Motorola Previews iTunes Phone

[MacRumors]

eWeek reports (http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1749056,00.asp) that a Motorola executive previewed an upcoming mobile phone that plays iTunes Store music.

Apple and Motorola had previously announced (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/07/20040726213823.shtml) that Motorola would be brining iTunes support to upcoming devices, with recent rumors (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/12/20041209134556.shtml) describing the product.

According to eWeek, the new device syncs to iTunes like the iPod and incorporates a similar interface. The phone is expected in the first half (http://www.extremeipod.com/article2/0,1759,1743494,00.asp) of 2005.

pic courtesy of engadget (http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000503026441/)

[mactarkus]

What a Tuesday we'll have next week!!

[aussiemac86]

What are peoples thoughts on whether this phone will be compatible with the different types of mobile phone networks around the world?

[freddiecable]

that's hopefully my next phone! with this and an iPod flash apple covers the whole range:

phone - 128, 256 MB
flash - 1, 2 gb
mini - 5 gb?
iPod - 20, 40 GB
photo - 40, 60 GB

[dcollierp]

Apple incorporates itself into another part of our lives.

[edesignuk]

So who's gonna pos tthe first photoshop mockup? :D

[snkTab]

it wont be used by tmobille because i have tmobile

[virus1]

ha! I saw this last night on macbytes and was wondering why it wasn't on MR, when i saw it had been posted 5 min ago..

Im not too sure about what i think about 3rd party phones having the itms.. it seems kinda odd

[MattG]

If they make one compatible with Sprint services, I might have to accidently lose my current phone and see if I can get my boss to buy me a new one ;)

[ebally]

Someone must have an idea as to what this phone looks like? Is it a flip phone, what colour is it, etc?

[macridah]

No pics from CES? I needs to see! I'm looking forward to this tuesday more than I did christmas.

[varmit]

I hope it has bluetooth.

[liketom]

Someone must have an idea as to what this phone looks like? Is it a flip phone, what colour is it, etc?


prob be a new range like iMoto , flip digital cam 256mb with SD Slot

[spikeovsky]

The MOSR people are saying that the phone is not as exciting as it sounds. I think the word they've used is "underwhelming". But then, I'm rather "underwhelmed" at MOSR's update schedule. They say the next update is on Friday - my money's on Sunday night. Sad to see - used to by my favourite rumours site.

I hope that the demo given was what made it look underwhelming. If Steve demos the same phone, I bet underwhelming will not be the word on everyone's lips.

Underwhelming is a strange word if you look at it too long. Or repeat it too often.

[MacDawg]

Although I like the idea, I don't think I'll be getting one.
I've had my current phone with Sprint for over 4 years.
I know, I know, most people change phones every 6 mos. or so.

Anyway, I don't need a phone that takes pictures, videos and such and plays iTunes.

But, I like the concept. Anything that promotes the Apple difference, I'm for it.

Woof, Woof - Dawg

[freddiecable]

bluetooth is a must! it would be nice with replacable SD-card or similar "low-priced" card...

[liketom]

maybe this is it ?

Global roaming via support of WCDMA and tri-band GSM/GPRS

• 3G technology for broadband-like speed

• Integrated VGA digital camera with 4x zoom / CIF digital camera for P2P

• 2-Way video conferencing

• Embedded digital imaging enhancing application

• Streaming audio and video capture, download and playback

• Multi-Media Messaging Service (MMS) for sharing video clips and photos

• E-mail (POP3,IMAP4, SMTP) access and IM with presence

• 2MB built-in memory and up to 256MB additional capacity via removable TransFlash external memory.

• Supports MPEG4, WMV, WMA, MP3, AAC, MIDI and XMF multi-media files

• Built-in speakerphone and voice recognition feature

• Synchronization (Over The Air (SyncML) and Desktop)

• Enhanced WAP 2.0 Internet browser

• Java™ MIDP 2.0 for easy download of games, musical ringtones, graphics and more

• 16mm polyphonic speaker (24 voice polyphony, 16 channels)

• Lighting solution (LED lamp) located on outer flip

[ASP272]

What if they put it into the next Razor phone? But it would definitely have to have a memory expansion slot, with at least a card that can get a gig. The phone would be just as good as the iPod Flash then. Sweet! :D

[sluthy]

So instead of an Apple-branded Motorola-made iPhone, maybe the whole collaboration was for a Motorola "iTunes-ready" phone. So no iPhone - oh well, probably for the best. One rumor down, one less disapointment after MWSF :) . Hopefully I can try to dumb down everyone's expectations and spirits so we all can actually have a happy time watching the keynote :D .

[zelmo]

Based on this article (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1749043,00.asp) , the interface is very similar to the iPod's. I'm hoping for a slider.

If it works on Verizon, my LG might get lost and need replacing :rolleyes:

[zigziggityzoo]

Based on this article (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1749043,00.asp) , the interface is very similar to the iPod's. I'm hoping for a slider.

If it works on Verizon, my LG might get lost and need replacing :rolleyes:

Wouldn't it be cool if it was a slider phone and when it slid open it revealed a click wheel? :rolleyes: that would be awesome on a phone...

[virus1]

Wouldn't it be cool if it was a slider phone and when it slid open it revealed a click wheel? :rolleyes: that would be awesome on a phone...
apple has the click wheel patented i think..

but if it was made by motorola, was really well designed, looked like an apple product, and was apple branded, that would be the best move for apple. everyone knows about the itms, but a lot less know about how great apple is. A phone like that could only help them.

[asif786]

What if they put it into the next Razor phone? But it would definitely have to have a memory expansion slot, with at least a card that can get a gig. The phone would be just as good as the iPod Flash then. Sweet! :D

If they did this, I would buy it in a heartbeat! I love the RAZR phone, but i held off buying it because of waiting for the iPhone announcement.

the razr is such an apple-like phone - goes hand in hand with a cool pb :D

/asif

[virividox]

g5 cell phone :) hahah

im still a big lover of cell phones that allow me to call and text :) simplicty

[AirUncleP]

I wonder if the phone will notify you of a call through the headphones.

Does the Treo do that?

[dongmin]

So instead of an Apple-branded Motorola-made iPhone, maybe the whole collaboration was for a Motorola "iTunes-ready" phone. So no iPhone - oh well, probably for the best. One rumor down, one less disapointment after MWSF :) . Hopefully I can try to dumb down everyone's expectations and spirits so we all can actually have a happy time watching the keynote :D .Well there were a couple rumors about the iphone, but the rumors were probably just speculation based on a real announcement by Moto/Apple a while ago that said Apple is porting iTunes to Moto phones. At that time, the announcement was purely for software, not hardware.

[iChan]

prob be a new range like iMoto , flip digital cam 256mb with SD Slot

I was always hoping that Apple would partner with SonyEricsson... then we could have MS DUO Pro... I love the MS format, maybe because I've got loads. but SE make better phone anyway don't you agree?

Hopefully Apple developing a whole Mobile OS and not just iTunes. That would be swell.

[iChan]

maybe this is it ?

Global roaming via support of WCDMA and tri-band GSM/GPRS

• 3G technology for broadband-like speed

• Integrated VGA digital camera with 4x zoom / CIF digital camera for P2P

• 2-Way video conferencing

• Embedded digital imaging enhancing application

• Streaming audio and video capture, download and playback

• Multi-Media Messaging Service (MMS) for sharing video clips and photos

• E-mail (POP3,IMAP4, SMTP) access and IM with presence

• 2MB built-in memory and up to 256MB additional capacity via removable TransFlash external memory.

• Supports MPEG4, WMV, WMA, MP3, AAC, MIDI and XMF multi-media files

• Built-in speakerphone and voice recognition feature

• Synchronization (Over The Air (SyncML) and Desktop)

• Enhanced WAP 2.0 Internet browser

• Java™ MIDP 2.0 for easy download of games, musical ringtones, graphics and more

• 16mm polyphonic speaker (24 voice polyphony, 16 channels)

• Lighting solution (LED lamp) located on outer flip

please no... feature set is good... but if it looks like that... you can count me out.

[puuukeey]

I'm sorry, I'm not getting excited about mobile product until I have full unification.

CellPhone
PDA
MP3Player
GameBoy
Camera
landline mobile phone


I should only have to lug around my keys, wallet and 1 electronic device

-matt

[varmit]

maybe this is it ?

Global roaming via support of WCDMA and tri-band GSM/GPRS

• 3G technology for broadband-like speed

• Integrated VGA digital camera with 4x zoom / CIF digital camera for P2P

• 2-Way video conferencing

• Embedded digital imaging enhancing application

• Streaming audio and video capture, download and playback

• Multi-Media Messaging Service (MMS) for sharing video clips and photos

• E-mail (POP3,IMAP4, SMTP) access and IM with presence

• 2MB built-in memory and up to 256MB additional capacity via removable TransFlash external memory.

• Supports MPEG4, WMV, WMA, MP3, AAC, MIDI and XMF multi-media files

• Built-in speakerphone and voice recognition feature

• Synchronization (Over The Air (SyncML) and Desktop)

• Enhanced WAP 2.0 Internet browser

• Java™ MIDP 2.0 for easy download of games, musical ringtones, graphics and more

• 16mm polyphonic speaker (24 voice polyphony, 16 channels)

• Lighting solution (LED lamp) located on outer flip

Are those the specs. Where did you get them.


Send a message via AIM to puuukeey

I'm sorry, I'm not getting excited about mobile product until I have full unification.

CellPhone
PDA
MP3Player
GameBoy

I should only have to lug around my keys, wallet and 1 electronic device

-matt


Now you have that. Its a cell phone, you can store information and recieve emails so its like a PDA, the gameboy is Java games, and now you have the MP3 player. This is at least scratching the surface of what you want. Might not be the greatest, but its a Moto phone, not an Apple one. It just can be tied into iTunes, thats all.

[BWhaler]

How in God's name are there no pictures of it? Not one single person out there got a shot of the camera?

Unbelievable.

Anyway, personally I have interest in this. Flip phone? A couple of hundred songs on my phone when I own an iPod? Motorola?

No thanks.

[iChan]

I'm sorry, I'm not getting excited about mobile product until I have full unification.

CellPhone
PDA
MP3Player
GameBoy

I should only have to lug around my keys, wallet and 1 electronic device

-matt

a lot of phone out there and already doing what you say. esp the symbian and the Windows varieties.

BUt a GameBoy? do you simply mean a gaming device? i could personally do without games permanently on a phone. Gaming on a phone is ridiculous! give me a PSP any day!

[aricher]

My guess is that, like the Razr photne it will be offered as an exclusive for the first few months by one carrier. Therazr at first was a Cingular only product. I guess we'll see soon enough.

[Patron]

As I said (somewhere else) the phone on the picture is just for demonstrating purposes. This is to prevent competition from stealing the idea (according to motorola). The motorola CEO said that the company is going to focus on ease of use and design. In this way Apple is the best partner they could get since this is where Apple is best at. I guess the actual phone might be designed by Apple and revealed by Steve at the keynote. Check out the ipod-like interface...

[moosecat]

As I said (somewhere else) the phone on the picture is just for demonstrating purposes. This is to prevent competition from stealing the idea (according to motorola). ...

Uh. They are worried about revealing the shape of the phone a week early because, in that week, a competitor might (i) see the design, (ii) produce schematics for building a copycat phone, (iii) build a prototype, (iv) ramp up manufacturing, and (v) bring it to market?

Paranoia at its finest, if true.

[Patron]

Uh. They are worried about revealing the shape of the phone a week early because, in that week, a competitor might (i) see the design, (ii) produce schematics for building a copycat phone, (iii) build a prototype, (iv) ramp up manufacturing, and (v) bring it to market?

Paranoia at its finest, if true.
Yeah, ridiculus. But thats what he said! On the other hand there is nothing mentioned about the phone being showed at the keynote.

[puuukeey]

a lot of phone out there and already doing what you say. esp the symbian and the Windows varieties.

BUt a GameBoy? do you simply mean a gaming device? i could personally do without games permanently on a phone. Gaming on a phone is ridiculous! give me a PSP any day!

as for game boy just was making a list of mobile electronics. a big one for me is unification of cell and landline mobile phones.

but ok I checked out the symbian and now I'm excited. WOOHOO!

[AidenShaw]

I heard that the whole phone project got canceled - the Steve is pi##ed at Motorola for stealing his keynote thunder.

Anyone else heard that?

</sarcasm>

[achmafooma]

Uh. They are worried about revealing the shape of the phone a week early because, in that week, a competitor might (i) see the design, (ii) produce schematics for building a copycat phone, (iii) build a prototype, (iv) ramp up manufacturing, and (v) bring it to market?

Paranoia at its finest, if true.
Not paranoia ... just PR speak for "Steve Jobs will murder me if I show people what the Apple/Motorola iPhone looks like before the MacWorld keynote, and you should all count yourselves lucky that he's letting me show you even a small piece of the software today!"

;-).

I don't know, I always thought the iPhone stuff sounded a little funny ... especially with Motorola as the partner! Motorola makes great phones (as far as hardware), but their OS/software rivals Microsoft and Quark on buggy funkiness. I have to reboot my c343 daily to keep it running smoothly, and I had to do the same with the v120 that came before it.

If Apple is going to make a phone, I hope they do the design and software themselves. Outsource the actual manufacturing piece (and the chipsets and whatever) to Motorola.

The first thing that I thought when the iPhone rumors started surfacing though was, "looks like somebody misread the 'iTunes on Moto Phones' announcement." I'm not sure that there will be an Apple-branded wireless phone for a while (if ever), though I would love to have one if it had reliable software and some PDA functions (basically what the iPod has, but with data entry).

[bigandy]

my view?

apple, dump the heap of cr*p that is motorola, get with sonyericsson and make a nice new, clean lined version of the P910 and i'll be happy.

my p910 is the only phone that'll do everything i want and from what i see on release schedules that's not going to change for at least a year. before the p910, i had a p900. it did almost everything. i'm now happy, and i wont change unless apple and apple alone bring out a P910 beater.

and that's about as likely as me selling my Macs and going back to pcs!

[macridah]

Uh. They are worried about revealing the shape of the phone a week early because, in that week, a competitor might (i) see the design, (ii) produce schematics for building a copycat phone, (iii) build a prototype, (iv) ramp up manufacturing, and (v) bring it to market?

Paranoia at its finest, if true.

Maybe Steve wanted to have the new phone first be seen at macworld, not CES.

All eyes at macworld not at CES. Apple didn't even show up at CES, but a lot of vendors showed off new iPos accessories :D .

[hippycowboy]

maybe this is it ?

Global roaming via support of WCDMA and tri-band GSM/GPRS

• 3G technology for broadband-like speed

• Integrated VGA digital camera with 4x zoom / CIF digital camera for P2P

• 2-Way video conferencing

• Embedded digital imaging enhancing application

• Streaming audio and video capture, download and playback

• Multi-Media Messaging Service (MMS) for sharing video clips and photos

• E-mail (POP3,IMAP4, SMTP) access and IM with presence

• 2MB built-in memory and up to 256MB additional capacity via removable TransFlash external memory.

• Supports MPEG4, WMV, WMA, MP3, AAC, MIDI and XMF multi-media files

• Built-in speakerphone and voice recognition feature

• Synchronization (Over The Air (SyncML) and Desktop)

• Enhanced WAP 2.0 Internet browser

• Java™ MIDP 2.0 for easy download of games, musical ringtones, graphics and more

• 16mm polyphonic speaker (24 voice polyphony, 16 channels)

• Lighting solution (LED lamp) located on outer flip

This phone is the v980, a 3G (WCDMA) unit currently a Vodaphone exclusive from Motorola. This is not the 'iPhone', if there is one; and It will not be called that (and thank God!) As one poster mentioned before, the agreement Moto and Apple announced in July was for "software", not hardware, so it stands to reason the actual hardware would be Motorola designed. People should bring down their expectations a bit. And remember they also said it would be a mid-range device. So no Razr-like device this time kids! I have the Razr and would really be pissed if they came out with something as pedestrian as this so soon after I purchased it. I've had it exactly two and a half weeks.

[zelmo]

Why do people think Apple will be unveiling a Moto product at MWSF? At most, I think Steve will make mention of the joint effort by Apple and Moto to create an iTMS ready phone. I haven't read anything suggesting that it's glorious unveiling is imminent. If it were, Moto would have done so at CES. They announced what was ready to be announced.
Besides, doesn't Steve already have enough to talk about at the Keynote?

[Stella]

Battery life in phones generally suck. Playing music on any cell phone is going to just suck away the remaining battery life pretty quickly.

If Apple were intelligent they wouldn't restrict iTunes functionality to Motorola, instead it would be an application that would be ported to the most popular type of phones - i.e., Nokia, Siemens, SE etc.

Apple's eggs in one basket and that one sucks - Motorolla.

[Deefuzz]

I personally have no need to play MP3s through a phone, especially when I have a 40 GB iPod attached to my waist. Sure it would be cool to be able to access the iTMS at anytime to grab a song, but I cannot recall ever being in a "song emergency" where I NEEDED access to a certain song.

I was hoping more for an Apple designed phone. I will be in the market for a new phone soon, and it would be great to have an attractive one designed by Apple...with Bluetooth!

But I guess time may tell...just my $0.02

[Object-X]

How much you want to bet this is the flash based iPod that is being rumored?

[frozenstar]

How much you want to bet this is the flash based iPod that is being rumored?

The flash-based iPod is already being manufactured in Asia by Apple's second iPod OEM, and will likely be available immediately after MWSF.
This phone is being manufactured by Motorola, and isn't expected to be available for another few months.

I wouldn't make that bet if I were you.

[Object-X]

Why do people think Apple will be unveiling a Moto product at MWSF? At most, I think Steve will make mention of the joint effort by Apple and Moto to create an iTMS ready phone. I haven't read anything suggesting that it's glorious unveiling is imminent. If it were, Moto would have done so at CES. They announced what was ready to be announced.
Besides, doesn't Steve already have enough to talk about at the Keynote?

I bet executives got a phone call from SJ telling them in no uncertain terms...you better not show them the phone Thursday!!! He is going to want to show off the new iTunes player himself Tuesday. He will probably get a phone call from Phil while at the end of his keynote...oh ya, one more thing!

[Porchland]

If they did this, I would buy it in a heartbeat! I love the RAZR phone, but i held off buying it because of waiting for the iPhone announcement.

the razr is such an apple-like phone - goes hand in hand with a cool pb :D

/asif

I expected when I saw the Razor that it WAS the iPhone. I just didn't see Motorola coming out with a concept phone, spending a lot of marketing money on it, and then coming out two months later with something completely different that's compatible with iTunes.

That said, I would be surprised to see Apple allow Motorola expand this to all its new phones over the next year unless the iPod is literally going to morph into a phone; unless Apple makes the same margin making a Motorola phone iTunes capable, it just canibalizes the iPod market. It does make a lot of sense, though, to just have once device. Maybe Apple's thinking that "further down the road" isn't so far.

[zelmo]

How much you want to bet this is the flash based iPod that is being rumored?

I sure hope not. An iPhone would certainly cost as much as, if not more than, a mini. To me, the best reason to make a flash based 1-2GB iPod is to offer a low cost entry into the whole iPod/iTMS/Apple DRM universe to people who have not joined thus far because the cost was too high. If Apple offers a good flash player for $149, they will take another huge bite out of the mp3 market now, while it is still quite young. Parents who wouldn't spend $250 or more on a portable music player for themselves or their kids will buy at $149, expanding the market. Lure these people into the iPod dream now, and you'll most likely have them for life.

[frozenstar]

Don't forget people, this is supposed to be a mid-range phone with a mid-range price. Don't expect this thing to be the panacea of mobile communication.

I wonder whether it'll be CDMA or GSM. If they want to sell them individually via the Apple Store, it would make most sense to use GSM, because the consumer will be able to just pop in the SIM card from his previous phone. If it does end up being GSM-only, I wonder how many Mac fanatics will cancel their contracts with Verizon and Sprint.

[zelmo]

Don't forget people, this is supposed to be a mid-range phone with a mid-range price. Don't expect this thing to be the panacea of mobile communication.

I wonder whether it'll be CDMA or GSM. If they want to sell them individually via the Apple Store, it would make most sense to use GSM, because the consumer will be able to just pop in the SIM card from his previous phone. If it does end up being GSM-only, I wonder how many Mac fanatics will cancel their contracts with Verizon and Sprint.

Yes, I recall a quote from someone at Apple stating that the phone would not be a $500 high-end phone, but a mid-priced one. That still leaves it in the $250-300 range, IYAM. And that is still too rich for many. That's why I believe the iPod micro/flash and the iPhone are two distinct products, not one.

[k2k koos]

I've still not understood the hype with all this mobile phone stuff. I own a tri band Phone , so I can use it world wide to make phone calls, perhaps send the odd text message (although I rather use a laptop and send an e-mail, types soo much easier...), but that it is. It has a color screen (useful as it is pleasant on the eye) , a build in camera (why bother? the resolution is crap), build in web access (why? it is too darn slow to be realy useful) , it has a gazillion different ringtones, and can upload more (why? this is just for play and show off reasons I think..) screensavers (why???, instead fold up the phone and the display goes off...the best screensaver I can think off.., so again only eye candy)
Now we getiTunes on the mobile phone.... sorry but this just doesn't seem to compute in my brain...I think it is a noce gadget, but that is all it will be, if I want music on the move, I'll get an iPod (although also here, I do not move enough and can usually just plug in my Powerebook and play music from there...)
All I want is a comfortable phone, that I can use everywhere, and does not cost me extra just because of the gadgets! Try and find a triband like that, they do not exsist! (and less gadgets means cheaper phone rates, as these free super phones with subscriptions everywhere do need to get paid for somehow...)

So my opinion, very nice, if you're in to gadgets, if you a bit more serious and think twice, then why bother.....
(the same reason I went for a Mac, everybody arround me jumped onto Windows machines,because everyone else did, I thought twice, and decided the Mac was a much better machine (we are talking 1990 now) and still think it is superior.)

Feel free to disagree, I am just getting too old perhaps .....sigh...

[Damek]

im still a big lover of cell phones that allow me to call and text :) simplicty

Heck, just give me the ability to call! And done well! That's all I need - it is a telephone, after all. The only real advancement I've seen in recent years, and the reason I just got a new phone this summer, is bluetooth for easy syncing of contacts. The worst thing about a cell phone is having to maintain a separate contact list through the horrible keypad interface. Bluetooth syncing is a godsend!

I went overboard and got a SE K700, which has a camera I never use and all these 'net/messaging capabilities I don't need. But it looks neat and my contacts are always up to date. The camera is occasionally amusing, but they could drop that and most of the other software features, and just keep the bluetooth/call quality and I'd be happy. Would have cost less, too, I imagine. I have to say, though, it is neat to use as a remote control for DVD Player and iTunes.

As for this new iTunes-capable phone, I guess it's good for Apple and for people who want all-in-one stuff, but for me, I'd prefer to keep my iPod and my phone separate. One serves one purpose, the other serves another. It could be neat, if it has enough storage you can use whatever headphones you want with it, and it beeps or something when you have an incoming call. Sometimes I don't hear my phone because I'm always listening to music, so that could be a plus.

Considering that possibility, maybe my ideal would be an iPod mini with simple phone call capability. The contacts would be updated whenever the iPod was connected, so bluetooth wouldn't be necessary. That would kick ass. I don't need all the other stuff they cram into phones these days.

[MaCaDDiCT21]

Is apple also gonna launch a phone service o go with the phone? I don't see Apple teaming up with Sprint or any other popular carriers any time soon.

[xsnightclub]

From motorolas website, This phone is part of their seamless mobility campaign.
And it already uses Real Player.
The iPhone may be similar to this.

[malibux]

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000503026441/

i love it :)

[xsnightclub]

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000503026441/

i love it :)

Read page 2.

IMO, if Steve unveils that ugly POS, he will be laughed out of the convention center, and Bill Gates will have the best day of his life, making up for the Blue Screen of Death appearances at Las Vegas CES this week.

[dongmin]

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000503026441/

i love it :)uhh, did you not read through the thread. the phone that's picture is ONLY for demonstration purposes and is not the actual product that will carry itunes.

and PLEASE people, this is not a confirmation of this mythical 'iphone.' the only thing this confirms is that Moto will have iTunes (the app) on some of their phones. and the 'ipod interface' the story is quoting may simply be the software. i doubt the phone will have anything like a touch-sensitive wheel.

[xsnightclub]

and PLEASE people, this is not a confirmation of this mythical 'iphone.' the only thing this confirms is that Moto will have iTunes (the app) on some of their phones. and the 'ipod interface' the story is quoting may simply be the software. i doubt the phone will have anything like a touch-sensitive wheel.

I agree, which is why it would make sense for Motorala to just update the E680 with RealPlayer, to use iTunes and make it compatible with iTms and give it some sort of click wheel. Maybe even be able to puschase music from iTms from your phone and later update to iTunes on computer/
Note: the motorola E680 also incorporates a picture viewer (iPod photo)

[TheInevitable]

I'd love it if they'd release a free mobile iTunes that I could install on my N-Gage (or any Symbian Series 60 phone). The price of high capacity MMC and SD Cards are really reasonable. I just wish there was a decent MP3 player for my phone.

[DPazdanISU]

looks like apple is taking back what it once owned....global technological dominance! :D Pretty soon we'll have ipod blenders! :eek:

[Object-X]

uhh, did you not read through the thread. the phone that's picture is ONLY for demonstration purposes and is not the actual product that will carry itunes.

and PLEASE people, this is not a confirmation of this mythical 'iphone.' the only thing this confirms is that Moto will have iTunes (the app) on some of their phones. and the 'ipod interface' the story is quoting may simply be the software. i doubt the phone will have anything like a touch-sensitive wheel.

But could this be the start of an OS X Mobile edition? If it does iTunes, why not iMovie? They did say last keynote that H.264 codec will scale down to the size of a phone. Why not be able to read your iWork documents and email from Apple Mail client? Maybe Apple is going to try an get into the mobile OS space.

[denm316]

Don't forget people, this is supposed to be a mid-range phone with a mid-range price. Don't expect this thing to be the panacea of mobile communication.

I wonder whether it'll be CDMA or GSM. If they want to sell them individually via the Apple Store, it would make most sense to use GSM, because the consumer will be able to just pop in the SIM card from his previous phone. If it does end up being GSM-only, I wonder how many Mac fanatics will cancel their contracts with Verizon and Sprint.

I have Verizon and as much as I am a "Mac fanatic", I wont switch to an inferior service just for a Phone with iTunes, number one thing...Ability to make phone calls, not used the iTMS.

But dont get me wrong if it is CDMA with Verizon, I will buy one right away...lol.

[frozenstar]

From motorolas website, This phone is part of their seamless mobility campaign.
And it already uses Real Player.
The iPhone may be similar to this.

I highly doubt it. The E680 is a high-end Linux smartphone. The Apple/Motorola phone is targeted at a completely different market. Chances are that it will be nothing like the E680.

[denm316]

From motorolas website, This phone is part of their seamless mobility campaign.
And it already uses Real Player.
The iPhone may be similar to this.

Cool lookin' phone, but I hope to god it is not called the iPhone.

[Apple //e]

i think it would be cool if it had a mechanical scroll wheel that you used to dial like the old phones

[SiliconAddict]

*shrugs* Weeee a phone that can play music. Talk about a gimmick. Anyone want to hazard a guess on battery life? So you are bopping to your tunes for an hour and get a call. Suddenly your phone dies because your music ate the majority of your battery before you took the call. Joy.

How about going were we need the most innovation? How about Apple takes the smartphone / PDAPhone to the next level? Palm’s OS on the Treo sucks. For the love of god its almost a 10 year old OS that can't even multitask or even has protected memory!??! Too cludgy. Windows Mobile or even their Smartphone software blows. It wasn’t designed for the phone. Its been shoehorned into it and it does a particularly crappy job. Apple needs to fill this gap with an Apple branded iPhone or iTalk or whatever. The industry has a million solutions all over the board. Some have some good ideas behind them. Some of them just plain suck. It’s a mess. Sort of sounds like the portable MP3 player before Apple jumped into the fray doesn’t it? Come on Apple. You have your iPod. Release the hounds and get another consumer oriented device on the market!


I know at least 3 people who would soil themselves almost literally if Apple release a PDAPhone.

[frozenstar]

i think it would be cool if it had a mechanical scroll wheel that you used to dial like the old phones

Sure, that would be cool...


...if you wanted to put it on display in a museum.

[afields]

Sounds like it could be a great phone. Unfortunately I just bought the Sony Ericsson k700. :(

It's a great phone too though. :cool:

[xsnightclub]

I highly doubt it. The E680 is a high-end Linux smartphone. The Apple/Motorola phone is targeted at a completely different market. Chances are that it will be nothing like the E680.

Do you think that in some insane attempt to make a profit that they might make more than one model? Maybe target more than just the hack who wants his 'free phone with 2 year contract' (which is so not the typical apple premium product), this phone has to WOW people.

Sorry about the meet the parents rip-off

However, it is reassuring to know that you have personally sat in on the marketing meetings for this new product and are able to give first hand knowledge of the target demographic.

[dejo]

Do you think that in some insane attempt to make a profit that they might make more than one model? Maybe target more than just the hack who wants his 'free phone with 2 year contract' (which is so not the typical apple premium product), this phone has to WOW people.

Sorry about the meet the parents rip-off

However, it is reassuring to know that you have personally sat in on the marketing meetings for this new product and are able to give first hand knowledge of the target demographic.

As they would say on That 70's Show, "BURN!"

[SiliconAddict]

i think it would be cool if it had a mechanical scroll wheel that you used to dial like the old phones

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/images/smiles/huh.gif Umm. No. There's a reason why the rotary went by, by. I have an ancient one sitting in my laundry room at home. Still works. Trust me. You DO NOT want one on a cell....EVER.

The rotary was a product of necessity not of form.

[frequeniquity]

I know at least 3 people who would soil themselves almost literally if Apple release a PDAPhone.

that's just weird and sad and kinda gross :D

[frozenstar]

Do you think that in some insane attempt to make a profit that they might make more than one model? Maybe target more than just the hack who wants his 'free phone with 2 year contract' (which is so not the typical apple premium product), this phone has to WOW people.

Sorry about the meet the parents rip-off

However, it is reassuring to know that you have personally sat in on the marketing meetings for this new product and are able to give first hand knowledge of the target demographic.

No, I don't think that "in some insane attempt to make a profit" they will make more than one model. This phone is an experiment. If it's successful, they will expand the line-up later on. I don't need to be on a marketing team to tell you that. Common sense is sufficient.

As for the target demographic, I believe Apple and Motorola execs have already stated that it's going to be a mid-range phone. There is no reason to believe they were uninformed or being intentionally deceptive when they said that.

[dongmin]

However, it is reassuring to know that you have personally sat in on the marketing meetings for this new product and are able to give first hand knowledge of the target demographic.Before you go off on someone, maybe you should read up a bit on the news (http://www.forbes.com/technology/2004/12/16/cx_ah_1216aapl.html): "What we've talked about is a something that is valuable for the mass market," [Apple VP Eddy] Cue says. "It has to be a phone in the middle-tier of the market, not a $500-tier phone.

[xsnightclub]

i think it would be cool if it had a mechanical scroll wheel that you used to dial like the old phones

It might be a nice feature to be able to switch to from the default touch-tone interface. A cool look at what I can do with my phone feature. Cell phone features are rarely out of necessity or a matter of form following function.

[xsnightclub]

Before you go off on someone, maybe you should read up a bit on the news (http://www.forbes.com/technology/2004/12/16/cx_ah_1216aapl.html): "What we've talked about is a something that is valuable for the mass market," [Apple VP Eddy] Cue says. "It has to be a phone in the middle-tier of the market, not a $500-tier phone.

So you are assuming that that they cannot make a phone similar to the E680 with iTunes for under $500, I don't know where you live, but $300 phones are the high-end- Moto razor is $349.00.
If the Apple phone does not impress people with Style as well as function, then it will fail, and it will be their own fault.
People expect Apple products to be cutting edge and stylish, not re-hashes of typical Motorola generic phones. Which is why Moto lost it first place market dominance, they need this to be a hit as well as Apple.

So before you go off on people going off, do some market research other than reading posts on a rumor board.

[Surreal]

g5 cell phone :) hahah

im still a big lover of cell phones that allow me to call and text :) simplicty

so what, that would be cooled the breath of god?

[dnnx]

combination ipod flash & moto phone???
sounds intersting.

My Moto V710 has a mini sd slot and can play MP3's. So the techonology is already there. It will probably be the first Non Apple Fairplay device.

[moosecat]

This article (http://www.dmeurope.com/default.asp?ArticleID=5290) refers to the Motorola phone as the "iPhone" in the headline.

However, there is no explanation of the basis for calling it that, and it could be an episode of idiocy.

[puuukeey]

any possibility that the minimini and the iphone are one?

[frozenstar]

So you are assuming that that they cannot make a phone similar to the E680 with iTunes for under $500, I don't know where you live, but $300 phones are the high-end- Moto razor is $349.00.


The Motorola Razr V3 can be purchased for $350 only with a new contract. You get it at that price because it's subsidized by the carrier.

The retail price for the phone, without subsidies, is $650-$700.

[xsnightclub]

The Motorola Razr V3 can be purchased for $350 only with a new contract. You get it at that price because it's subsidized by the carrier.

The retail price for the phone, without subsidies, is $650-$700.


Have you ever paid full retail for a cell phone? Your point is moot.
Your sufficient level of common sense is amazing. Good thing companies no longer need marketing commitees, because common sense is sufficient.

Full retail for a moto v60 is 229.00, no one is gonna pay that.

[AirUncleP]

*shrugs* Weeee a phone that can play music. Talk about a gimmick. Anyone want to hazard a guess on battery life? So you are bopping to your tunes for an hour and get a call. Suddenly your phone dies because your music ate the majority of your battery before you took the call. Joy.

Can't flash players from companys like Creative go 12 hours on a single AAA battery? A cell phone battery has more juice than that. A lot more.

[Yvan256]

I hope it has bluetooth.

You really should go see your dentist about this... ;)

[xsnightclub]

Here is the Moto E680, $579.99 priced as shown WITH-OUT contract requirement.
List price is $649.99
Obviously this phone will be cheaper with service contracts.

Given the %50 discount with service contract for the Razor phone, that would put the e680 at about $325.00 with 2yr contract.

[AirUncleP]

FYI
Apple Stock
68.75****4.20*/*6.51%
And this is pre-MacWorld

[whooleytoo]

Such a phone's success here will depend if the carriers here will offer the usual discounts for first time connectors & switchers with this phone. No one I know pays full price for new phones.

[Dahl]

I hope it has bluetooth.
I'm sure it will have that, it must...

[BruinJohn]

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000503026441/

i love it :)

I think that this photo is cool, even though it is just a model for presentation purposes. I can't wait for the real one because it seems that since most phones now have color screens, this motorola/apple phone might be just a simpler version of an iPod Photo. Personally, I hope it is as small as the razor because phones like the treo are too big and clunky for me. But I do think that bluetooth is a must. Oh well, can't wait for Tuesday.

[SiliconAddict]

that's just weird and sad and kinda gross :D

Yah what’s even worse is I'm one of them. :eek: I would pay the penalty fee to break my contract with Nextel if one of the carriers came out with a Apple PDAPhone. :D

[Stella]

Can't flash players from companys like Creative go 12 hours on a single AAA battery? A cell phone battery has more juice than that. A lot more.

The parent post is right. Playing MP3's will kill battery life.

Using BT on My SE P900 eats battery life - streaming music will murder it, if this were possible. I won't even talk about using GPRS and the effects on the battery life...

You will have very poor battery life when downloading your music and to play them on your phone.

[xsnightclub]

But still relatively ugly, IMO

is that antenna looking thing on top of inset phone is a charger cable or something.

[aswitcher]

Looking closely at the inset photo you can see the two phones in the picture are different models.
But still relatively ugly, IMO

Uhm, maybe not, if that antenna looking thing on top of inset phone is a charger cable or something.

True. And Moto have 6 models out IIRC in the first half, and success of the Razor suggests to me a few flips itunes/ipod phones will also appear...I hope...

[madmaxmedia]

*shrugs* Weeee a phone that can play music. Talk about a gimmick. Anyone want to hazard a guess on battery life? So you are bopping to your tunes for an hour and get a call. Suddenly your phone dies because your music ate the majority of your battery before you took the call. Joy.

I think someone else mentioned this already, but a flash mp3 player uses much less battery than a cell phone. It might be that listening to music for an hour would only take up a few minutes of talk time (or something like that.)

How about going were we need the most innovation? How about Apple takes the smartphone / PDAPhone to the next level? Palm’s OS on the Treo sucks. For the love of god its almost a 10 year old OS that can't even multitask or even has protected memory!??! Too cludgy. Windows Mobile or even their Smartphone software blows. It wasn’t designed for the phone. Its been shoehorned into it and it does a particularly crappy job. Apple needs to fill this gap with an Apple branded iPhone or iTalk or whatever. The industry has a million solutions all over the board. Some have some good ideas behind them. Some of them just plain suck. It’s a mess. Sort of sounds like the portable MP3 player before Apple jumped into the fray doesn’t it? Come on Apple. You have your iPod. Release the hounds and get another consumer oriented device on the market!

I never considered this, but you are absolutely spot on here. I haven't seriously believed the iPhone and Apple PDA rumors, but you have me thinking. The 3 main smartphone OS's- Palm, Windows Mobile, and Symbian- were all originally PDA OS's (I would say Symbian has been modified the most though.) We're all sort of used to that interface approach, but there's a great chance for Apple to revolutionize the smart phone interface like they revolutionized with the iPod. How? Who the heck knows, that's for Apple to figure out. Who would've anticipated the scroll wheel, or even the click wheel, before it came out?

I'm sure that Apple has at least discussed this with Motorola, and considered working with them on more than iTunes compatibility. Maybe they even have a bunch of different prototypes in their respective labs. Also, doing this iTunes-compatibility thing first gives Apple some real-world experience into designing cell phone interfaces- it's not like they can waltz in with no prior working experience and design the ultimate smart phone. The devil is always in the details with this sort of thing, and Apple should be gaining some valuable experience here (just as the iPod has gone through multiple iterations over the years.) Actually, even their experience with the iPod helps since it is also a handheld device.

This could be a real coup for Motorola as well. It seems that competition in the cell phone market is really tough. One day you're up with the hottest models, a year later you're in the dumps because you didn't anticipate the next trend. If they were to lock in some sort of partnership with Apple, it could really differentiate their products.

I'm still long on Apple stock for the long run (have you seen the price today!), because in addition to iPod and the Halo effect for the Mac, you never know what new product category they could bust out in next. Over the next couple of years I am sure we will see at least one or maybe 2 totally new products from Apple. If even one of them is a minor hit, then Apple stock will continue to rise.

[zelmo]

Yah what’s even worse is I'm one of them. :eek: I would pay the penalty fee to break my contract with Nextel if one of the carriers came out with a Apple PDAPhone. :D

I have to say I'm one of them, too. I love my Tungsten T3, and I'm very happy with the Verizon service on my LG phone, but I'd dump them both in a hot second if Apple came out with a PDA/phone done the way only Apple can do it.

[Windowlicker]

So who's gonna pos tthe first photoshop mockup? :D

I'm quite sure the final product will look better than a mockup :)

[madmaxmedia]

I have to say I'm one of them, too. I love my Tungsten T3, and I'm very happy with the Verizon service on my LG phone, but I'd dump them both in a hot second if Apple came out with a PDA/phone done the way only Apple can do it.

The funny thing is I dumped my Palm Tungsten C after I got an iPod Mini, because I just store my PIM information on that. I had recently bought an iBook, and the awesome sleep feature sort of eliminated my need for the Palm (in combination with the iPod Mini.)

I think any discussion of an Apple smartphone would begin with what actual features or uses that Apple would anticipate users wanting/needing. Would it mainly be accessing info (PIM, text/email, text updates/information from the web) or manipulating info (all the myriad things you can do on a Palm.) I think Apple would stick to a reduced feature set that is done very well. The problem with PDA's in general is that the makers have added tons of features over the years, but that they are shoehorned into a format (small screen, slow user input methods) that is not ideal for many computing tasks.

The way I might imagine an Apple smart phone is something with a supremely simple interface- default mode is to talk, but otherwise you have a list of choices up front- iTunes, iPhoto (or equivalent), Messages (text or email), .Mac, News, Weather, Stocks, Sports, etc...Make your selection, and boom- you're instantly there without any significant delays or having to drill down through too many obscure menus. I think Sherlock would be the type of interface used for accessing info (simple, targeted, elegant), rather than a web browser (more versatile but not as clean or organized, problematic on a small screen.)

It's a common adage that 90% of PDA users only use the pre-installed apps, so Apple would focus heavily on that, rather than worry about developing a complete mobile computer OS. It would have some expandibility, but not as much as Palm or Windows Mobile.

I think a smartphone like this would also be more attractive to Apple than a PDA. A lot of people would use a smartphone like this, while not nearly as many people want a PDA.

[slffl]

Well this probably means there will be no Apple designed iPhone. Dissapointing.

[madmaxmedia]

Well this probably means there will be no Apple designed iPhone. Dissapointing.

Maybe, I think this could very well be a first step towards an Apple designed iPhone. Maybe the original rumor was off, but if Apple is considering doing a smartphone at all, doing something like this first (a subset of a smart phone) would make sense.

[SeaFox]

What are peoples thoughts on whether this phone will be compatible with the different types of mobile phone networks around the world?

The phone will be a tri-band GSM (850/900/1900mhz) model probably. It will only be available through Cingular (unless you want to pay retail) because Cingular seems to be getting all the cool phones lately (buying AT&T Wireless will only help that situation for them). Everyone on T-Mobile will have to pay retail or hack a Cingular model to network unlock it.

[biscool]

Just an FYI - the phone in the picture from the moto announcement is a Motorola e398. It comes in black and white - and more importantly is already on the market. You can also see the java icon on the screenshot of the phone - i think this means its just an app that can run on current moto phones. The v551, v620, razor, e398, etc all run compatible software....good day.

[swissmann]

How much storage will it have 256 MB? I support the idea that removable flash media is a must.

[Philsy]

I'd like to see a combined phone, PDA and music player using the iPod form factor. It would be 3G so you could get online/send emails at a sensible speed and buy/download music from the iTunes Music Store.

And before anyone asks what's the point when you use your Mac - think of the youth market Apple could tap into. Kids who want to buy music on the move and may not have access to a computer. It'd be a moneyspinner.

[TheMasin9]

well this may be a phone that can use itunes but i dont think its the iphone we have all been lookin forward to. who knows, maybe these are just prototypes and we will see the real deal at wwdc or something. whatever, i still want one.

[Laslo Panaflex]

Just an FYI - the phone in the picture from the moto announcement is a Motorola e398. It comes in black and white - and more importantly is already on the market. You can also see the java icon on the screenshot of the phone - i think this means its just an app that can run on current moto phones. The v551, v620, razor, e398, etc all run compatible software....good day.

You are correct, but during the presentation, it was said that the phone being used was not the apple phone, it was only being used to demo the software, they said that moto and apple were working closely on the design of the phone.

[impact_blue]

I have Verizon and as much as I am a "Mac fanatic", I wont switch to an inferior service just for a Phone with iTunes, number one thing...Ability to make phone calls, not used the iTMS.

But dont get me wrong if it is CDMA with Verizon, I will buy one right away...lol.

Seriously. As much as it pains me not to get this phone due to the fact that another service other than Verizon would carry it, I would much prefer the ability to make a phone call or having my calls not being dropped. I love verizon. And I soooo hope they do get the "iPhone".

[sjpetry]

This will be my next phone. :D

[joemama]

Apple has finally grown up!

It's all about licensing (ahem, Micro$oft, ahem), and if Apple can license their iTunes technology, they win, so to speak, twice:

1.) Apple gets revenue from companies licensing their iTunes software.

2.) People buy these same companies products and download songs FROM Apple!!!!!

In the 80's Apple missed the licensing bandwagon. Now they are in the drivers seat once again!

[~Shard~]

Very cool, this is great to see - although an actual Apple iPhone would have probably been cooler. ;) Good to see Apple still has a working relationship with Moto (for what it's worth) - maybe this means more G4 chips in the future, like a bumped up G4 for the headless iMac or a dual-core G4 for the PowerBook! :cool:

[beatle888]

Read page 2.

IMO, if Steve unveils that ugly POS, he will be laughed out of the convention center, and Bill Gates will have the best day of his life, making up for the Blue Screen of Death appearances at Las Vegas CES this week.



apple could simply introduce iTunes compatibility with motorola cell phones period. apple might not have anything to do with the function of the phone. only the iTunes (and quicktime) integration/interface.

[olwynbag]

Picture!!!!!
http://www.aixgaming.com/gallery/ihome_pics

[timmyOtool]

Picture!!!!!
http://www.aixgaming.com/gallery/ihome_pics
not sure that belongs in this thread, but holy smokes! I guess those who thought it was a media center were RIGHT! :eek:

[TopCatz]

I personally have no need to play MP3s through a phone, especially when I have a 40 GB iPod attached to my waist. Sure it would be cool to be able to access the iTMS at anytime to grab a song, but I cannot recall ever being in a "song emergency" where I NEEDED access to a certain song.


Never had a song emergency? Really? Never had a desperate urge to hear a particular tune at a particular emotional point in your life?
I guess I'm like a musical ER! Thank goodness for Dr.iPod! :D

[Lepton]

You guys should really check out that Moto phone here (http://www.mobileburn.com/review.jsp?Id=903). With a few tweaks and major Apple help on the UI, a phone like this could be spectacular! Note the nice stereo audio and lots of other stuff. By the way, did you notice the new Bluetooth _stereo audio_ headphones just introduced at CES? Give you any ideas?

[themacman]

it should have been designed and manufactured by apple. its really not that cool

[obeygiant]

it wont be used by tmobille because i have tmobile

aint that the truth

it certainly wont be verizon

[BugMeNot]

I'm not exactly thrilled that the motoPod will be branded by Motorola - or so we currently suspect. Frankly, I see this as a revisit of the clone wars - and those were the dark days in my opinion.

Then again, without control over the service providers, Apple is shielded from any poor quality experience by not attaching their name directly. Eh, we'll see.

[spikeovsky]

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/images/smiles/huh.gif Umm. No. There's a reason why the rotary went by, by. I have an ancient one sitting in my laundry room at home. Still works. Trust me. You DO NOT want one on a cell....EVER.

The rotary was a product of necessity not of form.

Hmmm... I dunno, I kind of liked them. But maybe a digital version could keep the basic interface while eliminating the annoying wait as your "9" or "0" click-click-clicked around the circle.

[obeygiant]

not sure that belongs in this thread, but holy smokes! I guess those who thought it was a media center were RIGHT! :eek:

it might be real if Apple was Canadian or English.

iHome: Media Centre

or

iHome: Media Center

[snack]

I read a while back that the phone will be based upon the e398, which spookily enough is the one pictured running iTunes. This phone was released a while back, and is quite cheap with an average feature set. The e398 already had integration for MP3 and I think it's increasingly obvious that what we will get will be the e398 - we're just yet to see if it will have a new case or not.

http://www.mobile-review.com/review/motorola-e398-en.shtml

[Devie]

I hope Apple change the GUI and buttons of it, I dont like motorolla's GUI's...
The only phone GUI I like atm is the Sony Ericsson ones.

[~Shard~]

not sure that belongs in this thread, but holy smokes! I guess those who thought it was a media center were RIGHT! :eek:

Just wanted to ask who "Timmy O Tool" is - any relation to "Timmy O'Toole" from The Simpsons? :p ;) :p

[MAC@LEX]

As I said (somewhere else) the phone on the picture is just for demonstrating purposes. This is to prevent competition from stealing the idea (according to motorola). The motorola CEO said that the company is going to focus on ease of use and design. In this way Apple is the best partner they could get since this is where Apple is best at. I guess the actual phone might be designed by Apple and revealed by Steve at the keynote. Check out the ipod-like interface...
This pictures of E398, it's not real Moto/Apple phone, They would never create some crappy presentation screen that design the words Motorola & Apple almost on the border line of the picture. That's not real pics, probably someone took old pics of E398 presentation and have put Motorola & Apple on the top, that why it looks crappy. :)

[MAC@LEX]

Just an FYI - the phone in the picture from the moto announcement is a Motorola e398. It comes in black and white - and more importantly is already on the market. You can also see the java icon on the screenshot of the phone - i think this means its just an app that can run on current moto phones. The v551, v620, razor, e398, etc all run compatible software....good day.
I agree this pictures made up, it's not Apple/Moto phone, it's E398. :)))
Crazy folks!!! :)))

[billyboy]

Apple will have to do some good wheeler dealing if they are going to build a phone to break into the Spanish phone market. I just paid 19 euros (about $22) for a Sony Ericsson T630 on an 18 month contract (6 euros a month). Cant see Apple having much to do with that sort of hardware market. Apart from submitting hardware designs, allowing their logo on the case and providing software for getting iTunes to the masses, surely they would leave it ti Motorola to get the loss leader hardware money back via the phone service provision.

[technohedz]

my view?

apple, dump the heap of cr*p that is motorola, get with sonyericsson and make a nice new, clean lined version of the P910 and i'll be happy.

my p910 is the only phone that'll do everything i want and from what i see on release schedules that's not going to change for at least a year. before the p910, i had a p900. it did almost everything. i'm now happy, and i wont change unless apple and apple alone bring out a P910 beater.

and that's about as likely as me selling my Macs and going back to pcs!

I spend 2 hours reading books on my phone per day. Why? Because it has good battery life and a nice screen, and I have it with me all the time. Sometimes, I listen to audiobooks via the bt headset when I'm out. What's great? Symbian. What's not? Mots interface. Mot beat people to the punch coming out w/ the quad band gsm phone. Remember cingular/att is NOT standard international tri-band, it's 850/900/whathaveyou. SE actually has 3 p910's for global compatilitiy (not having go to 'quad band GSM' in one phone). Now, the SE is great, some of the nokia's are incredible, but not a one of the Mots has a decent screen (unless it's a PDA/UIQ style phone, which I don't believe is necessary or can be reasonably priced) or UI. If Apple is deploying a phone w/ Mot I'd say it's going to be quad band GSM and will suffer greatly from simply being a Mot. Of course there is the off chance it's going to be iden or hopefully iden/gsm and there's a possibility it will be garbage like sprint (regardless of nextel merger). Either way, at least having a client for itunes on one phone as proof of concept...even an 'iPhone' get's people past all their reluctancy to buy an integrated device..simply because they have an unsatisfactory one and 'don't see the need' since they haven't been able to use something that fullfills the promise and more. I really hope Apple deploys itms for symbian, etc. It's insane that Quicktime mobile isn't on every phone coming out.

[spinko]

is not the real one. It looks awful.

[xsnightclub]

is not the real one. It looks awful.

It is embrassing they even used it as a prop.

[xsnightclub]

A dillusional Steve caught on camera demonstrating the 'New' Motorola phone with iTunes built in.

This also explains why there will not be a live broadcast of the keynote.

On the upside battery life is improved to 3 decades and it can hold the entire iTMS library.

[MacRy]

Picture!!!!!
http://www.aixgaming.com/gallery/ihome_pics

What do people think? Is this real? Everyone seems to be ignoring this post at the moment. Looks fairly plausible although the Media slot looks a bit wide...

[xsnightclub]

What do people think? Is this real? Everyone seems to be ignoring this post at the moment. Looks fairly plausible although the Media slot looks a bit wide...

Doubt it.
The white on the boxes is different, marketing wouldn't let that fly. Media 'Centre' would work at the Paris Expo where similar fake photos we released. Styrofoam packaging does not fit the product perfectly as Apple always does. You are right, the media slot is too wide. I doubt Apple would let an all white product release with a chrome headphone jack on the front. On the close up photos of the box on the edges you can see the paper/picture that is pasted to the box. It is damned ugly. There are no composite or coax input/outputs.

Bad mock up, my post before yours of the Motorola phone with built in iPod is better.

[MAC@LEX]

What do people think? Is this real? Everyone seems to be ignoring this post at the moment. Looks fairly plausible although the Media slot looks a bit wide...
Well, iHome looks like real, so it's not like E398 pics and probably it's 100% true. ;)

[MAC@LEX]

There are no composite or coax input/outputs.

What are you talking about? There is sound out and video out as they used in iBook. Looks pretty real.

[xsnightclub]

What are you talking about? There is sound out and video out as they used in iBook. Looks pretty real.

If people would use this in their living room to hook up tvs, stereos, DVD player/recorder, Satellite dish, tivo, etc.. they would need regular RCA phono plugs, Coax etc.

Go fish somewhere else

Centre <----- ha ha re
newbies :p


It is nice to see that Apple is bringing back 8" floppy disk to fit in the media slot on this.

[k2k koos]

Picture!!!!!
http://www.aixgaming.com/gallery/ihome_pics

I've just looked at your public profile, and you've only posted 3 times sofar..
however, on at least two of the occasions, you seem to be virtually spot on target... or is that just luck?

:rolleyes:

[aswitcher]

I've just looked at your public profile, and you've only posted 3 times sofar..
however, on at least two of the occasions, you seem to be virtually spot on target... or is that just luck?

:rolleyes:


I must say those pics look pretty good...but we have seen good fakes before...

[Pistol Pete]

it wont be used by tmobille because i have tmobile

way to be optimistic!

i have cingular in socal...and cingular uses motorola phones!

[Abstract]

As one poster mentioned before, the agreement Moto and Apple announced in July was for "software", not hardware, so it stands to reason the actual hardware would be Motorola designed. People should bring down their expectations a bit. And remember they also said it would be a mid-range device. So no Razr-like device this time kids!

Personally, I think all this excitement over this phone is crazy. What's the big deal? Lots of phones play mp3s. My Sony-Ericsson K700i plays AAC files as well, and it has been out for a while. The interface of simple mp3 players can't be made any more simple than what I have now, so the only thing this phone will let you do is play songs purchased on iTMS. Maybe the Mac-heads on this board purchase songs off iTMS, but I don't know a single person who has, because lets face it, the mp3 song market isn't that big, although I'm glad Apple owns it in it's infancy.

This phone pretty much allows songs protected by Fairplay DRM to be played on your phone. Oh, iTunes synchronization. No biggie. :rolleyes:

[-=MaC-FiNdEr=-]

Maybe the iPhone will look something like this? Looks like nokia beat them to it.

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000463021084/


I thought the ipod's clickwheel was patented?

:confused:

[microchip13]

THANKYOU! For finally mentioning that this phone is the E398!
Here's the scoop(not known, I can't even work for apple(14)but what apple will for sure do)

It will be GSM. Most of the world(I think at least 126 countries(that sounds right) use GSM) It also has a very high chance of being Quad-Band(850/900/1800/1900). GSM also has SIM cards, people can just pop their card in and away they go, no calling up their provider to read the ESN to them then manually transferring their contacts.

More than likely it will probably be the E398( http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=305 ). While it does not say that it is Quad Band, they are out there, hovering around $300(because of their rarity).

Also, the E398 is music oriented, it has stereo sound and haptic lights.

The other big thing is the fact that it is the cheapest moto with a Transflash slot, AKA expandable memory.

The other possibility for the iTunes phone is the Motorola V635, which has 2 color displays, 1.2MP camera, Class 4 EDGE and a TransFlash card, however, it will probably be in the $400-$500 range. And it won't come in white.

Any other assumptions?

[GregA]

Remember most phones use Symbian, Palm, or MS.

Motorola is a little on it's own, using its own OS. This gives Apple and Motorola more scope on the software side of things.

I'm sorry, I'm not getting excited about mobile product until I have full unification.

CellPhone, PDA, MP3Player, GameBoy, Camera, landline mobile phone

I should only have to lug around my keys, wallet and 1 electronic deviceHell, why not make the phone an electronic key to your house and car and carry around even less? Or eCash :)

I do like the idea of a mobile phone converging with landline phone. Maybe one day they'll connect to a home base station via bluetooth.

[MAC@LEX]

If people would use this in their living room to hook up tvs, stereos, DVD player/recorder, Satellite dish, tivo, etc.. they would need regular RCA phono plugs, Coax etc.

Go fish somewhere else

Centre <----- ha ha re
newbies :p


It is nice to see that Apple is bringing back 8" floppy disk to fit in the media slot on this.

Did you ever think that actually it has combo drive inside ans S-video out and also AirPort to stream audio and video to any ****ing TV set?

[xsnightclub]

Did you ever think that actually it has combo drive inside ans S-video out and also AirPort to stream audio and video to any ****ing TV set?

Wow you are totally ****ing clueless (to use your crass language). First of all the 'iHome' photos show the back (which appears to be the port collection from an iBook) there is no s-video, and airport x-mit max 54mbps, that is not fast enough to broadcast full-quality streaming video, now if Apple has some magical compression tool and if they could broadcast video now you want peole to buy an airport ($249) for each tv so they would have a dedicated airport to broadcast at 54mbps (without reducing the signal by sharing it with other devices or having interference from walls and other signals, etc.). My point about wanting to hook up all the devices is that it must be user friendly for the living room, the user cannot be expected to have use a myriad of adapters and non-existent broadcasting terminals to connect their living room to Steve's 'Digital Lifestyle'.

And what does having a combo drive have to do with the fake mock up slot being too wide, CDs and DVDs are still not 8" wide (not even the HD DVD).

Grow up, kiddie.

[~Shard~]

Did you ever think that actually it has combo drive inside ans S-video out and also AirPort to stream audio and video to any ****ing TV set?

Please don't swear and use condescending tones like that, it's completely unnecessary and displays immaturity. Members try to engage in mature discussions here on these forums, so if you can't handle it, please leave. :cool:

[VicMacs]

Picture!!!!!
http://www.aixgaming.com/gallery/ihome_pics


why does the iHome have a power outlet in the front AND the back?

and why the low res pics... give us the UNREAL fullsizes! :p

[MAC@LEX]

Even if this box is not real, 3 Mbits enough for high quality full video 3ivx and audio in mp3 stereo 48000Hz. 54Mbits is more that enough for several streams. :D

[xsnightclub]

Even if this box is not real, 3 Mbits enough for high quality full video 3ivx and audio in mp3 stereo 48000Hz. 54Mbits is more that enough for several streams. :D

Standard DVDs play at a rate varying between 7 and 9 mbps, most mid to high end model dvd players will display this info in the on screen display menu. That is without having to stream it to and then from an airport, which BTW have a maximum of 54mbps and are rarely at that threshold. The signal/threshold is further reduced when accessed by other devices and obstacles such as walls are in the way. Furthermore the $249 airport would require a receiver at each of these mythical TVs or other receiveing devices such as an airport express ($149).
Or you could just broadcast music and photos from your computer over a wireless network via USB network card ($39) from a Tivo series 2 recorder. :D :D :eek:

But there always is the benefit of using that 8" floppy disk media port on the front and apparently it runs on batteries or over power streamed from the airport with magic powers since there is no 'edison plug' receptacle for power. (I thought that the 1/8" jacks on front and back were headphone jacks, but they may be front and rear power inputs, :D how convenient you could power it from your cell phone charger, then daisy chain your cell phone to thru the front to be charged and make cell calls from your desktop, laptop, TV or even from your coffee pot (enabled with airport express'o) LOL. what a joke this thing is.) :o

[MAC@LEX]

I don't really watch DVD from DVD disks, I rip off them to my hard drive like most of the people do and convert them to 3ivx format that actually has a high quality and almost looks like DVD quality. So, 3Mbits for me is enough. :D

[xsnightclub]

I don't really watch DVD from DVD disks, I rip off them to my hard drive like most of the people do and convert them to 3ivx format. :D

Since you rip them to your hard drive, 'like most people do' (lol), you then have no need for an iHome in your parent's living room. Which I assume they will be quite happy about.

Now an iPhone on the other hand, is a great idea for anyone, even if its your parents. (getting back on topic)

[corywoolf]

It just came to me this morning. Slingshot and crossbow are applications on the iphone. it's the missing link to airport express and its the keynote remote. it's probably an app. much like saling clicker. I originally thought it'd be a physical add on to the ipod, maybe a wifi card. but with 30 ft. range with bluetooth. you could easily control your stereo through your computer using the iphone. although it doesn't seem simple enough. theres no way the phone will have wifi, and the airport express is to new to change. actually... if this ihome type o' thing holds up to be true. it would have bluetooth for remote use. it might come with a remote, or be a seperate item :( well i think airtunes will get a sister app. maybe lifetunes or something. does anyone know if the airport express is only audio out, or is it like the ipod photo. maybe they secretly planned it out ahead of time? most likely airport express will have a sister piece of hardware. the ihome for video/ photos, the airport express for music. seems a bit too much. maybe they will discontinue airport express, or just update it in the summer time to support another airtunes like app. why else would they actually call airport express airtunes capable, if they didn't have other apps. in mind? whatever happens, the iphone will have a small roll in it i'm sure. i think airtunes 2.0 might be around the corner? :confused:

[ethernet76]

Maybe I'm the only one that hopes Motorola got GUI help from Apple.

I'd like to see iChat on the phone. iSync and address book layout style would be nice for familiarity for mac users.

[McMakMac]

I was always hoping that Apple would partner with SonyEricsson... then we could have MS DUO Pro... I love the MS format, maybe because I've got loads. but SE make better phone anyway don't you agree?

Hopefully Apple developing a whole Mobile OS and not just iTunes. That would be swell.


I've always thought the same. but perhaps it's because Motorola is an American company versus SonyEricsson a Japanese and Swedish joint venture.

[ftaok]

I was always hoping that Apple would partner with SonyEricsson... then we could have MS DUO Pro... I love the MS format, maybe because I've got loads. but SE make better phone anyway don't you agree?

Hopefully Apple developing a whole Mobile OS and not just iTunes. That would be swell.While you're entitled to your opinion, I personally preferred Moto phones. I like the clamshells and S/E doesn't have one taht fits my tastes.

As for Apple hooking up with S/E, don't hold your breath. Sony is locked into their own music store in Sony Connect. They won't add a competitor's apps onto their phones.

Nokia would be a possibility for a team-up, as would Sammy and LG. The only thing here is that Nokia usually doesn't allow for co-branding.

[maczter]

i made this concept photo (attachment below) the other night for another forum. the perspective is a bit off on the caller id screen and the keypad, but it's what i'd love to see.

i just threw it together with a combination of PowerBook and RAZR V3 photos. :)

[GregA]

Motorola doesn't just make mobile phones.
Have you seen this article about an IP phone?

http://www.themacmind.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=649&mode=nested&order=0&thold=0

IP phones are getting much more common... when they are integrated with the phone network and have video capabilities ... things get very interesting. Especially if you throw iChat into the mix.