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Apple's Tim Cook says 'pipeline is full of stuff,' AT&T affirms record sales of new iPad
Apple's 'cash balance' conference call this morning was mostly uninteresting for folks not immediately involved with Wall Street (the actual thing and the Shia LaBeouf masterpiece, as it turns out), but CEO Tim Cook did let loose a few nuggets of interestingness for those hoping for insight into the future. For one, he stated that Apple's pipeline is "full of stuff," further impressing upon the masses the message he planted at the tail-end of the new iPad keynote on March 7th. He also stated: "I think our customers will be incredibly pleased with what they see coming out." Hardly a surprise, but Apple rarely hands out confirmation of boom times unless it truly has something significant in the labs.He also confirmed that Apple had "a record opening weekend" in regard to the new iPad launch, but stopped short of handing out actual figures. In fact, we could be talking about a record low -- we jest, we jest. At any rate, AT&T has stepped in to announce that on Friday, March 16th, the carrier "set a new single-day record for its iPad sales and activations." Again, no hard figures, but something tells us the number crunchers (and auditors) are hard at work to bring us precisely that. Ma Bell's laughably brief press release can be found in its entirety after the break -- all 45 cliffhanging words of it.
FaceTime not supported over LTE on new iPad (Updated)
Reviews for the new iPad went live last night. While most reviewers were pleased with the tablet's LTE performance, there was one glaring omission. According to The Verge, the new iPad does not support FaceTime over LTE. You can turn on the iPad's WiFi hotspot and fire up FaceTime on the iPhone for video chat over LTE, but the native iPad FaceTime client is forced to use WiFi only. The Verge reached out to Apple, AT&T and Verizon for comment, but none of the companies responded. Update: Mashable talked to Apple and it appears that the Cupertino company is the one behind the decision to keep FaceTime on WiFi. An Apple spokesperson said "FaceTime has always been Wi-Fi only and that the company had no new announcements about the service."
Cricket looks to enhance LTE rollout plan, strikes five-year deal with Clearwire
It looks as if the Big G's plan to offload its Clearwire stake didn't stop Cricket from striking a deal with the Sprint-born network. The five-year agreement allows the underdog wireless carrier to use Clearwire's LTE Advanced-ready waves to aid with its own rollout, which is expected to be fleshing out over the next "two to three years." Similar to that LightsSquared pact from last year, mum's the word on how much cash was involved in the signing. That said, chances are all you care about is how speedy the 4G browsing will be (and how much you can use before getting throttled).
Canada relaxes rules on foreign ownership of wireless companies, plans spectrum auction for first half of 2013
The Canadian government made a major announcement on telecom policy late this afternoon, revealing a change that opens the door to more foreign ownership of wireless companies -- an issue that's been a point of contention for some time. As The Globe & Mail reports, the new rules will allow for 100 percent ownership of companies with a market share of ten percent or less -- something that can then grow beyond ten percent, so long as it's not done through mergers or takeovers. Previously, total foreign ownership in telecom companies has been restricted to 46.7 percent. Along with that news, the government also confirmed that the anticipated 700MHz spectrum auction will take place in the first half of 2013 (with a 2500 MHz auction to follow within a year), and that there will be caps in place that are said to "effectively ensure that new wireless entrants and regional providers have access to prime spectrum." The auction will also have some conditions intended to bring service to rural areas, and there will be a block of spectrum reserved for public safety use. All of this, the government says, is intended to "provide Canadian families with more choices at low prices," although we'll naturally have to wait and see if that last bit pans out. [Tower photo via Shutterstock]
Verizon lights up its 200th LTE candle, plans to double 4G coverage by year-end
You've come a long way, Big Red. For a network that launched a little over a year ago, VZW's LTE service is about to hit a high water mark, blanketing 203 markets come tomorrow's planned expansion to an additional seven territories. But the nation's top wireless dog isn't taking this milestone as a moment of respite; the carrier's aiming to double its current footprint by end-of-year 2012, boosting its tally to a potential 400-plus areas. As for the grand honor of being the 200th to come under the operator's 4G breadth, well, that distinction goes to a little town by the name of Dothan, Alabama. Sadly for those local folks, no festivities, fireworks or even service discounts are planned. Check out the PR after the break for the full list of cities joining the 700MHz brigade.
Daily Update for March 12, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
AT&T to expand LTE network to Cleveland, New Orleans and others
AT&T is set to blanket twelve new cities with LTE in the next few months. According to several press releases, AT&T will roll out LTE to parts of Ohio (Akron, Canton, and Cleveland), Louisiana (Baton Rouge and New Orleans) and Indiana (Bloomington, Lafayette and Muncie). Individual cities on this list include Staten Island, New York; St. Louis, Missouri; Naples, Florida; and Bryan-College Station, Texas. There's no concrete dates for the roll out, but AT&T does provide a timeframe of April, May and early summer. This expansion comes hot on the heels of the iPad announcement which included a 4G LTE model with AT&T's flavor of LTE (700, 2100 MHz). These 4G iPads cost US$130 more than their WiFi counterparts and can be used with a contract-free mobile broadband data plan. AT&T has three monthly plans which provide 250 MB for $14.99, 3 GB for $30.00 or 5 GB for $50.00. Unlike Verizon which bundles mobile hotspot into their plans, AT&T does not offer mobile hotspot on the iPad for now. [Via Electronista]
AT&T continues 4G LTE expansion, plans to light up eleven markets by early summer
AT&T's 4G LTE isn't the new kid on the wireless block anymore, but that's not to say the network's leapfrogged its growing pains. With almost two years to go before it reaches that end-of-year 2013 expansion target, the carrier's flipping the switch on an additional eleven markets across the US, as well as completing coverage in New York City. With a phased rollout in place that's set to begin next month and terminate at some undisclosed point in early summer, subscribers in Cleveland, Akron and Canton, Ohio; Naples, Florida; Bloomington, Lafayette and Muncie, Indiana; Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; St. Louis, Missouri; Bryan-College Station, Texas and Staten Island will get to benefit from those 700MHz waves. Check out the official presser below for the finer details.
C Spire restarts LTE rollout, aims for September launch in Mississippi
After missing its year-end 2011 target date, C Spire is once again set to get its LTE network up and running -- this time with a more realistic fall launch. The regional carrier announced plans for that initial rollout today, aiming to blanket 20 markets in Mississippi this September. Bear in mind, this particular flavor of 4G is more akin to the brisk, though not blistering performance achieved by HSPA+, given average downlink speeds should range between 4Mbps to 12Mbps and uplink at 1Mbps to 5Mbps. Considering this may be the first taste of non-3G for some denizens of the Magnolia State, it's not a bad start. For the sake of our southern brethren, we just hope the carrier can actually fulfill on its grandiose, next-gen promises this time 'round. Check out the official presser after the break.
iPad 4G LTE: if it happens, which carrier should you choose?
Rumors have been circulating that Apple has somehow managed to balance battery life, a high-resolution display, and 4G LTE in the next iPad. We won't know until tomorrow if the latter actually makes it to the next-generation tablet, but if it does, which carriers would be your best bet for LTE service in the U.S.? AT&T or Verizon. I deliberately left Sprint out of the picture here, since the Kansas-based carrier won't be rolling out LTE until mid-2012 and availability will be limited to Baltimore, Kansas City, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, and San Antonio at that time -- Sprint's existing branding for its "4G" service refers to its WiMax-based network, which the iPad almost certainly will not support. Aside from that, Sprint doesn't currently offer 3G service for the iPad (although it's enjoyed increased MiFi sales over the past couple of years thanks to Apple's tablet). T-Mobile is also a no-show despite the carrier's misleading ads that tout 4G service (actually 3G with enhanced backhaul) -- it won't deploy 4G LTE until next year. In the event that Apple announces a 4G LTE iPad tomorrow, here are some factors you should consider when choosing your carrier: Local Coverage Since most users spend most of their time in and around a specific set of locations -- usually home and work -- it's important to know if the device works on a carrier's network in those locations. Look at the coverage maps for AT&T and Verizon for an idea of where they currently have 4G LTE deployed, and then enter your work and home addresses for a detailed look at those locations. In my hometown, Verizon has widespread 4G LTE coverage, while AT&T has not yet built out its network. Nationwide Coverage If you travel frequently for work and use your iPad while on the road, it's going to be important to know if the carrier has 4G LTE service in the cities you travel to the most. Once again, the coverage maps linked to above are very useful in determining whether or not your device will be able to take advantage of 4G LTE -- provided the next-generation iPad comes so equipped. Speed Some people are lucky enough to have the option of 4G LTE from both U.S. carriers. In that case, a deciding factor may be the speed of the network. While AT&T's limited network coverage at this time makes a direct comparison in all markets impossible, the company's 4G LTE speeds usually seem to be beating Verizon's. A comparison by TechnoBuffalo in Irvine, California showed Verizon's average download speeds to be about 5.03 Mbps with an average upload speed of about 5.36 Mbps. For AT&T, the average download speed was about 8.21 Mbps, while uploads were clocked at about 2.72 Mbps. Data Plan Price Data plan pricing is also a consideration, and since we don't even know if the next-generation iPad is going to come equipped with 4G LTE, it's almost impossible to predict what the price tag will be on the 4G packages from the two companies. However, we can compare the existing 4G plans for Verizon and AT&T. Verizon: 2 GB / $30 per month, 5 GB / $50 per month, 10 GB / $80 per month AT&T: 250 MB / $15 per month, 3 GB / $30 per month, 5 GB / $50 per month If you already know what your monthly usage is for an existing iPad, that will help in determining what kind of plan you should purchase -- but keep in mind that faster download speeds may bump up your utilization. Remember that all current data plans for iPad are sold on a month-by-month basis and can be canceled with no penalty. The Bottom Line Should Apple, Verizon and AT&T announce a 4G LTE-equipped iPad tomorrow, then you'll have to keep all of these factors in mind when making your decision of carrier. For me, the decision is simple: Verizon is the only carrier that currently has a 4G network in my city, and if I want the higher speeds available with LTE, that's my choice. If Apple doesn't announce a 4G tablet tomorrow, then I'll be sure to update this post when the next-generation iPhone appears later this year -- hopefully with the ability to work with 4G LTE networks. Be sure to join us for the Apple iPad event coverage at 10am PT / 1pm ET tomorrow!
Apple addresses issue with iPhone 4S on China Mobile
Here's a strange story for you: Apple has worked with China Mobile to resolve issues with the iPhone 4S on the Chinese carrier's network. What's strange about that? China Mobile doesn't officially carry the iPhone 4S... Electronista is reporting that some 4S users cannot activate SIM cards or make calls with a full signal. The issues appear to be due to the iPhone 4S only supporting the GSM P band (885 - 915 MHz) and not the E band (880 - 890 MHz), both of which are in use by China Mobile. The P band is primarily used for outdoor use, while E is designed for indoor areas -- train stations, conventions centers, and the like. When China Mobile users move into an area without P coverage, they still see full signal strength, but the connection is dropped. According to China Mobile, Apple has updated all iPhone 4S devices built after February 8th, 2012 to work properly with their network. China Mobile is also saying that Apple is planning to issue a firmware update for earlier 4S devices in the next few weeks. Penn-Olson reported that there are some 15 million unofficial iPhone users on the China Mobile network at this point -- people who love their carrier so much that they're willing to run the iPhones on a system that doesn't give them 3G service. China Mobile expects to become China's third iPhone carrier soon, and is hoping to build a 4G LTE network that may be useful with the next generation of iPhone.
Our top ten wishes for the next-generation iPad
The minute the announcement about the third-generation iPad rollout next Wednesday hit the TUAW newsroom, just about everyone was throwing out ideas about what they'd like to see in the new model. Here are our top ten wishes for what we want to see in whatever is announced on March 7: 1. Retina Display There's not enough detail in the picture on the invitation (above) to really discern whether or not the new device will have a Retina display, but it's one of the most likely new features to appear. There have been leaked photos of an alleged display part for the next-generation iPad that show a doubling in pixel density, so we expect to see a new and much enhanced display. 2. Improved Processor To power those extra pixels, iPad: TNG is going to need more horsepower under the hood. So far we have two possibilities: a faster version of the dual-core Apple A5 (rumored to be the A5X -- see below) and a quad-core processor called the A6. Since these systems-on-a-chip also contain the system RAM, we may finally see a doubling of RAM to a full 1 GB ... or at least that's what we're hoping. 3. One Unit, Mulitple Carriers Right now, Apple has to sell two different versions of the iPad 2 -- one for GSM carriers and the other for CDMA carriers like Verizon. As with the iPhone 4S, we'd expect to see the next-generation iPad come with the capability of running on all networks. I think this is a no-brainer for the new iPad, as it reduces Apple's iPad SKUs by three. 4. 4G LTE There's a lot of debate here at TUAW about whether or not iPad: TNG will come with 4G LTE built in. On the plus side, Apple could compete with the plethora of Android tablets that are equipped with 4G LTE. On the other hand, 4G LTE still isn't widespread in most countries and battery life for LTE devices is still an issue, so would Apple be willing to sacrifice battery life in order to notch a competitive edge on the proverbial belt? We don't think so. 5. Better Cameras This is one wish that I personally don't care about, since I don't take photos with my iPad or use it all that much for video calls. But once again, the technology is available and Apple already has the 8 MP rear-facing camera in the iPhone 4S. My personal opinion is that this is a no-brainer, and that the next-generation iPad will have an 8 MP rear-facing camera as well as a front-facing HD (1280 x 720 pixel, AKA 720p) camera for FaceTime. After all, the new Macs are using 720p FaceTime HD, and we all know that Apple doesn't care how much bandwidth we're using... A front-facing HD camera would be a nice boost form the current VGA model in the existing iPads. 6. Siri Another point of contention amongst the TUAW bloggers is whether or not Siri will make it to the new iPad. Those of us who use Siri a lot think it's a natural for the new device, while others don't think it has a place on a larger device. I'd personally love to use Siri's excellent voice dictation capabilities for writing texts, notes, and reminders on the iPad. Should Siri find a place to live on the new iPad, the device will most likely get the dual noise-cancelling microphone setup that is used to feed the brains of Siri with high-quality voice input. 7. Stereo Speakers While the existing monaural speaker of the first and second generation iPads is "pretty good," especially when compared to (according to Dave Caolo) the Nook Color, a set of good stereo speakers on the bottom of the device would be a welcome addition. Since a lot more people may be using their iPads to watch movies on that Retina display, why not add better sound quality? 8. "Button-free" Design Another debate that has been raging through the newsroom is whether Apple will discard the current physical home button for a "virtual" button that's just an extension of the touch-sensitive display. My personal opinion is that they wouldn't do this -- people have become accustomed to feeling for the home button with their fingers, and unless Apple can provide a haptic display of some sort, they won't tamper with success. Then again, maybe that's what Apple is hinting with that "And touch" comment on the invitation. 9. More Storage The current iPad comes in 16, 32, and 64 GB flavors. While this might just be a requirement for some of our bloggers, there seems to be a difference of opinion on whether or not a 128 GB edition should be added. For those who like to watch a lot of video on their iPads, 128 GB would be a welcome addition. Some of the bloggers think that Apple won't expand storage since they want price points to remain fairly static and the Retina display will cost more than the existing display; others think that Apple will add a 128 GB model and just charge more for the luxury of more storage. 10. "Smarter" Covers The Smart Cover was introduced with the iPad 2 and provides a way to turn the display on and off without reaching for the power or home button. Several of our bloggers want to see a newer version of the Smart Cover. How could it be improved? How about getting rid of the sharp edges? Another idea was to build a solar clock and calculator "with big buttons" into the cover so one could check the time and do taxes without having to fire up the ol' iPad. That's our list of the most wished-for items for the next-generation iPad. What would you like to see? Leave your comments below.
LightSquared CEO Sanjiv Ahuja steps down, company remains committed to wireless network
The shakeup continues at LightSquared. Just days after the would-be LTE wholesaler confirmed that it would be cutting its staff by 45 percent, it's now announced that CEO Sanjiv Ahuja has resigned from his position, although he will continue to serve as chairman of the board. Chief network officer Doug Smitand and chief financial officer Marc Montagner will serve as co-chief operating officers as the company searches for a new CEO. What's more, LightSquared has also announced that billionaire backer Philip A. Falcone has been appointed to the company's board of directors, and he himself has reiterated the company's intent to build out its wireless network, noting that it is "committed to working with the appropriate entities to find a solution to the recent regulatory issues." The company's official announcement can be found after the break.
T-Mobile lost more customers in Q4, will launch LTE in 2013 with AWS spectrum from AT&T
In T-Mobile USA's first earnings report since the proposed merger with AT&T fell through in December, it noted a loss of 802,000 customers in Q4 (being the only carrier not to have the iPhone is a lonely, lonely circumstance). But there is some good news -- thanks to the AWS spectrum it's receiving due to the termination of said deal, it plans to launch LTE services in 2013. Additionally, it plans to spend $4 billion rolling out HSPA+3G/4G services on the 1900 MHz band which should mean high speed data access (in some areas) for previously unsupported devices like the iPhone 4/4S. Also, since both T-Mobile and AT&T use AWS spectrum for LTE, we could see existing (and future) unlocked devices that are compatible with both networks. For now, T-Mobile is focusing on the new devices it's delivering like the just-announced Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G, and its addition of 276,000 prepaid customers. Check out the full report with all the details and dollar amounts after the break.
Telus flipping switch on LTE, network goes live February 10th
After the competition got a head start, Telus has finally announced it's ready to flip the switch on its fresh LTE network tomorrow. Though it's certainly taken the longer road, its 4G waves are hitting several more markets on launch day in comparison to Rogers' solo-city debut. Among the selected 14 markets for the rollout are major cities such as Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Waterloo, Ottawa and Montreal. In the process, the carrier's also managed to stamp a release date on that LTE Note, which will arrive just in time for Valentine's Day. That said, it won't be the only Samsung Galaxy device on Telus' 4G lineup, the carrier's also bringing along the Tab 8.9, as well as the LG Optimus -- all of which will be up for grabs on on February 10th. Those of you in Maple Leaf Land can hit up the PR below to find out if your city made the first cut.
LG Spectrum review
Let's just get this out of the way, shall we? If the LG Spectrum looks familiar, you're not imagining things. It may have been a highlight at the company's CES press event last month, but the handset bears more than a passing resemblance to its older, more excitingly-named sibling, the LG Nitro HD -- and, by extension, the globe-trotting Optimus LTE. Beneath their 4.5-inch IPS displays, you'll find virtually identical guts, including a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1,830mAh battery and 4GB of internal storage, coupled with a 16GB microSD. There are some important distinctions here, of course -- namely, changes to the phone's shell and, of course, a shift from AT&T to Verizon. So, how does world-weary Optimus fare from its jump to Big Red? Find the answer past the break.
Carl Icahn smells blood in LightSquared's spectrum, descends to feed on its carrion
Oh, the twisted web that continues to weave itself around LightSquared. After incurring a seemingly endless parade of regulatory and industry obstacles, the Philip Falcone-backed network is now facing yet another potential hurdle. Except this time, it's taken the shape of investor Carl Icahn: a business magnate notorious for swooping in on downtrodden companies (see: Time Warner) and seizing control. And it appears the old man's pulled out his tried-and-true bag of tricks, securing a sizeable chunk of the fledgling 4G operation's debt following a value drop last year. What does this spell for Falcone? Well, the move could wind up positioning Icahn as a controlling force, steering the LTE operation away from its hedge fund founder's vision and into more profitable waters -- a welcome turn of events for the cash-strapped company. With FCC approval still pending, Sprint quietly retreating from its partnership deal and a looming fight for executive control, it's safe to say LightSquared's troubles have only just begun.[Image credit: Sarah A. Friedman]
LG Spectrum, BlackBerry Curve 9370 available now on Verizon
These two Big Red bedfellows couldn't be further apart on the smartphone range. LG's 4G-capable Spectrum (a Nitro HD in smooth, plastic coating) and the budget-friendly BlackBerry Curve 9370 are hitting retail shelves in tandem today, bringing users across Verizon's sub base the option to aim Android high or swing their wallets low. LG's repackaged, dual-core beast offers the same stunning 4.5-inch 720p HD display available on its AT&T counterpart and ships with Gingerbread 2.3.5 out of the box, although an upgrade to ICS is on deck. If you've been toying with the idea of an LTE phone, this might be the one for you, as its $199 pricing (with two-year contract) comes in well below other similarly equipped, high-end handsets. And lest we forget RIM's QWERTY for the masses, the Curve 9370 blends NFC, a 5 megapixel camera and handy GSM radios for the globe-hopping set. At $99 on contract, this device is poised to ding your bank account the least, but that's what you get with mid-range specs. Feel free to peruse the PR after break while you contemplate your place on the mobile spectrum.
Verizon to sell $200 Droid RAZR, 16GB microSD card not included this time
The question of the day: is a 16GB microSD card worth $100? Verizon Wireless said it will sell the Droid RAZR for $200 with a two-year contract -- a $100 discount off the original price, but one that forces you to give up that complimentary 16GB microSD card. Otherwise, you'll find the same 'ol spes, including a 1.2GHz TI OMAP 4430 CPU, 16GB of internal storage, a 4.3-inch AMOLED display and LTE connectivity. The microSD slot itself will be perfectly operational and accept up to 32GB in storage, provided you bring your own card. Expect this price to go into effect next week on January 23rd. Or, you know, spend $300 after all, but on that other RAZR with 32GB of storage and 21 hours of talk time.
CES 2012: Smartphones round-up
The Superbowl of smartphones? Why, that would be Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next month. But that didn't stop the mobile industry's heavy hitters from giving us a taste of the year in wireless to come at CES. With Windows Phones finally getting LTE, Intel's Medfield CPU making its handset debut, Sony synergizing under its mega brand umbrella and fringe manufacturers wowing attendees with stock Ice Cream Sandwich and super-thin profiles, it appears phone aficionados have plenty to anticipate. So, while you sit slack-jawed in front of that computer screen, let's revisit some of the highlights of this past week.
