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Mauritius to Apple: Thanks for the iPhones, can we haz iTunes Store?
Recently, the people of the island republic of Mauritius have been able to purchase the iPhone 3G and 3GS through mobile phone provider Orange, but there's one major problem -- there's no access to an iTunes Store. This brings back memories of the original iPhone, when there was no iTunes Store to tempt iPhone owners with its wares. Can you imagine? No apps, no songs, and no videos for purchase directly from your phone? It boggles the mind. Here at TUAW, we're doing our part for the "Free the iTunes Store" movement in Mauritius. Reader Marc, who works for Mauritian Apple reseller Paoma, notes "Thousands of iPhones, no Apps! We are hoping to get Apple to take notice and include us. A Facebook page has been set up to document the movement and we have already been featured in many leading French-language Apple blogs." Well, Marc, now you have a leading English-language Apple blog taking up the cause as well. If you'd like to help iPhone users in Mauritius get their own iTunes Store, consider visiting the Facebook page and joining their group.
Comcast could serve TV over WiMAX, inflate your bill even higher
Think you're good at turning down the upsell? Try saying no to adding WiMAX to your home internet service for the low, low price of whatever Comcast wants to charge. Thanks to a multi-billion dollar tie-up with Clearwire, Comcast has been offering WiMAX-based internet services in a few markets, but now that On Demand Online is a go, it makes sense to think that the operator would use that as leverage to get people hooked. For those unaware, ODO enables Comcast pay-TV subscribers to watch a vast array of programming from any internet connection, which of course means that any ole 3G / 4G data connection would work just as well as Comcast's own. Oh, and while mobile TV is pretty good -- and we're going to let Comcast finish -- watching HDTV at home with a DVR is definitely the best scenario of all time.Update: Just to be clear, this service won't deliver TV straight to phones.
Apple to channel partners - stock up now
AppleInsider reported today that Apple is advising resellers to stock up on the better-selling iPods and MacBooks, as factory supplies are expected to slow to a trickle in August. There's speculation that this could be due to a release of new models. For 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pros and the standard MacBooks, Apple was recommending that channel partners place orders that would give them a 3-week supply. For iPods, a 4-week supply was advised. Apple usually notifies resellers via bulletins like this when they're getting ready to refresh a product line. This points to a product introduction for the new laptops and iPods (most likely the iPod touch and nano) in late August or September. While this is late for the school buying season, it could mark an early entry into the holiday buying season with an agressive launch of new products.
Apple store in Taiwan has iPhone, sort of
File this under hero of the Apple fanboy world friends, an Apple reseller from Taiwan flew to the US to lineup with the rest of us to get his hands on the precious. After a 30 hour wait in line and some serious transit time, the iPhone -- and only a 4 gig version it seems -- is now at home in Taiwan. Activated and roaming on Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom, we're betting that the gadget geeks in electronic mecca are likely lined up four abreast to get a quick peek. We're thinking he could have saved himself some time -- plus the brutal roaming charges -- and just put a decent knockoff on display.[Via Slashphone]
Circuit City selling Macs again
Earlier this month we reported that Macs might make a comeback at Circuit City, and sure 'nuff, reader Bob tipped us off to Macs appearing at Circuit City's website, as well as select locations. Apple has their own section under the Notebook Computers category, and CC seems to carry all flavors of both the MacBook and MacBook Pro, but no desktop models (at least online). Can't say we blame them, since notebooks have reportedly been outselling desktops since 2005, and even as early as 2003.While I'm still sitting on the fence as to whether I think Circuit City carrying Macs again is a good thing (I was working there when they screwed it up the first time), check out their new Mac section, and who knows: maybe they'll even be doing a 'get a free printer if you jump through our hoops!' rebate one of these Sundays.Update: Seems Circuit City has just added the Mac mini and the iMac to their site's inventory. Thanks Patrick!
Macs making a comeback at Circuit City?
A stealthy tipster has clued us in to the possibility that Macs - including MacBooks, MBPs, iMacs and Mac minis - might be making a belated encore appearance at a Circuit City near you. This observant reader caught these products listed on a few internal documents, but we don't have any ETA for now (though our money is on 'just in time for the fall/winter holiday shopping season'). This could be great news for US customers (and potential Mac owners) who might be in the market for a new Mac, but are nowhere near a bright, shiny Apple Store.I call this an encore because I used to work for Circuit City, right around the time Circuit and Apple parted ways - just before the introduction of Mac OS X; in fact I even (regrettably) had to help tear down the display from the store shelves. While part of me wishes I was still there (a small part, indeed) so I could gloat over this good news to all those who laughed and pointed at my Mac, I'm more hopeful that this turns out to be true for all those who could benefit from Circuit signing on (again) as an Apple reseller.
