We’re back with another week’s summary of the world of cell phones. While the big players are at each other’s necks again, Skype continues to threaten the entire world of network service providers, though the primary target remains their international call market. Nokia’s come up with a couple of new models, including one truly street-focused one, and – in by far the week’s biggest news – the iPad’s launch dates have been made yet more clear. Some in the know bloggers are claiming they’ve unveiled the prices, too…
- Apple has confirmed the iPad launch dates as the 3rd of April in the US and ‘late April’ in the UK, while several high profile blogs have also released ‘leaked’ prices for the device. This means those across the pond have only one month to wait until the sure to be iconic product hits the shelves. The iPad will even go on pre-sale in the US in only a week’s time, both online and through Apple’s high street stores, a pre-launch date that true enthusiasts had best avoid missing if they hope to be included in the first shipment. It’s sure to sell out fast. While Apple is yet to announce either UK or international sales dates, they have pointed to late April as the likely launch date in the UK. Initially, only the Wi-Fi versions of the iPad will be on sale, with consumers expected to have to wait around a month longer to get their paws on the extensive touch screens of the more travel-friendly 3G version. The disparity in dates is likely to be connected to difficulties in providing the satellite services for the 3G version. Meanwhile, prices have also been leaked for the UK Wi-Fi models, according to several high profile blogs, though these, of course, should be taken with a pinch of salt. The more consistent figures are: the 16GB Wi-Fi enable version will cost £389, £439 for the 32GB Wi-Fi model, while a hefty £489 will get you the 64GB Wi-Fi Model. These prices would fall in at around £40 more than the US prices, though the US model’s quoted prices are exclusive of VAT.
- Skype has been launched on the Nokia (Symbian) system smart phones. At face value, the service may well be the bane of service providers, enabling mobile users to use their Internet to avoid the most expensive (and so most profitable) of call services. The (far cheaper) Internet based call service also offers Internet messaging and is able to import number direct from a phone’s phonebook, and – aside from call cost – stacks up at the princely price of absolutely nothing. The application is available in the Ovi app store, and can be downloaded directly from the makers, here. It’s also available on the iPhone.
- Apple is suing HTC for patent breach. It seems the mobile market is one that’s ever more inundated with patent breach prosecutions, and the latest one is aimed at Taiwanese company HTC, who Apple are accusing of breaching more than 20 different Apple patents. Apple in turn are being sued by Nokia for numerous patent breaches, while a number of other major cell phone companies are involved in what is likely to become a costly and highly technical legal merry go round. The case, filed in Maryland, was submitted by Apple without any prior warning from HTC, and includes a full 700 pages of accompanying evidence. The primary target appears to be touch screen techmology.
- Nokia have announced their first ‘C’ range mobile, the C5. The phone is aimed at providing the Symbian platform on a more affordable phone, with a simple layout that allows access to all the key Ovi store applications and even offers SatNav functionality. The C5’s not aimed at being top of the class, but will certainly appeal to those who want to indulge in smart phone and don’t have the budget to match. The handset is expected to be on our shelves by early summer 2010, though you can see some early images and stats online, here. The timing of Nokia’s announcement seems particular odd, given that the World Mobile Congress - a prime launch time – finishing only two weeks ago. Perhaps Nokia are simply looking to stand out from the crowd. This next launch certainly suggest that might be the case:
- Nokia have also announced the Gold Version of the N97 Mini. Of course, the gold version is simply a bling-tastic, metal-plated version of the standard version, but for those looking for the opposite of the above – a relatively feature-poor phone for a fairly substantial price – it could make the perfect toy! In all seriousness, this is probably one for the wannabe rappers and those with more money than sense. Unless there are any special edition phone collectors out there? Either way, you can take a look, or even find out how you might pay out a whopping £600 for one, here. This one is expected a little earlier, in late April this year.
- Google continues to argue their iPad – along with various other technological advancements – are on the verge of making the desktop computer dead. While it might seem a bold prediction, the ‘desktop’ specification is an important part in this prediction, and while we’re unlikely to see clunky computers disappear from open plan offices anytime soon, we may well see the majority of them disappear from UK homes over the next few years. The iPad will be a contributing factor, no doubt, but the resulting price drops we can expect on an already competitive laptop market are also likely to be a major contributor.
