What is Digg?105 Comments
- upsidedork, on 10/12/2007, -2/+62Interesting. On one hand, Apple's never done this before, and they could ***** up due to their lack of experience. On the other hand, the major carriers have been ***** up for years, so how much worse could it be?
- flag564, on 10/12/2007, -24/+65"Apple Computer Inc. may serve as its own wireless carrier if it delivers an iPod-based cell phone next year"
Ok, you people are just getting insane.
You cant just set this up in secret. Their are all types of Government red tape you have to go through to do this. How on Earth could Apple set this up in secret with no public record, and spring it out by January supposedly? - chrisgeleven, on 10/12/2007, -2/+43To me, the key is how data pricing is handled. Make it reasonable and unlimited.
- kanned, on 10/12/2007, -9/+40@flagg
Did you even read the article?
"To operate as a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, Apple may partner with Cingular Wireless LLC to provide wireless service for a so-called iPhone, Benjamin Reitzes, a UBS analyst in New York, said today in a note."
They are just reselling Cingular service.. - joelsp, on 10/12/2007, -5/+18Screw this, I don't want to sign another contract. Just sell it unlocked Apple, do the world a favor.
- Obvioustroll, on 10/12/2007, -3/+16sweet merciful jesus - this is ridiculous.
1. Apple hasn't announced any phone product.
2. They don't have any cell phone infrastructure. They would have to negotiate access rights with at least one cell phone carrier in every area of the country
3. The phone companies are certainly not going to let Apple undercut their current model of "lock the customer in and make them squeal."
We've reached a new low in business when a company's stock goes up and down on the basis of unconfirmed rumors about the anticipated success or failure of a product that, itself, is the product of unsubstantiated rumors.
"Apple may announce the iPhone in March or April, relying on its network of 174 retail stores to promote the device, he said. The iPhone may include 4 gigabytes to 8 gigabytes of flash memory and a digital camera, Reitzes said, citing unnamed sources."
Other unnamed sources said the iPhone would include either a pony or a naked girl, and that the black version would cost $30 more. - DyDx, on 10/12/2007, -2/+15It's extremely unlikely they would set up their _own_ network.
Chances are, they are just leasing usage of other networks towers. In that way they might not have to go through hoops of fire. - joelsp, on 10/12/2007, -4/+16Really? I suppose that would be why I suggested that. Thus the words, "I don't want to sign another, and the key word there being another, contract.
- jonj, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10It would be a "piggyback" network, like Helio or Boost Mobile
- barnett25, on 10/12/2007, -5/+12@Flag564
""I agree that a new entrant into a market can always be a risk, but Apple seems to do well"
Thats mostly a myth. As with the Newton, Apple tried to break into the video game market which failed before launch. They also tried to sell digital cameras. That failed too. Other than the ipod, they dont have much of a record to go on."
Except that those were all during Steve Job's exile. I think you will find a definite change it the success of Apple's products during the time when Steve Jobs is CEO. - FearlessFreep, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Which is $30 more? The black iphone, pony, or naked girl?
- Quix, on 10/12/2007, -4/+10"@flagg Did you even read the article?" - kanned
Does flag564 EVER read the articles? Of course not. He sees "Apple" in the headline and jumps in to post his traditionally moronic anti-Apple tirade. He is Apple's number one deranged stalker, after all. He has a reputation to mantain.
Now, back to the topic at hand. I'd love to see Apple offer its own wireless service. Why? Because all the others stink. I've had service from every major carrier but Verizon, and have been unimpressed if not unhappy with all of them. The cell market seriously needs a fresh perspective, and if it's Apple that's willing to try, so be it. I'd be more than happy to give Apple cell service a go. - Ninjab3ar, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7If Kevin rose said that the iPhone would support all major phone standards, GSM, ect. then why would they become their own wireless carrier? I would assume Apple, being how they are, would make their phone exclusive to their service and standard (just like how ITMS music is DRMed to work only on iPods), but assuming that what Kevin was saying is correct, this would be highly unlikely.
The rumor mills are just pulling stuff out of their ass. - Ninjab3ar, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6@mogus
Unlike you, i dont throw away my SIM card in the trash when my constract expires....
what joelsp was saying was that he wants to put his existing SIM card into the iPhone, being that his contract expired. You contract expiring doesnt mean you dont get service, im assuming your mommy and daddy pay for your cell phone. better keep your grades up or theyll take it away. - 4NDr01D, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5contracts suck, and subsidize crippled hardware.
verizon disabled bluetooth in handsets
cingular disabled wifi in the nokia E61 and made the E62
wake up and stop paying 10 cents for a damn SMS - cybermort, on 10/12/2007, -4/+8Most cell phone users are lock in contracts. by doing this wouldn't apple be diminishing their consumer base?
- fiddelm3742, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I don't think the point is to sell both devices to the same person. I see it as a way to reach an entirely different set of prospective customers. Personally, I've had no interest in owning an iPod, but an iPhone (assuming it's more than just a phone w/ iPod capabilities) is a product I would consider purchasing.
- zang74, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Will you ever take ownership or responsibility for your comments, flag? Every comment directed at you usually ends with something along the lines of "yeah, but (insert 'fanboys', 'fankids', 'Apple' or 'you') did so-and-so. That's shifting blame. You didn't even comment on whether or not you read the article, but rather just made derogatory comments. Quix has a point; you DO jump on a lot of Apple stories just to take a shot at the company or it's users, and 99% of the time it's in a way that has nothing to do whatsoever with the article in question, sometimes even contradicting it. That leads many (myself included) to believe that you don't read the articles. You just come to make derogatory comments.
If I jumped in to every Zune/MS/Linux article's comments section with "yeah, but everyone here is just a stupid MS/Linux zealot with no job or life", you'd label me a troll. Now. before you go spouting that I DO do that, actually do your research and look at the comments I've made since joining Digg. They can be found on my profile page.
And guess what? You do troll the Apple section of Digg. You've admitted to intentionally starting things to get "fankids" riled up, you make erroneous and false statements, and you jump on un-promoted Apple stories like it's going out of style. You seek out the ***** you make, dude. Get over it. It's childish. - 4NDr01D, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6an MVNO when roaming
and WiFi VOIP calls when home
flat rate unlimited data plan similar to 3UK
would be awesome ! - su6r0sa, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5ya know, i called, but the sony truck never showed up....
- MilesLombardi, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5I have one problem with the whole idea of an iPhone, and that's that Apple will not make as much money from it, as you would think. Most people will not buy both an iPhone and an iPod, people have a limited amount of money to spend, and they'll choose one product or another, not both. So it's not an incredibly wise investment for Apple, though it may still prove profitable.
- mogus, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6Not necessarily. I let my contract with Cingular run out months ago so I'd be free to hook up with a better deal down the road. It's an amazing thing not to be tied to any one company while still getting the pretty good deal I signed up for 2.5yrs ago.
- FearlessFreep, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5Oh I just can't wait until the next rumour about Apple creating their own Internet.
I guess the closer to January, the more the speculations about speculations about rumours based on speculation start spinning faster and faster
(Note: I'm a quasi-born-again-Mac-fanboy) - jfinke, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I don't know. I just don't see it. What would they gain? Sounds like a lot of overhead for little return. I think that selling an unlocked phone would be the best bet.
ESPN Mobile or whatever it was called died in something like six months. And they were advertised all over the ESPN/ABC family of networks (for what I would assume at an extremely cheap rate).
I don't know how that Vibe or whatever it is that BestBuy is pimping these days is doing. - Pattyo13, on 05/14/2009, -6/+9...well there was a big Apple utilities truck out in front of my house the other day. i figured they were just installing extinguishers to keep houses in the neighborhood from burning down from laptop fires. i guess they were putting up the new iNet
[/sarcasm] - Topher06, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Press release:
Apple is also going to create its own movie studio and television channel because they are coming out with iTV. They also plan a creating a record label. It makes more sense for Apple to produce content for its iPod and iTV products rather then getting it from 3rd parties because all the 3rd party stuff sucks. Also, Apple will be launching their own branded iSattelite using their new iShuttle space launch system and will create their own iNet because existing communications isn't up to Apple's snuff. Expect the iCar due out next year followed closely by iHouse, iWife and iDog products. Apple is expected to have its own iArmy and iNavy and iAirforce products out by the end of this decade. Then Apple is expected to invade the Middle East and establish democratic countries of both iRaq and iRan.
Apple will do this because of their unlimited revenue and profits along with unlimited manpower and unlimited control over such entities as the FCC. - Quix, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2"Arent you the guy who just admitted in another thread to owning Apple stock. So we can assume as soon as you see an Apple story, you will be their to do an astroturf job?" - flag564
flag, I know this will be far beyond the capacity of your two semi-functioning brain cells to understand, but appreciating a company's fine products and investing in that company because you see a bright future ahead does NOT make you a paid shill. Unlike the authors of the Zune "fan blogs" you so enjoy reading. - afosterw, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4The second paragraph of the article states...
"To operate as a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, Apple may partner with Cingular Wireless LLC to provide wireless service for a so-called iPhone, Benjamin Reitzes, a UBS analyst in New York, said today in a note."
So Apple would just be selling you normal crap but charging you a premium to pay for their re-branding of said crap...I'd say that's about par for the course. - envy860, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I think maybe his contract has run up, and he still gets service from them, but it is no longer contracted. Therefor, iPhone comes out, takes SIM from current phone, puts in iPhone, enjoys apple-ie goodness and is on his way. No contract signed (other than credit card, but that is another story)
I guess Ninja beat me to it. :/ - tenchi71, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Here's a little conjecture from reading all this.... what if Apple is really going the MVNO route... and making this so called iPhone a CDMA/GSM device that can roam all networks? This way they can buy airtime from "All three carriers" and bundle it up as "Apple iTunes iPhone Service".
- Obvioustroll, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2When the AP and Reuters started reporting from Iraq.
- jonknee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Setting up a MVNO isn't all that difficult, there are dozens of them just in the US, but it hasn't been all that profitable for most players either. The only reason Apple would go the MVNO route is if the carriers are deep sixing the iPhone. Which isn't all that unlikely... T-Mobile is the only national that's forward thinking enough to fully embrace something from Apple, but they are also the only national without a 3G play. Unlocked may not be a bad option since the Apple store is an instant high-end retail presence. They could at least work out the kinks--oh yea there *will* be kinks--while it's selling unlocked and then sell it to a carrier once the market has been proven. Sort of like they did with the iPod come to think of it.
Cingular remains the most likely carrier target for a distro deal because they are GSM and have 3G in most major markets. That's why you see them in all the rumors. But Cingular is in control and they make that clear to their suppliers (handset makers). They don't want someone coming in and setting their own rules, which is exactly what Steve Jobs does every time. SJ always has to be in control. Which is why an MVNO may not be a bad idea.
An idea of some of the stuff that US carriers routinely demand from handset makers: unified interface (usually a terrible one), crippling of Bluetooth OBEX, absence of WiFi, carrier branding, exclusivity, etc. I doubt SJ would dance with any of those demands. Cingular isn't as strict as Verizon Wireless, but they are still pretty hardcore. Sony Ericsson has had a hellacious time combatting Cingular over its UI. SE's UI is the best in the industry and they didn't want to muck it up with all of Cingular's crap. I can't see Steve Jobs creating new menus for a carrier and adding its logo all over the phone.
What I haven't seen in the Bloomberg piece or here is that Cingular doesn't negotiate data into its MVNO deals. Not a bad strategy if your data network is running near capacity--save it for your main customers. All the existing MVNO relationships Cingular has (Voce included) curiously lack data. I'm not saying an exception for Apple it's impossible, but doubtful. - randyflag, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2This is not as crazy as it sounds.
Earthlink has been doing this for awhile. I have an Treo 650 running on an Earthlink Wireless all-you-can-eat data plan. Earthlink actually uses Sprints and Verizons towers/service. I get get reception no matter where I am.
Hey if Earthlink can fo it.... so can Apple! - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2the black one, naked girls for adult males (like yourself), ponys for all else.
- jayster, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2if the phone is cool and the service isn't hugely over priced, I will sign up. I have had great service with apple care support on the macs I own. If I could get that level of service on my cell phones I don't mind paying a little premium for it. I would even pay cingular (my current co) a few extra bucks for a better support level, cause right now their service couldn't get any worse. Granted they all pretty much suck.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1wireless resellers always seem to suck, who actually uses /can afford boost or helio on a daily basis or would want to? when contract phones so far, are the better deal.
- salty10is, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2LIES....THIS IS ALL A BUNCH OF LIES!!!!
- ccheath, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1so the guys mentioned in this article should never have tried, right?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bearings#History_and_development
the wheel is good enough right? who needs a bearing?
I don't know about you, but I'm hoping for innovation in the cell/mobile arena - kevincw01, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Interesting that they said they would MVNO on cingular but that earlier rumors stated the phone would have CDMA _and_ GSM radios. cingular is only GSM.
- applebyte, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1And we all know how often Ben Reitzes of UBS is right about Apple:
http://www.applerumortracker.com - DucksofAnaheim, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Hopefully they will have more subscribers for their MVNO than music buyers they have on itoons ;)
- superkendall, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Sure ESPN mobile died, but it was too specialized a niche. Look at Virgin Mobile for a more successful example, I really like them and how cheap the service is.
If Apple can offer a good dataplan and a phone with ergonomics and a UI that do not suck, I would be interested and so would a lot of other people. - jonknee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1It wouldn't be one handset with both GSM and CDMA. It would be two different versions. Like the RAZR V3 and the RAZR V3c. CDMA would need carrier support while GSM could be sold unlocked through channels like the Apple store.
- cybermort, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1yes please, you be the one to tell apple was profitable because they've done such a horrible job in the last five years.
- bagelpirate, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Now I have to be a cell phone salesmen aswell? :(
- jonknee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The antenna technology just isn't there to have a good selection of frequencies for both techs. There are already a few hybrid devices that carry a limited selection of bands, but it is not something that's going to catch on. The Samsung i830 is probably the most popular dual-mode device.
The problem being is you have to pick a preferred technology since you can't have everything with today's technology. With the i830 it's CDMA first, which means EV-DO data. The GSM is there so you can actually roam over seas with it, just pop in a SIM and run. There is no need to ever use the GSM feature in the US (we have national networks in both flavors, there would be no huge advantage to having both besides making for really complicated billing). There just isn't the tech yet to have a quad-band GSM + dual-band CDMA + HSDPA + EV-DO + WiFi + Bluetooth in one package.
If they had to pick just one model Apple would be better off offering a quad-band GSM handset with UMTS/HSDPA since that can roam most places in the world. The 3G features would either work stateside or overseas thanks to the FCC, but that's not needed to use most features of the phone (I'm using a Nokia N73 now with 3G tuned for Europe even though I'm on T-Mobile USA).
The most likely situation if Apple does come out with a phone is first in GSM and then later in CDMA. Later in CDMA because you need carrier participation to launch a CDMA and it's hard to keep a phone secret when you need carrier participation. Not to mention our CDMA carriers like to control their phones really tightly. - superkendall, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1MVNO does not mean you have to charge more than the real carrier - I use Virgin Mobile, and it's really cheap compared to other plans.
- tucsonwc, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2MVNO.
- mikmac1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1You yanks talking about mobile (cell) phones make me laugh. As with everything else you think the world revolves around the good ole US. Most of the rest of the world has had deregulated telephony sp's for years and are not lodcked into locked phones and a very limited choice so we look forward to another phone we can buy which works with any network we want.
- OutlawJN, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Why does this matter? I can make mine look like it is made out of diamond plate...or metallic paint. Go to any vinyl sign shop and buy some vinyl and wrap your own. I'm a bit of an apple fan but this story is just freaking stupid.
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