Okay, to avoid getting "lost in translation", here's the 10meters.com definition of what CDMA is (weird convoluted jargon, and explanation of why it is important included):

CDMA - Code Division Multiple Access got its start as a military technology, developed by the Allies in WWII. Much like data sent over the Internet, CDMA conversations are "spread" when sent, then reassembled upon arrival. The technology allows multiple calls to be carried over one channel. CDMA is the fastest-growing transmission technology and is basically the multiplexing platform for 3G. It is considered an efficient and secure technology, and it operates at lower power, which conserves batteries. CDMA carriers: Verizon, Sprint PCS. CDMA champion: Qualcomm. Estimated number of users: 67 million.

AT&T uses GSM; all of AT&T's major rivals, Verizon Wireless and Sprint, are both CDMA companies. This means that if you want to use the iPhone, you better be on AT&T and GSM.

A lot have said that the regardless of the "Appleness" of the new iPhone, the experience with the product will ultimately have to depend on the service it's on. So we ask you iPhone eager folks: Are you OK with being on AT&T exclusively? Let us know in the comments.

On a related note, some witty folks are now speculating that you may see a Verizon CDMA zunephone. (But how plausible is that one?)

When the iPhone hits next month, companies other than Apple might be able to ride on its popularity. According to reports from Reuters, executives at the Reuters Global Technology, Media and Telecoms Summit said that it could also "draw consumer attention to other pricier, high-end handsets."

"One of the great advantages of iPhone for us is that it will heat up the music (phone) market," said Denny Strigl, chief operating officer at Verizon Communications Inc. "We're already seeing an interest in music on cell phones we didn't see just a quarter ago, and the gearing up the industry is doing in preparation for it."

Reuters notes that mobile phones that combine media management and playback features with the usual data and talk functions have been around for years, but their sales account for only a fraction of the market. One of the main reasons is the oftentimes high price tags of these phones.

At an estimated price of US$ 500 to US$ 600, the iPhone certainly fits this description, but consumers who want an all-in-one, multipurpose gadget may overlook that.

"People are not uncomfortable plopping down a couple of hundred bucks for a music player or an iPod (and) $100 for a voice phone or a PDA," said AT&T's group president for operations support, John Stankey. "If you think about what a customer invests to solve a problem...I might suggest that the price isn't as substantial as it might look."

We all know by now that Cingular would be the exclusive iPhone distributor in the U.S.A. What we didn't know is that Verizon could have secured the sweet deal if certain kinks were ironed out. USA Today reported that the number two U.S. cellphone carrier passed up on the chance to be the exclusive iPhone distributor roughly two years ago.

The reason for it? It's not because they think the iPhone is ugly, its just that Apple's financial terms and demands didn't sit well with the Verizon folks.

Apparently, Apple wanted to rake in a percentage of the monthly iPhone fees. They also wanted to have a hand on how and where the priced thingamajig would be sold, also they would want control of the relationship with iPhone customers. Verizon's VP, Jim Gerace had this to say about that:

We said no. We have nothing bad to say about the Apple iPhone. We just couldn't reach a deal that was mutually beneficial.

What would happen is that Apple and Verizon stores would sell the iPhone but other Verizon distributors like Wal-Mart and Best Buy would have been left out to witter in the cold.

So when Verizon said no, Cingular was there to accept the deal with open arms. So far, the only thing that Cingular said about this scenario was that it's a win-win situation for both parties concern. However, Cingular wouldn't say if their distributors (RadioShack and Wal-Mart) would also be able to sell the iPhone come its launch in June and they also wouldn't divulge anything about their customer care plans.

There was this rumor going around that AT&T plans to use the Apple iPhone to get customers from Verizon Wireless by giving away its service for a year and a half to those customers who buy the phone. Now, that's some rumor that could really make the day of anybody who has been fantasizing about the iPhone ever since it was revealed. Just imagine, 18 months of hassle-free iPhone goodness.

Unfortunately, this rumor has already been debunked. In a Gizmodo report, a Cingular representative has told them this:

The report is nonsense. We've always said the only way you can get the iPhone is with a Cingular rate plan.

Yeah, well the rumor is too good to be true if you ask us. Cingular isn't dumb enough to give away the minutes and data of arguably the most anticipated phone, for 18 months. They will already be selling it exclusively (which equates to lotsa money for them), so why let go of more profit?

One rumor smashed. Lot of Apple rumors still waiting to be debunked.

We cover a lot expensive gadgets, so it's nice to find something that's free.

Umundo has introduced a free service that allows video iPod users to view, publish, and share their camera-phone or camera-capable PDA video clips.

How does it work?

1. You use your phone to send in your video via MMS or email to Umundo's site.
2. Then you publish/share your videos: you and your friends log on (using your accounts) to iTunes, Google, MySpace, or My Yahoo! to watch your videos.

And here's the best part: the video from your phone or PDA is converted into H.264. That's the format used by the iPod. So this is basically a free cell-to-iPod converter.

Users in the USA with Cingular, Verizon, and T-Mobile subscriptions can MMS their videos to Umundo. Those who don't subscribe to those services and those who are outside of the USA can send in their videos via email from the phone or PDA. You can also send in .jpeg, .png, .gif, and .3gp files from the computer.