For years, the only thing setting the iPhone apart from the Blackberry was the famed Blackberry Messenger service. Although you can download just about any kind of app that you want to, Apple had failed to develop any type of built-in messaging service for iPhone owners. That is, until now. Soon to be included in the iPhone iOS 5 is a program named iMessage. Just like the name sounds, iPhone users will finally be able to message other iPhone owners while they simultaneously run other apps.
IPhone users will need have access to the Internet in order to use iMessage, but this should be fairly easy considering the fact that they can use WiFi portals or connect with their cell phone carriers. The makers of the Blackberry don’t seem all that concerned with iMessage as of yet, but as more consumers are looking towards the premiere of the iPhone 5, Apple could completely dominate the mobile phone market.
Accordingly to Apple, iMessage will help to round out their already innovative product. Apple hopes to attract more consumers that are still considering their choices. At the Droid continues to gain ground, executives at Apple know that they will need to turn up the heat if they want to remain on top. There aren’t that many specs available for iMessage yet, but anything made by Apple is sure to impress. In the future, consumers may want a way to communicate with all of their friends and families across platforms, but social networking is taking care of that need for now.
Research analysts have reported in recent days that Apple is aggressively cutting back production on iPods and iPhones, while increasing production on Mac computers.
Craig Berger, an analyst with FBR Research, told clients in a research note this week that Apple has reduced orders for iPhones and iPods for the second time in two months.
“For both iPods and iPhones, we believe Apple was previously targeting a roughly 50 percent quarter-over-quarter decline for first quarter units, whereas we now think the firm is targeting a 60 percent quarter-over-quarter unit decline for first-quarter units,” he wrote.
Apple have updated the iPod touch and iPhone.
The latest iPhone features 16 gigabytes of memory and retails for $499. The new iPod Touch comes with 32 GB of memory and retails for $499.
The new devices are available through Apple’s online and retail stores. Apple said that all iPhone and iPod Touch models come with updated software that the company announced in January.
Rumours are around that Apple could be developing a games console.
The rumour started when a listing appeared at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the patent described
‘handheld units for playing electronic games; handheld units for playing videogames, standalone videogame machines; electronic games other than those adapted for use with television receivers only; LCD games machines, electronic educational game machines; toys, namely battery-powered computer games’.
Is Apple looking to expand on the iPod and iPhone ?
This looks even more likely with a job vacancy posted by Apple looking for a “Game Producer/Designer”, with “Proven track-record in the areas of game design and production, 6+ years of Game production / Game design experience, Possesses a deep appreciation for casual games and demonstrates a strong understanding of genre and marketplace trends”.
Apple announced today that they’re dropping the price on the 1GB iPod Shuffle to $49 and they’re adding a 2GB model for $69 (available soon).
“It’s the world’s most wearable music player, and the 1GB iPod shuffle — just $49 — is now the most affordable iPod ever. It also has a new 2GB sibling that costs just $69 and allows customers to wear even more music on their sleeves. Or belts. Or lapels. While the 1GB iPod shuffle is available immediately, the 2GB will be available later this month. Both models come in five colors — silver, blue, green, purple and a (PRODUCT) RED special edition) — weigh just half an ounce, and are just half a cubic inch in volume.”
At the moment there is no news on a UK price drop. (Yet)