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Apple: Next iPhone update could break unlocked phones

Apple issued a statement Monday afternoon warning users of unlocked iPhones that the next software update it ships will probably break their phones.

It's not clear how many people have unlocked their iPhone to run on networks other than AT&T's, but there has definitely been some interest among early adopters who want no part of AT&T's network. Most of those folks were always operating under the assumption that Apple might relock their iPhones with future software updates, but were they expecting Apple to actually disable the phone?

"Apple has discovered that many … Read more

AT&T suspends parental control service

AT&T confirmed Monday that it has suspended a new service that lets parents limit usage on their kids' cell phones after the company realized that there was a potential issue with 911 emergency services.

The Wall Street Journal first reported Monday that the "Smart Limits" service, which was launched on September 4, has been temporarily suspended. Smart Limits is a new parental control service that allows parents to restrict phone calls to and from their kids' phones during certain times of day. This feature allowed parents to limit or block cell phone use on their children'… Read more

T-Mobile snags Wi-Fi-lovin BlackBerry Curve

AT&T may have scored the RIM BlackBerry 8820 last week, but we're thinking T-Mobile got the better deal with the just-announced RIM BlackBerry 8320, aka the BlackBerry Curve with Wi-Fi (Yahtzee!). Why? Well, first it has the same sleek design of the original Curve and a more spacious and easy-to-use QWERTY keyboard. You also get a 2-megapixel camera, whereas the BlackBerry 8820 is sans camera. Of course, the latter is definitely aimed more at the business set, whereas the BlackBerry 8320 will have more mass appeal. And what can we say about the addition of Wi-Fi? Yes, … Read more

LG CE110 on AT&T

We spotted the LG CE110 on AT&T's site today, and it looks to be a pretty basic camera phone offering.

It has a VGA camera, Bluetooth, e-mail and multimedia messaging--but not much else.

Still, for the unbeatable price of free with a two-year service agreement, we can't complain too much.

The LG CE110 appears to be available now from AT&T's site.

Is Steve Jobs really smarter than anyone else?

With Apple announcing its entry into the European cell phone market on Tuesday on the back of O2, the United Kingdom has officially rejoiced at the possibility of having the iPhone that Americans have been coveting for so long.

But amid the excitement and hype, everyone seemed to gloss over one important fact from yesterday's announcement: Apple's iPhone business model is second to none, and Steve Jobs really is smarter than the rest of the world.

The new deal with O2 highlighted two interesting points: first off, O2, much like AT&T, is more than happy to share revenue with Apple. Secondly, it displayed the naivete of O2 to actually believe that Apple will stand by it through thick and thin. Hasn't O2 watched any of the iPhone-unlocking news hitting the wire in the past few weeks? Steve Jobs doesn't care about O2; he only cares about profits. And with this new deal, Great Britain may become the best profit center Apple has ever seen.… Read more

T-Mobile announces Samsung SGH-T429

T-Mobile today picked up another slider phone with the new Samsung SGH-T429. Features include a VGA camera, a speakerphone, instant messaging, personal organizer applications, a voice memo recorder, text and multimedia messaging, and Bluetooth. The slider style is similar to the Samsung SGH-T629's design; it has the same thin profile (0.6 inch) but the SGH-T429 is two-toned blue instead of silver. The tri-band (GSM 850/1800/1900) handset is available for $49 with service.

Give me my credit! Apple's $100 iPhone credit arrives

And, after the week Steve Jobs promised, the $100 credit comes to fruition. And, via text. Just click this link and the rest, after entering your phone number and serial number is handled via SMS text. It's pretty fast - I got my access code within 30 seconds! Paperless (unless you want to use it at physical retail store, in which case it'll print). Slick. Now, iPod classic or Apple care? Hrmmmm.

Alltel's Razr2 now on sale; could T-Mobile be next?

As expected, Alltel today formerly picked up the Motorola Razr2 V9m, that lovely Razr revamp that caught our attention last month. Alltel joins Verizon Wireless and Sprint in offering the feature-packed handset while AT&T has already countered with the GSM Razr2 V9. As is the case with the other carriers offering the Razr2, Alltel adds its own customization to the phone. The massive external display shows the missed calls list (handy indeed) and you'll find the carrier's unique Celltop application. The carrier chose to use Moto's standard user interface rather than applying its own, and … Read more

Apple schedules London press event, iPhones expected

Apple will take its keynote show on the road to London next week, with speculation mostly centered on the carriers for a European iPhone.

The company sent out invitations to a Tuesday press conference, but didn't specify the topic. "Mum is no longer the word," was the tagline attached to this invitation, stirring up talk across the pond that Apple is ready to announce its plans for European iPhone sales. The company has previously said that it wants to start selling iPhones in Europe by the end of the year.

The Times Online reported that Peter Erskine, … Read more