Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile  Did Apple and AT&T sign a 5 -year exclusive deal for the iPhone back in 2008? And if so, have either party breached terms that would nullify the contract? That is the thrust of the case being made as we learn that USA Today reported on court documents did reveal a 5-year contract. All eyes are on the two companies to watch if either tips its hand on the status.
If the contract is still being enforced, then we’ve got at least another year of exclusivity, wrapping the iPhone up at AT&T and keeping it away from 75% of the top four big teleco’s. If not, then we might see the iPhone hit the road and start popping up like a whack-a-mole at other carriers. What could be in the contract that might provide an escape for Apple? Surely sales thresholds must be met, but network features such as tethering, MMS, or network improvements could have been worked into the agreement and are anyone’s guess. What matters is this: AT&T has a lot to lose if the iPhone walks. Meanwhile, both iPhone-lusting Verizon users and disgruntled AT&T users dream of a day where the iPhone will play on a field of red. Verizon red. Read: [TechCrunch] Full Story » | Written by JG Mason for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Cellphones, Cellular Providers, Smartphones, Mobile Starting May 16, AT&T will offer the Palm Pre Plus for $149 with a new two-year contract. However, to entice current and new AT&T customers, the Palm Pre Plus will be combined with the Touchstone charging device. The Palm Pre Plus price (try saying that three times fast) is comparable to the Palm Pre on Sprint, yet it is $100 more expensive than the Palm Pre Plus on Verizon. Then again, Verizon has been selling the Palm Pre Plus for a while now, so the price has come down. No word on whether the Pixi will also be available on AT&T, but if you are on AT&T you can get your WebOS fix with the Palm Pre Plus soon enough. Here is the official comment on their Facebook page: Hey fans, device news coming your way! Palm Pre Plus hits retail stores and online starting 5/16 for $149.99 after contract and mail-in rebate. Also, for a limited time in AT&T retail stores only, customers who purchase
a Palm Pre Plus will get a free Palm Touchstone Charging Dock. Additional details coming closer to 5/16, stay tuned!
Via [Facebook] Full Story » | Written by Natesh Sood for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Smartphones, Mobile  It looks like Android has finally overtaken the iPhone, if only for the moment. According to market research group NPD, Android was the number two top selling smartphone OS in the US for the first quarter of 2010. Apple’s iPhone came in third.
The actually numbers come is with RIM’s BlackBerry with 36 percent of smartphones sold, Android with 28 percent and Apple with 21 percent. This marks the first time that Android has managed to outsell the iPhone. BlackBerrys, as always, outsell both platforms somewhat easily. Businesses seem to need BlackBerrys to function, and a lot of people seem to want physical keyboards. This drop in iPhone sales does go along with Apple’s recent earnings call saying that they sold less iPhones last quarter. Android coming in and selling more was a bit unexpected, however. The likely cause of the increase in Android sales in comparison to iPhone sales could be the shear number of Android devices. Every major carrier has at least one Android phone now, so carrier selection is not an issue. Not to mention the fact that a new, even better Android phone seems to come along every few weeks or so. In comparison, the iPhone is the same iPhone that’s been out since last June, and there is that whole lost/stolen next iPhone situation that may have convinced some to hold out until this coming June. Or maybe the Droid and Nexus One were just that enticing to people. Read [NPD] Full Story » | Written by Shawn Ingram for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
Section: Communications, Accessories, Mobile, Gadgets / Other The Square mobile payment system seems to available for a few platforms now. It was just recently added to the App Store and made available for the iPhone, iPod touch and the iPad. And while checking around the Square website for more information I noticed that there was an app available for Android as well. Some of the perks of using Square include the ability to take payments from anyone with a credit card just about anywhere you may be. The system also generates a receipt that can be delivered by email or SMS, comes with no contract or monthly fees and can possibly offer rewards at locations that you visit often. Anyway, the apps are available and you can download them from either the Apple App Store or the Android Market for free. Then once the app is downloaded and installed you can create an account with Square. Then after you have your account setup, you will receive a Square card reader and Square sticker in the mail so you can begin accepting payments. Check out the video below and then hit up the Read link below to check out a the Square website. Read [Square]  Full Story » | Written by Robert Nelson for Gadgetell. | Comment on this Article »
 
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