iPhone 4GB and 8GB, Coming in January?

[SeaFox]

Apple's iPhone patent, http://www.myiphone.com/apple-iphone-patent-3068.php

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That mock up is interesting, but I don't see how one would be able to add two batteries to it.

Wish I could sell that kind of poo:confused:

8GB non is 20th on the Amazon electronics:) :)

Maybe its Best Buy clientel that don't get it :D :D

I'm still trying to wrap my head around a Best Buy employee being a source of information. I remember going there once and having to lecture the employee about WiFi when he tried to talk to me about 802.11h.

[c-Row]

- "It's small as *****"

Guess that's what delays its release - everytime they fall of the manufacturing band they get lost... :p

[rcha101]

Get a Nokia E70 smartphone. Does all of what you listed.

Ahh is it supported by isync? The sync software from Nokia is PC only from memory. Looks like you'll have to get an iphone instead :)

http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/isync/devices.html

[timmillwood]

Guess that's what delays its release - everytime they fall of the manufacturing band they get lost... :p

if it is small as ****** it all depends on who you are and which ****** you are talking bout

[b0ned0me]

What an ignorant comment. The U.S., obviously, is key to Apple. Ignoring the majority of cell subscribers here would not be smart. My guess is a CDMA version and a GSM version, nothing new. Most phone manufacturers make two versions of U.S. phones.
I'm curious as to why you say this? Currently there are something like two and a half billion mobile phone customers in the world, and the majority of them are on GSM handsets. A combined GSM/UMTS handset would be perfect for the rest of the world, which is currently adding more subscribers per year than the entire population of the USA. 3G UMTS is a niche market for high-end customers, and even that grew by about 40 million last year. If you are designing a mobile phone, the US CDMA market is a small niche, not something you aim for as a whole.

[whooleytoo]

After having many, many phones, now; I think my number 1 feature request would be a zippy UI. I love Nokia phones, but switching from menu to menu is just far too sluggish.

It should be interesting too to see how they try to integrate the phone with the Mac, apart from iSync and Address Book, probably (3G?) Internet access for notebooks, might they include remote control functionality in the iPhone?

[ziwi]

I would have to see the price wit ha contract - especially if one uses it for just making calls.

[Squonk]

I've got my birthday money in the bank just waiting for the next Apple doo-dad to come out. Will I buy a phone, an iTV or 6G iPod. Hmmm, decisions, decisions...

To be honest, I do not need a phone that will play music, I have an iPod mini for running and a 4G iPod Photo for my entire catalog already. I just want a phone that WORKS! And give me excellent syncing of addressbook and calendar and I'll be very happy!

[MXSkier62]

this is great news. I'm in need of a new phone, and allowing me to carry two things in one device is awesome.

I realize that people want the great features (i.e. internet, awesome camera), but if this is supposed to work simply as a phone and an iPod, then i don't see the need for that.

Just a good UI and good playback.

Let's just hope it's true!

[MarcelV]

That mock up is interesting, but I don't see how one would be able to add two batteries to it.

Look at the battery for the 2nd Gen. Shuffle. Two of those would fit......

[Clive At Five]

Look at the battery for the 2nd Gen. Shuffle. Two of those would fit......

The Shuffle doesn't power an Electromagnetic Transmitter capable of reaching several miles.

-Clive

[Clive At Five]

Look at the battery for the 2nd Gen. Shuffle. Two of those would fit......

Or a screen, for that matter.

-Clive

[eme jota ce]

To be honest, I do not need a phone that will play music, I have an iPod mini for running and a 4G iPod Photo for my entire catalog already. I just want a phone that WORKS! And give me excellent syncing of addressbook and calendar and I'll be very happy!

I second your motion, offer contributions to your campaign, and endorse your platform.

[spicyapple]

The battery in my RAZR is fairly small and provides about a week and a half of stand-by power. But the model is 2-3 years old? I'm positive Apple could come up with some amazing power management and micro circuitry to bring together the next-gen of cell phone design.

Sorry about the mock-up posted. It was separate from the patent link. :)

luv ya bunches! xoxoxo

[Soculese]

doesn't january sound a weird month to release a big thing like this one? everyone's broke in january...

I seem to remember that the first round of Intel Macs were released in January. Please someone correct me if I am wrong. They release in January, products don't hit the shelves at a steady pace for a month or two.....right when people get their federal tax returns.

[Latisha]

Two things here really break the credibility for me:

-The two batteries thing sounds like the absolute worst kind of convergence possible. It's like saying "we literally glued an iPod and a phone together". It sounds clunky and unlike anything Apple would ever do. Heck, no Apple products have ever even had removable batteries.

-It's not out for Christmas. Sounds like a dumb move.

[whooleytoo]

Two things here really break the credibility for me:

-The two batteries thing sounds like the absolute worst kind of convergence possible. It's like saying "we literally glued an iPod and a phone together". It sounds clunky and unlike anything Apple would ever do. Heck, no Apple products have ever even had removable batteries.

-It's not out for Christmas. Sounds like a dumb move.

My guess is that if there are two batteries, they'll still be in the one 'package', so unless you'd read the manual you might never know there would be two in there.

I don't think it's that surprising that this looks likely to launch after Christmas - Apple has been releasing products for years at Macworld in January, missing the Christmas season. I'd assume the argument is - Apple products will sell well in the Christmas period without any 'help'; the product launch in January would kick-start sales for the slow quarter in the New Year; plus any January launch wouldn't be drowned out by all the pre-Christmas marketing period.

[freeny]

luv ya bunches! xoxoxo

With all your "luv ya's", "xoxoxoxo's" and your avatar image, I think your making the boys a bit randy:D

[devilot]

...but I must admit, I'm never been in an area where Cingular had coverage and Verizon didn't...I have. :p UCSC.

Two batteries ensures that you could never run down the battery using the iPod inadvertently.That was one of my first thoughts; "If I replaced my Nano w/ this thing, I'd totally run down the battery in no time." And yet didn't think of how the dual battery system could come in handy. Uh dur. I feel lame. :o

[Diatribe]

I have. :p UCSC.

That was one of my first thoughts; "If I replaced my Nano w/ this thing, I'd totally run down the battery in no time." And yet didn't think of how the dual battery system could come in handy. Uh dur. I feel lame. :o

Don't feel bad, we all have those days. :D

[freeny]

I have. :p UCSC.

That was one of my first thoughts; "If I replaced my Nano w/ this thing, I'd totally run down the battery in no time." And yet didn't think of how the dual battery system could come in handy. Uh dur. I feel lame. :o

Funny thing is, I have no interest with the iPod functions rumored with this phone. Im just hoping for good design and functionality.

[sivancotel]

everyone's been talking about how the dual battery idea is smart because it can save you from killing your phone by listening to too much music, but dumb because you should be able to siphon energy from one to the other if necessary, and two batteries take up more space than one more powerful battery for the same charge.

so what if the "dual batteries" are in fact one battery, with good power management rules, controlled by a set of user prefs that limit how much juice can be used by one function (e.g., music) before that function is cut off? this could be presented on the front end to the user as if it were two batteries, but in reality just be controlled behind the scenes.

good idea/bad idea?

[peharri]

I build networks for these guys for a living. That is bogus info. If anything, GSM has the slight lead in efficiency expressed as coverage per tower. However, Verizon have had a better business plan with sharper guys for a lot longer. Cingular is still a kluge, and it is way more expensive to fix their disparate networks now than it was for Verizon over the last 10 years of acquisitions. That is why Verizon is better in general.

CDMA is more spectrum efficient than GSM's 200kHz/8 channels FH-TDMA system, on a cell-by-cell basis. Of course, this doesn't actually mean much in practice because once you start rolling out enough towers to minimize blackspots, you end up with more than enough capacity anyway.

The really sad thing about the nineties was that the entire US cellular market went for the "superior networking technology == one with most capacity" argument, leaving most networks with what amounts to a version of AMPS with a better air interface, which is more efficient than GSM, but nowhere near as solid.

Cingular's kludge excepted, of course.

[peharri]

I'm curious as to why you say this? Currently there are something like two and a half billion mobile phone customers in the world, and the majority of them are on GSM handsets. A combined GSM/UMTS handset would be perfect for the rest of the world, which is currently adding more subscribers per year than the entire population of the USA. 3G UMTS is a niche market for high-end customers, and even that grew by about 40 million last year. If you are designing a mobile phone, the US CDMA market is a small niche, not something you aim for as a whole.

I don't think Apple is going to want to leave out half the US market, however important the rest of the world is to them. They may be making questionable business decisions with this venture, but this isn't going to be one of them.

UMTS would add significantly to the cost, I'd leave it out of the GSM version unless I wanted to add a third, more expensive, model to the range. Quadband GSM/EDGE will be more than enough right now, until the prices of UMTS hardware plummet anyway.

[freeny]

These are the intarwebs, bro.

My money's still on spicyapple being a d00d. :D


Don't mean to ruin your e-crush :o

No crush here, Married with child. (that musician chick in her avatar is cute though)

Only commenting on continued "interest" throughout this site.

Although you may have something with the "d00d" comment. Some over compensation with the hugs and kisses??...;)

[Squonk]

I second your motion, offer contributions to your campaign, and endorse your platform.

Sweet - thanks! Just drop me an email for my PayPal account. Oh by the way, what office am i running for again??

===

1 battery VS 2 batteries

The notions that have been floated here about it being one physical battery with two virtual partitions is an interesting idea. And this would be one of those "what is Apple going to think of next" kind of innovations.

And this way you could call your significant other and say, "honey, can you bring me my phone charger?". :D

[freeny]

Perhaps they could come up with a way to "partition" the phones battery? That way the phone wont allow you to use your mp3 player if the battery drains to a certain ammount.

[sivancotel]

Perhaps they could come up with a way to "partition" the phones battery? That way the phone wont allow you to use your mp3 player if the battery drains to a certain ammount.

that's the general idea I was proposing, although I was thinking it would be more dynamic than "partition" usually implies. since this is apple, I was thinking it would be super powerful and intuitive. so for example, it's 8am and you're leaving for work, you know you'll get home around midnight, you tell your iPhone you want enough battery power to be able to receive calls until midnight. around 2pm, it cuts off the music player because listening to more music would prevent you from reaching midnight before powering down. and of course, the iPhone knows your typical usage patterns, and adjusts as necessary.

[Squonk]

Perhaps they could come up with a way to "partition" the phones battery? That way the phone wont allow you to use your mp3 player if the battery drains to a certain ammount.

I could see something like the slider used in .mac accounts for choosing space between iDisk and email storage.

Or how about something that when the total battery charge is down to 10-15%, it will only operate the cell phone portion. And make it so when converting to cell-phone only you have 18 hours of standby and 1 hour of talk time remaining. Yeah, I like this notion better than allowing the cell portion to be dead and you can still crank up the U2.

That reminds me, do y'all think there also be special edition iPhones? What are you idea's for the wackiest versions?

[lmalave]

I don't think Apple is going to want to leave out half the US market, however important the rest of the world is to them. They may be making questionable business decisions with this venture, but this isn't going to be one of them.

UMTS would add significantly to the cost, I'd leave it out of the GSM version unless I wanted to add a third, more expensive, model to the range. Quadband GSM/EDGE will be more than enough right now, until the prices of UMTS hardware plummet anyway.

I'm not sure if Apple will actually come out with a CDMA version.

But I'm relatively CERTAIN that at least the larger "PDA" mode will be available for GSM/UMTS. Just because it adds to the cost doesn't mean it's cost-prohibitie. For example, Cingular offers phones ranging from the LG CU400 (full retail price of just $229, with contract, etc. it's just $29), to the new Samsung Blackjack (full retail price of $449, with contract, etc. it's just $199).

So if Samsung can offer a full-featured 3G PDA phone for $449, why can't Apple release a competing PDA phone? And LG's CU400 and CU500 3G phones sell for $229 and $299, why can't apple release a competing "basic" 3G phone in the same price range ("basic" being relative, of course).

I hope that the "PDA" iPhone is available for the same pricing structure as the Samsung Blackjack. I'd definitely sign up with whatever company is offering the PDA iPhone for $199 with 2-year contract (hopefully T-Mobile since I already have it, but I will make the switch to Cingular if necessary).

[ejl10]

I hope we get iPhone integration in the car. That would be just plain awesome.

[MXSkier62]

the thought of an iPhone is such a tantalizing prospect it makes me want to purchase a ton more apple stock than I can afford.

but my one question concerns use during flights. As of right now, we are not allowed to have cell phones on during flight. If the iPod is integrated into the phone, then wouldn't the ipod be unusable in-flight?

I'm sure apple has thought of a way around this (i.e. have on only ipod at times, or only phone at times), but this does leave some doubts about the unlimited usage of this device.

But hey, I want one now. So, we will figure this out later. Give me my iPhone:D

[Digitaljim]

I know i'm probably going against the grain here, but i'd be more than happy if Apple just made a simple PHONE that looked sexy as hell, had a decent GUI and had a battery that lastest a fair bit.

You can keep your crappy cameras, web browsers, music players, bluetooth, qwerty keyboard etc. They all detract from what really matters to me: sexyness.

I know it won't revolutionize the market, but i'd buy one. :cool:

[Rojo]

but my one question concerns use during flights. As of right now, we are not allowed to have cell phones on during flight. If the iPod is integrated into the phone, then wouldn't the ipod be unusable in-flight?

My iPod is the only thing that keeps me sane when flying, so it would be a major bummer if the iPhone wouldn't be usable on flights. I'd keep my current nano just for this reason and bring it along with me just in case.

[Linito]

I know i'm probably going against the grain here, but i'd be more than happy if Apple just made a simple PHONE that looked sexy as hell, had a decent GUI and had a battery that lastest a fair bit.

You can keep your crappy cameras, web browsers, music players, bluetooth, qwerty keyboard etc. They all detract from what really matters to me: sexyness.

I know it won't revolutionize the market, but i'd buy one. :cool:

i agree, stop making swiss army knife's and make a simple pretty cellphone

[nplima]

Hi All,

IMHO the reason for the 2 batteries is that Apple may consider to make the phone as an add-on to iPod. A clip-on to be exact. why? defense of iPod.

1) the iPod brand is very valuable. entering a new market that happens to be quite crowded is an excellent way to mess up, dragging down an excellent brand;
2) it is the best interest of Apple to not allow the phone and music players to merge. or at least to make it clear that it's best to have iPod plus a phone instead of a do-it-all device.
3) people have been spending a lot of money (per megabyte of storage) on their iPods. If suddently Apple shows up with a phone with iPod and prices it according to what they need to in the music-phone market, they'll be telling the market that a stand-alone iPod is a bad deal.

So, what I think the iPhone will be ... probably a clamshell that fits the iPod nano on its back. Its main feature will be iSync, which is something that other mobile phone manufacturers have been struggling to get right: each of them forces the user to add another stupid icon and proprietary sync application to the Windows XP notification area. They all sync with MS Outlook and that's pretty much it. All that iPhone needs is to be white, to iSync and a distinctive way to snap in the iPod Nano. I'm 99% that I'l get right at least one of these 3 :D

[kcasazza]

I submitted this idea over a year ago to apple. Does anyone know the process, if there is one, about compensation for the idea? let me know

[eisa01]

but my one question concerns use during flights. As of right now, we are not allowed to have cell phones on during flight. If the iPod is integrated into the phone, then wouldn't the ipod be unusable in-flight?
Have an option to only have the iPod function running, and no cell phone functionality running, like every other proper cell phone out there?

[210]

Having read what people expect from this 'phone, it wouldn't be out of place in a James Bond movie! Considering this is the first 'phone Apple has developed (if it's true), do you think they will get it right the first time and have even a fraction of all the features people expect from it? Also, can they really steal the market quite a quickly as people think it will?

I have been holding off getting a new 'phone for years just because of this iPhone, so it better be here soon! My old 'phone isn't going to last much longer! I'm not looking for anything fancy: takes/receives call and does SMS. I know I can get any 'phone that can do that, but I'm a sucker for Apple products ;)

Also, I hope there is an option of buying the 'phone unlocked. Orange takes ages to bring in a new model and they will most likely block some features out (like iTunes from Motorola's V3i).

[hazmat]

My iPod is the only thing that keeps me sane when flying, so it would be a major bummer if the iPhone wouldn't be usable on flights. I'd keep my current nano just for this reason and bring it along with me just in case.

The SE Walkman phones, at least my W810i, have a boot menu to choose Walkman-only or full phone mode. Too band the Walkman on it sucks. :D

[Vanilla]

Wow. Maybe I should do the lottery now.

Back in September, (the 15th to be precise) in response to a message on a thread called "Would an iPhone eat the nano?" that an iPhone with music capability would eat up the batteries and therefore a dedicated phone and iPod was better, I said the following:

"You know, I do wonder whether they could have a unit with two batteries of some kind, one dedicated to the phone and one for the mp3 player....dont know, maybe it's a crazy idea..."

So yes, this is my "smug mode", but it was quite a pleasant surprise that an idle thought has suddenly been mirrored in a rumour.

Whether it actually happens of course is another matter...
Vanilla

[buffalo]

As much as I would like to replace my old Verizon phone, I can't bring myself to do it. I know deep down in my heart that the iPhone probably won't be compatible, but I'm going to hold out hope until MWSF.

[Edot]

I submitted this idea over a year ago to apple. Does anyone know the process, if there is one, about compensation for the idea? let me know

From http://www.apple.com/legal/terms/site.html

.......

Feedback and Information
Any feedback you provide at this site shall be deemed to be non-confidential. Apple shall be free to use such information on an unrestricted basis.

..............

[bigandy]

I submitted this idea over a year ago to apple. Does anyone know the process, if there is one, about compensation for the idea? let me know

it's called patenting before you tell people. :p

[kddpop]

Having read what people expect from this 'phone, it wouldn't be out of place in a James Bond movie! Considering this is the first 'phone Apple has developed (if it's true), do you think they will get it right the first time and have even a fraction of all the features people expect from it? Also, can they really steal the market quite a quickly as people think it will?


rumors are fun. ive been reading these forums for a long time and only recently have begun posting again. i enjoy thinking of what could/might be.

but where rumors can be unfun...when expectations are based on these rumors and, even worse, based on peoples expressed desires on a rumored, unreleased product...then when the product finally does hit, it doesnt have any of the features that we all cry for but never enen made it to the rumor stage.

i.e.
rumor=apple is working on a phone and will likely release early 07

expressed desires=
smart phone
touch screen
lots of memory for songs
etc.

expectation=smartphone/pda/ipod/tablet definately released at mw 07

the rumor is great. its fun to talk about desired features. but when the expressed desires become expectation, we all whine about how crappy the product is when it's finally released.

~kyle

[freeny]

I submitted this idea over a year ago to apple. Does anyone know the process, if there is one, about compensation for the idea? let me know

Good luck with that. Let us know how it goes:D

check here- http://www.apple.com/legal/policies/ideas.html

or just read this-

Apple's Unsolicited Idea Submission Policy

Apple or any of its employees do not accept or consider unsolicited ideas, including ideas for new advertising campaigns, new promotions, new or improved products or technologies, product enhancements, processes, materials, marketing plans or new product names. Please do not send any original creative artwork, suggestions or other works. The sole purpose of this policy is to avoid potential misunderstandings or disputes when Apple's products or marketing strategies might seem similar to ideas submitted to Apple. So, please do not send your unsolicited ideas to Apple or anyone at Apple. If, despite our request that you not send us your ideas, you still send them, then regardless of what your letter says, the following terms shall apply to your idea submission.

TERMS OF IDEA SUBMISSION
You agree that: (1) your ideas will automatically become the property of Apple, without compensation to you, and (2) Apple can use the ideas for any purpose and in any way, even give them to others.

PRODUCT FEEDBACK
Apple does, however, welcome your feedback regarding many areas of Apple's existing business. If you want to send us your feedback, and we hope you do, we simply request that you send it to us using the form found at http://www.apple.com/contact, or you can choose from the many other listed areas for your feedback. Please provide only specific feedback on Apple's existing products or marketing strategies; do not include any ideas that Apple's policy will not permit it to accept or consider. It's just one more way that Apple can learn how to best satisfy your needs.

Feedback and Information
Any feedback you provide at this site shall be deemed to be non-confidential. Apple shall be free to use such information on an unrestricted basis.

[GregA]

a wi-fi phone would be horribly limiting. Cell phones can be sold worldwide - only select areas have broad wireless access.
Yeah, a wi-fi phone would have a different market. I'd use it at home as a cordless, and maybe take it to work.

BUT - maybe it would go further than home/work. If it ever happened, I would happily buy an Apple "Wifi" account that roams my laptop or iPhone to various hotspot providers nationwide (as long as there's no minimum spend - I don't know how much I'd use it). And I'd let Apple piggyback on my Airport for any other Apple Wif-iPhone users (and give me a Wifi credit at the same time).

i was gonna get a nano for christmas but i think i am going to wait for the iPhone.
Never buy an Apple product for Christmas. I've told my fiance and parents not to. If they wish, they can get me a gift voucher for the local Apple centre which I'll use early January (after MWSF).

[lmalave]

i agree, stop making swiss army knife's and make a simple pretty cellphone

I disagree. What I want from Apple is simple phone/iPod integration. I will NOT buy a phone just because it's Apple. There are PLENTY of great phone choices out there. My Sony Ericsson is tiny, great looking, and has the best interface I have seen on a phone. I rarely use the phone or Music features and largely just use it to call and text message.

That being said the ONE thing I want from apple is iPod/phone integration. There are only 3 things that I will take with me at ALL times: my phone, my keys, and my wallet. I will NOT always remember to take my iPod with me. So what I want is simple, I want my iPod to be part of my phone so that my iPod is always with me. Ditto for a camera and PDA. I want *every* major electronic gadget to be rolled into my phone for the simple reason that that is the ONE device I always have with me. I will leave to Apple to devise an elegant interface to make it user-friendly.

P.S. my Sony Ericsson completely nailed the optimal phone/camera integration. Open the lens cover, and the phone becomes a little digital camera. Close the lens cover, and it's back to being a phone. Likewise, I would expect Apple to provide *the* ideal phone/music player combination.

[sivancotel]

I placed a $50 wager today online that apple will announce the iPhone at macworld in january. it's paying two to one. that means if apple anounces the iPhone at macworld, I'll have an extra hundred bucks to help afford buying one! (of course if they don't announce it, I'll be out $50. boo.)

happy to share the info if anyone wants it, e-mail or message me...

[GregA]

Does anyone know of a phone/provider that allows voicemail to be stored in the phone, not through dial-up with frustrating & slow menus? A nice interface & instant access to any message would be a huge improvement.Most phones allow multimedia messages to be sent and received. So they could certainly be sent a voicemail rather than force you to ring them. The message title could also include the senders phone number.

I don't know of any providers who do that.
The two batteries makes a whole lot of sense. I always seem to be running my ipod till it dies. It would be nice to know that the phone portion has its own battery too keep me in touch when the 'ipod' goes out.
Not sure if anyone has said this (still catching up)... but is it possible Apple will have 2 "virtual" batteries. ie: As a user you THINK it's 2 batteries, but it's really one. Then, as someone recently said, you could adjust the size of each with a slide rule, or select "use music battery" if your phone went dead, or something similar.

[Chundles]

I placed a $50 wager today online that apple will announce the iPhone at macworld in january. it's paying two to one. that means if apple anounces the iPhone at macworld, I'll have an extra hundred bucks to help afford buying one! (of course if they don't announce it, I'll be out $50. boo.)

happy to share the info if anyone wants it, e-mail or message me...

No, you'll have an extra $50. The $50 you place counts as an expenditure until you win, then you get a hundred which cancels out the original money you spent on the bet and gives you $50 profit.

It would need to pay 3:1 for you to get $100 profit.

[GregA]

but my one question concerns use during flights. As of right now, we are not allowed to have cell phones on during flight. If the iPod is integrated into the phone, then wouldn't the ipod be unusable in-flight?Most flights say that you have to turn your phone off, or put it into "flight mode". This disables the wireless parts, but lets you use the calendar, mp3 player, camera, etc.

[cheekyspanky]

The mobile phone carriers can block different handsets quite easily so it's possible it won't be a simple case of buy the phone, insert your current USIM and you're good to go.

Saying that though the handsets are one of the biggest aquisition costs for a new customer so if a customer brings their own handset, then still uses all the networks services then it's a bonus all round. The only people that lose out would be Nokia et al.

Unless this handset is with mobile operators now though I can't see it being compatible with any network services by January as it each of the operators have strict guidelines for bringing on a new handset to ensure it meets all of their requirements.

[GregA]

People aren't in this thread for advice on which Nokia to buy, they're here discussing a potential iPhone - and what they'd like to see it do. I don't think telling them to get another phone is really constructive.
True to a point. Some people want a brilliant Apple iPhone, and when they list off what they want, there are plenty of phones that already do that. My Nokia N70 is one of them. So would I buy an iPhone? Probably (when my phone OR iPod needs replacing). Why Apple? I want the iTunes integration and I use a Mac so it makes it highly likely.

If I had a PC, would I want an iPhone? I'm not sure. Will it look good? Be robust enough? Fast menus (my Nokia is SLOW)? Integrate with my PC address book & email? What else does it do? I'd certainly have to compare it to the latest similar Nokia - and if I can't list things that make it better than other phones, that would say something.

someone else brought up 3G. GSM carriers in north america are just beginning to roll out 3G (3.5G actually) on a national level. what kind of specs are we going to see? quad band is a given, but will it be North American 3G (UMTS 850/1900) or European Spec (UMTS 1900/2100) [NOTE: my knowloedge of this is a bit patchy, so someone please correct me if im wrong)... there is a difference between european and north american 'Third Generation'. Or will it be 2G with plain jane 850/900/1800/1900? that'd be kind of lame...Roughly speaking, the 3G phones are more generous in their compatibility with each other than GSM vs CDMA were. And the evolution to 3G still falls roughly along the same lines as GSM vs CDMA, with the exception that several CDMA providers are jumping across to 3GSM instead of CDMA's 3G.

So whether it's 2G or 3G, there's still 2 standards (GSM/CDMA) to choose from (hopefully both will be made). IMO

I hope they do go 3G, but I understand that 2G is a smaller and cheaper technology. It may be very cheap and easy to add GSM to an iPod Nano.

And more expensive to add 3GSM. But it may explain the pricing rumour - $50 more for a 4GB iPhone than a 4GB Nano. $150(?) extra for an 8GB iPhone than a 8GB Nano. Perhaps the 8GB is not just a memory upgrade, but 3GSM too.

[zoom1]

No, you'll have an extra $50. The $50 you place counts as an expenditure until you win, then you get a hundred which cancels out the original money you spent on the bet and gives you $50 profit.

It would need to pay 3:1 for you to get $100 profit.

Nope. On a 2:1 wager he would indeed profit $100 (His stake returned and 2x it earned). The wager you describe would be 1:1 or even money. If the wager was 2 FOR 1 then he would be returned $100 FOR his $50 stake.


Either way my guess is he's gonna be out 50 bucks. But damnit my phone is getting old and skittish and I want one in January too.

[peharri]

The mobile phone carriers can block different handsets quite easily so it's possible it won't be a simple case of buy the phone, insert your current USIM and you're good to go.

Carriers who support SIM/USIM card based mobile phone systems rarely, if ever, block specific handsets on any basis other than them being stolen. To the best of my knowledge, only Nextel (which I believe had technical reasons for doing so) and a few pre-pay operators that have the credit processing software built into their handset's firmware, generally do this.

I've never come across an operator with its own infrastructure that's blocked the use of their (pay monthly) SIM cards in independently bought handsets.


Unless this handset is with mobile operators now though I can't see it being compatible with any network services by January as it each of the operators have strict guidelines for bringing on a new handset to ensure it meets all of their requirements.

That's nonsense. It might be true for the CDMA2000 operators, but not for the operators who use standards that require SIM/USIM cards (with the possible exception of iDEN, and I seriously doubt the phone will support iDEN.) GSM and UMTS operators just don't work that way, with the exception of the few instances I outlined about.

If there's a notable problem with the phone (ie a fault, that's picked up after release), then I can see them blocking it, but the default is to assume that if it has a valid IMEI, it's a valid phone.

No, you'll probably not be able to put your Net10 or Nextel SIM in. Your T-Mobile and Cingular SIMs, pre- and post-paid, will work fine.

[AtHomeBoy_2000]

This iPhone needs a few key features for me to be interested in replacing my current cell (and PDA too)..

1) iCal integration with PDA like abilities
2) Address Book integration (the ability to carry phone numbers AND addresses with me)
3) iPhoto integration (no camera phone, those are so lame)
4) ability to connec with Verizon. I love verzion, I'm not switching to another carrier just to get an iPhone.
5?) This is just a nice little addon - Plug-ins. Such as... a program that gets up-to-date sports scores.

This all needs to be included in the 4GB version. Maybe add GPS or somethign liek that for the 8GB version.

Basically.... it needs to be a Palm Treo Appleized.

[theBB]

I placed a $50 wager today online that apple will announce the iPhone at macworld in january. it's paying two to one. that means if apple anounces the iPhone at macworld, I'll have an extra hundred bucks to help afford buying one! (of course if they don't announce it, I'll be out $50. boo.)
I'd think Apple would organize a special event for iPhone, instead of releasing it during MWSF. C2D mini, Leopard Preview, iTV oh, and one more thing iPhone? It sounds like a bit too much. There is also the widescreen video iPod rumors. Still, good luck, who knows...

[macman2790]

in the podcast did he mention anything about a camera on the phone, thats the only thing that i see that this thing is missing.

[cheekyspanky]

Carriers who support SIM/USIM card based mobile phone systems rarely, if ever, block specific handsets on any basis other than them being stolen. To the best of my knowledge, only Nextel (which I believe had technical reasons for doing so) and a few pre-pay operators that have the credit processing software built into their handset's firmware, generally do this.

I've never come across an operator with its own infrastructure that's blocked the use of their (pay monthly) SIM cards in independently bought handsets.



That's nonsense. It might be true for the CDMA2000 operators, but not for the operators who use standards that require SIM/USIM cards (with the possible exception of iDEN, and I seriously doubt the phone will support iDEN.) GSM and UMTS operators just don't work that way, with the exception of the few instances I outlined about.

If there's a notable problem with the phone (ie a fault, that's picked up after release), then I can see them blocking it, but the default is to assume that if it has a valid IMEI, it's a valid phone.

No, you'll probably not be able to put your Net10 or Nextel SIM in. Your T-Mobile and Cingular SIMs, pre- and post-paid, will work fine.

A handset launching towards the end of the 1st quarter 07 would already be undergoing testing and development by the networks it's launching on. Whether this is the same for the US market I'm not sure but in my experience it's the case in the UK. In regards to blocking, if an Apple phone poses any problem for the networks they can block IMEI ranges and say it's unsupported on their network. An example of this in practise would be - you take a 3G handset and put it's USIM into a 2G handset not sold by the network, within a few days you will get a message warning you the handset is unsupported and will be blocked.

For the timescales and internal testing involved, a new handset that is identical to a currently sold one, but in a different colour, will often have to go through all of the internal testing again for power outputs etc, because of varying metal content within the paints, a totally new handset will take quite some time to be officially supported. I'm sure some networks aren't concerned with any old phone working on their network but there are some that definitely are.

[wkhahn]

Aye, that's true in the States, and generally most of the Americas, as I understand it. If you head across the Atlantic everything is GSM, which makes roaming and interoperability a hell of a lot easier. I'm not sure how good cell phone coverage in rural areas is there though. Perhaps someone from there could let us know?

By no means should my response be construed as "the" response for all rural coverage; In my little part of the country (about 100 mi [160km for those accustomed to the international system]) southwest of STL, if you venture 3 miles from the interstate, cingular is the only coverage you will keep. Verizon, Sprint, T-mobile all drop off at about the distance. Even in a metal building 15 miles from the interstate over hilly terrain I can still get/make calls from my office on Cingular.

[Erasmus]

It seems to me that this thing is going to rock.

In terms of ease of use, it shouldn't be very hard to have two entirely different interfaces. One the pretty standard iPod interface, so except for maybe an extra button or two on the front, it looks and behaves just like an iPod Nano.

Slide out the number pad (more realistic and probably over all more "Appleish" than a full Querty keyboard, as it's so much simpler) and the iPhone switches to its phone interface. If you call someone, or receive a call, music automatically pauses.

In terms of the battery, I think the two battery version is an excellent idea. The phone part should have access to both batteries, so even if both batteries are drained, there would still be enough residual power to send and receive texts at least. The music bit would run off just one of the batteries.

I think they should stick two identical batteries together back to back, so they can be ejected. Two batteries capable of playing music for about 12 hours each. So, you can buy a new battery as a backup, or as a replacement. Also, if you run out of power for the music player, pull the battry out, turn it round, and shove it back in. Twelve more hours of music, and the other battery gets a chance to rest, build up some residual charge, maybe enough for a call or two, should you run down the other.

This is going to be awesome, and would be an awesome replacement of my crappy $10 motorola:D. Especially as I don't have an iPod, but would very much like one. My money is waiting, Stevie J.

PS. Don't care about camera. Any half decent camera is going to be far better than anything that could be put on an iPhone. Can't you get cords to transfer photos directly from camera to iPod anyway? I very much doubt a camera will find its way into the iPhone for quite a while yet, and if it does, I think it might be trying to do too much.

PPS. I think it would be better not to let software run the battery allocation. After all, how do you test how much juice is left in a battery? Slowly decreasing voltage? You don't want a battery to do that. I don't think a software method of controlling when the music stops playing would be nearly accurate enough, especially when you start requesting 10% or lower.

[wkhahn]

Two batteries ensures that you could never run down the battery using the iPod inadvertently. I'm sure they've thought of this situation. My guess? You can opt for either the player of the phone to use both the batteries should you desire.

IF this is the case then why not just one power distribution system and software to handle the split between phone/ipod? Just say how far you want to run down the battery before the ipod stops working while the phone keeps you talking. Set a bottom limit of 10% or 30 min, whichever.

[rtharper]

IF this is the case then why not just one power distribution system and software to handle the split between phone/ipod? Just say how far you want to run down the battery before the ipod stops working while the phone keeps you talking. Set a bottom limit of 10% or 30 min, whichever.

That's not the same thing, that's setting drainage limits. Batteries drain on their own, too. They don't hold a charge forever. They hold a different maximum charge every time. Two batteries ensures that you NEVER drain it, even inadvertently, like I said before.

[PODshady]

I really dig the idea of 2 batteries and that is could be used for any carrier.... I hope this if for real.... I really want an iPhone (as long as it is under $500 and will work with Cingular I will buy one)

[dolbinau]

I'm really looking forward to what will come. I don't think apple in recent times has ever disappointed me with a release and I'm hoping it is not about to happen! I'm also not impressed with several of the mock-up images :(.

[MuzakaEklekta]

Let's face it -

- it won't have Wi-Fi
- it won't have the anticipated iChat compatibility
- it won't be 3G compatibile
- the display will be tiny
- it won't support many fun stuff, like emulators, GPS
- it will have issues

Apple will probably test the water first with a simple model. Then, I would give it another year until they start dabbling with 3G, Video Chat, etc, and get even close to the current Pocket PC Phone Editions out there.

It's not going to be revolutionary. It will be a mobile/cell phone in white with an Apple logo... which i know many will be dissapointed with, along with its lack of bells and whistles, commonly found in the abundance of mobile devices drifting through every tech blog and teenager's hands.

I want an iPhone as much as everyone else, but other the mould the hardware comes in, it will nothing over a high-end PDA (and don't moan about them being massive. Many are compact. Read up on the current models. It's not 2001.).

Even though you may knock WM5.0/6.0, it does have a huge archive of applications for it, and has more experience in the mobile field than what Apple may give birth to in the iPhone.

Of course, there's always the thought that Apple may surprise us...

[Goldfinger]

It would be cool if they came out with an iPhone. But it better have a damn good battery. I'm thinking of replacing my Nokia N72 for that reason. The battery sucks (just like any Nokia's battery). No Nokia for me anymore. And the menu system is complicated and slow as molasses.
And for some reason I have a feeling that the battery performance on an iPhone will suck, iPods never had great batteries except for the latest generation.
I need something that lasts 7 days in standby. If the iPhone doesn't offer it I'm going back to Ericsson.

[tjcampbell]

Most flights say that you have to turn your phone off, or put it into "flight mode". This disables the wireless parts, but lets you use the calendar, mp3 player, camera, etc.

Did you know that they tested cell phones at cruising altitude and they had a
.006 percent success rate of connection.

The no phones on planes thing will be a non issue very shortly.

Cheers, Tom

[GregA]

Did you know that they tested cell phones at cruising altitude and they had a .006 percent success rate of connection.
I'm not sure how that relates.
Firstly... pilots use their mobile phones as backup if the radio goes down. The original problem was that the first mobile phones, when taken in a plane, tried to connect to so many towers simultaneously (and to move between those towers so quickly) that the whole phone system crashed.
Next... a GSM phone causes the most interference when it is attempting to connect to a tower. That's when you hear the stuttering sounds on your radio if it's near the phone - so a bad rate of connection would actually be the worst time. It also drains the battery quicker. (CDMA & 3GSM phones don't stutter like that)
Lastly... I really don't believe a phone will cause any problems when flying... It's just the rule of the airline. And whether I'm right or not, if the airline says "no phone" then you'll need a "flight mode" on any iPhone.

The no phones on planes thing will be a non issue very shortly.I'd like to see it happen, but why do you say it'll be a non-issue?

[sivancotel]

No, you'll have an extra $50. The $50 you place counts as an expenditure until you win, then you get a hundred which cancels out the original money you spent on the bet and gives you $50 profit.

It would need to pay 3:1 for you to get $100 profit.


your logic is correct, but that's just not how betting terminology works. when you bet $50 at 2:1, that means if you lose you lose $50, if you win you get twice your bet ($100) plus your original bet back ($50). so you get $150 back, for a gain of $100. your numbers are spot on, soif you think about it we're in total agreement.

so yes, bet $50 on the iPhone being announced at macworld in january, and if it is announced, win $100 towards buying one (plus your original $50 back).

[peharri]

A handset launching towards the end of the 1st quarter 07 would already be undergoing testing and development by the networks it's launching on.


Only if it's being sold by those networks. If it's being sold SIM free, the networks don't really need to care. And, while it may be true that some CDMA2000 networks will block "unknown" phones, that just doesn't happen in the GSM/UMTS world, with the exception of the examples I gave.


Whether this is the same for the US market I'm not sure but in my experience it's the case in the UK. In regards to blocking, if an Apple phone poses any problem for the networks they can block IMEI ranges and say it's unsupported on their network. An example of this in practise would be - you take a 3G handset and put it's USIM into a 2G handset not sold by the network, within a few days you will get a message warning you the handset is unsupported and will be blocked.

Has this actually happened to you? If you're roaming, you may want to use a 2G handset. The issue here, in any case, is the person has an incompatible phone given their priceplan (and, in the case of UMTS-only networks like Three, their network.) The type of technology, not the phone itself is the cause of the blockage.



For the timescales and internal testing involved, a new handset that is identical to a currently sold one, but in a different colour, will often have to go through all of the internal testing again for power outputs etc, because of varying metal content within the paints, a totally new handset will take quite some time to be officially supported. I'm sure some networks aren't concerned with any old phone working on their network but there are some that definitely are.

Again, this really doesn't happen. Sure, GSM operators will fully test a phone before selling it themselves, but this is entirely different to blocking phones that they haven't tested. In some countries, notably all of those in the EU, this would be illegal as it violates the personal mobility part of the GSM mandate.

The only instance I can see where a regular GSM operator would block a regular GSM phone is if the phone itself has a broken design and doesn't meet the GSM specification. Likewise, the only instance I can see where a regular UMTS operator would block a regular UMTS phone is if the phone itself has a broken design and doesn't meet the UMTS specification for their supported AI technology (W-CDMA, TD-CDMA)

Blocking a phone because they haven't tested it themselves is a surefire way to have the EU kick them. It serves no purpose at all, and prevents people from being able to use the technology of their chosing. Realistically, a GSM iPhone, whether it's sold by an operator or bought SIM free directly from Apple will, unless Apple actually has flaws in the fundamental design, not be blocked by any GSM operator.

[lmalave]

Let's face it -

- it won't have Wi-Fi
- it won't have the anticipated iChat compatibility
- it won't be 3G compatibile
- the display will be tiny
- it won't support many fun stuff, like emulators, GPS
- it will have issues

Apple will probably test the water first with a simple model. Then, I would give it another year until they start dabbling with 3G, Video Chat, etc, and get even close to the current Pocket PC Phone Editions out there.

It's not going to be revolutionary. It will be a mobile/cell phone in white with an Apple logo... which i know many will be dissapointed with, along with its lack of bells and whistles, commonly found in the abundance of mobile devices drifting through every tech blog and teenager's hands.

I want an iPhone as much as everyone else, but other the mould the hardware comes in, it will nothing over a high-end PDA (and don't moan about them being massive. Many are compact. Read up on the current models. It's not 2001.).

Even though you may knock WM5.0/6.0, it does have a huge archive of applications for it, and has more experience in the mobile field than what Apple may give birth to in the iPhone.

Of course, there's always the thought that Apple may surprise us...

I disagree. I think 3G at launch is a MUST. I really think that the iPhones will have a mobile interface to the iTunes store. Apple has a lot of expertise by now at making small devices. And Apple has put fantastic screens on its iPods - why do you think they'd skimp on the iPhone?

The Wi-Fi and iChat I'm less sure about, but again I don't see why you have such little faith in Apple. Apple has ALL the ingredients: experience with tiny music players, experience with tiny cameras (e.g. iSight on the MacBooks), extensive experience with wireless technologies (e.g. wi-fi, bluetooth). True, Apple is completely untested in the mobile phone arena, but why do you assume that their first effort will have issues? Even though the iPhone is a more complicated device, I don't expect it to have any more "issues" than the initial iPod launch.

[xloveaffliction]

if the iPhone is going to be available to all providers, wouldnt the simplest thing (and most lucrative) for apple to do is simply sell the unlocked iPhone in its retail stores, in both CDMA and GSM flavors?

[charkshark]

I disagree. I think 3G at launch is a MUST. I really think that the iPhones will have a mobile interface to the iTunes store. Apple has a lot of expertise by now at making small devices. And Apple has put fantastic screens on its iPods - why do you think they'd skimp on the iPhone?

The Wi-Fi and iChat I'm less sure about, but again I don't see why you have such little faith in Apple. Apple has ALL the ingredients: experience with tiny music players, experience with tiny cameras (e.g. iSight on the MacBooks), extensive experience with wireless technologies (e.g. wi-fi, bluetooth). True, Apple is completely untested in the mobile phone arena, but why do you assume that their first effort will have issues? Even though the iPhone is a more complicated device, I don't expect it to have any more "issues" than the initial iPod launch.

I agree that 3G, AT LAUNCH is a definite must. A "Mini OS X" interface is what I believe to be the biggest upside of this phone, aside from iPod functonality which i think is secondary to a majority of users. iChat with AV support FOR SURE. I agree the camera will likely be an almost identical or smaller with identical specs as the iSights on the macbooks. Bluetooth is another definite MUST, even most mid- high end phones have Bluetooth. Wi-Fi I am doubtful of. I have heard rumors of Apple already being in production of a revised iPhone for release a few months after the original, maybe this phone will have Wi-Fi functionality? I also think there will be both CDMA & GPRS functionality unlocked for use on ALL networks throughout north america, possibly even a world phone?

It's a little far fetched but I think there is a chance of touchscreen almost PDA-like functionality.

There will be issues, probably less than the majority of first gen products though it is far more complex than the iPod at original launch.

[bigjohn]

So do we give Kevin Rose half-credit for getting some stuff dead-on and missing out on others... or was he completely right at the time and things just changed?

[yudilks]

None of his "predictions" to iPhone were correct... So no credit at all..

[bigjohn]

According to Rose, little bit of inside info on the Apple phone:

- Going to be coming out in January
- Don't know anything about the Operating System
- The OS is supposed to be "cool"
- Doing some unique things
- 4GB and 8GB
- Flash memory
- Maybe touch screen?


Announced in January, but for the most part, these he got right.

[bigjohn]

Announced in January, but for the most part, these he got right.

Mostly right except for January...

[ravenvii]

its funny how I would never have thought I would be posting in this thread using the iPhone when reading this thread last year

And yet... Here I am typing this on the iPhone!

[dartzorichalcos]

- "It's small as s***"
- Two batteries, one charger. One for MP3 portion and one for Phone.
- 4GB ($249) and 8GB ($449)

For those reasons, I would want to buy the phone. If it's a 2nd generation iPhone.