Apple's Phone Revealed?

[jwdsail]

I think people need to remember that not every cell phone is avaliable on every carrier-meaning that if this phone is only on a couple of carriers, someone who's carrier isnt avaliable is gonna be whinning and complaining

Frankly, if the iPhone is locked to any one carrier, it will fail.

As a shareholder, longtime Apple customer, and long time salivator for an iPhone.. I have to say that it damn well better be a UNLOCKED Quad-Band GSM phone.

I want to walk into the Apple Store, buy my new iCrackberry, pop my SIM card in, and GO.

I don't need an iPhone to cost $99.99.

I need a decent phone.. It needs to first and foremost, work as a PHONE.. Pull in a weak sig when I'm out in the boonies... Decent voice dialing w/ handsfree headset, for when I'm driving in the boonies... I want Apple to make a phone that "just works". iPod/iTunes on the phone = meh.. MacOS X, Mail, Safari, AddressBook, Salling Clicker intregration = WOOHOO!

Extra points if Apple can make it the next Crackberry, either via partnership with RIM, or by resurecting the NewtonOS in some way. *Actually, a partnership with RIM may be the only way to get a major carrier like T-Mo to play along with this type of thing...

An iPhone, like I've described, could sell for the same price unlocked as my Moto V635 did, $399 or less. If a carrier offered it, in addition to being available from Apple direct, I'd expect we could see a T-Mo or Cingular offer it for as little as $299.


Just my $0.02US


jwd

[Clive At Five]

Frankly, if the iPhone is locked to any one carrier, it will fail.

I'd like to agree... however if Apple wants the phone to have iTS connectivity for mobile d/ls and whatnot, there will be a HUGE fiasco over providers and being able to d/l content at Apple's prices.

That's why I think the only way Apple has a shot at making this thing BIG is to provide its own service. It'll (likely) make it harder for early adoption but at least Apple will control everything about how it works and how it is priced... and seeing as how well iTunes, iTS & iPod are doing with that scheme, I think we can trust Apple to do a good job with the iPhone's prices.

-Clive

[kirk26]

Hmm... Does this really count as front page news? :confused:

Not to say it isn't cool, but we're still talking about an artist rendition based on a reliable source... Not the iPhone "revealed".

Just my 2 pennies. ;)

Yes, this used to be a Mac Rumors site. So rumors should go on the front page.

[ickies]

It's all good. ;) :)

So does anyone think Apple would go retro and offer a "digital rotary dial" option using the clickwheel for dialing digits? I think it would be kind of cool, but then again, I love the old rotary phones. :D

After further thought, I suppose it might be a novelty that wears off fast... :o ;)

I thought text messaging would be too clumsy for anything but a fad but then I got good at it, and now I do it all the time.

But you know, they if they can embed 5 buttons underneath the clickwheel, what's to stop them from embedding 12? (1-9, *, 0, #). So you can have your iPod click wheel and numeric keypad in with the same real estate.

[Fotek2001]

This may have been missed but:

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/09/14/apple_iphone_at_large/

[Unspeaked]

*Actually, a partnership with RIM may be the only way to get a major carrier like T-Mo to play along with this type of thing...



I see you use the term "major carrier" loosely...

[etoiles]

The biggest question to me is not the design, it is the carrier side... My guess is this will be US only (at first), and most probably CDMA.

I think the 'virtual carrier' thing makes the most sense, since they don't want to share the user experience with existing carrier setups (Has this been done on BREW?). Maybe a deal with Verizon? (great data network, no SIM cards on BREW etc.).

[roland.g]

OMG, IMHO, it's going to be, it has to have, you just don't understand, I like this better, GSM, CDMA, Cingular, Verizon, T-Mobile, Apple Wireless, Contract Buy-Out, how do you answer, how do you dial, I'm going to get it, I'm not, it's going to have problems, quality control, come on already, in oct, in jan, in march, I need one this week, you think they will announce it yet, I need a phone bad, there's no way it will be any good, it will have iChat mobile, no it won't and on and on and on and on. I can only enjoy the products I already have.:cool:

[skunk]

This may have been missed but:

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/09/14/apple_iphone_at_large/*Yawn* Mock-up by MacUser UK.

[jholzner]

Exactly! Just how hard can that be??? All the technology has been available for years. I just dont get what is holding back Apple.

Oh, you're right. It's sooo simple. Why do almost all phoned currently on the market suck so bad if it's so simple and all the stuff needed has been available for years? Why do other mp3 players stink when Apple can make one right? Why do PC's not work as well as Macs when Macs have been around forever? Maybe it's because Apple doesn't just take a bunch of tech and throw it together in a second and then ship it out. They take their time and do their homework and don't sell it until it is perfect. Their final product is greater than the sum of it's parts. That's what is taking so long.

[Clive At Five]

Oh, you're right. It's sooo simple. Why do almost all phoned currently on the market suck so bad if it's so simple and all the stuff needed has been available for years? Why do other mp3 players stink when Apple can make one right? Why do PC's not work as well as Macs when Macs have been around forever? Maybe it's because Apple doesn't just take a bunch of tech and throw it together in a second and then ship it out. They take their time and do their homework and don't sell it until it is perfect. Their final product is greater than the sum of it's parts. That's what is taking so long.

Bravo... Well put.

I wish I could speak eloquently as such... instead of blurting out something like, "You're a complete idiot. Why don't you gratuate high school before you make comments on this forum?"

-Clive

[jwdsail]

I see you use the term "major carrier" loosely...

lol

Yeah.. Here in the US, unfortunatly they arn't half the player they should be... I include them in "major" due to the simple fact that unlike other US cariers I've delt with, things work.

Globally, tho.. They're the only US carier I'd ever use for my overseas travels. Horible experiances with both ATT and Cingular in the past... T-Mo global roaming.. shrug "Just works".

jwd

[Deefuzz]

Sorry man, this is MacRumors. If you don't like talking about rumored products and such, sign up for an account on MacFacts. :p :cool:



QFT!

[vniow]

I don't think there would be a great need for a numpad if dialling, SMS, etc. can all be done from this wheel?

This is a concept which has been done before with very mixed reactions. The Nokia 7280 "lipstick" phone has a mechanical wheel similar to the first generation iPods which was used for what you describe. Dialing numbers which weren't already in your phonebook was a real pain for reviewers not to mention SMS. It was an interesting idea but it proved more style over functionality.

http://www.nokiausa.com/phones/7280

[SeaFox]

Yes, we could just go back 100 years and have one button - 0 for operator. That's efficient. :rolleyes:

No! It's even better! It's a rotary phone, that's why the click wheel makes so much sense on it! It even rings like a Western Electric model 500!

[Endurancevm]

This phone better have UMTS support...It's Cingular's 3g thing to whomever is wondering.

[ripfrankwhite]

Here's the real iPhone!!


http://static.flickr.com/85/241579656_a9c34f6679_o.jpg

This is the best looking idea so far. If it looked like this, I would get it. But where is the speaker?

[m2uk]

Whatever (and if they launch a phone)...

1. I hope they get worldwide shipping ready with large quantities, none of this US first and about 6 units to Europe/ROW for three months plus stuff.
2. It is s/w updateable over the air for obvious reasons.
3. They get it right first time as it could otherwise bite their ass.

Oh ..

and 4. They deliver to me first :)

Same with ITV in Europe really !

[QuarterSwede]

I'm thinking it'll have to be a GSM phone because Apple wouldn't want their hardware branded by Cingular, T-Mobile, etc and in that way they could just sell the phone. Pop your SIM in and your in business. Sigh, that is the way it should be done.

[Rant] Personally I'm sick of all this marketing crap. I mean, why do I need to be reminded of what service I am using? I know! I pay the bill every month! [/End Rant]

[Dr.Gargoyle]

Oh, you're right. It's sooo simple. Why do almost all phoned currently on the market suck so bad if it's so simple and all the stuff needed has been available for years? Why do other mp3 players stink when Apple can make one right? Why do PC's not work as well as Macs when Macs have been around forever? Maybe it's because Apple doesn't just take a bunch of tech and throw it together in a second and then ship it out. They take their time and do their homework and don't sell it until it is perfect. Their final product is greater than the sum of it's parts. That's what is taking so long.
An iPhone as we guess it will look like, will most likely consist of two parts: mp3 and phone.
We can all agree that Apple has the mp3 part down to a science.

The phone (hardware) or the platform is available from different manufacturers (very much like processor for computers). As an example LG is buying platforms from SonyEricsson. I am sure Apple will buy the platform from a established manufacturer instead of trying to make it from scratch. (very much like they buy processors from intel)
That is, the hardware behind the phone or mp3 hardware is not a problem.

On top of the hardware you need software&UI.
There are many software solutions available today like Symbian.
The UI of an iPhone would be benefited by using a similar UI as in the iPod.
The biggest effort from Apple would be in the development of the software, everything else is already there.
I don't say that this could be done in a couple of months. But it is certainly could be possible in a year or two.

[Karatehero]

I'm thinking 2 seperate things about this situation (and my bad if they have been said - too many posts to read thru)

1 - There is all this talk on an iPhone. Why not iPhones? Obviously a ipod/phone would sell to some people. But a cell/ipod/PDA would be too much $$$ for most. Why not have a few different models? Not a ton, like 2 or 3.

2 - Why can't the make the wheel with a touch enabled OLED like that olympus keyboard or whatever it was. The wheel would still be there for iPod stuff, but switch to a rotary dial for the phone.

[ImNoSuperMan]

This is the best looking idea so far. If it looked like this, I would get it. But where is the speaker?

Sh#t. I loved the design but never even noticed it`s lacking one of the most important part of a cell phone. Silly me:o

[Clive At Five]

2 - Why can't the make the wheel with a touch enabled OLED like that olympus keyboard or whatever it was. The wheel would still be there for iPod stuff, but switch to a rotary dial for the phone.

First, OLEDs still are unreliable and don't have a very long life.

Second, ROTARY DIAL?!?! You've got to be freaking kidding, right??!

-Clive

[Karatehero]

First, OLEDs still are unreliable and don't have a very long life.

Second, ROTARY DIAL?!?! You've got to be freaking kidding, right??!

-Clive

I don't care about the LED technology as long as the image can change.

Rotary? Yes, why not? Devices with multiple sources of input on 1 phone have mostly sucked. I haven't seen a solid one yet. If they want to keep the round touchpad and incorporate a method for entering numbers, what can they do? Hmmmmmm.......

[Lepton]

Frankly, if the iPhone is locked to any one carrier, it will fail.

As a shareholder, longtime Apple customer, and long time salivator for an iPhone.. I have to say that it damn well better be a UNLOCKED Quad-Band GSM phone.

I want to walk into the Apple Store, buy my new iCrackberry, pop my SIM card in, and GO.
Yes, I think it should be GSM, and be unlocked. So I can use it all over the World, and on any GSM carrier. I could see the phone being an Apple retail exclusive though, to drag people into Apple stores.

But, I also think absolutely Apple MUST be a carrier, and provide additional services that are exclusive, like great sync, file/music transfer, good Net connections at good rates and so on. Regular carriers balk at all kinds of stupid stuff like using tunes for ringtones and transferring files to PC. Apple wouldn't brook that. So they need to be a carrier, this doesn't mean the phone should be locked to Apple, that isn't the Apple way. But the extra features will get plenty of folk to sign up.

[Clive At Five]

Rotary? Yes, why not? Devices with multiple sources of input on 1 phone have mostly sucked. I haven't seen a solid one yet. If they want to keep the round touchpad and incorporate a method for entering numbers, what can they do? Hmmmmmm.......

No.

Sorry.

A lot of people have never used a rotary phone in their life. I seriously doubt Apple would strand every adopter of their phone (which will be a huge underdog to begin with) to using archaic technology. Maybe... *MAYBE*... Apple will allow the user the *option* of a rotary style input...

...yeah right.

-Clive

[i_am_a_cow]

a ipod nano with phone function really isnt anythign amazing and would be well behind current technology, they should be fully going for that crazy multi device that was patented lately. at least that would be up with or infront of other technology.

2 iPhones,
- iphone (nano) base phone and cheaper, limited abilties
- iPhone (multifunction device) more expensive and more pda like.


YES FINALLY SOMEONE SAID IT!

Although I actually believe that the iPod might eventually just evolve into a multifunctional device. I think that it would be good to have a low end iPod that just played music, and a high end iPod with a hard drive and wide angle touch screen, OLED for good battery life and it also made GSM phone calls if you put a sim card into it!

Hasn't anyone else seen Apple's multifunctional device patent???

[i_am_a_cow]

Oh great, not this again.

BTW iPhone is not an Apple trademark. Doesn't make much difference, I'm sure Apple wouldn't call it the iPhone anyway, but iPhone is owned by Teledex, who are an IP telephony manufacturer.

That's why I think that there is no iPhone, only an high end multifunctional widescreen iPod/tablet that will make phone calls and have good battery life due to its OLED screen!

[supermacdesign]

I assume the screen would be a touch screen. I would hate to start dialing numbers using the click wheel.


I agree that is exactly how I felt upon seeing the mockup. Use the touch screen technology they are supposedly going to use for the video iPod. Touch screen to add info like numbers and type and then use the wheel for faster menu surfing and file management (music for example).

I am surprised to hear they would keep the chrome back. That stuff scratches soooo easily. A phone unlike and iPod gets pretty abused, atleast mine does.

[Clive At Five]

BTW iPhone is not an Apple trademark...
That's why I think that there is no iPhone...

Just because Apple hasn't trademarked the name doesn't mean there isn't one. It's entirely possible that they'll be naming it something completely different. I've seen tons of possibilities...

iChatMoble, iTalk, and my personal favorite, PhonePod.

"PhonePod" all the way, baby.

-Clive

[zyuzin4]

a slider phone? not my style I'll only get it if its a candy bar no moving breakable parts. I like the French mock-up with the numbers on the front. That one I'd buy. I also would hope it doesn't become the newest Razr in terms of pop culture. Make it Mac only like the first gen iPod and make people jealous... make people buy macs ;-)

[Pieira]

Second, ROTARY DIAL?!?! You've got to be freaking kidding, right??!


I've been thinking this is the way to go for a while, normal iPod but with basic phone capabilities, make calls, receive calls. Personally I hardly ever use the number keys on my phone. All your numbers would be stored in the ipod from address book. Scroll to your contact and press select to call. You could have an "On the go" option at the bottom of your contact where you can dial in you number rotary style. Then save it or whatever like the on the go playlist, name it when you get home.

Only problem I see is text messages, but text messages are so passé now any way ;)

Also for what its worth I think that french mockup is a mess.

[laserone]

...
http://images.macrumors.com/article/iphone_thumb.jpg (http://images.macrumors.com/article/iphone_macrumors.jpg)
click for larger image (http://images.macrumors.com/article/iphone_macrumors.jpg)

[ digg this ] (http://www.digg.com/apple/Apple_s_Phone_Revealed)

Man, I'd love an ipod phone like that.

.

[grangle]

My guess is that the iPhone will be the first instance of the "virtual button" interface we've seen in recent Apple patent filings. Since the click-wheel will be virtual it can easily "slide down" and disappear, leaving a virtual lit phone keypad in its place. Once you are done dialing the click-wheel reappears. It really takes the idea of a "slider phone" to the next level. Now that would be freaking awesome. :cool:

[MBX]

from all the fakes and mockups i must say this one is the hottest one... http://www.happle.org/divers/images/iphone/iphoneuk.jpg

i'm not saying its perfect. but its the best looking.
the isight cam has to be obviously in the front. doesnt make sense in the back.

i love how the minimal border around the screen (never understood why all devices have so much border space around the screen.)

this one isnt bad too http://www.happle.org/divers/images/iphone/iphoneperso1.jpg

so i hope something like that with more perfection will come before end of this year...

[amin]

I hope this rumor is untrue. I would never buy a slider design. In addition to the inherent fragility, sliders are a pain in the ass to use.

[Pieira]

How's this one?

[dondark]

The biggest question to me is not the design, it is the carrier side... My guess is this will be US only (at first), and most probably CDMA.

I think the 'virtual carrier' thing makes the most sense, since they don't want to share the user experience with existing carrier setups (Has this been done on BREW?). Maybe a deal with Verizon? (great data network, no SIM cards on BREW etc.).

Carrier side is not a problem to me. As I never use those ugly phones from the carriers.

[etoiles]

Carrier side is not a problem to me. As I never use those ugly phones from the carriers.

I am just wondering about the service side. Is Apple going to integrate the iTunes store with existing carriers (and their very lame front ends), or will they roll out their own service?

Using an Apple phone through an existing carrier is like running Windows on a Mac. Sure, it works, but its kinda like a shell without the ghost

[arn]

Just wanted some final thoughts on this image... as some of you may be new to MacRumors.

- We try very hard to not post fake or inaccurate rumors on the Front Page, and make it a point to avoid linking to suspect rumors and images.
- We only use the word "reliable" when we mean it.
- Whether or not this is the final iPhone design or not, we are confident a phone like this is in Apple's labs.

arn

[SiliconAddict]

I have to think this is VERY possible. Why is a num pad even needed in most cases? I know who I want to call. I have their number synced from my address book. I scroll down to their name and press call. No dialing needed.

&#$@ no. I'm dead serious on this. I make calls to numbers on an activity report to sched appointments. There is NO way I would ever. I mean EVER use a scroll wheel to dial a stinking number. Or select 1-5 for an option. Or close a call which requires me to dial into a util, enter my ID, enter the call #, etc. I would have a nervous breakdown within 2 days if I had to do that. The rotary phone died for several reasons. One of them being dialing on it is slow. Using a scroll wheel would be even slower.

[macboy62]

this is ugly. i hope iphone is nowhere near this

Your right it is ugly but my point was if people want smart phones look to the Japanese market. Even the most basic phones here are feature filled. Free TV on the move and anywhere in a city your will have coverage.

Personally I would like an iPhone for simplicity of use and design. I don't use all the features I have on my phone now. Sync with my iMac would be just great.

But the way I use a cell phone and the lenght of time I keep the same one; phone companies would go out of business.:)

[prady16]

What is meant by a "confirmed mockup/fake" ?
Does it mean it is definitely a mock up and we will not see anything like that?
or
does it mean that this mockup is confirmed to be the final form factor?

[iMeowbot]

What is meant by a "confirmed mockup/fake" ?
Does it mean it is definitely a mock up and we will not see anything like that? or does it mean that this mockup is confirmed to be the final form factor?
It means that someone trusted by MR supplied a verbal description of the device, and that the drawing is a reconstruction based on the description.

[theFUZZYpickle]

How the hell am I suppose to drunk dial people with the wheel when I'm smashed?

[evilgEEk]

- We only use the word "reliable" when we mean it.
I trust MacRumors, so I'm convinced the iPhone will soon exist. Regardless of whether or not it looks like this, I say it will be released before the end of the year. There's a little wishful thinking in that prediction, but I do think it will happen.

:)

[WTW]

No, it doesn't. This is for phones like the ROKR and some other recent Motorolas that run a version of iTunes.

BTW this probably explains the nano firmware "revelation" too, we're probably looking at several applications (iPod, nano, ROKR, and other firmware) built from the same code base.

If that were the case, why is the "iTunes Phone Driver" package not selectable? The ROKR phones have been available for about a year and haven't undergone any major updates. Why would there be an updated driver for those phones that is listed in the installer but isn't yet selectable.

By the way, the size of the phone driver package I see in the installer is 220KB, not the ~50KB in the previous poster's screendumps. Is Apple slipstreaming new versions of this driver into the version 7 installer - and if so, why would they do that for a released product that has stable device specifications? If not, then my guess is that we're not looking at a device driver installer package that is only for the ROKR devices. None of the iPods have functionality that can be described as a "phone device", so to me, the ROKR phone is the only possibility.

It could just be a driver for the planned 1000-song ROKR: http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2005/tc20051116_645842.htm

[danman]

it's late - 5:20am here... but has anyone reported on the French papers' front page 'image' of the iPhone (which, coincidentaly, must be a fake, because it couldn't possibly function as a phone - mainly because the earpiece speaker couldn't possibly function in a design like that)?

edit...
Sorry... of course you bloody have... as I said, it's late here... :)

[craigiest]

Type the following in the Terminal:

cd /Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS
strings * | grep -i phone

The last thing this lists is:
pagerTelephoneNumber

Is Apple coming out with an iPager?

[iMacZealot]

lol

Yeah.. Here in the US, unfortunatly they arn't half the player they should be... I include them in "major" due to the simple fact that unlike other US cariers I've delt with, things work.

Globally, tho.. They're the only US carier I'd ever use for my overseas travels. Horible experiances with both ATT and Cingular in the past... T-Mo global roaming.. shrug "Just works".

jwd

I think T-mobile could really blossom. With already 25M customers and a GIANT 3G UMTS/HSDPA network coming out next year, I wouldn't be surprised if they got in that 50M subscriber range with the other three.
___________
I doubt the iPhone would be unlocked. I don't think the average person even knows you can get a phone not through their carrier. Although Apple's marketing team such are geniuses considering the number of people I overhear switching to the mac after the Get a Mac ads that they could sell an unlocked iPhone really well.

If Apple could put more internal memory instead of these phones where you have to buy the SD card and spend forever downloading the songs to your phone, then they'd really have something there, especially with the iTunes/iPod/iPhone/iTV etc. seamless flow.

[craigiest]

I can remember when all phones used a wheel for dialing numbers...

I would LOVE it if someone made a hack that let you dial your nanophone like an old rotary...swish click click click click click.

[iMacZealot]

The last thing this lists is:
pagerTelephoneNumber

Is Apple coming out with an iPager?

Notice how it also lists is "Motorola Phone".

[treblah]

http://thinksecret.com/news/0609phone.html

Uh oh, if ThinkSecret says MWSF it probably wont happen til WWDC '09. ;)

[aswitcher]

http://thinksecret.com/news/0609phone.html

Uh oh, if ThinkSecret says MWSF it probably wont happen til WWDC '09. ;)


:) Nah, I think they are still pretty reliable. MWSF should be big

[thejadedmonkey]

How's this one?
I like the nano-style phone over the 5G style iPhone. But then again, the 5G iPod always seemed ugly and out of perportion to me.

*yawn* As long as I have a phone that can sync with my mac, I'll be a happy camper. Whether that means upgrading to Leapord so my phone is supported in iSync, or just buying a new phone (both which I want to get), I just want that flippin sync to happen!

Oh, and if the phone supported wifi too, I'd be in heaven. Then I'd get amazing reception, even at my best friends' house!
(where no body else can get reception)

[e-coli]

Well, that's a shame. Candybar phones are totally impractical for city living. They pick up every bit of train, bus, firetruck, pedestrian conversation and traffic noise anywhere near you. Guess I'll be sticking with my RAZR. This is hugely disappointing.

[dalvin200]

*yawn* As long as I have a phone that can sync with my mac, I'll be a happy camper. Whether that means upgrading to Leapord so my phone is supported in iSync, or just buying a new phone (both which I want to get), I just want that flippin sync to happen!

Oh, and if the phone supported wifi too, I'd be in heaven. Then I'd get amazing reception, even at my best friends' house!
(where no body else can get reception)

I have the Nokia N80 - does everything you mention above :D

[sartinsauce]

How the hell am I suppose to drunk dial people with the wheel when I'm smashed?

I'm stunned that no one commented on how funny this quote was. =)

I know it's not because of the maturity level around here.

I mean, every thread for the last two years has had a stupid "Powerbook G5 next Tuesday" post.

Maybe the average MR member isn't old enough to know about drunk dialing?

Who knows, the point is, thanks for the laugh. Far too many people around here take themselves and their opinions far too seriously!

Nothing much to say about the iPhone. It's all been said already, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, times.

[peharri]

If that were the case, why is the "iTunes Phone Driver" package not selectable? The ROKR phones have been available for about a year and haven't undergone any major updates. Why would there be an updated driver for those phones that is listed in the installer but isn't yet selectable.


I don't own a ROKR, but I assumed that you probably need to install some software that comes with it to get everything working, and after searching Apple's support for "iTunes Phone Driver", the first link appeared to confirm that. Oh, and BTW, this solves the mystery. The iTunes Phone Driver is referred to specifically in this note:

Mystery solved (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301975)

Any doubts about this should be countered by the following:

1. Apple is not going to give two, current, pieces of software the same name.
2. Apple does not release drivers for unreleased, unannounced, products.

I don't think anyone's going to seriously contradict that.

I also read the FAQ (http://www.apple.com/itunes/mobile/faq/), and the more I read it, the more it struck me that the probability is the nano messages actually point to iTunes for phones being built upon the same codebase as the "iTunes" in the nano firmware. This is a gut-feeling I know, but the messages in that firmware point to software that needs to know what the phone is doing. There was nothing specifically related to dialing etc. Of course, those desperate to see evidence of an "iPhone(tm not Apple)" will probably have a gut-feeling in the obvious direction. But think about it: Apple "rewrote" the OS for the nano (the original iPod firmware was licensed, IIRC), why wouldn't they take the iTunes for Mobile Phones code and extend it? It's right there! All they had to do was make the code that interfaces with the cellphone component smarter so it could work with or without one.


By the way, the size of the phone driver package I see in the installer is 220KB, not the ~50KB in the previous poster's screendumps. Is Apple slipstreaming new versions of this driver into the version 7 installer - and if so, why would they do that for a released product that has stable device specifications? If not, then my guess is that we're not looking at a device driver installer package that is only for the ROKR devices. None of the iPods have functionality that can be described as a "phone device", so to me, the ROKR phone is the only possibility.

It could just be a driver for the planned 1000-song ROKR: http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2005/tc20051116_645842.htm

Maybe. I thought that version didn't run iTunes though.

[peharri]

How the hell am I suppose to drunk dial people with the wheel when I'm smashed?

This certainly gives a slightly more positive definition to "Drunk behind the wheel".

[Seasought]

Looks and operates too much like the Verizon's Chocolate phone. I suspect that, when the time does arrive, the iPhone will be more streamlined than this.

Either way, I'm buying one. :D

[jmsait19]

with the way text messaging has taken off, if people had to flip that thing down everytime to get to the numbers and write a text, things could get hairy. those flip down things always seem fragile. If this were the phone I would have to see it in person first, as opposed to buying it immediately like I plan on doing.

[slackintosh]

here's my two cents on all this nonsense, I'm certain that Apple is coming out with the long expected phone, strong business cases can be made either way, phone or no phone, Apple's involvement in terms of carriers and so on but I'm not going to tread in that water. As a designer, me key interest in Apple is primarily centred around product design firstly and UI secondly. In terms of the mockup, I'm not sure of the credibility but it looks interesting, I do think though that if it is a 'slider', then it will take a form similar to most sliders today, Samsung, LG, etc where the entire top body slides up to reveal a key pad below, I don't think it will split at the wheel as has been suggested. Doing without a key pad is impossible for a number of reasons, not the least of which would be the need to type in extensions, access codes and so on, however, if apple can pull it off with some ingenious UI then I will eat my own words. I've just purchased my first slider phone, a Samsung 807 and I'm really happy with it except that I wish there were a lock on the sliding mechanism. The best phone I've ever owned was the Ericsson T28W which had a springloaded flip that was released at the push of a button and was an ingenious solution to the stupid design of so many 'candy-bar' style phones that constantly require locking and unlocking. If Apple can provide some sort of locking device on the slider to prevent it from opening/closing as you throw it in your bag, pocket, whatever then I'll certainly be pretty stoked......the rest of that super phone nonsense is for the birds, I want a phone that works really well as a phone, doesn't look rediculous, and has a decent weight to it, they need to ADD weight to most phones today, I can't help but feel that light equals cheap equals poor quality....carbon fibre, titanium and the exotic materials aside!!! One more thing, I don't care how cool the thing is, I'll still have my ipod, because it plays music very well, stores files very well and fits in my bag very nicely, I don't need a phone that does everything although I can understand that the market demands one.....
On a side note, if the market wants one thing that does everything well, then why haven't the likes of Sony, Samsung and so on produced a beautiful flat screen TV with a built in DVD player, reciever, WIFI connection, surround sound speakers and the lot......because people want to make there own decisions about which components to add/subtract, same goes with a phone, I don't object to carrying around an ipod AND a cell.....:cool:

[zpapasmurf]

paragraphs for gods sake man...... noone can read that!

[slackintosh]

yeah, it's a ramble, my apologies....I think my brain has gone numb reading all this crazy speculation, I've become addicted!!!

[Cinch]

I think the Microsoft Zune will suffer the same fate as will this mockup will. The Zune screen is too big compare to the controls. The current iPod can have a bigger screen, but it will not be proportion to the control. Symmetry and proportion makes the iPod looks better than the Zune hands down. So whatever Apple makes, the control and screen should be proportional. I think the iPhone will look like it come from a person or team who understand industrial design and beauty, unlike many electronic devices out there that looks like ithey were designed by engineers with no taste :D .

Cinch

[Donz0r]

I think the Microsoft Zune will suffer the same fate as will this mockup will. The Zune screen is too big compare to the controls. The current iPod can have a bigger screen, but it will not be proportion to the control. Symmetry and proportion makes the iPod looks better than the Zune hands down. So whatever Apple makes, the control and screen should be proportional. I think the iPhone will look like it come from a person or team who understand industrial design and beauty, unlike many electronic devices out there that looks like ithey were designed by engineers with no taste :D .

Cinch

I'm going to have to completely disagree, you think they should limit screen size based on the size of the controls, because it's more artful? and looks better? First of all, I don't see how having screen and controls of the same-ish size make anything look good, the Zune looks better than an iPod, mostly because it has a big screen! Now, the screen's resolution sucks but that's a different story.

A 70 inch TV with buttons that are half an inch big is not tastless engineering.

[peharri]

Just wanted some final thoughts on this image... as some of you may be new to MacRumors.

- We try very hard to not post fake or inaccurate rumors on the Front Page, and make it a point to avoid linking to suspect rumors and images.
- We only use the word "reliable" when we mean it.
- Whether or not this is the final iPhone design or not, we are confident a phone like this is in Apple's labs.

arn

The scene is a party. It's a strange mixture of people there, a few execs from some key suppliers, a number of people in Apple's legal department specializing in patents, a designer who works with Jonathan Ives, and a handful of others. There's no theme. Jobs just sent out the invite. "Time to mingle" it said cryptically, printed on glossy card over a picture of some pipes and a magnifying glass.

Steve looks over at Phil. "Is this going to work?"
Phil grins nervously. "It's got to. We've tried everything else. It's going to be a slow process, but, well..."

He walks into the crowd. There's nervous excitement from the guests. And still some confusion. Why were we invited? Who are these people?

"Hi, I'm glad you could come, I'm Steve Jobs" says the master salesman. His audience looks flattered. "I just wanted, well, to have you around, a representative sample, I think, of everyone who works for me. Tom! Glad you could come. Jill! Good to see you. Hey, Frank! Hey, this is the third of the parties I've done, and we're doing more, but I want you to relax, tell me what you really think. Anyway, great of you to come."

The handshakes continue. The audience begins to breath easier. They're not there to be fired. They're there to give feedback, to let The Steve know what they think of Apple and how it can be improved. It's still Steve Jobs though. Nobody's sure they really want to bring forward their real complaints.

"Y'know" says Steve excitedly, "I'm not sure I should even be telling you this but I'm finding it hard to contain my excitement. Take a little look at this..."

And with that, Jobs pulls out a phone from his pocket. The designers recognize key aspects immediately, the case is carved from the usual block of material used to build prototypes. Their excitement is palpable as they realise they're seeing something quite remarkable. An Apple phone. It's beautiful. How did he get it built without them knowing about it? Well, it's Apple, could have been the thing Jon was working on the last few weeks.

"Mobile Me" says the display, with five bars of reception. "Now, please, keep this a secret, but this is where Apple's heading right now", explains Apple's savour. "It's a combination of a mobile phone and an iPod nano. It's awesome. I've been working directly with the designers on this. It's just great. I'm... so excited."

The audience can barely keep their excitement too. For the rest of the party, the phone is the star of the show.

...

"I'll get back to you in a moment" says Jobs putting down the phone. Sitting in his comfortable office, he's surprised by Phil barging in. "You've got to see this" exclaims Phil, "Got Safari up?"

"I told you, I only use Epiphany under GNOME now, it's much better" explains Steve. "Anyway, what's the deal?"

"Go to appleinsider.com. Look at the headline."

A few taps of the keys, and Steve smiles. "WORLD EXCLUSIVE" reports the infamous rumour site. "Steve Jobs Keeps Going On and On About Amazing New Phone".

"We better read it", says Steve, "It might be about the PDA, party seven saw that, and people are always assuming new PDA means new phone these days."

"No, no, it's the phone. I checked. They even mentioned the "Losing My Religion" ringtone"

"That makes it party three, right?" says Steve, excitedly. "Wow, I only played the ring tone towards the end, we can probably even eliminate quite a few people who left early."

"That's right, Steve. Now we need to add some more details. I have the list of attendees here. We need to break them up a little. We'll leak the MVNO thing to one group. Maybe the iPod nano with elongated screen look to another. Jon sent over another redesign, it looks completely different to the one at the party. Here"

Phil hands over the phone to Jobs, who looks at it carefully.

"Boy", exclaims Steve, "This thing's ugly. It looks like one of those photoshop mockups we keep seeing. It'll do though. Let's get this ball rolling. I can't wait to see what's on Macrumors next week. We'll find the leakers."

(Man, I'm almost afraid to post this one. Got to be the most cynical view I've posted, but at the same time, I'm really having difficulty with the whole iPhone deal.)

[thejadedmonkey]

That was really fun, although upsetting, to read!

[Cinch]

I'm going to have to completely disagree, you think they should limit screen size based on the size of the controls, because it's more artful? and looks better? First of all, I don't see how having screen and controls of the same-ish size make anything look good, the Zune looks better than an iPod, mostly because it has a big screen! Now, the screen's resolution sucks but that's a different story.

A 70 inch TV with buttons that are half an inch big is not tastless engineering.


You cannot compare what I said to the 70inch TV. You and I both know that it is a ridiculous stretch. Be that as it may, the Zune looks better than the iPod? I'm not going to bite:D .

Cinch

[Donz0r]

You cannot compare what I said to the 70inch TV. You and I both know that it is a ridiculous stretch. Be that as it may, the Zune looks better than the iPod? I'm not going to bite:D .

Cinch

That's true, the whole 'looks better than an iPod' bit was a stretch, I just don't see the whole controls/screen size balance, i see the size of the controls as irrelevant, whatever.

[rdrr]

Motorola's e690 isn't too far off of what I would think apple phone would look like...

http://www.mobilewhack.com/reviews/motorola_e690_pda_phone_photos_leaked.html

Edit: better pics here... http://board.phonehk.com/viewthread.php?tid=190533&extra=page%3D1

[sartinsauce]

Motorola's e690 isn't too far off of what I would think apple phone would look like...

http://www.mobilewhack.com/reviews/motorola_e690_pda_phone_photos_leaked.html

Edit: better pics here... http://board.phonehk.com/viewthread.php?tid=190533&extra=page%3D1

My G*d that is the sexiest phone I've ever seen.

I want one. Have to punch that up on Ebay.

[Sawtoothdude]

why dont they make something original that DOESNT look like the rest of their products?

[Bear-Max]

I'd like to see the phone have a twistable bottom, like the Nokia 3250. Click wheel one side, numbers on the other side.

Not sure if I'd buy one though - my sights are set on a Samsung D900.

[g4tom]

Check out the October issue of PC Magazine. This phone is on the cover as what's hot now. It is made by LG. It is described just as the iPhone is being described. So the iPhone can't look like this or they will get sued. Or this is it and LG is making it for Apple???

[Bear-Max]

Check out the October issue of PC Magazine. This phone is on the cover as what's hot now. It is made by LG. It is described just as the iPhone is being described. So the iPhone can't look like this or they will get sued. Or this is it and LG is making it for Apple???

I haven't seen the magazine, but I'm guessing you're referring to the LG Chocolate phone. It's already out here in the UK (and has been for a good 6 months) and I can tell you it's definately not what I'd expect of the iPhone :p Sure it's very nice to look at but I don't really think it's a bag of tricks as far as being a decent, easy-to-use phone. The touch buttons are, in my humble opinion, awful.

[macenforcer]

If it freakin scratches like the ipod then count me out.

[g4tom]

I haven't seen the magazine, but I'm guessing you're referring to the LG Chocolate phone. It's already out here in the UK (and has been for a good 6 months) and I can tell you it's definately not what I'd expect of the iPhone :p Sure it's very nice to look at but I don't really think it's a bag of tricks as far as being a decent, easy-to-use phone. The touch buttons are, in my humble opinion, awful.

Well, the mock up drawing and this phone are almost identical. The slide out keypad, identical. Everything described and mocked up is the same as this phone from LG. So everybody must be way off on the true design of the iPhone. Or hey here it is....

[peharri]

As has been pointed out in other threads, it's a dud. You can't really text message or dial blind on a touch wheel like this.

You know, there are a lot of attempts to tweak the basic winning formula of "Ten digits, pound, star, call, hang-up, menu, and navigate-menu arrows", but while the occasional hot key has been useful, for the most part the changes have sucked.

One of the things early on GSM standardized (which, regretfully, isn't followed rigidly) was that regardless of the phone's native interface, certain features should always exist. You should be able to control a GSM phone's GSM functionality from the ten digits, star, pound, call, and hang-up keys, in a consistant way. You can read about it in standard GSM 02.30, which is a free download from pda.etsi.org. The standard doesn't preclude you from creating a phone with graphical menus and colour cameras, but it ensures that everyone can use a common standard such that a phone they've never used before is immediately usable - just like a landline phone.

These days, a Motorola user is likely to have trouble just finding Nokia phonebook entry, if they haven't used a Nokia phone in a while.

[Donz0r]

As has been pointed out in other threads, it's a dud. You can't really text message or dial blind on a touch wheel like this.

You know, there are a lot of attempts to tweak the basic winning formula of "Ten digits, pound, star, call, hang-up, menu, and navigate-menu arrows", but while the occasional hot key has been useful, for the most part the changes have sucked.

One of the things early on GSM standardized (which, regretfully, isn't followed rigidly) was that regardless of the phone's native interface, certain features should always exist. You should be able to control a GSM phone's GSM functionality from the ten digits, star, pound, call, and hang-up keys, in a consistant way. You can read about it in standard GSM 02.30, which is a free download from pda.etsi.org. The standard doesn't preclude you from creating a phone with graphical menus and colour cameras, but it ensures that everyone can use a common standard such that a phone they've never used before is immediately usable - just like a landline phone.

These days, a Motorola user is likely to have trouble just finding Nokia phonebook entry, if they haven't used a Nokia phone in a while.

Hey, try reading the actual First Post next time. It's a slider phone, there's a keypad underneath.

[robPOD]

Man thats looks cool

[MikeTheC]

I presently have a Nokia 6016i which I bought based largely on price.

Assuming the Apple iPhone is a real product (and, obviously, gets released), I will seriously consider purchasing it. One would hope that Apple also puts Bluetooth on it from the start.

If this were a Sony product, they would release it initially with an intentionally feature-hamstrung version, and would then sell next year's model with one or more of those deleted features added to it.

[awhitaker]

I like this one. The Motorola RIZR Z3. Put an Apple scroll wheel on the front and it could be the apple iphone.


http://www.mobiletracker.net/archives/2006/07/24/motorola-rizr-z3

[Philsy]

Any update on when this iPhone is going to appear? My Sony Ericcson K750 is on its last legs (joystick is sticking) and I'm trying to decide whether to upgrade now or wait for the iPhone. :confused:

[SeaFox]

Any update on when this iPhone is going to appear? My Sony Ericcson K750 is on its last legs (joystick is sticking) and I'm trying to decide whether to upgrade now or wait for the iPhone. :confused:

I suggest you buy something unlocked on eBay and have it as a backup.

[Seasought]

Any update on when this iPhone is going to appear? My Sony Ericcson K750 is on its last legs (joystick is sticking) and I'm trying to decide whether to upgrade now or wait for the iPhone. :confused:

No idea. I'll probably end up buying the new red motokrazor (or whatever the hell it's called) before I get an Apple phone. :D

[Konfabulation]

It'll def have Bluetooth

[Philsy]

It'll def have Bluetooth

I doubt you can buy a phone without it these days.

[blue.o7]

I don't know the latest phones, so don't know how old/new this phone is. But I saw it while watching The OC and it caught my eye, having a clickwheel looking thing on the front and all.

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/9536/iphoneocqc0.th.jpg (http://img182.imageshack.us/my.php?image=iphoneocqc0.jpg)

Just thought I'd post it and see if it's anything or not...sorry if it isn't. Sorry about the quality too, had to take pics of my tv lol

[iMacZealot]

I don't know the latest phones, so don't know how old/new this phone is. But I saw it while watching The OC and it caught my eye, having a clickwheel looking thing on the front and all.

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/9536/iphoneocqc0.th.jpg (http://img182.imageshack.us/my.php?image=iphoneocqc0.jpg)

Just thought I'd post it and see if it's anything or not...sorry if it isn't. Sorry about the quality too, had to take pics of my tv lol

The lovely Rachel Bilson is holding the Fusic by LG, exclusively on Sprint. It looks sooo much like an iPod, only it's more of a directional pad on the front than a click wheel. It also has changeable faceplates in the same exact shades as the iPods. :rolleyes:

By the way, what do you think of the OC so far? I'd say I liked last season's plot better because everyone wasn't so scattered and upset, but at least it's still capturing my attention.

Oh, and I'm glad to see Autumn Reeser (Taylor) back on! :eek:

[OdduWon]

is this (http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/0,1206,l=179067&s=1566&a=179068,00.asp) the LG that you all are talking about?

[blue.o7]

Ah thanks, it's a very deceptive looking phone without being able to see it up close. It really had me thinking it might be "it" lol.
That's how I was thinking they might do it as well. Flip style, with clickwheel and a screen outside, phone bit inside.

As for OC, I'm liking it so far. It has a better feel to me than last season. More of a S1 feel with a mix of 2 and 3. Shall agree on the Taylor, she's cool. I can only hope Luke comes back to visit his weird brothers.

[iMacZealot]

Ah thanks, it's a very deceptive looking phone without being able to see it up close. It really had me thinking it might be "it" lol.
That's how I was thinking they might do it as well. Flip style, with clickwheel and a screen outside, phone bit inside.

As for OC, I'm liking it so far. It has a better feel to me than last season. More of a S1 feel with a mix of 2 and 3. Shall agree on the Taylor, she's cool. I can only hope Luke comes back to visit his weird brothers.


Yeah, I can't say I like Kaitlin coming back entirely with her little servants and all, but at least she adds some interest to the Cooper-Nichol-Roberts home.

Tying this back to cell phones, have noticed the Cingular phones on the show? Sandy and Cohen now have Cingular Moto's, straying from the show's usual Sprint phones.

[nemaslov]

Brown maybe!!???