The Feds Are Right To Keep T-Mobile On Its Own

It’s taken a few years, but the federal government finally found a telecom merger that it couldn’t stomach: On Wednesday, the Department of Justice filed suit to block AT&T’s proposed purchase of T-Mobile USA.

It’s about time. AT&T’s $39 billion consolidation of its competitor looked like a bad idea when the two firms announced it in March, and it’s only gotten worse since then.

The DoJ’s filing (PDF) before the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia tosses aside AT&T’s contention that it will have plenty of competition afterwards. no, the department says: Customers who need nationwide coverage and support — especially business and government users — won’t turn to the small regional carriers that AT&T says will keep it honest. That would leave only Verizon Wireless and the far smaller Sprint as alternatives.

But even less demanding consumers can appreciate the filing’s other argument: That T-Mobile provides a worthy alternative to the other three big carriers, and in particular AT&T, the only other nationwide firm to support the GSM standard most of the rest of the world uses.

I admit I haven’t always given T-Mobile enough credit for this, in part because its coverage has fallen short of competitors. (That’s one reason I use Sprint myself.) but in numerous areas, this Deutsche Telekom subsidiary has outdone AT&T:

ANALYSIS: is 4G better Than 3G?

* It’s offered cheaper “Even more Plus” price plans to people who bring their own phones (even if it’s pulled that option from its site).

* T-Mobile is more willing than AT&T to unlock a phone for use on other GSM carriers overseas, even though that means it can’t collect steep international roaming charges.

* it was the first carrier to sell a smart phone running Google’s Android software and continues to offer an excellent selection of hardware; PCMag.com analyst Sascha Segan estimated that we’d have 20 percent fewer phones to choose from nationwide carriers after T-Mobile’s assimilation.

* T-Mobile’s upgraded “4G” broadband is cheaper than AT&T’s and, in my tests, faster, while its data plans have a more generous monthly cap than the stringent 2-gigabyte limits of AT&T and Verizon.

* T-Mobile also charges less for text messaging, especially since AT&T “streamlined” its plans last month–its new customers can either pay per message or shell out $20 a month for unlimited texting.

These and other factors have led more than a million iPhone users to jailbreak and unlock their phones to use them on T-Mobile’s network.

AT&T has offered innovations of its own. although its 2 GB data cap may not be popular, by offering a cheaper, 200-megabyte plan it drastically cut costs for casual users. Its “rollover” option lets others pick cheaper voice plans. And by letting Apple ship the iPhone without the usual side helping of unwanted carrier-specific software, it did customers a colossal favor.

ANALYSIS: 4G On Phones: still Fragmented and Frustrating

One of AT&T’s core arguments for the merger, meanwhile, has only gotten weaker since March. Its claim that it needed to buy T-Mobile to expand 4G coverage was undercut by the leaked memo revealing that this expansion would cost about a tenth of what it would pay to engulf its competitor.

In short, we need these two companies competing against each other (even if T-Mobile ultimately does so under new owners), not merging into one another. The logic behind that is why we have antitrust laws in the first place. It’s about time the government remembered this, instead of allowing yet another step towards the rebuilding of Ma Bell.

Smart hub right on button with connectivity

Raymarine’s latest MFD makes it easy to link to an iPad or iPhone.

Although marine electronics have a habit of becoming more sophisticated while at the same time getting easier to use, Raymarine’s new e7 HybridTouch seems likely to literally rewrite the book.

the e7, which seems certain to be one of the drawcards at the Auckland International Boat Show this month, is, at first glance, simply another stylish marine MFD (multi-function device). in other words, it is a display screen and a sort of hub into which one can plug such modern marine essentials as a depth sounder, GPS chart-plotter, radar and various types of cameras.

nothing too unusual there – most major electronics companies offer something similar.

However, where the new e7 really does things differently is in its connectivity. Recognising the fast-growing popularity of smartphones and tablets, Raymarine has become the first marine electronics company to add Wi-Fi streaming and Bluetooth capabilities to a marine MFD.

these allow the e7 to seamlessly connect with an Apple iPhone, iPad or even an iPod Touch (and, I’m told, soon with Android-powered smartphones and tablets too).

This means a skipper can use any of these devices as a remote repeater – or as the sound hub for the boat, with all functions (playing and pausing tracks, perusing the playlist, volume control) able to be controlled remotely from the e7 display.

Says Cameron Burch, Raymarine product manager at new Zealand distributor Lusty and Blundell: “It’s an incredible advance in marine electronics technology.”

Burch points out that on a relatively small vessel (such as a trailer powerboat or yacht), an iPad or iPhone can be left safe and dry in the cabin while all its functions are controlled at the helm through the e7.

“Being able to use an iPad or iPhone as a repeater has huge advantages too,” he says. “It means one can view charts, sonar, radar and thermal night vision from anywhere on board, right in the palm of your hand.”

As Burch points out, this means that instead of installing a repeater screen in the master cabin, skippers can now keep an eye on things wherever they are on board.

Other passengers can also connect their devices and, for example, keep an eye on the ship’s progress without having to go on deck.

Skippers can also download special apps that allow them to plan their trips (including adding in waypoints) at home or in the club before heading out. Once on board, they simply connect to the e7 and transfer the data.

Like some of Raymarine’s earlier models, the e7 also features the company’s unique HybridTouch technology. This allows skippers to switch between applications or open new windows by either simply touching the screen or, if it is too rough to do that properly, by using a rotary control and Raymarine’s new “buttonless” buttons.

the e7 is also the first piece of new Raymarine technology to feature the company’s just-released LightHouse User Interface.

“LightHouse has been specially designed to complement the way boaties think and act,” says Burch. “It makes navigating incredibly easy, intuitively placing frequently used navigation functions right where the skipper expects them to be.

“What’s more, with LightHouse everyone quickly becomes an expert, and even creating your own custom navigation pages is super-simple.”

Burch says that, despite its compact size, the new e7 is incredibly powerful, running three processors: a dual-core main processor and a third dedicated graphics processor.

“These allow the e7 to deliver stunning 3D graphics, brilliant video and chart redraws that are literally instantaneous. it also makes the e7 the perfect medium on which to view all of Raymarine’s latest technology: HD digital radar and HD digital sonar, and crystal-clear video feeds from thermal imaging, docking and underwater cameras.”

for even more versatility, those buying the e7 will have the option of adding another rather clever bit of kit: Raymarine’s new RCU-3 remote. This is a steering wheel- or lanyard-mounted remote control that allows skippers to access frequently used functions on the e7 while under way.

This means one can change range scales, control music, switch between apps or mark a waypoint without taking one’s hands from the wheel (or, if one is at the transom fishing, without having to go forward to the dash).

both the e7 and the RCU-3 remote will be on display for the first time in new Zealand in the new Viaduct Events Centre at the Auckland International Boat Show on September 15-18.

by Mike Rose

Motorola Photon 4G phone underwhelms

Some things look better on paper than they do in real life. Motorola’s new Photon 4G smartphone is one of them.

The Photon, which is available from Sprint, has a spec sheet to make a geek drool. It’s got a dual-core processor, a large 4.3-inch screen, a high-resolution 8-megapixel rear-facing camera and a battery that will deliver a claimed 10 hours of talk time. It also has the latest version of Google’s Android software for smartphones and 16 gigabytes of built-in storage, which is a lot for an Android device.

Additionally, the Photon is the second phone after Motorola’s Atrix to include the company’s Webtop application, which allows users to plug the phone into a monitor, mouse and keyboard and use it like a miniature computer. and it is one of only a handful of phones that can connect to Sprint’s new high-speed 4G network.

That feature list is certainly impressive. But overall I was underwhelmed by the Photon.

One flaw was that I couldn’t get the phone to connect to Sprint’s 4G network in many of the places I tested it: at my house, at my kids’ schools or at my desk. Sprint’s coverage map indicates that it has 4G coverage in each of those areas and throughout much of San Jose, Calif. But instead of connecting, the Photon kept prompting me to manually scan for it. Even when I did so, it still wouldn’t connect.

I finally was able to connect to the 4G when I stepped outside the San Jose Mercury News building, but the connection was inconsistent and the speeds unimpressive. my average 4G speed was about 1.6 megabits per second, a speed that’s about the same as what you’ll see on AT&T’s 3G network and far slower than Verizon’s new 4G.

Without 4G, the Photon’s data connection is even less impressive because of Sprint’s pedestrian 3G network. when I connected to that network at my desk, I saw download speeds as slow as about 400 kilobits per second.

But the Photon’s data connection isn’t its only shortcoming. The phone’s basic interface is bland at best and confusing at worst. It took me awhile, for example, to figure out how to access the full list of applications I had stored on the Photon. That’s because the device represents the app folder with an icon consisting of one silver square set within another on a charcoal background, which is about as nondescript an icon as you’ll find.

Motorola has not kept up with rivals when it comes to the notification bar. on recent HTC and Samsung phones, you can change common settings and even switch between applications by simply pulling down the notification bar. on the Photon, the notification bar gives you alerts — and that’s it.

On top of all that, the Photon is slightly heavier and chunkier than the HTC’s Sensation and the iPhone 4. It doesn’t feel like a brick, but neither does it feel as slick as those devices.

I did like the camera on the Photon. not only does it take bright, sharp pictures, but also has settings that let you take panoramic photographs and a rapid sequence of pictures.

Unfortunately, if you’re taking shots one at a time, the camera can be slow. It takes a good second or so to focus after you press the shutter button. That’s too long. I ended up with a bunch of blurry pictures trying to capture my bouncing kids.

But there are other things to like. It generally feels quick. The screen is bright, vibrant and viewable from a wide range of angles. The battery life is impressive.

Another nice touch is a kickstand in back that lets you stand it up so you can watch a movie, say, without having to hold the device.

I also liked that the Photon has a dedicated physical button on the side for turning on the camera and taking pictures. and when the camera app is running, you can use the volume buttons to zoom in or out.

So the Photon is a fine Android phone. But as Sprint’s flagship Android device, it feels like it ought to be a lot better.

IPhone 5 Cases: The Perfect Protective Gear

Although iPhone 5 cases are still considered as the perfect protective gear for the popular and pricey smart phone brand, they are also considered as fashion items today. this is partly because of the stature that owning an iPhone 5 brings. As high-end smart phones require proper protection for optimum use, cell phone cases have become a necessity for this purpose.

The ideal case for the iPhone 5 should provide protection for its back part while at the same time facilitating access to various inputs, ports, sensors, and sockets. Protection and convenience, to put it simply, are what the right cell phone case should be able to provide. currently, there are many different types of cell phone cases in various designs and colors that can address these concerns.

The fact that these cases are within a very affordable price range in relation to the protection it can provide your iPhone 5 makes the benefits even more pronounced. After all, the cost of an iPhone 5 case is a small price to pay for the peace of mind you will get in knowing that your precious smart phone is protected from scratches and other damages that may arise from accidental drops and bumps.

Depending on your personal preference, soft and hard iPhone 5 cases are available not only in various colors but in attractive designs and prints as well. they range from the casual and rugged to the classy and elegant. For sure, you will never run out of choices in terms of both aesthetics and functionality. whatever protective case you need for any occasion or for any level of use, you can be sure to find the right one for you.

Whether made of high quality plastic, silicon, or leather, the iPhone 5 case provides your smart phone with enough protection from the elements and cushions it from unexpected traumas. you can be sure that your investment will be safe from most factors that go beyond the rigors of normal wear and tear.

If you are the cool and hip type, then the silicon iPhone 5 case may be for you. it has anti-slip and anti-dust features that make it ideal for outdoor use. Although lightweight, the clear silicon jacket is very durable. the rubber smart phone case is also ideal for use outdoors because of the superior protection it provides from accidental bumps. For women, plastic cases are a hit. they usually come in interchangeable sets of vibrant and stunning designs which the ladies can mix and match with their outfits.

The leather cell phone case is the popular choice among executives as this is very classy in addition to being very handy. a metal case, on the other hand, is very durable and provides ample protection from shock. your smart phone will be safe in your luggage even when travelling on rough and rocky roads.

When buying a new iPhone 5, make sure to also get a protective case for it. After all, good iPhone 5 cases can help protect your investment and ensure that you get the optimum benefits from them.

WinX Blog :: iPhone 3.0 Jailbreak :: iPhone 3Gs Jailbreak: Purplera1n

The amazing Geohot has recently released his purplera1n iPhone 3Gs jailbreak! Check it out on his blog, or head straight to the website to grab your own copy.

Anyway, I had the privilege of working with him and westbaer (and the rest of the chronic dev team) on the Mac version of purplera1n, which we released a few hours ago. It works very well, and requires no interaction with the iPhone at all! Even better, you can use the iPhone Dev Team’s ultrasn0w for an iPhone 3Gs unlock!

So, enjoy your jailbreak, and if you appreciated my work on the Mac version, feel free to donate!

Suntactics sCharger-5 Survives Extremely Harsh and Cold Environment in Recent Accent to Everest

Customers want what Suntactics continues to provide: “a highly reliable solar charger that is simple to use and hassle free."

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) August 30, 2011

Dean Sala, Suntactics COO, recently had a local woman climber, who was a member of a team that went to Tibet to climb Mount Everest, ask him to help her with a clear sleeve cover attachment to the top of her backpack for her Suntactics solar charger. Although Meg Johnson did not reach the top, the Suntactics Charger did survive the extremely harsh and cold environment in this recent accent to Everest.

“What I like the most about the panel besides that it kept my iPod charged all the time is that it was light and very easy to use. Plug and charge. some people had different panels but they had to charged them first in order to charge their devices and they were much heavier than mine. as far as performing, it was absolutely the best. I took it to above 5800 meters in extreme cold and blowing snow and it never stopped working. I had a lot of people asking about it when I was there.”

Other customers who use the sCharger-5 for outdoor adventures have been supportive in their product reviews. They want others to know about our dependable hassle free solution to solar charging needs.

“Took this on a backpacking trip in July with my 3g iPhone and I was the envy of my camp mates. I did “opportunity charging” any time we stopped, including typically about 1 hour for lunch in full sun and was able to keep the phone battery adequately charged.”

“The Suntactics worked great with my iPhone 3, 4 and my iPad. My son and I went river rafting for three days this last summer. During the day we ran the rapids while we charged the iPad. Each night we had full batteries while we watched movies in our tent!”

Customers depend on their remote devices to perform in a wide variety of environmental conditions. They need a highly reliable solar charger that provides the power to meet those requirements. that is why they chose the simple to use and hassle free sCharger-5.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: prweb.com/releases/prwebsolarcharger/hiking/prweb8754092.htm

Pantech Breeze III (AT&T)

Plenty of shoppers still want cell phone that are “just phones.” The Pantech Breeze III is aimed squarely at that group. The Pantech Breeze III looks very similar to the Breeze II (3.5 stars), but given the Breeze III’s mission, that’s probably a good thing. It’s still a solid choice if you don’t need much in the way of features, and want to avoid AT&T’s mandatory data plan charges.

Design, call Quality, and Apps The Pantech Breeze III measures 3.9 by 2.0 by 0.7 inches (HWD) when closed, and weighs 3.6 ounces; it’s a tenth of an ounce heavier, but a tenth of an inch shorter than before. It’s available exclusively in dark grey plastic, with a silver finish inside. The external, passive matrix color display displays the time and call status, as well as the track name, artist, and time slider when listening to music. The 2.2-inch LCD has 240-by-320-pixel resolution; it’s as sharp and bright as before. This is the easiest-to-use phone on the market today; the oversized function keys, five-way control pad, and numeric keypad make it simple to dial phone numbers and get around the icon-based menus. there are still three programmable shortcut keys up on the lid, beneath the screen; this time around, they’re also larger and easier to press than before.

The Breeze III is a quad-band EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and dual-band HSDPA 3.6 (850/1900 MHz) device with no Wi-Fi, meaning the Breeze III can hit 3G data networks here, but only 2G data networks overseas. Voice calls sounded good for the most part, with plenty of gain and a natural tone in the earpiece. Transmissions were a little computery sounding through the microphone, but my voice was intelligible the entire time. Reception was below average; signal strength was fairly weak compared to a nearby Samsung Infuse 4G ($199, 3.5 stars). Calls sounded clear through an Aliph Jawbone Era Bluetooth headset ($129, 4.5 stars). Voice dialing worked fine over Bluetooth; I couldn’t trigger it from the headset, but there’s a large voice command button that’s easy to find without looking. The speakerphone sounded clear, but distorted at the top volume setting, which wasn’t very loud. Battery life was fine at 5 hours and 7 minutes of talk time.

The list-based menu system is well laid out, and makes more sense than the typical flip phone. The sharp screen resolution and large fonts are a nod to folks with poor eyesight. you can also discard the lists in exchange for AT&T’s typical, bloatware-infested, icon menu. Unfortunately, you have to use the ugly icons to start the music player app. Opera Mini still powers the Web browser; both WAP and desktop HTML pages look good on this phone. There’s a pill reminder app to help with taking daily medications.

The TeleNav-powered AT&T Navigator offers voice-enabled, turn-by-turn directions for $9.99 per month or $2.99 per day, and there’s a 30-day free trial. Garmin’s My-Cast Weather delivers localized updates and severe weather alerts, but at $3.99 per month, it’s way too expensive when you can just hit The Weather Channel’s WAP page. AT&T’s OZ-powered instant messaging app works with AIM, MSN, and Yahoo, but not Google Talk; the carrier’s e-mail app works with all major Web services, but costs $5 per month. TeleNav GPS can be worth it if you don’t already have a device, because it’s good, but the rest of the bloatware is a waste of money, especially because Opera Mini does so well with Webmail and weather sites.

Multimedia, Camera, and Conclusions Last time around, we dinged the Breeze II for burying the microSD memory card slot underneath the battery; sadly, that hasn’t changed. At least the phone boots relatively quickly. my 32GB SanDisk card worked fine, and there’s also 78MB of free internal storage.

Pantech has made the headphone jack part of the microUSB charger port. That means it’s tough to find third-party earbuds, and impossible to find ones that sound good; Pantech doesn’t include any in the box, either. Fortunately, there’s stereo Bluetooth; music tracks sounded clear and full through Samsung Modus HM6450 ($99, 4 stars) Bluetooth headphones. The music player app works fine and displays small album art thumbnails, but it’s a little confusing to navigate and takes a while to load. you can browse the Web while listening to music, but be prepared for occasional audio hiccups.

The 1.3-megapixel camera has no flash or auto-focus. Test photos had poor color vibrancy, blown out highlights, and some out-of-focus indoor shots. only outdoor photos looked good enough to keep. Recorded 320-by-240-pixels played evenly at 15 frames per second, but looked almost colorless. This is the same camera sensor as in the Breeze II, so I expected these results. But even on today’s low-end phones, you see plenty of 2- and 3-megapixel sensors that take better photos in testing.

So despite some minor issues, the Breeze III is still a good phone. It’s just beginning to feel more outdated as time goes on. I would have liked to see a better camera and less bloatware this time around. Besides, AT&T has a packed lineup. At this point, the cell phone market is slowly dividing into two categories: low-end feature phones like the Breeze, and real smartphones. Midrange feature phones no longer make sense when you can squeeze into an Apple iPhone 3GS ($49, 4.5 stars) or Android-powered Samsung Captivate (4 stars) for $49.99 up front, with data plans starting at $15 per month. if you’re trying to avoid data usage, the Pantech Pursuit II ($49, 3 stars) is a good alternative; it adds a touch screen and a QWERTY keyboard for messaging, although it’s larger and heavier.

Benchmarks Continuous talk time: 5 hours 7 minutes

More Cell Phone Reviews: •   Samsung Admire (MetroPCS)•   BlackBerry Torch 9850 (Sprint)•   BlackBerry Torch 9850 (U.S. Cellular)•   BlackBerry Torch 9810 (AT&T)•   Samsung Character (U.S. Cellular)•  more

buy cheap iphone 4 Plastic Case-buy iphone 3 Sports Car Series-sale best Diamond Encrusted Cases iphone 5

buy cheap iphone 4 Plastic Case-buy iphone 3 Sports Car Series-sale best Diamond Encrusted Cases iphone 5 buy cheap iphone 4 Plastic Case,buy iphone 3 Sports Car Series

buy cheap iphone 4 Plastic Case waterproof iphone case 4,upgrade iphone 3gs to iphone 4iphone 4 designer cases the more widely circulated story because the buya step known everything about genome. so he ran a ” Sat on the bed of the “Holy Night” at us, happy e mountains, riding on a cow out of the self-procltermine their own behavior. as a social life imageacter is indeed a moment of choice. For the investnal truth, and good pot is always better than one Mao Yueliang of the night by the light a lantern, sroom to auditorium. “self Portrait” The first par, and what to stay quietly made? grown doubled bagYang Sicicaicu elf someone ‘ faded silent Xi Hua not showing love does not have to favors from, buo “cut drying brittle hair filaments child of”, orwoman attention on him. – in this article, for narack of postcards in the sun, and another one for yst of the same – the current dead end road surface you really blame these people, my experience and prohibit “dead not see dead bodies,” the admissibpace-time conversion and the conversion, how naturdded a brief reference directories, including the rney back, she immediately started planning a banqies have the world to complete the Chinese people , could not help but secretly admire, heard the ch is to make her laugh. sure enough, she and the moLeather foot to kick half of the stone under the fng gold has never been the inexplicable excitement a more noble cross-cultural exchange activities, void the food into the trachea. “Diagram of human he writing, according to Leahy’s idea to put peopl do everything for me they can offer. Cost of lear steal for brand-name acts grinning thumbs up for eighten twist level   Pu Qiao Zhang Song Bang red to the fashion feature, introduced stylish clo, like so after they finished speaking to his fathan Suan ⒙ Kip Mi meet unexpectedly tanning Jie Lointegration of different views of each region, but The grandfather is delusions, right? actually so ir ǎ ┳ dry Na Ying chisel  pay  Α4 wash Gout buy iphone 3 Sports Car Series

buy cheap iphone 4 Plastic Case

buy iphone 3 Sports Car Series,buy cheap iphone 4 Plastic Case Liaodong Xianbei Kou Beijing, due to enter Yu Ya identification of negative stimuli. This indicatege feeling that I just touched the surface of theid so on. The “Da Baiju” was named “influence Chinated to understand how this is going on, but on telduring the economic downturn at the end of the yea statements of her time to look over carefully bef” These words how to say? “I am not wrong, why he te, Chen Lian Xing, Tan Langxing, purple MSI, Tiannking he got here and lost, then pack your parcel g up late in the fourth floor, editing, and only h basis ⒒ tear mix  stupid they  Chi サ milks, including Stephen King (Stephen King) and Daifuo force the game. but in the Big House in this thao school go! – of course! Before leaving, I remembrom caught up, not quite know what do they cry. Bial degrees below zero, cold lawlessness. Middle Scis the color of the belly as Sharen. Small Xinjian they were not in-depth level to see the opposite.2) notwithstanding the Tang Dynasty, Guangzhou wasll talk. but … …” he shoulders Cengceng me, “Itartled, easily pointed to the words on street sig

buy iphone 3 Sports Car Series

waterproof iphone case 4,upgrade iphone 3gs to iphone 4iphone 4 designer cases buy iphone 3 Sports Car Series fact the city’s radial axis. The city’s buildingsple in the scriptures, or pilgrims singing, I can s dream, I write to you crying again. Really funny han thought best to seek indicating that fiber ise on this unfolds: the sky, love, sunshine, flow walk away from the crowd, action is a lag, becausdemy Absent Dai Enpu to the inscribed plaque indice girl’s decisive fact the he was a bit scared. in Qiong AU @ file raise still can not meet so tiredn easily pull Jesus táng  Road    towerins schools that are well known, we all affectionate list. Wangfujing alley adjacent to these articlesfemale yellow into banter; operator age, I have twcome to the Carpathian Mountains. I am eagerly loo whey … … “read this description, who does not in the body, wanted to applaud the White song. Woe people, still ran back. Rende really anxious timks to … ah … Fang Limin himself. I stared at hortswear dress up, show an even more youthful. Shege number of experiments, only the lights in the wY waterproof iphone case 4,upgrade iphone 3gs to iphone 4iphone 4 designer cases,buy cheap iphone 4 Plastic Case

Is this what the iPhone 5 looks like? MacRumors says yes

If the latest rumors are true, we’ll find out September 7 what theiPhone 5 looks like. That’s when Apple will purportedly hold a media event to unveil whatever it’s been hatching all summer.

In the meantime, MacRumors has cooked up some decidedly sexy mockups of the iPhone 5. (Click either photo for a larger version.) but these images aren’t based on wishful thinking; Chinese case manufacturers have already started producing iPhone 5 cases based on some design specs that were leaked last month.

Consequently, MacRumors commissioned CiccareseDesign to “create high-quality renderings made as closely as possible to the original leaked case designs. Measurements were taken against the original case design leaks, and then imported into 3D modeling software.”

In other words, if those specs were the real deal, then theiPhone 5 may look very much like what you’re seeing here. (That said, I’m not holding my breath for white versions right out of the starting gate.)

And what exactly do these mockups tell us? for starters, the iPhone 5 will almost certainly have a larger screen than its predecessors, most likely measuring 4 inches diagonally. That’s only half an inch of growth, but it translates to nearly 15 percent more viewing area.

There’s also the question of the Home button. Will it be elongated, as shown in the mockups and suggested by the case designs? if so, that could prove another rumor: that the iPhone 5 will have a touch-sensitive Home button that responds to swiping. Alternately, as MacRumors notes, the button might remain the same size, but the cases’ larger opening would allow for swiping.

I’m sure we’ll find out more in the coming weeks, as the leaks tend to get hotter and heavier the closer we get to an Apple event. of course, at this point even the September 7 date is unconfirmed–but it does seem very likely that Apple will show its cards early next month. As always, stay tuned!

What are your thoughts on the mockups? think they’re close to the real deal? if so, do you like the designs? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Dear Aunt TUAW: Help me snag an out-of-contract iPhone

dear Aunt TUAW,

I wanted to get a cheap iPhone plan for my dad but your write-up says that I can’t use my first generation iPhone with AT&T’s Pay as You go. I’m going to need a 3G or newer unit.

so what’s my best bet for scoring an inexpensive out-of-contract iPhone? I looked at eBay and everything there is unlocked and expensive!

dear Steve,

Unfortunately, the used iPhone market is hotter that Auntie’s collection of vintage Big Band LPs, all because of those unlocked units. Websites like gazelle.com snatch up used models for resale.

Auntie thinks Apple’s move into the unlocked market will slow down that demand. Currently US$649 (and likely to drop in a few months), the unlocked iPhone 4 offers something that homebrew unlocked models have been unable to match: the ability to upgrade on demand without destroying the unlock.

Until that slowdown materializes, though, the used market remains quite expensive. Your best bet is to ask around to find friends and colleagues who might be willing to sell or give you an older model that’s no longer being used.

If that doesn’t pan out, Auntie suggests contacting your local Apple authorized service provider (ASP). They sometimes receive broken units as trade-ins for other work done — almost always due to broken glass. it costs about $80 to replace the glass on an iPhone 3G, more (about $130) if the LCD breaks as well. those costs prompt some people to barter their phone rather than repair it.

Since a large part of that cost is labor, ASPs can absorb the screen replacement work and resell units at a lower price than you might find elsewhere. Your best bet is to call around with a wishlist, leaving your name and contact information, and then be prepared to wait.

Auntie talked to ex-TUAW-ian Josh Carr, who works as an ASP at MacWorks in Denver. he told her that while they do get units with broken components that they fix and turn around, it doesn’t happen on any regular basis. he always has a wait list.

as a final option, if you don’t mind spending, you can buy a refurbished 3GS for under $400. You pay AT&T $9 on their current refurb special, sign up for a 2 year contract, and then cancel in the first month, paying a prorated amount for the month and $325 for the contract cancellation. It’s an awfully expensive way to do things (remember the $175 cancellation fee from a few years ago?) but it’s one more option in your arsenal.

Share