News tagged ‘Free’

Apple has finally released iOS 5 GM seed to the iOS developers. GM version is usually the same as the release version, unless some critical error are found.

Yesterday Apple announced that iOS 5 software will be available on October 12 as a free software update for all iPhone, iPad and iPod touch customers.

There is no need to register UUID at Apple to install GM version, so anybody can install and try iOS 5 right now.

Developers can download iOS 5 GM here.

There is still no information on unlocked iPhone 4S availability in the US. However there are some news from Europe. According to Apple, in France you will be able to buy unlocked iPhone 4S 16GB for 629 EUR (~$836). You can get tax free if you don't live in Europe, so the price would be around 550 EUR (~$732).

Unlocked iPhone 4 16GB will cost 519 EUR ($690), which is ~455 EUR (~$605) after tax free. The cheapest unlocked iPhone 3GS 8GB is just 369 EUR (~$490), which is ~320 EUR (~$426) after tax free.

UPDATE: Unlocked iPhone 4S will be available in November

The prices are just like on an image above. iPhone 3GS 8GB is free and iPhone 4 8GB is just $99 - with contract. And yes, according to the Apple Store in the US both iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 are available with Sprint, AT&T and Verizon.

Unlocked iPhone 4 8GB GSM costs $549 in the US.

There is no information yet about unlocked iPhone 4S availability and prices.

9to5mac has got pricing for the iPhone 4S (N94) that Apple is announcing today. According to their source, the price of the unlocked iPhone 4S 64GB will replace the price of the current iPhone 4 32GB. In addition, the price of the new iPhone 4S 32GB will replace the price of the current iPhone 4 16GB.

It’s highly likely that the prices will be as follows (with contract): iPhone 4S 64GB - $299, 32GB - $199, 16GB will drop down to $99 in the United States. The iPhone 4 8GB (N90A) will most likely cost $49, which will replace the current $49 iPhone 3GS price point. As for iPhone 3GS there are rumors that it will be free with contract.

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Some analysts predict that Apple could keep its iPhone 3GS longer than predicted. The company might, probably, offer their handset for free on contract. As far as we know, the two-year old iPhone 3GS still remains the second best-selling smartphone in the United States of America. The first place belongs to the iPhone 4. Such situation only confirms suggestions that cost of a device is the key factor in customers' purchasing decisions.

Yesterday Mike Abramsky, analyst at RBC Capital Markets, issued a new research note where he told us about his expectations for the today’s iPhone event. Many of his predictions are in line with recent rumors we’ve heard -  HSPA+ iPhone 4S or 5 based on an A5 chip – he also believes that Apple keeps offering iPhone 3GS alongside the new smartphone(s).

We expect Apple to reduce the price of the prior iPhone 4 to $99 subsidized ($499 unsubsidized) and the iPhone 3GS to $0 subsidized ($399 unsubsidized, see 11/06/29 note for more detail and rationale); the prior iPhone 4 may be available only with 8GB memory.

According to some facts surfaced a day before Apple’s media event, apart from television shows and movies, you can also rent application for your iPod touch, iPad and iPhone on iTunes.

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In July Nuance released iPhone app Dragon Go! that has nicely combined voice recognition technology with intelligent search functionality. Today the company released updated version of this app (free download) with a number of new features added. Specifically, the update includes support for media content on Netflix, Google+ public posts and search engines Wolfram|Alpha and Ask.com. Besides, the Yelp support was improved and now you can see a map view directly within the Yelp tab.

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Today Amazon announced their tablet called Kindle Fire. It has 7" IPS display, custom android OS, weights 413g, has 8Gb of storage, Wifi. Unfortunately it does not have 3G. The price is attractive though - $199. Shipments start November 15.

We are not sure that this device can be a real iPad killer. However it will definitely compete with other Android tablets, like Blackberry Playbook, HP Touchpad and others.

More specs:

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AllThingsD reported on an interesting app from Disney that uses iPad’s capabilities in unusual way. So-called Appmates are toy cars that interact with the app via the iPad’s display. Writer of the publication Tricia Duryee explains:

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Electronic Arts iPad games are on sale now. Here is the list of games and prices:

• Scrabble - $9.99 → $2.99
• Risk: The Official Game – $6.99 → $2.99
• Sim City Deluxe - $6.99 → $2.99
• Monopoly – $9.99 → $2.99
• Monopoly Here and Now: The World Edition – $9.99 → $2.99
• Shift 2 Unleashed – $4.99 → $2.99
• Command and Conquer: Red Alert – $4.99 → $2.99
• Max and the Magic Marker – $2.99 → $0.99

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Research firm Gartner has published sales forecasts for the tablet market, stating that a lack of momentum from competitors will allow iPad to be absolute leader during the holiday shopping season. Looking further ahead, Gartner predicts that Apple will maintain more than 50 percent share of this market segment through 2014 even as Research in Motion’s QNX and Microsoft's Windows 8 platforms are expected to build up some momentum. Research vice president at Gartner Carolina Milanesi explains:

“This is because Apple delivers a superior and unified user experience across its hardware, software and services. Unless competitors can respond with a similar approach, challenges to Apple’s position will be minimal. Apple had the foresight to create this market and in doing that planned for it as far as component supplies such as memory and screen”.

Gartner has lowered its estimates for sales of Android tablets in 2011 by 28% over second quarter’s projections, noting very weak adoption due to its interface issues, high prices and limited app availability.

The company expects that Android will see growth as Google releases its next-generation Android’s "Ice Cream Sandwich" and addresses fragmentation across the Android ecosystem. However, according to Gartner's sales forecasts, Android tablets will not catch up the iPad by the end of projection period of 2015.

Popular games Asphalt 6: Adrenaline and Asphalt 6: Adrenaline HD developed by Gameloft are now available for free for a limited time. Regular price is $4.99 for iPhone version and $6.99 for iPad version. The lowest price on sale was $0.99, it's never been fully free. Now it is, so go ahead and download.

Asphalt 6 is a arcade racing game with superb enviorments and fast-paced racing, there's over 55 events, across 11 leagues. Drive cars such as Astion Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini and even Ducati's. The single player campaign is quite long for being on the iOS, but that's not all, there's also multiplayer support via the Game Center.

Download Asphalt 6: Adrenaline
Download Asphalt 6: Adrenaline HD

Apple has started promotion of its iBookstore on Twitter by launching a new account in this social network to keep followers informed on special offers, new releases and other changes in the store. Apple has actually created account in June, but the company has just today started sending out Tweets.

"Welcome to the Apple #iBookstore on Twitter. Follow us to discover new releases, exclusive book offers, and more".

The Apple’s second Tweet promotes "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern, which is now actively promoted by the company. Currently Apple is featuring this book on the main page of iBookstore. Starbucks  has also joined the promotion by offering an "extended sample" of this book for free through its program “Pick of the Week” .

Apples created several Twitter accounts to keep users updated on featured and new content on the iTunes Store.

Also Apple is expanded its ties with this social network in other places, having allowed for Facebook and Twitter posting on its online store and added Twitter integration to the upcoming iOS 5.

According to Bloomberg, South Korea is the first country worldwide that has convinced Apple to change its customer service policy on faulty iPhones. The country’s fair trade commission has persuaded Apple to replace defective iPhone with new models instead of refurbished devices, providing users report faults within one month after purchase.

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