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Verizon makes Motorola Droid 2 available on web, shows off demo video

Will Park — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:06:52 +0000

As promised, today is the first day that Verizon will begin taking orders for the Motorola Droid 2 – the follow-up the well-received original Motorola Droid. You can log onto the Verizon web-store to put in your pre-order for the new Droid 2, which will run you $199.99 when purchased with a 2-year service contract from Big Red. A quick check of the website shows that the on-contract price of the Droid 2 is a hefty $299.99, but is being offered with a $100 online discount, making your checkout price about two C-notes.

If you’re not yet familiar with the Droid 2, you should know that it’s the second-generation version of the Droid, and it’s made by Motorola. The D2, as we like to call it, features the same 3.7-inch touchscreen, 5-megapixel camera (with auto-focus and dual-LED flash) and side-sliding QWERTY keyboard form-factor as the original D1, but it ups the ante with improvements in some key areas.

The slide-out keyboard has been updated with a new layout that does away with a space-hogging D-pad in favor of arrow keys. The somewhat flat keys from the original Droid keyboard has been updated on the D2 to be more contoured and offers “better tactile differentiation” – in other words, it just feels better and lends to a faster typing experience.

Perhaps the best feature of the D2 is that it ships with Android 2.2 Froyo OS. That means you’ll see overall faster system performance, support for Adobe Flash 10.1 Player, faster JavaScript performance, and the ability to save Android apps to the microSD card. The D2 also features the Verizon Mobile HotSpot feature that allows you to use the handset as a portable WiFi router – giving your WiFi devices access to the internet via Verizon’s 3G data network. You also get the Swype on-screen keyboard preloaded on the Droid 2, which makes typing no harder than dragging your finger across the virtual keyboard to trace out words.

Verizon has also posted a video tour of the Droid 2, featuring “Derek.” Take a look at the D2 tour below! Oh, and don’t forget that Verizon will be pushing out an R2D2 version of the handset in the near future, for all you Star Wars fans out there.

[Via: Verizon]

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Sprint Puts Samsung Epic 4G and HTC EVO 4G Head to Head

Marc Flores — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:11:00 +0000

So many Android devices from Sprint, so little time, right? But if you’re going to grab a Google powered handset from the carrier, you might as well grab one with 4G or WiMax capabilities. That leaves you with two options: Samsung’s Epic 4G, which is a variant of the Galaxy S devices, or the HTC EVO 4G, which has seems to have been sold out everywhere since launch. Both share a few features, such as Android and support for Sprint’s WiMax network, but they also have different things to offer, too.

Let’s take a quick look at some of these differences, shall we?

Epic 4G has a 4-inch Super AMOLED display, the EVO has a 4.3-inch WVGA display
Epic 4G uses DLNA for media sync/out, the EVO uses HDMI out
Epic 4G has a slide-out physical QWERTY keyboard, the EVO has an on-screen keyboard only
The Epic 4G will feature Samsung’s Media Hub after launch for users to purchase or rent movies
Epic 4G has TouchWiz vs. the EVO’s Sense UI–both interfaces are good, but matters of preference

While there are plenty of differences, there are also common features. Both phones feature Google’s Android platform, though the EVO 4G has the latest Android 2.2 Froyo build where the Epic 4G will ship with the slightly older Android 2.1. Each handset also features a front-facing camera for video chatting. If you’re always on the road and need a mobile hotspot, both the Epic 4G and EVO allow you to tether your laptop or tablet computer to Sprint’s 3G or 4G network.

Want to know more about these two? Watch Sprint explain the similarities and differences in the video below!

Samsung Galaxy S Hummingbird processor overclock hits 1.2Ghz, delivers off-chart benchmarks

Blake Stimac — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:04:52 +0000

For those of you who think that the Samsung Galaxy S line’s 1GHz processor speed isn’t enough for you, you’ll be glad to know that the original Galaxy S and Captivate have been successfully overclocked to 1.2 GHz. But what’s more interesting is that the Hummingbird processor can apparently be overclocked to a battery-draining 1.6GHz!

The possibility of getting the Galaxy S running at 1.6 GHz is, for now, just a theory. The Hummingbird processor found on all of the Galaxy S variants should be able to support it, but it just hasn’t reached its full potential at this point. Still, screaming processor speed aside, it’s not clear what effect this level of overclocking will have on the device’s battery life, or overall stability is up for question. And, it’s important to note that overclocking can be dangerous to your device’s health.

Sure, it’s hard not to see the appeal of having your smartphone run at the speed of most netbooks today. It definitely sounds appealing, but I’m not sure how appealing it is to possibly have your once shiny Galaxy S turn into a lifeless paperweight.

For now, if you’re looking to overclock your Galaxy S (i9000) or Samsung Captivate, you can use the existing method that will get you up to 1.2 GHz. How much would .2 GHz boost performance? Just take a look at the picture above. The Captivate hit a 2547 benchmark in Quadrant while using the 1.2 GHz overclock hack, and we couldn’t even begin to think of what the score might look like if the bad boy was running at 1.6 GHz.

Let’s hope one of the crazy smart devs over at XDA can cook something up for the tinkerers out there. Even if this does become possible, it will likely take a while before the hack is actually useful. The hack needs to be stable (enough), and battery issues will need to be addressed, if they can keep the thing from dying within an hour of use to begin with. If overclocking isn’t your style, we might suggest you to wait out for the HTC Ace, as it’s rumored to come with a 1.3 GHz CPU from the factory.

[Via: Phandroid]

HTC EVO 4G Android 2.2 (Froyo) Update for Early Adopters Now Available

Marc Flores — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:45:19 +0000

We HTC EVO 4G owners became a little excited when we found that the Android 2.2 update for the handset, compatible with all that Sense UI goodness straight from HTC, and went straight to download and install it. The Taiwanese smartphone maker then took to Twitter and announced that the build wasn’t final and might have been unstable. So while everyone else got their official updates from Sprint just three days later, we were stuck with a working, bug-free and stable version. Wait, what?

While we’ve gone from version 3.26.651.3 to software version 3.26.651.6, most of us won’t see much of a difference, if any difference at all. But psychologically, we’re all wanting to be on the latest and greatest, so it might seem faster or more stable. HTC tells us that the functionality between the two software versions is identical, and that the only difference between the two may be the way in which the radios handle 4G or WiMax.

Personally, I see no difference between the two software versions at all. The update was pushed to my handset last night and it took about 5 seconds to download (over WiMax) and another three minutes to completely install. Like the .3 version, all my apps and info remained intact.

If the update was not pushed to your device, you can simply go into Settings>System Updates>HTC software update and manually check for the update. From there, you’ll be prompted to download and install the update and there will be a friendly reminder that your phone will be unusable during the process. Make sure you don’t need to make phone calls or take e-mails during the update process.

And that’s it! Let us know if you run into any issues, but it should be smooth sailing from here.

Are you thinking about grabbing an HTC EVO 4G for Sprint? Unsure about the device or whether it’s right for you? Check out our hands-on review here, and our review and impressions of Android 2.2 on the device here. If you’re new to Android, be sure to check out IntoMobile’s dedicated Android section here.

Google holding mobile event August 12 – What Android goodness is on tap?

Marin Perez — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:43:35 +0000

The search giant will be holding a Google Mobile event this Thursday, August 12, and it promised to show off some new features. Let the guessing games begin.

The invitation only says that it will be “unveiling a couple of cool new mobile features.” I’d immediately think this would be for Android, but it could very well be a cross-platform roll out that will work with Webkit-based browsers like on the Apple iPhone and, I suppose, the BlackBerry Torch.

But if I were a betting man, I’d say the event will be focused around Android and potentially it could put a new emphasis on the Google music service we’ve been expecting ever since Google I/O. This will let the search giant sell music through the Android Market and, more importantly, allow users to stream their home music library to their Android handset. Let’s just hope the streaming quality is better than what’s in Froyo.

A Google music service with Android would give the company a fine counterbalance to the iTunes juggernaut for the Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Granted, the Amazon MP3 store is already on a ton of Android devices but I think the multimedia buying and playback experience need to get a lot better if Google wants Android to outclass the iPhone.

With that said, this is all pretty much speculation now, as the last time we saw an event like this, Google threw a major cool curve ball with the introduction of Google Navigation.

Maybe it has another cool feature to show off that will be exclusive to that little green robot. One thing is for sure, check out IntoMobile for the very latest on the event.

What do you think the search giant is going to show off? What would you like them to show? Is it too early for some Gingerbread action?

It’s official: Dell Steak on AT&T August 13 for $300

Marin Perez — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:48:16 +0000

It’s been a long time coming, but the massive Dell Streak will finally be hitting AT&T August 13 and the 5-inch smartphone/tablet will cost about $300 with a new, two-year contract and $550 without a contract.

The Android Streak has a large 5-inch screen which kind of puts it in between a tablet and a smartphone (smarblet?). Some may be disappointed that it will launch with Android 1.6 but we already know that the company is working on software upgrades. Oddly enough, this is the second Android 1.6 device that AT&T introduced this week, as the Sony Xperia X10 also has an older version of that little, green robot.

The Dell Streak will also have all the communications features you’d expect from a smartphone including WiFi, 3G connectivity, Bluetooth, and GPS. It will pack a 1 GHz Qualcomm processor, 2 GB of internal storage and it will have access to the Android Market in order to add features and apps. Also, it will sport a 5-megapixel camera with a front-facing camera that could be used to make video calls with apps like Fring.

“The Dell Streak has found a way to fit your whole world in a 5-inch screen. Its unique size will help people discover new ways to enjoy the web, connect with friends, and navigate their lives,” said Ron Garriques, president, Dell Communication Solutions, in a prepared statement.

Like the Motorola Droid X or Samsung Captivate, Dell will layer on its own custom user interface to make things prettier and add social-networking functionality.

We’re getting a Dell Streak shortly and it will be interesting to see how this thing performs. The WVGA resolution and older version of the Android operating system are already disappointments but there’s something about that big screen which really appeals to me. Look for our full review of the Dell Streak Android smartphone shortly, friends.

[Via AT&T]

HP planning PalmPad / Hurricane webOS tablet for early 2011

Will Park — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:46:09 +0000

It seems that all the speculation about HP bringing a webOS tablet to market is starting to come to a head, as HP has reportedly told employees that the company will be aiming to launch Palm-pedigree device – codenamed the “Hurricane,” and possibly to be called the PalmPad – in early 2011. Following on HP’s recent Palm acquisition, HP Personal Systems Group vice president Todd Bradley is said to have told employees yesterday that the webOS-powered tablet is being prepped for a Q1 2011 launch, which falls roughly in line with previous speculation that the tablet could debut late this year.

The word on the street has it that “trusted sources” have tipped Engadget on HP’s plans for its rumored tablet. Previous rumors had HP reviving Palm’s mothballed project under the codename “Hurricane,” and this latest rumor suggests that the codename is most definitely legitimate and will eventually birth what may come to be known as the “PalmPad.” HP recently filed for the PalmPad trademark, which sparked massive speculation that a webOS tablet was in the works inside the computer-maker’s R&D labs. Now that the existence of the tablet is all but official, it’s quite possible that the device will be known as the PalmPad.

And, even more exciting is the possibility that, given the launch window that HP has set for itself, the PalmPad could hit market with webOS 2.0 in tow. We’re not yet clear on what new features webOS 2.0 will bring to the table(t), but there’s no doubt that we’ll see some parts of the multi-tasking mobile OS optimized for a larger touchscreen display.

So, with all these new-fangled tablets due to go live later this year and through the next, we have to wonder if the iPad can continue to hold on to its current market advantage. What say you, dear reader? Is a webOS-powered PalmPad on your radar? Or do Android tablets powered by NVIDIA’s dual-core Tegra2 processor – Notion Ink Adam – take top-billing?

[Via: Engadget]

EU joins FTC Apple investigation over Flash

Marin Perez — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:55:35 +0000

It looks like the European Union is joining the Federal Trade Commission in investigating if Apple’s exclusion of Adobe Flash technology on its iOS products unlawfully harms competition.

The governmental agencies are looking into the issue because Adobe complained that the lack of Flash on the devices’ web browsers and Apple banning it as a development tool would hurt Adobe’s business. While Flash is (very) slowly making its way onto every major smartphone platform, the Apple iPhone and iPad users are highly-coveted by advertisers and publishers.

Looking at it from Apple’s perspective, the company still believes that Flash is an outdated technology that draws too many resources to be practical on a mobile device. Additionally, the company is nowhere near a monopoly, so it has every right to dictate how and what can get on its platform – there are plenty of great Apple iPhone alternatives nowadays.

In the end, I don’t think the FTC will do anything about the lack of Flash on the Apple iOS products because there’s no real legal case – in regards to U.S. law – to be made with the plethora of other options out there. The EU is a different beast altogether though, as it has successfully made Microsoft decouple Internet Explorer from Windows, so there’s a chance something may happen.

We’ve already seen the European Commission implement a technology directive which may force Apple to adopt Adobe Flash but I don’t know how well a poorly-supported, forced Flash experience would be.

As I’ve said before, I believe Adobe’s best bet is making Flash a stellar experience on every other single mobile platform in order to condition users and developers to have a full web experience on the go. Once that happens, the Apple iOS devices will look woefully out of date and could be forced to cave on the issue.

[Via The New York Post]

Samsung Epic 4G for Sprint Launching August 21?

Marc Flores — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:24:00 +0000

Another day, another Samsung Epic 4G rumor for Sprint. Initial rumors said that the Galaxy S variant would be launching on August 11, and seeing how it’s a day away and it’s all quiet on Big Yellow’s front, it’s safe to say that ain’t happening. The new rumor says that the Epic 4G will be launching on August 21, and that time frame seems a little more feasible given the very recent FCC filing we saw for the Samsung handset.

User Powrman811 from the Android Central forums says that according to a solid source at Sprint, the handset will indeed be launching closer to the end of August–the 21st, to be exact.

“MY GO TO SPRINT PEOPLE told me that I can order my store inventory on August 16th and sell on the 21st,” he says.

He certainly is ecstatic about his go-to Sprint people, it seems. While there is no solid evidence that it will be launching in just over 10 days, it’s nice to dream a little dream.

If you’d like to see a little more of the Samsung Epic 4G for Sprint, check out our hands-on coverage here while you wait.

[Via: Android Central]

Microsoft prepping a Mediaroom application for Windows Phone 7

Kelly Hodgkins — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:20:44 +0000

Microsoft’s Mediaroom application may be coming to its Windows Phone 7 handsets, according to a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) that appeared on Microsoft’s accessibility website. The document reveals the existence of the aptly named “Microsoft Mediaroom Client for Windows Phone 7 v1.0″. Though the application is not detailed within the document, we need only look at the Windows Mobile version and Microsoft’s website to get a sneak peek at the core features of this upcoming Mediaroom client .

With its emphasis on media, Windows Phone 7 is a perfect fit for Mediaroom, an IPTV platform introduced by Microsoft in 2007. Mediaroom integrates into set-top boxes to deliver live and on-demand media content over a Microsoft IPTV network. This platform has been adopted by 26 providers worldwide as their primary Internet TV solution and includes DVR features like video recording and scheduling, time shifting, and a program guide. A prime example of Mediaroom in action is AT&T’s U-Verse service in the US, which ironically just launched an iPhone version on Monday.

It only makes sense that Microsoft is planning to launch Mediaroom on its make-or-break Windows Phone 7 mobile OS. The first Mediaroom application was rolled out for Windows Mobile and was unveiled during Ballmer’sCES 2010 keynote. This Windows Mobile version of Mediaroom allows users to watch video-on-demand and stream recorded content to their handsets. The Mediaroom website expands on these early features and suggests that future versions will allow users to browse an on-phone program guide as well as schedule and manage recordings.

With AT&T as a launch partner for Windows Phone 7 and the Mediaroom-powered U-Verse as a service offered by the broadband division of this telecommunications giant, we would expect to see this mobile debut alongside these hot, new handsets. Anyone excited by the prospect of streaming mobile TV on your Windows Phone 7 handset?

[Via Istartedsomething]

Trojan SMS Virus for Android Discovered, Run and Panic!

Marc Flores — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:08:53 +0000

Our smartphones are little computers that fit in our pockets, but we’re still so used to thinking of them as just phones that we sometimes forget that these little things are susceptible to viruses, too. Today, a Trojan virus for Android has been discovered by Kaspersky Lab. The virus is named Trojan-SMS.ANdroidOS.FakePlayer.a and has apparently already infected a few smartphones.

According to Kaspersky Lab, the virus is disguised as a media player app:

The new malicious program penetrates smartphones running Android in the guise of a harmless media player application. Users are prompted to install a file of just over 13 KB with the standard Android extension .APK. Once installed on the phone, the Trojan uses the system to begin sending SMSs to premium rate numbers without the owner’s knowledge or consent, resulting in money passing from a user’s account to that of the cybercriminals.

What does Kaspersky Lab recommend when you’re downloading apps or allowing access to your handset? Be vigilant and pay attention to just what you’re allowing access to. It goes without saying, of course, but the fact that handsets have already been affected by this virus means it can easily slip through our filters.

And here we were already worried about applications that were stealing our data and sending them overseas.

[Kaspersky Lab via Mobile Burn]

“Positive Developments” Pause Saudi Arabia BlackBerry Ban

Simon Sage — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:08:15 +0000

Yesterday, we had heard that each wireless service provider in Saudi Arabia was having a dedicated server tested to handle BlackBerry traffic and meet regulatory requirements. Today, the Communications and Information Technology Commission has announced that “in light of the positive developments toward addressing some of the organizational requirements … the commission decided to allow BlackBerry Messenger service to continue.” That’s not exactly saying that RIM is giving Saudi Arabia complete access to BlackBerry communications within the country (or that those three servers are actually in place, or a permanent solution is established), but the statement certainly implies it. Despite privacy concerns, Saudi Arabian end-users will be able to rest easy, and not have to worry about their BlackBerry service getting cut off in the immediate future.

BlackBerry has been making progress in India by offering message metadata, which could be a way for RIM to offer the Saudis some tracking capability without giving up any cryptographic keys. Maybe simply having local servers will enable the CITC to acquire warrants for access, rather than them needing to have continual surveillance on what’s going through them. RIM maintains that BlackBerry security is still bulletproof, and nobody should be worried about foreign snooping, however they’re also intently keen on meeting the standards set by law.

Kuwait has since backed down from a BlackBerry ban, and the local states of Oman and Bahrain have said definitively that they won’t interrupt service. The United Arab Emirates was the first one to recently voice concerns, followed shortly Lebanon, Indonesia, Tunisia, and Algeria. It’ll be interesting to see if they demand a solution similar to Saudi Arabia’s for keeping tabs on BlackBerry communications, but no matter how that problemresolves, it will be especially difficult for local governments to tap into anything sent over a BES.

[via Reuters]

Motorola Droid 2 Pre-Sale Starts August 11, R2D2 Version Coming Soon

Marc Flores — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:22:41 +0000

The successor to the original Motorola Droid goes up for pre-sale tomorrow, August 11, for Verizon Wireless. Get excited! The Droid 2 is faster than the original and comes with Android 2.2 or Froyo, which means you’ll get Adobe Flash 10.1, app storage to SD cards and much more. It has a 3.7-inch display, perfect if you think those 4-inch or 4.3-inch screens are just a shade too big for you, and it’s preloaded with an 8GB memory card.

If the Droid 2 is a little too vanilla for you, there will also be an R2D2 version for all you Star Wars fans out there, too. According to Verizon, “The special version of the phone will feature exclusive Star Wars content and external hardware designed to look like the trusty Droid from the film saga.” It will be available online in September and will be a limited edition item. Pretty nifty!

The handset will be available for pre-sale on August 11 through Verizon’s website, and on August 12 at retail stores for $199 after a $100 mail-in-rebate, and of course two precious years of your life on a smartphone data plan. If you plan on grabbing one before stock runs out, assuming the rage for this is as huge as the Droid X, you’d better get to stores early!

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and LIBERTYVILLE, IL — Verizon Wireless, the company with the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless 3G network, and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), a pioneer in the mobile industry, today announced that DROID™ 2 by Motorola will be available for pre-sale on August 11. Hitting all the right keys, DROID 2 is a feature-packed device that helps manage work and social life with an enhanced QWERTY keyboard, ultra high-speed Web browsing, 3G Mobile HotSpot capabilities, full push corporate e-mail, intuitive social messaging and Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1 for access to the full web – all built on Android 2.2.
“When we announced DROID X last month, we reaffirmed our commitment to continue to bring unique Android experiences to the Verizon Wireless network,” said Jeffrey Dietel, vice president – wireless device, marketing and development for Verizon Wireless. “The DROID by Motorola was our first Android device, so it is important for us to include the successor to that phone in our portfolio. DROID 2 is not only a continuation of our commitment to Android but offers customers the features and form-factor they crave on the Verizon Wireless network.”
“With the new DROID 2, we’ve taken a big leap forward from the original DROID,” said Bill Ogle, chief marketing officer of Motorola Mobile Devices and Home Business. “We listened to consumers and are providing an even more robust experience built on Android 2.2 that includes a new keyboard, increased processing power, Adobe Flash Player 10.1 and 3G Mobile HotSpot capabilities to send, access and share information even quicker than before.”
DROID 2’s super-slim design helps customers e-mail, text and tweet with ease. DROID 2 offers a redesigned symmetrical keyboard with raised keys for more responsive typing to push out notes and status updates. Speech-to-text input and the virtual multi-touch keyboard allow for quick messaging; or customers can also use Swype for even easier text input. In addition, full push corporate e-mail delivers enhanced features such as remote wipe and password enforcement so that information remains secure.
DROID 2 packs power and speed. Customers can enjoy the freedom of wireless with the 3G Mobile HotSpot and the ability to connect up to five compatible Wi-Fi® devices, and watch content on the full multi-touch 3.7-inch brilliant display, or share content captured on the 5-megapixel camera with enhanced functionality and DVD-quality video capture with DLNA connectivity to share on compatible devices.
Customers can also download favorite apps from Android Market™, which has more than 70,000 applications, and store them on 8 GB of preloaded on-board memory and the 8 GB microSD™ card, which can be upgraded to a 32 GB SD card for a total cargo capacity of 40 GB. Popular apps available on DROID 2 include NFL Mobile (downloadable), Skype mobile(™) and BLOCKBUSTER On Demand® presented by V CAST Video. Customers can even manage their wireless accounts or their contacts from their phones with My Verizon and with Backup Assistant(SM).
“It’s great to see amazing new smartphones like the DROID 2 come pre-installed with Flash Player 10.1,” said David Wadhwani, senior vice president and general manager, Creative and Interactive Solution Business Unit at Adobe. “With the completely redesigned and hardware accelerated Flash Player 10.1, DROID 2 users will be able to experience the full Web on the go.”
Adobe Flash Player 10.1 lets mobile users experience millions of websites the way they were meant to be seen – with rich Internet applications (RIAs), content inside the browser, including games, animations, data presentations and visualizations, e-commerce, music, video, audio and more.
R2-D2 DROID 2
In honor of the iconic Astromech Droid from the Star Wars™ Saga, Verizon Wireless will offer a limited-edition R2-D2 version of the DROID 2, available only online in September. The special version of the phone will feature exclusive Star Wars content and external hardware designed to look like the trusty Droid from the film saga. Visitors to the upcoming Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando, Fla., can see a preview of the limited edition phone and sign up to receive alerts when the phone is ready for sale.
Pricing and Availability
DROID 2 by Motorola will be available at www.verizonwireless.com on August 11, and it will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores beginning August 12 for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted. In addition to subscribing to a Nationwide Talk plan or a Nationwide Talk & Text plan, customers will also need to subscribe to an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access. Email and Web for Smartphone plans start at $29.99 for unlimited monthly access.
Customers can add the optional 3G Mobile HotSpot service to their DROID 2 smartphones for $20 per month. The 3G Mobile HotSpot allows customers to turn their phones into a wireless modem for up to five compatible Wi-Fi® devices. In addition, current Verizon Wireless customers who have contracts ending by December 31, 2010, can upgrade to any smartphone, including DROID 2, without penalty.
For more information on DROID 2 by Motorola, go to www.droiddoes.com. For information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

[Via: Verizon Wireless]

AT&T to overtake Verizon Wireless as the nation’s largest wireless carrier in 2011

Kelly Hodgkins — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:18:41 +0000

In its five-year fiscal report for the top wireless carriers in the US, IE Market Research predicted that AT&T will overtake Verizon Wireless as the nation’s largest wireless carrier. The report cites AT&T’s increasing growth rate and Verizon’s falling growth rate for this leadership change which is expected to occur in 2011. Much of this momentum is attributed to AT&T’s enviable position as the exclusive carrier of the Apple iPhone in the US.

In the next five years, both AT&T and Verizon Wireless are expected to see increases in the numbers of subscribers and market share. In 2014, AT&T is predicted to have 127 million mobile subscribers or 34.8% market share; while Verizon Wireless is predicted to take the runner-up position with 118.7 million mobile subscribers or 32.5% market share. The forecast is not so rosy for Sprint which, despite a strong Q2 2010, is expected to continue to lose subscribers to its larger rivals and will retain only a 13% market share by 2014.

Though interesting, this study fails to take into account the influence of Android on the future of this mobile landscape. Android is exploding and, as the primary carrier for Android handsets in the US, Verizon Wireless is riding this tidal wave of success. The study also presumes AT&T will enjoy the bounty that the iPhone offers over the next five years. Though AT&T is unconcerned, the wireless carrier may lose its competitive edge if Verizon launches an iPhone in 2011 as rumored.

Now that IEMR has had its turn with the crystal ball, it is now your turn to do some predicting. Hit us up in the comments and let us know what you think the wireless carrier landscape will look like in five years from now. Will AT&T be number one or will Verizon retain its lead? What about Sprint and T-Mobile, will they still be in the game or will the two carriers be forced to merge to stay alive?

[Via IEMR and Electronista]

Mark Papermaster Leaves Apple After iPhone 4 Antenna Woes

Marc Flores — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 22:59:56 +0000

If the name Mark Papermaster rings a bell, perhaps it’s because of the battle between IBM and the veteran executive when he tried to leave for Apple. IBM sued Papermaster for violating a non-compete agreement, but the case was eventually settled and Papermaster became part of the engineering team as the executive in charge of hardware. However, after the whole iPhone 4 antenna debacle, Papermaster has left the Cupertino based computer company.

Apple has confirmed his departure as reported by the New York Times:

In a statement, an Apple spokesman, Steve Dowling, confirmed Mr. Papermaster’s departure. Mr. Dowling said Mr. Papermaster “is leaving the company and Bob Mansfield, senior vice president of Macintosh hardware engineering, is assuming his responsibilities.”

So it looks like Bob Mansfield will be taking over Papermaster’s role at Apple, though there is no word if this is a permanent move or if Apple will be looking to fill an open spot at the company.

It’s unclear whether it was Papermaster’s decision to leave the company, or if he was fired by Apple. However, John Gruber of Daring Fireball says:

From what I’ve heard, it’s clear he was canned. Papermaster was a conspicuous absence at the Antennagate press conference. Inside Apple, he’s “the guy responsible for the antenna” — that’s a quote from a source back on July 23. (Another quote from the same source: “Apparently the antenna guys used to have a big chip on their shoulder. No more.”)

If this is true, we’d certainly expect to hear it from Cupertino within the coming week that a major executive was let go. And if Papermaster really was the guy responsible for the iPhone 4′s antenna, I’m sure he was feeling a lot of heat as soon as the flaw in the design was revealed.

At this point, all we can do is speculate, but it is sad to see the Apple exec leave after such a huge battle against IBM in order to do his work with Steve Jobs & Co.

[Via: New York Times and Daring Fireball]

AT&T Claims Loss of iPhone Exclusivity Won’t Affect Earnings, Has Us in Stitches

Marc Flores — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:11:18 +0000

Ready for this one? AT&T has recently assured its investors that losing the iPhone, or any other exclusivity deal for that matter, won’t adversely affect its earnings. Let’s take a moment of silence before bursting into maniacal and uncontrollable laughter. If AT&T honestly believes this and isn’t just blowing smoke and insulting the intelligence of its investors, there are undoubtedly rough seas ahead.

First of all, the iPhone has single-handedly destroyed the market in terms of value share. And despite Android being on several handsets on every single U.S. carrier, it took over a year before it started eating away at the iPhone’s market share. Every single iPhone launch for AT&T has bested the last, and demand for the Apple smartphone has been so high that availability is slim and wait times for the phone grow even longer.

So, you might be thinking, what on Earth could AT&T possibly be thinking? According to TechCrunch:

How does AT&T justify its claim? The wireless provider argues in the filing that 80% of its contract subscribers are on family or business plans. Thus, under their logic, the majority of subscribers will not switch because it will be too difficult to transfer an entire group and these “group” subscribers will be hesitant to relinquish certain AT&T perks like the rollover minutes they’ve accumulated.

I’m guessing AT&T got a C- in its logic class. Perhaps the wireless carrier is forgetting that an enormous chunk of iPhone buyers every year are new customers (i.e. new users who have switched from other carriers). The fact that a chunk of subscribers are on family or business plans might give users pause before switching, but rumors of a Verizon iPhone are continually growing louder and there are still many who have held off on buying an iPhone because it is on AT&T’s fickle network.

Other iPhone users on AT&T have been extremely vocal about switching the minute it becomes on another carrier — cancellation fees be damned.

The only deterrent at this point is the enormous termination fee that AT&T raised just before the iPhone 4 launch. Going from $175 to $325 is nothing to scoff at, but there are plenty of customers who are nearing the end of their contracts or would otherwise happily pay their prorated early termination fees to grab an iPhone elsewhere.

This information comes from an SEC filing by AT&T recently, and here is an excerpt:

We offer a large variety of handsets, including at least 18 smartphones (including Apple iPhones, our most popular models) with advanced operating systems from at least 7 manufacturers. As technology evolves, rapid changes are occurring in the handset and device industry, with the continual introduction of new models or significant revisions of existing models. We believe offering a wide variety of handsets reduces dependence on any single handset as these products evolve. In addition, offering a number of attractive handsets on an exclusive basis distinguishes us from our competitors. As these exclusivity arrangements end, we expect to continue to offer such handsets (based on historical industry practice), and we believe our service plan offerings will help to retain our customers by providing incentives not to move to a new carrier. As noted above, more than 80 percent of our postpaid subscribers are on Family Talk® Plans and business plans that would involve moving the whole group to a new carrier. Moreover, the vast majority of our postpaid subscribers (including Family Talk® Plan users) are allowed to accumulate unused minutes (known as rollover minutes), a feature that is currently not offered by other major post-paid carriers in the United States, and users would lose these minutes if they switched carriers. As is common in the industry, most of our phones are designed to work only with our wireless technology, requiring customers who desire to move to a new carrier with a different technology to purchase a new device. In addition, many of our handsets would not work or would lose some functionality if they were used on another carrier’s network (even a carrier using GSM technology), requiring the customer to acquire another handset. Although exclusivity arrangements are important to us, such arrangements may not provide a competitive advantage over time, as the industry continues to introduce new devices and services. Also, while the expiration of any of our current exclusivity arrangements could increase churn and reduce postpaid customer additions, we do not expect any such terminations to have a material negative impact on our Wireless segment income, consolidated operating margin or our cash from operations.

So, the carrier admits that losing exclusivity deals could increase churn, but it doesn’t think it will have a “material negative impact” on earnings. I’m going to slowly back away now, turn around and whistle like none of this was ever really said.

[Via: TechCrunch]

AT&T Claims Loss of iPhone Exclusivity Won’t Affect Earnings, Has Us in Stitches

Marc Flores — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:11:18 +0000

So, you might be thinking, what on Earth could AT&T possibly be thinking? According to TechCrunch:

How does AT&T justify its claim? The wireless provider argues in the filing that 80% of its contract subscribers are on family or business plans. Thus, under their logic, the majority of subscribers will not switch because it will be too difficult to transfer an entire group and these “group” subscribers will be hesitant to relinquish certain AT&T perks like the rollover minutes they’ve accumulated.

Other iPhone users on AT&T have been extremely vocal about switching the minute it becomes on another carrier — cancellation fees be damned.

This information comes from an SEC filing by AT&T recently, and here is an excerpt:

We offer a large variety of handsets, including at least 18 smartphones (including Apple iPhones, our most popular models) with advanced operating systems from at least 7 manufacturers. As technology evolves, rapid changes are occurring in the handset and device industry, with the continual introduction of new models or significant revisions of existing models. We believe offering a wide variety of handsets reduces dependence on any single handset as these products evolve. In addition, offering a number of attractive handsets on an exclusive basis distinguishes us from our competitors. As these exclusivity arrangements end, we expect to continue to offer such handsets (based on historical industry practice), and we believe our service plan offerings will help to retain our customers by providing incentives not to move to a new carrier. As noted above, more than 80 percent of our postpaid subscribers are on Family Talk® Plans and business plans that would involve moving the whole group to a new carrier. Moreover, the vast majority of our postpaid subscribers (including Family Talk® Plan users) are allowed to accumulate unused minutes (known as rollover minutes), a feature that is currently not offered by other major post-paid carriers in the United States, and users would lose these minutes if they switched carriers. As is common in the industry, most of our phones are designed to work only with our wireless technology, requiring customers who desire to move to a new carrier with a different technology to purchase a new device. In addition, many of our handsets would not work or would lose some functionality if they were used on another carrier’s network (even a carrier using GSM technology), requiring the customer to acquire another handset. Although exclusivity arrangements are important to us, such arrangements may not provide a competitive advantage over time, as the industry continues to introduce new devices and services. Also, while the expiration of any of our current exclusivity arrangements could increase churn and reduce postpaid customer additions, we do not expect any such terminations to have a material negative impact on our Wireless segment income, consolidated operating margin or our cash from operations.

[Via: TechCrunch]

HP CEO Mark Hurd Resigns Immediately After Investigation Found Violation of Business Conduct

Marc Flores — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 20:45:57 +0000

Hewlett Packard CEO Mark Hurd has resigned immediately after an investigation started surrounding claims of sexual harassment. The HP Board of Directors has appointed Cathie Lesjak, the company’s CFO since January 2007, as the interim CEO while she still performs her duties as CFO and keeps those responsibilities until a permanent CEO is appointed. While the claim is that Hurd has been sexual harassment, the investigation that prompted the resignation showed that there is no such harassment involved, although he has been in violation of HP’s Standards of Business Conduct.

According to BusinessWire’s release:

Hurd said: “As the investigation progressed, I realized there were instances in which I did not live up to the standards and principles of trust, respect and integrity that I have espoused at HP and which have guided me throughout my career. After a number of discussions with members of the board, I will move aside and the board will search for new leadership. This is a painful decision for me to make after five years at HP, but I believe it would be difficult for me to continue as an effective leader at HP and I believe this is the only decision the board and I could make at this time. I want to stress that this in no way reflects on the operating performance or financial integrity of HP.”

It seems that in Hurd is acting in the company’s best interest as well as his own. While the allegations of sexual harassment have been ruled out, HP says that Hurd submitted inaccurate expense reports to conceal his relationship with a contractor. However, it looks like this won’t affect HP’s operations negatively as the release says:

“The corporation is exceptionally well positioned strategically,” Hurd continued. “HP has an extremely talented executive team supported by a dedicated and customer focused work force. I expect that the company will continue to be successful in the future.”

Whether this will affect its plans with the recently acquired Palm remains to be seen. It’s certainly not going to help the company’s reputation, but apparently the HP Board, Mark Hurd and all parties involved deliberated at great length before reaching the decision and making this announcement.

[Via: BusinessWire]

Saudi BlackBerry Service Back Online After Just Four Hours?

Simon Sage — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 19:04:50 +0000

Well, that was quick. Saudi Arabia was the quickest to pull the trigger on a BlackBerry ban amid a movement from many other countries, but apparently after being shut down for only four hours, BlackBerrys are back to working just fine. Today’s the day the local government was supposed to unplug service because they couldn’t access e-mail, web browser or BBM data sent over BlackBerrys, but it’s only 9:30 PM there now – it’s possible that the temporary outage was just a lead-up to a full stoppage of service at midnight. I guess we’ll find out for sure tomorrow.

If BlackBerry service is, in fact, back in full swing and not going anywhere, maybe similar security concerns in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, India, and Indonesia will fall apart just as easily. I’m almost tempted to think the Saudi Arabian government backed down because Hillary Clinton stepped into the ring. It’s certainly not because RIM “handed over the keys”, since they don’t exist.

[via BBC]

Apple iPhone, Android see ‘meteoric rise’ with businesses

Marin Perez — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 18:46:31 +0000

Look out Research In Motion because the Apple iPhone and Google Android are gaining traction in the enterprise market, according to data from Good Technology.

In a release, the company said ever since it started supporting iOS and Android, businesses have been eager to let employees use these devices. In the first half of the year, Good deployed 1,500 solutions in businesses to support these products. The company said 43% of all its deployments now includes an Apple iPhone or Google Android device.

“More than ever, consumers are strongly influencing IT decision makers based on their personal mobility choices,” Brian Bogosian, chief executive of Good Technology, in a prepared statement. “Devices like the iPhone and the many Android phones now available are highly capable in both business and personal spheres and IT’s need for a cross-platform solution for mobility security and management is greater than ever.”

This is just another sign that RIM may have a stiff challenge on its hands with the enterprise market, as the European Commission also recently passed on the BlackBerry in favor of the Apple iPhone and HTC Google Android devices. Combine that with the potential bans on BlackBerry units and things could be bleak for RIM.

Of course, people have been saying that RIM is ripe for the taking for years now and it continues to dominate the enterprise market due to its security and integrated services. In fact, the bans in certain counties may be because the BlackBerry service to too secure and won’t allow certain regimes to monitor and spy on its citizens.

End users are definitely going to spur the adoption of enterprise Apple iPhone and Google Android devices but that super-duper level of security means big businesses and governments will still crank away on BlackBerry. They may carry a spare iPhone around for fun, but I get the feeling BlackBerry will still be the work device of choice.

[Photo]

iPhone 3GS Browser Gets Pitted Against Windows Phone 7

Marc Flores — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:19:34 +0000

Windows Phone 7 has had its browser thrown against the iPhone 3GS browser and results are, well, not at all shocking. It’s probably never a fair idea to put a tried-and-true browser up against one that hasn’t officially hit the market yet, but it sure is fun to see what happens. Microsoft said Windows Phone 7 is on track for release this year, but a number of folks have gotten units well ahead of time and decided to start running tests on the platform. Perhaps one of the easiest tests to run is a browser battle, since all you have to do is put two phones side by side and let them do their thing. So someone did just that with a Windows Phone 7 handset against the iPhone 3GS. Is it a fair test?

The folks over at WMExperts say it’s not a fair test at all since WP7 isn’t even out yet and there is still a long way to go before software is finalized. Perhaps that’s true, but Microsoft did say that WP7 has hit its technical preview milestone, which means that it is just about ready for regular, everyday use. And if rumors are correct, WP7 should be on its way in just a few short months since it’s already in near final stages. So maybe that might be something to consider.

In the tests, almost predictably, the iPhone 3GS’ Safari mobile browser walks all over WP7′s Internet Explorer. Pages rendered much more quickly on the iPhone 3GS even though both devices appear to be connected to AT&T’s 3G network. Will we have other browser options besides IE? It’s hard to say, but for now it seems like it will be the only option for WP7 handsets until Microsoft announces otherwise. Hopefully demonstrations like these will spur Microsoft to give their users some options instead of forcing one currently inadequate browser on the masses.

Check out the video below to see a demo of the tests yourself and let us know what you think.

[Via: WMExperts]

Sprint Samsung Epic to hit August 20?

Marin Perez — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 17:44:23 +0000

You may not have to wait long for the next, great Galaxy S Android phone because the Sprint Samsung Epic 4G could be hit around August 30, according to Samsung’s promotional pattern.

Android Police first noticed that Samsung posts promotional videos on its devices on or near the release of its Galaxy S handset. For example, it posted videos for the AT&T Captivate and T-Mobile Vibrant shortly after these devices were made available.

The schedule shows that the next video will showcase the Epic 4G and it will plop August 20. When you combine this with the fact that this Sprint Galaxy S phone just hit the Federal Communications Commission and that Samsung tweeted the Epic 4G will land “in a few weeks,” the August 20 time frame is quite credible.

The Epic 4G is the top-shelf Galaxy S phone, as it has a few defining features to make it stand out. Like the other Galaxy S phones, it rocks a 4-inch Super AMOLED screen, 1 Ghz processor, Android 2.1 with TouchWiz 3.0 WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and a 5-megapixel camera. The Epic 4G will be the only American Galaxy S phone with a front-facing camera for video conferencing, a slide-out physical keyboard and access to Sprint’s growing 4G network.

Sprint’s next superphone phone will definitely be a contender for best smartphone out there but its slide-out keyboard positions it as a major competitor against the Motorola Droid 2 on Verizon. The Droid 2 is expected to hit the market in August as well, so it will be fun to watch these stellar devices battle for the hearts and minds of Android fans.

We got some hands-on time with the Epic 4G and you can see the video below. Also, if you want to know more about the Galaxy S phones, check out our full reviews of the AT&T Captivate and the T-Mobile Vibrant.
Samsung Captivate on AT&T Review
Samsung Vibrant on T-Mobile

[Via Androidpolice]

Microsoft and ARM – What is Microsoft planning to do with ARM processor architecture license?

Will Park — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:45:16 +0000

One of the bigger pieces of news hitting the wires today has processor design firm ARM Holdings announcing that Microsoft is the latest company to license ARM architecture. Like Apple and Samsung before it, Microsoft is licensing ARM architecture so that the company can take ARM processing cores and customize them for their own use. As for what, exactly, the Redmond, WA-based tech giant is planning to do with their new-found processor architecture license, that’s all speculation for now. Let’s explore those possibilities.

If you’re not yet clear on what this “ARM” business is all about, allow us to explain. ARM Holdings is the company responsible for creating the design of the ARM processors. The company does not actually manufacture these processors, but rather dreams up the design and licenses the intellectual property to chip foundries (like Samsung) who stamp out the actual silicon, as well as other processor design firms (like Apple’s recently acquired PA Semi) who take the processor design and integrate it into their own chipset. There’s big money in these designs, which have become the most widely used architecture in smartphones today – the Qualcomm Snapdragon, Texas Instruments (TI) OMAP, Apple A4, and Samsung Hummingbird chip make use of the ARM Cortex processor core.

Now that we’re clear on what it is that ARM does for the smartphone world, let’s look at what’s in Microsoft’s future. There are actually many possible reasons why the Windows Phone 7 maker would want to customize the battery friendly ARM processors. From a new version of Windows, to Microsoft-made Windows Phone 7 hardware, to new chip designs for the Xbox or Zune music player, to customizing the designs to create a Microsoft-branded chip, the future for a custom ARM chip from MS is bright and varied.

The least likely of the above scenarios is a new version of Windows made to work with the more power-efficient processor design. We don’t see MS releasing another version of Windows 7 with the sole intention of adding support for the computer chips based on the ARM architecture.

The more intriguing possibility is that Microsoft will follow in Apple’s footsteps and move into chip design themselves. Apple acquired chip design firm PA Semi so that the iPhone maker could create its own custom computer chips, based on the ARM Cortex A8 processing core, for the iPhone and iPad. It’s very possible that MS will move in the same direction so that it can create highly optimized chips to work with its upcoming Windows Phone 7 operating system.

And, speaking of WP7, Microsoft could use this license to start producing their own Windows Phone 7 hardware. They’ve already confirmed hardware partners for WP7, but that doesn’t mean the company couldn’t just start making their own smartphones. The likelihood of this happening isn’t all that high (it’s hard to see MS competing against its hardware partners, who have to pay to use WP7), but it’s a definite possibility. It’s also possible that the company has plans to use the low-power ARM processors in a new generation of Xbox or Zune music player.

In the end, we really have no idea what Microsoft has planned. Your guess is as good as ours. So, why don’t you let us know what you think in the comments below?

[Via: ARM]

Microsoft Wants Its Employees to Develop Windows Phone 7 Apps in Spare Time

Marc Flores — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:02:10 +0000

Hooray for free work! Microsoft is really hoping that its employees will lend a hand and develop Windows Phone 7 applications during their spare time. Everyone knows that mobile applications is where it’s at, and that the success of a platform and its handsets depend largely on the quality and number of apps available for it. In addition to handing out free Windows Phone 7 devices to its employees, Microsoft is now looking to call on those willing to develop applications for the platform.

There’s no word on whether employees who develop apps for Windows Phone 7 will be paid, and if they are, how they will be paid. If not, this is strictly just devotion to their employer and the products they build. Microsoft is asking its employees to evangelize the new product, and even for some of the more jaded employees, it might be a good idea to do so.

Fans of Microsoft and Windows Mobile feel like this is really going to make or break Microsoft, especially after dipping its toes in the waters with KIN. That all turned out to be a royal disaster and ended up costing the software giant quite a bit.

Here is a copy of the memo sent out by Andy Lees, Microsoft’s mobile chief, to employees:

From: Andy Lees
To: “Microsoft – All Employees
Subject: Getting you in the game with Windows Phone 7
Momentum is building for Windows Phone 7! Last week we released the WP7 Tech Preview and beta development tools on the web, and started shipping phones to developers and some early reviewers. Excitement will continue to build as we accelerate to launch for Fall, disclosing more details on final hardware design from our partners, unique applications, and Xbox Live games and much more!
With all the buzz, a lot of you are asking how you can get your hands on a phone and get more involved. So, I am thrilled to announce that a new Windows Phone 7 will be made available to every Microsoft employee as we launch in each market around the world. The process will vary based on your market, your carrier, and your launch date so stay tuned for more information closer to launch.
When you get your phone, the first thing you can do it MAKE IT PERSONAL! Pick up the phone, turn it on, download mail, get directions, make calls, find friends…. In short USE IT! The experience of Windows Phone 7 is special and a big step toward our future in the mobile phone business. We’d love all of you to love it as much as we on the team love it. To do that we need to you to use your phone and find the things that make it personal and valuable to you.
There is also a lot you can do while we are heading to launch even before you get your phone including:
Understand the unique value of Windows Phone 7 and evangelize to your customers, partners, friends and family! Windows Phone 7 is a different kind of phone, designed to bring together the things you care about most. The new smart design makes even basic tasks more efficient while Windows Phone Hubs organize the web and applications to simplify what you do every day. It is much more than a phone operating system, it is software and services integrated to create a new type of experience. WP7 has been a cross company effort bringing together an amazing breadth of Microsoft assets for the first time including Windows, Windows Live, Bing, Zune, Xbox Live, Office, Exchange, SharePoint, Silverlight, .NET, XNA and Visual Studio!
Develop! With the help of the developer division, we just shipped the Final Beta of the Windows Phone Developer Tools. They absolutely rock, and you should download them now http://developer.windowsphone.com/. The package includes everything you need to start building apps. In addition, we’ve introduced a new employee developer program which makes it much easier for you to develop apps for Marketplace in your spare time. … And if you need some help jumpstarting your development, check out the Windows Phone Developer Training Kit. …
Get involved in launch. Dedicate time to get involved as WP7 launches in your market. …
We can’t wait to launch. We’ve got a great product and a great team in all of you. There is a phone being built with your name on it! Get in the game of delighting the world with Windows Phone 7! …
Regards,
Andy

The mobile team certainly sounds enthusiastic! Will employees answer the call and develop WP7 apps? After all, it seems like all the tools and resources they’ll need will be provided, and their employer definitely seems eager to help. Only time will tell, but while this might be asking for free work, I’d certainly hope that plenty of devs, employees or not, jump on the bandwagon. In terms of high quality mobile platforms out there, the more the merrier.

[Via: TechFlash]

Apple Announces iPhone 4 Case Program, Antenna Woes Over!

Marc Flores — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:14:36 +0000

It looks like all the drama for Apple and its iPhone 4 is finally drawing near to an end for now. Last week, during Apple’s press conference addressing the smartphone’s antenna problems, Steve Jobs offered up a fix or solution to the issue that has caused the PR nightmare for the company. Instead of performing a recall or coming up with a miracle software update, Jobs said that anyone who has purchased an iPhone 4, or those who will purchase one before September 30, will be eligible to receive a free case.

The case options are either the bumpers that cover the steel frame that serves as the handset’s antenna, or select third-party cases from Apple. Here’s how you do it:

Download the iPhone 4 Case Program app from the App Store.
Launch the app on your iPhone 4 and sign in using your iTunes Store account or Apple ID.
Select your Bumper or case.

Simple enough, right? Although you shouldn’t wait too long to claim your free case or bumper because there are deadlines:

For iPhone 4 purchases made before July 23, 2010, you must apply no later than August 22, 2010; otherwise, you must apply within 30 days of your iPhone 4 purchase. To qualify for this program, you must purchase your iPhone 4 by September 30, 2010.

If you’re wanting an iPhone 4, a free bumper or case is probably the last reason you need to rush to grab the Apple smartphone before September 30. But if you’ve been holding off on the smartphone because of the antenna issues, and you feel that the bumper or case is a viable solution to that problem, start hunting one down now! Orders from Apple and AT&T can still take up to two weeks before your handset comes in.

Feel free to let us know if you run into any hiccups or issues getting your free case. If you already purchased a case or bumper, you’ll also be glad to know that Apple has begun giving out refunds.

The downside to all this is that if you’re wanting a white iPhone 4, you won’t be getting a free case since the smartphone is delayed until the end of this year.

[Via: Apple]