Mobile phones & tablets thread

**Jag_Warrior** · 14th Sep 12, 21:18

While some of the "usual suspects" are (of course) taking issue with Apple and the new iPhone, I admit that I'm not exactly wowed by the new features either. But these are typically the very same people who predicted the failure of the iPad and claimed that Apple's stock was overvalued at $250, $325, $400 and so on.

The larger screen is good. The faster processor is good. The lack of NFC doesn't really matter to most, because wide, practical uses for NFC are still quite limited - though in the future, I think/hope that utility will grow (being able to "swipe" a virtual credit card on a smartphone is the wave of the future, IMO). And from what I've read, iOS6 is going to be quite nice. But so far, I've read nothing which tempts me to dive into the smartphone market just yet. I will continue to use my now ancient "dumbphone" for at least another year - unless it finally dies. For me, there's just not enough there to compel me rush out and buy this phone. And though I think that this version will sell very well, I think the door is further opened for Samsung and others to take some share. No longer is it necessary to buy an iPhone to get above average quality, high specs and a broad array of apps. Maybe even Microsoft will get above Symbian in marketshare if they can convince more people to finally give WP8 a try - they might want to get that done before Nokia suffers deeper financial issues though... or maybe they can work more closely with Samsung, since Android/Google has caused them some heartburn.

As for how the iPhone 5 is doing so far, according to a report on Bloomberg, it sold out in the first hour online. And it's apparently already set a sales record. Additionally, the new iPod Touch and the iPod Nano have received positive receptions. This led to AAPL reaching record highs today, knocking on $700/share. This, I care about more than he specs of the newest phone. Whether I will buy one or not, it seems there is enough there that more than enough other consumers are buying them at a record pace.

“The initial batch is sold out,” said Shaw Wu, an analyst at Sterne Agee & Leach Inc., in an interview. He raised his sales estimate for the quarter ending in September to 26 million units, from 23 million. “We think that could turn out to be conservative.”

Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

While previous iPhone models sold out quickly online, “I don’t think it happened quite this fast,” said Tavis McCourt, an analyst at Raymond James & Associates, in an interview. “The speed here is unusual.”

Mobile-service carriers AT&T Inc. (T), Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) and Verizon Wireless have the iPhone available to pre-order with delivery by Sept. 21, according to the companies’ websites.
As many as 58 million units of the iPhone 5 may sell by the end of the year, according the average estimate of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. That could generate as much as $36.2 billion in sales for Apple, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

**race aficionado** · 15th Sep 12, 04:53

I'm very happy with my 4S.
I will wait (as I always do) for the next iPhone to come. I went from the iphone 3 to the 4S, thus skipping the iphone 4. I will do the same with the iPhone 5
I've had this one for 1 year and I will continue to enjoy this during the next year to come.

I did buy myself a gift though, I purchased a new hard case for my phone that yes, makes it a bit heavier which I don't mind and I like the feel of it -and the best thing is that it has an emergency battery charger that has already helped me out in various occasions. It's called the morphie juice pack plus and I am a happy purchaser.
mophie juice pack air® - iPhone 4/4S rechargeable backup battery case

I don't drive a car so I can't charge my phone while I travel and this is a great solution. I have gotten accustomed to charge my phone every evening since I joined the fancy cell phone users club but even with a full battery I find myself using many applications during the day and they suck the battery life. I hate it when I'm out and about and my battery level is low (wrong thread?)

Anyway, it's not happening again.

**donKey jote** · 15th Sep 12, 10:00

Originally Posted by Jag_Warrior

This led to AAPL reaching record highs today, knocking on $700/share. This, I care about more than he specs of the newest phone.

^^this

I hedged my bets and got Apple, Samsung and Google. All three doing nicely

**Mark** · 15th Sep 12, 16:19

Not sure you understand. O2 and Vodafone may well be deploying 4G. However it WILL NOT WORK with the iPhone 5. Wrong frequencies.

**Mark** · 15th Sep 12, 16:22

race. I have this problem too. Particularly using GPS out on my bike. So I have a Mophie Powerstation. Although its broken now

.

However switching off wifi 3G bluetooth helps. iOS really needs a power profiles option.

**Mark** · 15th Sep 12, 16:54

I don't care about 4G either. I'd much rather have a slow (maybe 512k) connection everywhere than fast in places and then nothing in the majority of places.

What's the point arguing over 50Mbit. When the majority of places can't exceed 0.01Mbit.

**Dave B** · 15th Sep 12, 18:15

This is about normal for out of 3G coverage:

Dave Brockman (BigBadDaveB) on Via.Me

**Dave B** · 15th Sep 12, 19:39

I moved away from O2 as in the south east their signal was good but data provision was a joke. I'm on orange now and very rarely have any problems.

**Mark** · 15th Sep 12, 20:03

Of course if you are at home then 3G coverage is going to be irrelevant. You only need a plain phone signal.

**J4MIE** · 15th Sep 12, 20:34

Out here in the sticks if not on wifi I only have GPRS which is painfully slow so I usually don't bother with it, I've noticed the same in some towns I've been in but 3G is a decent enough speed for me. Sort out more widespread coverage as Mark says - I'd far prefer that to 4G

**ioan** · 15th Sep 12, 22:25

Originally Posted by pino

I personally know many Apple users (Mark and Jamie among them) and I can garantee that they are far from being snob...ups you said about 90% not all of them, sorry

That's why I said 90% and not 100%. Anyway why are you guys (henners, malbec and pino) so heated up, do you feel you are part of those 90%?

**Jag_Warrior** · 15th Sep 12, 22:30

Originally Posted by donKey jote

^^this

I hedged my bets and got Apple, Samsung and Google. All three doing nicely

Clearly, this was a very savvy move! Kudos to you, sir!

It's not as if one of them has to lose, just because the others are (also) finding success. And in this case, I think all three of them are proving to be winners. They've all captured a solid place in the market and all are making products that have found their way into consumers' hearts and homes. Since the initial post in this thread, I feel that is the perspective that has been missing. In 2-3 years, I can't say with any confidence whether Nokia or RIM (in their current forms) will even be around. But I'm relatively certain that Apple, Samsung and Google will still be doing rather well. Microsoft (as a stock), who knows? But I certainly think the company will at least be slogging along... and maybe they'll finally get it right too. People have often tried to *create* reasons to explain away Apple's success, or made excuses to explain away the failures or stumbles of certain other companies. But the way I've always seen it, the kid who makes the A on a test understood the material and studied. The kid who made the F, well, excuses aside, he just didn't get the job done. Odd that the only ones who ever experience the dog eating their homework are the kids who typically make F's anyway though, eh?

Personally, I like the fact that Apple and Samsung are locked in a good fight. I really think that the products we'll get in the future will be enhanced because of that fierce competition.

Now, I'd just love for Apple (or somebody) to buy or partner with TiVo and give us something better than the ancient channel-surfing technology that viewers still have to deal with. Various music services and apps will go out and create playlists based on your past listening habits. But aside from the (barely) half decent job that TiVo does in recommending shows or movies, there's really nothing out there that I find all that compelling. For the most part, we still have to know what show we want to watch before we're able to watch it. Why hasn't the TV and movie industry embraced predictive, behavioral technology by now??? Maybe that's a question for another thread.

**J4MIE** · 16th Sep 12, 17:48

I have just joined the iPad owners club

**Mark** · 16th Sep 12, 17:51

Well done. iPad 2 or 3?

I've thought about getting one but they seem too big. I'm waiting for the iPad Mini.

**J4MIE** · 16th Sep 12, 18:09

3 - 64Gb, they only had them in black, would've preferred white but hey ho, will do the same inside.

My dad's had an iPad 2 for a while now and every time I've had a shot of it thought that I could do with one. Screen size seems ok to me.

**Mark** · 16th Sep 12, 19:48

None of them I would guess. But you can get a Kindle Fire for £130

**Malbec** · 16th Sep 12, 21:43

Originally Posted by Mark

I've thought about getting one but they seem too big. I'm waiting for the iPad Mini.

One about a quarter of the size of the iPad with phone capability would be nice

I'm with Vodaphone as good phone coverage is an absolute non-negotiable must for me and they've been the best network using that criteria. They have decent contracts available for 2 year so I might be able to negotiate a free iPhone 5 when it comes to upgrading my existing phone. It won't be any more expensive than getting an HTC for me.

**J4MIE** · 16th Sep 12, 23:30

Good phone signal has been important to me since a few years ago I was on Mull at the rally and, when attempting to call in sick to work (ahem) in my previous job, I didn't have any signal at all so couldn't

That took some explaining

But I believe Vodafone has good coverage on Mull and all competitors must carry a mobile that uses Vodafone for use in case of emergency

Just a shame I couldn't use it then

**airshifter** · 17th Sep 12, 00:15

Originally Posted by Mark

I don't care about 4G either. I'd much rather have a slow (maybe 512k) connection everywhere than fast in places and then nothing in the majority of places.

What's the point arguing over 50Mbit. When the majority of places can't exceed 0.01Mbit.

Is this something unique to your location or the phone type? I have 4G LTE, but lacking a good 4G signal it gets a 3G signal. I don't think coverage is any different at all than if I still had a 3G phone??

I do agree the vast majority don't need 4G speeds, but they can fly at times. I've had download tests at over 21Mbps on a 4G connection. My wifi rarely does that!

**Mark** · 17th Sep 12, 08:54

I think it's just poor coverage in the North East of England. If I'm at home I get a full 3G signal - as I'm near the mast, however if I'm out cycling or geocaching anywhere which isn't built up, the signal is poor. I can usually get an ok phone signal for voice and text most places, but data is a big issue.