Briefly: Canadian Galaxy Tab sale, Camera-free iPhones in Singapore

Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014


Samsung has instituted a temporary sale for its Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Canada to boost sales while Singapore carrier M1 is now officially carrying camera-less iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models following a premature launch earlier in January.



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.





Current M1 "Non Camera" iPhone 4 and 4S pricing | Source: M1







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.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 11
    daharderdaharder Posts: 1,580member
    "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.
  • Reply 2 of 11
    solipsismxsolipsismx Posts: 19,566member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DaHarder View Post


    "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.


    8 Mpx camera (front)





    VGA camera (rear)
  • Reply 3 of 11
    drdoppiodrdoppio Posts: 1,132member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    ...

    According to the Future Shop website, the sale will end on Feb. 10, 2012.

    ...



    Wow, Samsung must have gotten wind that something is happening on Feb. 10...
  • Reply 4 of 11
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    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?
  • Reply 5 of 11
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DrDoppio View Post


    Wow, Samsung must have gotten wind that something is happening on Feb. 10...



    Sounds familiar ?
  • Reply 6 of 11
    kevkev Posts: 1member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by I am a Zither Zather Zuzz View Post


    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?



    *Denoting: transitive verb - to be a sign of, indicate: eg dark clouds denote rain.



  • Reply 7 of 11
    aizmovaizmov Posts: 989member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DrDoppio View Post


    Wow, Samsung must have gotten wind that something is happening on Feb. 10...



    Why over think it? It is just not selling well and they needed to clear some stock.
  • Reply 8 of 11
    Did I understand this correctly - a camera-less iPhone costs more than the original?



    This is akin to decaffeinated coffee being more expensive (indeed true in some cases). You kind of understand why - there's more labor involved and it remains unfair (customers get less for more).
  • Reply 9 of 11
    herbapouherbapou Posts: 2,228member
    I think the Kindle Fire must have hurt Samsung sales in the US so they try to pass inventories in Canada where the kindle Fire is still not available.
  • Reply 10 of 11
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DaHarder View Post


    "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.



    I was thinking more of a laser to the sensor, no need to open it all up. But I guess they would need a different case, or covers to the cameras so you can tell it doesn't have them.
  • Reply 11 of 11
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by bronze View Post


    I was thinking more of a laser to the sensor, no need to open it all up. But I guess they would need a different case, or covers to the cameras so you can tell it doesn't have them.



    LASIK for smartphone cameras - who would have thunk it!
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