More Hints of an 'iPhone Nano' from Case Manufacturers

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/22/more-hints-of-an-iphone-nano-from-case-manufacturers/)


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/12/22/072405-iphonenano.jpg

iPhone case manufacturer XSKN (http://xskn.com/default.aspx?m=Styles) has labeled a section on their site for the "iPhone Nano". This description suggests that long running rumors of a miniaturized iPhone could be true.

XSKN gained some notoriety earlier this year when it began selling (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/05/19/3g-iphone-case-revealed/) cases for the then-unreleased iPhone 3G. The company again received headlines (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/09/03/ipod-nano-and-ipod-touch-dimensions-revealed/) in September with case images of unreleased 4th Generation iPod Nano designs. Both times, some readers had questioned if these were simply publicity stunts, though both sets of images later turned out to be accurate.

This time, XSKN has not published images of the purported "iPhone Nano", but iDealsChina did so (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/15/iphone-nano-rumors-revived-in-otherwise-quiet-lead-in-to-macworld/) earlier this month. While we don't believe XSKN or any case manufacturers have official knowledge of Apple's future plans, there is enormous financial incentive for these companies to obtain early information about Apple's next product.

To add more uncertainty into the mix, we've heard that some of Apple's initial plans for Macworld may have been delayed. So, even if an iPhone Nano was originally in the works, we're not sure when we'll actually see one.






Article Link: More Hints of an 'iPhone Nano' from Case Manufacturers (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/22/more-hints-of-an-iphone-nano-from-case-manufacturers/)

[Doodledoo]

My only question: how will they manage the screen size?

[yorkshire]

Now this I am interested in!

[SydneyDev]

The iPhone is just taking off as a development platform. They really don't want to split development in to two models at this stage. But at the same time they need to keep the product momentum going. It all depends on how they do it -- the iPhone and iPhone nano need to run all the same programs.

[7egend]

I see nothing wrong with having more choices in iPhone models, I really would like to see the iPhone Nano and iPhone sitting side by side in stores, some people like full size devices, and others like smaller devices. It would be like using a thin iPod Classic with a full touch Screen as a Phone, and would probably come in 4GB and 8GB models.

Not to mention with the reduction in materials and size of Flash memory the iPhone Nano could be offered at that $99 everyone seems so "gung-ho" about wanting. This would also keep Apple from cutting it's balls off by having to reduce the iPhone 3G's price down which would cut into their profits and plus would probably give them a great market share in the mobile phone sector by offering two models.

I, myself though wouldn't buy one of these devices, but for a teenager that wants an iPhone and a Parent that is worried about dropping $200 on a phone that will be lost, cracked, stolen or otherwised dissmembered is a perfect selling point.

/me shrugs

Choice is always good though.

[yorkshire]

The iPhone is just taking off as a development platform. They really don't want to split development in to two models at this stage. But at the same time they need to keep the product momentum going. It all depends on how they do it -- the iPhone and iPhone nano need to run all the same programs.

Definatly. Maybe an iPhone nano could have a higher resolution screen, so apps can be used on both. But then we'd all need fingers like pencils...

Wonder what Apple will do here, if it's true that is.

[johnmcboston]

My only question: how will they manage the screen size?

Tell me about it. I have a touch, and some things are a challenge on the screen as it is. Lord knows how you would see or point to anything on an iphone nano...

[themoonisdown09]

My only question: how will they manage the screen size?

I agree.

I don't know how you'll be able to type on a screen that is significantly smaller than the current iPhone. I really hope this rumor is not true.

[WhySoSerious]

i miss the days when things used to be a surprise to the consumer. now, every new concept/idea gets spoiled before it's actually released.

[foofan]

iphone nano is coming out but it will not have safari or mail. it will have ipod feature and embrace app store.

If you want to surf the net then the iphone nano will not be for you

[MasterNile]

i miss the days when things used to be a surprise to the consumer. now, every new concept/idea gets spoiled before it's actually released.

If you want to be suprised on Christmas stop looking for your presents early, like wise, if you want to be suprised on new releases stop reading rumor sites :p

[Small White Car]

Not to mention with the reduction in materials and size of Flash memory the iPhone Nano could be offered at that $99 everyone seems so "gung-ho" about wanting.

Not a chance.

Macbook - $999
Mackbook Air- $1,799

Smaller and less capable, but costs more. It will be the same thing with an iPhone Nano. Well, maybe not 'more' in the case of the phone, but I'm certain any Nano phone would cost the SAME as the current iPhones.

There are a ton of reasons, but I can shorten it down to this: They're the exact same reasons the Air costs more than the Macbook. And that's reality. What more do I need to say?

[bigjnyc]

i miss the days when things used to be a surprise to the consumer. now, every new concept/idea gets spoiled before it's actually released.

Those days still exist for those who dont browse rumor sites online.

[t0mat0]

Those days still exist for those who dont browse rumor sites online.

I'd extend that to not browsing any tech site.

[chrisgeleven]

Not a fan of the iPhone nano concept. Any smaller screen and it will get very hard to type accurate on it. Heck some people (not me) now have troubles with the current screen!

[AlexisV]

But there are plenty of touch screen phones available from other manufacturers, with screens smaller than the iPhone's.

[mrtune]

My prediction for a iPhone nano will be a $99 or less phone that will be simple compared to the iPhone 3G. Just as the iPod nano does only ipod stuff (no internet, apps, mail, etc) when compared to the iPod Touch, the iPhone nano will be a simple phone. Basic internet if at all, sms, phone, ipod. That's it. No apps. This phone will not require a $30 a month data plan either, which will appeal to a lot of people.

They are going to want to differentiate between the standard, full on iPhone and the inexpensive less featured nano version. This is the phone that could potentially create a huge marketshare for Apple. Just as the ipod nano is the big seller and the reason the ipod line carries a 70+% marketshare now.

[puffnstuff]

iphone nano? why?

[hectors92]

I can see them making a thinner , toned down iPhone like they did with the MacBook Air; any reduction in screen size would render the device unusable. So it wouldn't be a nano but an Air, though unlike the Macbook Air I can see them making the iPhone Air cheaper, just my $0.02.

[gazfocus]

I'll be REALLY disappointed if this turns out to be yet another iPhone focussed Macworld

[marcol]

I don't know how you'll be able to type on a screen that is significantly smaller than the current iPhone. I really hope this rumor is not true.
Landscape keyboard?

I think an iPhone with a 2.7-inch, 320 x 480 screen could work with minimal changes to the UI (universal landscape keyboard would definitely be one change required though).

[bruinsrme]

I'll be REALLY disappointed if this turns out to be yet another iPhone focussed Macworld

Whatelse does apple have to brag about.
Unless they are going to announce HDMI, Blu-ray, firewire, or other goodies in their up coming real version of a mac pro.

The iphone nano will be a cool gadget but like the mac pro will probably lack the hardware ad functionality the consumer hs gotten used to and/or expects in a new purchase

[Yr Blues]

1. I bet the interface is in landscape only. That way you can still have a full keyboard and you won't compromise a lot of apps.

2. I also think that the nano might not have 3G internet, and they might have gutted that feature to get it smaller and cheaper. Wi-Fi is a must, though.

3. The home-button looks weird on this rumor-pic. There might be a new way to get to the home-screen.

http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/12/15/061816-iPhone-9_425.jpg

[gazfocus]

Whatelse does apple have to brag about.
Unless they are going to announce HDMI, Blu-ray, firewire, or other goodies in their up coming real version of a mac pro.

The iphone nano will be a cool gadget but like the mac pro will probably lack the hardware ad functionality the consumer hs gotten used to and/or expects in a new purchase

well maybe it's time for apple to actually think about HDMI and Blu-ray...the iPhone is too expensive (at least in the UK) and having it on one network is a deal breaker for me because the tariff is rubbish compared to other networks.

I agree the iPhone nano would be a cool gadget but they should actually concentrate on computers for once.

[Ceebler]

Assuming the rumor of an iPhone Nano were true, would Apple's agreement with AT&T require it to be exclusive to their network or would this be a phone that Apple could sell on any network it chose because it is a different product?

[CyberBob859]

I'd rather they keep the size the same, and make an "iPhone Pro", where we can have features like 3G modem tethering, stereo bluetooth headphones, etc.

Y'know, some of the same features my current, 2 year old Windows Mobile smartphone can do now.

[fteoath64]

iphone nano is coming out but it will not have safari or mail. it will have ipod feature and embrace app store.

If you want to surf the net then the iphone nano will not be for you

Not so fast!. It will have a Wifi bridge mode where, you whip out your iPod Touch or Gen1 iPhone and use Wifi to access the carrier 3G HSPA data channel. They want to feed off the usage cost off the carriers with their revenue model, remember ?. I just hope the battery life is decent or they have piggyback "double power" battery modules of $50 extra (yeah, rip off and thats the Apple we know).

This device will be small enough (hopefully) for me to carry as a spare rather than piggyback a spare iPhone with me...:D:apple::apple::apple:

[Warbrain]

Not terribly excited about this. I'm sure that there's some way that Apple would bypass the size issue but I wouldn't be overly thrilled to use it.

[anti-microsoft]

Screen: My guess is that it will have the same resolution but a smaller screen.
Data/internet: No 3G, only EDGE and Wi-Fi.
Keyboard: Landscape mode and a new portrait mode.
Plans/Tariffs: Pay as you go and contracts will be available. Maybe Unlocked?

[o0samotech0o]

This is awful

come on apple.

If this is true, i will officially kill myself.

They have released many revisions of the iphone/touch already.
Why another...
-Sam:apple::apple::rolleyes:

[Tallest Skil]

Fake, next.

[kas23]

If this comes unlocked, plan on Apple making a boatload of cash. I just wonder how they're gonna pull that off without MMS.

But the bigger story here is this: if the iPhone nano is indeed coming, likely at Macworld, why isn't Steve Jobs going to announce it? If this is true, this is a huge announcement and you would figure he'd want to make it. Unless it's not coming out during Macworld....

[WhySoSerious]

If you want to be suprised on Christmas stop looking for your presents early, like wise, if you want to be suprised on new releases stop reading rumor sites :p

that's impossible. sometimes i just open up Digg.com or CNN.com and skim the headlines. what happens when i read a headline titled "iPhone Nano coming out!"?

spoiled i say...the internet strips us all of our dignity.

[WhySoSerious]

I'd extend that to not browsing any tech site.

actually, extend it to the entire internet. spoils come in the form of simple headlines alone....on ANY site (digg, cnn, msnbc, blogs, myspace, yahoo, ads, etc).

[Lepton]

What could they take out to make a nano size phone? For the sake of software, the screen MUST remain the same number of pixels, though it could be physically smaller. The CPU must remain the same with the same speed.

They could take out the GPS and the WiFi. They could take out the 3G. This reduces size and power, allowing them to use a smaller battery. They could take off the black top and bottom sections, leaving the front literally all screen. They might go plastic over the screen instead of glass, for weight reduction. And that's about it, but that should be enough.

Removing WiFi is acceptable as long as you can use the iTunes and App stores over the cellular network. They might reduce the size limit from 10MB to 5MB for over the air purchases.

Now you have a smaller, lighter unit that runs all the very same software, has almost all the same features (no GPS but still location manager is there like in the first gen iPhone), and it could be significantly cheaper. But who cares the price, that never bothered me because it is nothing compared to the enormous $70/month you pay to those robbers at ATT.

[bytethese]

Why stop at Nano. Why not an iPhone Shuffle? No screen, integrated iPod functionality similar to iPod Shuffle, randomly calls friends in your Addressbook...

[Orng]

I like the nano concept, I hope it's pay-as-you-go. I'm happy with my iPod Touch and Pay-as-you-go crappy flip-phone combo. The only thing that would make me happier is if my crappy pay-as-you-go flip-phone had OTA synching of contacts and calendar events from my Mac and iPod. Manual entry, pfft. A pay-as-you-go iPhone Nano with address book synching... I'd buy it in a second. Don't need the apps or the web surfing, that's what the ipod is for.

This is awful
come on apple.
If this is true, i will officially kill myself.
They have released many revisions of the iphone/touch already.
Why another...
-Sam:apple::apple::rolleyes:

Now where would we be if we all killed ourselves every time somebody tried to sell a product we didn't like? Assuming the human race survived Ladas, radios with moving pictures on them (bizzare!), Hummers, the movie Ishtar, and single-ply toilet paper, Apple would have lost 3/4 of their supporters when they announced that ridiculous music player concept of theirs back in aught-one, dagnabbit.

[Yr Blues]

If this comes unlocked, plan on Apple making a boatload of cash. I just wonder how they're gonna pull that off without MMS.

Oh God, please! AT&T sucks so hard.

[Macsterguy]

This is simply not happening...

[animenick65]

I just really don't see a Nano iPhone as being practical. What about apps already designed with the full screen real estate in mind? The screen can get small enough as it is. I know personally a smaller screen would greatly hinder the performance. Would it really have the same specs and be cheaper? I would think if they shrunk everything in the iPhone down that it would cost MORE. Smaller and slower processor? I hope not. The phone is laggy enough as it is with the UI and some apps.

[PlayRadioPlay]

If Apple releases a $50 phone, with similar features to the iPhone, they will absolutely dominate the cell phone market.

[talkingfuture]

I am looking forward to finding out what makes the nano a nano other than size. Hopefully they won't take too much functionality away. I wouldn't mind losing the iPod functionality if I could retain the web browsing and apps. That might make it the perfect companion to the iPod nano.

[Tallest Skil]

If Apple releases a $50 phone, with similar features to the iPhone, they will absolutely dominate the cell phone market.

Too bad that ludicrous idea will never happen, though.

[talkingfuture]

If Apple releases a $50 phone, with similar features to the iPhone, they will absolutely dominate the cell phone market.

I agree, the right phone at the right price could mean the cellphone industry looking much like the media player industry, ie Dominated!

[animenick65]

I am looking forward to finding out what makes the nano a nano other than size. Hopefully they won't take too much functionality away. I wouldn't mind losing the iPod functionality if I could retain the web browsing and apps. That might make it the perfect companion to the iPod nano.

That doesn't make any sense. Why would they remove a software functionality that affects nothing? It will pretty much be all hardware concessions.

[Yr Blues]

If this is true, is it something that the FCC wants to approve 6 months early or is Apple pass that now?

[iMacmatician]

To add more uncertainty into the mix, we've heard that some of Apple's initial plans for Macworld may have been delayed.So that's why there are no recent tablet/mini-tablet rumors!

:D

[Yr Blues]

If Apple releases a $50 phone, with similar features to the iPhone, they will absolutely dominate the cell phone market.

My bet is it'll be either be a few hundred unsubsidized unlocked or free subsidized AT&T.

[nickspohn]

If it's true, it is going to kill the iPhone altogether.


That's my opinion.

[talkingfuture]

That doesn't make any sense. Why would they remove a software functionality that affects nothing? It will pretty much be all hardware concessions.

True, but perhaps they will reduce the storage. You could have a cheap phone that holds quite a few apps with 1GB, but it wouldn't be much of an iPod. It seems to me at the moment the storage is one of the biggest costs involved.

[Yr Blues]

If it's true, it is going to kill the iPhone altogether.


That's my opinion.

I can see the iPhone having 3G internet and the nano having only Wi-Fi to make a distinction.

[kas23]

I just read the whole story on the front page. Seems like this idea may be delayed until after Macworld. This may then be the real reason why we won't be getting a keynote from Jobs. He certainly can't do a keynote with no new product to anounce, so let Phil be that one. Maybe Apple just recently realized they weren't going to have this product done in time, so Jobs pulled out of the keynote.

[kas23]

If it's true, it is going to kill the iPhone altogether.


That's my opinion.

Well, they will just have to cripple it to a certain degree. This can do this mostly by storage size and functionality (maybe no Safari)?

[surferfromuk]

This is seven months away but...

The next Gen iPhone will feature an larger 200 ppi edge to edge screen, with a true 5MP motorised 3x optical focus video camera. It will incorporate a seriously new more powerful cpu and gpu hardware platform all round. This will still be locked to a contract provider

Gen 3 apps will need to be re-compiled for the new hardware and the performance will unleash a massive wave of new style games.

The iPhone Nano will be 20% smaller than current iPhone but the higher ppi and edge to edge screen will mean the res is the same - and it will run all the current iPhone apps. Essentially it will be the current iPhone in a smaller neater package still running all the current apps. It will not be locked to any provider.

[sjo]

If Apple releases a $50 phone, with similar features to the iPhone, they will absolutely dominate the cell phone market.

for ppl who are willing to pay $70+/month for their subscription it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever whether the phone costs $249, $199, $149, $99 or $49.

[RTiii320]

I had heard previously that because of the difference in screen size that some of the apps. would not be compatible. Going into what some of you guys are saying, they would have to split development between the two platforms. Also my main concern would be the typing, people with larger fingers already have difficulty typing on the iPhone, I could not imagine them trying to type on something even smaller.

[alexbates]

Yes! Now I'm really convinced that it is going to come out. All I hope for it is $50 service so I can buy one.

[Dagless]

Hopefully the footprint around the device is thinner, rather than the display being smaller. That said I'd probably get an smaller iPhone that didn't have a web browser, just a phone+iPod but still with wifi, 16gb storage etc.
I'd get that over a regular iPhone.

[RTiii320]

This is seven months away but...

The next Gen iPhone will feature an larger 200 ppi edge to edge screen, with a true 5MP motorised 3x optical focus video camera. It will incorporate a seriously new more powerful cpu and gpu hardware platform all round. This will still be locked to a contract provider

Gen 3 apps will need to be re-compiled for the new hardware and the performance will unleash a massive wave of new style games.

The iPhone Nano will be 20% smaller than current iPhone and will run all the current iPhone apps. Essentially it will be the current iPhone in a smaller neater package still running all the current apps. It will not be locked to any provider.




Seven months away huh? This is your prediction obviously. Let's hope that Apple incorporates some of the things you are hoping for. I would love to see a better camera, but a 5MP camera with a 3X optical focus will significantly raise the prices from the current $199 to $299 price set.

[igazza]

i think its just a touch screen ipod nano with wifi, itunes store and safari.

[albusseverus]

I think an iPhone Nano would be a bigger seller than the iPhone. Totally change the mobile handset business.

If it was just a phone with an iPod, it's another path to the full iPhone (parallel to the iPod Touch).

So, no internet, no GPS, just a phone, SMS and maybe a camera (as well as the iPod of course). Calendar and Contacts syncing, could be the icing on the cake, but I don't see iPhone Nano users into that side of things as much.

It would have to work better as a phone than iPhone, i.e. when you turn it on or unlock it, you should have simple phone function first (number pad at bottom of the screen and favourites at the top of the screen) and iPod second.

The big question is Apps or not? I think it could work without Apps - keep the price down and keep it simple for people that just want a phone and an iPod.

And the screen size? Well, it could be same resolution, just smaller (like they did with G3 iPod Nano). That would save some of the problems, but it wouldn't be the first time Apple changed resolution and let developers sort it out...

[BVeritas]

Think this is real and mainly to solve the China Mobil problem and provide a cheaper model for India. China Mobil doesn't have 3G (uses a Chinese standard to avoid licensing), but it does handle 2G.

So, the phone would be a small iPhone with the same resolution and landscape keyboard, no 3G, no GPS, has wifi, has camera. Eliminating 3G and GPS will lessen the components considerably, thus power usage and price.

[wheelhot]

hmm, I think the iPhone nano will remove the top and bottom (or at least reduce the size considerably) and still keep the same display size. The home button will be relocated, either at the top (Im thinking of a power turn on-off and home button hybrid, meaning that you slide the button to on and when it is in "on" state, you can push it which will function similar to the home button and when you slide back the button to off, you cant push it anymore.) or the side, or maybe they just reduce the home button size considerably, maybe even change its shape to horizontal to accommodate the reduced top and bottom size while maintaining click ability.

[cxcheng]

I personally think it'd be a great seller for Apple to have an iPod that happens also to be a phone - no internet, no apps, no GPS. Just SMS and possibly a camera. Touchscreen can be smaller and lower resolution since the entire screen can be used for the keyboard.

It is not meant for us iPhone users. It is meant for people who complain that the iPhone is too big (I have quite a few friends who think that way) and for people who find the monthly fees too expensive and contract too restrictive. Most people like that don't care or don't know about apps, and wouldn't bother much with internet surfing or mobile games. For Apple, it's much easier to sell the phone through any carrier or directly. It would not cannibalize iPhone sales, but it would provide for an excellent future path for iPods which is beginning to hit a dead end. In the future, there'll not be a pure iPod, it'll be iPhone+iPod.

Now further down the path when mobile broadband becomes more ubiquitous and when people form the habit to pay for it, Apple can always introduce a new class of apps which are more like 'widgets' for primarily read-only purposes such as weather info, Twitter or RSS feeds. And yes, I don't think they'll shy away from making developers work on a new format because they are Apple.

Now I doubt a big change like that can happen at this MacWorld without much news and rumors so I think it probably is not going to happen so soon yet.

[BornAgainMac]

So no rumors of an iPhone Shuffle then.

[Niiro13]

This is awful

come on apple.

If this is true, i will officially kill myself.

They have released many revisions of the iphone/touch already.
Why another...
-Sam:apple::apple::rolleyes:

They've also released like ten times the amount of revisions for the Macbook (assuming you count the powerbooks)...yet they still decided to release the Macbook Air...

Those "revisions" are just the normal hardware upgrade that Apple normally does...it's not like there's a whole different line of iPod touch/iPhones.

Of course I agree in that I too will join you in the killing of oneself.

True, but perhaps they will reduce the storage. You could have a cheap phone that holds quite a few apps with 1GB, but it wouldn't be much of an iPod. It seems to me at the moment the storage is one of the biggest costs involved.

Not really...the 1 GB iPod shuffles are still $49, and that's without a screen. The screen is the largest cost, I believe (material wise...labor and research and programming and all that are more expensive). Then it might be either storage or the processor.

[akm3]

Why couldn't the 'iPhone Nano' be just a nano + a phone? It doesn't need a touch screen, it doesn't need the app store. If you want those upgrade to the iPhone. If you want to consolidate your phone and media player (with superior media player capabilities) the NanoPhone would be perfect. If you want data / app store etc you get the full iPhone. This would let them target two different markets, and make great secondary phones for families with one iPhone already.

This is much simpler.

Downsides to this is it doesn't further the appstore model. Upsides is the iPhone doesn't get a fractured platform.

[olternaut]

i miss the days when things used to be a surprise to the consumer. now, every new concept/idea gets spoiled before it's actually released.

Its the friggin chinese case manufacturers! Can't Apple punish these companies for being so careless? No wait, the problem is that these companies do not care PERIOD about Apple secrecy. It would be nice if Jobs could find a way to deal with this.

[ZiggyPastorius]

I hate to sound reasonable, but...as much as I love typing on the iPhone (It's fast, easy, and really great), if you cut the size of the screen like that...it just won't work. Typing will be a hassle, rather than something easy.

[Unspeaked]

If Apple releases a $50 phone, with similar features to the iPhone, they will absolutely dominate the cell phone market.

I've got a better idea: why don't they PAY every American $100 to use an iPhone??

That way, they'll have near 100% adoption and be rolling in the dough...!

[kingtj]

This could be true, but IMHO, it'll be one of Apple's less impressive products if they go this route.

The people who basically "just want a phone to be a phone" (perhaps with MP3 playing/purchasing capabilities) have plenty of choices on the market already.

(Remember the fate of the Motorola Rokr phone? Sounds an awful lot like what this "iPhone nano" might be like, if you're correct. Not exactly thrilling.)


iphone nano is coming out but it will not have safari or mail. it will have ipod feature and embrace app store.

If you want to surf the net then the iphone nano will not be for you

[olternaut]

1. I bet the interface is in landscape only. That way you can still have a full keyboard and you won't compromise a lot of apps.

2. I also think that the nano might not have 3G internet, and they might have gutted that feature to get it smaller and cheaper. Wi-Fi is a must, though.

3. The home-button looks weird on this rumor-pic. There might be a new way to get to the home-screen.

http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/12/15/061816-iPhone-9_425.jpg

My theory on how this will work?

The iphone nano will NOT be connected to the app store. Its going to be itunes dock connected only. They might let email on it but I dunno about that. Its going to be a phone plus ipod and thats about it. Its definately going to be $99.00 with contract or perhaps pre-paid.
Its going to be the poor man's iphone.

But with Apple taking so many features out of this phone to make the deal work...its going to lose its appeal with a lot of users.
Lets see what happens.

[CyberBob859]

So no rumors of an iPhone Shuffle then.

They could do this as a bluetooth modem, however. All you would need is one button. Pair it to a laptop with bluetooth by holding down the button and typing the passkey on your laptop. Then, automatically connect by pushing the button to connect to the laptop and the network.

No USB or Expresscard slot needed. No software. Easy to setup and use in five minutes. Can be sold with a data plan for about $100.

[trule]

I would quite happily buy a smaller iPhone. Currently I have a Touch and I find it too bulky to carry around. So a smaller phone with a screen 3 icons wide would be just fine, and they can scale the keyboard the same way they do now between portrait and landscape on the Touch, its fine.

I do recall Apple telling developers to develop resolution independent applications for OSX10.5 using a new API, this was before the iPhone was released, so you can be sure that the OS is supporting a smaller iPhone.

A narrow screen would also be fine for movies, I find most of mine are letter-boxed anyway. Its getting pretty small, but you can't have it all....

[gkarris]

My theory on how this will work?

The iphone nano will NOT be connected to the app store. Its going to be itunes dock connected only. They might let email on it but I dunno about that. Its going to be a phone plus ipod and thats about it. Its definately going to be $99.00 with contract or perhaps pre-paid.
Its going to be the poor man's iphone.

But with Apple taking so many features out of this phone to make the deal work...its going to lose its appeal with a lot of users.
Lets see what happens.

I think it WILL be connected to the app store - why would Apple loose out on all the revenue?

Will have no GPS though or camera, and maybe loose AT&T exclusivity?

Kind of a smaller iPod Touch with just a phone.

[mccldwll]

Fake. Maybe an iPod nano w/ phone (maybe with a camera), but that's about as far as it would go. No data. Just a music playing phone for the kiddies.
But can't get much in subsidies from T w/o data plan. And can't sell apps, just music. So why bother, other than to knock out motorola/nokia regular phones.

[Yr Blues]

My theory on how this will work?

The iphone nano will NOT be connected to the app store. Its going to be itunes dock connected only. They might let email on it but I dunno about that. Its going to be a phone plus ipod and thats about it. Its definately going to be $99.00 with contract or perhaps pre-paid.
Its going to be the poor man's iphone.

But with Apple taking so many features out of this phone to make the deal work...its going to lose its appeal with a lot of users.
Lets see what happens.

Sans GPS, BlueTooth, Accelerometer, and 3G internet. That's 4 huge things right there.

Still think Wi-Fi and Safari is a must, including e-mail.

[fleshman03]

I'll be REALLY disappointed if this turns out to be yet another iPhone focussed Macworld

Same here. I'd expect a capacity bump, but that is all. (at least I did before this article.)

Does an iPhone Nano really makes sense?

[akm3]

They could do this as a bluetooth modem, however. All you would need is one button. Pair it to a laptop with bluetooth by holding down the button and typing the passkey on your laptop. Then, automatically connect by pushing the button to connect to the laptop and the network.

No USB or Expresscard slot needed. No software. Easy to setup and use in five minutes. Can be sold with a data plan for about $100.

Interesting, you could also pair it to a blue tooth headset, and with some Apple improvement on voice dialing... Buttonless, screenless but fully functional cell phone, size of a shuffle.

[twoodcc]

well, i'll believe it when i see it. i guess it would be nice for this to be released though

[CyberBob859]

My theory on how this will work?

The iphone nano will NOT be connected to the app store. Its going to be itunes dock connected only. They might let email on it but I dunno about that. Its going to be a phone plus ipod and thats about it. Its definately going to be $99.00 with contract or perhaps pre-paid.
Its going to be the poor man's iphone.

But with Apple taking so many features out of this phone to make the deal work...its going to lose its appeal with a lot of users.
Lets see what happens.

There are a lot of phones out there that are less than $100 that can play music purchased from the carrier's music store, or download your own tunes from your computer. Some of them have music subscription services enabled, like Rhapsody.

If this iPhone Nano rumor is true, that's the market Apple is targeting.

Throw in "sexy cool" from Apple design, have it shown on TV commercials like every five minutes, tie it to iTunes, have some type of basic messaging and bluetooth for headsets, and they can compete.

If you want anything more than that, they'll gladly try to sell you an iPhone.

[aendaman]

Why stop at Nano. Why not an iPhone Shuffle? No screen, integrated iPod functionality similar to iPod Shuffle, randomly calls friends in your Addressbook...

yeah... and the iPhone Air would consequently require to have your friends in audible proximity to call them right? :D:D:D

[thejadedmonkey]

My prediction for a iPhone nano will be a $99 or less phone that will be simple compared to the iPhone 3G. Just as the iPod nano does only ipod stuff (no internet, apps, mail, etc) when compared to the iPod Touch, the iPhone nano will be a simple phone. Basic internet if at all, sms, phone, ipod. That's it. No apps. This phone will not require a $30 a month data plan either, which will appeal to a lot of people.

They are going to want to differentiate between the standard, full on iPhone and the inexpensive less featured nano version. This is the phone that could potentially create a huge marketshare for Apple. Just as the ipod nano is the big seller and the reason the ipod line carries a 70+% marketshare now.

This is exactly what I want, and the $30 a month is exactly why I don't have an iPhone!

[aendaman]

This is seven months away but...

The next Gen iPhone will feature an larger 200 ppi edge to edge screen, with a true 5MP motorised 3x optical focus video camera. It will incorporate a seriously new more powerful cpu and gpu hardware platform all round. This will still be locked to a contract provider

I'd love to see you right in seven months as my current contract ends about then and I am sure to get an iPhone (even a 2nd gen one).

:cool:

[Shiner]

If it's true, it is going to kill the iPhone altogether.


That's my opinion.

This will be the smartest move for apple. They will finally begin to become a real player in the cell phone industry. A phone made by apple that is cheaper and less capable than the iphone is exactly what the market needs. Do not worry the iphone will still be around for all of the power users. Just like apple keeps around the macpro. People you want apple to make more money not just your favorite gadget.

That's my opinion.

[CyberBob859]

Interesting, you could also pair it to a blue tooth headset, and with some Apple improvement on voice dialing... Buttonless, screenless but fully functional cell phone, size of a shuffle.

That could be doable, when you consider that you can have your contacts in Address Book on the Mac (or Outlook on Windows), and sync them to the "iPhone Shuffle".

With some voice dialing and a bluetooth headset, you can say "Call Luke Skywalker on Mobile" and start talking.

All that would be missing is a Star Trek pin to house it, so you can wear it, touch the button to activate the call, and really freak out your friends.

Yup, that would be buzzworthy.

[mjstew33]

Not a chance.

Macbook - $999
Mackbook Air- $1,799

Smaller and less capable, but costs more. It will be the same thing with an iPhone Nano. Well, maybe not 'more' in the case of the phone, but I'm certain any Nano phone would cost the SAME as the current iPhones.

There are a ton of reasons, but I can shorten it down to this: They're the exact same reasons the Air costs more than the Macbook. And that's reality. What more do I need to say?

Incorrect. Comparing the MacBook Air to the MacBook is like comparing Apples to Oranges. They're different, they are designed to do different things.

While yes, the iPhone nano could be looked at as to be designed differently and to do different things, the iPhone nano is better compared to the iPod nano and the iPod Classic.

[MacDaddy901]

I don't understand all of this negative response to this. Business wise, I think it's a great move for Apple. I mean why the hell wouldn't they make an iPhone nano? The iPod nano is the most popular iPod, so they obviously have a huge market there.

Personally though I am not intersted in an iPhone nano, nor am I interensted in an iPod nano. I think both don't or won't suit my needs. But I see the iPhone nano as a possibly entry into the non smart phone market, which makes up most of the cell phone market. The majority of cell phone useres, not us here, don't give a damn how the thing works. Look at the Blackberry Storm. We all know it's crap, yet it still Verizon's best selling phone. Put iPhone on it, an Apple logo, make it shiny, and a cheap price, and I think it will sell like hot cakes.

[alexbates]

This is exactly what I want, and the $30 a month is exactly why I don't have an iPhone!

$30 a month! Not going to happen unless you have a family plan, especially with the iPhone.

[Shiner]

This is awful

come on apple.

If this is true, i will officially kill myself.

They have released many revisions of the iphone/touch already.
Why another...
-Sam:apple::apple::rolleyes:

Relax guy! Take a deep breath and realize you do not have to buy the iphone nano. You can still have your cool iphone and everyone will still look up to you.

[8CoreWhore]

It's true. Don't tell anyone, but Steve had me test his car out at Laguna Seca and he left his iPhone Nano (and some weed) in the center console. SSSShhhh.... He got his IN back...:D

[Eso]

that's impossible. sometimes i just open up Digg.com or CNN.com and skim the headlines. what happens when i read a headline titled "iPhone Nano coming out!"?

spoiled i say...the internet strips us all of our dignity.

Then I guess you have your answer

[Yr Blues]

Incorrect. Comparing the MacBook Air to the MacBook is like comparing Apples to Oranges. They're different, they are designed to do different things.

While yes, the iPhone nano could be looked at as to be designed differently and to do different things, the iPhone nano is better compared to the iPod nano and the iPod Classic.

Yeah, the Air is a classic Apple misstep like the Cube. I think they'll have to reintroduce the Air as an economic sub-notebook.

[alexbates]

It's true. Don't tell anyone, but Steve had me test his car out at Laguna Seca and he left his iPhone Nano (and some weed) in the center console. SSSShhhh.... He got his IN back...:D

Who would believe that? If its true, then what does it look like? (I know its not)

This is the closest thing that I have seen that actually looks real:

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I can see them making a thinner , toned down iPhone like they did with the MacBook Air; any reduction in screen size would render the device unusable. So it wouldn't be a nano but an Air, though unlike the Macbook Air I can see them making the iPhone Air cheaper, just my $0.02.

This was my initial reaction too. Make it about as thin as the current ipod touches. Of course they would need to tone down its capabilities. or wait till the current model is upgraded and use the specs the iphone has now on the new iphone air

[TheSpaz]

If Apple does release the iPhone nano and market it as a cheap affordable iPhone with a built in iPod and that's it, people may love it and others will be jailbreaking it, trying to get 3rd party apps on it, hacking it, unlocking it, making it more like the full iPhone. There will also be a lot of people angry on here with "Why doesn't it have YouTube and why can't it do this and why can't it do that?" and the complaints won't stop EVER. People did that with the iPod touch when it came out. Why is there no Mail, Notes, Weather, Maps and Stocks? People are going to say: "But it's not meant to be those things... it's JUST a phone and JUST an iPod, but then later down the road, Apple will give in and give us those missing features and people will still not be happy. Sorry for rambling but, I'm at work and I've been writing this on and off as people walk by... hehe.

[iMacDave]

Maybe it will appeal to those who can't deal with the screen keyboard. Use in landscape mode (hence smaller screen allowed - also thicker unit).

[BWhaler]

This is so dumb, and I can't believe MR is falling for it. Come on Arm, this is clearly a stupid publicity play.

Apple gives out specs for known products which are getting bumps, not entirely new products.

Do people really think a random manufacturer in China--one no one has heard of--would know about a major secret product like an iPhone nano.

Plus, the product doesn't make sense, the iPhone is as small as it will get right now without cutting features--which means two devices for developers to code to. Different screens, etc. This would slow down the key area of iPhone growth...apps.

I could go on and on why this isn't true. This whole concept is stupid

[Barabas]

So no rumors of an iPhone Shuffle then.

I would love an iPhone shuffle! You press play and it randomly calls someone up.

[Sellihca]

Like so many have said before me, on so many topics and threads,

"Choice is always a good thing."

If this rumor is true or not, Apple as a emerging cell company needs to have choice and multiple phones, as it does with computers and software.

[skiwhitman]

Why stop at Nano. Why not an iPhone Shuffle? No screen, integrated iPod functionality similar to iPod Shuffle, randomly calls friends in your Addressbook...

--------------------

[Eminemdrdre00]

Why would anyone be interested in an iPhone Nano? Who are they trying to reach with this rumored device?

[gkarris]

Who would believe that? If its true, then what does it look like? (I know its not)

This is the closest thing that I have seen that actually looks real:

That's just the mini iPod Touch knock-off you can get at Microcenter...

[franzmueller]

Ok, here´s the deal

My wife loves my iphone , its interface , easy to use and found it very easy to type and send SMS .

She doesn't need Internet , or in that matter mail , just the basics , and more important , no monthly bill for something she doesn't really need .

A smaller iphone good enough to use it as an ipod , phone and SMS ?

yes bring it on.

I know tons of people who will buy it.


Saludos

[bruinsrme]

Ok, here´s the deal

My wife loves my iphone , its interface , easy to use and found it very easy to type and send SMS .

She doesn't need Internet , or in that matter mail , just the basics , and more important , no monthly bill for something she doesn't really need .

A smaller iphone good enough to use it as an ipod , phone and SMS ?

yes bring it on.

I know tons of people who will buy it.


Saludos

yeah what ^^^^^ they said.

Its a phone if you feel it will devalue your iphone may I suggest investing in something like gold or real estate instead.

[Luke1robb]

Who would believe that? If its true, then what does it look like? (I know its not)

This is the closest thing that I have seen that actually looks real:

Ok just look at that picture, imagine the iPhone nano in your hand and then imagine trying to do pinch in and pinch out. It just seems unrealistic. I think this one isn't coming to fruition sorry guys.

[cenetti]

Business, design and development wise....It doesn't make any sense.
I am 100% sure, it's all BS.
No iphone nano..mano zano tano...nada!

Keep wishing... lol

[emulator]

Why would anyone be interested in an iPhone Nano? Who are they trying to reach with this rumored device?
everyone who does not want to pay a couple of grands over 2 years. they should just sell this unlocked, as a basic gsm phone.

wonder how many of you will eat your words though :)

[Martin C]

Why stop at Nano. Why not an iPhone Shuffle? No screen, integrated iPod functionality similar to iPod Shuffle, randomly calls friends in your Addressbook...
Way overused joke.

[bki122689]

no matter how cool it wil be
im still gonna stick with the regular iphone

[dam0dred]

i miss the days when things used to be a surprise to the consumer. now, every new concept/idea gets spoiled before it's actually released.

If you want to be surprised, don't read rumor sites.

[akpace]

I think smaller is better, but it has to be just as functional and run the same programs. Maybe it will flip open and the screen actually end up larger than the original iphone. some good speech recognition software would make things run smoothly too. Can't wait to see it.

[Luke1robb]

Business, design and development wise....It doesn't make any sense.
I am 100% sure, it's all BS.
No iphone nano..mano zano tano...nada!

Keep wishing... lol

Completely agree. Especially with development, how would apps work on this little piece of *****? Seriously folks, put this rumor to bed... now!

[BTW]

My only question: how will they manage the screen size?

I hope it is a flip phone with two screens that allows the two screens to work as one in vertical or horizontal mode. :D

[queshy]

why would there be an iPhone nano? Is $200 not cheap enough for a do-everything phone?

[JG271]

Business, design and development wise....It doesn't make any sense.
I am 100% sure, it's all BS.
No iphone nano..mano zano tano...nada!

Keep wishing... lol

Business wise it does make sense. As a product expands in marketshare it seems only right to make cheaper models with less features and more expensive models with more - just look at the iPod.

I think another model of the iPhone may come in time, but probably not in a "nano" format, and there probably won't be profound differences.

[Luke1robb]

I think smaller is better, but it has to be just as functional and run the same programs. Maybe it will flip open and the screen actually end up larger than the original iphone. some good speech recognition software would make things run smoothly too.

Are you smoking or snorting some type of drug right now? Seriously? Please read what you just wrote and think about the unlikelihood of this product ever coming out.

Can't wait to see it.

Good luck with that, never gonna see this product... at least in this form factor.

[dernhelm]

What if Apple simply managed to get a high density screen that has the same number of pixels as the current iPhone/iPod touch in just a smaller area?

What if some of the other internal components got a smaller too, and they were able to cram them into a smaller form factor?

Why can't this just be the next gen iPhone? Why does it need to be a new product altogether?

[Orng]

Most of the people who are against the concept of an iPhone Nano are actually against a miniaturized iPhone that attempts to do all the same things as the existing 3G. They see this as a road to failure.

It's like a company that sells a luxury SUV, who announces a low-end hatchback. Can you imagine all the people jumping around saying, but, you can't fit as much people and stuff in there! We'll all be squished!

Well, if you need an SUV, buy an SUV, and if you need a hatchback, buy a hatchback, but don't sneer at the other group for their choice, and don't sneer at the very concept because you believe that it won't fit YOUR needs.

Why would anyone be interested in an
iPhone Nano? Who are they trying to reach with this rumored device?

How about people who want a basic flip or candy-bar style phone that syncs contacts and calendar items very well, are willing to leave the apps for their iPod Touch, don't want huge monthly bills, and want to be able to put their phone either on a PAYG or on a basic monthly plan.

I'd call that a BIG market.

I just bought a cdn$70 basic flip phone for a PAYG plan. I would have been willing to drop $90 for a really good basic phone with good synching.

People who want a basic phone that doesn't suck. That's who would be interested.

Two months and I still haven't finished copying all my contacts over, manually, one-by-one, to my new phone.

[basesloaded190]

Well i don't know if this is coming out nor does anyone, but i might be in the minority when i say that $70 a month is a lot to pay for an iphone bill. The cost of the phone isn't a big deal but when you add $70 onto a bill that is already $170, that gets really expensive. I just wish they could release something, whether is be smaller or something different, that could have wifi+ipod+phone, without a huge monthly fee, maybe something like they charge for blackberry fees ($30/Month).
Something like that would be much more appealing to someone like me, who really just can't afford the monthly bill.

[mrgreen4242]

Assuming the rumor of an iPhone Nano were true, would Apple's agreement with AT&T require it to be exclusive to their network or would this be a phone that Apple could sell on any network it chose because it is a different product?

I'd take anything from Apple that would work on Sprint. I'm actually sort of hoping this is something more like the nano and less liek the iPhone. A 2.5" screen with some sort of basic keypad below it where the touch wheel is now. I was actually thinking they could do something very innovative with the keypad by basing it on the multitouch system in the MacBooks. Basically, I'm thinking have a regular iPod LCD screen on top, covered with a piece of glass like the iPhjone/Macbook touchpad all the way to the bottom of the screen and underneath it, below the 2.5" screen, have a little e-paper type display that changed based on the mode the phone was in. Scroll wheel when it was in iPod mode, a phone keypad in phone mode, a hybrid keypad/keyboard when in text message mode, etc.

Sell them unlocked, with a version for both ATT/TMobile and Verizon/Sprint for $149-249 depending on memory and exact feature set and they'd be golden. I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

why would there be an iPhone nano? Is $200 not cheap enough for a do-everything phone? It's not the device price. The iPhone doesn't really cost $199. It's more like $400 or $500, when you factor in the chunk ATT is paying to Apple for locking the device to their network. The point of a more limited iPhone nano would be to open the iPod market up to people who either don't need a smartphone, or don't need a data plan, or have a carrier/contract they are happy with. The point would be to build a phone that was cheap enough to sell at the ~$200 point without carrier subsidies.

[tMac85]

I would love an iPhone shuffle! You press play and it randomly calls someone up.

hahaha. i could see that. hahah

[Yr Blues]

They did make the shuffle as an affordable alternative to the nano and classic.

[Luke1robb]

What if Apple simply managed to get a high density screen that has the same number of pixels as the current iPhone/iPod touch in just a smaller area?

They won't, it 1) wouldn't look as good, and 2) wouldn't be as functional

What if some of the other internal components got a smaller too, and they were able to cram them into a smaller form factor?

Ummmm, battery life would be less than half a day and the phone would be of less quality. No, this isn't happening! Put it to bed, please!

[Orng]

When the iPhone was just a twinkle in the rumour mill's eye, all the photoshoppers were churning out mockups that were basically responses to the question "What would an iPod look like if it had a phone in it?"

They were creative, yes, but essentially shortsighted. Nobody seemed to comprehend the possibility that it might be very different from an iPod. That maybe it was not an iPod with a phone in it, but rather a SMARTphone with an iPod in it.

Now, you say "iPhone Nano", and all the shortsighted pundits say, "It's like an iPhone, but smaller! That won't work at all!"

Stop trying to miniaturize the existing device, and think about what mobile market segments need to be filled, and how Apple might fill them. Then we can probably discuss this without freaking out about how a miniature iPhone won't work.

[Maxington]

The iPhone nano would find a place in the current market as it has been Apples strategy to provide options for a broad market.

[TheSpaz]

When the iPhone was just a twinkle in the rumour mill's eye, all the photoshoppers were churning out mockups that were basically responses to the question "What would an iPod look like if it had a phone in it?"

They were creative, yes, but essentially shortsighted. Nobody seemed to comprehend the possibility that it might be very different from an iPod. That maybe it was not an iPod with a phone in it, but rather a SMARTphone with an iPod in it.

Now, you say "iPhone Nano", and all the shortsighted pundits say, "It's like an iPhone, but smaller! That won't work at all!"

Stop trying to miniaturize the existing device, and think about what mobile market segments need to be filled, and how Apple might fill them. Then we can probably discuss this without freaking out about how a miniature iPhone won't work.

If you look at your user name really quick, it looks like it says "Omg" Heh ;)

[SFStateStudent]

Yup, smaller = easier to drop or lose, or worse "sit on it!" Not sure if I'm in the market for smaller anything...

[jonjamesm]

nano sized touch screens are fine. I have a tocco - I find it much easier to text on single handed than the iphone.

Look at the Prada - Armani - Tocco - Diamond - Touch and Touch dual, all way smaller than the iphone and they're all doing just fine.

[jdwingnut]

My only question: how will they manage the screen size?

I can see how this might be done.

Remove the top and bottom headers from the current iPhone and shrink the size down to make the face ALL screen, by moving the home button off to one of the sides and put the speaker on the top or under the glass like on the iPod Touch.

This sounds like something Apple could do quite easily. Just my 2 cents.

[jholzner]

Yup, smaller = easier to drop or lose, or worse "sit on it!" Not sure if I'm in the market for smaller anything...

I've had several people comment that my iPhone is too big for a cell phone. There is a market for this I think. I'm guessing it would do email/web/iPod but no 3rd party apps.

[skeep5]

I'm calling total bullcrap on this one. Not true at all.

[alexlovesmacs]

Whats next an iPhone Shuffle?:rolleyes:

[Yr Blues]

Whats next an iPhone Shuffle?:rolleyes:

Can the OP post this joke in the top post so that it won't be repeated for the millionth time?

[UTclassof89]

Whats next an iPhone Shuffle?:rolleyes:

HA! That's even funnier the SIXTH time it appears in a thread!

[Anuba]

I've had several people comment that my iPhone is too big for a cell phone. There is a market for this I think. I'm guessing it would do email/web/iPod but no 3rd party apps.
Yeah, about 50% of everyone I've ever talked to about the iPhone says it's too big to even consider buying one. My boss, who is a diehard Apple fan and works in software, took one look at the iPhone and said "nope, too big. I'll think about it if they ever release a Nano version" and has stuck to his miniscule SonyEricsson phone ever since. Many people simply take the small form factor over features any day. So there's clearly a market for an iPhone Nano.

I also think that the question "but how will they fit the iPhone into something much smaller?" is the wrong starting point. Forget about replicating all the functionality of the iPhone, this thing will be to the iPhone what the iPod Nano is to iPod Touch. SMS, phone, iPod, calendar, notes, and possibly a tiny Safari, but no 3rd party apps and no full keyboard on the screen, just 0-9 w/ T9-style input.

[trekkie604]

Who would believe that? If its true, then what does it look like? (I know its not)

This is the closest thing that I have seen that actually looks real:

Aww, it's cute. Even a fake like that looks like you'd need a stylus to tap on it.

[retrac]

I haven't read the whole thread but could this possibly tie into the rumors that Wal-Mart is going to offer a 4GB iPhone? Maybe only Apple will sell the iPhone and Wal-Mart & Apple will sell the iPhone "Nano"? Just a thought...

My guess is that it would be a stripped down iPhone (ie-phone and iPod only...nothing else)

[steamed.hams]

Yeah, about 50% of everyone I've ever talked to about the iPhone says it's too big to even consider buying one. .

Same here.

People always seem to pick up my phone and be surprised that it's "big and heavy."



:confused:

[.Andy]

I'd consider an iPhone nano. If they could do a similar job as they ipod nano and make it incredibly thin and light. Just a phone with text functionality would do me fine. Been considering a motorola F3 to supplement my touch and treo currently. There is something attractive to me about a really simple phone.

[nfl46]

Haha, funny that my friend JUST told me yesterday, that the reason she's not getting an iPhone is because its too long. She's a girly-girl and likes smaller devices. I think she's going to get the Samsung Eternity instead though, since its smaller than the iPhone.

[alexbates]

why would there be an iPhone nano? Is $200 not cheap enough for a do-everything phone?

I don't mind paying $200 to buy the phone, but $69 a month for service? I rarely use internet on the go, just at home. I would love to have an iPhone that costs $200, costs $40 a month for service without data, and WiFi. This probably wont happen though.

[lord patton]

I, myself though wouldn't buy one of these devices, but for a teenager that wants an iPhone and a Parent that is worried about dropping $200 on a phone that will be lost, cracked, stolen or otherwised dissmembered is a perfect selling point.

ok, I'm only a few posts into this thread, so I'm sure what I'm about to say is redundant, but anyway...

The $200 price point isn't an issue. Parents have shown no qualms about buying $200, 300, and 400 iPods over the last half decade. It's the $35 a month data fees that cause pause.

If Apple really wants a product that will expand marketshare, they need one that carries very low data fees. The problem is, without ubiquitous data, what is an iPhone? I don't have the answer to that, but if Apple does, they could expand their marketshare dramatically.

[retrac]

ok, I'm only a few posts into this thread, so I'm sure what I'm about to say is redundant, but anyway...

The $200 price point isn't an issue. Parents have shown no qualms about buying $200, 300, and 400 iPods over the last half decade. It's the $35 a month data fees that cause pause.

If Apple really wants a product that will expand marketshare, they need one that carries very low data fees. The problem is, without ubiquitous data, what is an iPhone? I don't have the answer to that, but if Apple does, they could expand their marketshare dramatically.

Exactly! Thats my main reason for me not having an iPhone...the data fees are WAAAY too high! $200 for a do-it-all phone aint that bad...

But on the other hand, a lower price point would still make it more attractive and also it would ease some of the pain of the high data costs.

[mrgreen4242]

ok, I'm only a few posts into this thread, so I'm sure what I'm about to say is redundant, but anyway...

The $200 price point isn't an issue. Parents have shown no qualms about buying $200, 300, and 400 iPods over the last half decade. It's the $35 a month data fees that cause pause.

If Apple really wants a product that will expand marketshare, they need one that carries very low data fees. The problem is, without ubiquitous data, what is an iPhone? I don't have the answer to that, but if Apple does, they could expand their marketshare dramatically.

While redundant, it's absolutely right on. The monthly fees for the iPhone (and most of ATTs products) are outrageous. I may $30 per month for the same (actually slightly better) service plan as would run $90 per month on the iPhone.

There's no phone in the universe that would ever get me to pay an extra $720 per year for it. If Apple made an unlocked PHONE, but kept their SMARTPHONE locked into that insane price plan I'd look twice.

I want a good phone (in terms of reception, sound quality, usability), a decent camera, the standard iPod media player software, BT for headsets, SMS/MMS messaging, wifi*, and an option for a cheap data plan that includes OTA email, calendar syncing, and access to the iTMS store for music and podcasts. An upgraded data plan to add WAP browsing and/or tethering as an option would be nice as well.

*wifi assuming there's an integrated email, calendar, and WAP browser that works "free" on wifi and has the option to add limited data plans for it to work over the cell network.

[matt1219]

Hmm....could this be connected to the possibility of taking the 8 GB iPhone 3G off the market?

[Michael CM1]

I see a lot of speculation here (imagine that), but I wonder if anybody considered the possibility of the iPhone Nano not having a smaller screen. It might just be slightly thinner with some of the guts ripped out.

The thing that astonishes me is about half the posters assume this is a product designed for them. Um, no. If there is some stripped-down iPhone being made, it's for the 290 million Americans (plus countless others in the world) who Apple hasn't sold an iPhone to. It's more than likely not even a true smartphone. I'm guessing it's essentially an iPod Touch + phone. No data plan required, but you get an iPod, a phone, and PDA functions in one device with an awesome UI. If such a thing is $49-99, I would probably be in line to get one for my parents. No more "HOW DO I DO THIS?" for me to answer.

[babyj]

Anyone who can't see the business logic for an iPhone Nano needs a reality check. The market for high end phones like the iPhone is tiny compared to the mass market low end section of the market.

They need to reduce the size by a 1/3, reduce the storage to 4Gb, drop Wifi and GPS and keep the price to $99 at maximum. As long as it works well for sending text messages they will sell easily outsell the current version and Apple will make a boat load of cash.

Apple's mobile phone market share will remain tiny until they get a small and cheap phone on the market. When they do, companies like Nokia will be in big, big trouble - watch their share price drop by at least 5% when Apple make the announcement.

[DaBrain]

I see nothing wrong with having more choices in iPhone models, I really would like to see the iPhone Nano and iPhone sitting side by side in stores, some people like full size devices, and others like smaller devices. It would be like using a thin iPod Classic with a full touch Screen as a Phone, and would probably come in 4GB and 8GB models.

Not to mention with the reduction in materials and size of Flash memory the iPhone Nano could be offered at that $99 everyone seems so "gung-ho" about wanting. This would also keep Apple from cutting it's balls off by having to reduce the iPhone 3G's price down which would cut into their profits and plus would probably give them a great market share in the mobile phone sector by offering two models.

I, myself though wouldn't buy one of these devices, but for a teenager that wants an iPhone and a Parent that is worried about dropping $200 on a phone that will be lost, cracked, stolen or otherwised dissmembered is a perfect selling point.

/me shrugs

Choice is always good though.

I'd be more concerned about the Plan and the exclusive Carrier than the price of the iPhone Nano. ;)

[newyorkguy]

I hope there´s coming a iphone 32GB soon

[jaybrad]

This is just a guess, but I think they might be going after the BlackBerry Curve's form factor. By reducing the height of the iPhone by one icon and keeping the same width, you pretty much have the same size as the soon to be released Curve 8900.

If they keep the same pixel density, I believe the same apps for the iPhone will work on the rumored iPhone Nano. Also, by keeping the same width, the virtual keyboard will be the same as the current iPhone.

I owned the BlackBerry Curve and they are the most popular phone RIM sells with a full QWERTY keyboard.

[RyanR.]

I've had several people comment that my iPhone is too big for a cell phone. There is a market for this I think. I'm guessing it would do email/web/iPod but no 3rd party apps.

Apple is not going to keep people from buying apps. They get a % of each app sold if everybody switched to the newest phone like half of us will they would be cutting their throat. Granted Apple or Jobs is known for doing this lately.

I don't know what people are talking about the phone being to big. Boxy maybe, b/c it does not contour to your face like most phones I've had.

[MattInOz]

Why stop at Nano. Why not an iPhone Shuffle? No screen, integrated iPod functionality similar to iPod Shuffle, randomly calls friends in your Addressbook...

People make joke about the shuffle, but how many parents would snap up a device the size of shuffle that the kids wanted to have with them but could call home if needed. Ok so maybe it doesn't call a random person but it might shuffle between home,mum's mobile, dad's mobile,....

[MattInOz]

ok, I'm only a few posts into this thread, so I'm sure what I'm about to say is redundant, but anyway...

The $200 price point isn't an issue. Parents have shown no qualms about buying $200, 300, and 400 iPods over the last half decade. It's the $35 a month data fees that cause pause.

If Apple really wants a product that will expand marketshare, they need one that carries very low data fees. The problem is, without ubiquitous data, what is an iPhone? I don't have the answer to that, but if Apple does, they could expand their marketshare dramatically.

In australia we don't have this ubiquitous data you speak of, it freaking expensive data mostly, i know i have 500Mb each month use my phone for everything except youtube, never turn on wifi, yet still have only managed to crack 100Mb one month. No one else at work has either, although there is a lot of stream of traffic cameras.

There is plenty of room for a small data plan on a small iPhone.

[DaBrain]

If Apple releases a $50 phone, with similar features to the iPhone, they will absolutely dominate the cell phone market.

If True, just a matter of time before Apple is renamed to the iPhone Company where we use to make computers with features people wanted!--)));)

There seem to be a lot of SJ clones here! Let's see, what can we remove and still charge an arm and a leg posts!--)) :rolleyes:

[DaBrain]

Well, they will just have to cripple it to a certain degree. This can do this mostly by storage size and functionality (maybe no Safari)?

Yeah that's the ticket! Let's cripple Apple products more and more and more ...... :rolleyes:

[jfremani]

To those who say they don't like the idea of an iphone nano: Don't buy it.

I'm in favor of it and I think i'd probably enjoy it, if it is the same resolution and can run iphone apps. I'd want basic email, gps, and google capabilities and the smaller size would always be welcome, as i mainly use it as a phone and only use the iphone internet every now and then.

[mikeinternet]

a smaller screen size won't happen. the app store would not translate.

[jfull15]

The iPhone is just taking off as a development platform. They really don't want to split development in to two models at this stage.

Exactly. You're ruining the identity of the iPhone. People will want apps, games, internet, etc - which won't work on a smaller device.

My only question: how will they manage the screen size?

The current size hits the sweet spot.

iphone nano is coming out but it will not have safari or mail. it will have ipod feature and embrace app store.

If you want to surf the net then the iphone nano will not be for you

That detracts from the purpose of the iPhone. More so, how will apps be run on a smaller screen? There's no way some of these apps could get smaller and not be completely useless!

Not a fan of the iPhone nano concept. Any smaller screen and it will get very hard to type accurate on it. Heck some people (not me) now have troubles with the current screen!

Yep. Second that.

But there are plenty of touch screen phones available from other manufacturers, with screens smaller than the iPhone's.

That can't do half of this stuff the iPhone can do. There's a reason people love the iPhone, and the reason it sells well. Those other phones just fade into the background. The iPhone is the "it" phone of our current time. It's the standard to compare everything to.

iphone nano? why?

I'd like to know the answer to that to.


Furthermore, do you honestly think that Apple is going to give this case manufacturer specs? They've already leaked numerous designs! Apple hates these leaks and would do whatever they could to stop the leaks again. It doesn't seem like them to keep giving this company information.

Why can't Apple just focus on improving the current iPhone? Why do they have to go and make a whole new product? They don't need to. I'd be very surprised if they did.

It's so un-apple like to make a simple situation too complex with too many options. They're doing good with the iPhone screen size.

[k2spitfire88]

I think it WILL be connected to the app store - why would Apple loose out on all the revenue?

Will have no GPS though or camera, and maybe loose AT&T exclusivity?

Kind of a smaller iPod Touch with just a phone.

Exactly. I would buy that, and so would a lot of other people. Look at it like an iPod touch with a phone inside. Not the iPhone per-say.

That could be doable, when you consider that you can have your contacts in Address Book on the Mac (or Outlook on Windows), and sync them to the "iPhone Shuffle".

With some voice dialing and a bluetooth headset, you can say "Call Luke Skywalker on Mobile" and start talking.

All that would be missing is a Star Trek pin to house it, so you can wear it, touch the button to activate the call, and really freak out your friends.

Yup, that would be buzzworthy.

I would buy that in a heartbeat!

[mrgreen4242]

I'm guessing it's essentially an iPod Touch + phone. No data plan required, but you get an iPod, a phone, and PDA functions in one device with an awesome UI. If such a thing is $49-99, I would probably be in line to get one for my parents. No more "HOW DO I DO THIS?" for me to answer.

Er, the iPhone IS an iPod touch, plus a cell phone (and a camera, BT, and aGPS - all of which are pretty much standard in mid to high end cellphones at this point, so it's still just an iPod + a cell phone).

I still maintain that IF there is an iPhone nano it will be a standard phone - not a smart phone, without app store support, and with an optional data plan(s). One for basic, specific use data such as email and calendar syncing that is somewhere in the $5-10/month range, and another for email, calendar, WAP browser, and tethering in the $30-40 range.

The form factor will be something like the 3g and 4g nanos combined - that is as wide as the 3g, but as tall and thick as the 4g, with the 4g's curved face. The touch wheel will be replaced with something that's a cross of a keypad and a touch wheel - no touch screen. I'm guessing a multitouch surface with a monochrome e-paper display that perhaps uses the screen back light spillover as a front light (e-paper needs a front light not a back light). This allows for a configurable control interface, but keeps the price and power draw down - a multi-segment e-paper display that size costs pennies and uses power only when the display is changed.

I said all this already though, I don't know why I am repeating myself. I think it's probably because everyone is assuming they are building a smaller smartphone when the only product that makes sense is a mid range flip/bar phone replacement.

[schneb]

This is fake because the engineers of the original iPhone had to factor in the furthest away the transmitter could be from the mouth to keep the form factor small, yet the audio transmission clean. Making it small would compromise the latter.

I vote that this is a fake.

[powers74]

Does an iPhone Nano really makes sense?

I'm with you on that. I'm just trying to figure out where Apple sees a market. But it usually gets that part right, so...

[funkyc]

To those who say they don't like the idea of an iphone nano: Don't buy it.

I'm in favor of it and I think i'd probably enjoy it, if it is the same resolution and can run iphone apps. I'd want basic email, gps, and google capabilities and the smaller size would always be welcome, as i mainly use it as a phone and only use the iphone internet every now and then.

i agree with this guy - if u don't like it, don't but it. just coz it doesn't suit u doesn't mean it's not for anyone else.
i for one would love an iphone nano and from day 1 (i bought an original iphone and cracked it for use in australia) i've said, 'if only apple made a smaller, lighter version - i'd buy it in a second'
every other person who has ever seen my phone has commented on how big it is, how heavy it is.
and nowadays i mostly only use the phone as a phone anyway - i have multiple ipods, one for my lounge room for entertaining, one for the car, and one for when i'm out and about. and i got over the apps etc ages ago
data plans are also so expensive here most of the time that i only use the net in emergencies or when i'm connected to wifi which i have at work and at home.
i've never used youtube or many of the other features requiring the net much because i'm in front of my laptop most of the time anyway.
i would love an iphone which is just a phone for calls and sms and is smaller and lighter. of course it would need to have an ipod built in coz that's the point of an iphone and it won't even need 3g or edge or anything as u could just use it like a normal ipod to connect it to ur computer and sync it to itunes as that's how apple makes their money. it'd be nice if it still sync'd with calendar etc.

[tonyl]

How about just smaller screen without App store support?

[davidstechshow]

I think that that is a fake because that could easily be generated by HTML.

[kdarling]

If Apple releases a $50 phone, with similar features to the iPhone, they will absolutely dominate the cell phone market.

Not as long as it requires a PC or Mac to (re)activate or restore. The general cell phone market will be dominated by phones that work out of the box, for a long time to come.

[frenchroast]

I'm holding out for such a model...with a 17" screen. Would be just right for my clumsjy fihngers. (sent from iPhone)

[bklynking]

I just returned from thailand/bangkok and saw the so called iphone nano. basically it is what the pictures show but it is an illegal replica of the iphone. Asia is notorious for having knock-off and even i thought this was the best there was.

It was for sale for about 150$ US, and if it was cheaper i would have purchased it myself just to have it.

[cellocello]

Is sounds like most people are really just looking for "Monthly plan Nano" than "iPhone Nano".

[Sysbase]

Putting two and two together must be the Wal-Mart iPhone coming to a store near you.http://wii2youonline.com/img/1634/h08c1210mdqc/thumbup1.gif

[MacDaddy901]

Where's the market? Where's the market for an iPhone nano? Are you friggin' kidding me people? The iPod nano is the best selling in the iPod family! Personally, I could care less about an iPhone nano, because I would never buy one. But if it's an iPhone and it's cheaper, trust me, it will sell buy the truckloads. No matter how hard it is to text on, how small the screen is, how many features it lacking, people will eat it up just becuase it's an iPhone. The majority of people just don't care. (we are not the majority)

I mean look at the Blackberry Storm for god's sake.

[jfull15]

Where's the market? Where's the market for an iPhone nano? Are you friggin' kidding me people? The iPod nano is the best selling in the iPod family! Personally, I could care less about an iPhone nano, because I would never buy one. But if it's an iPhone and it's cheaper, trust me, it will sell buy the truckloads. No matter how hard it is to text on, how small the screen is, how many features it lacking, people will eat it up just becuase it's an iPhone. The majority of people just don't care. (we are not the majority)

I mean look at the Blackberry Storm for god's sake.

You are kidding right? The iPod Nano is the best selling iPod because it hits the sweet spot. You said it yourself when you would never buy one! Consumers aren't complete idiots. They will buy the regular iPhone because they want the games, the texting, the internet. People care, and people care a lot.

Blackberry Storm? The hype was over features, and became a huge disappointment. I'm not sure where your argument lies there.

[basesloaded190]

Is sounds like most people are really just looking for "Monthly plan Nano" than "iPhone Nano".

Yes, i would be one of those, don't really care if the iphone nano comes out, but would like something with a little cheaper monthly plan

[powers74]

I'm starting to get this concept and why it might be a good move for Apple. I however would never ever buy one. Why? because I KNOW that eventually I would be in some situation somewhere at some point where no matter what feature/s Apple didn't put on it, I would say to myself damn, I wish I had the real iPhone right now. Which would probably be every day. So, for Mom or Pop maybe, but not me.

[CyberBob859]

Sometimes I think Apple could re-introduce the original iPhone in a smaller package, charge less, and make it work as the iPhone Nano.

No hardware GPS. No 3G. But keep WiFi, Bluetooth, camera, and the App Store (which wasn't present in the original iPhone.)

The big thing would be the monthly pricing plan. I wonder if AT&T would consider a tiered pricing structure, because potential iPhone Nano customers may be more price sensitive, and would be open to cheaper plans at the expense of less minutes or data. (But the current iPhone plan would still be available.)

For those that want an iPhone, but would only use it primarily as a phone, listening to music, showing off some photos and taking basic pictures, and sending the occasional message or checking email, it would work for a lot of people.