iPhone rumor du jour: Sprint-powered this summer
Likely rumor or an AT&T customer's wishful thinking? The rumor that won't die is the end of AT&T's iPhone exclusivity in the US. We've heard the name "Verizon" bandied about, but this time it's Sprint's turn.According to The Tech Update, a Best Buy employee sent their editors an email that CONFIRMS (in all caps no less, so it must be true) that Sprint will carry the iPhone this summer. He also expects in-store displays to confirm the change within "...a week or two." From the email:
"...our mobile manager speculates that Apple wanted to drop AT&T due to their poor service but managed to opt-out of the rest of their contract in exchange for the iPad service deal."
The "evidence" in this case points to an email which could have come from any old schmoe, really. The fact is none of us know what will happen with the iPhone in the US. Here's what we can assume: First, Apple entered into a contract with AT&T. Eventually, that contract will end and when it does, both parties will assess their experience. At that time, a change may or may not be made. For all we know, we'll be sending iSmoke signals in July.
Patience, grasshopper. All will be revealed.
Share
Categories
Likely rumor or an AT&T customer's wishful thinking? The rumor that won't die is the end of AT&T's iPhone exclusivity in the US....
Add a Comment
Mayby. Sprint would give up almost anything to apple for the first bite at a CDMA iphone. They would be desperate enough to give apple almost anything at this point.
I've been saying this for months also. How do I know? Well I'm not as technical as Greg, however, this season on 24 they have been using iPhones with a big Sprint logo glued onto the front.
Accidents don't just happen.
that anomaly was a mess of an oversight in the promotional licensing...
promise apple that for its money, apple devices will appear in the show
promise sprint that cell phones will be sprint
somebody later realizes they sold the farm twice and offered the compromise: an iphone (cell device + apple device) with the sprint logo...
both companies get what they paid for -- but I bet there was still some refunding and term alteration over that.
Apple is not going to put a separate radio in the iPhone to handle Sprint's proprietary 4G data service. It's just not going to happen. Not with the other US carriers and many worldwide carriers committed to LTE 4G.
It's not that it's a bad service, just that it would be lock in to one specific carrier's network. That, and the early reports say the 4G network is a huge battery drain...
Sprint having made the direct decision and now being "stuck" with WiMax is not true.
I've read that WiMax towers and LTE signals are not that different,
and to switch to LTE from WiMax wouldn't require all new gear, just a few alterations.
I've also heard that WiMax devices would be able to pick up LTE signals with a firmware update.
So as far as Sprint not switching to LTE, and being "stuck" with WiMax because they're already far invested in it money wise, is not true.
I heard that sometime during the summer the iphone will show up on MetroPCS. They offer CDMA & 3G at a flat rate. caller id is extra, but they will have a novel rate card: unlimited calls with no per month charges at all. you only have to pay per charge of the battery. if you recharge once a day that will cost you $5.00/day. 2x a day = $8.00/day, etc.
May 24 2010 at 8:11 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplySo, what you are saying is that I could possibly be paying up to $240 per month for just one iphone? $8.00 per day x 30 days=$240?
May 24 2010 at 8:23 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWhat if the next iPhone will come unlocked, sold by Apple directly, but still be on AT&T as a default carrier.
This is pure speculation, but it might explain:
1. Verizon rumors
2. Sprint rumors
3. AT&T increase in penalty pricing, since an unlocked iPhone means that someone could buy it from AT&T and then switch to another carrier.
Or these things could be completely unrelated. Move along, nothing to see here.
Wow i dont believe this at all they will chose Sprint and not Verizon to make a CDMA iphone? Why not give it to Metro PCS while your at it Apple? Also the way the "tipper" sent the information is really suspicious isnt it.
May 24 2010 at 7:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIf this was to happen then Version would get the iPhone as well, because they would buy Sprint. Sprint is hurting and needs all the help they can get but I don't think the iPhone can save them (I do hope they get it though because I am very happy with my Sprint service and plan right now). They sold off their network assets and even had to stop paying for their hour long product placement extravaganza known as Heroes. Unless Apple is about to become part owner of Sprint (and why they would want to tether themselves to a sinking ship like that is beyond me) then I really don't think there is any credibility to this rumor.
May 24 2010 at 6:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAs a user of AWS, I really want (but am not hopeful) for a T-Mobile iPhone.
May 24 2010 at 6:58 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyForget Sprint or Verizon. What I want is an iPhone on MetroPCS. It's the only carrier I've ever used where I felt I consistently got what I paid for.
May 24 2010 at 6:09 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDeals of the Day
more deals- $15 Apple iTunes Gift Card for $8 for new Saveology customers
- Philips Fidelio Docking Speaker Station for iPhone / iPod for $38 + $6 s&h
- Retro 80's Case for iPhone for $11 + $2 s&h
- HHI 360 Dual-View Stand Case for new iPad w/ $2 credit for $12 + $3 s&h
- HHI ReElegant Smart Cover Companion Case for new iPad from $5 + $3 s&h
- Used Apple iPad 64GB WiFi + 3G for $240 + free shipping
Software Updates
more updatesFeatured Stories
more stories
Popular Stories
TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
25 Comments