Appletell

The Times has said that the 3G iPhone being released by Apple soon could cost as little as £100 in the UK. Analysts have predicted the drop in price due to ineffective marketing strategies such as “network exclusivity deals” in Europe.

Apple had estimated that the iPhone would sell between 500,000 and 600,000 units across the UK and France, but that they have failed to meet this target with just 330,000 sold. Apple could be scrapping the exclusivity deals across Europe and introducing more tempting pricing to try and reach that “10 million iphones sold” goal. So far, the iPhone has only had incredible success in America, with Europe lagging on behind, hence the predictions.

Although analysts say that the iPhone could be sold for as little as €99 across mainland Europe, the slightly higher price for the UK iPhone is due to a two-year-long exclusivity with UK network O2, thereby lacking incentive for competitive pricing. Unlike when the 2.5G iPhone was released, the 3G version is expected to be released to 3G-iPhone-hungry “United Kingdomers” very shortly after the American version is released.

The 3G iPhone is expected to be unveiled during the World Wide Developers Conference on June the 9th, Keep your fingers crossed ... although it’s almost a given.

According to a report by Fortune today, AT&T Inc. will subsidize $200 of the purchase price for new iPhones purchased this summer, reducing its cost to as low as $199. Although Apple wouldn’t be particularly happy, they wouldn’t be able to object either, due to increasing iPhone sales through AT&T.

Fortune claimed in its report that AT&T will subsidize the price of new iPhones capable of accessing the 3G data network that the carrier is currently expanding in the United States. AT&T’s $200 price cut would likely be limited to customers who sign a two-year contract, and would not be available directly through Apple. Apple and AT&T now sell the iPhone for $399 for the 8 GB model and $499 for the 16 GB model, and the expected 3G models are estimated to have the same list prices. Several weeks before the new 3G iPhone is to be released, Apple will stop supplying the current iPhone models to reduce inventory, according to Fortune.

Both Apple and AT&T declined to comment on the report, with representatives from both companies stating that they do not comment on speculation.

Read [Fortune’s Report]

AppleInsider is reporting that Apple and O2 are planning to slash the price of their 8GB iPhone handset in the UK. I have already complained about the ridiculously overpried iPhone in the UK - it’s about time someone cut the price to something much more reasonable. Unfortunately, the overseas trade publication said that the 16GB model would not see a similar reduction, remaining at £329. One price drop is better than none I suppose. I think Apple are trying to open up the iPhone to wider audiences by reducing the price of their lower model. The higher model is for those with a lot more to spend on a phone, and, therefore will remain at a high price. I imagine in less than a year’s time 16GB will become the standard model, and a new 32GB iPhone will come in place of the £329 price.

Apple recently introduced a similar price cut in Germany that saw the local version of the 8GB iPhone fall from €399 to €299. There is still speculation that these price cuts are due to a 3G iPhone coming in the future - but it is typical that prices are reduced over time.

Via [AppleInsider]

Product: Photoshop Elements 6.0
Link: Photoshop Elements 6.0
Price: $89 USD
Rating: 8/10

In February, I reviewed a beta version of Photoshop Elements 6.0. I focused on interface, speed and features. As a whole, my review hasn’t changed too much.

In February, I wrote that “launching Photoshop Elements is a painful process. Startup took about 17 seconds: six bounces of the icon on the dock, then about 11 seconds on the splash screen. This is about the same as Photoshop Elements 4.0, which was running through emulation.” The final version of Photoshop has most definitely improved in this area, beating CS3 for start time, taking about 10 seconds on a cold start, which is very acceptable. 

MORE »

Adobe Systems Incorporated announced yesterday that Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 6 for Macintosh® is available immediately. “Since its January launch at the 2008 Macworld Expo, Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac was named “Best of Show,” and given the 2008 Editors’ Choice Awards by The Mac Observer and the 2008 Macworld Award by Macsimum News,” the Adobe Press Release reads.

The biggest new features to Photoshop Elements 6.0 are the fact that it is now a Universal Binary, the new Photomerge technology, and a new interface and different levels of the program depending on the user’s expertise.

According to Adobe, “Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 for Macintosh runs on Leopard, (Mac OS X v 10.5.2), as well as previous versions of Mac OS X starting with 10.4.8. [...] Photoshop Elements 6 is immediately available in the United States and Canada for an estimated street price of US$89.99. Owners of previous versions of Photoshop Elements can upgrade to Photoshop Elements 6 for US$69.99 with an in-box, mail-in rebate or through http://www.adobe.com.”

Photoshop Elements 6.0 can be purchased at Apple Stores, Apple.com, Amazon.com, Best Buy Stores, BestBuy.com, Costco.com, J&R, Microcenter, NewEgg.com, Staples Stores and Staples.com.

You can read my first look reviews, on speed and features and the interface, and also keep an eye out for a final review of the final copy, coming in a few days.

Right after the Swiss Apple Store leaks information regarding the 802.11n AirPort Express, the Dutch iTunes Store leaks information regarding a possible iPod touch price drop. A graphic, shown on the store, shows an iPod touch and says “from €199”. That’s about €80 less than the current price, equalling out to about a $100 price drop. The drop would bring the 8GB model down to about $200, which is pretty reasonable, and cheaper than the low-end iPod classic. Although some may classify this as an accident, most call it a leak, especially so soon after the Swiss leak. Along with the leak, some speculate that Apple may drop the 8GB model altogether, making the iPod touch really cheap, though I suppose we’ll have to wait it out and see.

Via [Ars Technica]

It seems that in addition to making a lot of early adopters angry the price cut for the iPhone has also has a positive effect on sales driving them up by 200%. Piper Jaffray’s Gene Munster is estimating that the iPhone was selling about 9,000 units per day before September 5th and since the price cut they have been selling about 27,000 units per day. He estimates that by the end of this quarter Apple will have sold a total 1.28 million iPhones.

Munster also says that this “clearly represents an initial surge that is not sustainable” and will level off at around 50% increase. These numbers have not been verified by Apple. Maybe we can get that desired 16GB (or larger) iPhone and see yet another surge in sales.

Read [Gizmodo]