Unlocked iPhone 4 to hit U.S. this week?
There are rumors flying around the internet today about the alleged news of an unlocked iPhone 4 reportedly to become an option for U.S. customers in Apple stores on Wednesday.
The rumor comes courtesy of Twitter user @chronicwire – reportedly a credible source of Apple rumors in the past. According to @chronicwire four specific models–the MC603 (16GB, black) MC604 (16GB, white) MC605 (32GB, black) and MC606 (32GB, white)–have already landed unlocked and are now retail-ready on U.S. shores.
If the rumor proves to be true, users will be finally able to get an iPhone 4 without pledging themselves to a two-year service contract (US Apple Stores have never carried unlocked iPhones before.) And should history be any indication, unlocked iPhone 4s should cost $600/$700 for the 16GB/32GB version.
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Everloop, social network for kids gets $3.1 million new funding
Everloop, a social network for children under 13 years of age, has reportedly raised $3.1 million in funding from vFormation, Band of Angels, Envoi Ventures, Richard Chino, Wayne Goodrich, Deena Burnett-Bailey and other investors.
Yes, we are looking at what looks to be the future Facebook for kids. The site offers a private social network where parents can actually monitor the day-to -day activities of their children on the network. Like Facebook, Everloop combines music, social games, videos, photos, animation, user-generated content and other experiences – only it’s all child (and parent)-friendlier.
The company is also adding Disney exec Sandy Barger as Chief Marketing Officer, AOL’s Tobin Trevarthen as EVP of Business Development and Alan Goodman as Creative Advisor. Everloop faces competition from Togetherville, which was recently acquired by Disney.
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Apple sued for use of iCloud name
Yep you guessed it. Apple is being sued, this time by an Arizona company over the company’s use of the iCloud name, claiming the tech giant’s use of it infringes on its trademark. Phoenix-based voice over IP provider iCloud Communications is alleging that the name of Apple’s recently announced online storage service copies its name and causes confusion over competing products.
According to iCloud Communications, “Apple has a long and well-known history of knowingly and willfully treading on the trademark rights of others.” The company also noted that the Cupertino, California-based Apple has also been sued by The Beatles over use of the Apple name, by Cisco Systems over use of the iPhone name, and by Terrytown over use of “Mighty Mouse.”
The lawsuit, which was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court of Arizona, seeks an injunction against Apple’s use of the iCloud name, as well as an unspecified amount of monetary compensation. Apple representatives are yet to comment on the issue.
