Everything AT&T
Apple has released an updated version iOS 5.1.1, build 9B208, for the iPhone 4 GSM/AT&T model. There doesn't appear to be any information from Apple on what triggered the new build, though it's possible some very specific bug or glitch was identified and fixed. If it was incredibly minor, Apple would likely just have filed it away for next time. If it was incredibly major, Apple would likely have pushed it out as new update to ensure every user got it.
The annual Millward Brown BrandZ survey was released recently, with Apple holding fast to its number one spot. Apple's brand worth for 2012 actually grew 19% since last year to $183 billion, followed by IBM with $116 billion brand worth, and Google which dropped a down a rank.
Just in case we needed any more convincing that people love their iPhones, the American Customer Satisfaction Index has found through recent surveys that Apple's smartphones are leaving customers the happiest. The iPhone scored 83 on their system, compared to to Nokia, LG and HTC who are all tied at 75.
AT&T Mobility's CEO Ralph de la Vega recently confirmed that he's "very comfortable" with a family data plan they're readying. This would allow multiple devices and accounts to share the same data bucket, much like existing family plans for voice minutes.
AT&T has announced a new home security and automation service called Digital Life that comes with an iPad and iPhone app with a bunch of security and remote control options. With it, you can change the temperature, switch the lights, manage the alarm system, control the window blinds, shut off the water main, and even remotely unlock doors.
AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson recently spoke at the Milken Institute's Global Conference, where he voiced his regret for offering unlimited data when the iPhone first came out, and indicated that he worries how apps like iMessage bite into AT&T's traditional messaging revenue streams.
Walmart is set to cut the price of the iPhone 4 to $114 on contract and the 8 GB iPhone 4 to $34. These are $54 and $74 price drops respectively, but it doesn't seem like many (if any) Walmarts have pulled the trigger on the new pricetags just yet.
A fresh study by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners sows that Walmart sells 11% of all iPads in the U.S. By comparison, Best Buy sells 24%, Apple sells 26%, Amazon sells 8%, and AT&T and Verizon sell 1% each.
Carriers have a love/hate relationship with the iPhone. They hate Apple's control (because they want that control for themselves) but love the money and customer-retention having the iPhone on their network brings them. Sprint's willingness to pay damn near all the money in their pockets, and delve into whatever passes for a corporate second mortgage, proves that that point.
AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint sell Android because they want to. They sell iPhone because they have to.
Back on April 8th, AT&T started a new unlock policy that gave iPhone users the ability to have their devices unlocked via the carrier as stated in the following statement.
