World of Apple

Apple today released a minor update for the iPhone and iPod touch. The update which weighs in around the upper 200MB mark depending on device seems to deliver just bug fixes according to the attached release notes.

iPhone OS 3.1.2 Software Update
This update for iPhone and iPod touch contains bug fixes and improvements, including the following:

• Improves accuracy of reported battery level on iPhone 3GS
• Resolves issue where third-party apps would not launch in some instances
• Fixes bug that may cause an app to crash when using the Japanese Kana keyboard

The update can be obtained using iTunes.

Yesterday AT&T released an earnings report for its fourth quarter of 2009. In the report the official carrier of the iPhone in the U.S. reported that it had activated 3.1 million iPhones during the quarter, just shy of last quarters record of 3.2 million.

AT&T added another 2.7 million subscribers in the fourth quarter, with a 2009 total of 7.3 million bringing the carrier to 85.1 million subscribers in total.

“We had a solid 2009 and led the industry in the biggest growth driver — mobile broadband,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and chief executive officer. “Looking ahead, customer demand for connectivity, particularly mobile broadband and IP data, continues to be strong, and AT&T is well positioned at the center of this growth. Our fundamental outlook for the business is quite positive.

“Our significant investments in IP infrastructure — both mobile and fixed — provide the next-generation growth platforms for us,” Stephenson said. “Our leadership in mobile broadband will continue to set us apart as we roll out even faster 3G speeds this year and begin deploying 4G capabilities in 2011. Our IP-based U-verse service continues to scale nicely, improving our consumer revenue profile. And we continue to see solid growth from mobile broadband and IP data services in the business segment.”

AT&T’s revenue for the quarter was actually down on the previous years coming in at $30.9 billion compared with $31.1 billion in the year-ago quarter.

Since January 14 when the iPhone went on sale with Vodafone UK the carrier has sold 100,000 iPhone 3G and 3GS units.

“The demand from both consumer and business customers has been phenomenal. They want an outstanding phone on an outstanding network and we’re delivering that,” said Vodafone UKCEO Guy Laurence.

Vodafone UK sold 50,000 units in the just first day.

BusinessWeek reports that Apple and Microsoft are in talks and have been for several weeks to bring Bing to the iPhone as the default search engine, replacing Google.

According to BusinessWeek Apple and Google now consider each other primary enemies and that “Microsoft is now a pawn in that battle.”

BusinessWeek is bolstered by an additional report from the Wall Street Journal who states that “Apple was in serious discussions with Microsoft Corp. to incorporate its Bing search engine into the iPhone as the default search and map technologies.”

More interestingly the Wall Street Journal includes the following in its last paragraph:

Even if it’s consummated, an Apple-Bing deal may prove short-lived. The person familiar with Apple’s thinking says Apple has a “skunk works” looking at a search offering of its own, and believes that “if Apple does do a search deal with Microsoft, it’s about buying itself time.” Given the importance of search and its tie to mobile advertising — and the iPhone maker’s desire to slow Google — “Apple isn’t going to outsource the future.”

Towards the end of last year Apple also acquired mapping company PlaceBase.

A new batch of rumours concerning iPhone OS 4.0 have circulated the internet today in particular the rumours point towards “multitasking” and a new method of syncing contacts and calendars.

The rumours which come from a “trusty” source are published by Boy Genius Report and go as follows:

• There will be multi-touch gestures OS-wide. (Would make sense for that as the rumored OS for the iTablet is close if not the same as the iPhone)
  “A few new ways” to run applications in the background — multitasking.

• Many graphical and UI changes to make navigating through the OS easier and more efficient. We haven’t had this broken down, but we can only hope for improved notifications, a refreshed homescreen, etc.
• The update will supposedly be available for only the iPhone 3G and 3GS, but will “put them ahead in the smartphone market because it will make them more like full-fledged computers” more than any other phone to date. Everyone is “really excited.”
• The last piece of information is the most vague, but apparently there will be some brand new syncing ability for the contacts and calendar applications.

Apple is holding a media event on Wednesday, January 27 in San Francisco and is widely expected to announce its long-rumoured tablet computer alongside discussions of iPhone OS 4.0 and accompanying SDK.

In the ongoing saga between Apple and Nokia it was reported over the weekend that Apple has struck back at Nokia filing its own complaint with the International Trade Commission (ITC).

The move from Apple to ban the imports of Nokia mobile phones into the United States is identical to that of Nokia’s who last month filed with the ITC to ban the import of “virtually all” Apple products.

In a comment to Bloomberg Nokia spokesman Mark Durrant said that the company “will study the complaint when it is received and continue to defend itself vigorously.

“However this does not alter the fact that Apple has failed to agree appropriate terms for using Nokia technology and has been seeking a free ride on Nokia’s innovation since it shipped the first iPhone in 2007.”

The battle between Apple and Nokia started in October last year when Nokia alleged that the Apple iPhone infringed 10 of its patents. Apple countered this claim by filing a lawsuit against Nokia claiming that the company had infringed 13 of Apple’s patents.

Kodak has filed a complaint with the US Internal Trade Commission (ITC) alleging that both the iPhone and Blackberry use technology to preview images that infringes Kodak patents.

In addition Kodak has filed two sperate cases against Apple saying that the iPhone infringes patents related to “digital cameras and certain computer processes.”

“Kodak has a long history of digital imaging innovation and we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars creating our industry-leading patent portfolio,” said Laura G. Quatela, Chief Intellectual Property Officer, and Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. “In the case of Apple and RIM, we’ve had discussions for years with both companies in an attempt to resolve this issue amicably, and we have not been able to reach a satisfactory agreement. In light of that, we are taking this action to ensure that we protect the interests of our shareholders and the existing licensees of our technology.

“Our primary interest is not to disrupt the availability of any product but to obtain fair compensation for the use of our technology,” Quatela said. “There’s a basic issue of fairness that needs to be addressed. Those devices use Kodak technology, and we are merely seeking compensation for the use of our technology in their products.”

Kodak’s complaint to the ITC against Apple and RIM is a limited exclusion order preventing the importation of infringing devices, including certain mobile telephones and wireless communication devices featuring digital cameras.

“We remain open to negotiating a fair and amicable agreement with both Apple and RIM, which has always been our preference and our practice with other licensees,” Quatela said. “We seek to avoid litigation in our licensing programs whenever possible. But when the infringement is persistent, we will act to defend the interests of our shareholders and licensees, and to promote the fair compensation that is the bedrock of innovation.”

Vodafone UK began selling the iPhone this morning in the UK and confirmed that it had shipped 50,000 units to pre-registered customers.

The 50,000 units were ordered by customers who signed up ahead of the launch said Vodafone UK chief executive Guy Laurence.

Vodafone UK is offering the 8GB iPhone 3G for £59 on a 24-month contract that features 300 minutes, and unlimited texts and 1GB of data. On a £35 month contract the iPhone 3G is free alongside 600 minutes. iPhone 3GS 16GB is free on a £45 a month, 24-month contract offering 1200 minutes and unlimited texts with 1GB of data.

Mobile network operator O2 in the UK has owned up and apologised to customers who have suffered poor network availability and reliability in London.

In an interview with the Financial Times O2 executive director Ronan Dunne admitted that some customers in London were unable to make or receive calls and the transfer of data was slow and unreliable because of pressure placed on O2’s network from smartphones.

O2 stated that the situation occurred in the second half of the year and has now been rectified with a £30 million investment in the capital during December to help improve network capacity. Detailing the improvements further O2 said that it was working with its infrastructure supplier Nokia Siemens Networks on software modifications, installing 200 additional mobile base stations in London. O2 will also liaise with smartphone manufacturers to become aware of heavy usage applications.

In the article O2 failed to recognise a country wide issue with multiple outages occurring across the country during 2009.

“Where we haven’t met our own high standards, then there’s no question, we apologize to customers for that fact,” said Dunne. “But it would be wrong to say O2 has failed its customers en masse.”

Vodafone has announced today that the iPhone will be available on its network in the UK from January 14, 2010.

“We started preparing our network over a year ago so that iPhone customers will really feel the advantage of being with Vodafone,” said Guy Laurence, CEO, Vodafone UK. “We will offer an outstanding iPhone experience wherever our customers live, work and travel, delivering speed and reliability – something our customers have told us they really value.”

“We’re especially pleased to offer iPhone to business customers from launch, both directly and through a network of 20 dealers across the country – clearly demonstrating that Vodafone is the natural home for small business.”

Vodafone UK pricing for the iPhone remains in line with the likes of Orange and O2 who already sell the iPhone in the UK. The cheapest contract available is a 24-month £30/month with iPhone handset prices at £59, £149 and £239 for the iPhone 3G 8GB, iPhone 3GS 16GB and iPhone 3GS 32GB respectively. The £30 per month tariff offers 300 minutes, unlimited text messages, unlimited WiFi but only 1GB of network data transfer.