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Cheaper, contract-free iPhones could be on way to US

It's not the first time there have been rumours or analyst opinions on a plan-free iPhone for the US.

Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi said that he expected Apple to unveil new, cheaper iPhones that would appeal to more cost-conscious consumers.

"I feel very confident there will be a lower-cost alternative," he said, implying that not only might the handset itself be cheaper, but that it could also come without a data plan and instead be usable as a "pay as you go" model, similar to what's already available in the UK and other parts of Europe (albeit with a hefty price tag).

Posted by Andy Merrett on May 19, 2009 2:16 PM in iPhone industry Views| iPhone rumours
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Official Skype app coming to iPhone?

While it's already possible to access Skype via several third-party applications on the iPhone, until now there has been no official version of the popular instant messaging and voice/video calling service.

That could be about to change according to Om Malik at GigaOM, who suggests that a version could be released as early as next week.

Posted by Andy Merrett on March 27, 2009 1:37 PM in iPhone applications| iPhone rumours
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Why your iPhone needs protecting

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Currently found in the hands and pockets of millions of mobile users across the world, the first iPhone did not hit our shelves until 2007.

For a product which is relatively new, iPhones have quickly established themselves as a coveted item and unfortunately this means owners must take the necessary measures to protect their beloved phone from harm.

With their bright, touch-screen displays illuminating the surrounding area, iPhones are easily detectable by thieves and this makes owners wary of flashing them in public.

Unfortunately, physical threats are not the only problem to have afflicted these devices over the years. On top of the danger of theft or damage, iPhone users also face threats from the digital world and in some ways these can be more harmful.

In fact, in July 2007 SC Magazine had already launched a report on how the first exploit of the device had been found - just months after the first devices were sold to an eager public.

Since then, Apple has taken the protection of their beloved device very seriously. In August 2011, CNN reported on how this dedication had seen the company take drastic measures - employing one of the most famous iPhone hackers (Nicholas Allegra who operated under the pseudonym Comex) for an internship.

Despite these moves, problems with security continued, albeit through somewhat different sources - namely the internet.

With Smartphones such as these connecting to the internet in multiple ways, the threat of hacking and internet viruses is rife.

One of the benefits of phones such as these is they can receive emails in the same manner as text messages. Unfortunately this function also means your phone could be at risk from online threats even when idle - making protection vital.

Luckily, companies such as Secure Web Point have developed a solution for this, offering services which are designed to keep you and your personal details safe at all times.

Failure to protect these details can lead to identity theft and internet fraud, causing mass disruption and devastation to those affected.

Even online banking details can be stolen if you do not protect your internet connections and your IP (Internet Protocol) address can reveal data such as your home location, giving criminals all the information and opportunities they need.

Investing in mobile VPN for iPhone is the best way to secure your Smartphone from these threats, providing protection which enables you to browse the internet free from worry.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows networks to be extended in a secure manner using the internet. By creating them in a form suitable for mobile phones, developers are offering a way for users to protect their valuable details, allowing them to use all of their phone's fantastic features without worrying about the potential risk.

Rumour: Next-generation iPhone to launch in June

It's never long before an iPhone rumour surfaces again, and this time it's about a much sought-after update to the iPhone 3G.

According to speculation emanating from AT&T (Apple's exclusive mobile carrier in the US), the next iPhone could launch in June. That would sit very nicely with the updated software that's coming "this summer".

The word is that it will be much faster than the current iPhone 3G, which wouldn't be a huge surprise given that processors have moved on even in the last year. It will also tie in with AT&T's U-Verse service that lets users control their PVR via the iPhone. That's only really exciting if you're an AT&T customer using that service -- and even then it's not that exciting.

Posted by Andy Merrett on March 24, 2009 1:38 PM in iPhone 3G| iPhone rumours
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Rumour: O2 to cut iPhone 3G prices, offered free on more tariffs

With a rather misleading headline stating "O2 drops price on 3G iPhone ahead of new Apple device this summer", MobileToday.co.uk has published a rumour that O2 will make the 8GB iPhone 3G available for free on its lower (£35, £45pm) tariffs.

The thinking behind this is that O2 wants to shift existing stock ahead of a new iPhone handset from Apple, which the author has decided Apple will launch in June or July, building on existing speculation.

Posted by Andy Merrett on March 16, 2009 3:47 PM in iPhone 3G| iPhone rumours
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Apple to sell premium iPhone games for a tenner?

There's a rumour doing the rounds that suggests Apple may do special deals with some of the larger games publishers and bring a "premium games" section to the App store, charging around ten pounds ($19.99) for each.

That's according to "sources" who have been in contact with Pocket Gamer.

Though no-one wanted to officially comment, there's apparently been speculation for a while now (sorry, missed that one).

What strikes me as odd, though, is that Apple initially stated that developers would be allowed to charge whatever they liked (or nothing, of course) for an application. I wasn't aware of anything that stopped games publishers in particular from charging a higher rate. Though games have currently been available for under six quid, I presumed this was more to do with simple economics than any stipulation from Apple. That's the only reason I'm not wholly convinced by the rumour.

We'll have to wait and see, as usual.

(via PocketGamer.biz)

Posted by Andy Merrett on January 29, 2009 6:03 PM in iPhone games| iPhone rumours
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Push notifications coming to iPhone in next firmware version?

Remember "push notifications"? Course you do. It's the nifty feature that will allow applications to alert a user when an event has happened, getting around some of the problems caused by the ban on third-party apps running in the background.

Originally planned for September, the delay has been caused because of some of the problems with MobileMe and syncing, and because Steve Jobs said that Apple wanted to get things right first time.

Posted by Andy Merrett on December 5, 2008 10:45 AM in iPhone rumours
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HSBC could boost iPhone's business credentials, but what of employees in Taiwan?

BlackBerry trying to become more "consumer" and iPhone trying to become more "corporate" -- it's an interesting battle that I didn't expect to see when the iPhone was launched last year, and one that could be set to intensify if HSBC follows through on the rumours.

Yes, the world's fourth largest bank could be about to kit out two-thirds of its worldwide workforce with iPhones, ditching the BlackBerrys they currently use. That's around 200,000 of the handsets, and would be a major result for Apple, and a blow to RIM.

Is it likely to happen? CIO of HSBC Australia/NZ, Brenton Hush, said that "it's definitely something we are considering from a HSBC Group perspective. We always explore the potential application of new technologies and this is no different."

I'm not convinced, though, and here's why:

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