Walmart to sell iPhone 5c for $79, iPhone 5s for $189

iPhone 5c in pink

If you think that the iPhone 5c and 5s are a little too pricey, we've got good news: Walmart plans to sell both Apple smartphones at a discount from the very start. The 16GB iPhone 5c will sell for $79 on contract, or $20 less than the official price, while the 16GB iPhone 5s will be available for $189. As elsewhere, pre-orders for the 5c will start on September 13th; both of the new iPhones will ship on the 20th. Don't like contracts? You're not left out of the bargains -- Walmart plans to slash $100 off the prices of Straight Talk's iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 variants, which will respectively cost $349 and $549 as of September 14th. The savings are small when compared to the service fees you'll pay over a few years, but it's hard to object to having a little more money left in your pocket.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Via: CNET

Source: Walmart (1), (2)

Samsung wins ITC ban of AT&T compatible iPhones and iPads due to patent infringement

Samsung got a big win in the International Trade Commission today, as the ITC handed down a final ruling finding that several models of AT&T-compatible iPhones and iPads infringe a Samsung patent, and issued an exclusion order preventing them from being imported, sold or distributed in the US. This final ruling comes months after an ALJ determined that Apple did not infringe any of Samsung's IP, but clearly, the commission felt differently upon its review. This final determination holds that AT&T models of the iPhone 4, 3GS and 3G, plus AT&T iPad 3G and iPad 2 3G models infringe four claims of Samsung's patent number 7,706,348 for encoding mobile communications.

The ITC reversed the ALJ's ruling in part based upon modified construction of several key terms in the claims at issue, but upheld the prior decision regarding the other three patents Samsung asserted in the action. So, what does this mean for Apple? Not a tremendous amount, truthfully, as the newly banned devices are no longer Cupertino's standard bearers and account for little of massive profits. Plus, Apple will, no doubt appeal the decision in court. Still, Samsung's bound to feel pretty good about the victory, and every little bit helps in its quest to remain atop the smartphone heap, right?

Filed under: ,

Comments

Via: Reuters Tech (Twitter)

Source: ITC [PDF]

iPhone 4 antennagate comes to a close: your $15 settlement check’s in the mail

iPhone 4 antennagate comes to a close your $15 settlement check's in the mail

Remember when you were holding it wrong? Remember when Apple was supposed to compensate you for holding it wrong? No? Well, if you didn't opt for the free rubber bumper back in the day, apparently that $15 "we're so sorry your iPhone 4's antenna sucked" settlement check alternative's finally being sent out via snail mail. So, case closed iFans. It's time to move on to greener, 5S pastures.

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Source: TUAW

Otterbox iPhone 4 / 4S Defender case with iON Intelligence launching April 18th for $130 (video)

Otterbox iPhone 4 / 4S Defender case with iON Intelligence launching April 18th for $130 (video)

It was at CES that we were first introduced to Otterbox's Defender case with iON Intelligence, which promises to keep phones alive in two ways: by shielding them from physical abuse, and by serving up extra juice whenever they're thirsty. Otterbox has now told us the new case is nearly ready to bounce off hit the streets, and will be launching on April 18th for the iPhone 4 and 4S. The case combines the familiar hard shell, rubbery sleeve and screen protector for laughing off falls, with a 1,450mAh battery -- that's a sliver bigger than the 4 / 4S built-ins -- to effectively double capacity. LEDs on the case let you know how much extra juice is left, and the companion iON Intelligence app automatically redirects power when it's needed, and monitors usage to predict how long 'til your next charge. The iPhone 4 / 4S model will be available from Otterbox's online den for $129.95, and others are in the works for "other top iOS and Android devices." Check out the promo videos below for a full product walkthrough.

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Apple Brazil makes substantial price cuts on iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S

Apple Brazil cuts prices on iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S

It might not have the trademark, but that hasn't stopped Apple shaving the cost of its entry-level iPhone 4 and 4S' to something closer to its price tag in North America. The 16GB iPhone 4S is now R$1,699 ($840), down from R$1,999, while the 8GB flavor of the iPhone 4 now rings in at R$1,099 ($544), reduced from R$1,499. According to O Globo, if you're willing to pay upfront in full (and by phone) you can even snatch an extra 10 percent off both. Otherwise, Brazilians will need to visit the online store to lay claim to the heavily-discounted handsets.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Via: Mac Rumors, O Globo (Portuguese)

Source: Apple Store (Brazil)

iPhone 5 coming to T-Mobile April 12th, 4S and 4 available in ‘select markets’

T-Mobile to carry iPhone 5

Remember when T-Mobile announced that it would begin carrying Apple products sometime this year? It looks like today's the day we finally get more information. As we've been expecting, the fourth-largest carrier is now ready to officially offer the iPhone after years of inviting customers to bring an unlocked model onto its network. (Update: see our hands-on here!) The iPhone 5 will be available in retail stores and online starting April 12th, but you'll be able to pre-order one beginning April 5th. Additionally, the iPhone 4S and 4 will be coming to "select markets," though we haven't seen details on which markets or when they'll be offered.

What about pricing? You can grab the iPhone 5 for $100 down and pay the rest in $20 monthly installments for the next two years; the 4S will be $70 down (with the same $20 installments) and the 4 will be $15 down with $15 monthly payments. No doubt, this move will make its forthcoming LTE launch even more enticing, but that's not all: T-Mobile CEO John Legere stated on stage that his company's version of the iPhone 5 will support AWS HSPA+ in addition to LTE. HD Voice is also offered on this particular model.

We also learned that despite the network's use of the "UnCarrier" brand, its version of the iPhone 5 will be locked to T-Mobile until the phone is completely paid off.

Stay updated on T-Mobile's announcements with our liveblog!

Filed under: , , , ,

Comments

Source: T-Mobile

Vodafone’s Nearly New program entices penny-pinchers with pre-owned smartphones

Vodafone's Nearly New program entices penny-pinchers with pre-owned smartphones

If you cherish saving coin and don't mind owning secondhand devices, Vodafone's Nearly New program is angling to hook you up with previously-loved smartphones. The UK firm's new effort takes handsets returned by users in "very good condition," repackages them with the appropriate accessories and doles them out at cheaper prices with pay-as-you-go or contract plans. According to Vodafone, the offering is particularly aimed at bringing pay-as-you-go users into the smartphone fold without breaking the bank. Available devices will vary each month based on return inventory, but the outfit already has iOS and Android choices on tap. Customers happy with off-contract service can choose between an iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4, with an 8GB flavor of the latter ringing up at £250. Folks who have their eye on a contract plan can pick between a Samsung Galaxy S III, which is free with a £33 subscription, or an HTC One X. On-contract Nearly New devices are already available online and in select stores, while commitment-free phones are up for grabs in-store and will find their way online next week.

Filed under:

Comments

Will.i.am promises to turn your iPhone into a 14-megapixel ‘genius-phone’

William promises to turn your iPhone into a 14megapixel 'geniusphone'

Not content with his deliberately undefined role at Intel, the main pulse behind the Black Eyed Peas is preparing for yet another incursion into the world of technology -- this time by launching a dedicated camera accessory for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 (and presumably the 4S, too). Will.i.am claims the device has "its own sensor and a better flash" and will "turn your smartphone into a genius-phone" by replacing the native 5- or 8-megapixel camera module with one that churns out 14-megapixel images instead. The Telegraph reports that the add-on will be the first of a series of "i.am+" branded accessories that will launch on November 28th. No pricing has been revealed so far, but the range will be sold solely by Selfridges in London and -- much like Harrods with its own glam gadget exclusives -- that store isn't particularly known for bargains.

[Photo credit: Getty Images]

Filed under: ,

Comments

Source: The Telegraph

Japan court rules Apple did not infringe two Samsung patents

Japan court rules Apple did not infringe two Samsung patents

In the latest scuffle between Apple and Samsung, a Tokyo court has ruled that the iPhone 4 and 4S do not infringe on two of Sammy's patents. According to The Asahi Shimbun, a decision on September 14th found Apple had not violated a patent related to app downloads, as Samsung's method is different. A dispute regarding flight / airplane mode also went in Cupertino's favor on October 11th, because the technology in question was regarded by the court as incremental. Only one case against Apple remains undecided in Japan -- for a patent on using "homescreen space" -- but, as usual, don't expect that to be the last chapter in the neverending story.

Filed under: , , ,

Japan court rules Apple did not infringe two Samsung patents originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Oct 2012 07:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink FOSS Patents  |  sourceThe Asahi Shimbun  | Email this | Comments