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A new report from OTR Global relayed by AppleInsider indicates that Apple is planning on manufacturing new hybrid iPhones that will support both Verizon's CDMA2000 network as well as the UMTS 3G network. Only the UMTS network is supported by the current version of the iPhone and is used by AT&T and much of the rest of the world.

Qualcomm's new hybrid CDMA/WCDMA chip offers the potential for a single, global iPhone that users can take to any major carrier, solving the network fractionalization problem. It also solves other issues that had served as roadblocks, including the issue of user confusion that would result from Apple selling separate CDMA and GSM/UMTS versions of the iPhone.

The reason behind building in such support would seem primarily to extend the iPhone's compatibility with Verizon in the U.S. The move is expected to take place by the 3rd quarter of 2010. Conveniently, AT&T's exclusivity contract with Apple is believed to expire in mid 2010.

The report also indicates the new model's screen will also shrink in size from 3.5" to 2.8" diagonally. Curiously, this is not the first time the possibility of a 2.8" iPhone has emerged with iLounge previously publishing photos of 2.8" screens that were believed to be for use in future Apple devices.

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In a brief press release today, RadioShack announced that it will begin selling the iPhone starting with the Dallas-Fort Worth and New York City markets later this month. RadioShack plans to sell the iPhone across the U.S. in 2010.

"As part of its ongoing mobility strategy, RadioShack is pleased to announce that it will introduce Apple's iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS in a limited number of company-owned stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth and New York City metropolitan areas beginning later this month. RadioShack expects to introduce iPhone in stores nationwide in 2010. For more information about exact store locations and product availability, visit www.radioshack.com. For more information about iPhone, visit www.apple.com/iphone."

Last year The Boy Genius Report reported that Best Buy and Radio Shack would begin selling the iPhone. Best Buy began selling the iPhone in September 2008.

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Multiple reports have come in that Apple is researching RFID integration into the iPhone, but some may still be wondering what such functionality would bring to the table for consumers.

Firstly, we should note that RFID is a catch-all term that describes a vast array of technologies and standards. RFID tags can be relatively large and battery-powered, such as ones used in toll collection, to small "passive" tags that can be embedded into credit cards, drivers licenses (called "Enhanced Drivers Licenses" in the U.S.), passports, or stuck onto a piece of merchandise.

Currently, cell-phone usage of RFID technology is centered around Near Field Communication (NFC). NFC has three main usage scenarios: a phone acting as an RFID tag; a phone acting as an RFID reader; and peer to peer communication (P2P).

In RFID tag mode, a phone could be used as a payment device (like a credit card), an identity card, or act as a car key. In RFID reader mode the phone would be able to interact with tags in its vicinity. This article and video (below) demonstrates how an iPhone with RFID could use physical objects to control media playback. And in P2P mode, Bluetooth pairing can be streamlined.

iPhone RFID: object-based media from timo on Vimeo.

These are just a few ways that RFID could be used in an iPhone. When or if it becomes a reality isn't clear, but hopefully now you have a better idea of what the potential is for Apple's research in this area.

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Near Field Communications World reports (via 9 to 5 Mac) that Apple is rumored to be testing a prototype of its next-generation iPhone equipped with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip. The rumor comes from a "highly reliable source" who provided the information to Einar Rosenberg, Chief Technology Officer of Narian Technologies. Rosenberg writes:

Had to share this news. A highly reliable source has informed me that Apple has built some prototypes of the next gen iPhone with an RFID reader built in and they have seen it in action. So its not full NFC but its a start for real service discovery and I'm told that the reaction was very positive that we can expect this in the next gen iPhone.

Apple has filed several patent applications related to RFID, which uses low-power radio waves to allow devices to interact over short ranges. The technology is currently being used in a number of settings, including electronic vehicle toll and mass transit system fare collection and contactless credit card transaction implementations.

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Boy Genius Report posts a brief tidbit noting that it has heard from two separate sources that AT&T (and thus Apple) is considering launching a $99 iPhone 3GS in time for Christmas.

We've heard now from two sources that AT&T, and we guess Apple, are contemplating launching an 8GB iPhone 3GS at the $99 price point before Christmas. One source said this was AT&T's way of combating the DROID madness.

No further details, such as whether Apple would simply replace the 8 GB iPhone 3G currently offered at that price point or retain the iPhone 3G model at an even lower price point, are provided.

Since the introduction of the iPhone 3GS earlier this year, Apple has continued to offer the older 8 GB iPhone 3G hardware in order to be able to position a product at the psychologically important low-end price point of $99.

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Apple today officially announced that more than 100,000 apps are now available from the App Store.

"The App Store, now with over 100,000 applications available, is clearly a major differentiator for millions of iPhone and iPod touch customers around the world," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "The iPhone SDK created the first great platform for mobile applications and our customers are loving all of the amazing apps our developers are creating."

"The App Store has forever changed the mobile gaming industry and continues to improve," said Travis Boatman, vice president of Worldwide Studios, EA Mobile. "With a global reach of over 50 million iPhone and iPod touch users, the App Store has allowed us to develop high quality EA games that have been a huge success with customers."

"With 10,000 downloads a day, worldwide customer response to our I Am T-Pain App has exceeded our wildest expectations," said Jeff Smith, CEO of Smule. "The App Store has given us a unique opportunity to create and grow a very successful business, and we're looking forward to an exciting future."

An announcement was expected ever since App Shopper.com noted that over 100,000 applications had been approved. Apple's previous official announcement of App Store application count occurred in late September, when the store surpassed two billion downloads with 85,000 available apps.

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Engadget reports that AT&T has filed suit against Verizon over recent Verizon ads touting its national 3G network by comparing its coverage to AT&T's 3G network using the iPhone-inspired tagline "There's a map for that." The complaint requests an injunction preventing Verizon from depicting non-3G coverage areas in AT&T's network as "blank" spaces on maps in its advertising, as well monetary damages suffered by AT&T due to the advertising campaign.


AT&T's complaint stems from its belief that the ads mislead potential customers into thinking that AT&T provides no coverage outside of its 3G areas, while the vast majority of areas not covered by AT&T's 3G network are in fact covered by the company's 2.5G network that offers essentially the same experience as the 3G network, albeit at slower data speeds.

In response to a direct contact from AT&T, Verizon has altered the ads to remove an "out of touch" label for blank areas of maps depicting AT&T's 3G coverage and inserted a phrase at the end of the ads stating that voice and data services are available outside of the 3G coverage area in small font. The change, however, has not satisfied AT&T.

The move is certainly not unusual for AT&T and Verizon, as the two companies have faced off several times in the past over what each side has claimed as false or misleading advertising. Earlier this year, the two companies clashed over AT&T's claim of possessing "America's Most Reliable 3G Network".

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Gizmodo reports that Chinese parts supplier China Ontrade is offering an "Apple iPhone 4 Generation Midboard", which the company claims it received from Apple manufacturing partner Foxconn on November 1st. The site also claims that it will be posting pictures of the back cover of the next-generation iPhone in the near future.

We also have final pictures of iPhone 4 Generation with amazingly beautiful back cover that will come here up soon. Please check for updates.

The same company last week posted what it claims to be a SIM card tray from the fourth-generation iPhone, although the site also referred to the device as an "iTablet", suggesting that the tray could be from Apple's much-rumored tablet project rather than the iPhone.

We remain skeptical of China Ontrade's claims, as a previous claim of the third-generation iPhone bezel posted a month before the release of the iPhone 3GS actually turned out to apparently be from the Creative Zii Egg. A claimed LCD for the iPhone 3GS posted at the same time, however, does appear to have been correct. Consequently, it remains to be seen whether this latest part is in fact from a next-generation iPhone, which would be a significant surprise this early before an expected launch next summer, or if it is from some other device.

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Several U.S. MacRumors readers have reported that Apple has begun shipping the TomTom iPhone car kit, which finally appeared in the company's U.S. online store several weeks ago. The kit, which is priced at $119.95 and does not include the navigation application, offers an iPhone mount with integrated GPS receiver for improved performance, hands-free calling, and a built-in speaker for clearer spoken directions.

A few European customers had been able to get their hands on the kit at Apple's brick-and-mortar stores, although supplies there now appear to be tight with shipping windows currently set at 4-6 weeks compared to the 2-3 week window in the U.S. for new orders.

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Reuters reports that China Unicom has signed up only 5,000 iPhone users since the device's official launch there late last week. Despite the apparent poor performance of the iPhone, China Unicom Chairman Chang Xiobing remains upbeat about the iPhone, as well as the broader rollout of it 3G network, which has already signed up 1 million customers.

"We are satisified with iPhone sales so far, and we aim to have an additional 1 million new 3G subscribers each month in the near future," he said.

Xiobing also told reporters that the iPhone would help boost China Unicom's revenue for the fourth quarter, although the company will see increased costs due to iPhone subsidies and advertising, leading to decreased profit margins.

Concerns over the lack of Wi-Fi functionality on the initial China-specific iPhone and relatively high prices compared with many other countries had been seen as a challenge for the company, with many users interested in the device likely instead opting for fully-functional unlocked iPhones imported from other countries.

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GearDiary reports on a recent change to Adobe's "Get Flash" download page for Flash Player that appears when visited by iPhone users. iPhone users are linked to the page when attempting to load Flash video and have traditionally been greeted with a simple message informing them that Flash was not available for their platform.

The updated text clearly passes the blame for lack of Flash support on the iPhone to Apple, pointing to Apple's restrictions on the use of such technologies.

Apple restricts use of technologies required by products like Flash Player. Until Apple eliminates these restrictions, Adobe cannot provide Flash Player for the iPhone or iPod Touch.

Adobe recently launched a Flash Player initiative to facilitate the integration of Flash across platforms, including smartphones. Apple, however, was been notably absent from the list of companies participating in the initiative.

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UK wireless carrier Orange today revealed pricing plans for the iPhone, which will launch on the carrier on November 10th. iPhone pricing ranges from free with certain plan prices and term commitments up to £539 for the 32 GB iPhone 3GS on a contract-free pay as you go plan.

Monthly consumer plans begin at £29.36 for 150 minutes of talk time and 250 text messages. All plans include "unlimited" data mobile Internet browsing, which is actually defined in a footnote as 750 MB per month, significantly below the unofficial "soft" cap of 5 GB per month used by AT&T in the United States.

Orange's pricing structure is nearly identical to that of O2, which has been the exclusive iPhone carrier in the UK since the device's launch there in November 2007, although there are a few differences. Orange's entry-level offering is unmatched by O2 on a 24-month contract, and offers twice as many minutes and text messages as O2 on the entry-level 18-month contract. Orange is also offering a £122.34-per-month plan for 24 months carrying unlimited minutes and text messages as well as a small amount of European roaming minutes and data. On the flip side, however, O2 has not as yet appeared to employ caps on data usage.

Customers in countries such as the United States where the iPhone is currently offered exclusively through a single wireless carrier have been following the developments in the UK to see how pricing and other contract terms might be affected in countries where exclusive arrangements have been transitioning to multiple-carrier models.

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Macworld reports that the developers of three iPhone comics applications have struck deals to bring Marvel Comics to the iPhone via in-app purchasing. Comics [App Store], iVerse Comics [App Store], and Panelfly Comics [App Store] are all participating in the releases.

The Marvel comics available initially from Comixology are Joss Whedon's 24-issue run on Astonishing X-Men, Robert Kirkman's five-issue Marvel Zombies miniseries, Ed Brubaker's first 30 issues of Captain America, and two other X-Men-related books, X-23 and X-Men: Age of Apocalypse, each six issues long.

Initial pricing is set at $1.99 per issue for Comics and iVerse Comics, with Panelfly Comics apparently offering a promotional price of $0.99 per issue. Marvel Comics are currently limited to U.S. users only.

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RBC Capital analyst Mike Abramsky published a research note today regarding a meeting with several Apple executives, including Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer, iTunes VP Eddy Cue, and Mac Marketing VP David Moody, covering a number of topics related to Apple's business.

While the executives were tight-lipped as usual about the company's plans for the future, one interesting tidbit that came out of the meeting was the executives' apparent lack of enthusiasm for the "online book/newspaper market" while sharing views that video content would be the next big growth area in media. In both areas, however, licensing and other rights issues are seen as significant hurdles.

After music, video content is expected to be the next "exploding" opportunity, but requires overcoming industry rights dysfunctionality, competing with subsidies (cable box, video), and developing the right consumer "offer". Apple TV, while still a "hobby", is well positioned to benefit from evolving market dynamics. Apple was less enthusiastic about the online book/newspaper market, given unattractive industry structure.

The executives also confirmed comments made during the company's most recent earnings conference call claiming that Apple has managed to maintain its iPhone profit margins and subsidies received from carriers in markets that have transitioned from exclusive agreements to multiple-carrier models.

Despite intensifying competition (Android, RIM, etc.) Apple continues to enjoy strong global carrier interest in iPhone, given high ARPU, low churn. In markets (Canada, Europe) where distribution has expanded to multiple carriers, Apple has sustained its economics (subsidy, margins). 3GS remains popular while $99 iPhone addresses a competitive price point (free in some markets).

The news could temper concerns that Apple might be reluctant to pursue a multiple-carrier model in the United States once AT&T's exclusivity window closes for fear of sacrificing per-unit economics.

Among other topics of discussion highlighted in the report were Apple's view that the Windows 7 launch provides an opportunity for the company to attract new customers and the persistence of the integrated iPhone/iTunes/App Store model as an advantage over other up-and-coming competitors such as the Android platform.

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The Associated Press reports on today's launch of the iPhone in China, noting several hurdles faced by the Apple as it attempts to tap into the world's largest market.

Among those hurdles is a lack of Wi-Fi functionality, a restriction that had been imposed by the Chinese government. The restriction was lifted earlier this year, but not until after the Chinese-specific iPhone lacking Wi-Fi had gone into production.

Unicom's iPhones lack WiFi because it was temporarily banned by Beijing, which was promoting a rival Chinese system, according to BDA. The ban was relaxed in May after manufacturing had begun.

A Unicom spokesman, Yi Difei, said the company hopes to have WiFi in the next batch of phones.

"We are talking with Apple and expect the problem to be solved by the end of this year," Yi said.

The lack of Wi-Fi connectivity also puts the spotlight on the new Chinese iPhone's relatively high price, which may result in the new device competing directly against unlocked iPhone 3GS models with Wi-Fi that have been brought in from other countries. An estimated 1.5 million to 2 million such iPhones are already operating on partner carrier China Unicom's network, and new unlocked imports are currently selling on the street for 20% less than the Chinese model when purchased without a contract.

Apple Inc. and Unicom also could face competition from an unusual source: unlocked iPhones brought in from abroad that have WiFi.

There are already an estimated 1.5 million to 2 million such phones in China using China Mobile 3G service that allows Internet access and other features.

Unicom's prices range from 4,999 yuan ($730) to 6,999 yuan ($1,025) for the high-end, 32-gigabyte iPhone 3GS. That is 20 percent above the 5,700 yuan ($835) charged by merchants at Chinese street markets for a 3GS with WiFi.

Apple has so far refrained from offering public sales targets for the Chinese market. An early report claimed that China Unicom had committed to purchasing 5 million iPhones for sale on its network, although the rumor was quickly denied by a spokesman for the carrier.

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The NBA today launched NBA League Pass Mobile [App Store, $39.99] for the iPhone and Android operating systems, bringing live video of over 40 NBA basketball games per week for the 2009-2010 season to users via Wi-Fi and 3G. Features include:

- Watch over 40 LIVE NBA games a week
- View full game replays for up to 48 hours after the game Local market, national blackout and other restrictions apply to all live and replay games in NBA LEAGUE PASS MOBILE.)
- Daily highlights from around the league
- Live player stats for every game
- Live scores for every game
- Set "Remind Me" alerts for favorite teams or key games
- Send game and stats updates through Email, Facebook and Twitter.

Users can watch live games while monitoring scores of other games scrolling across the bottom of the screen. Local blackout rules apply.

CNET notes that while there is currently no package deal for existing subscribers to the NBA League Pass television service, the NBA is exploring such an offering for the future.

Currently there is not added benefit if customers are already subcribers to the NBA's League Pass TV package. But bundling the two is something the league is looking at for the future, said Bryan Perez, senior vice president and general manager of NBA Digital.

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Blog software publisher WordPress today announced that WordPress for iPhone 2 [App Store, Free] is now available. The new version, which is a separate application from the original WordPress app and thus can not be obtained via the App Store's update mechanism, brings a number of new features for those looking to administer their WordPress-based blogs on the go. The most notable changes include:

- Faster, more efficient user interface with various other refinements and bug fixes
- Keychain storage of passwords
- Automatic saving and restoration of blog posts in case of loss of network connection

Our efforts were focused on creating a better user experience -- the beginnings of a user interface overhaul that we'll continue with the next version, and eliminating the bugs and incompatibilities with some self-hosted WordPress setups that was the source of the majority of the support requests we see in the forum.

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Google today announced a free, turn-by-turn GPS navigation application for the new Android 2.0 smart phone platform.

This new feature comes with everything you'd expect to find in a GPS navigation system, like 3D views, turn-by-turn voice guidance and automatic rerouting. But unlike most navigation systems, Google Maps Navigation was built from the ground up to take advantage of your phone's Internet connection.

Among the features included in the application:

- Up-to-date map data: Automatically includes latest map data from Google, which is constantly being refined by Google and by users submitting corrections
- Plain English search: Locate destinations by entering business business name or landmark; no address needed
- Voice search: Speak destinations and Google Maps Navigation will automatically interpret and plot routes
- Live traffic data: Indicator warns of upcoming traffic issues
- Search along route: Find businesses along path of travel
- Satellite view: 3D view of route to aid in understanding directions
- Street View: first-person perspective of route and destination images

A video preview of Google Maps Navigation has also been posted.


The first device to carry Google Maps Navigation for Android 2.0 will be the Motorola Droid. The first in a series of "Droid" phones, the initial device will launch on November 6th and be priced at $199.99 with a two-year Verizon agreement after a $100 mail-in rebate.

CNET notes that Google and Apple are in fact working to bring the application to the iPhone, although no details of a launch timeframe have been released.

However, Google is working with Apple on bringing it to the iPhone, and it's not ruling out licensing the software to makers of portable navigation devices used in cars throughout the world, said Gundotra, vice president of engineering at Google for mobile and developers. The process involving Apple is slightly different from the usual App Store submission process, because Maps is a built-in iPhone application, he said.

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Market research firm ChangeWave today released its latest quarterly Consumer Smart Phone survey, which includes survey data taken in mid-September highlighting market share trends for Research in Motion, Apple, and Palm.

In the horserace among manufacturers, the release of the iPhone 3GS has led to a big jump in smart phone market share for Apple and has placed them within striking distance of Research In Motion -- whose slew of models are still number one but have fallen to their lowest level in two years.

The report is an expanded analysis of data touched upon in September that showed Apple's smart phone market share rising from 25% to 30% between June and September. The new analysis compares iPhone market share to the performance of Research in Motion, which has trended slightly down to currently stand at 40%, and Palm, which appears to be stabilizing at approximately 7% of the market after a steep decline from its leadership position earlier this decade.


Overall, smart phone growth continues, with 39% of surveyed mobile phone owners reporting owning a smart phone, up from 37% in the previous quarter, and a continuation of a clear trend extending back many years as smart phones have continued to gain more enticing capabilities at lower price points.


Apple also appears poised to continue to eat into Research in Motion's lead in the smart phone market, with 36% of survey respondents planning to purchase a smart phone in the next 90 days looking to purchase an iPhone, with only 27% of those interested in Research in Motion's BlackBerry. The numbers represent a decline from the 44%-23% advantage held by Apple in the previous quarter, but as the report notes, the decline is due to a natural tapering off of enthusiasm after the iPhone 3GS launch and is actually a much smaller decline than was observed after the launch of the iPhone 3G last year.

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The Android 2.0 platform was officially unveiled today, introducing a number of enhancements to the open source smartphone operating system. Among the notable new features:

- Enhanced contact synchronization options and a "Quick Contact" widget to allow convenient integration of contact access into applications
- Combined inbox to allow viewing of messages from multiple e-mail accounts simultaneously
- Support for Microsoft Exchange
- Increased support for camera features, including flash
- Improved virtual keyboard layout and performance
- New browser features, including double-tap-to-zoom, thumbnailed bookmarks, and support for HTML5
- Minor tweaks to calendar functions, including tools for inviting and viewing the status of guests for events

A video preview of Android 2.0 has also been released.


Android 2.0 has been featured as the operating system behind the Motorola Droid being touted by Verizon for its capabilities that in some respects rival or surpass the iPhone's.

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DigiTimes reports on claims from several sources indicating that Apple has recently increased manufacturing orders for the iPhone 3GS by up to 20%, suggesting continued strong demand for the device.

Apple has increased fourth-quarter orders for the iPhone 3GS to its Taiwan-based manufacturing partners Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) and Primax Electronics by 17-20%, noted the sources.

OmniVision, manufacturer of of the image sensors used in the iPhone's camera, has also reportedly notified its customers of tight supply through late November, ostensibly due to Apple's supply requirements.

Apple noted during its earnings conference call last week that it had experienced shortages of the iPhone 3GS throughout the quarter due to unexpected demand, confirming observations in a number of markets over the past few months. The company did note, however, that supplies had come back into balance with demand in most countries by late September or early October.

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