Apple and China Mobile Agree on 4G Technology for Future iPhone
China Mobile Ltd revealed that it had reached a consensus with Apple Inc on the use of its 4G technology on iPhones to be offered by the Chinese mobile provider, according to a brief report on Marketwatch. "4G" refers to the faster next generation data technology in mobile phones. The iPhone 4 presently uses "3G" data technology to connect to the internet over cellular networks.
China Mobiles Chairman Wang Jianzhou was less forthcoming with any details surrounding the deal but did say that the company is planning to start commercial trials of the 4G technology (TD-LTE) in China beginning next year.
Wang had previously hinted that Apple had "expressed interest" in developing an iPhone capable of running on the carrier's upcoming TD-LTE network.
Time-division LTE (TD-LTE), developed by China Mobile, is a variation on the LTE standard that can offer certain benefits over traditional frequency-division LTE (FD-LTE), including lower cost of deployment and dynamic balancing of upload and download bandwidth. Reports have indicated that the same chip can be used to allow devices to access both traditional LTE and TD-LTE networks.
Though details are sparse, this claims in this report would fit into the rumored timeframe of a true 4G iPhone in 2012. Meanwhile, all present rumors seem to suggest that Apple will be launching the next new iPhone around September of 2011 but without 4G data technology.
Update: Bloomberg offers some additional details from Wang, though this report does not specifically say that Apple and China Mobile had come to an agreement.
The company may also be able to offer Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s iPhone with the shift to TD-LTE, Wang said. While Apple has decided not to make a version of the phone for the third-generation TD-SCDMA system that is used only by China Mobile, the Cupertino, California-based company may produce one for the TD-LTE system, he said.
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Top Rated Comments
Of course, with no source attached.
Everybody's battery usage will differ and while it is nice that Apple watches it and tries to give you as much as possible, I find ALL battery driven devices have the same problems.
I also have charging cables everywhere and leave it always hooked up whenever possible.
In real business use it goes down fast IMO. If you leave it on standby for just calls and e-mail notification it lasts pretty long. Can't be bothered with always switching the settings to save power. Should happen automatically.
My pet peeve is still that all the cables break too fast at the plug entrance even when one is careful. I buy replacement cables 12 at a time.
Wish Apple would rethink that connector!
Even communists need money. They know full well that communism eventually doesn't work.
So, they are pretty open ........... to money.
Don't see why Apple should get into politics and yes, it's not their problem:-)
:) I care. It's nice that the phone can go all day without having to worry about battery life or having extra batteries around. If having 4G meant usable battery time was cut 30-50%, that would be a killer for me. More is better and I'm glad Apple take battery life so seriously. It's one of the best features.
As always, Apple seems not to jump on some band wagons so quickly until things settle down. Yet, take Thunderbolt.... jumped on that first. Funny how they gamble in some ways and hold on others. But I think holding on 4G is a smart move. Looks like the iPhone 5 will be a universal phone. One model for all networks... GSM or CMDA... 3G; LTE or TD-LTE... smart. Very smart.
Whew...
Got it.