Tweet

Maybe with femtocell technology, I’ll finally get an iPhone

Written by: Dennis Sellers

Article Overview: By 2013, Smartphones will double their share of all cellphones to about 20 percent, reports the In-Stat research group. I might be among them if AT&T ever beefs up its wireless network in my neck of the woods. I do want an iPhone, but if the phone part doesn’t work for me, I’ll stick with my iPod touch.

Maybe with femtocell technology, I’ll finally get an iPhone

By 2013, Smartphones will double their share of all cellphones to about 20 percent, reports the In-Stat research group. I might be among them if AT&T ever beefs up its wireless network in my neck of the woods. I do want an iPhone, but if the phone part doesn’t work for me, I’ll stick with my iPod touch.

Of course, one answer might be a femtocell. AT&T is working on this technology that could, potentially alleviate the dead zone problem for myself and others. A femtocell is a small cellular base station. The small boxes beam low-power wireless signals to cell phones and relay signals back to the carrier through the subscriber’s high-speed Internet connection. The femtocell incorporates the functionality of a typical base station but extends it to allow a simpler, self contained deployment. Basically, they’‘re miniature cellular towers for the home.

However, price and availability haven’t yet been set for the femtocell appliance, which AT&T calls the 3G MicroCell. In the US, both Sprint and Verizon Wireless have already begun selling femtocells that provide a local extension voice and data service, with Sprint charging $99 for its Samsung-built Airave box (first introduced in limited testing in the third quarter of 2007, and nationwide last October) and then charging a $4.99 monthly fee. Verizon charges $249 for its box, but doesn’t charge any additional monthly fees. Of course, the last thing I need is ANOTHER fee atop the AT&T/iPhone pricey data plan.

As for smartphones overall, In-Stat says that smartphone growth this year will be strong globally, but even stronger in the US market.

“Strong demand is being driven by device manufacturers leveraging open OS device to re-invent the mobile phone experience,” says Frank Dickson, vice president, Mobile Internet Group. “New and prospective smartphone buyers are drawn to new mobile applications, even though the median number of applications downloaded for all platforms, including the Apple iPhone, is relatively modest—below five applications per user for each platform.”

Recent research by In-Stat found the following (although I’m highly dubious of the third point):

° Smartphone security is still inadequate and is likely to be a source of problems for users and their employers, based on In-Stat’s consumer survey results.

° Almost one-third of survey respondents plan to obtain a smartphone the next time they upgrade their current phone.

° Smartphones with Linux OS (including Android) will see the highest growth and the second highest volume behind Symbian. Linux OS will outpace Windows Mobile, RIM and the iPhone operating system.

Related Articles
  iPhone Still breakthrough in mobile phone technology
  How about a 32GB iPhone (with better camera) when iPhone OS 3.0 arrives?
  iPhone Top Rated Application
  We call iPhone app market a “Grand Slam” for the iPhone developers since its launch
  My take on the ‘iPhone lite, ‘Apple Pad’

Article Tags: apple iphone, applic, cellular base station, cellular towers, dead zone, device manufacturers, high speed internet, high speed internet connection, internet group, iphone, ipod touch, median number, microcell, mobile applications, neck of the woods, open os, phone experience, speed internet connection, verizon wireless, wireless signals



Related Forum Posts
Re: Quote of the Day - "Just because something works doesn't mea - iPhone 4 was the best phone in the world in my own opinion then comes iPhone 4s. It is so wonderful, i don't know what they will do with iPhone 5
Re: iPhones - [quote="OmnivoreInk"]iPhone batteries don't last long enough though...[quote] I own an iPhone and I have no problem with the batteries. I am a pretty heavy Internet user and if I don't watch videos or listen too much music (which I don't), I recharge my iPhone every other day.... exactly the same frequency as my old blackberry pearl.
Re: iPhone Apps: Biz Idea! - San Diego, California – Got an idea for a killer iPhone app? With more than 1 billion applications sold since its launch last July, Apple’s iPhone App Store has become one of the fastest-growing tech enterprises in recent history, and gained a reputation as something of a developer’s goldmine. Success stories such as that of Ethan Nicholas, whose iShoot app has earned him $900,000 in eight months, have only added to the App Store’s appeal for would-be iPhone entrepreneurs. “The runaway success of the App Store has created the legend of the iPhone millionaire,” says Ian Maskell, principal of iPhone App Freelancer, a company aiming to make it possible to get your idea into the App Store without technical knowledge and minimal financial outlay. “Everywhere we went people would say: ‘I’ve got a great idea for an app.’ We saw an opportunity to level the playing field and allow anyone the ability to become the next success story, regardless of their ability to program or write code.” So Maskell launched iPhone App Freelancer, a website offering the ability to turn great ideas into apps with little or no programming knowledge. Rob Shoesmith, a 27-year-old garbage collector from Coventry – England, submitted one of the first ideas to iPhone App Freelancer for development. Shoesmith says he has only had an iPhone for a few months, but has been following the growth of the App Store since its launch. He wants to keep the specifics of his app under wraps until its launch, but describes it as a user-generated advice service.
What Do You Like to Use for Your PDA, Phone, Palm Pilot? - About four months ago, I finally took the bullet by turning in my old T-mobile cellphone I had it since 2004 and decided to upgrade to T-Mobile Dash. I like the Windows operation and now I can forward all of my emails to read them on my phone and that cut the time I used to have to spend going to my desktop to check email. Prior to that, I really thought "texting" was tedious, but now I use them for my business activities because it helps certain customers when they'd like to communicate that way and it's not that tedious and I can see some people always enjoyed using. Anybody had good experience using your device? Any frustration? Any review? Not sure if I am ready for iPhone... I'll wait till the price drops down to the cellphone price range instead of computer price range. But I'd like to get one though (just being cheap). Warmest Regards, Takuya
Did you buy into the iPhone 3G craze? - Did you buy an iPhone 3G?


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

BUILDING A HIGH PERFORMING TEAM

Ten Steps to Go from Idea to E-book for Sale

Four Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Should Blog

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.