Wal-Mart is slashing prices on the new entry level iPhone. With a two year AT and T contract, the Wal-Mart iPhone price was cut down to $ 97. Analysts say the Wal-Mart iPhone sale could be a sign that Apple is just trying to clear out old merchandise ahead of next month’s expected launch of a new 4G iPhone model at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference. Other industry developments leading up to Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference have industry sources wondering what’s in store for the iPhone.
Article Source: Wal-Mart iPhone 3GS sale clears shelves for Apple 4G iPhone
The triangle of intrigue for the iPhone 4G
The Wal-Mart iPhone sale for Apple's entry level 16 gigabyte 3GS phone on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reports that AT and T will charge smartphone customers fees the size of installment loans for breaking their AT and T iPhone contract early — nearly doubling fees from $ 175 to $ 325 beginning June 1. The third point in the iPhone 4G triangle of intrigue is that Steve Jobs is the keynote speaker at the Worldwide Developer Conference. Jobs usually has a grand announcement when he makes an appearance at a high profile technology event.
Apple and the bet on 4G iPhone's future
The Wal-Mart iPhone sale confirms that Apple is ready to release its 4G iPhone, according to the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, which reports that such a move signals Apple is confident that the 4G system, not available yet in most U.S. cities, will be rapidly adopted. Analysts think this adoption will be two or three years away. The same article reports that AT and T’s iPhone contract decision to hike the cost of terminating service is being seen as a defensive move to keep iPhone customers from jumping to other carriers.
Verizon iPhone threatens AT and T
Jobs will not announce the 4G iPhone at the WorldWide Developer Conference, rather he will announce the Verizon iPhone. When, not if, the Verizon iPhone happens, the SV/SJ Business Journal reports that AT and T could lose 40 percent of its iPhone customers, about 6 million accounts. The blog techcrunch.com reports that by raising termination fees, AT and T hopes to be able to keep customers chained to AT and T for another two years after the Verizon iPhone is launched.
4G iPhone a game changer?
4G is offering download speeds 10 times faster than 4G. The exponential boost in data transfer is anticipated to put an end to buffering when content loads for video, music streaming and large format images on smartphones. For the business world, 4G will allow companies to expand mobile workforces without network gridlock and make video-conferencing routine. Smartphone users will be able to send quality video reports.
Additional information at these websites
Wall Street Journal reports
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100521-709542.html?mod=WSJ_World_MIDDLEHeadlinesEurope
Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal
http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2010/05/24/daily29.html?jst=pn_pn_lk
techcrunch.com reports
http://techcrunch.com/2010/05/21/att-hikes-smartphone-early-termination-fees-claims-it-has-nothing-to-do-with-iphone-right/
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