Sprint to Also Get iPhone This Year?

[czeluff]

Right, I understand that part. The 2.5G & 3G had same internals, thus the "1". The 3GS has more RAM and faster chip and GPU hence the "2". The new iPhone is expected to have a upgraded CPU hence the "3". However, there are three versions of it, allegedly. 3,1/3,2/3,3. My speculation is that the 3 variations could point to different basebands. Would that not make sense?
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2010...ew-iphones-new-ipod-touch-and-new-ipad-found/

My thoughts EXACTLY. Now I dunno if it would ever be possible for ONE phone to support all 3 firmwares (and depending on which firmware you load, it enables/disables the right hardware) but I am still a believer that the 3 firmwares mean the following:

iPhone3,1 - AT&T & T-Mo
iPhone3,2 - Verizon
iPhone3,3 - Sprint

 

[JoEw]

Apple has no problem making a CDMA phone, but why bother when you are exclusive with AT&T? This June Apple will announce the end of the AT&T exclusive arrangement and announce a Verizon deal. Not only that, but Apple will have found a trick to allow the iPhone Verizon users to talk and get data at the same time. THIS is what will blow Android out of the water.



It's not a numbers game to Apple, it's a profit game, and to have profit Apple needs to keep jumping ahead and driving the market. Everything Andriod has done was done AFTER the GS hit the market. It's no wonder the Android is making a lot of hay right now. Wait until this next generation of iPhones hit the market before you start pissing your pants.

I think you are not looking at the importance for marketshare case in point look at macs.

macs have about a 10% market share (or less) it is still very profitable for apple but there are many more developers making programs for just PC users which in turns makes most users want to choose the OS that already runs its programs that a mac can not run.

now look back at the iphone/itouch and its app store. Right now its doing really well but thats because its the dominant platform for smart phones so developers are going to put the iPhone OS before android OS. But imagine that android takes over the iPhone OS marketshare, developers are going to be more inclined to develop for it since there would be a larger user base.

And about the next generation of iPhones we basically already know what the next iphone is going to have and its not anything revolutionary really, the evo 4g is the best specked smart phone on the market and almost anything the iPhone OS can do is doable on Android already.

I love my iPhone but Apple really needs to stop this exclusive carrier bs and 1 model every 12 months release or there gonna be in some trouble from Android.

 

[jb1280]

I don't understand why people wanting an iPhone that can only be used with 1 carrier in 1 country. I rather see Apple simply put a quad-band or 5-band UMTS on the next iPhone, and simply sell it unlocked so users can just go to an Apple store, but the iPhone, and then choose AT&T or T-Mobile. I mean isn't that how it is with computers? You buy a computer, than you pick your ISP. Nobody wants to buy a computer that can only be used with 1 ISP. Phones should be the same.

Particularly in the United States, unlocked mobile phones have never been particularly popular. The fact that Google shut down its Nexus One shop is further proof.

Personally, I would love to go into an Apple Store, buy an unlocked iPhone for $700 and go along with my life, but the vast majority of users are not going to do that.

 

[turleymuller]

My thoughts EXACTLY. Now I dunno if it would ever be possible for ONE phone to support all 3 firmwares (and depending on which firmware you load, it enables/disables the right hardware) but I am still a believer that the 3 firmwares mean the following:

iPhone3,1 - AT&T & T-Mo
iPhone3,2 - Verizon
iPhone3,3 - Sprint

Except- I think AT&T and T-Mobile would be separate and VZ and S together.

 

[turleymuller]

Why are we so sure verizon is going to agree with Apple now?

I think the difference now is the carriers' control over devices has been drastically relaxed. VZ originally didn't allow WiFi, disabled GPS nav, among other things. All the carriers were exercised tight control in some fashion. Apple got AT&T to agree to a host of features that enhanced the appeal of the iPhone. Other carriers essentially had to follow suit or they would be left behind. Android at VZ is an example of how control has been relaxed over the years.

I believe the issue with VZ is over price. I suspect Apple would demand more for a CDMA version due to the higher costs associated with development. However, I don't think this would be an issue if CDMA wasn't nearing EOL. With a limited potential market coupled with a very short time horizon, the number of CDMA devices sold wouldn't be large enough to recapture the development and testing expenses, etc on the front-end. I think Apple rather wait until LTE or at least until a dual GSM/CDMA baseband is cost-effective.

 

[Dayv]

I won't consider switching off of AT&T to any network that doesn't support simultaneous voice-and-data. I badly want AT&T to unlock tethering, but I'll take voice-and-data without tethering over the reverse. I'm surprised at how few people seem concerned about this when discussing hopes for multiple iPhone carriers.

 

[designgeek]

Except- I think AT&T and T-Mobile would be separate and VZ and S together.

Yeah, I think what kills me about the carrier situation is the Tmo 3G frequency. It would be so easy to remedy that situation. I would be so happy.

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

If Sprint got the iPhone I would instantly switch. I'm on a family plan with my dad and if it went to Sprint my father would be able to upgrade his iPhone to the new model and I'd be able to jump onto the next WebOS phone which will likely be on Sprint. That way we'll be able to save some money and get the best phones on the market.

If the next WebOS phone is launched on AT&T we'll probably stay with AT&T, but he'll never go to Verizon.

 

[skellener]

Remember, AT&T was one of the best networks around back in 2007 when it acquired the iPhone. It was known to have the best coverage and customer service.

Incorrect. The deal was with Cingular, NOT AT&T. AT&T purchased Cingular after that. Also, T-Mobile was and is the one with the best reported customer service, NOT AT&T.

 

[skellener]

I don't understand why people wanting an iPhone that can only be used with 1 carrier in 1 country. I rather see Apple simply put a quad-band or 5-band UMTS on the next iPhone, and simply sell it unlocked so users can just go to an Apple store, but the iPhone, and then choose AT&T or T-Mobile. I mean isn't that how it is with computers? You buy a computer, than you pick your ISP. Nobody wants to buy a computer that can only be used with 1 ISP. Phones should be the same.

Amen.

 

[MadeTheSwitch]

I would be very surprised if Apple created a CDMA version as the US is the only market for a CDMA model. In addition, it would be a logistical nightmare. Since iPhones are not repaired they are simply replaced, every replacement would require Apple employees to perform ESN swaps through the carriers as well. Also, Apple likes to keep their products relatively simple. Having identical phones that work on completely different network technologies would only confuse customers even more.

IMO Verizon and Sprint won't get the iPhone until LTE becomes as widespread as HSPA.

First off, the US is NOT the only market for a CDMA model. But even if it were, that is still hundreds of millions of customers. You think Apple is going to wait and allow their new arch rival Google to grab up even more customers just so people don't get "confused"? That wouldn't be good business sense.

As for the logistical nightmare, they will work around it. They simply have no other choice. Either that, or let Google gobble up even more market share. Which would YOU do? It's imperative that Apple retains developers and app store dominance. If Android starts looking more attractive with more units sold, developers will flee for that platform. Remaining locked to only one carrier in the U.S. is suicidal for the platform. And it isn't the business model they are employing in other places. Really the only thing that has held them back is the AT&T contract and the competing technologies...and a lack of a real competitor. But that has all changed now.

 

[skellener]

First off, the US is NOT the only market for a CDMA model. But even if it were, that is still hundreds of millions of customers.

Well OS X could run on hundreds of millions of more customers PC's, but Apple isn't interested in doing that. It wants to run on their own brand of hardware. Apple will do what Apple wants to do (meaning what Jobs wants to do). It doesn't always mean the most obvious thing.

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Well OS X could run on hundreds of millions of more customers PC's, but Apple isn't interested in doing that. It wants to run on their own brand of hardware. Apple will do what Apple wants to do (meaning what Jobs wants to do). It doesn't always mean the most obvious thing.

This doesn't translate at all to running only on one carrier. The iPhone is already on tons of carriers, it would be arbitrary to stay only on AT&T.

 

[MadeTheSwitch]

Apple will not do that, and risk suppressing initial iPhone sales coming out of the gate in July. If they are going to release the phone on all the networks, they will announce it that day. I don't remember Apple ever doing two major product launches in that manner like having an AT&T and then all the rest in September. If we don't see a verizon/Sprint iPhone in June, I doubt we see it for the rest of the year. If it's coming on all the networks this year, it will be announced in June. That way, we will see a massive iPhone launch in July or August.

Why? There's no reason they can't do two launches. They might not. But there is no reason why they can't either. I just don't see a Verizon or Sprint phone being launched that quickly. So I think it will necessitate two launch dates much in the way they launched the wi-fi and 3G iPad models separately. It's not about what they would like to do. It's about when the hardware and back end software is ready.

That said, considering there has been no evidence of a CDMA iPhone in production, no leaked photos, signs of an iPhone on a Verizon network, or lost prototypes, I think it's safe to say there won't be one coming any time soon.

You're assuming a June launch for all carriers. If my thoughts are correct, and it's a fall launch for any other carrier, then it would make sense that there is no leaked photos or evidence of one in production....because they aren't being produced yet!!!! A fall launch wouldn't start production until around late July or August depending on release date and how many they wanted to stockpile ahead of time. If it's an even later launch....say November, then production needs would be pushed back accordingly as well.

 

[currentinterest]

I am in the camp that does not believe Apple will mention other carriers when introducing the new iPhone. I believe there will be other carriers this year, but not until fall. It will be announced at the same time as the new iPod touch is announced and will be immediately available. There may also be a larger touch with a display between 5 & 7 inches.

 

[MadeTheSwitch]

Well OS X could run on hundreds of millions of more customers PC's, but Apple isn't interested in doing that. It wants to run on their own brand of hardware. Apple will do what Apple wants to do (meaning what Jobs wants to do). It doesn't always mean the most obvious thing.

The computer market and the phone market are VERY different beast. Also, Google has stepped all over Apple's toes a LOT lately. You really think they are going to sit back and just give market share to Google willingly? I sure don't.

Time to face facts....the market has changed. When Google was just a search engine, Apple had more leeway to do what they want. That is no longer the case and Google is becoming a rival more and more each day.

 

[Iloveapple!]

My company does some peering business with Sprint and VZY. I have only been hearing the "chatter" from the sprint people... We'll have to see. Anything to bring competition to ATT and bring down the prices!

That's what I'm hoping for: price competition. I've had great service in Portland on every carrier except Tmobile, so that's not a worry of mine. I just want a price war so we all benefit!

 

[MadeTheSwitch]

I've been saying for months now that I think Sprint is getting the iPhone and I personally hope this rumor is true. Their signal has worked great everywhere I have gone. Really T-mobile and Sprint are the only ones that work real well at my house. I think Sprint is slightly better though. Verizon is the worst. Lots of dropped calls so I will be really bummed if it only goes to Verizon or worse, stays on AT&T as neither of those options will work for me.

We shall see. Whatever happens, it's definitely getting exciting!

 

[Iloveapple!]

Clearly apple has probably been secretly developing a CDMA phone to see how it works, but who knows if we'll have to go thru what everyone had to go thru on AT&T when the iPhone was in its infancy.

Wow. Great input: "Clearly apple has probably..." Yeah...good stuff

 

[alexhasfun28]

If the next WebOS phone is launched on AT&T we'll probably stay with AT&T, but he'll never go to Verizon.

You truly have an amazing father in all seriousness. Verizon is just a waste in time & money.

 

[bobjob186]

best buy employee


enough said

 

[iZac]

Carrier exclusivity pisses me off nearly as much as locked handsets. In the UK market now, pretty much everyone except Hutchison 3G carry the iPhone, so why, WHY do they still not just sell unlocked SIM free phones? It’s sickening that I had to sit in an Apple store for 45 minutes like a lemon upgrading my contract with all the associated iPhone contract balls.

*Grrrrr*

 

[weezer160]

Personally, I am really indifferent to all these carriers. I never realized any quality differences between sprint and AT&T. Sometimes it just seems that all these differences are voiced mainly by whiney people who like to blow things out of proportion. That aside, I can only see an advantage if apple went with multiple carries in the US. With multiple carriers this would really put to sleep all those whiney people just there are no real differences, just bad experiences. I trust(ed) apple's decision to go with Cingular who were ultimately absorbed by AT&T. I'm sure such an acquisition was on the horizon before the iPhone was to become apart of Cingular. Maybe it was apart of their strategy all along: have the iPhone end up on exclusively on AT&T. Apple thinks years ahead. How do you think they made it so far?

 

[thinkdesign]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 7.11) Sprint PPC6850SP)

In NYC, SF and some other places, this would mean the iPhone could make actual phone calls! What a concept! ---- It was funny when all the indy film fans converged on the annual indy film festival in Austin Texas, and since they all had iPhones, they promptly overloaded AT&T's system, and couldn't make phone calls. Ah, the price of being painfully "hip".

 

[Castiel]

I'm excited to see the iPhone branch out to other carriers.

But then again, the more I think about it, the more I don't like the idea.

I feel the iPhone still has the unique, fresh feel to it.
When all major carriers get it, it's going to go from "You have an iPhone, sweet! let me see it!" to "Shocking, you have an iPhone too" and they're going to be littered everywhere.

Anyone else feel this way?