AAPL Climbs Following 3G iPhone News
AAPL Climbs Following 3G iPhone News
by , 11:35 AM EST, November 29th, 2007
Word of a 2008 3G-compatible iPhone release didn't come from Apple, but that didn't stop the company's stock from climbing. The Cupertino company's stock closed on Wednesday at US$180.22, and climbed up over $184 late Thursday morning.
The news that Apple is planning on releasing an iPhone model that works on AT&T's faster 3G wireless data network instead of the slower EDGE network currently in use came from AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson. Although he confirmed a new model was on the way, he did not say exactly when next year to expect the release.
Despite its reliance on the slower EDGE data technology, Apple's combination iPod and smart phone has proven to be popular with customers. Compared to other cell phones, the iPhone offers an easy to use multi-touch graphic interface, easy software upgradability, and applications that many owners find easier to use.
The iPhone is currently available in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and France.
Apple's stock is currently trading at $184.03, up 3.81 (2.11%).
If you are interested in Apple's stock, join our forum members in the Apple Finance Boards, a moderated forum for Apple Investors and people who are interested in Apple's financial dealings. For other stories regarding Apple's stock activity, visit our updated Apple Stock Watch Special Report.
Observer Comments
Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:01 pm Subject: That is why
QuoteGuest wrote:
It's good to know that new iPhones are coming out to avoid wasting money on a non-3G iPhone!
That is why Apple is usually so tightlipped about upcoming products.
Question for the tech people; Could the existing iPhone run on a 3G network? Maybe all that is needed is a firmware update or something.
Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:16 pm Subject: Could be totally wrong
The information could have been totally wrong, but at some point, I read (where, I don't know, so take it with a grain of salt) that the iPhone COULD NOT be upgraded to 3G through software because it was missing some hardware component needed for 3G. That being said, I ALSO read that Apple sacrificed the speed of the device by using software connections between components rather than hardwired connections so that future features could be added via software... so that they weren't hamstrung by any hardware connections.
Steve Jobs said that Apple chose to go with an EDGE data connection for the iPhone because 3G data kill battery life and they wanted to make the iPhone with 5 hours of talk time. He also said that a 3G iPhone was an eventuality when battery technology grows to allow 5 hours of talk time with the 3G data connection. I don't really see any huge improvements in battery technology coming in the next year. Yes there is fuel cell battery prototypes but they are still a long way away from mainstream use. The only other explanation that I can think of would be for Apple to cave in and finally put a removable battery in one of their portable devices in the same way that just about every other mobile phone has had since well,.... the beginning of mobile phones. GPS would be really nice too. 
I hope Sling Media comes out with a Slingplayer for the iPhone. I pretty sure they will come out with one soon since the SDK has been announced for the iPhone if they aren't already working on it now. A 3G iPhone with Slingplayer would be a dream come true.
Improved battery performance is only one possible solution. If the 3G capable chip is somehow made to use less power, that could solve the issue as well. It was only a matter of time before Apple came came out with a 3G phone. However, if AT&T is correct, that could be sometime in December of 2008 (over a year away).
I will also say old iPhones will not be upgradable in this way. Part break downs of the iPhone do not reveal the required hardware. Upgrading software will not fix that.
For what it is worth, I think 3G will only appeal to some people. First, using the internet on the iPhone to view websites is nice if you really need information. However, it is not particularly comfortable to do versus a full sized computer. As such, I doubt many people spend a lot of time surfing the Internet on their iPhones. For email, 3G is a bit of over kill.
I can get by using Wi-Fi 90 percent of the time. I certainly wouldn't be willing to pay more for a 3G model.
QuoteGuest wrote:
Steve Jobs said that Apple chose to go with an EDGE data connection for the iPhone because 3G data kill battery life and they wanted to make the iPhone with 5 hours of talk time. He also said that a 3G iPhone was an eventuality when battery technology grows to allow 5 hours of talk time with the 3G data connection. I don't really see any huge improvements in battery technology coming in the next year. Yes there is fuel cell battery prototypes but they are still a long way away from mainstream use. The only other explanation that I can think of would be for Apple to cave in and finally put a removable battery in one of their portable devices in the same way that just about every other mobile phone has had since well,.... the beginning of mobile phones. GPS would be really nice too.
I hope Sling Media comes out with a Slingplayer for the iPhone. I pretty sure they will come out with one soon since the SDK has been announced for the iPhone if they aren't already working on it now. A 3G iPhone with Slingplayer would be a dream come true.
Presuming that 3G eats power due to the local chips rather than requiring a higher power signal, the change will be increasingly lower power chipsets coming onto the market - just as happens with CPUs, GPUs, etc.
What I don't get is why this has affected the share price in any way. Did some idiots out there think that Apple - who revise the iPod pretty much annually - were never ever going to improve the iPhone on the original spec?
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