In efforts to further improve the iPhones, maufacurers are putting together a metallic glass to replace the current models. The metallic part would prevent the phone from cracking or breaking as easily, while the glass components still maintain the strength.
This used to be a very expensive process for manufacturers, making it difficult to produce high volume of these products. Thanks to recent technological advances, they have found a process that costs about the same as it does to produce plastic. Although there are no finalized plans yet, the idea is being entertained and may be a feature of the phone in the future making it much more durable and  without ridiculous prices.

Starting February 10th, people will be able to purchase the iPhone from Verizon services instead of just AT&T. President of Verizon Wireless, Lowell McAdam, recently announced their plans to carry the highly-demanded phone. The prices will remain the same as AT&T’s price with a two-year contract. Although many people are already exciting about having the option to purchase an iPhone with Verizon, it will not offer the 4G network that AT&T does. The Verizon version of the iPhone is still running on the older 3G version, but Verizon claims the demand from consumers to immediately have access to the phones was so high that people should still be satisfied. Despite not having the 4G network, the Verizon iPhone does have the ability to connect to other devices. Customers who are already using AT&T will have to pay $325 to break their contract.

Google is once again predicting what items will be flying off the shelves this Holiday season. Even though it may be too early for many shoppers, those who are ahead of the game can get the merchandise before it sells out. By looking at consistently searched items by people on the Google website, the retailing team is able to determine which toys or other products will be in high demand. Last year, Google was able to predict the high sales of the “Zhu Zhu Pets” toys among children.
This year, Google has a new set of products that are already being highly searched for on the internet.

For lower-prices items:

-”Otterbox” iphone covers
-Collectible Japanese “Iwako” erasers.
-Silly Bandz

Pricier items:
-3D TVs
-Flip camcorder
-Wooden training bikes called “Balance Bikes”

Toys:
-Sing-a-Ma-Jigs
-Nurf Stampede

Yet another way for your friends and family to have up-to-date notifications of your “who, what, when, where and why” ? Facebook announced Wednesday a new location-sharing program that will allow you to send updates letting you announce your location. Similar to the iPhone application Foursquare that has been previously the leading location-sharing site. Foursquare reached a membership level of 2 million users in July.

Privacy uses have already been brought to the table with FaceBook “Places” as it gives friends the option to tag others when they check in somewhere, posting the updated location for everyone tagged. There is a “yes” option allowing friends to tag you, however there is not a “no” option, only a “not now”.

Facebook has said that “this is not a service to broadcast your location at all times, but rather one to share where you are, who you are with, when you want to…It lets you find friends that are nearby and help you discover nearby places”. The “Here Now” feature will let anyone who has checked into a pace see who else has done the same.

Although there has been some controversy over the new iphone, Apple isn’t going to stop pushing out their products. Apple has new merchandise to offer their users, and many are already excited about the new options.
Starting at $69.00, Apple users will be able to purchase a trackpad that is designed to give the MacBook Pro touchpad experience. Also coming out next month is the new Apple Mac Pros desktop with quad-core and 6-core intel Xeon processors. These desktops will be selling a $2,499. The new iMac is going to be available starting at $1,999. Another product that will be available to consumers from Apple is a 27″ LED cinema display screen for $999 that is compatible with other Apple products. Many businesses such as Leadpile use Apple products and are anxious to continue use of the brand.

Microsoft is stepping up to the plate and creating a market for their new phone, the Microsoft Windows 7 Phone.

Although the last attempt to compete with the iphone failed when creating the KIN phone, senior vice president of mobile Andy Lee says,

“…We’re back with something very different and innovative.”.

The new Microsoft phone will feature a Find My Phone service that offers people a way to look on their computer and trace where their phone is if it becomes lost. It will also have a companion site for storing photos, contacts, etc.

As part of a plan for publicity, they will be distributing the new phone to their 87,000 workers for Microsoft. The new phone is set to launch around October or for the Holiday season. Leadpile

Today was the day the Apple junkies have been waiting for! The iPhone 4 was released for sale today in the U.S. , Tokyo, France, Germany, the U.K. and Japan. Thousands of consumers lined up outside of stores for hours to get their hands on the newest model. The iPhone which more than 600,000 people pre-ordered forced AT&T to stop taking orders for pick up or shipment by today and could not promise delivery until July 14th.

The iPhone 4 retails for $199 or $299 depending on the amount of storage on the phone.

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It seems that there is some controversy going on with the recent news that a potential Apple iPhone prototype was stolen from a California bar. The controversy started when photos of the stolen iPhone supposidly ended up on a blog. The question is, how exactly did this happen… Who forked over the recovered phone to this blogger? Should the blogger be protected to not have to disclose his source of how the lost phone ended up in his hands, or is he protected to not have to disclose his source?
NPR points out that the individual that got the phone turned over to him for a reported $5000 is now under investigation, but the question is….. should he be required to release his anonymous “source” of where the phone came from, or is he protected by the same rights as California journalists are? Your call!

Whether it was a plotted marketing scheme or a mistake that one Apple engineer will never be forgotten for, the newest model of the iPhone was left in a bar in California and sold to the tech site Gizmodo. The iPhone, which was not to be formally unveiled for a couple of months has now been dissected and photos posted by the technology news site. Over a million people visitors had made it to the site to view the iPhone just an hour after it had been posted.

Apple has not formally made any comments regarding the technology leak, however late Monday evening Gizmodo received a letter from Apple’s senior VP and general counsel requesting the phone be returned.

Every year, iPhone users anticipate the latest and greatest technology from Apple.  To date, AT&T has had the exclusive rights to the Apple iPhone, but is it possible this may be ending?  Loyal Verizon consumers are hopeful.  In the past few days, rumors have announced that the new iPhone could work on the CDMA network, which is used by Verizon Wireless.

Mass production of the CDMA iPhones could start in September 2010, however, some analysts forecast the release of an actual Verizon iPhone would be more likely in 2011.  Opening up the iPhone availability to Verizon, which has over 91 million customers, would greatly expand the iPhone market.  It is estimated that it would nearly double the number of iPhones in the U.S.  Those are numbers that Apple can’t ignore forever.

Just as you thought you had all of the gadgets that you needed, Apple comes up with something new! The iPad, which is a large version of the iPhone without phone capabilities, will be hitting the shelves in the US on April 3rd. The iPad was originally unveiled in Jan and expected to be on the market in March, but has been delayed now until April. The iPad is smaller than most laptops, but much larger than a cell phone. The device’s first version will only be able to connect to Wi-Fi networks, while the second will be able to connect to “3G” cell networks. Ranging in price from $499 – $829 depending on data storage size and version.
There are 12 specific new applications for the iPad, as well as it is able to run many of the apps already created for the iPhone. Apple’s Web site will allow you to place orders for the iPad starting March 12th!!

Apple seems to always be on top of being the most innovative company. With the touch screen iPhone being a huge success, it only makes sense that a touch screen computer was in the works. The new iPad is said to be able to access the internet faster than a regular laptop. This little gem is only about a half an inch thick and has a 9.7 inch touch screen. There is built in wi-fi with a flash memory (available in 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB), 3G wireless access, and is App accessible (which can be enlarged to fit the iPad). Let’s not forget about the hefty price tag that comes along with it, ranging from $499 – $829.
Whether it is the iPhone, Mac, or just and iPod, people seem to be Apple obsessed these days. Even here at LeadPile we are all on our iPhones and Mac computers to ensure that all of or work is being done in the most effective and efficient way. It is interesting how in a so called “struggling economy”, people always find a way to get the newest technology. I know that I will not be purchasing one of these iPad’s anytime soon, will you??