Apple iPhone Trademark, Analyst Speculation

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Appleinsider reports (http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=2146) that Apple has filed for another trademark for the "iPhone" term on September 15th with "a Far Eastern trademark office". The filing describes the iPhone as under "handheld and mobile digital electronic devices for the sending and receiving of telephone calls, faxes, electronic mail, and other digital data; MP3 and other digital format audio players".

Apple's rumored phone has been dubbed "iPhone" due to Apple's ownership of the iPhone.org (http://www.iphone.org) domain name for the past seven years. Apple, however, owns a number of unused domain names (http://guides.macrumors.com/Apple_Domain_Names).

More evidence of a legitimate interest in the iPhone name came when Apple filed for iPhone trademarks in Australia (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2002/12/20021203005112.shtml) and the UK (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2002/12/20021203113133.shtml) in 2002. This is only the latest filing is of iPhone trademarks. Interestingly, another company (http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=toc&state=p5h7ib.1.1&p_search=searchss&p_L=50&BackReference=&p_plural=yes&p_s_PARA1=live&p_tagrepl%7E%3A=PARA1%24LD&expr=PARA1+AND+PARA2&p_s_PARA2=iphone&p_tagrepl%7E%3A=PARA2%24COMB&p_op_ALL=AND&a_default=search&a_search=Submit+Query&a_search=Submit+Query) has the iPhone trademark in the U.S.

Meanwhile, Prudential analysts (http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=2146) released a research note to their clients indicating that according to their "checks", Apple's entry into the phone market would come in two forms. One model is expected to be a "smart phone" with integrated keyboard, video and music capabilities while the other model would be a slimmer phone that just played music.

Reportedly, there are some concerns about market acceptance and battery life and Apple is only planning to market the phones in limited quantities to test the market.

Incidentally they also believe that the long rumored "wide screen video iPod" will begin production in the December quarter, but is not expected to see a release until next year.

[Grimace]

yikes - I want my video iPod now, not in 2007!

I wish the new set top box, iPhone, and widescreen video iPod would be out by November. Holiday shopping would be so easy!!

[magikpants]

seriously, I want both.

[hyperpasta]

"iPhone"
"iPhone Pro"

Sounds about right.

[WildCowboy]

Apple smart phone with keyboard? I could definitely be talked into that.

[shecky]

if apple came out with an iPhone the size of the RAZR or smaller with the same capacity/functionality as an 8GB iPod nano, id buy it.

if it did all that AND had functionality like a pda, id sell my grandmother to buy it.

[blueflame]

At this point, I will believe it when I see it. I think that the only thing all these Darn rumors say is how much everyone in general would love an apple phone. Done right, an iphone could easily replace most peoples phones and ipods. Add into that the possibility of home on ipod and WiFi, and I see a winner. But this is all speculation... ill belive it when i see it
My personal dream phone would be simple yet packed:
sleek flip phone, simple design, WiFi and Video chat capable
I think this would really push forward communication, and make video chat a real thing. imagine if people were also using their phones at home with iChat for windows. apple sells ichat forthe PC as well, and everyone intercommunicates flawlessly where ever they are. Kind of like waht the ipod did for music the iphone could do for communication

[Tymmz]

every time a rumor comes up regarding "the" iPhone I will vote negative for it. i just can't hear it anymore.

If they release one, good, but please stop the rumors.

iPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPho neiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiP honeiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhone

[DanielK]

Hmm... I've held off on buying both a new phone and a new iPod for a while now, assuming that I'd want whatever phone Apple eventually comes out with, but the mention of battery life issues concerns me. If the battery goes dead on my iPod, no big deal, I don't listen to music until I charge it again. But if the battery goes dead on my phone, I could miss an important call. And if I have to monitor how much music I listen to to ensure that I can still receive calls, that might be a problem. Ideally, they could address this concern by having some software that told you well in advance that if you stop listening to music now, you still have so much time left on your phone.

[Scottyk9]

every time a rumor comes up regarding "the" iPhone I will vote negative for it. i just can't hear it anymore.

If they release one, good, but please stop the rumors.


ummm....


..... you do know the name of the website where you are reading / posting? This may give you some indication as to whether or not you will be exposed to rumor - mongering.

:D

[Doctor Q]

It will be a surprise if they don't name a phone iPhone after getting all those trademarks. They certainly wouldn't save it for another future product while coming out with an Apple-branded phone.

Is there any chance they have another name in mind for their product but got the patents in order to lock up the name to prevent competitors from using it? Personally, I doubt it.

[macfan70]

PDA! Oh man, if it can match some of my treo's functions. I will drop my current contract in a heart beat. ((BEAT)) :p

[darwen]

Does this tell us anything? The iPhone will eventually come out... great! Before it comes out, it will be tested... double great!

As for the random iPod tidbit at the bottom, it has nothing to do with the rest of the rumor. On another note, does it make any sense? Why would apple start production on the new iPod in December? When would the release be then?

[WildCowboy]

Why would apple start production on the new iPod in December? When would the release be then?

It would be released at MWSF, just after the new year. Makes perfect sense...although a lot of people were hoping it would come sooner.

[andrew050703]

every time a rumor comes up regarding "the" iPhone I will vote negative for it. i just can't hear it anymore.

If they release one, good, but please stop the rumors.

iPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPho neiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiP honeiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhoneiPhone

heheh - you forgot the 'memron' laptops next tuesday rumors :rolleyes:

seriously though, is there any need for nanos or ipods if these new candybar/smartpda iphones come out? I mean what's the advantage of having two devices (phone & ipod) when you can just have the one - most likely cheaper - so is this the death of the ipod?

[dloomer]

At this point ill believe it when I see it. I think that the only thing all these Darn rumors asy is how mcuh everyone in general would love an apple phone. done right, an iphone could easily replace most peoples phones and ipods. add into it, home on ipod, and I see a winner. but this is all speculation... ill belive it when i see it

Here's what I'm sick and tired of:

"The video iPod will come out this summer."
"The video iPod won't be ready until 2007."
"The video iPod will come out this fall."
"The video iPod won't be ready until 2007."
"The video iPod will still come out this year sometime."
"The video iPod won't be ready until 2007."
"The video iPod will still come out this year. No, seriously this time."
"The video iPod won't be ready until 2007."

Give me a break.

[rdrr]

waiting for the G5 powerbook tuesday comment in,

3...

2...

1...

[MovieCutter]

Give me a break.

More like give me a ******* break

waiting for the G5 powerbook tuesday comment in,

3...

2...

1...


G5 POWERBOOKS!!!

I never get to say that, and that is the last time you'll ever hear it from me...:D

[twoodcc]

well i was hoping that the video ipod would be here by the end of November.

[thejadedmonkey]

Good, I need a new cellphone, and I'm finding that as a college student I'm using my iPod less and less.

[timmillwood]

I would love to see a 4gb nano phone which qwerty keyboard, 3mp camera, wi-fi and GPS

iPhone Pro would be a good name

[Sweetfeld28]

I'll buy one when it is carried by another provider, or when GSM has better service in my part of Ohio.

[iMacZealot]

NOTHING will be released until January. Looking at the buyer's guide, only two products since January 2002 have been released in November or December. The two exceptions are the 1.8 GHz Dual PowerMacG5 and the 20" iMac G4. To my understanding, no iPod line has ever been released or revised in November or December. I can see an iPhone being released at MWSF, but I doubt it as I haven't seen any evidence of it in Engadget Mobile's FCC Fridays report. True video iPod: I don't know why they'd do something like that. What's wrong with the design of the iPod with a physical wheel and all that's been used for five years?

[rdowns]

Hmm... I've held off on buying both a new phone and a new iPod for a while now, assuming that I'd want whatever phone Apple eventually comes out with, but the mention of battery life issues concerns me. If the battery goes dead on my iPod, no big deal, I don't listen to music until I charge it again. But if the battery goes dead on my phone, I could miss an important call. And if I have to monitor how much music I listen to to ensure that I can still receive calls, that might be a problem. Ideally, they could address this concern by having some software that told you well in advance that if you stop listening to music now, you still have so much time left on your phone.

No offense, but how many cell phone calls are really that important? None, given all the ones I overhear on a daily basis. :D

I could see a nifty little battery app on an iPod/iPhone device. Turn off music player when battery reaches x% or something like that.

[QuarterSwede]

^ Yeah, how about voicemail? If its that important they'll leave a message. Shoot sometimes I even turn off my cell *GASP!* Dude, you need to go camping once in a while and get away from the world.

In my opinion, I don't think the "iPhone" will have more than 1GB just so that it wouldn't affect the sales of the lower capacity Nanos (the shuffle is an exception because its tiny and has a relatively lower concept).

[puckhead193]

Apple smart phone with keyboard? I could definitely be talked into that.
me 2!
How long did it take the iPod from concept to production? An apple phone has been "around" for while.

[iMacZealot]

^ Yeah, how about voicemail? If its that important they'll leave a message. Shoot sometimes I even turn off my cell *GASP!* Dude, you need to go camping once in a while and get away from the world.

In my opinion, I don't think the "iPhone" will have more than 1GB just so that it wouldn't affect the sales of the lower capacity Nanos (the shuffle is an exception because its tiny and has a relatively lower concept).

A good selling point would have to be how fast you can put on your music. My sister's Treo is painfully slow at that.

[prady16]

I hope they come up with a CDMA version of the iPhone for Verizon too...
Hopefully it should be out at the MWSF!

[mufflon]

I would definetly buy one given that it'll be released - today, tomorrow or in 10 years time - my current mobile, a LG, makes me a sad being - anything with decent menus and nifty design might even invoke some hidden love for phone capable gadgets (other gadgets on the other hand is already giving my economy more than enough problems - but I love it and wouldn't do it in any other way)

[bdj21ya]

^ Yeah, how about voicemail? If its that important they'll leave a message. Shoot sometimes I even turn off my cell *GASP!* Dude, you need to go camping once in a while and get away from the world.

In my opinion, I don't think the "iPhone" will have more than 1GB just so that it wouldn't affect the sales of the lower capacity Nanos (the shuffle is an exception because its tiny and has a relatively lower concept).

I think that 1GB would be stupid. That's what's been holding back Music phones the most in my opinion.

[Tymmz]

ummm....


..... you do know the name of the website where you are reading / posting? This may give you some indication as to whether or not you will be exposed to rumor - mongering.

:D

You are absolutely right. But Page 2 please.

[aegisdesign]

Of course it's due soon....

.... my Sony Ericsson P990i arrives Thursday so Apple are bound to come out with an iPhone now I've bought a new phone.

[scu]

Apple smart phone with keyboard? I could definitely be talked into that.

Me too:D

[slffl]

if apple came out with an iPhone the size of the RAZR or smaller with the same capacity/functionality as an 8GB iPod nano, id buy it.

if it did all that AND had functionality like a pda, id sell my grandmother to buy it.

I agree. All I want is a thin form factor (flip or bar), and the ability to sync ical, itunes (including video) and iphoto.

[Detlev]

I am willing to be Apple's test market :D

[Surreal]

A good selling point would have to be how fast you can put on your music. My sister's Treo is painfully slow at that.

*cough*cough*Firewire*cough*cough**cough

[MacViolinist]

I would love something along the lines of a nano that made phone calls. I could even do without the numeric pad.

[rlreif]

Hmm... I've held off on buying both a new phone and a new iPod for a while now, assuming that I'd want whatever phone Apple eventually comes out with, but the mention of battery life issues concerns me. If the battery goes dead on my iPod, no big deal, I don't listen to music until I charge it again. But if the battery goes dead on my phone, I could miss an important call. And if I have to monitor how much music I listen to to ensure that I can still receive calls, that might be a problem. Ideally, they could address this concern by having some software that told you well in advance that if you stop listening to music now, you still have so much time left on your phone.

im with you on this...
im all for convergence to a point...
i agree with you about the mp3 and phone convergence..
i still want a treo killer iphone though...
id rather have my ipod combined with a good camera in one device
and an itreo in another

[Silentwave]

at the rate i'm going, it'll be out and i'll have one before my replacemet samsung comes in.....

[iMacZealot]

*cough*cough*Firewire*cough*cough**cough

The treo doesn't have Firewire, and neither does the 5G iPod.

[dsnort]

Apple smart phone with keyboard? I could definitely be talked into that.

And if that keyboard was actually part of a full video capable touch screen? :D

[Sopranino]

No offense, but how many cell phone calls are really that important? None, given all the ones I overhear on a daily basis. :D

A fair number of people that I know use cell phones exclusively and is their primary phone. According to a recent bulletin from our local Telephone service provider they are seeing more people opt for just a cell phone instead of both a cell phone and a land line. It appears that more people are moving towards using the cell phone as a primary contact point which makes battery life quite important.

Sopranino

[MacSamurai]

speculate all you want...wont believe it til i see it,and it better be crammed with features lol like 3m pixel camera and wifi....

[rlreif]

picture the 80gb ipod, in its current form factor.... that slides down like the LG Chocolate does, to expose a full qwerty keyboard... sweet

[kerrels]

Hey!! Stop talking about the iPhone!! It makes me hornY!!

[kashimo]

The trademark was posted with a "Far Eastern" patent office...hmmmm... That is Japan I believe.

1) Japan is the only "Far Eastern" nation with an iTunes Store.
2) Softbank has stated in the past that it was in talks with Apple to become a provider of an "iPhone".
3) iPhone is critical for Apple sales in Japan as iPod and iTunes sales have been losing out to AU and DoCoMo's music download-to-phone services

Reason? Japanese people don't like using their credit cards online to buy things. Apple has been pushing pre-paid cards sold at convenience and electronic stores. Softbank is rebranding the Vodafone product in a "Apple fashion" by offering more stylish, intuitive and creative products. Currently when you sign up with Softbank, you get a 4GB iPod Nano.

Unlike the G5 powerbook, this is not a white elephant. It is going to happen and probably in the next few months.

Previously Discussed here.
Apple Reportedly Seals iPhone Deal in Japan (http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/mobile/2006/05/15/apple-reportedly-seals-iphone-deal-in-japan/)

Previously Reported here.
Apple partners with Softbank for iPhone (http://www.macnn.com/articles/06/05/12/iphone.in.japan/)

[stephenli]

Here's what I'm sick and tired of:

Give me a break.

good post! can't stop laughting!!!!
but it proves how we love Apple products, right?

btw, give me a Powerbook G5 and video iPod in, 2007, please :) (and an iPhone in winter 06!!!!)

[mgauss]

The world is ready for the "computer we carry" that "syncs with the computer at home and work."

The iPhone will also let Apple hook the user into the whole Apple experience by giving cell users what no cell company has done: a good cell phone operating system, with friendly software.

If Apple misses this opportunity, it will be the defining moment in its history.

[iMeowbot]

The trademark was posted with a "Far Eastern" patent office...hmmmm... That is Japan I believe.
There is no application for iPhone in the Japanese trademark database.

There are, however, applications for iPhone dating from late September in several countries' systems: Hong Kong, Singapore, UK/EU, US. These applications have all been taken out by a mysterious US entity known as Ocean Telecom Services LLC, which gives only Corporation Trust Center of Wilmington, Delaware as its contact address. This corporation was only formed a few days before the trademark applications appeared.

(This doesn't appear to be Ocean Telecom of the UK, who don't make hardware; the trademark applications are definitely for hardware and software.)

More oddly, these applications list priority as an application filed in Trinidad and Tobago back in March 2006 - not bad for a company that came into being several months later. Annoyingly, the T&T IP Office servers haven't been responding today, so there isn't a quick way to check if this Ocean Telecom Services entity is an Apple shell.

Apple have, in the past, used the T&T trademark office (along with other countries not in primary Apple markets) to "hide" applications before, so it's certainly possible that this is from them.

[chuckles:)]

does sum1 take accountability for this stuff?

to me these iPhone rumors sound kida like whoever said that thiss would be the worst hurricane season ever.

[OdduWon]

The world is ready for the "computer we carry" that "syncs with the computer at home and work."

The iPhone will also let Apple hook the user into the whole Apple experience by giving cell users what no cell company has done: a good cell phone operating system, with friendly software.

If Apple misses this opportunity, it will be the defining moment in its history.
hope for origami killer but this will probbaly be the new TelePod :eek:
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j248/jonathaniliff/blah.jpg

[lmalave]

A good selling point would have to be how fast you can put on your music. My sister's Treo is painfully slow at that.

???

The Treo, like most music phones, use media cards. If you use a USB media card reader instead of a sync cable, it should sync at USB 2.0 speeds. No need for FireWire. That's how I put music on my SonyEricsson phone.

[puuukeey]

obviously jobs isn't scared of zune because he plans to one up zune in the communications department

[SRSound]

One model is expected to be a "smart phone" with integrated keyboard, video and music capabilities...

YESSSSS please come out with an Apple iPod+PDA+Cell w/ QWERTY device - i would buy this in a second!

[Thanatoast]

Am I the only one who plugs my phone in at night? All this worry over the battery life seems kind of silly. As long as it lasts the day...

[lmalave]

picture the 80gb ipod, in its current form factor.... that slides down like the LG Chocolate does, to expose a full qwerty keyboard... sweet

Hmm...I have a feeling both the iPhone and iPhone Pro will be flash-based though. But I think you're right they will both be slider phones. I think the iPhone "slim" phone will basically be like a shorter, wider iPod nano with a slightly larger screen and a slide-out keyboard - so it will be about twice the thickness of a nano. The larger iPhone Pro will be like a narrower iPod, maybe with a portrait screen orientation instead of landscape, and will again have a slide-out keyboard. I expect that the iPhone will have something like 2 GB and the iPhone Pro something like 4 GB or even 8 GB. I would be pleasantly surprised if either of these models had any expandable storage, but I doubt it. I think they will initially launch without expandable storage, and then add it later in the second generation of iPhones...

[lmalave]

Am I the only one who plugs my phone in at night? All this worry over the battery life seems kind of silly. As long as it lasts the day...

Hmm...well it needs to be a lot better than the 1st generation of music phones. My Sony Ericsson probably only gets 2 or 3 hours of music playback, and I don't think Apple would even launch such a crippled music phone. Since Apple has their iPod nanos up to 24 hours of music playback, I'm hoping they can get the iPhone to at least 8 to 10 hours of music playback. The concerns about battery life mentioned aren't encouraging, though. Maybe they were only able to get the music playing up to 6 or 8 hours max. I would still buy it though, since I only need at most 2 or 3 hours a day of playback anyway (for the gym and for the commute).

[OdduWon]

picture the 80gb ipod, in its current form factor.... that slides down like the LG Chocolate does, to expose a full qwerty keyboard... sweet
yeah this is why chocolate came out when it did because they thought the Telepod would look like this so they pushed theirs on to the market first . if they waited chocolate would not have been so sucessful.

[rlreif]

Hmm...I have a feeling both the iPhone and iPhone Pro will be flash-based though. But I think you're right they will both be slider phones. I think the iPhone "slim" phone will basically be like a shorter, wider iPod nano with a slightly larger screen and a slide-out keyboard - so it will be about twice the thickness of a nano. The larger iPhone Pro will be like a narrower iPod, maybe with a portrait screen orientation instead of landscape, and will again have a slide-out keyboard. I expect that the iPhone will have something like 2 GB and the iPhone Pro something like 4 GB or even 8 GB. I would be pleasantly surprised if either of these models had any expandable storage, but I doubt it. I think they will initially launch without expandable storage, and then add it later in the second generation of iPhones...

yeah yeah... thats what i meant.... i just mean the form of the 80gb ipod... an 80gb hd might be a bit overkill... but im just lookng at my ipod sitting on the table next to my treo 650, and the 650 looks so dated... i remember when that seemed so cool, but looking at them side by side they look like different decades... something the same size and design as the ipod 80gb, where at the bottom it slides and exposes a qwerty keyboard... stellar

[MrCrowbar]

I would love something along the lines of a nano that made phone calls. I could even do without the numeric pad.

I'm with you. I already catched myself looking up a number in my nano's address book ("contacts") and looking for the "call" item. I'd love to have the main menu going "Music \n Phone \n Phone \n Extras etc." But the nano might actually be a little small for a phone. Try holding one at your ear for a minute. How about an add-on that you plug in on the bottom via the dock connector? Makes the thing a little longer and you can just upgrade your iPod. Kinda like the iTrip, but in the exact same design as the iPod itself.

[iMeowbot]

The "far east country" (or at least one of them, more earlier) is Australia. The "convention" field listing country TT (Trinidad and Tobago) application 37090 confirms that the Ocean Telecom Services LLC is in all likelihood an Apple shell corporation.

Compare with the US TARR record (http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=77007808).

(below is a screen dump from the Australian IP mainframe)

17/10/2006 Trade Mark System Page 1 14:45:34
Application Abstract TMAP01MF
Applic. No : 1136412 Acceptance due : 11/01/2008
Filed on : 19/09/2006 First report : 11/10/2006
Convention : 27/03/2006 TT 37090 Examiner : BESWICK
Divisional :


Status : Under Examination - Extension Fees Not Required
Owner Name : Apple Computer, Inc.
Mark : (Words) IPHONE ; iPhone

(Type YS )
Classes : _ 28 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
(PF9 - display ALL Goods and Services, or select required classes with X or S)

Corrections made
* No Endorsements * Option __ HELP <PF1>

TMAPE01H V7.29 ( 1.1 ) XGUEST COMMAND ____________________

Class 28 is for games, including toy phones :D

[kresh]

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/4167/picture1yw8.png (http://imageshack.us)


edit: url for Delaware search: https://sos-res.state.de.us/tin/controller


2nd Edit: The attorny of record is Correspondent
James Johnston (Attorney of record)

JAMES JOHNSTON
OCEAN TELECOM SERVICES LLC
CORPORATION TRUST CENTER, ROOM 123
1209 ORANGE STREET
WILMINGTON, DE 19801

I wonder what would happen if I called this guy tomorrow and said "Hey James this is Mike Williams from Apple's legal dept. I have a couple of addendums I need to fax over for Ocean Telecom but I've mis-placed your fax number, can you give it to me? I need these filed this week!"

He either says:

1) Duh, do what

or

2) Sure, the number is blah blah blah

[iMeowbot]

Damn Delaware's LLC search goes down at midnight EST
There wasn't much in the record anyway, just the incorporation date and that they are using Corporation Trust Center as an anonymous proxy contact.

[edit: For completenes, the public record details:

File Number: 4222771
Incorporation Date / Formation Date: 09/22/2006 (mm/dd/yyyy)
Entity Name: OCEAN TELECOM SERVICES LLC
Entity Kind: LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (LLC)
Entity Type: GENERAL
Residency: DOMESTIC
State: DE

REGISTERED AGENT INFORMATION
Name: THE CORPORATION TRUST COMPANY
Address: CORPORATION TRUST CENTER 1209 ORANGE STREET
City: WILMINGTON
County: NEW CASTLE
State: DE
Postal Code: 19801
Phone: (302)658-7581
]

[stephenli]

There is no application for iPhone in the Japanese trademark database.

Apple failed to use the name "Airport" in japan, so they changed to "Airmac" at last. Even if somebody took the name already, its nothing to affect the product release but only to change the name and launch.

[DaveTheGrey]

Ideally, they could address this concern by having some software that told you well in advance that if you stop listening to music now, you still have so much time left on your phone.

nice idea!

I don't believe anything comes out until mwsf 07 (maybe except the core2duo books). Apple just released the new iPod line and who would buy an 80gig video ipod if you can get a widescreen for some more bugs...

I hope the PDA rumor is correct.

Apple in my ear, on my desk, in my livingroom, in my car, as my phone

"Gee, Steve, what do you want to do tonight?" "The same thing I do every night, Dave: Try to take over the world!"

[Marx55]

Apple, please, make it right:

- Smartphone.
- Built-in Mac OS X mobile.
- Wireless

That will make it the ultimate presentation tool with a huge halo effect on corporate, education and domestic markets:

1. Make presentation on Mac or PC with Keynote or Powerpoint.

2. Save the presentation to the iPhone.

3. Use the iPhone as a wireless computerless presentation remote.

Wow! More here with great pictures:

http://www.t3.co.uk/news/247/communications/mobile_phone/evidence_mounts_for_january_iphone

http://www.t3.co.uk/nested_content/gallery_assetlisting_navigation?root=633162&result_page=1
http://www.t3.co.uk/nested_content/gallery_assetlisting_navigation?root=633162&result_page=2
http://www.t3.co.uk/nested_content/gallery_assetlisting_navigation?root=633162&result_page=3

[lmalave]

I'm with you. I already catched myself looking up a number in my nano's address book ("contacts") and looking for the "call" item. I'd love to have the main menu going "Music \n Phone \n Phone \n Extras etc." But the nano might actually be a little small for a phone. Try holding one at your ear for a minute. How about an add-on that you plug in on the bottom via the dock connector? Makes the thing a little longer and you can just upgrade your iPod. Kinda like the iTrip, but in the exact same design as the iPod itself.

No way would an iPhone launch without a keypad. Text messaging is too popular. I think it will be a slider phone, though, so they keyboard is tucked away until you need it.

And I don't think the nano length is too short for a phone. My SonyEricsson is the same height as the Nano.

[lmalave]

Apple, please, make it right:

- Smartphone.
- Built-in Mac OS X mobile.
- Wireless

That will make it the ultimate presentation tool with a huge halo effect on corporate, education and domestic markets:

1. Make presentation on Mac or PC with Keynote or Powerpoint.

2. Save the presentation to the iPhone.

3. Use the iPhone as a wireless computerless presentation remote.

Wow! More here with great pictures:

http://www.t3.co.uk/news/247/communications/mobile_phone/evidence_mounts_for_january_iphone

http://www.t3.co.uk/nested_content/gallery_assetlisting_navigation?root=633162&result_page=1
http://www.t3.co.uk/nested_content/gallery_assetlisting_navigation?root=633162&result_page=2
http://www.t3.co.uk/nested_content/gallery_assetlisting_navigation?root=633162&result_page=3

I don't think any presentation features would be enought to cause any halo effect in the corporate market. Features that *could* cause a halo effect, on the other hand, are:

- Using the iPhone as high-speed wireless modem, over Bluetooth (2.0 or even a new version), or Wi-Fi (maybe can enable "Internet Sharing" on phone)
- Powerful email/messaging client to compete with Blackberry. They wouldn't really be competing with Blackberry, but they might strip away a few users that decide the email client is "good enough" and would like to have their iPod and phone in the same device...

[tcmcam]

I'm a Treo user now....

BUT, I would love an iPhone that has a "slide out" keyboard.

I worry about all this. Seems like the expectations for the iPhone are getting a bit out of hand. I'm thinking many people are going to be disappointed with a version 1.0 product.

What it will most likely do:
- Be a cell phone
- Be a great music player like iPod

What it *may* do:
- Be a great calendar client for iCal
- Support e-mail
- Have a web browser.

------

There's the rub, they are now competing with every hi-end phone out there. Apple is basically making their own "Phone OS" from the ground up. What web technology would they use? Is this too ambitious for a release 1 product? If they try this great, I just hope it is good. They are suddenly going to have competition from Windows Mobile, Nokia, Treo, Blackberry, and the whole Motorola line.

Let's remember with iPod, when it came out there were just some pretty lame competitors. The cell phone market is much more mature.

Good Luck Apple!

Jack:rolleyes:

[Mantat]

Ok... here is what is coming:

its not going to be a 'normal cel phone', its going to work ONLY via wireless internet connexion. Why? this is the only way for Apple to compete againts the other distributors. Apple doesnt have the network and all suppliers will see them as a threat. So by using the internet, they are free from the competitors.

Think about it! Why would Apple release a 'normal' phone? If they make a phone, its going to be the most innovative phone that can be and what else is better than a phone that doesnt cost anything per month with free and unlimited calls?

[vi2867]

I hear all this talk about an iPhone coming soon, which is great, but what carrier will Apple use?

It looks like they are going to use Cingular or maybe T-Mobile. I really doubt Apple using Sprint, Verizon or ONLY wifi. Wifi would be pointless because it would be very limited to certain areas only. I think their phones will be GSM, and all us customers who use cdma will be left out in the cold.

There are a lot more restrictions on a cdma phone than on a GSM phone. This really sucks because Verizon is the only company that works where I live...

[sartinsauce]

You know, I would love an Apple phone as much (or even more) than the next guy, but something occured to me this morning...

All this talk, all this hype. If/When the iPhone comes out, most of you are gonna flame Apple for releasing such a POS. I'm already vommiting at the thought of how many posts will use the overused phrase "underwhelmed."

You will be underwhelmed my friends, I promise.

Also, to stay competitive in the mobile phone hardware market, you've got to release new hardware, with new features, at least every year, if not twice a year. Apple seems to be so slow getting out of the gate on this one that I wonder if they could do that. I mean, look at quickly they updated their notebooks to Core 2 Duo. Oh, that's right, they haven't.

Can Apple produce and continue to innovate a product every 9 months?

[shecky]

* snip *

i actually think apple will probably come up with something that takes existing features/wants/needs of current smartphones/3G phones/etc. and defines/redefines the category somehow, much the way the iPod, while still doing things other players did when it was released, defined all HD based players after it.

maybe it will be the Home on iPod thing, maybe it will be some kind of remote access to your .mac iCals, or maybe it will just be form factor, (or any number of things, those are just off the top of my head) but i would be willing to bet it is NOT just an iPod that makes calls, or a phone that plays music.

not sure what, but something.

[sartinsauce]

i actually think apple will probably come up with something that takes existing features/wants/needs of current smartphones/3G phones/etc. and defines/redefines the category somehow, much the way the iPod, while still doing things other players did when it was released, defined all HD based players after it.


You're right, of course. I neglected to mention that in my post, and now that I think about that, maybe they will turn the tide on the current cycle of constant update/refresh.

Generally, Apple's products are true innovations. One would only hope that the iPhone would follow that track record.

[lmalave]

What it will most likely do:
- Be a cell phone
- Be a great music player like iPod

What it *may* do:
- Be a great calendar client for iCal
- Support e-mail
- Have a web browser.




I don't know if the iPhone will have a full-fledged mobile web browser to compete with the likes of Opera Mini, but I'm pretty sure it will at least contain a mobile interface to the iTunes Store. I guess this would be integrated into the mobile iTunes software rather than being mobile browser based, though...

[fixyourthinking]

I wrote a guide on my blog about how to get out of a cellphone contract when the iPhone is released. Enjoy (if you care to):

http://fixyourthinking.com/2006/10/how-to-get-out-of-cell-phone-contract.html;)

[10layers]

See Apple filing for iPhone trademarks worldwide (http://10layers.com/2006/10/apple-filing-for-iphone-trademarks-worldwide/).

Apple has filed for trademarks in: the US, the UK, the EU, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and others.

[iMeowbot]

Apple has filed for trademarks in: the US, the UK, the EU, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and others.

Ocean was already noted here (http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=2952028&postcount=49) and here (http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=2952239&postcount=61) :)

Madrid Protocol designations also attached to the US application on file with WIPO (http://www.wipo.int/cgi-mad/guest/ifetch5?ENG+MADRID-ALL.vdb+11+1162071-KEY+256+1+10642+F-ENG+1+1+1+25+SEP-0/HITNUM,PN,MAR,IMAGE+iphone): Antigua & Barbuda, Albania, Armenia , Netherlands Antilles, Bulgaria, Bahrain, Bhutan, Belarus, Cuba, Cyprus, Georgia, Croatia, Iran, Iceland, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Lesotho, Morocco, Monaco, Moldova, FYROM, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Romania, Sierra Leone, Syria, Swaziland, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Vietnam, [YU country code; probably Serbia], Zambia.

[asphalt-proof]

I have a Treo and I love the keyboard but I have a hard time believing that a keyboard on an Apple branded phone would look good. I have yet to see any PDA phone that looked good with a keyboard. It just looks clunky. Maybe Apple can do it right. But all those chicklet sized buttons just look like a crazed Bedazzler-wielding mom attacted an innocent cell phone. :eek:

[question fear]

I believe there will be an iphone, but I doubt it will be a smartphone right out of the gate.
Not to be too skeptical, but look at how long and how much R&D goes into current smartphones (especially qwerty ones). There were leaks for MONTHS before the E62, TMobile Dash, Blackberry Pearl, Treo 700p/W/750v/680, HTC StrTrK, etc all came out, because these things don't happen in a total vacuum...all that testing, it's hard to keep tongues from wagging and secret cameras from snapping. And people are certainly on the lookout, so it's not like Apple would fly under the radar.
A mobile OS smartphone has to stay connected to a server or connect quickly, multitask (at least enough to connect, etc while doing other things), sync efficiently with other computers (probably Macs and PCs), play nice with cellular-type things like texting and voicemail, and really just overall be stable while being super portable and able to function as a lightweight OS. It's definitely possible, and probable. BUT I think Apple will probably release a plainer iPhone first, probably running their mobile OS X, run out all the basic bugs that come from a phone, then release the smartphone version. The smartphone market is cutthroat, very competitive. It's better and more prudent for Apple to play the field and then come out swinging. Look at Motorola...they tried with the MPxx series, screwed up royally, pulled back and focused on their hardware, and then came out with a home run in the Q.

[question fear]

But all those chicklet sized buttons just look like a crazed Bedazzler-wielding mom attacted an innocent cell phone. :eek:

This was the funniest thing I've read all week.

I've been in insurance training, and in addition to financial people, there's been some, uh, "Desparate Housewives" getting their insurance licenses, and I'm picturing them passing around a poor phone and a bedazzler during class now. :eek:

[asphalt-proof]

This was the funniest thing I've read all week.

I've been in insurance training, and in addition to financial people, there's been some, uh, "Desparate Housewives" getting their insurance licenses, and I'm picturing them passing around a poor phone and a bedazzler during class now. :eek:

Thanks and you Location: Brighton/Brightoff is very clever. Had to read it twice to catch the play. Nice:p

[question fear]

Thanks and you Location: Brighton/Brightoff is very clever. Had to read it twice to catch the play. Nice:p


hehe, glad you caught it. I don't even live in Brighton anymore, nice reminder for me to change it...

Uh...on topic....
If Apple did jump into mobile phone smartphone world, do you think they'd maybe license Symbian, since of the established phone OSes it's the most flexible and customizable? They could pull a unix/OS X on the symbian OS, and since most of the US wouldn't know a symbian phone if it walked up to them, sucker punched them, screamed "SYMBIAN IS A RILLY GOOD OS" right into their ear and then left a calling card.

[jose fuertes s.]

ummm an iPhone, but what it will make this thing special, Design?, Os?, well one thing is for sure, Apple design things that are really kickin ass, iMacs, iPods, an such things. The OS, well it will be like the iPod OS (but definitely much better) on this iPhone, i dont think apple will put and minimal version of OS X on this iPhone... or could they?

[prady16]

I believe there will be an iphone, but I doubt it will be a smartphone right out of the gate.
Not to be too skeptical, but look at how long and how much R&D goes into current smartphones (especially qwerty ones). There were leaks for MONTHS before the E62, TMobile Dash, Blackberry Pearl, Treo 700p/W/750v/680, HTC StrTrK, etc all came out, because these things don't happen in a total vacuum...all that testing, it's hard to keep tongues from wagging and secret cameras from snapping. And people are certainly on the lookout, so it's not like Apple would fly under the radar.
A mobile OS smartphone has to stay connected to a server or connect quickly, multitask (at least enough to connect, etc while doing other things), sync efficiently with other computers (probably Macs and PCs), play nice with cellular-type things like texting and voicemail, and really just overall be stable while being super portable and able to function as a lightweight OS. It's definitely possible, and probable. BUT I think Apple will probably release a plainer iPhone first, probably running their mobile OS X, run out all the basic bugs that come from a phone, then release the smartphone version. The smartphone market is cutthroat, very competitive. It's better and more prudent for Apple to play the field and then come out swinging. Look at Motorola...they tried with the MPxx series, screwed up royally, pulled back and focused on their hardware, and then came out with a home run in the Q.
Sounds too logical. Isn't apple more about being 'radical' and 'practical'?
I think having 2 phones in their lineup would be awesome. And they could also sell software/cool apps for both the phones and make more money as well. Currently there is hardly any market for software sale for mobile phones. Maybe apple will change it! :rolleyes:

[jose fuertes s.]

iHope Apple will make this phones with GSM technology, so everyone worldwide could have one. :)