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OtterBox has long been known for their heavy duty protection. We had an opportunity to talk to them here at CES 2012 about what they consider when designing their cases. Material selection and protection level are heavy factors.

OtterBox is also launching a new Livestrong case in partnership with Radio Shack. A portion of the proceeds of every case sale will go towards Radio Shack’s $6M commitment for the Livestrong foundation.

New internal documents and screenshots seem to indicate that Radio Shack will soon be adding the Verizon iPhone 4 to their lineup. They recently announced that they would be carrying Verizon devices starting in December so it doesn’t come as much of a surprise.

What is interesting is the timing. With all these iPhone 5 rumors and 8GB iPhone 4 rumors, does it really make much sense that they’ll start receiving the 16 and 32GB versions? They could always lower the price (as Apple usually does) when the iPhone 5 launches and just add the 8GB version to the current lineup at a lower price point.

Either way it’s nice to see Radio Shack adding iPhones for Verizon users as well. They typically have some pretty good discounts and trade-in programs when new iPhones roll out. At least Verizon users will be able to take advantage of those this time around.

9to5Mac

Target and Radio Shack are dropping their prices on the iPhone 4. A lot of retailers typically do this to clear out inventory in anticipation for a new iPhone. We’ve seen it happen every year thus far.

If you’re in the market for a new iPhone and don’t care about waiting for the iPhone 5, you can get an iPhone 4 at Target for $149 (16 GB) and $249 (32 GB). Radio Shack also has a promotion this week cutting the prices to $169 and $269. If you trade in an existing iPhone, you can get an additional $100 off at Radio Shack.

As always, these prices will require you to sign a new 2-year agreement. I’d personally hold out for the iPhone 5 but if you aren’t willing to shell out over $200 for a new phone, this may be the deal for you.

TUAW

Radio Shack is offering $50 in savings on the purchase of a new iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS at their retail locations (i.e. offline only) until December 11. Better yet, if you have a good condition iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS you want to trade in, they’ll give you another $75 or $125 off respectively. Darren Murph of Engadget does the math on that:

you could walk in today, hand over your 3GS, and walk out with an iPhone 4 for $25 (plus activation fees)

Apparently they’re eating the discount to gain some marketing attention for their wireless business. But chances are you don’t care why — they had you at cheap. Anyone taking them up on the offer?

[Engadget]

TiPb among others are getting word that, contrary to previous reports, non-Apple Store retail locations like Best Buy and Radio Shack may not be taking pre-orders starting tomorrow.

Look, these things are usually chaos personified, with execs jostling back and forth with Apple, upper and middle management never properly communicating with employees in the stores and on the floor, and everyone and their CSR hearing conflicting stories that change by the minute.

Bottom line, we won’t know anything for sure until tomorrow. If you’re desperate to pre-order tomorrow, Apple Online will surely be open to take your business. Everything else is a crapshoot. Bide your time and take your chances.

If anyone does manage to score a non-Apple pre-order, let us — and each other — know in the comments.

It seems as if the previous threats of the iPhone coming to The Shack are finally about to come true. Granted it is more than a year later but it is indeed coming according to Engadget Mobile.

The iPhone 3G and 3GS rollout should begin by the end of this month at some Shack locations in the Dallas and New York City areas only. We can expect a full nationwide rollout sometime early in 2010.

It’s always good to have options… right?

[Via Engadget Mobile]

Deja vu all over again it seems. First we heard that the iPhone was going to be sold at Radio Shack, then it was Best Buy, and most recently Wal Mart. Now we have a new player in town bidding for some iPhone love, Costco.

Analyst group Global Equities Research is claiming that the public will see the iPhone 3G head into Costco Wholesale stores across the country this January. To go along with that piece of information they also added that it will see a new low price of $149.99. Could this be a price drop at all stores leading to a 32GB iPhone 3G? Hmmm… Please note that this is to be taken with a grain of salt. Global Equities Research would not name any sources of this information.

I know the more places the iPhone is sold the merrier for Apple, and I get that. I’ve have seen Costco’s cell phone set up and it’s nothing to write home about. So what is your take on Costco selling the iPhone 3g along with this so called price drop? Sound off in the comments!

[Via Appleinsider]

No offense to any Wal Mart shoppers out there, but please Apple, say this is not so. The Radio Shack scare was bad enough, now you are threatening to bring the iPhone 3G to Walmart?

iPhone lovers really dodged a bullet when the Radio Shack deal fell apart but now Boy Genius is reporting that you will start seeing the Apple product in all Walmart stores as early as next month.

“Walmart will begin selling the iPhone 3G next month – on November 15th to be exact”.

Keep in mind that this is just in time for the holiday shopping season. I’m not even sure Walmart sells any cell phones, but the last place I’d go to buy my Palm Treo Pro, iPhone 3G, or Touch HD — wishful thinking I know — is Wal Mart! Also keep in mind you can not walk out of a store without activating the iPhone 3G. How comfortable would you be letting a Walmart employee handle your prized possession?

Sound off in the comments…

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Mobile Mag is reporting that the iPhone 3G may be sold at Radio Shack and Best Buy. Best Buy we can see — Apple’s already been making inroads there. Radio Shack, though, …ugh. Sure, since the iPhone 3G is being sold pretty much just like any other smartphone now, it’s not crazy that it could be sold by any of the usual suspects — Radio Shacks, Mall Kiosks, that one guy down the street who inexplicably has an AT&T store in his garage. But… Radio Shack? Maybe I’m old, but I remember a time when Radio Shack had, you know, electronic parts and wasn’t the laughing stock it is today.

Reconsider, Apple, because if this is true, it may help you reach your target, but it’s not going to do wonders for your image.