Briefly: Canadian Galaxy Tab sale, Camera-free iPhones in Singapore
Galaxy Tab sale
South Korean electronics manufacturer Samsung has dropped the price of its Galaxy Tab 10.1 product line in Canada after recently introducing a 32 GB model, reports tech blog techvibes.
The online stores of Future Shop and Best Buy Canada reflect the new pricing scheme that undercuts the cost of Apple's iPad, with the 32 GB Galaxy Tab coming in at $499CDN, which was the original price of the 16 GB model that now sells for $399CDN.
In contrast to Samsung's new temporary cost structure, Apple's entry-level 16 GB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi starts at $519CDN.
According to the Future Shop website, the sale will end on Feb. 10, 2012.
Sale Price of Galaxy Tab 10.1 | Source: Future Shop
Camera-less iPhones in Singapore
Following rumors and a premature launch, Singapore wireless carrier M1 is now officially carrying "Non Camera" iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models for servicemen who cannot bring camera-equipped phones onto military installations.
The modifications completely remove both front and rear camera sensors, which apparently "may not be reinstalled." It is unclear what exactly is done to ensure that the device can't be returned to its original state.
Despite having a crippled feature set, the smartphone carried a premium of about $38 due to labor costs for the modifications. Prices start at $352 for an 8 GB iPhone 4 and top out at $765 for a 64 GB iPhone 4S when purchased with a two-year smartphone plan.
According to CNET, the camera removal procedure was approved by Singapore's Ministry of Defense, and each phone will come with a document denoting its certification.
As Apple stipulates that any sort of modification will void the iPhone's warranty, M1 is offering a one-year third-party option for an additional $252.
11 Comments
"It is unclear what exactly is done to ensure that the device can't be returned to its original state."
How About: The camera openings are permanently covered/obstructed.
"It is unclear what exactly is done to ensure that the device can't be returned to its original state."
How About: The camera openings are permanently covered/obstructed.
Don't be snarky, especially when the article says the camera sensors were removed. That's more intensive than simply covering the camera openings.
And that doesn't say exactly what they have done. Often we see products that are artificially limited in order to get the up sale but contain all the necessary parts or are an easy after-market change to reverse. This is why knowing what exactly has been down to prevent this is important to those that might want to add it and those that are trying to prevent that from happening. If they only removed the camera HW with use flat ribbon connectors and removed the camera SW from iOS 5.0 then it would probably be fairly simple to add back if one were motivated, though I think sneaking a camera in would be easier.
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According to the Future Shop website, the sale will end on Feb. 10, 2012.
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Wow, Samsung must have gotten wind that something is happening on Feb. 10...
each phone will come with a certificate denoting its certification.
Don't they come with a certificate certifying its certification?
They would need to come with a note to denote it.Or is English this author's second language?