Computerworld is rumoring that Apple’s allegedly-to-be-announced-January-27th iTablet/iSlate will run on Verizon’s CDMA network according to… an analysts sources (!)

“The tablet will be supported by multiple [mobile] carriers,” said Brian Marshall of Broadpoint AmTech, citing unnamed sources he said were close to the situation. “Verizon and others,” he continued. “Definitely Verizon. I’ve been told that’s a certainty.”

Meanwhile, AppleInsider quotes another analyst who says, when it comes to the iPhone, Apple and Verizon can’t see eye-to-eye on pricing. Control-freaks the both of them, no one is yet blinking:

Currently, it is estimated that Apple gets a favorable $700 average selling price per iPhone, subsidized through exclusive carrier AT&T. Compare that with the ASP of the Motorola Droid, exclusive to Verizon, which costs an estimated $450 per sale.

Also, combined CDMA/GSM chips, which would let the iPhone run on both Verizon and GSM carriers like AT&T and most of the rest of the world, aren’t likely to be ready until the second half of 2010.

Hey, maybe Verizon will get a CDMA iTablet, but it can also be perpetually tethered to an AT&T/GSM iPhone! Sound off in the comments!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Computerworld: iTablet Will Be on Verizon, iPhone… Maybe

TextExpander is a Mac utility that lets you specify abbreviations for frequently typed strings of text which then expand as you're writing. They also have an iPhone app [App Store, $1.99] that does the same, but you have to be in the app because of Apple's development rules. So to get around the limitation, SmileOnMyMac created an SDK to enable other apps to use the TextExpander engine.

Right now the list of applications with TextExpander support is limited, but it is growing! Today they announced that four new apps showed up to the TextExpander party; Pocket Informant, GarageSale, NoteStuff, and Auteureist. The new additions join apps like Tweetie, SimpleNote, and WriteRoom for a total of twelve apps all together. To celebrate, SOMM has dropped the price of TE to $1.99, down from $4.99.

Logitech has announced a new laptop desk that includes a built-in cooling fan and a set of stereo speakers.

As many of you probably already know, Google today officially released the Nexus One, the first Android-based phone to be sold by Google. But I know what you iPhone-weilding hipsters really want to know; how does it compare to the iPhone? Well my babies, the great folks over at the BillShrink blog have created a comparison chart using the specs from the iPhone, the Nexus One, the Droid, and the Pre.

The chart not only compares specs like storage capacity, battery life, and camera, but it also breaks down the total cost of the devices over the lives of their contracts. Of course there's no obvious winner out of the bunch, but it's great to get a nice breakdown before you start making plans to switch carriers. Graphic after the break!

ARM is showing off their new Cortex A9 multi-core mobile processor, which will scale over 2Ghz at less than 0.25W of power per proc — and since Apple is rumored to be a massive ARM licensee and Apple staff were hinting that developers should prepare themselves for multi-core, rumors once again resurface that this smoking hot chip might become part of the 4th generation iPhone and iPod touch. (As part of PA Semi system-on-a-chip, ‘natch).

The current iPhone 3GS and iPod touch G3, as well as a bunch of competing smartphones (and superphones, don’t get us started!) use the ARM Cortex A8. MacRumors is guessing it might just make its way into the iTablet/iSlate as well.

CES is ramping up folks, and remember TiPb will be there, so we’ll bring you back anything more we can find out.

Video highlights after the break…

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Potential iPhone Gen 4 ARM Cortex A9 Multicore Processor Demo

Looks like AT&T put the HSPA 7.2 3G peddle to the metal so T-Mobile wouldn’t grab all the nation-wide upgrade headlines today.

“We are focused on providing our customers with the industry’s best combination of mobile broadband speed, performance, coverage and available devices,” said John Stankey, president and CEO, AT&T Operations, who announced the network updates at the Citigroup 20th Annual Global Entertainment, Media & Telecommunications Conference today. “As we light up new backhaul connections across the country, we’re able to deliver a meaningful 3G speed boost for millions of customers who are already using HSPA 7.2-compatible devices. At the same time, we’re also looking to the future with these backhaul enhancements, which will support our move to next-generation LTE technology starting in 2011.”

Of course, that doesn’t mean iPhone 3GS users (who’s radios support HSPA 7.2) will suddenly feel themselves pressed back into their seats yet — oh, no, no, no. This is only potential. The reality is only 6 US cities have been lit up so far:

Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Miami, with capabilities being turned up on a site-by-site basis beginning last month. Further backhaul deployment will continue in these markets and begin in additional markets across the nation. We anticipate that the majority of our mobile data traffic will be carried over the expanded fiber-based, HSPA 7.2-capable backhaul by the end of this year, with deployment continuing to expand in 2011.

So, any of you in those cities at warp factor 1 yet?

[Thanks to our good friend Phil Nickinson for the tip!]

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

AT&T Announces Completion of HSPA 7.2 3G Upgrade — Just Don’t Count on Speed Yet!

T-Mobile USA has completed its deployment of a faster 3G technology across its national network, reaching more than 200 million U.S. residents with the high-speed data and voice system while getting ready to upgrade some areas to even higher speeds later this year.

Filed under: Accessories, Audio, Hardware, iPod Family, iPhone, iPod touch

The audio wizards at Blue Microphones have wowed Mac and iPod fans with their Snowball, Snowflake, and Mikey microphones. Now, just before the start of CES 2010, Blue has announced the US$99.99 second generation Mikey Portable Recorder for iPod and iPhone.

While the new Mikey hasn't yet achieved iPhone certification, it promises to be a powerful professional recording solution for iPhone owners when it arrives in the spring. Mikey still features two Blue mic capsules for pro-quality stereo recording, but now has improved acoustic circuitry for better recordings of loud events such as concerts.

The new Mikey also has a 3.5mm line input for those times that you want to plug in a sound source like a guitar or mixer. There's also a USB pass-through connection for charging and syncing. A newly designed case makes Mikey usable with most iPhone cases, and the mic can be adjusted to seven fixed positions within a 230-degree range for optimum positioning. But wait, there's more! Blue is also throwing in a soft carrying pouch for Mikey, along with a headphone extension cable for playback monitoring with the iPod touch and nano.

Blue has also put a high-fidelity field recording app for iPhone and iPod touch into the App Store. Blue FiRe [Free, iTunes Link] has been out for a few months and is optimized for the second generation Mikey. The combination of the high-quality mic and free software produces a complete mobile recording experience.

Expect to see the new Mikey at Apple Stores, Guitar Center, and Amazon.com this spring.

[via Engadget]

Second-generation Blue Microphones Mikey announced, uses free app originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Second-generation Blue Microphones Mikey announced, uses free app originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The International Consumer Electronics Show kicks off later this week in Las Vegas. PC World's editorial team previews what to expect in everything from storage to digital photo to mobile phones.