Blackberry Storm costlier to manufacture than iPhone 3G

According to an analysis by technology research firm iSuppli Corp, Research In Motion's touchscreen BlackBerry Storm costs almost $30 more to produce than rival Apple Inc's iPhone 3G. iSuppli said that the Blackberry Storm has a materials and manufacturing cost of about $203.

RIM launched the Blackberry Storm late last year to compete with the popular 8-gigabyte iPhone 3G. iSuppli Corp said the Storm's total component count stands at 1,177, while the iPhone's is 1,116.

iSuppli’s Teardown Analysis Service report said that the Storm's total per-unit cost includes all parts and manufacturing, but excludes intellectual property (IP), royalties, licensing fees, software, shipping, logistics marketing, and other channel costs. The Storm's exact $202.89 total consists of $186 for components and other materials, and $16.07 for manufacturing. The total is $27 more expensive than what it costs RIM to manufacture each BlackBerry Bold.

However, the bill of materials for the Blackberry Storm totals up to $202.89; the Storm has a suggested retail price of $250 and is currently being sold with a $50 rebate from Verizon store, while the iPhone 3G costs approx $174.33 in components despite a similar retail price.

It’s an interesting point that even though the Storm and iPhone seem at first blush to share most of the same parts- LCD touchscreen, camera, cell phone chips, flash memory, GPS- Apple seems to be in a position to reap more profit of each device than RIM.

Models like the Blackberry Storm, as well as the earlier BlackBerry Pearl are all laden with multimedia features to attract non-business users.

iPhone 3G at Wal-Mart retail stores across US

Wal-Mart, the US retail giant is going to sell Apple's iPhone 3G from today (Dec 28) onwards. The iPhone 3G will be available in retail stores across US. It was anticipated that the iPhone 3G will be offered on a heavy discount but it is not so. The retailer is offering 4GB iPhone 3G for $99, black 8GB iPhone 3G model for US$197, and the 16GB black or white model for $297.

Until now, the iPhone has only been available through Apple's own stores, AT&T outlets and electronics chain Best Buy.

According to Gary Severson, Wal-Mart's senior vice president, entertainment, "We are delighted to bring customers this ground-breaking mobile technology”.

Wal-Mart is expected to help Apple's efforts to reach conservative shoppers who might not visit Apple stores.

Meanwhile, as retailers stock a wider array of mobile devices, the iPhone helps Wal-Mart offer arguably the trendiest phone on the market.

As expected, the phones come with a new two-year service agreement from AT&T.

Axis Bank will help you to get Apple 3G iPhone

…and finally Apple 3G iPhone hit the Indian market on Thursday.The third generation Apple iPhone was introduced in India by Bharti Airtel and Vodafone.

Reportedly, Vodafone was selling its phones at 11 stores across Delhi initially, while Bharti was selling it only at the Shahara Mall. But, the phone will be available shortly through 250 Vodafone stores in 50 cities across India and Bharti Airtel will ensure the availability of the iPhone in more than 65 cities. Moreover, the Apple stores will also carry the product.

The 8 GB iPhone is priced at Rs 31,000 and the 16 GB iPhone costs Rs 36,100. It appears rather expensive when compared to the US price. In the US, it costs around $199 which amounts roughly to Rs 8400. In an attempt to defend their price, Sanjay Kapoor, president of mobile services Bharti Airtel, stated that the US price is subsidised as it comes with a two-year airtime contract. Hence, it is not fair to compare these rates.

Vodafone, however has tied up with Axis Bank and Barclays to offer the phone on 6 or 12 equated monthly installments (EMIs) with a lower interest rate in order to make the product affordable for the customers. However, the customers are obligated to buy the iPhone on the credit cards of one of these banks. Bharti Airtel has not come up with any plans for an EMI scheme as yet.

The multipurpose iPhone gadget combines the extra feature of an in-built GPS system, an iPod and a web browser.

Airtel and Vodafone to launch iPhone on 22 August

The iPhone is finally on its way to India. Airtel and Vodafone will be launching iPhone on 22 August 2008. It was earlier reported that only Airtel will be launching the service. However now it has now been confirmed that even Vodafone will be selling iPhones from the same date.

The iPhone will provide 3G services, which are expected to be twice as faster as 2G services. The price details for the phone in India have not yet been released.

According to President Bharti Airtel mobile services Sanjay Kapoor, “iPhone has been an iconic technological revelation of this year and Airtel has been at the forefront of innovation and customer delight in the Indian telecom sector”.

Now what about the price? No one knows the exact price and even the Airtel or Vodafone has not disclosed it either. However, a 3G phone is expected to be sold at about Rs 20,000.