More Apple iPhone Evidence? 4th Quarter 2006?

[MacRumors]

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

According to Mobileread (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=6151), Barron's online (http://online.barrons.com/article/SB114251000776599982.html?mod=9_0002_b_online_exclusives_weekend) published an online exclusive (subscription required) reporting on comments by Johnny Chan, a Hong Kong based J.P. Morgan analyst, about the looming possibility of an Apple iPhone.

Last week, a Piper Jaffary analyst (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/03/20060317152445.shtml) claimed they felt there was a 75% chance that Apple would release an iPhone in the next 12 months.

The J.P. Morgan reports adds a bit more substance to that claim. According to the article, Apple is working on "an iPod with phone functions" and is shopping around for a electronics manufacturer. Meanwhile, Taiwan Green Point Enterprises, the current manufacturer for the iPod plastic cases is also said to be in talks with Apple about the phone.

"The chatter about the product is all over the food chain," says Bill Shope, Chan's colleague in New York who follows Apple. He believes Apple will likely introduce a cellphone by the fourth quarter of this year.

[menziep]

Im in need of a mobile phone soon

So Come On Apple...

[ScottB]

I still think the chance of an iPhone is remote (if that's what you want to call it), I don't think that one will be released this year. Afterall, Apple are a computer company primarily, and have scored lots of points with the iPod, but I don't think it's in their interest to release a phone or intergrate one into an iPod.

[EricNau]

An Apple "iPhone" would be very cool.

I hope it has features like iTunes, and all of the extras that come on an iPod (clock, calendar, notes, games, timer, etc).

[lanray]

since there is already a phone out there that has iTunes capability, I'd hope this phone would have some other sort of feature that would make it competitive and attractive. I'd like to see a kind of smart phone with a hard drive to replace my phone and PDA.

[Jaffa Cake]

Hmm... forgive my ignorance when it comes to product design/manufacture, but if Apple is indeed in the process of "shopping around for a electronics manufacturer" and is "in talks" with other companies for the bodies, is it realistic that the product could be on the shelves as soon as the end of the year?

[mattalici]

I've been waiting for this phone for... a LONG time. I just hate the LAME OS's of most of the phones out there... and if the OS isn't the problem, it's stupid pad placement or don't get me started on Blackberries. Here's hoping it's more than just a software tweak to an iPod and more of a completely new hardware product.

[ScottB]

What's to say these "phone functions" are not a built in camera or 3G television broadcasts?

[aswitcher]

An Apple "iPhone" would be very cool.

I hope it has features like iTunes, and all of the extras that come on an iPod (clock, calendar, notes, games, timer, etc).

Yeah, it must do all these - auto sync with iphoto; at least 2 gig memory; 2+ megapixel camera; Bluetooth etc

[MattyMac]

niiiiiiiiiicee

by October hopefully

[tolly]

Im in need of a mobile phone soon

So Come On Apple...

yeah, but it doesn't seem like it'll be coming out any time soon. Unlike the video ipod...

[muffinman]

im definately getting one

[w_parietti22]

I like the concept, but not the name. iPhone? Sounds, I dunno. Cheap?

[Kingsly]

I would get one.

[Peace]

Don't mean to crosspost or anything but since there are two discussions about the "iPhone" I posted this in the other discussion :
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=187401&page=3

[celebrian23]

I don't think they should call it an iphone, I agree it sounds kinda cheap. I also agree this isn't going to be happening in the near future. Not in 2006.

[carve]

i would buy it!:cool: :D

[macOSX-tastic]

it would be interesting to see what they could do with a phone medium, but i dont think i would buy one unless it was REALLY good. and i mean...beating the sony ericsson K790i good. because thats the phone i intend to purchase when my contract renews.

S

[carve]

type in iphone and it directs you to the apple site! sweet:eek:

[achie25]

This is exactly what I want. It will be a phone/PDA/iPod all rolled into one. The good thing is that my contract runs out next Dec. The bad thing is that I need a phone right now with my phone having all but died on me. I can get a refurb Treo 650 for $140.

I would much rather have the iphone though so I will suffer in anticipation. :) :) :) :o :o :) :) :) :)

[bigandy]

while being a little annoyed in recent years over apple's focus on iPod instead of Macs (although i'm happy now because of the slew of new product launches recently and this year coming), this is something i'd really be interested in.


:rolleyes:

[macdong]

I still think the chance of an iPhone is remote (if that's what you want to call it), I don't think that one will be released this year. Afterall, Apple are a computer company primarily, and have scored lots of points with the iPod, but I don't think it's in their interest to release a phone or intergrate one into an iPod.

if Apple suddenly decided to make a cell phone ouf of the blue, then yes, it's rather weird and pointless.
but if it is to further improve the iPod, then it's not so far fetched.

[bigandy]

it would be interesting to see what they could do with a phone medium, but i dont think i would buy one unless it was REALLY good. and i mean...beating the sony ericsson K790i good. because thats the phone i intend to purchase when my contract renews.

S


that would be good..... mmmmm 3.2mp camera....... :rolleyes:

[GilGrissom]

Hmm... forgive my ignorance when it comes to product design/manufacture, but if Apple is indeed in the process of "shopping around for a electronics manufacturer" and is "in talks" with other companies for the bodies, is it realistic that the product could be on the shelves as soon as the end of the year?
Ye I see your point. Could make it very hard.

Correct me if I'm wrong here (as I may easily have the number wrong!) but didn't Apple say development of the nano started about 9 months before release? If so then it is possible that they could get it out by the end of the year...JUST! (Also bearing in mind any delay there is in this news gettings to us).

Agreed though, it's still very tight. But if they are shopping around they could have most of the bits they need, the development is perhaps done so it's just manufacturing partners they need?...though granted I know nothing about the whole process so this could be all total rubbish! Feel free to correct me anyone! (Maybe it's just my undying wish for an iPhone!)

[ITASOR]

Yeah, it must do all these - auto sync with iphoto; at least 2 gig memory; 2+ megapixel camera; Bluetooth etc

Seems reasonable since they can fit the 2GB in a nano!

[ipacmm]

I will buy one if they are GSM..I really hope they are because I would never switch to a CDMA company just for a phone.

[d.perel]

lets just hope it doesn't suck.... because the market is already quite crowded for the mobile phone market or PDA phone field.

[1020]

And it will cost five thousand dollars. However, if this really does happen, they may raise the standard for other phones, which is great.

[Jaffa Cake]

If so then it is possible that they could get it out by the end of the year...JUST! (Also bearing in mind any delay there is in this news gettings to us).Of course, if all this is true they may just announce it at the end of the year – when Apple unveils a new product and when they actually ship it are two entirely separate things...

[MattyMac]

lets just hope it doesn't suck.... because the market is already quite crowded for the mobile phone market or PDA phone field.

since when did apple products "suck"

[plastikimo]

It wouldn't be pointless to make a phone, and its not out of the blue. They have obveously been working on this whole thing for a while. I think it wont merely be a Phone, cus that would have come out by now. I think they are also developing an entire wireless network. Probably "MobleMe" independent of any 3rd party carrier.

People would buy the phone (mos def $300), subscribe to the serveice (around $50/month) which would provide not only a cell phone network but an internet network too, for your laptop/desktop, ridding the need for modems or ISPs.

It would be the thing that will truly take you're life on the go. I have (and im sure millions of other people have, also) been waiting for a phone to perfectly sync with my mac (mail, music, photos, maybe videos, contancts, calendars, docs, and mostly iChat. also maybe an integrated PhoneBook so we dont have to pay $2 to call 411 that would hyperlink to mapquest xpress or something to get directions, all from your phone). Laptops are ultra portable, but i dont wanna pull out my powerbook on the bus just to ask my friend a question or to look up a number. Nothing beats a handheld for these things.

This will be huge. And it's exactly what apple needs. And no need to worry about their computers, they will always be their #1 proority.

[Yvan256]

Not only am I wondering if such a phone would ever be available in Canada (though we share the same types of networks/protocols), but it would be useless to me (not to mention incredibly expensive, I assume).

I mean, I signed a 3-years contract in november 2005 and I'm pretty sure that any "iPhone" will be exclusive to a single provider only (which probably won't be Bell Canada).

I'm looking forward to a touchscreen iPod with sub-laptop functions, but not a phone with PDA functions.

[Object-X]

Other than the obvious, a flash drive iPod, an iPhone needs to sync with Apple Mail, Calendar, Contacts for it to be really useful. It needs bluetooth. And the case needs to be made of metal for strength and durability.

And why I'm at it: it should have a built in iSight camera, iChat with WiFi internet with a mini version of safari! :rolleyes:

[Max on Macs]

I like the sound of an Apple Phone, though not "iPhone". I think it should have the same shape/size/type/colour casing as the Rev. B iPod mini did, but a camera of course on the back and a keypad instead of the whell, and a good quality colour LCD. If it was a smartphone type thing, and had a 'Zoom' like in Universal Access on OS X, had a nice OS, 2-4GB solid state memory, and was compatible with iSync and .Mac (a given really) then I'd buy it as soon as it came out. Screw it if it comes out midway through my contract, I'll pay it off and get this anyway!

[satty]

...
It would be the thing that will truly take you're life on the go. I have (and im sure millions of other people have, also) been waiting for a phone to perfectly sync with my mac (mail, music, photos, maybe videos, contancts, calendars, docs, and mostly iChat. also maybe an integrated PhoneBook so we dont have to pay $2 to call 411 that would hyperlink to mapquest xpress or something to get directions, all from your phone)...

I would expect some sort of .mac for mobile (mobile me), too. Apple has to expect a much higher number of users than for .mac and therefore it makes so much sense that they have bought this big data centre (http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1565).

[jimN]

I like the sound of an Apple Phone, though not "iPhone". I think it should have the same shape/size/type/colour casing as the Rev. B iPod mini did, but a camera of course on the back and a keypad instead of the whell, and a good quality colour LCD. If it was a smartphone type thing, and had a 'Zoom' like in Universal Access on OS X, had a nice OS, 2-4GB solid state memory, and was compatible with iSync and .Mac (a given really) then I'd buy it as soon as it came out. Screw it if it comes out midway through my contract, I'll pay it off and get this anyway!

Why do people seem bothered by what they call it? It'll be "my phone" the maker will be apple, i never refer to my current nokia as a 6230, it just doesn't come up. I'm not too bothered by intergrated cameras - it's a novelty for me and i wouldn't miss it. However, full itunes integration and syncing of my address book and calender would be invaluable - i would probably start using the two a whole lot more.

Now all they have to do is make the phone, release it, bring it out in the UK and ensure it's on orange. iPhone next Tuesday?

[pkr]

I must be missing something with this idea, so help me out.... what wireless providers are going to support this phone - since they all seem to want to establish their own music download business/profit center.

[thejadedmonkey]

Cool... Somehow I can really care less. The issue that apple is going to have with breaking into the cellphone market is that any cellphone is already great at doing what it needs to do, which is make calls.

Personally, I'd be afraid that if Apple made an "iPhone", it be so "easy to use" that it would be lacking features that current phones have.

[kenzbud]

My Treo 650 replacement perhapes??? :D

[BornAgainMac]

I noticed this article states that Nvidia has a chip expected in Mobile phones in the 4th quarter to play H.264 video, boost screen resolutions to 1024x768 and take 10-megapixel photos in rapid succession and use low power.

Nvidia chip for phones 4th quarter (http://news.com.com/Nvidias+new+graphics+chip+rings+up+Quake/2100-1041_3-6038786.html)

I expect the Flash drives in the Nano to be over 10 GBs by then. It should be a killer phone from Apple.

[lokey]

I've been waiting for this. I don't even want something groundbreaking. Like someone said, it should make calls (just like a phone should), it should have a camera and sync with iPhoto and it should have iPod functions that sync with iTunes. Other than that it'll sync with iCal and Address Book and perhaps as a bonus for .Mac member it'll allow me to view my email.

More than anything it should look nice, be durable (please), small and have an inuitive interface. I'm looking for a phone with some PDA functions, not a huge PDA with a phone. I hope they get it right.

[maestro55]

I just hope that cingular would carry the phone if Apple had one. I think Cingular offers the best bang for the buck, and I wouldn't switch providers for a phone. I agree with others, this phone will need to make great strides before I would lay done the money to buy it. However, I hope the phone is easy to use and that the extra features don't make it hard to use. My dad as a Sony Ericsson phone, and in an attempt to cram the thing full of features they put these buttons on the side that you cannot lock, and when you go to answer the phone, if you accidently press the buttons it hangs up the phone.

So yes to those who want these kind of features.. 2gigs+ of memory, 3.1MP camera (I believe there is a phone with that already.. so I wonder if they could make the camera more), easy connection to the computer using bluetooth or USB 2.0 (meaning the phone offers both), all the features of the current iPod plus a GPS.. okay so many no GPS, but it would be awesome.

[nicksoper]

iMob, iPod, macPhone, macPhone Pro, macFone, iFone, iPhone.

Any more for anymore?

[runninmac]

This just sorta depresses me. I am 90% verizon will NOT carry this phone, because 1.) Verizon rarely gets cool phones. 2.) When they do they cripple them with their horrible OS, god I just can't stand it.

[freddiecable]

agree! it's going to be a challange to beat SE and Nokias latest phones with great cameras, mobilephone-functionality and music...apple must really pull the rabbit out of the hat with this one!

it would be interesting to see what they could do with a phone medium, but i dont think i would buy one unless it was REALLY good. and i mean...beating the sony ericsson K790i good. because thats the phone i intend to purchase when my contract renews.

S

[EricNau]

Cingular would definitely be the first carrier to have an Apple Phone. They are the largest GSM network in America (actually, the largest carrier period). Besides, Cingular is always the first to have the latest and greatest phones (and they usually have a contract so they are the only carrier with those phones).

It won't be Verizon even though they have the best coverage because they use CDMA, unlike the rest of the world. :rolleyes: (and of course I have Verizon) :o :(

[macdong]

Cingular would definitely be the first carrier to have an Apple Phone. They are the largest GSM network in America (actually, the largest carrier period). Besides, Cingular is always the first to have the latest and greatest phones (and they usually have a contract so they are the only carrier with those phones).

It won't be Verizon even though they have the best coverage because they use CDMA, unlike the rest of the world. :rolleyes: (and of course I have Verizon) :o :(

offering a cell phone without providing the service is not necessarily a good thing for Apple.
i for one will never get involved with Cingular no matter how big it is.

[EricNau]

offering a cell phone without providing the service is not necessarily a good thing for Apple.
i for one will never get involved with Cingular no matter how big it is.
I don't see how Apple could offer a cell service. There is no way that Apple could compete with Cingular or Verizon's coverage.

[Shadow]

I don't see how Apple could offer a cell service. There is no way that Apple could compete with Cingular or Verizon's coverage.
They wouldnt compete with Verizon or Cingular-just make the phones, rather like Nokia or Samsung. They make the phones and provide them to networks like Cingular, Verizon (or in the UK), Vodaphone, O2, T-Mobile, 3, ect.

[Jaffa Cake]

I don't see how Apple could offer a cell service. There is no way that Apple could compete with Cingular or Verizon's coverage.True enough, but here's a crazy thought – Virgin Mobile don't actually maintain a network, they hire network space from other providers (T-Mobile here in the UK, and they have a similar arrangement with one of the US carriers). Do you reckon it could be possible for Apple to do something similar with one of the US networks? It would be a way for them to produce, market and sell their own phones without having to get their hands dirty in building and maintaining a network...

[Aeolius]

I don't see how Apple could offer a cell service. There is no way that Apple could compete with Cingular or Verizon's coverage.

And I'd never get one if it was only through Verizon or Cingular... only Sprint carries a decent signal, around here.

[Macnoviz]

I definitly need a cellphone in the next year (my 4 broke of, and I have to use a pencil) so, but I will try to hold of until more news arrives.
My ideal iPhone would be available in Belgium, have total sync possibilities, camera, BT, WiFi and the usual smartphone stuff.
I only hope the price will stay beneath €500:D

[EricNau]

They wouldnt compete with Verizon or Cingular-just make the phones, rather like Nokia or Samsung. They make the phones and provide them to networks like Cingular, Verizon (or in the UK), Vodaphone, O2, T-Mobile, 3, ect.
Yes, that's how I think it should be. My post was directed at those who think Apple will introduce a new cell service along with their own phone.

[macdong]

And I'd never get one if it was only through Verizon or Cingular... only Sprint carries a decent signal, around here.

exactly, i wouldn't get it if it doesn't work with T-Mobile, either.
if Apple does come up with an iPhone, its primary market will be Apple users, which is already a relatively small market.
so either Apple has to make their iPhone work with every single carrier (no carrier is perfect everywhere), or they'll have to come up with something alternative.

[itcheroni]

I'm still waiting for a phone that can keep up with what they have in Japan. With a one year contract I got a free phone that had a 2 megapixel camera(amongst many other features). That was almost 2 years ago! They have great style, amazing software, tons of features. Just look at some of the latest phones out there now. Check out the FOMA line.

http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/product/

check out this one

http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/product/foma/900i/f900it/index.html

hmmm, maybe all the touch patents are for the phone?

[GilGrissom]

Of course, if all this is true they may just announce it at the end of the year – when Apple unveils a new product and when they actually ship it are two entirely separate things...
Absolutely!

True enough, but here's a crazy thought – Virgin Mobile don't actually maintain a network, they hire network space from other providers (T-Mobile here in the UK, and they have a similar arrangement with one of the US carriers). Do you reckon it could be possible for Apple to do something similar with one of the US networks? It would be a way for them to produce, market and sell their own phones without having to get their hands dirty in building and maintaining a network...
Yes. MVNO''s right? We've all heard rumours about Apple setting up their own MVNO over the past year...maybe this is linked?

Also...sorry for anyone who has already mentioned this and I've missed it, but what about a VOIP phone, for use with Skype, or their new future VOIP version of iChat??? Wi-Fi enabled VOIP phone? Much like this upcoming one from Netgear??

http://tools.netgear.com/skype/

[samh004]

If they do, I hope it doesn't look anything like some of those warped concepts. A scroll wheel on a phone wouldn't be of any use...

This whole idea reminds me of a B&O phone, it's really nice and slim, looks great, but because of it's shape the numbers are all out of place and it's very impractical. This is, unfortunately, how Apple would probably go, using a click-wheel or some funny arrangement, just wont cut it.

It has to be practical, use a normal keypad, but the keys have to be easily accessible (some phone they aren't that great). In this day and age I'd expect a camera, I'd expect BT, I'd expect a lot of things.. I just hope Apple's iPod hasn't clouded their judgement and ultimately left a really bad design (it should be a phone with iPod capabilities, not the other way around).

[cyberddot]

As I understand it from friends, the only carrier with good coverage in rural Oregon is Verizon. Because of this, I guess I've always known an iPhone isn't going to be worth the wait. :mad: I've been resistant to getting a cell phone, but work may require that I tune-in soon. Looks like a prepaid and my iPod will have to do until Jobs figures out a way to purchase Verizon :rolleyes:

[Jaffa Cake]

MVNO''s right? We've all heard rumours about Apple setting up their own MVNO over the past year...maybe this is linked?That's right – it's a system that's worked very well for Virgin, here in the UK at least. I can imagine the mobile phone market is one Apple would very much like to get into, becoming a MVNO would certainly help cut out a lot of obstacles.

[dashiel]

Hmm... forgive my ignorance when it comes to product design/manufacture, but if Apple is indeed in the process of "shopping around for a electronics manufacturer" and is "in talks" with other companies for the bodies, is it realistic that the product could be on the shelves as soon as the end of the year?

unfortunately those terms are really vague, or at least they don't really indicate where apple is in the design process. you can be in talks about general designs at a very early stage of the game.

sometimes the OEM/ODM will help the designers with pre-built components that they have in order to reduce time to market and BOM. sometimes the designer has a very specific design and it requires the OEM/ODM to create new lines for fabrication.

the other thing to consider with a cell phone is not only the design and manufacturing timelines, but it must also pass FCC certification for use in the united states. as i understand it that's not entirely easy.

taking the anecdotal statements at face value, apple could theoretically have something out by the end of the year. my best guess they would have to have a manufacturer in place and ready to go by the end of the month, no later.

--

my worry about this: apple's transition to intel is a big, big effort not to mention leopard development. then add in the escalating media offerings from itunes. an iphone and potential MVNO would be a massive distraction with no proven market for phones, no experience in the market and the shady dealings of the network carriers. if anyone can turn an industry on its head it's apple, but it's a big task.

[brentonbrenton]

i'd happily pick up an iphone if it has great looks; but more importantly a perfected OS.

i'm sick of phones that have menus and thought put into them that are right out of 1997. even motorola has some neat looking phones, but using them; thats something else.

[Swatchman]

An iPhone?

People of Macrumors.com. I have watched this forum forever. Some of these rumors are just outrageous and hurt ongoing efforts for people interested in Apple products. Maybe I can help with what I know and well, what really is not for everyone to know.

Can Apple compete with Nokia,Sony Ericsson or Samsung? No. Don't kid yourself, the trends of mobile phones will need to be tried and trusted in European markets before the USA sees something happen. Apple has NO platform or has not spent the years that the above companies have in this field. Offering a phone would be not only difficult but technology wise, Apple just don't have the R&D infrastructure to support an ongoing effort.

What WILL be possible?

1. Smaller Macbook's (debuting soon)
2. Personal assistance devices for internet (Mobile Me devices) (the opportunity to buy music through WIFI,surf the web,check on your email, ect.)
3. Better OS technolgies in Leopard (My Way applications)

What will NOT be possible (or is on any corporate roadmaps)?

1. Mobile phones (or PDA devices)
2. Entertainment boxes (games machines,DVR)
3. Wifi with video feed

What is the big talk in boardrooms?

The offering of OSX Leopard to be sold for OEM manufactors on non-Apple hardware to increase the OS market share. The shift to intel was to help ease the burden of backlash from consumers. While the Apple hardware will provide unique features (OS and hardware related, such as touchscreen specific) generic PC's will not, it will be the OS that will lead the way however.

The iPod will recieve support from movie houses such as Disney and Universal. There will be no knew video iPod, the content is being written for the current iPod. There IS a prototype (1 of many) that exists, but it was scrapped for the direction of Mobile Me devices.

Apple wants to please everybody and it is a tough to do, so it must follow market trends.

There you have it. Spilled in all its glory for the few interested.

[yankeefan24]

snip

2. Personal assistance devices for internet (Mobile Me devices) (the opportunity to buy music through WIFI,surf the web,check on your email, ect.)

snip

What is the big talk in boardrooms?

The offering of OSX Leopard to be sold for OEM manufactors on non-Apple hardware to increase the OS market share. The shift to intel was to help ease the burden of backlash from consumers. While the Apple hardware will provide unique features (OS and hardware related, such as touchscreen specific) generic PC's will not, it will be the OS that will lead the way however.

snip


1. how's that different from a PDA-type thing?

2. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS BEING TALKED ABOUT IN THE BOARDROOMS?

3. i think it would be hard for apple but would help. but that could only reduce apple's hardware market share which is bad:(

[Swatchman]

1. how's that different from a PDA-type thing?

2. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS BEING TALKED ABOUT IN THE BOARDROOMS?

3. i think it would be hard for apple but would help. but that could only reduce apple's hardware market share which is bad:(


1. It is a Mobile Me device in the same direction as Samsungs portables announced (in conjuction with Microsoft software) and Nokias internet tablet directive.

2. Well, you need to be in the boardroom right?

3. It is not as hard for Apple as it is for consumers. It's marketing that deals with the initiative to promote it to the mass public appeal. It has been the direction since development of OSX began. We had the OS for intel in the beginning but it is a slow process to offer it on such a different consumer space.

[Mac Fly (film)]

I think it's only a matter of time, that's not to say it will happen this year!

I know one thing though, if one comes out....I'll own one:D

[MacsomJRR]

i so wish i hadn't just bought a treo:(

[Jaffa Cake]

2. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS BEING TALKED ABOUT IN THE BOARDROOMS?Well, there's always this (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=187622) possibility... :p

[EricNau]

An iPhone?

People of Macrumors.com. I have watched this forum forever. Some of these rumors are just outrageous and hurt ongoing efforts for people interested in Apple products. Maybe I can help with what I know and well, what really is not for everyone to know.

Can Apple compete with Nokia,Sony Ericsson or Samsung? No. Don't kid yourself, the trends of mobile phones will need to be tried and trusted in European markets before the USA sees something happen. Apple has NO platform or has not spent the years that the above companies have in this field. Offering a phone would be not only difficult but technology wise, Apple just don't have the R&D infrastructure to support an ongoing effort.
...


I think Apple can compete with any of those brands. Everyone loves their iPod, and if Apple introduced a cell phone that was a full-featured iPod also, people would love it. Now, instead of carrying around a cell phone and an iPod, you can just carry around an "iPhone."

And about the research...
Apple can learn from other companies research. Apple knows which phones are selling well (e.g. RAZR) and then all they have to do it copy it while making it better.

[yankeefan24]

Well, there's always this (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=187622) possibility... :p

he wouldn't expose himself that easily. i am more likely to be steve than him;) i think.

[michaellehn]

... I hope there won't come a iPhone disaster. If Apple really comes up with a iPod+Phone this better is real good.

[dr_lha]

The offering of OSX Leopard to be sold for OEM manufactors on non-Apple hardware to increase the OS market share. The shift to intel was to help ease the burden of backlash from consumers. While the Apple hardware will provide unique features (OS and hardware related, such as touchscreen specific) generic PC's will not, it will be the OS that will lead the way however.
I call ************ on this rumor.

[YoNeX]

I could really see Apple making us use the vintage phone dialing thingy. Just think about it, click wheel, exactly the same idea as those vintage phones! :eek: It would eliminate the need for numbers, so you would essentially have a phone that looks like an iPod, except with all the features of a phone.

http://www.vintagephones.com/images/we202lh.jpg

How plausiable is this? :D Waits for a GFX artists to mock this up (please :))

[macbones]

It will be a Vonage style phone. It will work via .mac. It will replace your home phone, and also work from wireless hotspots. It won't be on a major network like verizon. They are greedy and want a huge chunk of the download business. So it will be wifi based. You will be able to keep your current home #, because these are now portable by law. Just buy the phone and cross off your home phone bill if you are a .mac member. And to boot, when you travel you can use it at hotspots. Oh, it has a camera, you can video chat with it.

I'm good, no?

[Electro Funk]

My Treo 650 replacement perhapes??? :D

I have already relplaced my Treo 650 with a Sprint PPC 6700 with Windows mobile 5.0 :eek:

Would love to toss it in the trash for an apple portable phone device...

but like others have stated... it would have to sync with contacts/mail/notes...etc i dont really care about music on the phone, but if they add that, all the better... would also have to be able to term set to my desktop @ the office pc's or the macs at home! Oh yeah and sync directly with exchange server 2001-2003 :p

Then im sold...:D

[solvs]

I would love to buy one to replace my ROKR. Knowing Apple though it'll be about a hundred dollars too expensive and everyone will complain about it even though they'll sell a million of them. It'll have a great camera, but it won't have a ton of megapixels so people will complain. It'll only play about a thousand or so songs people will complain. And a bunch of other things that we're rumored but aren't in the actual product so people will be disappointed and complain.

I'm waiting for Rev. 2 though because I here it's better. :p

[jimN]

An iPhone?
Can Apple compete with Nokia,Sony Ericsson or Samsung? No. Don't kid yourself, the trends of mobile phones will need to be tried and trusted in European markets before the USA sees something happen. Apple has NO platform or has not spent the years that the above companies have in this field. Offering a phone would be not only difficult but technology wise, Apple just don't have the R&D infrastructure to support an ongoing effort.

Of course apple can do this; they had no presence in the mp3 market until a few years ago and now they totally dominat it and have sold over 1 billion songs via their online store. They now have immense brand awareness on the back of the iPod and are therefore widely acknowledged to make beautiful products that work and integrate well. The mobile phone is perfectly placed for someone to streamline the whole thing as they in danger of becoming too complicated for their own good - Apple is all about products that 'just work' so it seems like a great time for them to hop in and the industry is worth an absolute fortune.


What is the big talk in boardrooms?

The offering of OSX Leopard to be sold for OEM manufactors on non-Apple hardware to increase the OS market share. The shift to intel was to help ease the burden of backlash from consumers. While the Apple hardware will provide unique features (OS and hardware related, such as touchscreen specific) generic PC's will not, it will be the OS that will lead the way however.

The consensus on this one seems to be, 'No way!'. Licensing their OS to third parties would damage the apple image as driver and incompatibility problems would abound. With a rising market share and a reputation as a very stable OS this would only hurt them at a time when it really isn't necessary.

I'm ready to eat humble pie on this but IMHO you're talking bull!

[ClarkeB]

Verizon rarely gets cool phones.

Rarely is better than Sprint's never (although the LG PM-325 is really nice...it's quite plasticy...and the Samsung A900 is the RAZR ripoff that's much better than Moto's...it's quite cheap looking as well).

disappointment.

[macdong]

It will be a Vonage style phone. It will work via .mac. It will replace your home phone, and also work from wireless hotspots. It won't be on a major network like verizon. They are greedy and want a huge chunk of the download business. So it will be wifi based. You will be able to keep your current home #, because these are now portable by law. Just buy the phone and cross off your home phone bill if you are a .mac member. And to boot, when you travel you can use it at hotspots. Oh, it has a camera, you can video chat with it.

I'm good, no?

that sounds like a good idea.
and don't mimic my name, yes? ;)
just kidding.

[ethen]

i hope they will also release non service provider specific phone, i've been using tmobile, and if apple release it for verizon only or at&t only, i'll be damn :(

[johnbro23]

Apple will integrate their touchscreen technology with the iPhone/iPod. The iPod will have full screen video. It will have a touchscreen clickwheel that fades in and out. It will have a number pad interface that fades in and out as well for cell phone use. Even if this product was $500, I would definitely buy it.

This iPod is the future. It is definitely possible. Slapping a 30GB hard drive into the Razr (and a slightly larger battery) will only make the device as thick as the 60GB iPod. This is totally doable.

[Detlev]

OK, but an iPhone has to be cutting edge and provide useful functions. Things that would get me to buy an iPhone (and these might sound insignificant but if you are a business person on the road they add up and I think some people will agree that Apple can do sub-par at times):

#1 and most important: don't sell it through one distributor with one service. A majority of people already are signed up and under contract with a service. It's a pain and expensive to keep moving around. If they had to they better work with a company that allows free calls between users.
• Internet access—websites, news feeds, email, text messaging, SMS, IM, etc.
• It's gotta synce with all, or at least a majority of the apps, not just Mac apps. Fact is Apple has NO market share in this market and most users are not just going to drop everything for a pretty white phone which brings me to ...
• Sorry, white is not going to cut it. A cell phone gets more abuse than an iPod. It's gotta be tough, real tough. Tough enough to be tossed, dropped, scuffed, puked on, get wet, left in the car in the middle of the summer (or winter for that matter) and still keep playing/working. Oh, please don't make it look like the Motorola.
• Bluetooth or whatever. It needs to have solid wireless connectivity to other phones, the Blackberry, PocketPC, and/or computers without using minutes.
• Multiple models from the beginning. I'm not interested in another $400 cell phone.
• I don't need no stinking camera but connectivity to a camera would be very useful. That way I can back up the CF Card.
• Battery life needs to be great. Better than anything Apple has done to date. This thing could be real useful and going all the time. A couple hours is not going to cut it.
• Silent ringer. I don't need to hear Ne-Yo play when I'm in a meeting or with a client.
• GSM/GPRS/EDGE and whatever else is out there. Don't limit the phone to some 48 metropolitan U.S. cities. Think different Apple. Build it right from the beginning.
• Downloadable games. Hey everybody needs to do something on the train.
• Hands free funtionality. Duh!
• A dial pad that makes sense. Some phones are just ridiculous.
• It's gotta sound good on the other end.

[MagOne]

If apple makes this a Cingular only Deal I will be the most Dissapointed Apple user ever.. i made the swich to verizon. Dealing with Cingular is a nightmare not to mention there service.

[Detlev]

Of course apple can do this; they had no presence in the mp3 market until a few years ago and now they totally dominat it and have sold over 1 billion songs via their online store. They now have immense brand awareness on the back of the iPod and are therefore widely acknowledged to make beautiful products that work and integrate well.

Sure thing, but that market was/is immature (it was a new industry in need of direction) whereas the cell phone market is quite established and the U.S. is so far behind it is not funny.

The mobile phone is perfectly placed for someone to streamline the whole thing as they in danger of becoming too complicated for their own good…

It is usually a company that can focus on that task of streamlining not accent it with a new product. No offense meant but I think you are looking to the wrong company to revolutionize the telecommunications industry. I think they relized that they could produce a better product than the iTunes phones out there and decided to do it. Nothing more.

[milatchi]

a Piper Jaffary analyst
Wow, well if it came from some guy at Piper Jaffary, a financial investment company that I have never heard of, (but claims to have been around since 1895) then it must be true. And what exactly is the truth of this story? That they:
claimed
they felt
a 75% chance
Apple would release an iPhone
in the next 12 months.
Well, I'm convinced.
Hey, I can do even better than that.

"I predict that within the next 12 months Apple could possibly, in theory, perhaps, enhance some portion of their existing product line, maybe."

Now everyone can start sending me checks, clicking ads on my website, and praising me for this definite speculative insight.

*Edit* The above is not directed at Mac Rumors, but at the asshats who throw out the obvious or wild rumors to try to get attention.

[Maxiseller]

Wow, well if it came from some guy at Piper Jaffary, a financial investment company that I have never heard of, (but claims to have been around since 1895) then it must be true. And what exactly is the truth of this story? That they:

Good point, although MR never posts stories that are based enirely on speculation on the front page usually, so there must be some grounding to this.

On the other hand, I think we all need to be a little more speculative about rumor material considering the fact that Apple are now in the media spotlight more than ever - the rumor mill must be getting pretty hectic.

[jimN]

It is usually a company that can focus on that task of streamlining not accent it with a new product. No offense meant but I think you are looking to the wrong company to revolutionize the telecommunications industry. I think they relized that they could produce a better product than the iTunes phones out there and decided to do it. Nothing more.

No offense taken. To my mind Apple don't need to revolutionise the mobile phone industry but while it is mature there's significant room for sales because of the high turnover of mobile phones; in the UK the majority of users will change their handset once a year (at least)! As i see it the idea of a convergent product is a bad one - the jack of all trades is the master of none and as phone companies increasingly try to build a phone that achieves everything the ability to achieve anything tails off. I want a small-ish phone with good sound quality, good battery life (stand-by and talk time), hands free with bluetooth, international roaming, built in (and usable itunes) and syncing with my calender and address book. Given how well the ipod sells I would have thought that a subsidised phone with all of the baove would be hugely popular.

[hokullani]

I think that it is a cool idea but is it really needed? Motorola already has itunes compadibility so why would you need an i phone. Apple would have to spend a lot more time developing a phone. i would rather have that time spent on making new computers and software, preferably frontrow for other computers. But it would be cool but i would rather use my RAZR and a nano.

[Detlev]

"I predict that within the next 12 months Apple could possibly, in theory, perhaps, enhance some portion of their existing product line, maybe."
You see, now you've gone and done it. Here come the G5 iBook rumors again. :D

[reyesmac]

If they do make an iPod that can also be a phone it would be a huge winner. My wife and I would buy an iPhone even if it didnt play music. If it is also an iPod it would be like icing on the cake. And would justify paying so much for any phone.

[dongmin]

Talking about hardware specs, imo, is the wrong way to approach this. Where Apple will innovate is in software and services. As others have suggested, Apple will most likely introduce its own network (MVNO) integrated with its own software and hardware. After the Motorola-iTunes debacle, surely Apple will want to go at it alone, with a complete solution like they have with the iPod-iTunes-iTMS. Possibilities are endless, but there are some interesting suggestions being thrown around:

-ichat integration
-.mac linked data service
-video and music download/stream service

[Super Dave]

Other than the obvious, a flash drive iPod, an iPhone needs to sync with Apple Mail, Calendar, Contacts for it to be really useful. It needs bluetooth. And the case needs to be made of metal for strength and durability.

And why I'm at it: it should have a built in iSight camera, iChat with WiFi internet with a mini version of safari! :rolleyes:

No seriously. A phone that is wifi VOIP when you're at home, the office or any internet cafe like joint (and therefore seriously cheap on the minutes) and a cell phone when you're out and about or there's a power failure in your area. And if Apple is buying iSights by the boatload, why not? They'll be super cheap to add to the phone. I honestly see this as their strategy.

It's a phone done right. It replaces your home phone, your cell phone and promotes wicked awesome VOIP iChat technology, and therefore pushes more people to the Mac.

David:cool:

[puuukeey]

I hope this doesn't happen. I hope we see more innovation and less LCD consumer pandering

[jthrasher]

I think that it is a cool idea but is it really needed? Motorola already has itunes compadibility so why would you need an i phone. Apple would have to spend a lot more time developing a phone. i would rather have that time spent on making new computers and software, preferably frontrow for other computers. But it would be cool but i would rather use my RAZR and a nano.


YES it is most definitely needed. Motorola's OS sucks major A$$. I just bought the SLVR with itunes and I can't stand the OS. I had a Sony Ericsson and it's OS was nicely laid out but slow as hell which is mainly why I bought a new phone.

I have no doubt that if Apple made a phone it would be the best OS of any phone out there. I would buy one in a heart beat. Cingular would for sure be the first carrier to get the phone and once every other carrier saw how many were sold they would jump on the bad wagon too. They know everyone has ipods and they would all want to dump their own mp3 player software to sell a phone that would sync with itunes because it's a major seller.

The phone would most definitely have a camera because iphoto is a major Apple iLife app. And of course it would sync perfecly with all the other apps. which is exactly what I need.

PLEASE APPLE... MAKE A PHONE!!! all the other phones out there suck. You are our only hope

[bketchum]

You might find this telephone-industry article interesting. To me, it sharply rings Apple strategy for its possible iPod phone introduction.

A quote from the article says, "Upon receiving her iPod Nano, my 18-year-old daughter's first response was, 'I wish this was my cell phone!'"

How could Apple not ignore that sentiment? I'm sure it isn't isolated either.

http://telephonyonline.com/mag/telecom_apple_day/

Adding to the author's thesis if I may... Apple could also provide cheap air time to sell more iPods, much like they do with music.

I find this very exciting. I'm asked why I've never owned a cell phone. Ever since its earliest rumor, I say it's because I'm holding out for the iPod phone.

[cycocelica]

I still don't see why they would release a iPhone. They have the SLVR. Like I have said in previous threads, unless it can hold 1000 songs and runs a OS like OSX, I see nothing special about an iPhone.

[BRLawyer]

Sorry to disagree, but I am pretty sure Apple has bigger fish to fry now...the mobile market is like a gladiators' arena, with more makers and models than you can shake a dirty stick at...

Really, there is nothing on mobile phones that hasn't already been covered by a thousand models out there, in U.S., Europe, Japan, everywhere...you have BT, movies, MMS, SMS, iTunes, games, mobile OSs, calendars, clocks, keyboards etc...unless Apple shows us a mindblowing INNOVATION BONG, there is nothing to be seen here...

At most, Apple will enter some niche market like the Cupertino mobile area and launch an iPod-cum-phone for a few customers...the iPhone rumor is almost older than the PB G5 one now...let us put it to rest, please, and let Apple create great new Macs and iPods...mobile phones are boring..!

[csimmons]

Apple will integrate their touchscreen technology with the iPhone/iPod. The iPod will have full screen video. It will have a touchscreen clickwheel that fades in and out. It will have a number pad interface that fades in and out as well for cell phone use. Even if this product was $500, I would definitely buy it.

This iPod is the future. It is definitely possible. Slapping a 30GB hard drive into the Razr (and a slightly larger battery) will only make the device as thick as the 60GB iPod. This is totally doable.

The iPod already has the basic functionality of a cell phone / PDA (calendar, address book, etc.) so an iPod with phone features is indeed doable.

Apple could also make a VoIP cell phone...:shock:

[4np]

I would get one.

How can you decide to buy a product without seeing it? What if it looks like the Motorola Rocker? I most definitaly don't want a phone like that.... :)

[lelereb]

mmmmmmm, a white pod with backlit phone keys, that appears when you activate them. For just 999$! :D

[Arcus]

Dam, I just got a couple of Razors. Oh well, glad I got the insurance on them!

*places razors under car tire*


Whoops!

[adamcz]

As an APPL shareholder, I would be really nervous about the release of an iPhone. It seems like the type of product that you'd have to throw an enormous amount of money into to compete. A genuine gamble. Unless they have a product that is undeniably superior to everything else out there, I'd rather not gamble all those marketing and development dollars.

[DPazdanISU]

I dont think apple will come out with an iPhone that you use with current cell phone providers. There was an article recently with some investment firm stating that they believed the iphone would be wifi enabled. This makes more sense for Apple considering their goal is to enhance your digital computer lifestyle and not the other way around. This is also why Apple has not come out with a Tivo killer. A wifi enabled iPhone makes sense b/c it would be an affordable subscription/if there even is one?? I would definately get one if it is a wifi enabled iPhone, Vonage and a few others are just starting to get popular and Apple can easily dominate in this market as well

[fixyourthinking]

Apple needs to approach this like the MP3 market when they released the iPod.

Apple should make this for ONLY Mac users at first ... possibly bringing new people just for the purpose of the phone.

The ONLY way this could be a cool phone if it has bluetooth AND a front row remote built in + a 4 or 5 megapixel camera.

It's not just time for Apple to have a phone ... but a good camera again.

[peharri]

Right now, the mobile industry's in a state of change. European GSM networks are having UMTS (3GSM, "W-CDMA") networks added to them, the US GSM networks plan to replace their networks completely with UMTS (the other widely used standard in the US, IS-95 (CDMA2000, "CDMA"), isn't really open in the same way as GSM/UMTS is/are. An IS-95 customer can't just buy a phone compatable with the network and activate it themselves without the phone company's involvement and permission. If Apple used that, they'd lock themselves out of the rest of the world, and reduce their markets in the US to only those phone companies that actively cooperate with them.)

There are some hold-ups however. The main one is that the way UMTS was originally specified relied upon the fact countries had generally agreed to make available certain spectrum for 3G. It was assumed it would run in addition to existing GSM networks, rather than on top of them. In the US, the FCC has (for largely legitimate reasons) taken its time getting the relevent bands cleared. The result is that Cingular, the major GSM network in the US that's moving to UMTS right now, is having to overlay UMTS onto its existing network, using non-standard frequencies, which will probably change once the FCC clears spectrum for 3G. But, hey, even that's not clear: once the FCC does this, it will probably want to auction the new bandwidth, which will mean more 3G operators.

To work around the difficulties getting UMTS implemented, GSM has been enhanced with a system called EDGE which implements somewhat faster data rates and slightly more capacity. Both T-Mobile and Cingular have widely implemented it, but the rates aren't that fantastic, comparable, perhaps, to ISDN, and that's when the network's not congested.

It's kind of convoluted, and the market itself is a little difficult to judge while this is going on. Apple can just produce a GSM EDGE phone, but it would be slow (especially if the aim is to provide downloads from the iTMS) and, to much of the world, look outdated. A Sprint/Verizon IS-95 hook-up would lock themselves (and their customers) out of the rest of the world. A UMTS phone would lock themselves out of most of the US right now.

Oh, and one other thing, margins on cellphones are razor thin. There's too much competition in the area. And it's very difficult to persuade people to buy unsubsidized phones in most countries, some parts of Europe excepted.

If I were Apple, I'd wait.

If I were Apple and couldn't wait (worrying that MP3 playing cellphones with hard drives were about to hit the mass market), I'd go down the MVNO route, at least in the US, probably with Cingular. I would go with UMTS, because (a) it's backward compatable with GSM and any phone built today that uses that standard will need minor tweaks to stay up to date and (b) Most UMTS operators are likely to be keen to see a return on its UMTS investment and, while they'll want to see a large amount of per-customer income, the traffic charges can be small given the increased capacity. In the US, I'd sell only in Cingular UMTS markets, and keep the device and service low profile nationally until Cingular has rolled out their UMTS network to enough of the country.

To protect Apple's reputation for simplicity, I'd go for a pre-paid service model, preferably using something that hasn't been used before (in the US, at least.) Maybe $500 for the device (iPod nano 4Gig + phone) and unlimited domestic voice/message usage for a year? $2 per song downloaded (including data traffic charges)? With a model like that, it wouldn't be necessary to lock the phone, which in turn means that people who would prefer to use the phone with a different carrier can still buy it.

All in all, I don't actually buy the rumour at this point. It's an awful time to launch. Regular cellular service, as people are used to, is generally priced in an entirely opposite way to any of Apple's regular businesses (subsidized equipment that sells usage charges, rather than locked usage selling hardware), and as such the above model, which I rather like, would represent a large gamble in terms of customer acceptance and yet is pretty much the only way Apple could go from here without building a massive new business that operates entirely unlike the rest of Apple. And the technology to build it upon hasn't been rolled out and will be significantly tweaked over the next few years in ways that aren't completely predictable.

For now, I vote "No" on this happening, at least in 2006. Maybe late in 2007.

[sartinsauce]

I think I'll stack this rumor in the column with the 42" & 52" Apple Plasma TVs...

Sounds like a nice idea, I'd love to have one, doesn't stretch the imagination too much to be outrageous...

but

It's a less than innovative product, with slim to no profit margins, in a sector of consumer electronics where Apple has never played ball...

[BRLawyer]

As an APPL shareholder, I would be really nervous about the release of an iPhone. It seems like the type of product that you'd have to throw an enormous amount of money into to compete. A genuine gamble. Unless they have a product that is undeniably superior to everything else out there, I'd rather not gamble all those marketing and development dollars.

In other words, it's NOT GONNA HAPPEN...rest assured.

An iPhone is not feasible for Apple, unless they (as I said above) come up with something TOTALLY mindblowing...but these things don't happen in the mobile market...Japan has the edge on this matter, and even then it doesn't have anything spectacular...just AIO gadgets, monstrosities like the Blackberry or real-time/wireless payment facilities...nothing else.

Apple will NOT join this stupid fray.

[boombashi]

I used to think the notion of an iPhone was a very bad idea, but after thinking it through, I think it may actually be a good idea if done correctly.

Reasons:

#1 Seemless integration with iCal/AddressBook & iTunes.
#2 Easy and quick to use - could save the lives of people that otherwise would have been killed by the idiots that have to do texting and scrolling menus on their cellphones while speeding through rush hour traffic.
#3 Catch up on the latest episode of Lost while listening to your mother-in-law babble on-and-on...

Features I'd like to see:

#1 Good Battery life while talking
#2 Wifi and a mobile Skype client and mini Safari browser, and mini iChat Client.
#3 Bluetooth with A2DP Support for Bluetooth wireless "music headphones", not just the microphone-earpiece headsets.
#4 Basic PDA functionality...Calendar
#5 Sync with .Mac over the air. (I would actually buy .Mac if I could do that)
#6 Ability to add on accessories like the iPod, such as a mini keyboard for text entry (Blackberry like)
#7 Decent integrated Camera with good video capabilities.
#8 Decent Storage capacity. Preferably 8GB+ Flash memory.
#9 Charging/Sync Dock

Price : $349

Okay, I'm dreaming. But I would buy one in a second if they released that.

[AtHomeBoy_2000]

Right now, the mobile industry's in a state of change. European GSM networks are having UMTS (3GSM, "W-CDMA") networks added to them, the US GSM networks plan to replace their networks completely with UMTS (the other widely used standard in the US, IS-95 (CDMA2000, "CDMA"), isn't really open in the same way as GSM/UMTS is/are. An IS-95 customer can't just buy a phone compatable with the network and activate it themselves without the phone company's involvement and permission. If Apple used that, they'd lock themselves out of the rest of the world, and reduce their markets in the US to only those phone companies that actively cooperate with them.)

There are some hold-ups however. The main one is that the way UMTS was originally specified relied upon the fact countries had generally agreed to make available certain spectrum for 3G. It was assumed it would run in addition to existing GSM networks, rather than on top of them. In the US, the FCC has (for largely legitimate reasons) taken its time getting the relevent bands cleared. The result is that Cingular, the major GSM network in the US that's moving to UMTS right now, is having to overlay UMTS onto its existing network, using non-standard frequencies, which will probably change once the FCC clears spectrum for 3G. But, hey, even that's not clear: once the FCC does this, it will probably want to auction the new bandwidth, which will mean more 3G operators.

To work around the difficulties getting UMTS implemented, GSM has been enhanced with a system called EDGE which implements somewhat faster data rates and slightly more capacity. Both T-Mobile and Cingular have widely implemented it, but the rates aren't that fantastic, comparable, perhaps, to ISDN, and that's when the network's not congested.

It's kind of convoluted, and the market itself is a little difficult to judge while this is going on. Apple can just produce a GSM EDGE phone, but it would be slow (especially if the aim is to provide downloads from the iTMS) and, to much of the world, look outdated. A Sprint/Verizon IS-95 hook-up would lock themselves (and their customers) out of the rest of the world. A UMTS phone would lock themselves out of most of the US right now.

Oh, and one other thing, margins on cellphones are razor thin. There's too much competition in the area. And it's very difficult to persuade people to buy unsubsidized phones in most countries, some parts of Europe excepted.

If I were Apple, I'd wait.

If I were Apple and couldn't wait (worrying that MP3 playing cellphones with hard drives were about to hit the mass market), I'd go down the MVNO route, at least in the US, probably with Cingular. I would go with UMTS, because (a) it's backward compatable with GSM and any phone built today that uses that standard will need minor tweaks to stay up to date and (b) Most UMTS operators are likely to be keen to see a return on its UMTS investment and, while they'll want to see a large amount of per-customer income, the traffic charges can be small given the increased capacity. In the US, I'd sell only in Cingular UMTS markets, and keep the device and service low profile nationally until Cingular has rolled out their UMTS network to enough of the country.

To protect Apple's reputation for simplicity, I'd go for a pre-paid service model, preferably using something that hasn't been used before (in the US, at least.) Maybe $500 for the device (iPod nano 4Gig + phone) and unlimited domestic voice/message usage for a year? $2 per song downloaded (including data traffic charges)? With a model like that, it wouldn't be necessary to lock the phone, which in turn means that people who would prefer to use the phone with a different carrier can still buy it.

All in all, I don't actually buy the rumour at this point. It's an awful time to launch. Regular cellular service, as people are used to, is generally priced in an entirely opposite way to any of Apple's regular businesses (subsidized equipment that sells usage charges, rather than locked usage selling hardware), and as such the above model, which I rather like, would represent a large gamble in terms of customer acceptance and yet is pretty much the only way Apple could go from here without building a massive new business that operates entirely unlike the rest of Apple. And the technology to build it upon hasn't been rolled out and will be significantly tweaked over the next few years in ways that aren't completely predictable.

For now, I vote "No" on this happening, at least in 2006. Maybe late in 2007.
hmmm... I am a totally technology geek and I really want to understand what you just said, but all I read was "blah. blah, blah, cell phone, network, blah, blah." lol

[peharri]

hmmm... I am a totally technology geek and I really want to understand what you just said, but all I read was "blah. blah, blah, cell phone, network, blah, blah." lol

Thanks for the feedback. I am totally a poster to these forums, and I really wanted to understand what you had problems with, but all I read was "blah. blah, blah, blah, blah , blah, blah."

[deadturtle]

Lets just hope Apple doesnt become Sony. Lots and lots of arms and legs all flailing (and failing). I mean more Apple branded devices are good, but Apple has always been quality over quantity (well until the 'pod took off), but with 'pod hi-fi, rumors of another ipod coming out and some sort of phone thing, not to mention as of yet unheard rumors for the end of the month, mac with remotes.... etc etc Apple may wish to solidify some of their products before leaping off into new waters (maybe finish the transition to Intel??) I would hate to see them become all arms and legs working on different project with no cohesive theme other than the branded label. Heaven knows we'd all hate for iTunes to become SonicStage.

[revmac]

So they do a phone, who do you think will be the service for it?

[iPie]

Thanks for the feedback. I am totally a poster to these forums, and I really wanted to understand what you had problems with, but all I read was "blah. blah, blah, blah, blah , blah, blah."

Peharri,

What about just launching the phone in Europe to compete head to head with the top of the line Nokia, Ericsson etc? and then later launch in the US there is (finally) some order in chaos.

There is a pretty big market for fancy cell phones in Europe; everybody changes once a year or so (although I still have a 3 year old phone...) and many cell phone purchases are made by companies.

Add 'iPod' capabilities and it's not such a stretch to imagine that Apple could command a premium price AND significant consumer market share. Add wi-fi and some storage space and perhaps they could drive a wedge into the corporate world (wireless USB key?).

No problems with UMTS and GSM compatibility either.

[deadturtle]

So they do a phone, who do you think will be the service for it?

That is a good question.... One might wonder instead, who would want to do service for Apple. Verizon might, as they are staring down the 'Bell resurgence, but would they want to throw time and money on a gamble? Sprint/Nextel have a solid core business, I havent read about them wishing to expand into new markets recently. Cingular is also in the same boat. AT&T might look to partner with Apple and create a new network based around Apple phones, but I feel they would look for a more proven phone provider than a yet-unnamed Apple (sudo-myth).

So as a long winded answer to your question, in the current US Market, I dont see any of the major players as wanting to take a risk in an Apple only phone, but hey thats me.

[sjo]

Right now, the mobile industry's in a state of change.

Actually for a new comer the best time to enter is exactly when the industry is in a state of change. When the big players have taken their market shares it is way more difficult for a new player to enter the game.

Although I think that the US point of view blurs the big picture for you, world wide, the top phone providers for 3g are already providing a large variety of phones and it will be difficult to stand out with one phone, Apple would need a whole product line (at least 4-5 phones even if they limited their offering to the high end of the market) and refresh the line at four times a year.

[Cinch]

I dont think apple will come out with an iPhone that you use with current cell phone providers. There was an article recently with some investment firm stating that they believed the iphone would be wifi enabled. This makes more sense for Apple considering their goal is to enhance your digital computer lifestyle and not the other way around. This is also why Apple has not come out with a Tivo killer. A wifi enabled iPhone makes sense b/c it would be an affordable subscription/if there even is one?? I would definately get one if it is a wifi enabled iPhone, Vonage and a few others are just starting to get popular and Apple can easily dominate in this market as well


I'm listening. Wi-Fi phone with ever increasing coverage day by day. Sounds very interesting!

There is no reason why we can't have free phone calls (at least as close to free w/ a purchase of hardware). I think the day will come in the near future when we will have this option. The next standard of Wi-Fi i.e. Wi-Max will certainly be interest.

Give the finger to Verizon, Cingular or anyone of the pimp cellular provider the finger for dancing upon your paycheck!!

Cinch

[deadturtle]

Give the finger to Verizon, Cingular or anyone of the pimp cellular provider the finger for dancing upon your paycheck!!



Can I give it too them anyway even if my phone is paid through work? :rolleyes:

[peharri]

Peharri,
What about just launching the phone in Europe to compete head to head with the top of the line Nokia, Ericsson etc? and then later launch in the US there is (finally) some order in chaos.

I agree that would work, though it would be pretty unusual for Apple to work this way, they're generally very Americentric. There are quite a few countries in Europe where the sale of carrier subsidized phones is banned, and that would work in Apple's favour too, if they just want to sell a phone.

I don't know if that's all they want to do, and I don't know if the market over there is large enough to support it. How is iTunes working out over in Europe anyway? Does pretty much every country have a store, or just the big ones and a handful of little ones? I can't see them launching an iPod phone into a country without an iTMS.

[Gasu E.]

I

So yes to those who want these kind of features.. 3.1MP camera


Are people so wild about camera features. I always opt to NOT get the camera and so does every member of my family... plus my gym and (as I understand it) other gyms frown on cameras... which means I would have to limit my use.

The reason to integrate a phone into the iPod is to reduce the demand for "pocket space". Lots of people want or need both and iPod and phone and it is part of their daily life. Camera just seems like creeping featurism. I guess there would be people who would want a camera thrown in but I would hope that Apple would first offer something a bit simpler.

[Cinch]

Can I give it too them anyway even if my phone is paid through work? :rolleyes:

Yes! I'm so sick of mobile carriers. Instead of innovating and competing with one another, they rather hire lawyers/lobbists to live on 14th Street and massage our lawyer makers' back (yes, our law makers). I'm seriously considering Vonage, but instead of stuck in a 2 year deal with the mother of all pimps, Verizon.

god, i'm venomous today:D

Cinch

[iPie]

I agree that would work, though it would be pretty unusual for Apple to work this way, they're generally very Americentric. There are quite a few countries in Europe where the sale of carrier subsidized phones is banned, and that would work in Apple's favour too, if they just want to sell a phone.

I don't know if that's all they want to do, and I don't know if the market over there is large enough to support it. How is iTunes working out over in Europe anyway? Does pretty much every country have a store, or just the big ones and a handful of little ones? I can't see them launching an iPod phone into a country without an iTMS.

I believe that Europe is still quite far ahead of the US with regards to mobile phones. Any phone you buy will function with all providers.

As far as iTMS is concerned, you can easily check on the Apple Web Site. I am pretty sure that there is an iTMS store in every country (in the EU they all purchase from Luxembourg I believe).

The Europeans love fancy new mobile phones; everybody also seems to have an iPod (except me....) or wants to buy one (me).

If they can give the iPhone some novel features (iPod, wi-fi) and keep the price 'reasonable' I am sure that they will take significant Market Share.

Apple marketing strategies in Europe, in the past, have been so-so though; so I am not betting on anything too intelligent by design :eek:

[peharri]

Actually for a new comer the best time to enter is exactly when the industry is in a state of change. When the big players have taken their market shares it is way more difficult for a new player to enter the game.


Not really what I meant. In terms of people entering the market, it's already saturated. All the big players are already there. The issue is that the standards are in a flux and still being worked upon. As a basic example:

Cingular is the major practical 3G supplier in the US. (EV-DO operators are using a cheap hack at the moment, but their standard is limited.) They've rolled out to a handful of markets, namely some major cities. We're not even talking about all major cities - Boston's covered, but three hours away, Manhattan isn't. They're already talking about upgrading their UMTS network from WCDMA to an improved variant called HSDPA. In the mean time, nobody knows what T-Mobile's doing, they actually announced a "We're just going to sit and wait" policy a few months ago.

Now, if you're building phones, that's not really a good environment to be in unless you already have a large market. Nokia, Ericsson, and Motorola have their fingers in so many pies and have such a large advantage in terms of being able to reuse existing technologies in a range of forms, that this isn't much of a problem for them. In Apple's case, an iPhone - a single product - would have a lot of difficulty getting off the ground, would require substantial negotiations with a whole range of companies they don't work with today, and could be obsolete very quickly.

[bigjohn]

unless they partnered with a sony-ericsson or someone who has cel phone knowledge, this product will underwhelm just like the last 4 products have

[mozmac]

If you want the best phone/iPod, you need to take the best computer maker and put them with the best cell phone maker.

Apple needs to team up with Nokia. No more of this Motorola BS. They're phones have gotten poor reviews ever since they first started making them. If you don't believe me, just read around on Cnet and Amazon. Nokia has far better customer reviews, wihch are what really count.

An Apple/Nokia phone....I want one.

[MrCrowbar]

I'm waiting for an apple phone (iPhone sounds so childich to me... why not iTalk, iCell when you're at it?) for years. Imagine an iPod with added phone feature, text messaging and a calendar (where you can type things in). I've refused to spend a couple of hundred bucks for a music player so far, I always said I'd buy an iPod when I can use it for phone calls. And if my USB dongle did not fry this week, I wouldn't have bought a shuffle.

Personally, I'd love seeing the upcoming full screen iPod with a phone feature. I'm not sure however if having a UMTS transciever next to a HDD is a good idea though... maybe flash memory?


feMac 4ever!

[itguy06]

This just sorta depresses me. I am 90% verizon will NOT carry this phone, because 1.) Verizon rarely gets cool phones. 2.) When they do they cripple them with their horrible OS, god I just can't stand it.

So? In many places, Cingular's network is better than Verizon. Verizon just has the brainwashing done to have you think they have a better network.

[touring]

:confused: If Apple is able to include the Integrated Sensing Display on a full screen iPod device (Mobile Me), that has mobile phone capabilities (iPhone), that would challenge any mobile phone producer out there.

[Detlev]

:confused: If Apple is able to include the Integrated Sensing Display on a full screen iPod device (Mobile Me), that has mobile phone capabilities (iPhone), that would challenge any mobile phone producer out there.
Sure functionality is one thing but service is the catch. What service provider is going to buy into it? How many people will have access to it? Where will it be useable?

The idea that Apple could get into the VoIP is an interesting one but I have to agree that as Apple gets more diversified the less effective they become. Let's get the rest of the MacTels to market first and help the software developers make the transition now. Being mid-stream s•cks.

[touring]

Even though Apple left Motorola on the processor side, I think that the connection between the two companies is still quite strong. There could be more Apple-Motorola-Cingular synergy coming down the road.:cool:

[macdong]

Even though Apple left Motorola on the processor side, I think that the connection between the two companies is still quite strong. There could be more Apple-Motorola-Cingular synergy coming down the road.:cool:


guess i'll just stand on the sideway and watch it crash ;)

[GrannySmith_G5]

next

[BRLawyer]

Again, it's NOT gonna happen...the mobile market is a LOSS maker...nothing else.

[bbyrdhouse]

A phone would be a good thing. Although my carrier would not make it available. (Stinking Centenial Wireless, I will be glad when my contract is up)

It would also be neat for it to have a feature that would let you autosync with your .mac account.

Speaking of .mac I visited the Chicago store today and got a 1 year subscription for $69. :D

I would never have gotten one at $99.

[maxterpiece]

What authority does the opinion a character from Mortal Kombat have regarding Apple's future?

[dethl]

As much as I would love to see Apple put their own cell phone, I'm still wondering if there will be CDMA support (aka-Sprint/Verizon). I enjoy Sprint very much (great coverage where I live in comparison to all other carriers). I would pay full price for one of these new phones in a heartbeat (so I don't get that lame 2-year-contract crap) if Apple would release a Sprint version. But until I see news that Apple will go CDMA along with GSM, I'm marking this negative.

Yes, biased, but I am not switching to another carrier just to have an Apple-branded phone. But should one come out for Sprint I would be more than happy to drop my current phone (Samsung-I500) in a moment's notice.

EDIT: Grammar nazi attacks!

[touring]

What authority does the opinion a character from Mortal Kombat have regarding Apple's future?

In my opinion, the Option-A character has no authority.

[touring]

Is an Integrated Sensing Display being used in any products? Handheld, mobile phone, laptop, ...???

[lazyrighteye]

i so wish i hadn't just bought a treo:(

Eh, you'll be fine. I can't imagine Apple jumping into the mobile phone market until next summer, at the earliest (just a hunch*).

Unless... a 2-year contract (with said new Treo's service provider) has you concerned. 'Cause I do think before your new contract expires, Apple will redefine the mobile phone game. As I am sure most here can agree, it desperately needs redefinition. Currently, (at least in the States) it is OUT. OF. CONTROL.

When that time does come, and if you are still under contract, I'll suggest the beauty at which Apple's new phone integrates with your Mac (alone) will be worth breaking any contract (fees and all) with insert bastard cell phone provider name here.


* no more, no less.

[TheManOfSilver]

I guess I have to put myself into the "nay" camp. I just don't see what Apple would get from entering a field with small margins and huge initial costs, when they can just further licence technologies like iTunes and .Mac with established cellphone makers. This also helps to avoid some of the hassles with dealing with the wireless service providers.

If they were to enter the cellphone market, they would have to get it perfect the first time around ... no room for error as the new kid on the block. Not like the iPod where they went into a fairly sparse market with a much superior product. There are lots of great phones on the market now that can surf the web, take pictures, play music ... and oh yeah, make phone calls too ...

If there is going to be an iPhone, it had better a category killer.

BTW, does it not strike anyone else that iPhone fits as a software/service title too? I'm thinking that Apple is getting ready to launch telephony/VOIP functionality to complement iChat. Why try to get into the crowded cellphone market, when you can try to establish yourself as the purveyor of the most simple, user-friendly, internet phone service around while the market is still young. Apple could give the software away for free, sell airtime packages or per minute plans, and sell hardware accessories like handsets, headsets and microphones.

Makes much more business sense to me ... and sounds a lot more like Apple's style, no?

[peharri]

BTW, does it not strike anyone else that iPhone fits as a software/service title too? I'm thinking that Apple is getting ready to launch telephony/VOIP functionality to complement iChat. Why try to get into the crowded cellphone market, when you can try to establish yourself as the purveyor of the most simple, user-friendly, internet phone service around while the market is still young. Apple could give the software away for free, sell airtime packages or per minute plans, and sell hardware accessories like handsets, headsets and microphones.

Makes much more business sense to me ... and sounds a lot more like Apple's style, no?

I like the idea of a VoIP service or something much simpler than most people are talking about.

Take Airport. Add a phone jack (so it hooks up to the wall.)
Sell Airport handsets. SIP + Bonjour = simplicity and standards compliance. Only set-up the user would have to do on the phones is program in the WPA or WEP password for their private network.

Resut: A cordless phone system that doesn't interfere with 802.11 (indeed, it makes use of it. Europeans with DECT: in America, most cordless phone systems run on 2.4GHz and interfere nastily with 802.11. They're also pretty much all incompatable with one another. And nobody has ISDN which, in this case, is a blessing because it means Apple's adapter would be very simple.)

Apple, should you be planning this, do us a favour though and don't make it "One more thing". Cordless phones are even less exciting than iPod speakers.

BTW such handsets could also fit in well with the wireless client device I've advocated elsewhere. Let them browse shared iTunes libraries, piping the music out to a headset jack. You could even give them iPod docks, and let users seat them in iPod Hifis when they're not in use. My goodness, the iPod Hifi might end up being useful in such a scenario!

[blouis79]

...
If there is going to be an iPhone, it had better a category killer.

BTW, does it not strike anyone else that iPhone fits as a software/service title too? I'm thinking that Apple is getting ready to launch telephony/VOIP functionality to complement iChat. Why try to get into the crowded cellphone market, when you can try to establish yourself as the purveyor of the most simple, user-friendly, internet phone service around while the market is still young. Apple could give the software away for free, sell airtime packages or per minute plans, and sell hardware accessories like handsets, headsets and microphones.

Makes much more business sense to me ... and sounds a lot more like Apple's style, no?

Not hard to kill the phone category, since most/all suck from a functional perspective and aesthetic perspective.

iPhone:
iPod nano size and functionality
a proper phone interface - at last
click wheel with numbers around the circle
bluetooth - sync to iCal; wireless headset; no more iPod cables!
iTunes direct - provides revenue stream to Apple (who needs to iTunes via a computer)
tiny cameras are already in other macs
works on any GSM network, any provider
phone retailers make money on iTunes refills
network providers make money on iTunes feeds

I want one just for the phone.

[Drewys]

COVAD, Earthlink, SK Telecom.

[molsonboy]

Hi I'm new here. I came across this video on Yahoo Video. I searched the forum but could not find anything related to iTalk cell phone. You can see the video here:http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3168733759916419298&q=italk&pl=true
This is the discription of the video:
Spec commercial for a new cell phone from Apple by award winning filmmaker Christopher DeSantis with design by Gregory DeSantis.

From the video the phone looks to have a built in camera and iPod controls.

Sorry if this has been posted before.

[AvSRoCkCO1067]

Hi I'm new here. I came across this video on Yahoo Video. I searched the forum but could not find anything related to iTalk cell phone. You can see the video here:http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3168733759916419298&q=italk&pl=true
This is the discription of the video:
Spec commercial for a new cell phone from Apple by award winning filmmaker Christopher DeSantis with design by Gregory DeSantis.

From the video the phone looks to have a built in camera and iPod controls.

Sorry if this has been posted before.

I haven't seen this before - very good find. Very cool product idea :) .

Thanks!

[cherfizzle]

Im in need of a mobile phone soon

So Come On Apple...
I totally Agree!
I have a RAZR, but whats better than having an Apple Phone!??

[wkhahn]

Hi I'm new here. I came across this video on Yahoo Video. I searched the forum but could not find anything related to iTalk cell phone. You can see the video here:http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3168733759916419298&q=italk&pl=true
This is the discription of the video:
Spec commercial for a new cell phone from Apple by award winning filmmaker Christopher DeSantis with design by Gregory DeSantis.

From the video the phone looks to have a built in camera and iPod controls.

Sorry if this has been posted before.


Now that would be a cool phone!!!