During a meeting with Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi, Apple COO Tim Cook referred to the iPhone as “the mother of all halos” because of its ability to expand sales of other core products like the iPad and the Mac. Cook went on to strongly suggest that Apple would be releasing a cheaper iPhone in the not-so-distant future:

The analyst says Cook "appeared to reaffirm the notion that Apple is likely to develop lower priced offerings" to expand the market for the iPhone. Cook said the company is planning "clever things" to address the prepaid market, and that Apple did not want its products to be "just for the rich," and that the company is "not ceding any market."

Could Cook be referring to the rumored release of a cheaper, smaller iPhone Nano? Maybe, maybe not. Last time Cook said Apple had ideas about netbooks we got iPad and the 11-inch MacBook Air.

In addition, Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer suggested that rumors of a soft-SIM or “Universal SIM” iPhone may be in the works to help Apple prevent carriers from dictating terms, which would ultimately be beneficial for the consumer.

One last significant tidbit was that Tim Cook indicated the tablet market will eventually out-grow the entire consumer PC market, with all major PC manufactures jumping into the game. However Apple believes that, despite growing competition, they will remain a leader in the space because of their innovations and year-long head start.

What do you think, is Apple interested in expanding their iOS product line, or could they have other ideas to own the smartphone and tablet markets?

[Forbes]

Apple COO Tim Cook talks cheaper iPhones, huge tablet market growth is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

T-Mobile is burning a lot of ad dollars lately telling us our AT&T and Verizon iPhones — running on HPSA 7.2 and EVDO Rev A respectively — are slower than the Android phones they have running on their HSPA+ network.

Take a look at what you get from Android™ phones vs iPhone®. The full web experience, with fast uploads, downloads, and streaming entertainment, all on the fastest 4G smartphones running on America's Largest 4G Network™ with the most affordable 4G data.*

Okay. T-Mobile didn’t get an iPhone yet but they have seen the “I’m a Mac” commercials. Got it. Any other take away?

[T-Mobile via Engadget]

T-Mobile says AT&T, Verizon iPhones be slow is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Still no word on the white iPhone 4 other than “spring” so how about we start wondering about a white iPad 2? That’s what the above part just might represent. Or it could just be a test part, a part for after-market conversion shops, or for a knock-off tablet. Who knows any more?

Bezel size aside, given the delays in white iPhone 4 production would Apple really tempt that fate again and if true, could a white iPad 2 actually be released before the white iPhone 4? We’ll find out on Wednesday at the iPad 2 event but until then let us know — would you want one?

[9to5Mac]

Still no white iPhone 4, so how about a white iPad 2 rumor? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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UK news paper, The Sunday Times is reporting that Jonathan Ive, the Senior Vice President of Industrial Design at Apple, wants to return to the UK to live! Ive is the principal designer of the iMac, MacBook, unibody MacBook Pro, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

Ive supposedly wishes to commute to Cupertino from his home, which is based in Somerset, England, and the Apple board is not exactly thrilled by the idea. A friend of Ive's family has allegedly confirmed the dispute and told The Sunday Times:

"Unfortunately he is just too valuable to Apple and they told him in no uncertain terms that if he headed back to England he would not be able to sustain his position with them."

Ive's has reportedly just received a $30 million payment from Apple on completion of his latest deal, which is now up for re-negotiation. The problem appears to be that his wife Heather would like their two children educated in their own country.

[Cult of Mac]

Jonathan Ive considering a move back to UK? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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Every day, TiPb gets flooded with announcements for new and updated iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad apps and games. So every day we pick just a few of the most interesting, the most notable, and simply the most awesome to share with you!

• Jenga: Now with Gyroscope support! [$0.99 - iTunes link]

• LastStandStan: Take control of Stan (STatic Alien Neutraliser) to defend the last Po'Trubian world from the evil Sleevils! [$0.99 - iTunes link]

• SolidState: Control the music on one iOS device with another iOS device or from your Mac. [$0.99 - iTunes link]

• League of Evil: This fantastic little platformer received a huge update that includes story chapters and “impossible missions”. [$1.99 - iTunes link]

Any other big apps or game releases or updates today? If you pick any of these up, let us know what you think!

New and updated iPhone and iPad apps for Monday, February 28 is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Android 2.3.3 OTA now rolling out to Nexus S and Nexus One (finally!) The HTC Merge lives! Officially coming to ‘multiple’ carriers this spring HTC Inspire 4G review	CrackBerry.com Turns Four Years Old Today and We Are Going to Celebrate for a Week! Lots of Great Contests Coming Up!! Facebook for BlackBerry v2.0 images leak out Weekly Accessory Roundup – Win the case of your choice from ShopCrackBerry.com!
Join the Search for 7 competition to find a Nokia E7	How to get webOS 2.1 on older devices webOS 2.1 on Pre Plus: video webOS 3.0
Apple holding iPad 2 event this Wednesday, March 2 (and so is BBC?) Apple releases new MacBook Pro, FaceTime HD, Thunderbolt I/O, and Mac OS X Lion developer beta with AirDrop, WebKit2 iPhone 5 part leaked, looks like it may have a larger 4-inch screen?	Updates from Microsoft on the WP7 Update HTC Arrive … arrives for $199 on Sprint — with copy/paste! WPCentral Podcast 113 – Updates and Nokia

Best of Smartphone Experts, 27 Feb 2011 is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

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