This morning MyBroadband had an interesting  article about the sales of iPhone vs Blackberry in SA. Despite the success of iPhone worldwide, somehow the handset has reached less than 1% of the SA mobile market. While this low figure is probably more to do with the SA mobile demography, I thought I might look a bit more into it. A user called Filip Chudzinski over at iFun put together a infographic chart with the worldwide cost of unlocked iPhone 4s. Unfortunately SA was not on that chart, so I decided to add SA to it as well, seeing as our iPhones are unlocked as well.

But first off, you might ask how am I able to “project” iPhone 4 prices? Well, this is the current price of the iPhone 3GS in SA. Since the iPhone 3G was launched in SA, the price of the iPhone has not dropped in SA. In fact, it has gotten more expensive. Now we can say this is because of exchange rate, but the Rand is a bit stronger these days, but iStore stills charges a price of R8699 for 16GB or R9999 for 32GB. So, if we assume the iPhone price stays the same with the release of iPhone 4, here is a comparison of worldwide unlocked iPhones. Please note this does not include phone which are network locked, like in the US with AT&T.

It looks pretty grim right? With iPhone 4 there is bound to be some competition however – it is not only Vodacom who is carrying it this time around, lets hope MTN can somehow drop the price somewhat. On the other hand, with the 3GS, the price was suddenly a thousand rand more per model than the 3G.

But lets stay optimistic, competition can be a great thing after all…

Sources:

iClarified (Creative Commons)

iStore iPhone Tariffs

Euro to Rand pricing on 2 August 2010

OK, so you have a brand spanking new iPad 3G, or at least on the way. But you want to get it on a SA cellular network. Sounds simple enough right? Not so fast – there are a few things you need to take note of.

First off, the iPad ships with a new type of sim card slot, which is made for a newer standard, called Micro SIM. It is essentially just a smaller version of the sim card we currently use in our phones, called Mini SIM. If you compare the two, you will see that the Micro SIM doesnt actually use any new circuitry to make it smaller – it just gets rid of even more of the plastic around its edges. Here is a small illustration if you want to see what I am on about.

MicroSIM vs MiniSIM

Now the good news is that Vodacom and MTN pledged to have Micro SIMs available – the major reason being that iPhone 4 also uses it as well, and the need to be ready for that potential cash cow once it reaches our shores. In this piece I will focus on Vodacom, seeing as I am comfortable with them (not always happy though), and I know their product range. First off, you can go to any Vodacom SP shop, and jsut order a Micro SIM. I went to one and they had it ready for me within 3 days, for a cost of R50. Not bad.

Of course there is the DIY approach. You can take a SIM Card and cut the sides so that they fit the new Micro SIM slot. While I can see it not being a very hard job, I cannot say I feel to comfortable doing it, seeing as I dont wont to risk the SIM card getting lost inside the iPad – you cannot simply open it after all. But if you feel confident, good for you!

Another area where the iPad can create some problems is that it doesnt have any type of dial pad, so you are going to need some way to load up data bundles. I know you can get a 3G data contract, but then you are just being a a sucker. Buying data bundles prepaid work out much cheaper, and you have the added benefit of spreading your data costs over 60 days if you plan well enough. So here is the strategy I am using.

1. Buy any Vodacom prepaid SIM card. They go for next to nothing at most supermarkets. Mine cost a princely sum of R1.
2. Take the SIM card, with your ID and a proof of residence to any Vodacom shop. You have to go through RICA in order to activate the SIM.
3. Order a MicroSIM – this will take a few days to arrive. I reckon they will become much faster in future, especially after September when the iPhone 4 is here. Alternatively if you are brave, you can cut the SIM card to fit the iPad.If they have theMicroSIM in stock, hold on, dont activate it yet.
4. Go to Vodacom’s website, and register for their online services. Just click “Register” at the top of the page. Got through the process, they should send you a SMS to confirm, so….
5. Put your normal SIM card in any cellphone, type the PIN, and wait for the SMS to come through. Using that password, log into the Vodacom site.
6. Go to Vodacom, and do the SIM switch to Micro SIM. Put the MicroSIM in the iPad. It might take a few hours to activate.
7. Load credit onto the number. Trick is to get credit where you dont have to phone out or type in any codes. Remember, you cant phone or SMS or type cellular numbers into the iPad. I use ABSA – you can go on Internet Banking and transfer prepaid credit to any number. You can also do it from their ATMs. Many other banks do this as well, as long as they dont give a voucher with PIN code. You want the credit to be automatically loaded.
8. Go to Vodacom’s site again, login, and click on bundles. From there, you have a selection of data bundles to choose from. Just a tip – these bundles last for 60 days. The bundles are also cheaper per meg if you buy larger bundles at once. Example – it makes more sense to buy a 600meg bundle every 60 days than a 300 meg bundle every month. My tip is to buy on the first of a month, and then recharge the bundle every 60 days.
9. On the iPad, go to Settings, General, Network, Cellular Data Network, and then change the APN to: “internet” – without the quotation marks.

And after this exhaustive process you ought to be online. If you want to load more data, just go through steps 7 and 8. Of course you can skip this whole process and get a contract, but thats something I think you are smart enough to avoid. I dont buy data contracts in SA, our prices are still going to fall in the future, and you dont want to be stuck in a 24 month contract. But that just my opinion. You might have a good reason to choose otherwise.

Lets hope Vodacom can also integrate the payment method that other networks are doing overseas once the iPad comes to our shores officially…

Vodacom just announced that their data prices will effectively drop from the 1st of May. While you wont necessarily spend less on your mobile data, you will get more data for your money. First off, here is the “advanced” bundles, which are ideal for people who do not want to spend a lot when they exceed their data bundle.

Out of bundle megabytes are calculated at the same price as in bundle prices. If you are however a less demanding user, the standard broadband prices are as follows:

Well, any better value for our money is welcome. However, this does not necessarily mean we will spend less on our data costs – the free megs are just little enough that I am pretty sure most people will just stick to the plan they are already on. Now Vodacom – does this mean Vodacom iPhone contracts now get 300 megs included? That is still not enough.

Vodacom’s The Grid yesterday launched Legends of Echo, South Africa’s first multi-player, location-based social game for mobile phones.

The Echo is a parallel virtual universe based on the South African map, but instead of cities and skyscrapers, players will find that there are rolling green hills, rocky outcrops and valleys to explore.

Legends of Echo makes use of Vodacom’s Location-Based Services (LBS) to determine a player’s physical location; from their location, players can then explore their surroundings or move – virtually, of course – to anywhere else in South Africa to interact with other players in real time.

Real-world place names are used to navigate; so, for instance, a player could teleport from Bellville in Cape Town to Randburg in Johannesburg to battle another player.

In the game, five bloodlines (Air, Earth, Water, Fire and Industry), incorporating twenty characters, battle each other for domination. Each bloodline has specific abilities and traits with regard to weapon use and creation.

Apart from engaging in one-on-one battle, players can trade with each other or communicate via an in-game instant messaging system.

The object of the game is to become a legend of the Echo. To achieve this, players need to gain enough Legend Points to appear on the high score sheet, by battling other players, and obtaining advanced weapons and other items by exploration or trade with other players.

Vincent Maher, Portfolio Manager Social Media, Vodacom South Africa, says, “Legends of Echo combines the best in real-time Location-Based Services and mobile multiplayer gaming, in that it allows players across South Africa to interact in a virtual world that is linked to their real-life location – all via their cellphones. As such, it’s an exciting and entertaining extension of The Grid as the leading location-based social network in South Africa.”

The game is available for free as a Java download to cellphones. To play Legends of Echo, SMS ‘ECHO’ to 33313 (50c/SMS) or visit http://www.legendsofecho.mobi.

The Grid, Vodacom’s location-based mobile social network, has partnered with e.tv to create a daily Mood Map of the country based on Grid user data.

The Grid allows users to set their mood to happy or sad; this data is then combined with each user’s geographical location, and a map is produced, much like a weather map – except that the Mood Map shows “happy” and “sad” percentages in each province, rather than cold fronts and approaching thunderstorms.

e.tv will feature the Mood Map every morning after the weather report on Sunrise (weekdays from 6AM to 8AM). The partnership is reportedly the first to see a news channel using data from a social networking platform for statistical purposes. It’s not the only recent partnership for The Grid, though – last December we reported on how the mobile social network had partnered with the HIV-911 programme to map out around 11,000 HIV-related support services across South Africa.

Vincent Maher, Portfolio Manager Social Media, Vodacom South Africa, says, “The partnership with e.tv is a great interactive way for users of a social network like the Grid to see how their actions influence the general mood of the country. We are using the data from a social network in an innovative way by showing users how their mood updates contribute to the overall mood of the country or province.”

To access the Grid, SMS ‘MOOD’ to 33313 (50c/SMS) or visit onthegrid.mobi.

Bandwidth blog’s series of office photos posts takes you inside the hottest internet startups locally and abroad. This week we visit Zoopy.com, an online and mobile social media community. Zoopy made headlines last year when they were acquired by cellular giant Vodacom. Since the acquisition Zoopy has gone from strength to strength – launching a redesign, announcing various media partnerships and producing high quality webisodes shows (some in HD) labeled as Zoopy TV.

Their offices are decorated in true startup style, funky walls, iMacs everywhere and chill areas for employees to relax in – we take you inside:

Props goes out to Zoopy’s CEO, Jason Elk, for sending us the photos.

Just announced a few days ago at the WWDC 2009 keynote, Vodacom have announced that the new Apple iPhone 3G S is going to be available in South Africa starting from July (following a US launch on June 19th).

Hailed as the “the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet”, the new iPhone 3G S (“S” for speed) just got copy & paste functionality, three megapixel autofoucs camera with video recording functionality, hands free voice control and a new tethering feature that allows you to use the iPhone’s internet connection on your computer (not yet confirmed to be available on Vodacom).

But all these are available thanks to the new iPhone OS 3.0 operating system, which is actually the most significant update the iPhone 3G S just got. It allows for MMSs, instant navigation thanks to the new built-in digital compass, and the ability for iPhone applications to directly address external hardware.

It looks like we’ll have to wait for it till July … right guys?

Vodacom has exclusively launched the new HTC Magic in South Africa. The handset runs on Google’s Android OS and allows users to customize every facet of the phone as per their wishes. It is an open source format where a user can create personal applications, themes and even games.

And since HTC Magic is such an amazing phone that allows a crafty developer to access its core functionalities, Vodacom decided to also create South Africa’s first open market where people not only create what they want but, even sell their creativity to other Android based users across the country. The open market is supposed to feature exciting content, containing wallpapers, ringtones, videos and applications.

With a one touch access to services like Google Maps, Google Talk, Gmail and YouTube, and allowing speedy navigation on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and even Flickr, the new HTC Magic has been crafted for a uniquely powerful search experience.

Tailor-made by you and for you, HTC Magic features a 3.2-inch display with 320 x 480 resolutions and a full touch screen interface with an onscreen keyboard. Just a fraction smaller than the iPhone, could it be the long “rumored” iPhone killer we’ve heard of so many times?

Time will tell …