iPhone

First quarter mobile phone sales may be off almost nine percent from last year, however the smartphone market continues to heat up. Gartner reports that Apple has doubled its market share from last year, with sales of 3.9 million iPhones in Q1 2009, representing 10.8 percent of global smartphone sales.

Nokia still leads the pack with 41.2 percent, although this is a decrease from last year's 45.1 percent market share. Research In Motion sales also jumped from 13.3 percent market share in Q1 2008 to 19.9 percent during the same period this year, partly due to the popularity of the BlackBerry Storm.

Reports indicate Verizon Wireless and Apple may actually be discussing two new iPhone-like devices for launch as early as this summer on the Verizon network. One piece of hardware would be a simplified iPhone, with fewer features and a lower price, using CDMA network access.

The second, and arguably more interesting device is somewhere between an iPod Touch and a netbook. Dubbed the "media pad" by a source talking to BusinessWeek, this entirely new Apple hardware would also have access to the Verizon Wireless network, and have the capability to make calls using WiFi.

Look out Verizon fans, the iPhone may be coming sooner than you think. AT&T must be nervous considering reports that the other wireless giant, Verizon Wireless, is currently in high-level talks with Apple about the iPhone. Vodafone, the co-owner of Verizon Wireless, already offers the iPhone in European markets.

It's possible that Apple is considering a CDMA version of the iPhone after all. Observers are predicting that if Verizon and Apple can strike a deal, the iPhone will hit Verizon shelves as early as 2010. AT&T has been trying to extent its exclusive arrangement with Apple beyond its expiration sometime next year into 2011.

In a hint of things to come, more patents submitted by Apple just a few months ago show advances in future security designs for iPhones and notebook computers. The new authentication methods include several biometric technologies that would verify the identity of a user without any additional input from the owner of the device.

Examples would use cameras and software for facial recognition or allow a touch screen to identify a fingerprint. These methods could authenticate a user and protect private information without the current delay required when entering a passcode.

AT&T may begin offering its customers discounts on new phones if they trade in an older model. Rumors of a possible June launch to the program have iPhone enthusiasts buzzing about the implications. The possibility of a next-generation iPhone launch to coincide with a trade-in policy means users returning their old phone could get up to $200 back if the device is in good shape.

Preliminary rules indicate the phone being returned can't be more than two years old. Depending on what shape the phone is in and the model, trade-ins will net the customer $50 to $200 bucks off their purchase of a new phone.