The Numbers: Cell Phones Down, Smartphones Up, MobileSafari WAY UP

So while Apple is ramping up production of the iPhone 3G, it looks like the rest of the cell phone industry is in a serious slump. Kind of. According to the NPD, (via Ars Technica) only 28 million cell phones were sold this quarter representing a 13% year-to-year decline. But looking specifically at the model-by-model numbers, it looks like everyone is enjoying success on Motorola’s dime.

“Quarterly unit-sales of handsets fell to their lowest level, since NPD begin tracking the category in 2005,” NPD director of industry analysis Ross Rubin said in a statement. “Even so, most major manufacturers picked up market share that was lost by Motorola.”

But it’s not all bad news for the industry. Phones with QWERTY keyboards saw a 28% increase in sales and smartphones increased sales by 9%. The average price of a cell phone sold increased by 14% to $84 year-to-year. Consumers are more likely to spend more money on a handset since the iPhone was introduced and that feeling extends toward Blackberries, HTC devices, etc.

In related news, MobileSafari has been on an absolute tear since the release of the iPhone 3G. According to Analysts, (via MacDailyNews) MobileSafari has nearly doubled its market share to 0.31% since the launch. Doing rudimentary math, having more handsets on the market that are twice as fast as the old one, well, I guess it adds up.

And to top it all off, our friends at Engadget have created an iPhone specific web page. Why, you ask? Because in 2008, the iPhone/iPod Touch Family has accounted for nearly 96% of all mobile views on their full Engadget site. That’s just jaw dropping.

So that’s the state of the industry. Surprised that the iPhone 3G has had such an effect on the numbers? What’s to come?

Source:Theiphoneblog

How would you change Apple's iPhone 3G?

It has technically been available for three weeks today (and a few hours in the US, but who's counting?), although we're confident quite a few of you are still waiting to actually hold your very own iPhone 3G. Still, those that have braved the excruciatingly long lines and got lucky with AT&T's apparently random Direct Fulfillment approach surely have something to say. We've already confirmed that firmware 2.0 has some serious issues that need dealt with, and aside from elaborating on those, what else would you have done differently with Apple's second handset? Would you have changed the overall design more dramatically? Finally included a user-removable battery? Used a casing material that wouldn't crack for no good reason under pressure? There's still time for your input to be heard before firmware 2.1 arrives (ahem, Apple?) -- sound off below!


Source:Engadget

Steve Jobs: 60 million iPhone apps downloaded, confirms kill switch

Steve Jobs, presumably speaking from a hyperbaric chamber where he's being nourished with an infusion of liquefied developers-souls before his next public appearance, had a few interesting tidbits about the AppStore for the Wall Street Journal this morning. Namely, users have downloaded some 60 million programs for the iPhone representing sales of about $30 million since the launch last month -- a 30/70 revenue split between Apple and developers, respectively. "The thing's going to crest a half billion soon," Jobs added, "I've never seen anything like this in my career for software." He went on to say that phone differentiation is no longer about radios and antennas (or uh, battery life) but about software. Steve also confirmed the controversial iPhone application kill switch in the event that Apple inadvertently approves a malicious program for distribution. Jobs said, "hopefully we never have to pull that lever, but we would be irresponsible not to have a lever like that to pull." As to the $999.99 I Am Rich application, the dubious download that displayed nothing but a glowing red gem, pulling that from the store was a "judgment" call. Sure, but that doesn't explain how it made it through the vetting process to begin with.

Source:Engadget

Brando Telescope makes iPhone 3G photos 6x worse

We've seen these zoom lens add-ons before. Now Brando's slapped together this 6x "Telescope" for the iPhone 3G -- a phone not exactly revered for its image quality. Just snap the unit to the back of the iPhone 3G and get to work. How good is it? About as bad as the $19 worth of optics within. Seriously, 19 bucks and available now.

Source:Engadget

Apple iPhone 3G Cases : RoadLine - Slim Leather Cases

New RoadLine Slim reflects the fashionable and innovative side of BeyzaCases. RoadLine Slim brings a new way of using leather mobile cases and that will be exclusively first for iPhone 3G. The new concept includes “Strap” feature. Strap is a part of this new concept and will increase the ease of use. The strap will let you to take your iPhone 3G out of the case easily. Besides the technical use of the “Strap”, its look creates a contrast when you look at the other products in the market. Color of the strap is harmonic with the case and BeyzaCases logo is placed at the top of it. Just place your iPhone 3G in one of the amazing RoadLine series and take it out easily with the new "Strap" feature. Your iPhone 3G will come out slowly and easily when you pull the Strap. This beautiful satin strap with the leather on the top will be a phenomenon feature in the leather case market.

iPhone 3G is now in perfect fit with your Beyza Case to protect,to look more elegant & handy
Specifications:
• Your RoadLine Slim is designed and crafted to perfectly to fit your iPhone 3G
• Mid-band with the same color following the dominant color
• BeyzaCases’ new concept Strap feature*
• Ecru stitched
• Satin strap with Beyza Logo imprinted leather at the top
• Slim and padded design• Soft protective lining• Protects the device in an optimal manner

*Strap Feature:You can take out your iPhone 3G easily and securely by pulling the strap.

Source:Beyzacases

iPhone is the Next Step in Portable Porn

Steve Jobs is publicly against it, wireless carriers don’t want to endorse it, but as long as the internet’s involved, portable devices will inevitably be loaded up with the hottest, sexiest, and tiniest porn available. It’s already big in Europe and Asia, but portable porn hasn’t quite surged forward in America. Will it? Is the iPhone the device to carry it through?

With a big viewing area, the iPhone’s might have a screen just big enough. The Sony PSP, a contender in the portable porn market, clocks in with a 480 X 272 high resolution screen, comparable to the iPhone’s 480 X 320. The extra might help kick it out of “this is stupid small” and into an acceptable “hold it three inches front of your face” option. That, combined with easy internet access, takes care of the basics. (As for where to go on the web to find it, just head on over to the number one access point for iPhone porn sites: Google)

What about the iPhone’s whole touch potential? Sure, nipple twisting fingerprint circles on a smooth, cold, flat surface while sitting on a toilet in a mall bathroom might trigger a “EUREKA! I feel low” moment, but maybe there’s something to integrating touch with some kind of porn hacked application. We can all hang back until the Japanese sort out that whole avenue.

As for portable porn in general, there are upsides, and downsides. On the plus side, a phone’s a much more personal and private a device than a computer, less likely to be household/shared. Ironically, another advantage is that it’s much more public if you want it to be. Beer + iPhone porn = giggles among friends. And, fact is, if you ever “need” porn, you’ve always… got it… see, that’s just it, I’m not sure how I feel about the idea of having porn with me at all times. That’s committing to a lifestyle right there, like… I dunno… carrying a flask. Not only does having it in your phone create a whole new type of paranoia and set of porn-tracks to cover, but if you do get caught, all traits in the outward personality you’ve cultivated over the years will crumble in irrelevance under your new public identity as “guy who carries porn with him wherever he goes”. Still, it’s better than being the guy who keeps a “beaver shot” in his wallet.

The irony is that sticking a bikini babe as your wallpaper is still fairly socially acceptable, with womankind generally resigned to a “boys will be boys” attitude about covered nipples. But what happens when those bikini babes come to life?

I can’t help picture the ever so liberal “boys will be boys” attitude quickly dissolving with the knowledge that boys are carrying around their very own portable lap dancers. And these girls don’t ask for money when they’re done.

Source:Mmobilecommandos

If Iron Man Gets an LG Shine, Who Gets the iPhone?

The limited edition handset is the perfect metaphor for Marvel Comic’s latest blockbusting superhero. It wraps the inventive, technologically savvy qualities of Tony Stark in the durable, sleek, red and gold armor of Iron Man. Sweet.

But as cool as the movie looks, with all due respect, I was never a huge Iron Man fan growing up. Rich dude flying around in a suit of armor? Fap fap fap. So I can’t help but wonder Why does HE get a phone in HIS honor, when there have been countless comic book butt-kickers who deserve it way more? Are there less juvenile, more serious issues to ponder in the world today? Definitely. Did I spend an afternoon matching my favorite comic book characters with their respective cell phone technology? Absolutely.

Dr. Octopus - iPhone

At the height of smart-phone technology, who better to operate the multi-touch interface screen of Apple’s iPhone than evil super-genius Dr. Otto Octavius?

When he’s not busy throwing tanks, activating nuclear reactors or beating up Spidey, Doc Oc can use his mentally-controlled, telescopic tentacles to check emails, download music, text message his girlfriend while updating his blog, all at the same time! We’ll call it the iiiiPhone.

Wolverine - RAZR

For obvious reasons Wolverine needs something sharp, virtually indestructible, and able to accommodate his short temper. When he’s finished dealing with some punk Rogers customer service rep, he needs a phone he can throw into an enemy’s jugular. A cellular ninja-star if you will. So what better than a RAZR?

Silver Surfer - Motorola Q (Silver)

Exiled on earth, the Silver Surfer needs his very own silver…surfer…to surf….the web…get it? ‘Cause the phone is silver, and he’s……oh man that was terrible! What am I doing with my life?! Have you ever actually “booed” yourself? I can’t even look at myself in the mirror after that one. Wow.

The Hulk - TA-838/PT

“Hulk wearing ripped purple pants. What you wearing?” My impression of the Hulk having phone sex everybody….No? Nothing? Tough crowd. Anyhow, it’s pretty hard to picture the giant green bundle of rage delicately tapping away on his Blackberry, especially since one finger could turn the phone into blackberry juice. And I can’t picture him about to launch an oil tanker into orbit, only to be interrupted by Rihanna’s Umbrella song muffling its way out of his left pocket, when he pulls out his flip phone to take the call: “Hello? Hulk busy. Send text.” The Hulk needs something bulky with big buttons, something with the ability to send and receive calls while surrounded by explosions and incoming missiles.

Nothing takes a beating like the TA-838/PT Military Field Telephone, and incidentally nothing dishes them out better either. In the hands of our angry green friend the TA-838 is perfect for clobbering bad guys, smashing them into the ground like hammering a nail. And for fashion purposes, the phone also matches his skin color!


Source:Mobilecommandos

iPhone 3G problems: who's responsible doesn't matter, Infineon will take the blame

As the finger pointing continues in the 3G reception fiasco, unnamed sources quoted by Business Week claim that the issue comes from a component provided by Infineon and that a software patch from Apple will solve the problem. That's the best solution for Apple, which would rather avoid an expensive (and embarrassing) product recall and for users, obviously. Business Week seems to think that the rumor reinforces the sentiment of Richard Windsor, who also believes that Infineon's chip is the root of the problem. The poor reception problems are said to affect 2% to 3% of iPhone traffic.

Strangely, this same chip is used in Samsung phones where no problems were reported. It might be that the Samsung models aren't selling well enough or aren't under such scrutiny that the problem would be reported, but that's a long shot. If a software fix really solves the problem, how could the Infineon chip be solely responsible for Apple's woes? Software can work around problems, but can't fix broken hardware. It might also be that Apple tried to be aggressive in its power-management software. We will never know: even if Infineon isn't at fault (which, we don't know), we suspect that it would rather take the blame than lose Apple as a customer.

Source:Ubergizmo

Colorware Spruces Up iPhone 3G

It was only a matter of time before the folk at Colorware perform their magic on the iPhone 3G. Instead of black and white color options, you can now fork out another $150 to Colorware in order to get that shade which you've always wanted, making you stand out from the rest of the pack. Of course, throwing in another $20 will result in a customized button and frame as well. Which color will you choose?

Source:Ubergizmo

N95 / iPod Classic / iPhone 3G

A little comparison shot of the iPhone 3G (White), the Nokia N95 and the iPod Classic.

iPhone 3G going RED for the holiday season?

While rumors of the salt and pepper colored iPhone 3G pair reigned true, it is now time to look toward the emergence of yet another addition to the team. MacBlogz has learned through an unconfirmed source that a possible red iPhone 3G may be slated for a holiday release in attempts to boost sales.

With the iPhone 3G’s recent transition to a plastic casing, it would not seem difficult for Apple to add colors as they wish. The festive colored iPhone 3G would also serve as a (PRODUCT) RED offering, which donates a percentage of profits to anti-retroviral medicine to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Apple has already been on board with the (PRODUCT) RED campaign, offering a special edition 8GB iPod nano and 1GB iPod shuffle to the cause. They have also released a (PRODUCT) RED iTunes gift card that donates 10% of proceeds.

I for one, would certainly invite the addition of more colors to the iPhone 3G line. Come the holiday season Apple might have everyone seeing red.

Source:Macblogz

Apple sees red over iPhone 3G

It’ll come as no surprise that Apple’s got yet more iPhone surprises up its sleeves. But, the latest rumour is that a charity themed red-backed iPhone 3G is on its way.

Could a (Product) RED iPhone 3G be coming?

According to sources unknown and reported on website iphonesavior, Apple has lined up a (Product) RED 3G model that sports a bright red plastic back cover.

For anyone not in the charity know, the (Product) RED campaign sees participating companies, including Apple, Dell and Microsoft, create red versions of their products. A percentage of the product’s sale value then goes towards fighting Aids in Africa.

Although this latest iPhone 3G development is just a rumour at present, it’s not completely unlikely. Apple already has a (Product) RED deal going on variations of its iPod player range.

We will bring you more news as we have it.

source:Reghardware