An electrical contractor in Austin, Texas has reported that he’s installed a Sprint cellular signal repeater inside an Apple Store capable of increasing CDMA and WiMAX coverage. There have been rumours that Sprint would get an iPhone 4S variant, but we’re also seeing a lot of suggestions of a whole new iPhone 5 device, making for a twin launch this fall.
Specific features for either of Apple’s upcoming phones are still the subject of speculation, but if a WiMAX-capable repeater is getting put into an Apple store, that’s a pretty hefty hint, and surprising considering Sprint’s future with WiMAX is pretty bleak; maybe the WiMAX compatibility is just part and parcel with the repeater, and has nothing to do with what Apple has to offer. Early looks at some supposed parts prototypes suggest that not much is going to change in the looks department for the 4S, but even if it’s just an iPhone 4 with a slight spec bump and the right CDMA antenna, Sprint customers are bound to be happy to finally get their hands on the iPhone after about four years of AT&T exclusivity, and only one where Verizon has been an available alternative.
Now, will T-Mobile be just as lucky in offering the iPhone, or is the pending AT&T merger going to put any major moves like that on hold?
[Beatweek via AppleInsider]