News for Tuesday, 4 September 2007

Quickertek seems to have found a commercially interesting niche by offering Mac compatible 802.11n devices. The new product is a USB2.0 peripheral based on 802.11n Draft version 2.0.

We could not comment on its performance but its design is not really appealing. It looks like a R&D unit before being sent to designers to be wrapped into a sexy and user friendly enclosure.
As usual with Quickertek, the price is unique: US$149.95. It is reported to be compatible with all USB-based Mac, but only USB2.0 Mac will really benefit from it.
Additional details from: http://www.quickertek.com/products/nquicky.php

If you think the current Apple Cinema Display are getting old (as I do), and it is time to invest in a new unit supporting HDCP, you can purchase a Dell model as many users, even though their design is far from being as appealing as the Mac.
HP just released a product which could attract Mac users:


The w2408 is a 24" display based on aluminum and glass as the last iMac. Its resolution 1920x1200, its native HDCP support, 1000:1 contrast, integrated USB hub, make it a true competitor for Apple displays. In addition, it can be used in portrait and landscape mode, a feature supported by graphic cards installed in most Macs (with 10.4 or later).
The price of the w2408 is not available yet, but with an integrated iSight, it could have been the future Cinema display that many users are waiting for. Apple, get inspired!!
[updated]
The new 24" HP w2408 display will be available in Europe from September 29th with a target price of €550 as reported by two of our forum members (SIP and Metalizer).

According to VNU Net, the new iPods to be released in couple of hours would support Wi-Fi, making it possible to listen to webradios as well as accessing the iTunes Store to purchase tracks.
This would imply a deeper revision of the iPod, as it requires advanced OS, and it could confirm that the new iPod will be nothing less than an telephone-less iPhone, same display, same multitouch interface, same OS, similar hardware. Current rumors concerning the iPod nano reports a reduced iPod nano, the display and the click wheel being as close as possible, competing with the Shuffle for the small size factor.

According to the last information published, iPhonesimfree should start selling its iPhone unlocking application. However, it seems they decided to exclusively offer it to professional dealers, and not to release it to the public.
Expected prices are as follows: US$36 per unit up to 50 licenses ordered, and US$25 per unit for 5000 licenses... a substantial amount of money. Professional dealers will receive an application to be installed on the iPhone, and then it will connect to an iPhonesimfree dedicated server that will unlock the device.
This procedure is designed to avoid the application to be further distributed, and ensure a quick and massive benefit for iPhonesimfree. Professional dealers will probably not invest in 5000 licenses as a legal request could prevent them to use them or offer unlocked iPhone.
Our point of view of this story: a lot of buzz for unlocking a device which will any way miss some key features, such as the unlimited data from AT&T server, and concerning the way iPhonesimfree behaves, one could even consider it annoying.

While Orange did not officially announced its partnership with Apple for the iPhone in France, two of our readers report that FNAC, the first French distributor for consumer electronics, will demonstrate the device soon. According to another reader, one unit was exposed and visitors could even test it, while FNAC representatives were claiming to have already some units in stocks.
This information supports some reports from our sources claiming that while Orange will be the exclusive carrier, Apple agreed that FNAC could sell the device. Similar agreements should also exist in UK or Germany, where one can expect MediaMarkt or Saturn to sell the iPhone. Do not hesitate to report to us via our Forum if you have seen ads or iPhone being demoed.