Even though T-Mobile does not officially carry the iPhone, the carrier has more than a million owners of the (unlocked) iDevice on its network, which would definitely justify expanding its support for it. A leaked employee memo from the carrier, entitled “iPhone Scope of Support” (pictured above), details that they plan to implement this support expansion on January 30th.

Although not very detailed or extensive, the document does include guidelines for providing help with common issues, procedures, and general questions, as well as information on iPhone/iOS features. The information currently available from T-Mobile to its customers regarding the iPhone is mostly limited to getting owners of an unlocked iPhone set up on their network.

T-Mobile has yet to officially partner with Apple in offering the iPhone to its customers, although that does not mean it won’t happen in the future. You’ll remember the iPhone started off as an AT&T exclusive in the United States, and has since rolled out to Verizon and Sprint. Even though T-Mobile has been left out in being able to officially offer the iPhone to its customers, that hasn’t stopped the 1,000,000+ owners of unlocked iPhones from using their iDevices on the carrier’s network.

It appears T-Mobile has recognized the importance of these customers in this move to expand its support for them. iPhone users on T-Mobile will have to wait for the expanded support’s implementation to see just how it will benefit them and just how far the carrier will go to satisfy their needs.

Via [TmoNews]

Following is a comparison between the old tiered data plans in comparison with the upcoming ones:

• $15/month for 200 MB/month becomes $20/month for 300 MB/month
• $25/month for 2 GB/month becomes $30/month for 3 GB/month
• $45/month for 4 GB/month + tethering becomes $50/month for 5 GB/month + tethering

While upgrading from the 200 MB/month plan to the 300 MB/month plan for an extra $5 won’t benefit you much, upgrading from the other tiered plans will give you significantly more data usage for only $5 more. AT&T customers that remain on AT&T’s grandfathered unlimited data plan will not be affected by this change in tiered plans, and will still be able to keep their unlimited plans. Upgrading to these new plans also does not require renewing your current contract, which would undoubtedly make this offer unattractive to customers who are already months or years into their contracts.

These new plans will become available to AT&T customers on January 22nd, and will be available to upgrade to online, at a local AT&T store, or by phone.

Via [ModMyi]

Steve Jobs revolutionized the cellphone industry with the release of the iPhone in 2007. But according to comments made by John Stanton, Jobs originally wanted to change the entire idea of the how world interacts with mobile carriers. At the Law Seminars International event in Seattle this week, operator chief turned venture capitalist John Stanton stated that Apple was exploring alternatives for creating a network by only using Wi-Fi-based spectrum as a way to bypass carriers with their mobile plans. That idea was discussed when Stanton worked with Steve Jobs from 2005 to 2007. At that time, Mr Stanton was heading VoiceStream Wireless, now known as T-Mobile.

Stanton stated, “He wanted to replace carriers. He and I spent a lot of time talking about whether synthetically you could create a carrier using Wi-Fi spectrum. That was part of his vision. Jobs hoped to create his own network with the unlicensed spectrum that Wi-Fi uses rather than work with the mobile operators.”

Jobs eventually moved on from the idea, and instead signed a deal with AT&T as the first mobile provider for the iPhone. Stanton noted that even after Apple signing the deal with AT&T, Jobs managed to leave his own mark across wireless industry with the iPhone. Apple acquired complete control of the user experience with the iPhone, along with software updates, apps and even hardware release dates. Stanton said, “If I were a carrier, I’d be concerned about the dramatic shift in power that occurred… Companies like Apple and Google, which develops Android, sell a variety of software and services that capture revenue streams that might have otherwise gone to the operators.”

Analyst Peter Jarich with Current Analysis, weighed in on the idea of Wi-Fi as a alternative network. “It’s not out of the question to develop a network that’s solely Wi-Fi, but it’s tough.” While favoring Jobs’ idea of change toward Wi-Fi networks and away from cell carriers, he warns that lack of available open Wi-Fi hotspots and reliability of service hinder the ability to rely on those networks.

Via [ComputerWorld]

Apple has started selling the iPhone 4S without any contract commitments. The iPhone 4S unlocked models will cost $649 (16GB model), $749 (32GB model), and $849 (64GB model). Orders can be placed through Apple’s online store, and all models will start shipping within one to two weeks, according to estimates by Apple. As usual, Apple offers customers the choice to buy the iPhone 4S in either black or white.

Non-iPhone owners considering the freedom from a two-year contract, be aware that there are some strings attached to contract-free versions of the iPhone 4S models. Apple’s website has been warning customers with the message: “The unlocked iPhone works only on supported GSM networks, such as AT&T in the U.S. When you travel internationally, you can also use a micro-SIM card from a local GSM carrier. The unlocked iPhone will not work with CDMA carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint.”

Apple further explains:

The unlocked iPhone includes all the features of iPhone but without a contract commitment. You can activate and use it on the supported GSM wireless network of your choice, such as AT&T in the United States. The unlocked iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S will not work with CDMA-based carriers such as Verizon Wireless or Sprint.

If you don’t want a multiyear service contract or if you prefer to use a local carrier when traveling abroad, the unlocked iPhone is the best choice. It arrives without a micro-SIM card, so you’ll need an active micro-SIM card from any supported GSM carrier worldwide. To start using it, simply insert the micro-SIM card into the slot on your iPhone and turn it on by pressing and holding the On/Off button for a few seconds. Then follow the onscreen instructions to set up your iPhone.

Apple still offers the original iPhone 4 contract-free a starting price of $649 for the 16GB model and the iPhone 3GS for $375.

Product [iPhone 4S]

As you all know, Apple announced it will be making the iPhone 4S available in 22 more countries starting October 28. Previously, when you checked the respective Apple online stores in those countries, you weren’t able to pre-order the iPhone 4S. So, I thought those stores wouldn’t accept orders until the 28th. But, I was wrong. Checking the Apple online store in Singapore today, I noticed the pre-order button is now activated. I almost jumped for joy, as I was waiting for this to be activated since the iPhone 4S was launched. So, I immediately pre-ordered a white iPhone 4S and lo and behold!, my order went through. The Apple online store in Singapore promises to deliver it in 1-2 weeks.

I also checked the respective Apple Stores of some of the other 22 countries scheduled to receive the iPhone 4S on October 28, and so far all of those I’ve checked are now accepting pre-orders. So, if you’ve been waiting for this moment and you are in the countries listed below, you might want to pre-order your iPhone 4S now, before stocks run out during release day.

These countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Good luck!

Apple was happy to let you know yesterday that there 1 million iPhone 4Ss pre-ordered in one day, and AT&T is doing some boasting of their own. They released a statement on Saturday that they sold more that 200,000 units in just simply 12 hours. So, despite the somewhat lackluster public reception to the official Apple announcement of the iPhone 4S last week, it seems there is a lot of consumer interest in the new iDevice.

AT&T said there has been “extraordinary demand” for the iPhone 4S. In accordance to their numbers, it was an impressive launch on that network considering the iPhone 4S is also available through Verizon and Sprint.

AT&T’s statement on iPhone 4S pre-orders:

AT&T has seen extraordinary demand for iPhone 4S with more than 200,000 preorders in the first 12 hours alone, the most successful iPhone launch we’ve ever had. It’s obvious customers like AT&T’s 4G network, which is the only one that lets their iPhone download twice as fast and talk and surf simultaneously.

Whether you’re ordering through one of the iPhone 4S carriers or directly through Apple, you can now expect shipping estimates of 1-2 weeks. If you haven’t pre-ordered and are anxious to get your iPhone 4S on launch day, be prepared to wait in line at an Apple Store or one of their retail partners.

Via [Reuters]

Rumors were claiming Sprint would bring unlimited data plans to the iPhone, and it turned out to be completely true. The company announced late last week that the iPhone 4S (as well as the iPhone 4) will be included on their unlimited data plans for all new users who sign a two-year contract. This gives Sprint at least one marketing advantage over its rivals, since AT&T and Verizon started controlling users data limits with their tiered-data plans of 2GB.

According to Sprint CEO Dan Hesse, “Our unlimited data plans are the perfect fit for iPhone customers. Sprint’s unlimited data plans provide more value than metered plans from other carriers. Our customers can take advantage of the innovative features of iPhone without worrying about overage charges or surprises on their bill.” Sprint Chief Executive Officer Dan Hesse also said the iPhone will be one of the company’s most profitable devices.

Sprint has placed several investments to ensure the company is able to support devices’ increasing data demands and run them on what will be a more common network technology. Sprint has pledged $5 billion to upgrade its network and add LTE, a standard used by AT&T and Verizon. Sprint Nextel CFO Joe Extender also said the carrier’s network and business is fully prepared to sell the Apple iPhone 4s. The carrier has been investing heavily in their network to become a better, if not the best, choice.

However, the skeptic in me wonders whether Sprint will honor its promise that it will keep their unlimited data on their “Now Network” in the future.

Via ct [Sprint news pressroom]

It started with international pre-orders, and then followed in the United States shortly after: iPhone 4S shipping estimates have dropped to 1-2 weeks, indicating that new pre-orders won’t be received by customers on launch day. Apple and its three iPhone carriers have been getting hammered with pre-orders, causing overloaded servers and even issues with pre-ordering altogether for some customers, which is most likely what has caused this change in shipping estimates.

To give you an idea of just how high the demand is for the iPhone 4S, AT&T announced that it alone received 200,000 pre-orders of the iDevice in the first 12 hours of its pre-order availability. Due to the carriers’ server overload, many customers had to reserve an iPhone 4S for themselves and select their service plan at a later time, although before 5:00 PST today in order to keep their priority standing. The iPhone 4S is due to launch on October 14th in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, and Japan.

Via [MacRumors]

This news from iPhone carrier AT&T came in the form of an iPhone 4S Training Session document that has been hitting the email inboxes of AT&T representatives today. This document reveals that AT&T stores will be strictly allowing only one iPhone 4S per customer on launch day. This only applies to AT&T stores, and could differ with Apple, Verizon, and Sprint. The iPhone 4S Training Session document also doesn’t distinguish between upgrading, purchasing a new phone, or no commitment pricing, and isn’t clear on whether the a customer could potentially buy one under each circumstance.

Also found in AT&T’s iPhone 4S Training Session document was the no commitment and early upgrading pricing for the iPhone 4S from the carrier, which allows for an early upgrade for $250 more than retail price and a no commitment purchase for $450 more than retail. AT&T has been sending out SMS messages to its customers to inform them of the early upgrade pricing and is heavily preparing for the launch of the iPhone 4S on October 14th along with other U.S. carriers Sprint and Verizon.

Via [ModMyi]

Today is iPhone 4S day, folks. After a few hours of downtime, the U.S. Apple Store (and the rest of the other countries which are scheduled to have the iPhone 4S by October 12) are now accepting pre-orders. All three versions of the iPhone 4S from AT&T, Sprint and Verizon are available for pre-order and will be shipped on October 12.

Now, here’s something that came as quite a surprise; Apple is also giving an option for customers to get the unlocked version of the iPhone 4S. Prices for the unlocked iPhone 4S version are $649 (16GB), $749 (32GB) and $849 (64GB). According to Apple, the unlocked iPhone 4S has all the features of iPhone but without contract commitment. It can be used internationally using micro-SIM issued by local GSM wireless carriers.

However, if you opt to get this unlocked version, you won’t be able to get your iPhone 4S on October 12. These unlocked versions will be available in November.

Product [Apple]