Apple Working on the iWatch, a Bigger iPhone, a Less Expensive iPhone, a Retina iPad Mini, and More

[MacRumors]

Rene Ritchie at iMore has shared some insights on Apple's product roadmaps across a number of products. Ritchie is somewhat circumspect in his statements, but reading between the lines, he hints at a number of significant developments that have been rumored previously.

iMore has been very accurate in recent years, including reporting on the Lightning connector months before it was publicly released, the iPad mini's launch, as well as revealing the iPhone 5's announcement date more than a month ahead of time.

The full post is worth a read, but Ritchie says that sources "who have provided accurate information in the past" told him that the iWatch project is moving forward, though he has not heard anything regarding feature sets or timelines.

The iTV project is still in the works, but there is no significant movement on it as the realities of the TV and content markets remain the same. Rumors of an iPhone with a larger screen are accurate, but release "doesn't sound imminent", and its the same story for a less expensive iPhone. It's likely coming, but is a question of timing.

Finally, Ritchie talks of a redesigned iPad to match the iPad mini's bezel design (mockup pictured above):

To bring the full-sized iPad casing in line with the iPad mini's, and to bring the iPad mini display up to the full size iPad's Retina quality, will take improvements to the efficiencies of the screens, the LED that lights them, the chipsets that drive them, and the batteries that power them. All of those are coming, it's just a question of when they get here.

He notes that an iPad mini with Retina Display is on the drawing board, as soon as Apple can figure out how to cram the display into the mini's diminutive case. He also expresses excitement for Apple's software plans in particular, future releases of iOS. He wrote that his sources "sound excited about not just the atoms but the bits as well."

None of what Ritchie writes reveals anything particularly new or astonishing, but given his extremely accurate track record over the past few years, it's an important look into what Apple could be planning for the rest of 2013.

Article Link: Apple Working on the iWatch, a Bigger iPhone, a Less Expensive iPhone, a Retina iPad Mini, and More

[SteveJobs2.0]

Never saw someone make so many pointless and empty predictions before. "New iPhones will come... Eventually!" Yeah, no kidding.

The real story that needs to be reported is that Apple is basically become a company without focus. They are attempting to grow their customer base in the near term by providing a multitude of products. While it will improve their short-term sales numbers, they will ultimately dilute their brand to nothing other than just another competitor in a sea of many. Apple products used to be trend setting and well targeted, but are now just reduced to following whatever else looks even remotely promising.

[Squilly]

Hmm, interesting. We'llsee how accurate this is over the coming year.

[jamesryanbell]

Originally Posted by SteveJobs2.0

Never saw someone make so many pointless and empty predictions before. "New iPhones will come... Eventually!" Yeah, no kidding.

I came here to post this.

If there's no real predictions, why post it?

"He's accurate, but he didn't say anything..."

[liavman]

Originally Posted by SteveJobs2.0

The real story that needs to be reported is that XYZ is basically become a company without focus. They are attempting to grow their customer base in the near term by providing a multitude of products. While it will improve their short-term sales numbers, they will ultimately dilute their brand to nothing other than just another competitor in a sea of many. XYZ products used to be trend setting and well targeted, but are now just reduced to following whatever else looks even remotely promising.

Fixed it for you so you can use it as a template to trash any company you do not like.

[SteveJobs2.0]

Originally Posted by liavman

Fixed it for you so you can use it as a template to trash any company you do not like.

Yes, but unlike most companies, Apple used to be extremely well run and a force to be reckoned with. I am not sure that will continue to be the case. Unless, of course, you desire Apple to become the equivalent of LG or the like. Sony went down the same path and look at them today.

[liavman]

It is still pointless drivel until there are clear and understandable definitions of 'well run and a force to reckon with' and at what period Apple was and why they are not now. Without such context, you can say such things about any company.

[lk400]

Originally Posted by SteveJobs2.0

Yes, but unlike most companies, Apple used to be extremely well run and a force to be reckoned with. I am not sure that will continue to be the case. Unless, of course, you desire Apple to become the equivalent of LG or the like. Sony went down the same path and look at them today.

Its the ebb and flow which attaches to all of life. Sometimes you are up, sometimes you are down. Nobody stays at the top forever. Even Kings die. Zoom out and look at companies, kingdoms, countries or entire regions. Sometimes they are at the top, sometimes they are not.

Apple has had 2 very high highs in fairly short time. It will trough out and hopefully peak again.

Think of them as your favourite sports team. Sometimes you are at the top of the A class league, sometimes previous champions drop in to the B class.

It is... inevitable.

[tonydickinson]

Originally Posted by SteveJobs2.0

Never saw someone make so many pointless and empty predictions before. "New iPhones will come... Eventually!" Yeah, no kidding.

The real story that needs to be reported is that Apple is basically become a company without focus. They are attempting to grow their customer base in the near term by providing a multitude of products. While it will improve their short-term sales numbers, they will ultimately dilute their brand to nothing other than just another competitor in a sea of many. Apple products used to be trend setting and well targeted, but are now just reduced to following whatever else looks even remotely promising.

Yep iPhone, iPad, iPhone, Ipad, what about the Mac and OSX and the loyal customer base that has for so long supported Apple. We see the "Awesome" factor decline with the share price, will the new Google/Motorola phone eclipse the iPhone???

Whatever - the lack of focus is sadly evident.

[Moonjumper]

I thought one of the most interesting points was in one of the links within the linked article:

Almost 9 out of 10 AT&T customers bought 4-inch or smaller iPhones last quarter rather than all big screen Android and Windows Phones combined, and roughly 6 out of 10 Verizon customers did the same.

That lessens the case for Apple needing a larger screen iPhone.

[mrhick01]

Originally Posted by SteveJobs2.0

Never saw someone make so many pointless and empty predictions before. "New iPhones will come... Eventually!" Yeah, no kidding.

The real story that needs to be reported is that Apple is basically become a company without focus. They are attempting to grow their customer base in the near term by providing a multitude of products. While it will improve their short-term sales numbers, they will ultimately dilute their brand to nothing other than just another competitor in a sea of many. Apple products used to be trend setting and well targeted, but are now just reduced to following whatever else looks even remotely promising.

Why can't it just be that there are multiple projects going on in the engineers' lab and it has yet to be seen what the next things are, much less the so-called Next Big Thing.

TV could be a game changer if they ever get some buy-in. The watch? Hey, if it makes it to market, it will be a well-conceived idea. Other phone sizes? I gravitate to your concerns, but not to the same degree.

Given that Apple is now a behemoth with over $150 billion a year in profits, it becomes ever so harder to come up with a "game-changer," as if it has to be some monster that has to add a minimum of $25 billion in profit. It is a shame that they cannot conceive multiple useful smaller products that would be profitable at high margin...but say it only adds a couple of billion to the bottom line, tech pundits will call it a flop and Apple critics will just pile on...

[Cyclonemac]

Originally Posted by SteveJobs2.0

Never saw someone make so many pointless and empty predictions before. "New iPhones will come... Eventually!" Yeah, no kidding.

The real story that needs to be reported is that Apple is basically become a company without focus. They are attempting to grow their customer base in the near term by providing a multitude of products. While it will improve their short-term sales numbers, they will ultimately dilute their brand to nothing other than just another competitor in a sea of many. Apple products used to be trend setting and well targeted, but are now just reduced to following whatever else looks even remotely promising.

The real story is you don't know anything about their plans either and are stating your opinion as fact.

[charlituna]

Originally Posted by SteveJobs2.0

The real story that needs to be reported is that Apple is basically become a company without focus.

Is it really that they have no focus, or just they aren't focusing on what you think they should be.

[Ryth]

Originally Posted by SteveJobs2.0

Never saw someone make so many pointless and empty predictions before. "New iPhones will come... Eventually!" Yeah, no kidding.

The real story that needs to be reported is that Apple is basically become a company without focus. They are attempting to grow their customer base in the near term by providing a multitude of products. While it will improve their short-term sales numbers, they will ultimately dilute their brand to nothing other than just another competitor in a sea of many. Apple products used to be trend setting and well targeted, but are now just reduced to following whatever else looks even remotely promising.

Blah blah blah pointless rant with no factual information.

[cosmic68]

Apple really cannot ignore emerging markets like the BRIC countries for instance, without getting left behind a bit.
They will, at some point have to address and consider a cheaper iPhone as these countries cannot afford any current iterations and Apple as a global company also cannot afford to ignore them.

[FuFuFu]

Come on ... what's the profit of the iWatch?

• Screen is to small.
• Retina Display
• Touch-screen on iWatch, with baby fingers only?
• You have to charge everyday.
• It's from apple.

It only would work as a display for the iphone ... some very basic inputs are possible. So you don't need to check your iPhone so often, instead you check your iWatch. Controll your playlist over the iWatch.

Price will be 199$ for 2GB 299$ for 4GB ...

[mrtravel123]

Originally Posted by jmkai18

I really can't see Apple making a less expensive iPhone.

Why not?

-- Apple has 4 different sizes of iPods... which they didn't at first.

-- Apple has 2 different sizes of iPads.... which they didn't at first.

-- Apple has 2 sizes of MacBook Airs... which they didn't at first.

-- Apple has 2 sizes of MacBook Pros... which they didn't at first. (Had 3 at one point).

-- Apple has 3 unique desktop models to choose from.... with the iMac coming in 2 different physical sizes.

To not have more diversity would not match Apple's history in adding additional models to a specific product line. EACH of the above products not only improved over the years.... but each product also "grew" into a product available in different sizes or forms. A smaller iPod, a smaller iPad, a smaller MacBook Air, different desktop models based on budget and need, etc.

A smaller iPhone will likely be just as successful as the smaller iPad in my opinion. For Apple to meet the need of a consumer who WANTS a smaller product.... that is a good thing. It isn't bad. It also isn't compromising. So long as Apple maintains a superior quality and great experience.... they are accomplishing their goal.

[mrtravel123]

Originally Posted by FuFuFu

Come on ... what's the profit of the iWatch?

• Screen is to small.
• Retina Display
• Touch-screen on iWatch, with baby fingers only?
• You have to charge everyday.
• It's from apple.

It only would work as a display for the iphone ... some very basic inputs are possible. So you don't need to check your iPhone so often, instead you check your iWatch. Controll your playlist over the iWatch.

Price will be 199$ for 2GB 299$ for 4GB ...

I think that we have to think outside the box a lot more. If Apple is indeed pursuing the idea of an "iWatch" then they're going to have a multitude of tech experts at Apple looking at what creative possibilities there are. Not only in the short-term.... but in the long-term. Apple isn't just looking ahead 6 months or 12 months. I'm sure that they have a vision for tech that stretches beyond even 5 or 10 years, although so many things are hard to predict. Entire home integration with multiple Apple products, etc. Anything you can imagine... I'm sure that there has already been extensive discussion on it at Apple HQ. And, assuming gestures and Siri are something Apple continues to use, I can envision an iWatch having some of these features to assist with navigation, control, etc. Besides, the watch doesn't have to have 500 features, just as a basic iPod doesn't have 500 features. So long as it accomplishes the tasks it was meant for.... and more than likely can also be software driven and easily integrated with Apple's other products. I do see Apple always trying to accomplish that (integration). I can even see apps on a watch.

[jamezr]

Originally Posted by mrtravel123

I think that we have to think outside the box a lot more. If Apple is indeed pursuing the idea of an "iWatch" then they're going to have a multitude of tech experts at Apple looking at what creative possibilities there are. Not only in the short-term.... but in the long-term. Apple isn't just looking ahead 6 months or 12 months. I'm sure that they have a vision for tech that stretches beyond even 5 or 10 years, although so many things are hard to predict. Entire home integration with multiple Apple products, etc. Anything you can imagine... I'm sure that there has already been extensive discussion on it at Apple HQ. And, assuming gestures and Siri are something Apple continues to use, I can envision an iWatch having some of these features to assist with navigation, control, etc. Besides, the watch doesn't have to have 500 features, just as a basic iPod doesn't have 500 features. So long as it accomplishes the tasks it was meant for.... and more than likely can also be software driven and easily integrated with Apple's other products. I do see Apple always trying to accomplish that (integration). I can even see apps on a watch.

I agree...Apple won't just develop a product just to get into a product category. Maybe it will integrate with an upcoming Apple TV as a remote....not sure but it will ty into their ecosystem somehow.

[Teste]

An iWatch could work as the control system of an Augmented Reality ecosystem, allowing people to, for example, flip the pages of a virtual book with wrist gestures. Other than that... Meh.

[xSinghx]

Originally Posted by SteveJobs2.0

The real story that needs to be reported is that Apple is basically become a company without focus. They are attempting to grow their customer base in the near term by providing a multitude of products. While it will improve their short-term sales numbers, they will ultimately dilute their brand to nothing other than just another competitor in a sea of many. Apple products used to be trend setting and well targeted, but are now just reduced to following whatever else looks even remotely promising.

I agree they are spreading themselves thin. Software and hardware are falling behind as a result.

Consider it was only recently that iTunes 11 finally allowed users to continue to listen to music from one page while going to another. Or that when I look at music on my phone through iTunes it still resembles an excel spreadsheet. While this is small - there are hundreds of these types of things that are piling up lately.

I want to see mac pros on a yearly schedule again with graphic card updates, an Apple TV that will double as a gaming/media storage device, and better integration and overlap between all products especially when using and accessing content.

"Me Too" thinking - bigger screens, cheaper phones or wearable iPods (iWatch) are trivial and damage the apple ecosystem by stealing resources.

They need to focus and fortify the positions/products they have, develop their infrastructure, and target technologically lack luster areas - tvs / consoles. Apple never adopted blu-rays - show us a tv that justifies that. Consoles are tyrannical right now for game developers. Make a more open platform etc.

Apple didn't get to where it is by creating devices that were additive - they're where that at by being cumulative.

[the8thark]

Originally Posted by SteveJobs2.0

Never saw someone make so many pointless and empty predictions before. "New iPhones will come... Eventually!" Yeah, no kidding.

The real story that needs to be reported is that Apple is basically become a company without focus. They are attempting to grow their customer base in the near term by providing a multitude of products. While it will improve their short-term sales numbers, they will ultimately dilute their brand to nothing other than just another competitor in a sea of many. Apple products used to be trend setting and well targeted, but are now just reduced to following whatever else looks even remotely promising.

This sounds very true actually.
"New iPhones will come... Eventually!" Tomorrow or 10 years from now, both are eventually. ANd unless the iPhone 5 is the last one ever, he will be right with this prediction. Tells us fat zero information though.

I have to agree Apple is slowly turning to the previous time with no Jobs. I think adding more and more products to their line is not the best thing to do. Making each one the best is the way to go. That's what Jobs did and it worked. And that's what John Sculley, Gil Amelio etc did and it failed. Apple shuld learn from history and not make these mistakes again.

[Glassed Silver]

Originally Posted by SteveJobs2.0

Never saw someone make so many pointless and empty predictions before. "New iPhones will come... Eventually!" Yeah, no kidding.

The real story that needs to be reported is that Apple is basically become a company without focus. They are attempting to grow their customer base in the near term by providing a multitude of products. While it will improve their short-term sales numbers, they will ultimately dilute their brand to nothing other than just another competitor in a sea of many. Apple products used to be trend setting and well targeted, but are now just reduced to following whatever else looks even remotely promising.

If you don't follow for the sake of not following you're digging a much deeper hole to be honest.

Apple finally realized that customers DO have diverse needs and wishes and if you don't cater to very important ones like the size of the display, you're digging yourself one nice hole when competitors took the chance to actually go ahead and pick up that need much sooner than you.

You're free not to buy and the plethora of Macs that are available to pick from standard/BTO/CTO are proof that diversity doesn't have to harm your business.

For Christ's sake, it's not like they will unleash dozens of iOS device screen sizes, calm down folks.

Glassed Silver:mac

[jonnysods]

Originally Posted by SteveJobs2.0

Never saw someone make so many pointless and empty predictions before. "New iPhones will come... Eventually!" Yeah, no kidding.

The real story that needs to be reported is that Apple is basically become a company without focus. They are attempting to grow their customer base in the near term by providing a multitude of products. While it will improve their short-term sales numbers, they will ultimately dilute their brand to nothing other than just another competitor in a sea of many. Apple products used to be trend setting and well targeted, but are now just reduced to following whatever else looks even remotely promising.

100% agreed. It's troubling to see them dabbling in what wrecked them 10-15 years ago. Just kick butt at a few things!

[bigjnyc]

I predict that flying cars are coming... But its only a matter of timing.. Could be 2060 or 2075