Yesterday marked a pretty big day for Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), as customers could finally walk into a Verizon store and pick up an iPhone. Some analysts had expected to see some long lines, but they did not materialize, creating the impression that the launch was less than successful, but looks can be deceiving.

It is easy to understand where the confusion comes from. In the past, whenever Apple released a new iPhone we saw long lines and often not even supply to cover the launch date demand, resulting in long waits for eager iPhone fanatics to get their hands on the new smartphone.

Continue reading Small Lines for Verizon's iPhone Launch Could Be Deceiving

Small Lines for Verizon's iPhone Launch Could Be Deceiving originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Tomorrow is a big day for Verizon (VZ) customers who have been waiting to get their chance to join the iPhone revolution, and we now learn that Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) will also be carrying the Verizon iPhone 4 at 600 retail stores across the nation.

As of today, when you visit Apple's (AAPL) website you are given the option to order an iPhone for use on either AT&T (T) or Verizon, with the price being the same for either option.

Continue reading Walmart Joins the iPhone Party

Walmart Joins the iPhone Party originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When Apple Inc. (AAPL) released its newest generation iPhone, the iPhone 4, it was received just as well as all the previous models. People waited in lines for hours, and those who were shut out on the first day had weeks of waiting to get their hands on the new precious iPhone.

Unfortunately users started to complain about the phone's reception which led Apple to launch a "free bumper case" program aimed at correcting the problem. The free bumper cases did appear to correct the problem, but now Apple has now decided to discontinue the program.

Continue reading Apple's Free iPhone Bumper Case Program Ending

Apple's Free iPhone Bumper Case Program Ending originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Google to Launch TV Platform Globally in 2011

Google to Launch TV Platform Globally in 2011 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading iPhone 4 Has Good Opening Weekend

iPhone 4 Has Good Opening Weekend originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Verizon (VZ) takes aim at the iPhone

Verizon (VZ) takes aim at the iPhone originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple Inc.

Continue reading Apple reports 2 billion app downloads

Apple reports 2 billion app downloads originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Research in Motion blows past estimates

Research in Motion blows past estimates originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Some great news for Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) revolutionary iPhone today, as a new study shows that for the first time ever, Apple has moved ahead of competitor Research in Motion Limited (NASDAQ: RIMM) for second place in overall smartphone market share.

Top slot remains firmly in the hands of Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE: NOK), but the current data may start to give the perennial champion some reason for concern. While its current lead in market share domination remains well above its next closest competitor, but the figures are much closer than what they were this time last year, another indication of just how popular the iPhone has become over the past year.

Last year at this time, Nokia had a very tight grip on the market, with a reported 51.4% control of the market. It's next closest competitor was Research in Motion, which had 10.6% market share.

Continue reading Apple moves into number 2 slot for smartphones

Apple moves into number 2 slot for smartphones originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Apple (AAPL) soars on iPhone sales

Apple (AAPL) soars on iPhone sales originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Apple's new iPhone comes with $199 price tag

Apple's new iPhone comes with $199 price tag originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading More and more Americans are moving away from landlines

More and more Americans are moving away from landlines originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 May 2008 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Handset maker Sony Ericsson beat analysts' estimates for the fourth quarter of 2007 and said that the company is gaining market share. In a surprising development, the company said, "The average sales price (ASP) of its mobile phones, a key indicator for profitability, rose to 123 euros from 120 euros in the third quarter," according to Reuters.

The company's share of the global handset market is now close to 10%. Units shipped in the quarter reached 30.8 million, an 18% increase from a year earlier.

The news may be good for Motorola (NYSE: MOT) and Nokia (NYSE: NOK). Even if the economy is slowing, consumers may be willing to spend $200 for a new phone. Increasing business in regions like China and India is not driving down "price per handset." It may be that the emergence of more expensive "smartphones" is helping keep average prices high.

As 3G networks continue to be built out, consumers may find it necessary to upgrade their handsets to take advantage of higher connection speeds.

It is an early indication, but the cellphone industry may be bucking the trend of an economic slowdown.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Sony Ericsson signals cellphone business is still robust originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It was certainly an exciting year for wireless. Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL)'s iPhone was a game changer, there were some big announcements from Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), and even Nokia (NYSE: NOK) made an impressive comeback.

As for 2008, it's a good bet we'll continue to see some big headlines.

I interviewed Frank Dickson, who is the chief research officer at MultiMedia Intelligence. According to him:

The handset as a platform: The introduction of the iPhone was the first example of this. It did not create the trend, but it did add fuel to the fire. Google's Android and a rumored Java-based OS are elements of the developing trend. Essentially, we are seeing the rise of a new class of mobile devices that are applications centric with voice functionality. These devices are internet browsers, music players, text messengers, and e-mail devices. Yes, they still make voice calls, but they are clearly optimized for other uses. Operators such as Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ) are seeing the coming explosion of this product class and have embraced it by opening their networks to these devices.

Continue reading Wireless expert takes a look at the megatrends for 2008

Wireless expert takes a look at the megatrends for 2008 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• iPhones have been placed on sale only in the United States
• iPhones are available for service only with AT&T (NYSE: T)
• iPhones were not available in some pretty large markets inside the United States, including much of Vermont, North Dakota, South Dakota and Alaska

Continue reading Apple's hot iPhone hasn't unseated BlackBerry

Apple's hot iPhone hasn't unseated BlackBerry originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The next frontier for social networking is mobile. And, early next year, News Corp (NYSE: NWS)'s MySpace will launch its own offering.

Interestingly enough, Sprint (NYSE: S) wants to be a part of the crowd and has struck a deal with MySpace (terms were not disclosed). Sprint customers will get free access, so long as they have a data plan.

Continue reading Sprint adds MySpace as a friend

Sprint adds MySpace as a friend originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Working to open up the broadband spectrum in the US is not enough. Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) wants consumers to connect their devices to the internet without having to pay charges to carriers, but its grand plan goes beyond that.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Google is pushing both handset companies and cell carriers to use devices loaded with the search company's software. The company hopes that this foot-hold will allow it to become a leader in wireless advertising.

Several companies are recoiling from Google's advances. Verizon Wireless says Google wants too large a piece of the advertising carried on phones.

Google's plans may not work out. Handset companies and cell operators like T-Mobile have probably already convinced themselves that allowing consumers to download their own preferred search and GPS functions or to offer a broad spectrum of these services pre-loaded onto phones is the way to keep people happy. Not everyone want to use GMail or Google Maps.

Google wants to drive a wireless market where the hallmark is choice for the consumer. Open spectrum that allows devices to connect to broadband over the air would permit handset owners to use their phones to download a huge number of software applications without paying a toll.

But, Google's actions say that those applications should be the ones that it builds and not those from its competition.

Douglas A. McIntyre is a partner at 24/7 Wall St.

Google's grand handset plans originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Hewlett-Packard and Nokia in mobile product partnership talks? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

And you thought you got a lot of annoying phone calls from telemarketers and the like. UCLA student Shira Barlow received a new phone number from her wireless provider after she broke her phone, but there was just one problem: It wasn't a new number. It was a recycled number and not too long ago, it had belonged to Paris Hilton.

According to E! News, Ms. Barlow received text messages and phone calls from Paris's friends asking for information about parties, and they also offered their support for her during her upcoming stay in jail. Once the heiress was in jail of course, the calls tapered off. After her appearance on Larry King, Barlow received a text saying that "It's disgusting how they treated you in there, but once again you have showed the world that you can do anything."

Interestingly, Barlow has opted not to change her number, according to the Los Angeles Times, because the messages from Paris's friends have been more entertaining than annoying.

I wonder how many people would opt not to change their numbers. I'm guessing most young people would get a kick out of "being" Paris Hilton, at least on the phone. It's fun to feel like a celebrity.

UCLA student gets Paris Hilton's digits originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 09 Jul 2007 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Lost in all of the hype about the Apple (AAPL) iPhone is the fact the Federal Communications Commission had not approved the product for sale. That changed yesterday as it got the "thumbs up". It may be that there was little risk involved in the approval process, but it certainly signals that Apple cannot blame any delay on outside forces. There have been some rumors that the project had been pushed back. But, Apple shot those down.

Apple's shares moved up yesterday, to over $109, perhaps due to the FCC news. But, now it is the iPhone that has to carry the ball for the shares. Good sales of the Mac and iPhone are almost certainly built into the price.

Berstein Research projects that Apple will sell 7 million iPhones in 2007 and 15 million in 2008. "At a minimum of $499 each, that's $3.4 billion to $7.5 billion in annual iPhone revenue for Apple." With a current annual revenue run rate of about $25 billion, that would be a significant boost.

But, all of that is "priced into" the stock, as they say on Wall Street. If the iPhone does not sell two million or three million units in the July though September quarter, those numbers will be viewed as too aggressive. And, that is what expectations can do to share prices. Investors will be looking to that quarter as perhaps the key quarter for Apple since the iPod launched. One glitch, one stumble, and Apple's stock price cannot hold.

Douglas A. McIntyre is a partner at 24/7 Wall St.

Apple iPhone get seal of approval originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 18 May 2007 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.