BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Could Mobile Payment Become a Common, Easy Reality?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/30/could-mobile-payment-become-a-common-easy-reality/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/30/could-mobile-payment-become-a-common-easy-reality/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/30/could-mobile-payment-become-a-common-easy-reality/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Jack Dorsey is accustomed to dealing in small. In 2006, he co-founded social media sensation Twitter, which traffics in content bites that are no more than 140 characters in length. He left his position as CEO a year ago (and remains chairman) and is now focusing on his newest endeavor: mobile payments. He came up with the idea for his new company, Square, a year ago and hopes it will revolutionize how money is exchanged.

The first product that Square is bringing to market lives up to its name: it's a small cube-shaped credit card terminal that can plug into an iPhone's headset jack. The problem that the device is intended to solve is the swift and easy transaction of credit card payments for anyone. It was inspired by the plight of Dorsey's friend, Jim McKelvey, a glass artist who lost a $2,000 sale because he couldn't accept credit card payments.

Continue reading Could Mobile Payment Become a Common, Easy Reality?

Could Mobile Payment Become a Common, Easy Reality? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaplandroidAppleApple iPhoneAppleIphonecraigslistcredit cardcredit card processing stockscredit cardseBaygooggooglegoogle androidGoogleAndroidinthenewsiphoneitouchmobile paymentmobile paymentspaymentpaymentspaypalsocial mediaSocialMediatwitterverifoneWed, 30 Dec 2009 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Googlephone becomes official: The game changes yet again]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/14/googlephone-becomes-official-the-game-changes-yet-again/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/14/googlephone-becomes-official-the-game-changes-yet-again/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/14/googlephone-becomes-official-the-game-changes-yet-again/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Google (GOOG) just keeps on entering and disrupting markets. In its latest salve, the company has announced its intention to make a "Googlephone" available directly to consumers sometime in 2010. The phone, made by Taiwan's HTC, will be billed as Google's own handset and will be sold unlocked and free for use on any carrier (global GSM-type networks from initial indications).

Continue reading Googlephone becomes official: The game changes yet again

Googlephone becomes official: The game changes yet again originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLandroidandroid 2.0Android2.0Apple iPhoneApple iPhone 3GAppleIphoneAppleIphone3gGOOGGooglegoogle phonegoogle phonesGooglePhoneGooglePhonesinthenewsMon, 14 Dec 2009 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomorrow's gurus shine in NYSE Financial Future Challenge]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/13/tomorrows-gurus-shine-in-nyse-financial-future-challenge/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/13/tomorrows-gurus-shine-in-nyse-financial-future-challenge/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/13/tomorrows-gurus-shine-in-nyse-financial-future-challenge/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The future investment stars are already with us. The NYSE Financial Future Challenge, operated by the NYSE Foundation, By Kids for Kids, K12 Inc. and the United Investors Association, is in full swing, with five finalists just identified. To reach this level, the participants had to develop a new product, idea or process that would "excite, educate and motivate their peers" to become interested in the financial marketplace. The eventual winner lurks within this subset and will receive a $2,500 prize -- a great way to get that portfolio started. And, he or she will be feted at a closing bell ceremony at the NYSE (NYX) on January 11, 2010.

The finalists presented a variety of ideas which are sure to generate some buzz. Kelsey Foss, a 12-year-old from Mountainville, NY, proposed a new television show, "Stock Market Tycoon Idol," which would harness the popularity of reality TV while amping up the content. The program would involve the journeys of 10 kids as they seek to make money or lose it, with the possibility of becoming virtual millionaires along the way. The show would be set at a mock NYSE studio on Wall Street, and exports would be brought out to mentor the contestants. The reality TV reach would help engage a younger audience.

Continue reading Tomorrow's gurus shine in NYSE Financial Future Challenge

Tomorrow's gurus shine in NYSE Financial Future Challenge originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaplabercrombie and fitchAbercrombieAndFitchanfappleapple inc.apple iphoneapple ipodAppleInc.AppleIphoneAppleIpodchicagochicago illinoisChicagoIllinoisdisdisneyfeaturedgooggooglehersheyhersheyshsyillinoisiphonejnjjohnson and johnsonJohnsonAndJohnsonk12k12inc.lrnnew yorkNewYorknysenyse euronextNyseEuronextnysegroupnyxnyxpeppepsipepsicosapphire energySapphireEnergysix flagssix flags inc.SixFlagsSixFlagsInc.social networkingSocialNetworkingtexasvirginiawall streetWallStreetwalt disneywalt disney co.WaltDisneyWaltDisneyCo.Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Is Apple closing in on Microsoft?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/10/is-apple-closing-in-on-microsoft/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/10/is-apple-closing-in-on-microsoft/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/10/is-apple-closing-in-on-microsoft/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Even the thought is hard to believe for anyone who's been watching Apple Inc. (AAPL) over the long run. Once upon a time, the company was presumed dead, while Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) continued its march to market dominance. Today, Apple's $180 billion market value is evidence of a new era. Though it's still behind Microsoft's $250 billion, the company's rapid ascent and substantial market presence make at least speculation of catching up to the Redmond giant worth a few minutes of thought.

Microsoft is currently the most valuable technology company in the world, according to a Reuters report. Even Google, Inc (GOOG), with its astounding brand recognition and position as gateway to the internet, is worth "only" $136 billion. Apple, which was once considered a computer company that sold into education and appealed to some graphics geeks, has reasserted itself as a major global presence.

Continue reading Is Apple closing in on Microsoft?

Is Apple closing in on Microsoft? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaplappleapple iphoneAppleIphoneapplestoregooggoogleiphoneitunesitunes music storeitunes storeItunesMusicStoreItunesStoremicrosoftmicrosoft msftMicrosoftMsftmsftTue, 10 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple's iPhone sees lukewarm reception in China debut]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/03/apples-iphone-sees-lukewarm-reception-in-china-debut/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/03/apples-iphone-sees-lukewarm-reception-in-china-debut/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/03/apples-iphone-sees-lukewarm-reception-in-china-debut/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone has been selling like gangbusters in the U.S. since its debut in June 2007, but that kind of fever -- and the fever U.S. consumers felt at every iPhone launch in the U.S. -- seemed tepid by comparison when China Unicom unleashed the iPhone for sale last week.

Continue reading Apple's iPhone sees lukewarm reception in China debut

Apple's iPhone sees lukewarm reception in China debut originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The infighting between AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) just continues to get nastier as the line that constitutes a telecommunications provider continues to break down. Back when Google'e "Google Voice" application was not approved for use on the Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone this summer, the game began.

Continue reading AT&T, Google still waging battle over Google Voice on the iPhone

AT&T, Google still waging battle over Google Voice on the iPhone originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLApple iPhoneAppleIphoneATTGOOGGoogleGoogle VoiceGoogleVoiceInc.iPhoneMon, 28 Sep 2009 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple rumored to officially enter Chinese mobile market with China Unicom]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/17/apple-rumored-to-officially-enter-chinese-mobile-market-with-chi/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/17/apple-rumored-to-officially-enter-chinese-mobile-market-with-chi/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/17/apple-rumored-to-officially-enter-chinese-mobile-market-with-chi/#commentsFiled under: , ,

While Dell, Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) finally entered the mobile phone market in China today with what could be considered a very disappointing product offering, competitor Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) may be blazing into China as well with its China Unicom partnership for the iPhone.

Continue reading Apple rumored to officially enter Chinese mobile market with China Unicom

Apple rumored to officially enter Chinese mobile market with China Unicom originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Palm, Inc. (NASDAQ: PALM) just keep volleying with each other with the duel between the iPhone and the Palm Pre, don't they? Accusations of an
"iPhone copycat" surfaced right after the Palm Pre was announced. After all, quite a bit of Apple design influence now works at Palm. But the war is not over yet, as one of the neater features of the Palm Pre has now been deactivated by Apple.

Continue reading Apple snubs Palm, disables iTunes syncing on the Palm Pre

Apple snubs Palm, disables iTunes syncing on the Palm Pre originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Palm, Inc. (NASDAQ: PALM), the handheld PDA pioneer that has reportedly been on its deathbed several times in recent years, is about to launch the hotly-anticipated Pre on the Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) sometime this summer. From all accounts, the Pre may take on Apple, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone as its best competition yet.

Continue reading Palm's Pre may only sell half as much as Apple's iPhone on debut

Palm's Pre may only sell half as much as Apple's iPhone on debut originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) unveiled the iPhone in January 2007, it probably knew that its marketing and influence were ripe to make that product the "must have" wireless handset. Indeed, it's turned out that way, with Apple quickly entering into the top-five companies in the wireless phone business.

Since then, the copycats (if we can call them that) have released on touch-screen phone after another. Some are good, some mediocre. Sprint Nextel Corp.'s (NYSE: S) impending release of the Palm, Inc. (NASDAQ: PALM) Pre may be a very good contender to actually compete head-to-head with the iPhone.

Continue reading Motorola unveils the Evoke; Apple's iPhone not scared

Motorola unveils the Evoke; Apple's iPhone not scared originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaplApple iPhoneAppleIphoneinthenewsMOTMotorola evokeMotorola QA4MotorolaEvokeMotorolaQa4Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Are Apple iPhone fans feeling bored?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/23/are-apple-iphone-fans-feeling-bored/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/23/are-apple-iphone-fans-feeling-bored/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/23/are-apple-iphone-fans-feeling-bored/#commentsFiled under: ,

With most Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone App Store applications gathering dust after a very short period of time, one has to wonder if the ultimate application store for the iPhone is all what it's cracked up to be. If most of the applications have very limited usefulness (one the novelty wears off), is the iPhone more than just an expensive applications platform with a mobile phone attached?

Continue reading Are Apple iPhone fans feeling bored?

Are Apple iPhone fans feeling bored? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAppleApple iPhoneAppleIphoneInc.iPhone 3giPhone App StoreIphone3gIphoneAppStoreMon, 23 Feb 2009 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Wal-Mart starts carrying Apple iPhone - minus any discount]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/29/wal-mart-starts-carrying-apple-iphone-minus-any-discount/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/29/wal-mart-starts-carrying-apple-iphone-minus-any-discount/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/29/wal-mart-starts-carrying-apple-iphone-minus-any-discount/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When it was rumored that Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) would carry the Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone 3G last month, many of us wondered what pricing the world's largest retailer would give the benevolent wireless handset. It's here now, as Wal-Mart confirmed at the end of last week that it would indeed be carrying the iPhone 3G as of yesterday in 2,500 stores in the U.S.

The price? Just a drop below normal $199 and $299 pricing. Wal-Mart is now selling the 8GB iPhone for $197 and the 16GB version for $297. For some reason, Wal-Mart whacks a few dollars off the price and thinks it has a pricing advantage. Not. Apple relented and allowed the retailer to take its usual "price ending in XX7" approach but apparently did not allow any discount on the iPhone beyond that. No lower priced handset, not a 4GB model for $99 that had been rumored. Nothing new really.

Except -- the iPhone will now be in front of the largest retailer audience in the U.S. That makes a huge difference for Apple. Pundits, myself included, have always thought brands cheapened themselves by selling in Wal-Mart. Does Apple cheapen itself by going into the largest discount retailer in the world? The iPhone and iPhone 3G have been around now for over 18 months and have sold in huge numbers, so I doubt it. The exclusivity factor of just being carried by AT&T has worn off, as has the novelty of the iPhone itself (it's no longer exclusive -- you see them everywhere). Assuming many Wal-Mart shoppers can pass credit checks, the iPhone 3G may find a whole new audience now.

Wal-Mart starts carrying Apple iPhone - minus any discount originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best Buy, Inc. (NYSE: BBY) is slicing $10 off the price of the 8GB Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone 3G, cutting its price to $189.99 through January 3rd. In addition, the 16GB version of the iPhone will drop to $289.99 as well. Wow! A measly $10 off a new iPhone! Stop the presses!

Best Buy's Scott Moore indicated that "we thought this would be a way to help customers right now." What a generous gift, yes? Truth be told, it's Apple who dictates to its retailer partners the prices they can sell Apple goods. This is why you'll see almost the exact same price for any Apple product no matter where you purchase it.

But, if Best Buy thinks whacking $10 off the price of an already-overpriced piece of hardware is doing customers a favor, something's in the food in Richfield. And, a $30 "setup fee" for the iPhone? What kind of nonsense is that? At least this fee is being waived along with this huge price reduction. Since Best Buy gives a free "walking out working" setup to all the other cellphones it sells, why on earth is there a $30 fee to setup the iPhone -- which is heralded as one of the easiest phones to setup anyway?

It's no secret that Best Buy has been hurt by the holiday season retail sales slowdown -- it has said as much -- but I'm not sure this is any way to help that situation. That is, unless customers are expected to line up to save the cost of a single movie ticket to a device that locks them into more than $1,600 in calling and data plan contract fees over a 24-month period. What a mark that $10 will have, yes? If Apple and Best Buy really want to "help out" more customers, it sure needs to be more than a measly $10 pittance.

Best Buy whacks iPhone price by $10; gets rid of $30 setup fee also originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) is starting to place its advertising all over its web-based products as it tries desperately to gain ad revenue outside of its web search results.

In what has been a long time coming, the world leader in internet search will now be tailoring ads for its search product specifically for smaller screens like those on the Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone and the Google-powered G1 smartphone, offered by T-Mobile.

This makes sense. A web search performed on a standard web browser brings up text ads that bring in billions of revenue for Google every quarter. On smartphones with full web browsers but with a lack of screen real estate, these ads work but are sub-optimal. If Google can get this right and make text ads next to search results look like they belong on small-screen web browser, it will have significantly upped its ante.

Will customers click (with their fingers, no less) on mobile ads set next to mobile search results on these full-featured phones? The law of averages suggests they will, most likely. As iPhones sell in more volume and smartphones eventually become the mobile device of choice, mobile advertising will become a decent income stream for Google and other mobile ad networks.

At least, that is Google's dream. So far, mobile ads are miniscule in income generation compared to standard web search income generation -- even with many more phones in use than computers with standard web browsers.

Apple's iPhone to see Google's mobile-specific AdWords soon originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLApple iPhoneAppleIphoneGOOGGoogleGoogle AdWordsGoogleAdwordsInc.iPhone adsIphoneAdsTue, 09 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple iPhone may be coming to Wal-Mart in just over a month]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/20/apple-iphone-may-be-coming-to-wal-mart-in-just-over-a-month/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/20/apple-iphone-may-be-coming-to-wal-mart-in-just-over-a-month/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/20/apple-iphone-may-be-coming-to-wal-mart-in-just-over-a-month/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It was just a matter of time. It looks like the Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone 3G will be coming to Wal-Mart sometime before the end of the year, but probably after Christmas. According to the Boy Genius Report, which claims its sources are reliable and to have come across some internal Wal-Mart correspondence, the iPhone 3G will be sold in 2,500 Wal-Mart locations in about a month from now.

Remember that the iPhone 3G must be activated (unlike the original iPhone), so only Wal-Mart locations that can use a specific ordering and activation system can carry the iPhone 3G. Some Sam's Club locations will also carry the iPhone 3G, but they also must use the Wal-Mart ordering and activation system in-house (several Sam's locations use a different wireless activation system). All in all, this will make the iPhone available to just about every American (well, the ones with good credit at least) as more U.S. shoppers have exposure to Wal-Mart than just about any other store.

The question is whether Apple is forsaking the iPhone cool brand allure by offering it at the largest discounter in the world. At this time, no. The iPhone 3G has been out in the world long enough for the iPhone to make its name. Offering it at Wal-Mart now won't impact its reputation nor affect Apple's cred.

Since Apple pretty much dictates pricing to its retail partners, expect the iPhone 3G to sell for a dollar or two less than the standard $199 and $299 pricing levels seen at all other retailers. Say, something like $197.48 and $297.48, as Wal-Mart is into non-standard retail pricing schemes to try and create the illusion of low prices against the competition. The presumed launch date: December 28th. Get ready.

Apple iPhone may be coming to Wal-Mart in just over a month originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile's G1 mobile phone -- with its Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) powered -- may have a bill of materials that's about 10% cheaper than Apple, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone 3G, according to research firm iSuppli. No wonder it retails for only $179 with a two-year contract while the 8GB iPhone 3G sells for $199 with the same two-year contract.

Part of the difference may be in the memory of both units. While the iPhone 3G comes with 8GB of memory already installed, the T-Mobile G1 comes with a paltry 1GB memory card, which of course can be upgraded unlike the iPhone's memory capacity. The cost breakdowns: $144 for the G1 and $160 for the iPhone 3G. Even with the price break of a meaningless $20, can the G1 ever hope to compete with the iPhone's sales numbers?

Doubtful, at least in its current configuration. Apple's iPhone 3G surpassed the Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) RAZR to become the best-selling handset in the U.S. in this year's third quarter. The G1 is just now hitting the market as of late October. With the prices of the two units within $20 of each other, and with the iPhone's huge lead in being on the market, the G1 won't make much headway against iPhone sales. 2009 - and a second-generation G1 - could see renewed interest in T-Mobile's offering. Right now, it's all Apple.

Google's G1 phone cheaper to make than the Apple iPhone originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLApple iPhoneAppleIphoneGOOGGoogle G1Google GphoneGoogleG1GoogleGphoneWed, 12 Nov 2008 15:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Some consumers getting rid of all gadgets - and replacing them with iPhone]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/31/some-consumers-getting-rid-of-all-gadgets-and-replacing-them-w/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/31/some-consumers-getting-rid-of-all-gadgets-and-replacing-them-w/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/31/some-consumers-getting-rid-of-all-gadgets-and-replacing-them-w/#commentsFiled under: ,

One of the holy grails for consumer electronics manufacturers has always been to produce a single device that is good at so many things that customers don't need a whole collection of gadgets -- just one. The perfect example of this has been Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone. It makes calls, allows web browsing and email, can play music, TV and movies, and do about a jillion other things.

It's not the first device to try and be a jack-of-all-trades, but it's arguable the first to be the simplest and coolest at everything it does. Customers are apparently noticing, as they are dumping other gadgets in favor of carrying and using just one - the iPhone. And we're not talking middle-income families and consumers either, but those with incomes below the median.

This is music to Apple's ears -- its device is being used by all demographics for everything from telecommunications to video and music to web browsing (possibly being the first "portable" computer for many). ComScore stated that iPhone ownership spiked 48% from June 1 to the end of August among households earning between $25,000 and $50,000 a year. Need Apple say more? Not really.

Some consumers getting rid of all gadgets - and replacing them with iPhone originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After getting overloaded with economic bailout reading over the weekend, something techie floated to the top of the pile that caught my attention. It seems that Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is rejecting quite a few submissions to its App Store, where aspiring iPhone application developers send their programs so that iPhone customers can buy them.

The only problem is that Apple is not telling rejected (and dejected) application developers why their programs are not being approved. Also, the non-disclosure agreement the company is sending out prevents these developers from talking about their rejected iPhone app situations. Is this Apple being its usual self: controlling, closed and mum? The company really (really) knows how to design something the consumer wants and markets its sleek goods in a way other companies just can't figure out. But in addition to that, it retains a tight control on the entire ecosystem in which its products exist.

Perhaps it's the best form of quality control -- but it's not freedom. And developers want freedom, or, at the least, communication. Apple seems to be extremely tight-lipped, which is odd but not surprising.

On another Apple-control-freak note, Apple is now restricting reviews of iPhone Apps to people who have paid for them. It seems that the Wisdom of Crowds argument, which says that putting people in control leads to wisdom, isn't working here. Of course, there is also the vocal minority which can't be pleased by anything and trashes everything that doesn't fit a preconceived notion. Apple is turning on the quiet switch in this situation as well. So here's my proposal for a new motto: Apple: Think Different (but don't communicate it).

Apple staying mum on iPhone App Store missteps originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) released the iPhone 3G back in July, little did it know (most likely) that the device would have issues worldwide connecting to 3G networks, causing consumer frustration on a level we've rarely seen with any Apple product. Well, some consumers have apparently given up and they're moving back to the older, slower, original iPhone, which is causing a cottage industry to spring up around the older device.

NextWorth.com is charging $200 to $300 for a used iPhone (the non-3G kind), which is more than the price of the newer, sleeker and faster iPhone 3G. Why? There's demand -- and lots of it. Some customers don't want to be shackled to AT&T, Inc. (NYSE: T), the exclusive carrier for the iPhone and iPhone 3G in the U.S., as the original iPhone can be unlocked very easily using software tools found all over the internet. Once unlocked, the original iPhone can be used at any WiFi hotspot. There are no 3G connectivity issues either.

Does Apple have a problem now that the older, discontinued iPhone is still in hot demand? No. People using iPhones, new or old, reinforces the brand among other things, and Apple still made the original sale after all. If there is any loser here, it's AT&T. The largest wireless carrier in the U.S. still has the smallest nationwide 3G wireless network compared to its competitors. Launching a product with the magnitude of the iPhone 3G was just asking for problems given AT&T's network, and some informed customers don't want AT&T at all.

Original Apple iPhone seeing huge demand originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone 3G continues to sell like gangbusters even with multiple issues and some furious customers. But, if Apple really is bent on selling over 10 million of the now-iconic, do-everything handset, it may need to beef up its sales as best it can. Enter China Mobile.

That's right -- the wireless company that has more subscribers than there are U.S. citizens may be selling the iPhone 3G soon, according to reports. And we're not talking gray market handsets, but an actual partnership between Apple and China Mobile. Talks between the two companies, according to the 21st Century Business Herald, are in "final stages."

China Mobile CEO Wang Jianzhou stated this week at the ITU Telecom Asia 2008 exhibition in Bangkok that "Steve Jobs and I hope the iPhone will enter China as soon as possible ... we are discussing this issue, but we do not have an agreement." If Apple can get its do-everything handset into China Mobile, we've not seen anything yet in terms of iPhone 3G sales.

IPod sales may be on the decline in the near future -- but can the iPhone 3G make up for that? We'll see.

Apple's iPhone may be coming to China Mobile originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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