If your Christmas wish list features an iPhone but you cannot afford it currently due to its high price then this might cheer you up. AT&T network and Apple are preparing to launch a much cheaper version of their smatphone 3GS just in time for the holiday season, according to the reports by a BoyGenius. The word in market also suggests that the idea of releasing the iPhone 3GS device for $99 is actually an effort to combat Motorola’s DROID. These rumors started doing the rounds on the day Verizon Wireless launched its Motorola Droid device in the market and everybody started speculating that it might turn out to be an iPhone killer. Good news for all the iPhone fans? Presently Apple is offering 8GB iPhone 3G for $99. The iPhone 3GS would allow it to stop manufacturing the current version, iPhone 3G. This upcoming version of the iPhone is nearly identical to its predecessor but the 3GS does have some enhancements. It is believed that if and when AT&T and Apple will release an 8GB version, it would be equipped with faster processor and a better camera than the current entry-level iPhone. This new device will also support a quicker version of 3G than its predecessor. It will be available from AT&T with 8GB storage at $99, before the holiday season is over. The iPhone lovers who were unable to have the more expensive version of Apple’s smartphone could think about having iPhone 3GS at much lesser price. This new offering is definitely a compelling and innovative invention from Apple. What analysts are making of this new move from Apple? Well, it is clearly an attempt from Apple’s side to take capture the market, which is filled with new smartphone devices. In response to the latest rumors in market Ken Hyers, an analyst with the Technology Business Research (TBR) stated, “I could potentially see a scenario in which AT&T does reduce the pricing on the iPhone 3G S to $99 as a response to the Droid and other handset offerings from Verizon and others.” It could also be the result of identical pricing of the Verizon’s Droid shown on BillShrink.com, a possible attempt from the Verizon to attract Apple customers. Verizon has also armed itself with the HTC Droid Eris and the BlackBerry Storm 2. Sprint and T-Mobile have also launched their new line of touch-screen based smartphones for the holiday season and hopes to attract customers in signing two year contract with them instead of AT&T. “Another driver for price reductions would be anticipation of an end to AT&T’s exclusive iPhone relationship, likely in 2010,” said Hyers. But another analyst with Strategy Analytics Avi Greengart is not very convinced with these rumors’. According to him, “I can't comment on rumors — and I should remind you that the bulk of Apple rumors are usually wrong.” Adding further he said, “With that said, no one buying a $99 iPhone 3G is going to turn down a faster $99 iPhone 3G S, but the existing [Apple] lineup at $99/$199/$299 is already competitive.” Only time will tell whether these rumors are true or not, whether Apple’s latest offering can take on the market by storm. Till then all we can do is to wait for official confirmation from Apple’s side. News source:- http://www.themoneytimes.com
<< Back to news...