iPhone 4S

85 'iPhone 4S' stories August 2011 - May 2013

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U.S. Cellular announces plans to carry Apple products later this year

Jordan Kahn May 3 2013 - 6:44 am PT

Screen Shot 2013-05-03 at 9.50.39 AM

U.S. Cellular, the Chicago-based carrier serving around 5.8 million customers in 126 markets, will likely start offering the iPhone later this year, possibly in addition to other iOS devices. The carrier announced today in its first quarter results that it will soon begin carrying Apple products, but didn’t provide any further information regarding when or what specific products it might launch:

“We have a number of strategies in progress to increase loyalty and attract more customers, including our announcement today that we will begin offering Apple products later this year. By further strengthening our device portfolio, we’ll give consumers another great reason to switch to U.S. Cellular, and enable our existing customers to choose from an even wider variety of iconic smartphones, and enjoy the outstanding U.S. Cellular customer experiences they deserve. Our smartphone penetration is currently 43 percent of core market customers and growing quickly. We believe there will be strong, ongoing demand for smartphones and data products and services from our customers, and we have significant room for growth in this area.

You might remember a couple years back U.S. Cellular claimed it said no to the iPhone 4S with CEO Mary Dillon at the time saying Apple’s “terms were unacceptable from a risk and profitability standpoint.” Later, CEO of the cellular provider’s parent company TDS hinted that the carrier would wait until Apple unveiled an LTE capable device, which was of course before the unveiling of Apple’s LTE iPhone 5.

After it decided not to carry the iPhone 4S, it soon after launched its Wonderphone ad campaign that were seen by many as mocking the iPhone.

U.S. Celluar today reported service revenues for the first quarter of $996.3 million and noted that it plans to roll out its 4G LTE service to 87 percent of its subscribers this year. The carrier also said it plans to close its $480 million deal to sell its Chicago, St. Louis, central Illinois and other markets to Sprint in the second quarter of 2013.
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Report: Even iPhone 4S outsells Galaxy S3 in Q4 as iPhone 5 becomes best selling smartphone in the world

Jordan Kahn Feb 20 2013 - 5:22 am PT

Strategy-Analytics-feb-2013

While Apple was able to pass Samsung for the first time to become the No. 1 mobile phone vendor in the U.S. recently, Strategy Analytics latest numbers showed Samsung still dominated among global smartphone shipments in Q4. The research firm is out with a new report today that breaks down global smartphone sales by model, and, not so surprisingly, Apple’s iPhone 5 was able to take the top spot from Samsung’s Galaxy S3 to become the world’s best selling smartphone model during the quarter with 27.4 million units shipped:

According to the latest research from our Handset Country Share Tracker (CST) service, Apple’s iPhone 5 overtook Samsung’s Galaxy S3 to become the world’s best-selling smartphone model for the first time ever in the fourth quarter of 2012. Apple’s iPhone 5 smartphone model shipped an estimated 27.4 million units worldwide during the fourth quarter of 2012. The iPhone 5 captured an impressive 13 percent share of all smartphones shipped globally and it has become the world’s best-selling smartphone model for the first time ever. A rich touchscreen design, extensive distribution across dozens of countries, and generous operator subsidies have been among the main causes of the iPhone 5’s success.

Perhaps more surprising is the fact that iPhone 4S, which was discounted at the launch of iPhone 5, is also ahead of the Galaxy S3, as highlighted in the graphic above. The iPhone 4S grabbed the No. 2 position in Strategy Analytics’ study with 17.4 million units sold and 8 percent of the global smartphone market:

In addition to the iPhone 5, Apple shipped an estimated 17.4 million iPhone 4S units for 8 percent smartphone share globally in Q4 2012. Apple’s iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S are currently the world’s two most popular smartphone models.We estimate Samsung’s Galaxy S3 was the world’s third best-selling smartphone model and it shipped 15.4 million units globally, capturing 7 percent share in the fourth quarter of 2012… global demand for the Galaxy S3 appears to have peaked and Samsung will surely be keen to introduce its rumored Galaxy S4 upgrade in the coming weeks to fight back against Apple’s popular iPhone range.

iOS 6.1.1 build 10B145 being rushed to address 3G performance and enterprise concerns, some carrier testing completed

Jordan Kahn Feb 11 2013 - 8:58 am PT

Vodafone-iOS-6.1-

Following reports about some carriers in Europe issuing warnings not to upgrade to iOS 6.1 due to issues with 3G performance, it seems a fix is already in the works. The issue was not just with 3G through carriers such as Vodafone and three in Austria, many users in Apple’s own forums complained of similar problems, degraded battery life, and more. Users have also had problems with Exchange support, causing AOL corporate to temporarily disable the ability to manage mobile meetings from iOS devices running iOS 6.1.

Today, a report from German language blog iFun claimed that carriers have already completed testing a 6.1.1 update to address the bugs and a 23MB update carrying build number 10B145 should be available over-the-air soon:

After ifun.de this information is already in version 6.1.1 of the night on Monday as “Testing Complete” and should be offered the iPhone community with little flow as a wireless update. Sources which are applicable in the past on the issue dates of iOS 6.0.2 and iOS 6.1 as well as the eradication of the “SMS spoofing problem” have informed, indicate the large 23MB update with UMTS-compatible.

Apple’s first beta release for 6.1.1 was released last week with build number 10B311.

Walmart now offers iPhone 5 for $127, 4S for $47, and third-gen iPad for $399; Target to discount Virgin’s Prepaid 4S to $399 (updated)

Élyse Betters Dec 14 2012 - 9:16 am PT

Walmart is continuing to slash price tags on Apple products this holiday season, as the global retailer just announced it is now offering the 16GB iPhone 5 for $127.

Walmart also cut the iPhone 4S from $89.97 to $47 starting today, with both smartphones sales subject to the usual two-year contract, and it further lowered the (update below) 16 GB third-generation iPad with Wi-Fi to $399. Walmart said its iPad deal would feature a bonus $30 iTunes card beginning Dec. 17, but all special rollback prices are in-store only.

Target plans to offer an Apple product sale, as well. It will discount Virgin Mobile’s Prepaid 16GB iPhone 4S from $449.99 to $399.99 starting Dec. 16, but the deal is only available at Target Mobile locations.

Update 1: Walmart’s story continues to evolve. We’ll continue to update.

Update 2: Walmart’s PR agency made multiple corrections to its original announcement today. While the first press release said the third-generation iPad would go on sale for $399 on Dec. 17, a later correction indicated the deal actually started today for the fourth-generation iPad. Now, this evening, Walmart’s PR agency has made another correction: today’s $399 sale is for the third-generation iPad. The rollback prices for the iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S remain correct.

9to5Mac contacted Walmart directly today on multiple occasions to verify the sale prices advertised in the press release, but only its PR agency would comment on specifics and make subsequent corrections.
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Some iPhones coming off the assembly line with backward volume keys (iPhone 5 version)

Seth Weintraub Sep 26 2012 - 2:56 pm PT

Although it isn’t going to change your life, it looks like a few iPhone 4s are coming off the assembly line with reversed volume buttons. Reader Eric sends us his which he says works like it should if the buttons were reversed.

Fast-forward a year:

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Thanks Donut Bandit!

Those fine folks at Foxconn might have missed this one.

Report claims new iPod touch to match next iPhone’s taller display, add A5 chip and iPad-like shell

Jul 23 2012 - 9:33 pm PT

Macotakara, the same publication to report on an iOS-inspired, taller iPod nano, claims that Apple is preparing an updated iPod touch for launch this fall. The site says that this new iPod touch will match the next-generation iPhone in providing a taller, four-inch display.

Previously leaked next-generation iPod touch front-frame

Also reportedly on tap is the A5 processor from the iPhone 4S and a rear-shell that matches the iPad. The iPad sports a buffed aluminum shell, rather than shiny stainless steel like on the current iPod touch. A hole toward the bottom back of the device is also said to be present, but the report is unsure of the hole’s function. Perhaps it is a speaker, but that’s just speculation.

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Twelve South re-introduces the ‘little black book(book)’ for the iPhone Age

Jordan Kahn Jul 17 2012 - 9:56 am PT

Back when we used to write phone numbers down, the Little Black Book kept our “contacts” and contact information in one handy place. Twelve South today brings us up to date with the attractively styled black version of the BookBook iPhone case.

You can grab the Classic Black BookBook for $60 from Twelve South or Amazon now.

Product Features

Handmade, genuine leather case protects iPhone with style
Includes wallet pockets for ID, cards and cash
Unique book design disguises iPhone for added security

Dimensions

Size (LWH): 7.1 inches, 1 inches, 4.1 inches

The older brown version can be seen in the video below:

Microsoft unveils Windows Phone 8

Jordan Kahn Jun 20 2012 - 10:17 am PT

Microsoft’s Windows Phone Summit is happening now in San Francisco with Microsoft Vice President Joe Belfiore giving a demo on eight of the big new features to be included in Windows Phone 8. Some of the notables, as highlighted in the images above, include: a new SIM-based NFC wallet experience that will initially launch on Orange (and it appears to include iOS 6 Passbook-like features for third-party cards, etc.); Nokia Map technology for offline maps and turn-by-turn; and, an updated customizable home screen. During the presentation, Belfiore also showed the slide above (via CNET) of SunSpider benchmark results showing IE 10 on Windows 8 beating out the iPhone 4S (running iOS 6 beta—Developer NDA be damned) and Android devices.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Microsoft’s strategy is that it is—yet again—totally refreshing. That means no single Windows Phone 7 device will upgrade to Windows 8; all current devices are orphaned. For consumers, the company did this same thing with Windows Mobile. The only difference is that Windows Phone 7 looks like Windows 8. It is a completely new ballgame underneath, and the device is actually running an entirely new OS that gets its roots in Windows NT. For developers, things are easier due to the shared libraries.

Giant Retina MacBook Pro window display goes up at Apple Store

Jordan Kahn Jun 13 2012 - 7:24 am PT

Apple has created oversized window displays in the past following its latest product launches, including the iPhone 4S, and we snapped some photos today of the new Retina MacBook Pro signage.

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Apple partnering with TomTom for new Maps app

Jordan Kahn Jun 11 2012 - 2:10 pm PT

Update May 12: TomTom confirmed to Reuters today that “its global agreement with Apple covers maps and related information” but declined to comment further on the specifics of the deal.

Engadget just posted the screenshots above by an anonymous tipster who claimed to be running an iOS 6 developer beta on the iPhone 4S. It appears Apple is at least getting some data for its new Maps app through a partnership with TomTom. As noted in the report, the screenshots list “others” next to TomTom, but it does not list specific companies. It is unclear exactly what data or service of TomTom’s Apple is using. As pointed out by The Verge, Apple is crediting OpenStreetMap for data in the new app. The company also used OpenStreetMap in the past for iPhoto.

Report: Apple’s iOS 6 Maps app with 3D mapping gets rendered [Photos] (9to5mac.com)

Siri vs S-Voice on Samsung’s Galaxy S III

Jordan Kahn May 25 2012 - 7:50 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=X9YbwtVN8Sk]

The Verge recently went hands on with Samsung’s new flagship Galaxy S III launched earlier this month and during its review put the device’s new Vlingo-powered “S-Voice” feature up against Siri on the iPhone 4S. Other than the striking resemblance to Siri’s UI and canned responses, the first thing we notice is Siri appears to be much quicker than S-Voice running on the Galaxy S III.

When asked “Who is the president of France”, Siri quickly asks to search the web, while S-Voice takes a little longer but comes up with the correct answer. However, in most scenarios, both Siri and S-Voice request to search the web for the majority of the same queries. You’ll also notice S-Voice has no problem keeping up with Siri when scheduling appointments, but both have some of the same issues understanding The Verge’s commands.

S Voice consistently chews up my words when I try asking it questions, although it works better when instructed to schedule an appointment or set an alarm. It can also be used as an unlocking mechanism once you pre-record a pass phrase. That adds to the face unlocking option that’s native to Android 4.0 in being frustratingly unwieldy and planted firmly within gimmick territory — more than once I was stuck repeating “hello” without any recognition from the phone.

While we don’t have all of the info on S-Voice, we know it is using voice recognition technology from Vlingo, the same as the previous Voice Commander feature for the Galaxy S II. Last December Nuance acquired Vlingo. It’s no secret Apple is currently using Nuance to power speech in Siri, and Siri co-founder Norman Winarsky told us in October that Siri originally used Vlingo, but that Nuance has by far the most “IP in speech synthesis technologies”. However, he also noted Apple could likely easily replace Nuance if something better was available.

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Is Siri a success for Apple? [Poll]

Élyse Betters May 24 2012 - 1:24 pm PT

Oh, Siri. Apple’s little voice-activated personal assistant in iOS can handle questions, give recommendations, and delegate requests, but does it really live up to expectations?

The folks in Cupertino like to roll out advertisements that show Siri capable of compiling individual preferences with personalized results, and even completing basic tasks like finding a nearby restaurant, but the software met very mixed reactions after it Beta-débuted on the iPhone 4S in October. Those who felt misled by Siri’s functionality depicted in commercials eventually sought reimbursement by filing a class action lawsuit against Apple earlier this year.

Fortune’s Adam Lashinsky wrote about how chief executive Tim Cook is changing Apple in an interesting piece this morning, but he also touched upon the contention surrounding Siri. He noted Apple’s future relies on the quality of its products, which holds true for any company, but then he pointed to the iOS-maker’s knowledge navigator:

“Those looking for deficiencies have found them in Siri, a less-than-perfect product that Apple released with the rare beta label in late 2011, a signal that the service shouldn’t be viewed as fully baked. Siri’s response time has been slow, meaning the servers and software powering it are inadequate. ‘People are embarrassed by Siri,’ says one former insider. ‘Steve would have lost his mind over Siri.'”

It is interesting that an unnamed insider claimed Jobs would “lose his mind” over Siri, especially because it is well-known the late CEO worked with former Siri founder and subsequent Apple Engineering Director Dag Kittlaus on the project. Kittlaus admitted last March at Network World that Jobs felt they “cracked it” in regards to Siri, which alludes to the chief’s satisfaction with the voice assistant and contrasts with the insider’s opinion.

The poll is after the break.

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Meta Watch announces first Bluetooth 4.0 smartwatch for iOS, ships to devs this month

Jordan Kahn May 22 2012 - 6:39 am PT

Run by former Nokia and Fossil execs, and previously available in beta for Android devices only, Meta Watch officially launched its smartwatch platform today that interfaces with iOS—the first of its kind to utilize the low energy Bluetooth 4.0 technology. The watch works with an iOS app for customizing which notifications will pop up on its display. Notifications consist of the usual phone calls and messaging, but developers have access to an API that will allow them to send almost anything to the device.

The company previously had issues getting the platform to run smoothly due to limitations of iOS. However, thanks to Bluetooth 4.0, the device featuring a 96-by-96-pixel LCD display is now slated to ship sometime this month for $199. The Meta Watch is clearly still more of a development kit than an end-user product at this point, but with six fully programmable buttons, a 3-axis accelerometer, vibrating motor, ambient light sensor, and of course Bluetooth 4.0, there is a ton that devs will be able to do with the device.

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iPhone 4S lands on Oklahoma-based Pioneer Cellular & Puerto Rico’s Open Mobile

Jordan Kahn May 18 2012 - 12:08 pm PT

Following a number regional U.S. carriers that launched the iPhone this month, Oklahoma-based Pioneer Cellular today announced availability of the iPhone 4S. The carrier covers a large section of Northwest Oklahoma, and it will launch the device in-store at select locations today, followed by other locations on May 29, June 4, June 11, and June 18. Click the image to the right for a full list of cities and dates.

The carrier has not announced pricing or iPhone- specific plans for the device, but it currently has data plans starting at $30 for other smartphones. Earlier this month, regional carriers in Kentucky, Kansas, and California launched the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4, with some prices starting at $149 for the 4S and $49 for the iPhone 4. In April, five other small carriers added the iPhone.

Puerto Rico-based no-contract carrier Open Mobile now also offers the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 at a number of its stores. Pricing is available below:

Sprint to give $100 toward iPhone 4S during trade-in promo (9to5mac.com)
Bluegrass Cellular & Golden State Cellular launching iPhone 4S for $149, iPhone 4 for $49 starting May 18 (9to5mac.com)
World’s largest carrier China Mobile in talks with Apple to carry the iPhone (9to5mac.com)
T-Mobile TV ad compares iPhone 4S on AT&T to its 4G network (9to5mac.com)
How apps will benefit from a 4-inch iPhone (9to5mac.com)
Target discounting iPhone 4S to $149, iPhone 4 to $49 – in store only (9to5mac.com)

Report: Apple sold 7.25 million iPhones in Japan during 2011 as No.1 smartphone vendor

Jordan Kahn May 10 2012 - 8:19 am PT

According to a report from research firm MM Research Institute translated by Japanese blog Macotakara, iPhone sales in the Unites States during fiscal year 2011 hit 7.25 million units:

Research Institute released “General situation of mobile handsets shipment in Japan at 2011”. According to this MM Research Institute report, the number of iPhone sales reached 7.25 million units in Japan at 2011.

Amount of shipment of cell-phone was 42.74 million, which was 13.5% bigger than 2010, and smart-phone sales was 24.17 million in amount. In this market, Apple occupied 7.25 million (17% of all mobile phone sale) and got 2nd position by handset maker.

Focusing on smartphone market, Apple got 1st position as 30% share by handset vendor. Androids got 69% share by platform, and iOS got 30%.

As of the latest numbers from comScore, Apple’s growth in Japan outpaced Android during the three-month period ending February 2012 to take 34.2-percent of smartphone subscribers.

Japan inches closer to Android/iPhone duopoly, as Apple gains marketshare (9to5mac.com)

T-Mobile TV ad compares iPhone 4S on AT&T to its 4G network

Jordan Kahn May 9 2012 - 8:07 am PT

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pczODHEO23I]

As part of its new “Alter Ego” ad campaign, T-Mobile posted the above TV commercial comparing the speed of the iPhone 4S on AT&T to devices on its 4G network. The carrier recently did a similar comparison when launching its Test Drive tool for comparing its 4G devices with the iPhone on other networks. In related news, yesterday we reported T-Mobile was preparing to rollout an iPhone-compatible 4G HSPA+ 19000 MHz network to various markets by the end of the year.

Although many thought the comparison of the 3G iPhone on AT&T to 4G Android devices on T-Mobile was unfair, Apple is rumored to launch a new LTE iPhone following the introduction of the new 4G iPad last March. Recent reports indicated Qualcomm was having trouble meeting demand for LTE chips likely to land in the next-gen iPhone, indicating T-Mobile will likely have to take a new approach to its ads come October.

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Target discounting iPhone 4S to $149, iPhone 4 to $49 – in store only

Jake Smith May 7 2012 - 1:23 pm PT

If you are looking to pick up the iPhone 4S in the next couple of days, make sure to check your local Target store before purchasing. Thanks to a couple of tips sent to us by email, we now know that various Target locations are running a deal on the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 for all carriers. The 16GB iPhone 4S is available for $149.99 on a two-year contract, while the iPhone 4 is $49.99 on two-year contract — both at a $50 discount. Let us know in the comments if your local Target is running this deal. Sadly, it is not available online.

Cheers Laurenty, Caleb, iDannyOcean!

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IDC: Samsung takes top smartphone marketshare in Q1, as Apple hits 8.8-percent high of total mobile phone market

Jordan Kahn May 1 2012 - 5:55 am PT

Today, research firm IDC published its Q1 2012 report of top mobile phone and smartphone shipments worldwide. While Apple was able to post impressive growth with a high of 8.8-percent of the total mobile phone market (up from 4.6-percent a year ago) and 24.2-percent of the global smartphone market (up from 18.3-percent), Samsung was able overtake Apple for the top spot with a year-over-year change of 267 percent and 29.1-percent of the total smartphone market. Samsung also took the top spot of global mobile phone marketshare from Nokia for the first time since 2004.

Meanwhile, the worldwide smartphone market grew 42.5% year over year in 1Q12, as Samsung overtook Apple for the smartphone leadership position. Vendors shipped 144.9 million smartphones in 1Q12 compared to 101.7 million units in 1Q11. The 42.5% year-over-year growth was 1% higher than IDC’s forecast of 41.5% for the quarter, and lower than the 57.4% growth in the fourth quarter of 2011

In terms of shipments among smartphone vendors, Apple took the second spot behind Samsung up from 18.6 million units in Q1 2011 to 35.1 million in Q1 2012. Apple was only behind Samsung with 42.2 million units shipped, up from just 11.5 million a year ago.

The company does not publicly release shipments from Samsung, and IDC’s number of 42.2 million smartphones shipped during Q1 is significantly more than the 32 million estimated by IHS iSuppli just days ago. If IHS’s estimate were correct, it would put Samsung much closer to the 35.1 million devices Apple confirmed it ~~shipped~~ sold during the quarter.

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T-Mobile Test Drives 4G vs 3G in unfair network comparison

Jordan Kahn Apr 18 2012 - 7:35 am PT

Following the launch of its new Alter Ego ad campaign yesterday, T-Mobile just made its new “Test Drive” tool available for comparing the speed of “American’s Largest 4G Network” to other guys— Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon. Unfortunately, as pointed out by TMONews, the carrier is comparing 4G LTE Android handsets, such as the Galaxy S II, to the 3G speeds of the iPhone 4S. This is obviously not a fair comparison of LTE network speeds…

T-Mobile’s TestDrive website is now live and I will say at first glance, I’m disappointed. I’ll just get right to it — T-Mobile, I’m really puzzled by this. The idea that you claim “America’s largest 4G network” and design a new commercial campaign around speed and then compare your “4G” network against “3G” smartphones is a questionable act. Speed should no longer be the focus of T-Mobile’s marketing campaign, Value and Technology should. Speed should be a secondary thought. If you can’t win on speed, highlight where you can, Value, Value, Value.

Report: Four carriers fight for fastest 3G and 4G speeds, only two debut on top (9to5mac.com)

Apple announces Q2 2012 Earnings call for April 24 5 p.m. ET

9to5 Staff Apr 3 2012 - 3:53 am PT

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How many new iPads sold this quarter? Find out April 24 when Apple streams its earnings call after the market closes. Like always, we will be on hand to cover the news as it happens.

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Hands-on with Aereo: $12 monthly broadcast TV with DVR live-streams in Safari for Mac and iOS

Élyse Betters Mar 28 2012 - 9:49 am PT

Lets talk about Aereo—the service that streams over-the-air local TV to any Mac, iOS device, or PC running Safari for $12 per month.

The decidedly McGyver tech behind this venture relies on fingertip-sized TV antennas in data centers that allow servers to live-stream channels with high-definition reception through a speedy Internet connection. Aereo also works with Apple TV via iTunes’ AirPlay and a source iOS device, and Roku-lovers can use the Aereo channel through set-top boxes. The service even flaunts 40 hours of DVR storage space and an HTML 5 experience. That’s right, no apps—nor cords, cables, and boxes. Hence the startup’s “It’s TV made simple” badge.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR8lLt3gFZ8]

Aereo is currently an invite-only 90-day free trial to New York City residents. Oh, and the behind-the-scene gurus verify billing and IP addresses, so there is no fooling Aereo when requesting login credentials.

That’s enough with the basics; now time to spill the juicy details:

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iPad 2 & iPod touch up to $50 off, Target offering $25 off iPhones on contract

Jordan Kahn Mar 22 2012 - 10:33 am PT

According to an in-store iPhone advertisement in at least one Target location in Orlando, the store is offering $25 off the 8GB iPhone 4 and both the 16GB and 32GB iPhone 4S models until the end of the month. A tipster sent the image above showing the deal is offered for upgrades or on a new two-year contract available through AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint depending on your location.

(Thanks L. Nielsen!)

We are also noticing some of the best prices ever on iPad 2s. When Apple dropped the price of the iPad 2 by $100 (now starting at $399) after the introduction of the new iPad, retailers immediately started slashing prices even further on the last-generation device. We already saw the 16GB entry-level iPad 2 go for as low as $360, and today 9to5Toys pointed us to a 32GB model in white or black for $449 from Go4Computers through eBay Daily Deal. That deal includes free shipping and no tax (outside Florida), and the same goes for the 8GB iPod touch, which is usually $199 but now goes for $169.

If you live close enough to swing by a local Micro Center, it is currently offering the 16GB Wi-Fi only iPad 2 for $359.99.

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Apple invests $304 million to add 3,600 new jobs in Austin, Texas

Jordan Kahn Mar 9 2012 - 8:47 am PT

Image via Flickr user Glen Engel-Cox

Apple may not be hosting a temporary store this year at SXSW in Austin, Texas, but it is investing $304 million to increase its presence in the state by up to 3,600 employees. According to a statement from the State of Texas and Gov. Rick Perry, Apple’s new Austin campus will “double the size of Apple’s workforce” in the state for customer support and other administrative positions over the next decade. In exchange, cash-strapped Apple will benefit from $21 million over 10 years through the Texas Enterprise Fund. While it is mainly administrative positions mentioned in the statement, we reported in December that Samsung’s new $3.6 billion factory in Austin is now producing almost only Apple’s A5 chip for iPhone 4S and iPad 2. Gov. Perry said the following about today’s announcement:

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200,000 pre-orders later, China Telecom’s 130 million CDMA customers get access to the iPhone 4S today

Seth Weintraub Mar 9 2012 - 5:36 am PT

image via M.I.C. Gadget

Sina Tech reports that CDMA iPhone 4S’s are being snapped up by its 130 million mobile subscribers today after the No. 2 player in the world’s largest mobile market recieved 200,000 pre-orders (and counting) starting last week.

We previously noted that the iPhone 4S on China Telecom would be available in every configuration: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. The phone will start at “free” with a contract. China Telecom received its license to sell the iPhone in January. China Telecom officially announced it would begin selling the iPhone 4S last month.

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