iPhone manufacturing costs down from last year

The last five days have been all about breaking down the iPhone 3G--how the big release went, how many phones have sold, how the device lives up to its promise.

Now, some more numbers to toss in the mix: iSuppli has completed its iPhone 3G teardown analysis and estimated that Apple cut more than US$50 from manufacturing costs per unit since the first-generation phone made its debut last year. Profit margins for the new gadget, according to the market research firm, are measuring in the range of 55 percent.

Apple spent US$174.33 for initial production costs for the 8GB model, according to iSuppli. (This figure consists of the iPhone 3G's bill of materials (BOM) and manufacturing expenses combined. It does not include other costs, such as software development, shipping and distribution, packaging, and miscellaneous accessories included with each phone.) Beyond the US$174.33 BOM/manufacturing costs, Apple is spending an estimated US$50 on IP royalties per unit shipped.

At US$174.33, the BOM and manufacturing cost of the new phone is markedly less than the US$227 outlay iSuppli estimated for the first-gen 8GB iPhone last year.
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To reach a human from the iPhone, Dial Zero

I've made my share of vociferous complaints about spinning through automated phone systems without ever reaching a real person. The self-help Internet Age has made everything worse as more corporations channel customers back to online help centers. Grr, it dampens my mood just thinking about it; there are simply some situations that call for prompt human interaction.

Dial Zero is one free iPhone application that can ease the pain. To get a live person, start by scrolling or searching for the company you wish to call. Then, tap the phone number and follow the instructions posted on each record for the number you should push to barge on through the automated switchbacks. For some companies, pressing zero repeatedly is the key; for others, pressing 2 once is your Open Sesame.

When you're done, there's a field for sharing feedback--especially useful if the company changes their numbers or automated menu--and a link for rating a company's customer service on GetHuman.com.

Related story
Fonolo lets you skip phone menu purgatory

Via CNET Crave

Bloomberg's iPhone app a window onto Wall Street

The world of finance is sober, serious business, ever more so in a struggling through economy. Bloomberg's freeware application for the iPhone and iPod touch gives information-seekers a clear view of the moment with financial headlines, a ticker finder, and a fleshed-out index of world markets.

An appealing dark-themed application, Bloomberg contains a read-only newsfeed and statistics on various exchanges in global markets. Highs, lows, and a graph of yearlong performance are displayed for each exchange--further charts and tables are available for industry and stock movers.

To discover individual stock performance, users simply enter the company name into the stock finder, which also keeps a short-term history of your past queries. Even better, entering stocks and your share holdings into the My Stocks folder creates a personalized portfolio you can watch for daily fluctuation.

Via CNET Crave

Creative introduces its first stereo headset for iPhones and iPods

Following the recent launch of its Zen X-Fi player, audio device maker Creative today announced its upcoming pair of in-ear headset, the EP630i, for the Singapore market. Targeted mainly at iPhone users, the black EP630i is the first pair of Creative earphones we've seen that features an integrated in-line microphone. It also comes with a button to facilitate toggling between making calls and listening to music.

According to Creative, the EP630i is powered by 9mm Neodymium magnet drivers and comes with silicon earbuds in three different sizes. While it is not indicated in the press release whether the EP630i will be launched in other countries, the headset is expected to debut in Singapore in early September at a retail price of S$79 (US$56.13).

Update: Creative has just confirmed that the EP630i will be available in Singapore and Hong Kong in July, followed by other Asian markets from August 2008 onwards. The company has also clarified that the EP630i is not its first earphones with built-in microphone, though it is Creative's first headset targeting the mobile phone market, specifically the iPhone. In addition, the in-line microphone can be used for voice recording on the iPhone, but it will require an additional application (such as voice memo or voice note) to be installed.

Palm Centro now in black

Not that it's a big deal, since the Palm Centro comes in many different colors in the US already. But for those who have held off buying one because it comes only in white in our region, this is your chance. Available from July 19 in Singapore and subsequently in Hong Kong, this version will be no different from the original other than color. If you are in India, Malaysia or the Philippines, you might have already seen it in stores.

Don't worry if you find that it looks a little familiar. Two operators in the US have already had black versions for sometime now. The difference is you can have an unlocked one which can be used with most GSM operators. Its price remains at S$598 in Singapore. The cost in your country may be lower, perhaps closer to the more reasonable unlocked price of US$299 (S$403) in the US.

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