When Apple marks any product obsolete, it means that customers cannot ask for a repair at Apple’s retail stores and authorized service providers.

Within almost 30 days from now, Apple will stop supporting MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2011), MacBook Air (13-inch, mid 2011, 13-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch), MacBook Pro models, 17-inch mid 2009 MacBook Pro.

The news was first reported by 9to5Mac. The source cited an “internal document” which detailed the devices and Apple’s plans.

Apple will also remove first-gen 802.11n AirPort Express from its supported product line. This device was launched in 2008, and had a wall-socket design.

Apple will also mark iPhone 3GS 16GB and 32GB as obsolete by the end of June. iPhone 3GS was a massively successful product in the early days of the smartphone boom. The device was released in 2009.

All you need to upgrade to Windows 10 is 3GB of free space.

Windows 10 will have exciting new apps like Cortana, Office 2016, Cloud integration of OneDrive and Dropbox, Xbox Live, a new mail and photos app, Windows Continuum, which would allow you to duplicate Windows display on multiple mobile and desktop devices.

On July 29, Windows 10 will be available to install or upgrade for PC, laptops and tablets. All the devices running official Windows 8.1 will be upgraded. The devices which will be shipped after the official launch of Windows 10 will have pre-installed Windows 10.

Two of the more prominent updates to expect from the latest iOS update are the new lock-screen notifications and over the air updating, available via WiFi and 3G.

Both 3G and WiFi updating support will allow you to upgrade your iPhone without ever having to plug your device into your computer and iTunes.

Another cool feature with the iOS 5 update will be the lock screen notifications.

As you can see in the screen shot below, simple notifications will start stacking up on your home screen from apps like your calendar and text messages:

via 9to5Mac

Verizon users are reporting problems with connecting to 3G on the new Apple iPad 2 device. Apple confirmed the issue by saying “We are aware that a small number of iPad 2 customers have experienced connectivity issues with the Verizon 3G network and we are investigating it,” the company said in a statement to Mobilized.

Apple will supposedly be releasing an update to the fix in the next iteration of iOS.

The issue is isolated specifically to Verizon’s network, and is not affecting WiFi only devices or any devices running on AT&T.

via Mobilized

Verizon announced the iPhone today at a press conference in New York City, and Verizon’s stock price has been falling ever since.

Sure, back in 2007 the iPhone was a revolutionary product and smartphone concept.

Just like the iPad is a today – the iPad has basically created a new paradigm in personal computing.

But the iPhone is… well… old technology in my opinion – and Verizon’s stock price (NYSE:VZ) might just confirm that theory.

Verizon shares have been dropping since they opened this morning (see chart below), and investors were well aware of the press conference today to announce the iPhone.

Now that the press conference is over, Verizon shares are down over 2% on the NYSE.

Why is that?

I believe investors see the iPhone as old technology.

That might sound harsh to some people, I know, but look at the reality of the smartphone marketplace.

We now have 4G speed – 3G is so… yesterday, right?

And we have LTE technology.

And not to mention all of the 4G speed Android smartphones.

C’mon man… you have to admit that the iPhone has been making it’s money on technology that is now 3 years old.

So I’m really thinking that the iPhone is no longer as impressive to investors as it was three years ago – in fact, Verizon’s stock price confirms that.

Technology moves fast, and even Apple isn’t exempt from having to keep up with the latest technology.

Here’s Verizon’s stock price movement with the impact of today’s iPhone announcement:

Thoughts?

The Kindle has been Amazon’s longest running best selling item for 2 years now. And the Kindle now comes with free 3G  coverage for one low price of $189. Amazon is paying for the 3G coverage of their Kindle e-reader which now allows Kindle users to read books on both WiFi and 3G completely free of charge – pretty sweet deal.

I realize that the Kindle 3G might not be something new from Amazon (I haven’t researched it too much), but it is something I just noticed and thought was pretty cool.

Could Amazon be setting a new trend with the offer of free 3G on the Kindle?

What if other mobile phone companies started offering free 3G on their devices?

I’m fully convinced that one day soon, we will see both mobile phones and 3G connectivity become 100% free of charge to end users.

What do you think?

via Amazon

You would think that T-Mobile would be able to afford their own marketing campaign for promoting their 4G network. Instead, T-Mobile took a play straight from Apple’s playbook with their new 4G network commercial that attacks AT&T’s 3G network. I agree that AT&T should be dominating the 4G market right now. After all, they have been the sole benefactor to the iPhone for the past 3 years. But regardless, T-Mobile basically stole Apple’s marketing strategy with this commercial (see video below):

T-Mobile’s new 4G commercial attacking AT&T

via Engadget

Multi-tasking on the iPhone has been around since April 8th of this year (2010) when Apple released the iOS 4 update. The update is only available to iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 owners – sorry iPhone 3G’ers.

So if you own an iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4, then here’s how you multi-task from your device.

Go ahead and open an application on your iPhone – i.e. email, Safari web browser, iPod, a video game – and while it’s open, double click the circular home button on the bottom of the iPhone.

Once you double click the circular home button, then you’ll see the bottom of your iPhone screen pop up with a row of most recently, or most actively, used apps from your iPhone.

Then, as you click one of the apps from the pop up screen, you’ll then be taken to that application.

Multi-tasking works great if you are in the middle of reading emails, or playing an iPhone game, and then you suddenly need to make a call.

What are some ways that you use multi-tasking on your iPhone?

image via Engadget

According to a leaked internal document from an anonymous source at Tmonews.com. T-Mobile will be releasing the Mytouch HD, which will be T-Mobile’s second phone to take advantage of T-Mobile HSPA+ network. The Mytouch HD is expected to have a 1Ghz dual processor and running Android 2.2. Although it doesn’t show whether or not it will have an HTC Sense user interface on top of Android 2.2. The handset will also have a 3.8-inch display, 5.0 MP camera and a VGA front face camera, 4GB of internal memory, 8Gb of pre-installed memory, which will be expandable to 32 GB via microSD.

The MytouchHD will feature video chat that will allow user’s to make video calls to other phone using the Qik application. Users will also be able to phone to PC video calls with Yahoo Messenger & Qik. The video chat feature can be used over T-Mobile’s 3G & HSPA+ network as well as over Wi-Fi.

The new handset seems to be very impressive. Between this phone and the T-Mobile G2 it will be really difficult to decide which phone to buy this holiday season. If any more information becomes available about the Mytouch HD I will let all of you know.

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Verizon is expected to take a much different approach to bringing 4G online than Sprint. Sprint took, and continues to take, a slow reserved roll out of their WiMax 4G coverage. Smaller cities, smaller markets, make it easier I suppose for Sprint to manage and learn how to build their 4G networks. Verizon, however, is rumored to take a much more aggressive approach with their 4G network. Cities such as San Francisco, Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta, and yes… New York City, are expected to be up to bat first with Verizon’s 4G network. Verizon’s 4G speed of 12 Mbps is expected to cover three quarters of their current service map by April 2012, and all of the Verizon 3G coverage by 2013.

via Electronista

Verizon Droid Pro Leak, Release Date

So here it is > Motorola DROID Pro. It is supposed to have a 1.3GHz CPU, 4″ screen and global roaming capabilities. Estimated launch of November 2010.

Not sure how pleased Verizon is with this leak, but it doesn’t matter now, the Droid Pro leak is out and spreading across the web like wildfire.

BGR has just leaked info from an inside source at Verizon that basically dumped the next year or two of Android releases, mobile phones, and even the Motorola Android tablet.

One of the more interesting leaks was the Droid Pro.

Verizon first launched the Motorola Droid, then came the Droid X, and now we have an upcoming Droid Pro.

Droid Pro specs:

• 1.3GHZ
• 4-inch screen
• global roaming with GSM support
• at least Android 2.2 (Froyo), probably Android 3.0 (Gingerbread)

So what do you think about the possibilities of the Droid Pro?

John Biggs from Mobile Crunch is excited about the Droid Pro saying that he “would totally rock a Droid Pro, though, when it comes out. Worldwide service along with a nice Android install are just what I’ve been looking for.”

via Boy Genius Report

Dell has cleared up quite a few rumors surrounding their popular tablet… wait, mobile phone… wait, tablet mobile phone called the Dell Streak.

1) Dell Streak will get Android 2.2 (Froyo) OS later this year (2010)

2) The Streak will be released initially with Android 1.6 with an over the air update to 2.2

3) The Dell Streak, according to Dell, is “the most successful pre-sale Dell hasever offered.”

4) The price tag for the Dell Streak is $500

5) The Dell Streak will run exclusively on AT&T’s 3G data network (sorry T-Mobile)

And let’s see…

Oh yeah, one other point to make.

AT&T already has an exclusive 3G data client. You may have heard of them… Apple’s iPad!

Seems that AT&T’s 3G network has a pretty good reputation and future ahead of itself.

source: Mashable

The race to 4G dominance is a fast and furious one. Sprint has been leading with the Sprint 4G network and the first 4G mobile phone – that being the HTC EVO 4G. But just because Sprint was first, doesn’t mean they will be the last…. not by a long shot.

Info has been leaked to Engadget that Verizon may have their 4G data network in place, and launched by this Christmas – November 15th to be exact. The 4G launch from Verizon will more than likely come in the form a USB data card for your laptop, or even your home computer.

Even though Sprint has been the first to arrive with 4G, they’ve struggled with the expansion of the 4G network to major metro areas. When Verizon launches their own 4G network, it is expected that more cities will be covered than all of Sprint’s areas combined up to this point.

Last but not least, this race by mobile phone carriers to 4G dominance may all be for nothing when the LightSquared 4G satellite covers the entire US continent!

Motorola Droid 2 release date could be as early as August 12th, according to Engadget. Previous knowledge of a Droid 2 launch had the device launching from Verizon the 23rd of August, however Engadget is claiming some credible inside information for the August 12th date.

The cool thing about the rumored August 12th Droid 2 is that it will be a Motorola Droid 2 Star Wars Edition with a white R2-D2 on the back.

This is taking the Droid phone back to its roots in the Star Wars, and in fact Motorola actually had to license the name from Lucas Films.

Here’s a run down of the specs on the Droid 2 coming to Verizon:

• 8GB memory card preinstalled
• 5 megapixel camera
• 3G Mobile Hotspot functionality
• 1GHz CPU

[image via Engadget]

Looking at the chart for Apple shares this past reminds me of a roller coaster that I just rode at Hershey Park in PA. Massive ups and downs – sharp declines followed be even sharper inclines. There is no doubt that Apple shares have had a tumultuous week.

Even so, Apple shares (NASDAQ:AAPL) closed the week out down only 3.74% which is not much off the mark of the entire NASDAQ which closed down 3.11%.

Apple had a lot of criticism flying in its face this week over the iPhone 4 antenna and signal strength issues. It got so bad at one point that the Senator from New York, Chuck Schumer, chimed in with his own criticisms of how Apple and Steve Jobs were responding to the issue.

Read Chuck Schumer’s letter to Steve Jobs here.

I expect Apple shares to rebound this coming week due to a favorable press conference that Steve Jobs had today with the press. During the press conference, Mr. Jobs discussed the iPhone 4 antenna issues, admitted there were problems, and offered solutions to iPhone 4 customers. Ultimately, he let customers know that Apple is going to do everything they can to ensure that their customer base is 100% satisfied with the iPhone 4. And this message of clarity, direction, and leadership from Steve Jobs will probably allow Apple shares to shed some of the jitters it experienced this past week.

Here is what some analysts have to say right now about Apple shares:

Analysts try and prepare investors for the fallout from today’s call.

Analysts feedback via Business Insider.

The highly anticipated Motorola Droid X has arrived at Verizon today for it’s official debut. One of the biggest concerns that Verizon had was inventory of the Droid X. Verizon wanted to avoid the inventory problems it still has with the Droid Incredible by stocking up the stores with the Droid X for today.

Here is what BGR is getting from their Verizon sources:

“…most stores are selling out of the Motorola Droid X, yet some are having activation issues.  According to BGR sources, Droid X phones are being activated without data (voice only) as the Verizon data system is backlogged. The system isn’t down completely, but some Droid X customers are leaving the Verizon store with only voice working on the Droid X handsets. The current data backlog is said to be around 2 hours or more. However, sources are saying that customers are “extremely happy excited” about the new Motorola Droid X, even though they have to wait awhile for the data activation problems.”

So there you have it folks, most Verizon customers are excited about the purchase of their new Motorola Droid X with its massive 4.3 inch touchscreen display and the Android 2.1 OS.

Can’t wait for the first Motorola Droid X unboxing to hit YouTube – I’ll get it posted here ASAP!

Yesterday I wrote about how Apple just released the iOS 4.1 beta to developers in the iPhone Dev Center. Well, about 24 hours later and the iOS 4.0.1 (notice the extra 0) is now available in iTunes to update your iPhone.

Here’s a breakdown of the some of the features that iOS 4.0.1 delivers:

• improved formula for determining how many bars of signal strength to display

Products compatible with this update:

• iPhone 3G
• iPhone 3GS
• iPhone 4

As Apple mentioned in their July 2nd press release concerning the iPhone 4 signal strength, they said that the problem with the signal strength dropping was a mis-calculation in the bar display and how it represents actual signal strength the iPhone is receiving.

Perhaps this iOS 4.0.1 update resolves the problem

We should know more tomorrow when Steve Jobs holds a special iPhone 4 press conference at 1Pm EST (10am PST).

On July 2nd, Apple issued a response to their “grip of death” signal strength issue with the new iPhone 4. In the response, Apple stated that a software update would be released that would address the signal strength issue (bars dropping when you grip the iPhone 4 by the 2 side metal bands) and fix the problem altogether.

In fact, Apple stated that the problem was in fact due to a mis-calculation of how to display signal bars based on the signal strength the iPhone 4 was currently using. Ironically, Apple stated that the best resolution to this problem came directly from AT&T themselves with their recommendation of a better, more accurate calculation for displaying signal strength.

Apple releases iOS 4.1 beta to developers

Michael Jurewitz sent out a tweet (@jurewitz) announcing that Apple has released the iOS 4.1 beta to developers. According to MacWorld, “because Apple releases beta software under a non-disclosure agreement with developers, there are no public details on what new features—if any—iOS 4.1 will introduce, or when a general release will be available.”

So it this the iPhone 4 antenna fix software update that was promised by Apple on July 2nd?  With it now being the 14th of July, the update would actually be a bit early from their stated “a few weeks”.

Here is Apple’s official response and solution, taken from the iPhone 4 response press release issued on July 2nd:

To fix this, we are adopting AT&T’s recently recommended formula for calculating how many bars to display for a given signal strength. The real signal strength remains the same, but the iPhone’s bars will report it far more accurately, providing users a much better indication of the reception they will get in a given area. We are also making bars 1, 2 and 3 a bit taller so they will be easier to see.

We will issue a free software update within a few weeks that incorporates the corrected formula. Since this mistake has been present since the original iPhone, this software update will also be available for the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G.

SmartDevices, the company best known for it’s Linux (Ubuntu) powered tablet, is about to release a new Android 2.1 powered tablet – the SmartQ T7 and the SmartQ T7-3G models. These new SmartQ tablets have a 7 inch touchscreen display and again, are powered by Android 2.1. The SmartQ has both WiFi and 3G support for Internet connectivity.

SmartQ T7 & T7-3G pricing:

Engadget has broken down the price into US dollars for both of the SmartQ T7 devices:

WiFi connectivity – ¥1,480 ($219) T7;

3G – ¥1,880 ($278)

EVDO and WCDMA flavors of the T7-3G – ¥1,980 ($292)

Well for those T-Mobile subscribers that are still holding on to their T-Mobile G1’s, in hopes for a good Android handset to replace it may not have to wait much longer.

According to LightReading.com T-Mobile USA is planning on releasing a high-end handset in September.  The handset will be manufactured by HTC and will be able to run on T-Mobile HPSA + network.  Which mean the handset could reach download speeds of up to21 Mbps.  According to a leaked road map some websites are saying that it could be called the HTC Vanguard. A lot of sites have been saying that the picture above could be the handset.

Boy Genius has just leaked some information about a Motorola Droid 2 device by Verizon, and the expected release date for the Motorola Droid 2 is sometime this summer.

The Motorola Droid 2 was featured on a Verizon Summer catalog that has not yet been released. You can view the entire Verizon Summer catalog here.

Here’s some specs on the Motorola Droid 2:

Motorola Droid 2: 8GB memory card preinstalled, 5 megapixel camera, 3G Mobile Hotspot functionality, and 1GHz CPU.

According to the Verizon Summer catalog, all that is mentioned about the Motorola Droid 2 is that it’s coming soon – no specific date yet.

Sprint is aggressively expanding their 4G coverage area, and rightly so. If you buy a 4G enabled phone, like the HTC EVO 4G, then you are going to pay $10 extra for the 4G data package – regardless of whether your city gets 4G or not!

So, if you live in one of the 9 cities below, then Sprint has just announced their 4G coverage of your city:

• St. Louis
• Salt Lake City
• Merced
• Syracuse
• Visalia
• Yakima
• Eugene
• Rochester and Tri-Cities

One side note, if you don’t live in a city that has 4G coverage, then I think you’ll find the Sprint data plans affordable compared to the likes of AT&T and Verizon, even if you only get 3G for now.

Well it seems like the guys at AndroidSpin has got their hands on a leaked image for T-Mobile’s handset line up for the remainder of the year. Now it is possible that this could be fake, but since the Motorola Charm was just announced and it’s listed in the line up it just might not be.  According to the image a Dell netbook should be coming out between July & August. And the HTC Vanguard, which is due out in September, their is not a lot of information about the handset. There’s also an update going out to the Mytouch 3G,CLIQ & CLIQXT in August.

Maybe you remember, or maybe you don’t, but when the iPhone 3GS was released, the white version of that model couldn’t be given away.  Why? Simple. Everyone wanted the black iPhone 3GS.

So how is it now, with the white iPhone 4 being withheld from the marketplace for one reason or another, that the entire world is talking about the white iPhone 4, and of course everyone wants the white iPhone 4?

Is it because all of a sudden the utility of a white iPhone 4 is so high?

I don’t think so…

I think that everyone now wants a white iPhone 4 simple because of one reason – it’s not available to be purchased.

With the white iPhone 4 being not available, yet the black iPhone 4 is available for purchase, I believe that a psychological effect is creating a high demand for the white iPhone 4.

Withhold a product from the marketplace, give people a taste of a similar version of the product, and suddenly the demand for the product withheld will sky rocket.

And the demand skyrockets simply because people will want to buy something, and even pay a higher premium price, simply because they aren’t able to purchase it right now.

In my opinion, the white iPhone 4 is simply a lesson in basic economics – supply and demand my friends, supply and demand!

Source: AP

Josh Uhlemeyer
Former Author of Mobile News Now
Twitter: twitter.com/joshuhl
Authors FaceBook Page

iPhone 4 Pre Order In Black Only (iPhone 4 Update)

Some people might be a bit disappointed in this little bit of news, but I just read that if you are going to pre order the iPhone 4, then you can only get the black model. Not so sure if this is really going to matter to the hard core iPhone fans, but the iPhone 4 only be available for pre order in black is a bit shocking to some.

Over at the AT&T Facebook page, this issue of the iPhone 4 being only available in black is causing quite a bit of discussion as well. However, most people are commenting that they don’t really care – they’ll go ahead and order the black model for pre order anyway.

iPhone cases usually cancel out color preference

I’m noticing that with my iPhone – the iPhone 3GS – that it’s a white model, however, because of my iPhone case you can’t see the color of the back of the iPhone anyway. So in my my particular instance with my iPhone 3GS being white, it really doesn’t matter because of the case.

Here’s what is being called the official announcement from AT&T about the iPhone 4 only being available in black for pre order:

MacRumors reports that it has received a purported internal AT&T memo from a source revealing that the carrier will only be taking pre-orders for black iPhone 4 models, with white models not set to become available until “later this summer”.

Apparently (see above image emailed to AT&T employees) the iPhone 4 will ONLY be available in black for pre-orders and launch. The initial lineup will be the 3G[S] in 8GB, and the black iPhone 4 at 16GB and 32GB.

The white 16GB and 32GB iPhone 4 will be available “later this summer.”

Here’s the image that is being shared:

As an update to my previous iPhone 4 article, I wanted to share some additional information that I just read about. According to CNET, and some comments posted on my previous article, the iPhone 4 is scheduled to be sold at Wal Mart.

Wal Mart to sell the iPhone 4

Wal Mart has also made Apple / iPhone news recently since they announced that the iPhone 3GS will be available for only $97 in all Wal Mart stores in the United States.

Wal Mart is not schedule to be a part of the pre ordering of the iPhone 4 that is set to occur on Tuesday, June 15th.

Pre Order iPhone 4

As far as pre ordering the iPhone goes, you’ll be able to do that from the Apple Store. However, it is also being talked about that you’ll be able to pre order the iPhone 4 from Best Buy and Radio Shack.

And of course, since Best Buy and Radio Shack are taking pre orders on the iPhone 4, they will be set to sell the iPhone 4 as well.

If Apple were to go with T-Mobile the company would not have to build a separate CDMA based phone. Since Verizon has 93 million subscribers if Apple were to go with
Verizon it would nearly double the iPhones customer base. Since T-Mobile only has about 34 million subscribers a deal with them would only increase the iPhone’s customer base by a third.

Shawn Wu also stated “It is notable that signing up both T-Mobile & Sprint would almost be the equivalent of signing with Verizon.” Shaw Wu also noted that Sprint Network is CDMA and would require a customized iPhone, just like Verizon. So if Apple were to sign with Sprint, it may as well sign one with Verizon.

Now I think this would be good for Apple as well as T-Mobile. Since T-Mobile offers a wide variety of smart phones from Android smartphones, BlackBerry, a Nokia smart phone. Having the iPhone would just increase the companies’ sales for both Apple & T-Mobile. And considering that T-Mobile is known for their customer service & cheap cellular plans, I think a lot of AT&T customers would come to T-Mobile. But in order for Apple to remain competitive in the smart phone market, I think they are going to have to open up the iPhone to all US cell providers.
Source: AllthingD

Josh Uhlemeyer
Former Author of Mobile News Now
Twitter: twitter.com/joshuhl
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They also compared T-Mobile’s current 3G network with T-Mobile HSPA+ network using T-Mobiles webConnect Rocket USB stick. While using HSPA+ speeds where only 15% faster than T-Mobile current 3G network HSPA 7.2. T-Mobiles HSPA+ network was also tested against Sprints 3G & Verizon’s 3G networks. Which according to the chart below T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network is considerably faster than Sprint’s 3G & Verizon’s 3G networks. But only slightly faster than Sprint 4G (WiMax) network. Now keep in mind that these are real world test and not done by a marketing group. PcMag has also compared cellular networks from all 4 of the cell companies in various US regions. So tell me what do you think of the results of T-Mobiles HSPA+ network compared to other cell providers?

Source:PhoneScoop
Josh Uhlemeyer

Former Author of Mobile News Now

Follow me on Twitter: Twitter.com/joshuhl

Facebook : Josh Uhlemeyer Facebook page

Josh Uhlemeyer,
Former Author of Mobile News Now
Twitter: Twitter.com/joshuhl
Facebook: Josh Uhlemeyer Facebook page