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Archive for the 'iPhone' Tag

AT&T U-verse adds remote DVR control for iPhone

June 26th, 2009, 10:34 am by
AT&T U-verse allows subscribers to program home DVRs from their iPhone.

Image from AT&T

AT&T’s U-verse TV service is the latest to add a way to program your home DVR via mobile phone — and on an iPhone, no less.

The free “Mobile Remote Access” app allows U-verse subscribers to schedule and manage recordings when away from home. This is a full-featured feature allowing users to search for  upcoming programs, view descriptions, delete stored TV shows and edit scheduled recordings.

The app, available at Apple’s App Store, is also available for iPod Touch owners.

AT&T already offers customers a way to program their home DVRs from the Web. Verizon FiOS offers a similar service, as does DirecTV (which also has an iPhone App) and Dish Network.

But cable subscribers? Not much luck there. According to a report from MultiChannel News, the cable companies have lagged behind the competition. Cox Communications said it planned DVR scheduling in the middle of summer this year.

When I last asked Time Warner Cable about this in the spring, the response was that it was coming but not at this time.

More on the web:

Cable Trails On Remote DVR (Multichannel News)

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Check out the Gadgetress Guide to local TV services

1 million new iPhone 3GS sold in 3 days

June 22nd, 2009, 6:54 am by

iPhone 3GS goes on sale in Orange CountySo, the lines weren’t as long as the first two Apple iPhones. But apparently a lot of fans did as iGirl did and ordered them online because Apple just reported that it sold “over 1 million iPhone’s sold” in the first three days. In addition, 6 million people downloaded the latest iPhone 3.0 software during the five days it’s been available.

Obviously a popular device, the iPhone even inspired company CEO Steve Jobs, who’s been on sick leave since December, to make an appearance in today’s press release:

“Customers are voting and the iPhone is winning,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “With over 50,000 applications available from Apple’s revolutionary App Store, iPhone momentum is stronger than ever.”

The phones sold out at most of the Orange County Apple stores on Friday, but other stores like Best Buy, Wal-Mart and AT&T stores also offered the phones. Most popular, based on first to sell out, were the 16 GB white, also one of the cheapest at $199 for new customers.

More around the web:

Recent iPhone 3GS stories:

O.C. iFans rewarded with early Apple store opening for iPhone 3GS (UPDATED)

June 19th, 2009, 7:23 am by

iPhone 3GS goes on sale in Orange CountyUPDATE: Slideshow posted so you too can see what it was like to be in line for an iPhone 3GS way before the rest of the county was awake. Also more updates posted on lines at other Orange County Apple stores.

* See latest line updates, as of 4:20 p.m., below…

* Best Buy stores, Wal-Marts and AT&T stores are also selling the new iPhone 3GS today.

* Just got a call from AT&T at 10:07 a.m. that AT&T stores have relatively short lines compared to Apple stores. Of course, you can order an iPhone online and get it mailed to you within 7 to 14 days. But that’s no fun!

LINE UPDATES:

iphone3gs-mark6

*As of 4:37 p.m., the Apple store at the Irvine Spectrum has a 10-15 minute line wait. All colors and sizes of 3GS phones are still available.

*As of 4:30  p.m., the Apple store at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa is sold out of iPhone 3GS,  unless you reserved one ahead of time.

* As of 4:25 p.m., the Apple store in Mission Viejo has a very short line and there are limited quantities of all the phones.

*As of 4:22 p.m., the Apple store at Fashion Island in Newport Beach is sold out.

*As of 4:20 p.m., the Apple store in Brea still has a line. The store only has 32 GB iPhone 3GS left in both white and black.

* As of 11:21 a.m., the Mission Viejo Apple store says the line is about 10-15 people and the store is almost sold out of every iPhone 3GS in stock.

* As of 11:14 a.m., the Irvine Spectrum Apple store reports a 2-hour wait in line. All phones are still in stock.

* As of 11:11 a.m., the Fashion Island Apple store says the line is about 2-hours long. The 16-GB white iPhone 3GS is sold out.

* As of 11:08 a.m., the Brea Apple store still has a line and is expected to be there most of the day.

* As of 9:49 a.m., the Apple store at South Coast Plaza HAS NO LINE. There are still plenty in stock, according to the store.

* As of 9:25 a.m., the Apple store at The Shops in Mission Viejo has about a 1-hour long line for folks who didn’t reserve a phone ahead of time. They’ve run out 16 GB white iPhone 3GS and is in short supply of other models. However, the online reservation system opens back up tomorrow so the store expects to recieve more units tomorrow. 

* As of 9:22 a.m., the Apple Store at Brea Mall has a “pretty long line.”

* As of 9:20 a.m., the Apple Store at Fashion Island has a 1.5-hour wait in line. The store is also sold out of the 16-GB iPhone 3GS in white. 

* As of 9:17 a.m. the Apple Store at the Irvine Spectrum says the line is 3-hours long, but it hopes to have phones available all day.

* At Orange County AT&T stores, which also opened at 7 a.m., AT&T reports there were lines at every store. For the greater Los Angeles area, there were, on average, 40-60 people in line as the stores opened, according to an AT&T spokesman. 

Lines were all over Orange County and by 7 a.m. phones were moving out of the Apple stores. Over at South Coast Plaza, doors opened 45 minutes early for the nearly 100 200 people in line.

Follow me on Twitter @gadgetressPeople continue to Twitter about waiting in line, including the first in line at South Coast Plaza (pictured on right), who our South Coast Plaza reporter Candice Shih interviewed below. Elsewhere in the county, Twitter user neilgreene said he was picking up an iPhone at the Mission Viejo store by 7 a.m. While carolynhimes said she was the 25th in line at the Apple store in Fashion Island just after 7 a.m.

Candice Shih, who blogs for the Register’s South Coast Plaza blog , arrived at the Apple Store at the Costa Mesa mall by 6:15 a.m., just in time to catch the first people in line before they headed inside the store. Here’s her report (or see her special SCP take “Apple store sees steady stream of iFans for launch of new iPhone“), which includes a couple of photos from Register photographer Mark Rightmire (the Gadgetress appreciates the hard and early-morning work!):

All Apple stores in Orange County were supposed to open at 7 a.m. to sell the new iPhone 3GS. But the store in South Coast Plaza opened at 6:15 a.m. I don’t know why they opened the store early but good thing I got there at 6:15 — just in time to talk to the first guy in line.

Read the rest of this entry »

iPhone 3GS lines start; Here’s where you can get one in O.C.

June 18th, 2009, 5:27 pm by

Boxes of iPhone 3GS on their way to stores for June 19 launch.Another summer, another iPhone. The new iPhone 3GS goes on sale as early as 7 a.m. Friday (June 19) and if you’re smart, you would have pre-ordered the phone online or from a store. But if you didn’t, you can still get your hands on one if you’re willing to get to a store early and wait in line.

According to Irvine Spectrum mall officials, customers are already in line in front of the Apple store as the long night begins. (It’s even been Tweeted, with pics of course. See who’s Twittering about lines at the Irvine store  HERE.)

Sonya “iGirl” Smith, the OC Register’s resident iPhone expert, won’t be in line tonight, as she has been for the past two years. She ordered her 3GS the day it was announced and now eagerly awaits its arrival via snail mail. She has already shared her initial thoughts with readers, which I appreciate since I’m not an iPhone user.

Candice Shih, who pens the South Coast Plaza blog (yes, we have a reporter covering just South Coast Plaza!), will be checking in on lines at 7 a.m. Friday, and reporting her findings right here. I’ll also be posting updates throughout the day on sell-outs, lines, etc.

For those who plan to get a phone Friday, please know that people who pre-ordered will have priority at AT&T stores and most everywhere else. It does look like some Apple stores in Orange County will let people in line buy a phone as early as 7 a.m. See details below.

Apple Stores

Orange County’s Apple stores open at 7 a.m. (though some stores say 8 a.m. on their phone message). Expect two lines, one for pre-orders, one for everyone else. See more details about individual stores below:

  • Brea Mall, 1065 Brea Mall, Space #1024A, BreaCA 92821, 714-255-5610. Store opens at 7 a.m.
  • Fashion Island367 Newport Center Drive, Newport BeachCA 92660, 949-729-4433, Store opens at 7 a.m. Mall officials plan to let people line up starting at 7 a.m. but you might try getting their earlier.
  • Irvine Spectrum85 Fortune Dr. #311, IrvineCA 92618, 949-255-1500. Store opens at 7 a.m. Your best bet if you want to line up all night. People are in line right now (Thursday afternoon), according to the mall.
  • South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa MesaCA 92626, 714-424-6331. Store opens at 7 a.m. Mall officials plan to let people line up starting at 4 a.m.
  • The Shops at Mission Viejo936C The Shops at Mission Viejo, Mission ViejoCA 92691, 949-365-0727. Store opens at 7 a.m.

Boxes of iPhone 3GS on their way to stores for June 19 launch.

AT&T Stores

For those heading to AT&T stores (you can search for O.C. locations HERE), the stores open at 7 a.m. but only to allow customers who pre-ordered and notified by e-mail to leave with a phone.

Doors open for everyone else at 8 a.m. If you pre-ordered and miss the 7 a.m. opening, AT&T will let you go to the front of the line until 9 a.m. However, if you pre-ordered a phone and got confirmation that the phone is available, then an iPhone 3GS with your name on it will be waiting at the store no matter what time. You just may not be able to cut in line though if you arrive after 9 a.m. Don’t forget: Bring your receipt!

If you pre-ordered online at AT&T, your phone should arrive beginning Friday. Others could come as late as 14 days from now.

Elsewhere Read the rest of this entry »

Is today new iPhone 3.0 day? Apple fans wait for news (UPDATE: It IS!)

June 8th, 2009, 9:22 am by

Apple's new iPhone 3GSUPDATES: (Most recent at top)

* Here’s the official Apple iPhone 3GS press release.
*New iPhone 3GS available on June 19.
*Old iPhone 3G: $99!! That’s the 8 GB version.
*Prices announced for new iPhone 3GS: $199 for 16 GB, $299 for 32 GB
  Here are the prices, according to AT&T:

  iPhone 3G S iPhone 3G
New and Qualifying Customers** $199 (16GB) and $299 (32GB) $99 (8GB) and $149 (16GB*)
Early Upgrade Price $399 (16GB) and $499 (32GB) $299 (8GB) and $349 (16GB*)
No-Commitment $599 (16GB) and $699 (32GB) $499 (8GB) and $549 (16GB*)

 
* iPhone 3GS — with S for Speed — announced. Everything is faster — faster messaging, loading programs, viewing documents, loading NY Times. Supports 7.2 Mbps HSDPA technology. Includes improved battery life, new camera, hardware encryption, built-in digital compass (so map will orient in direction phone is facing), voice-activated calling, use voice commands on iTunes, edit videos on phone… 

* Can it be? Nearly an hour into iPhone news and Apple is still just showing off new apps?  
* Remember iGirl? She’s tweeting about this too.  And here’s her post about buying the new iPhone.
* Embed Google Maps into any app, to allow features like turn-by-turn directions.  
*Adds “Find My iPhone,” to help owners track down missing iPhones. 
* New iPhone 3.0 (the software) adds multimedia messaging. But AT&T won’t be able to support it until the end of summer. A lot of groans from the live blogging audience. 
* Starts talking about the iPhone at 10:50 a.m.
* Apple Releases Safari 4.
* Apple unveils Mac OS X Snow Leopard.
* Macbooks updated with 40% longer battery life, cheaper price starting at $1,199. Read the rest of this entry »

Verizon’s ‘iPhone’ has arrived!

June 5th, 2009, 6:27 am by

Verizon "iPhone"It’s sleek, it has apps and it’s running on “America’s largest and most reliable network.” Folks, I got my hands on what could be Verizon’s iPhone.

It comes in a larger size — up to 32 gigabytes!  It also includes a separate battery for the modem and it’s even slightly smaller than last year’s version, though it has a bulky 3G modem attached to the back.

Of course, the phone isn’t perfect. Sometimes the modem falls off so I suggest using either Krazy Glue or Velcro to bind the two pieces together. And you have to use one of those Voice-over-Internet Protocol services, like Skype, to make phone calls.

But with that special modem, the phone turns into a portable Wi-Fi hotspot so you and four friends can surf the Internet on laptops, iPod Touches or other Wi-Fi devices anywhere,  including traveling at 65 mph on the Interstate. In a test, I had three friends mooching off its wireless Internet!

Verizon "iPhone" - making a call Verizon "iPhone" - back Verizon "iPhone"

Okay, yes, I’m obviously joking. Verizon isn’t coming out with an iPhone, although there have been plenty of rumors this week, including a non-denial from Verizon officials. But with Sprint releasing the Palm Pre tomorrow and Apple potentially announcing an updated iPhone next week, I thought it would be fun to show you how to build your own iPhone on the Verizon network.

I’ve been playing with Verizon’s new MiFi 2200, a mobile hotspot mentioned on the blog earlier (see “Wi-Fi hot-spot on the go for $15/day“).  When I held it next to an iPod Touch, I realized, hey, I’m holding a Verizon iPhone! The above scenario is completely real, but, of course, this isn’t an iPhone. I’ll post my full MiFi review later (hopefully) today. UPDATE: The review IS IN!

Lots more images below…

Read the rest of this entry »

March Madness gets extra love from TV to iPhone

March 19th, 2009, 12:05 am by

**See updates below in bold**

How many ways can one watch college basketball finals, a.k.a. March Madness, this year? Let’s count:

1. An iPhone app! Beginning today (March 19), iPhone/iPod Touch users can download the March Madness app. For $4.99, users can watch all 63 games live, thanks to MobiTV’s mobile TV service. 

2. For non-iPhone AT&T users, AT&T is putting all 63 games on its Mobile TV service. Better yet: AT&T is offering new Mobile TV subscribers a free two-month trial, which takes us well into May. Normally, the mobile TV service is $15/month. More details at att.com/ncaa. Read the rest of this entry »

Walmart to start selling iPhone on Sunday

December 26th, 2008, 7:20 pm by

After months of rumors, Wal-Mart made it official today that the Apple iPhone is coming although it’s not as cheap as some had hoped. The massive retailer will start selling the iPhone on Sunday for $197 for the 8 GB version, and $297 for the 16 GB one. This price requires a new 2-year contract or qualified upgrade with AT&T.

The 3G phones will be available at “nearly 2,500 Walmart stores.” 

Interestingly, the second paragraph or the press release mentions the retailer’s price-matching policy:

As America’s price leader, Walmart’s price match policy also allows stores to match the price of any local competitor’s advertised store price on the same item within the same promotional period.

And hopefully, the staff at Walmart will be able to guide consumers through the process. According to the release, Walmart’s “electronics associates have been preparing for many weeks for the arrival of iPhone 3G.” 

Previously:

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