Have the mobile carriers like AT&T, Verzion, Sprint and T-Mobile got the much-awaited Apple iPhone 5 in hand for beta testing? Well, a new round of rumors has indicated that various mobile carriers are in the process of testing the future generation of iPhone for their networks.
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According to a ChipHazard report, "the iPhone 5 is now in the hands of 3rd party beta testers, which are carrying out rigorous tests before the final green signal is given for mass production." The report also said that the device was handed over to AT&T beta testers on July 6.
Another report from Examiner.com has also added fuel to the fire saying that T-Mobile is testing the iPhone 5 for their networks too. As per the report, "the T-Mobile iPhone 5 is being tested" in Los Angeles, and "it is believed that theVerizon and AT&T versions are being tested as well, but there is no actual confirmation on th
Mentioning some anonymous sources, the report also said that beta testers have been given the pre-release version of the iPhone 5, and are running tests including signal reception and connectivity tests. Once they are done with it, Apple will ask manufacturers to start the production of new iPhone 5 units.
In case of rumors of the Sprint testing the iPhone 5, they have been steadily increased since the early spring. Adding to the rumors, a PCMag report said that the iPhone 5 will indeed be offered by Sprint. "The 'most noteworthy' change to Apple's next-generation iPhone is that it'll be offered by Sprint", the report said.
[MUST READ: Is Apple iPhone 5 Arriving Even Late Due to A5 Chip Overheating?]
ArtoftheiPhone has also encouraged the rumor. According to it, pre-production versions of the iPhone 5 has been given by Apple to its networks to test before giving it for the mass production.
When it comes to the phone specs, speculations are rife regarding the next generation iPhone. Its key (rumored) features include a faster 1.2 to 1.5 GHz dual core A5 processor chip, 8 megapixel camera, larger screen, thinner design, greater storage and obviously, iOS 5.
The current iPhone 4 was announced at WWDC 2010. Therefore, people were expecting Apple to announce, or to give some details of the upcoming iPhone 5 at WWDC 2011. However, being a software only affair, this year's WWDC didn't bring any information regarding that. Apple also strictly focused on Mac OS X Lion, iOS 5 and iCloud, without any breach of information about the iPhone 5.
PROs
* Form factors differentiate from other tablets
* QuickView and QuickTouch Panel features
* Can fit in pocket or purse but maintains appropriate screen size (S2)
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Sony Corp. is releasing this fall two portable non-slab styled tablets, code-named "S1" and "S2" for now. The tablets depart from the usual square, flat slab-style of the present tablets that have failed to put a dent to Apple's dominance in the market.
The S1 is a 9.4-inch tablet that features a folded design. Tapering from one end to the other, the device looks like a magazine with the cover folded backwards. The center of balance is on the wider end with the hand holding the device. The device provides a tilted angle for typing. The S1 also has a USB port that is not available from other popular tablets. It is currently has WiFi only, although Sony said that it may introduce support for other connections later.
The S2 is a double-screened device closely resembles Nintendo's DS handheld gaming device. Designed for portability, device can be folded to fit a pocket or purse, but would have two 5.4-inch displays, with 1024 x 480 resolution, when opened. The device has Tegra 2 SoC cameras. The open-and-shut device can be turned into a book, mimicking the thumbing through the pages when reading an e-book. For gaming, the bottom screen will be converted to a touch-sensitive virtual control game pad, while the screen above displays the game.
These tablets are real -- they're not languishing in Sony's design center among those that would never come to be. In fact, Sony showed of the prototypes to reporters and let them briefly handle the devices at an event in San Francisco, California, in the U.S., on Wednesday. In addition, AT&T Inc. has already announced that it will be adding the S2 in its 4G LTE portfolio. AT&T will be the exclusive U.S. mobile broadband provider for the S2.
Sony will release the S1 and S2 in the fall of this year.
More Features from Sony
Aside from those nothing-we've-seen-before features, Sony has released additional details of the tablets.
The tablets would run on Google's Android Honneycomb operating system. Like other Android devices, they will have Adobe Flash capability and DLNA compatibility. Early this year, Motorola has already released Android-based Xoom tablet, which did not actually receive glowing reviews.
Sony though hopes to transcend beyond what Android devices are usually offering. Sony is bringing out QuickView and QuickTouch Panel. QuickView enables web pages to load much faster while the QuickTouch Panel enables speedier scrolling on the devices when using an app or a browser.
Relying on its massive electronics portfolio, Sony also said that the S1 and S2 can connect to other Sony products, including Blu-Ray players, TVs and the PlayStation networkr.
The tablets will come pre-loaded with the game "Crash Bandicoot". For more games, users can access Sony's PlayStation Suite, where a library of PlayStation games can be downloaded.
"With its unprecedented, completely portable form factor, the 'Sony Tablet' S2 offers tablet enthusiasts a convenient and unique entertainment experience," said David Haight, vice president of business development, in a statement. "Users will be treated to exceptional graphics and the touch-screen capabilities will enable a fast and efficient website experience."
iPad Killer?
Amid the tablet craze brought by Apple Inc.'s iPad, we now have more offerings in the market: BlackBerry maker Research In Motion's PlayBook, Apple nemesis Samsung Electronics Inc.'s Galaxy Tab, Netbook pioneer Asus' Eee Pad, HTC's EVO View 4G, and Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc.'s Xoom have tried to be the iPad killer, but these iPad wannabes have barely made a dent in the market. Joining the tablets on shelves this month are top desktop vendor Hewlett Packard's Wi-Fi version of HPTouchPad ($500 for the 16 GB unit) and Internet protocol-based networking provider Cisco SystemsInc.'s Cisco Cius ($750). Amazon will also reportedly launch a tablet PC in the third quarter.
But analysts and market research firms project that Apple will continue to dominate the tablet market in the next two years. Research firm IDC noted that the iPad 2 continue to dominate the media tablet market, as other vendors have had a more difficult time finding market acceptance for their products.
While Google's Android operating system is already the top platform for smartphone (as Samsung, HTC and many others are using the platform and only Apple is using its proprietary iOS), Android devices have been unable to penetrate the tablet market.
Apple and its iPad are already ahead of rivals by more than a year. More than available 100,000 applications optimized for the iPad are available for downloading from the App Store, in addition to the 200,000 iPhone apps that can be used for the tablet. While Android Marketplace already has the apps that are popular on the iPad, they are tailored for the smartphones, and the apps for the tablets have yet to gain ground.
In fact, to boost more apps, Sony, along with Adobe Systems, is conducting a developer contest to encourage developers to create apps for the S1 and S2. The winner is set to receive $200,000.
Verdict
Sony Corp. is definitely giving never-seen-before type of tablets. Plus it is relying on its massive electronics portfolio to link the tablets to other Sony devices. As to performance, regardless of the exclusive add-ons, it will likely perform as other tablet rivals as it still runs on Android. Based on the design, Sony could be poised to find the same success it had accomplished with the Walkman or its PlayStation gaming console. However, performance-wise, the iPad and its iOS have set the bar in tablets. Already having 80% of the market, Apple has had already more than a year to perfect the iPad tablet, remove glitches, and provide adequate apps. Sony appears to be late in the game.
Sony in fact does not aim to kill the iPad. Brendan McDermid, writing in a blog post at Reuters said, with S1 and S2, Sony at the San Francisco event this week "vowed to take the No. 2 tablet spot behind Apple."
Sony has not shown all its cards in the table -- it has not provided the exact names, the hardware specifications, the release date, and the pricing. But the facts are that the S1 and S2 are definitely head turners, and Sony has opened a new dimension in the tablet market by refusing to put up similar looking products hoping to replace the iPad.
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