Unreleased iPhone2,1 Icon Reveals No Major Physical Changes?

Or they've learned their lessen...
This might be just a placeholder icon.

I wouldn't rely on it too much. (But I wouldn't expect a revolutionary design, either, anyway.)

I wouldn't rely on it either.

I doubt they would make a different icon for the same product (well, nearly enough the same)

2,1 white? so, they're plastic again? damn..
was there a white 1,2 iPhone?

hahha

iphone design is boring


same design again

Could just be a placeholder for now... until the real one which I've heard is pink!

oops foobar beat me to it.

But anyway we already know it'll look the same don't we? We had that rumour already.... And apart from an unlikely front facing camera, why would it look different? They still need the same size screen, earphone, mic, sensors etc. The only thing they can change is the back.

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svndmvn said:

2,1 white? so, they're plastic again? damn..
was there a white 1,2 iPhone?

Click to expand...

White iPhone 3G? I've still got my first gen iPhone and I will upgrade, but only of the new one goes back to a metal case. I much prefer it over the 3G looks-wise.

why would apple go to the effort of putting a new icon in the beta software? it is just a graphic file, if they change it, it'll make zero difference to developers, it's not going to suddenly break all the code they've been working on, or introduce any bugs into the sdk.

that said - i don't see apple changing the look of the iPhone. it's a good shape and design now, they're looking instead to make production cheaper and so bring the price down. a new design would require new manufacturing processes and so the costs for the new one would be higher than the current one - that's not going to draw in new customers.

-Ryan- said:

White iPhone 3G? I've still got my first gen iPhone and I will upgrade, but only of the new one goes back to a metal case. I much prefer it over the 3G looks-wise.

Click to expand...

I meant a 1,2 White iPhone 3g icon, but I found the answer is yes, I checked the linked thread. I've had many cracks with my black iPhones, was hoping the rumored rubberized/metal/whatever case was true..

yay MacTalk! hey dudes!

i though this was already on MacRumors as said on the MacTalk thread. guess not.

illitrate23 said:

why would apple go to the effort of putting a new icon in the beta software? it is just a graphic file, if they change it, it'll make zero difference to developers, it's not going to suddenly break all the code they've been working on, or introduce any bugs into the sdk.

that said - i don't see apple changing the look of the iPhone. it's a good shape and design now, they're looking instead to make production cheaper and so bring the price down. a new design would require new manufacturing processes and so the costs for the new one would be higher than the current one - that's not going to draw in new customers.

Click to expand...

In the same way that putting in a placeholder icon that looks like the old icon can be replaced at any time.

illitrate23 said:

why would apple go to the effort of putting a new icon in the beta software? it is just a graphic file, if they change it, it'll make zero difference to developers, it's not going to suddenly break all the code they've been working on, or introduce any bugs into the sdk.

that said - i don't see apple changing the look of the iPhone. it's a good shape and design now, they're looking instead to make production cheaper and so bring the price down. a new design would require new manufacturing processes and so the costs for the new one would be higher than the current one - that's not going to draw in new customers.

Click to expand...

I agree on the first part, even though Apple had already released in advance, as posted in the OP, the new 3g..
As far as cost goes, I believe they've had many cracking cases, which is quite cost effective if you think about it, in Europe it all goes to Holland where they probably send them to China or whatever and refurbish them. Making 2 or more plastic cases for many iPhones, considering the shipping can cost more than having a good metallic case like the original one.

Like others said, could just be a placeholder image.

Then again, there's nothing wrong with the current 3G design IMO. Why "fix" it?

Hmm so 3,1 is not coming out soon?

So there is no icon for 3,1 I guess?
Does this mean 3,1 is not going to come out until next year
or is it the case of sell as much 2,1 as they can and then release new version
later in the year?

I hope it's not the later..... although I kind of doubt they will

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sleeptodream said:

Like others said, could just be a placeholder image.

Then again, there's nothing wrong with the current 3G design IMO. Why "fix" it?

Click to expand...

Nothing really wrong look wise to many people, but the plastic casing has proven to be less than ideal. And with Apple shifting entirely to metal casing on iPod, MacBook etc, I think well see a shift back to metal, probably aluminium on the iPhone.

Yay mactalk! =D

Might be a placeholder. I don't see Apple keeping the EXACT same design. They're sure to change something.

Keep plastic. It sticks to the hand better. Metal cases get visibly damaged much easier.

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I don't think there is any need to change it unless they are adding something that just wouldn't work with the current form factor. Apple saves a lot of money by doing this.

-Ryan- said:

…I think well see a shift back to metal, probably aluminium on the iPhone.

Click to expand...

While I agree the plastic is less than ideal, I'd be surprised if Apple go back to metal enclosures. One of the main driving forces for the new design (that is, the current 3G design) was driving down cost of production. Both the materials and build quality of the 3G iPhone are significantly lower than that of the original iPhone which was designed to make an impression physically.

At this point, Apple are looking to manufacture and deliver in the region of anywhere from 10 to 20 to 30 million units of their new, 3rd generation iPhone. More than ever, every penny will count. The simpler it is to put together, the cheaper it will be to manufacture (and take apart for repairs), which means more profit. We've already seen simplification of the internals (the 3G iPhone consolidated 2 pcb boards to 1), and simplification of the externals (rear case is a single plastic housing).

If anything the third generation device may delve into colors or textures (matte plastic backing, for instance) but I would not bet on exotic (read: expensive) industrial design.

anyone else think unibody aluminum might be in the works? Would bring production costs down

I don't see any difference in these tini-tiny pics. Not even when being told there's a difference between 1,1 and 1,2.

All I want is for that cheesy fake chrome border to go the way of the dodo. it has zero appeal in 2009.

first time i went back to that thread, looks like i got owned

Matte back would be the only way I'd change the iPhone's design. Oh, and I'd make it as slim as an iPod Touch - those things are incredible!

"Hurrah... Straw-catching is such a bloody good sport. I really fancy that more than the derby!"