Apple

Apple may have opened a can of worms by removing all but one reason for buying an iPhone. For starters, they've given the iPhone a vasectomy, freeing of its GSM radio and carrier entanglements, and re-branded it as a standalone product even identical in appearance to its cellular sibling. On paper that seems like a sound strategy for product growth, and it is...for iPod sales. Unfortunately it's not going to do wonders for iPhone's prospects. Many consumers who otherwise might have purchased iPhones will now be offered a choice that will almost certainly lead them to buy an iPod instead.

The title says it all, Steve just announced a major price cut in preparation for holiday sales. Retail price of the ever popular 8GB model, because let's face it no one buys the 4GB model, has been slashed from $599 to...wait for it...$399. Yeah, I know, I just wet myself too.

Read

What better way to start off your post-holiday work week than a strong dose of highly caffeinated unsubstantiated Apple rumors, courtesy of the Washington Post's Sam Diaz, who claims to have received documents from one of Apple's partners, proving the existence of new iPhones.

Speculation runs high among analysts and the press that an iPhone Nano-like device, smaller and less expensive than the original, is in the works and set for release sometime in Q4. Fact or fiction, the very thought of such a device has many fanboys sporting woodies.

Personally, I'm looking forward to Apple releasing a software update for the current model, integrating the long list of absent features demanded by users.

Apple is now listing refurbished iPhones at store.apple.com for those who desperately want an iPhone but can't swing its premium price tag. These units sell for $100 less than the price of their shrink wrapped counterparts, which isn't a bad deal, depending on the condition these iPhones are in (these are pre-owned remember).

If this deal sounds sweet you better act quickly while supplies last. Only a handful of units are currently available. Get 'em before the vultures swoop in.