen this event as an essential death-sentence to the rumor that Apple would be launching the 'iPhone' as Cingular-only initially. However, the possibility still exists that Apple could operate as a "mobile virtual network operator" (MVNO) on Cingular's network.
Early this year it was discovered that Apple was seeking RF engineers with EDGE experience (EDGE is a relatively high-bandwidth mobile network for GSM carriers such as Cingular). Around the same time, Apple acquired a large datacenter in California that was originally designed for MCI WorldCom.
A release date concerning Apple's phone has notoriously been a moving target for rumor sites to pin down. The latest consensus has appeared to pin down early 2007 with an introduction perhaps at MacWorld San Francisco, however some unconfirmed rumblings from MacRumors sources have been indicating that a spring release may also be in the cards.
Many have seen this event as an essential death-sentence to the rumor that Apple would be launching the 'iPhone' as Cingular-only initially. However, the possibility still exists that Apple could operate as a "mobile virtual network operator" (MVNO) on Cingular's network.
Early this year it was discovered that Apple was seeking RF engineers with EDGE experience (EDGE is a relatively high-bandwidth mobile network for GSM carriers such as Cingular). Around the same time, Apple acquired a large datacenter in California that was originally designed for MCI WorldCom.
A release date concerning Apple's phone has notoriously been a moving target for rumor sites to pin down. The latest consensus has appeared to pin down early 2007 with an introduction perhaps at MacWorld San Francisco, however some unconfirmed rumblings from MacRumors sources have been indicating that a spring release may also be in the cards.
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69 months ago
interesting. hopefully apple will release such a device for more than one carrier off the bat rather than go with an exclusive deal.
69 months ago
I'm looking forward to the final release of the iPhone (or whatever it will be called), but not the reaction on the internet. People have been wanting this for so long, that unless it comes out with as good (better?) of video as the iPod, half a year on a single charge battery life, 7 MP camera, unrestricted song playing (hahahaha), GPS, web browsing to match computers, and, I dunno, let's say a it can build you a small, live puppy out of grass, people are going to be disappointed.
Edit: congrats prady16
Edit: congrats prady16
69 months ago
Cingular is not the only GSM carrier in the USA.
T-Mobile is pretty big too. They have just purchased a ton of bandwidth for new high-speed services.
Remember the T-Mobile CEO saying "we have a similar vision as Apple" ?
That's why Cingular went with Microsoft, they know they didn't win over Apple. So, this is most likely going to be a T-Mobile partnership (whose corporate parent has a HUGE presence in Europe).
T-Mobile is pretty big too. They have just purchased a ton of bandwidth for new high-speed services.
Remember the T-Mobile CEO saying "we have a similar vision as Apple" ?
That's why Cingular went with Microsoft, they know they didn't win over Apple. So, this is most likely going to be a T-Mobile partnership (whose corporate parent has a HUGE presence in Europe).
69 months ago
the iPhone has the be the biggest rumor engine of them all.
i think phasers with stun may be available sooner than this product.
i think phasers with stun may be available sooner than this product.
69 months ago
notorious is mispelled and so is consensus
feel free to delete this
Lol. Somebody didn't have the built in spell-checker turned on.
The iPhone will have to be very innovative to be a hit. Seeing that mockup posted awhile back, I'm not particularly excited. What will make it better then any other music phone out there? If anyone can do it, Apple can.
69 months ago
I would prefer to see Apple connect with an EVDO carrier... Apple Airport extreme cards with EV-DO?
Thank god they got rid of cingular, or visa versa... TOO SLOOOOW. :D
Thank god they got rid of cingular, or visa versa... TOO SLOOOOW. :D
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