iPhone Coming Earlier Than June?

[MacRumors]

Amidst the rumors of the new iPod Shuffles, one tidbit about the iPhone was missed.

ThinkSecret reports on chatter that the iPhone ship date may have been conservative. According to their sources, the iPhone may be shipping as early as April.

Meanwhile, Appleinsider has heard similar buzz of an April launch date.

Both reports appear to represent unconfirmed whispers, and Appleinsider warns that "Apple rarely beats its own product launch forecasts."

[mrkramer]

This wouldn't surprise me since I think they said that approval from the FCC takes two months, so I was wondering what the extra time was for.

[Chaszmyr]

If they get the iPhone out in April, I will be a very happy camper. It's not that I need one sooner than June, but April seems kinda soonish, whereas June feels like it is forever away.

[NewSc2]

The next few months look good for Apple. iPhone, Leopard, new iLife, updated Mac Pros. Just you wait, by June the threads will be filled with love!

just kidding.

I bet June brings along "where are the @#%! Santa Rosa MBP's? Logic Pro 8 Thursday? widescreen iPod now!"

[Grakkle]

Originally Posted by NewSc2

The next few months look good for Apple. iPhone, Leopard, new iLife, updated Mac Pros. Just you wait, by June the threads will be filled with love!

Everyone here is so down on Apple, eh?

I wouldn't be surprised - like any business they want to estimate the available date conservatively, and ship sooner if possible.

[nagromme]

I expect it later rather than sooner, judging by how incomplete the software is (as reported by hands-on previews). Once the software is feature complete, there is still more testing/debugging to be done.

Same goes for Leopard. Early would be fun, but I'm not betting on it.

[mrkramer]

Originally Posted by NewSc2

I bet June brings along "where are the @#%! Santa Rosa MBP's? Logic Pro 8 Thursday?

Wouldn't that be next Tuesday not Thursday?

[Cassie]

Hmm... wish they would release it in June.. *Checks bank balence* According to my wallet, I have $3.73 saved for the iPhone.

Do you think they will sell a "stripped" version?

[jimN]

Originally Posted by Macrumors

Both reports appear to represent unconfirmed whispers, and Appleinsider warns that "Apple rarely beats its own product launch forecasts."

Except with the whole Intel roll out which took place far quicker than expected.

[dontmatter]

Yay! now everybody can be angry when the rumor turns out to be false, and it is, in fact, shipped on the last day of june.

But seriously, if this is true, that would be EXCELLENT, for apple's buisness, for customers, for my ability to be excited even though I have no direct stake in either.

I'd bet it's wrong though. Probably can be ordered with a plan at that date, or something of the sort.

[ricksbrain]

Apple could really capitalize on an early iPhone release if they also release Leopard at the same time. Mega buzz. Mega coverage.

I vote yes.

[mrkramer]

Originally Posted by Cassie

Hmm... wish they would release it in June.. *Checks bank balence* According to my wallet, I have $3.73 saved for the iPhone.

Do you think they will sell a "stripped" version?

You've got more money saved for it than I do. Unfortunately i have to wait until next spring to get one.

[p0intblank]

If this is true, then extra kudos to Apple! Customers would love an early release.

[twoodcc]

well this sure would make me happy i hope it's true

[Punkwaffle]

Just some more juicy rumor info for ya.

I work for Cingular, and word is that in order to activate the iPhone, customers will have to do so through iTunes. Don't really know anything more about that, but it seems as if the IT dept has a scheduled date to install some software in the next few months at company stores.

[MacNtoss]

If im lucky the iPhone will be mine before the end of my school year!

[Lixivial]

Originally Posted by jimN

Except with the whole Intel roll out which took place far quicker than expected.

I think there's a difference here, though. The iPhone was specifically stated as being released in June, while the Intel rollout was a nebulous date. Steve stated the Intel machines would arrive by WWDC '06. Anyroad, you're right that it did go faster than analysts had expected, and I'd be happy if the iPhone were finished/launched in April, but I don't hold my breath. I want this product stable (unlike the speedy Intel Mac rollout), and am hoping that, if it does launch in April, the demo iPhone was just artificially locked down.

I'm looking at it from the same perspective of how the iTV/tv progressed -- September demo, February release. Five to six month timespan.

[dashiel]

Originally Posted by nagromme

I expect it later rather than sooner, judging by how incomplete the software is (as reported by hands-on previews). Once the software is feature complete, there is still more testing/debugging to be done.

Same goes for Leopard. Early would be fun, but I'm not betting on it.

agreed. i think these reports are more wishful thinking than anything else. lord knows i'd be first in line for an iphone in april, but we haven't heard a single word about apple even applying for fcc approval yet.

i'm still hoping for a couple of additional features to sneak on board before june (gps and 3g).

[Digital Skunk]

why Cingular

Not that I want to start that descussion up again... I am just saying... dag.

Sooner or latter isn't good for me. It could come out in two years and I wouldn't be upset. It seems that I have to wait 5 years.

[TheBobcat]

In my opinion, what's the difference between a 4 month wait and a 6 month wait. (2 months duuuuh) I mean, really though, Apple's already in the luxury tax with a 6 month lull between announcement and release, slashing it by two isn't going to win over the people who didn't want an iPhone in the first place.

I say, take the extra time, polish the crap out of it, because there's a lot riding on the iPhone. Apple's image certainly is. If iPhone flops, then Apple has egg on their face on the biggest stage they've ever been on. Then Apple is no longer the symbol of cool, and everyone moves along.

Besides, if iPhone relies at all on iLife '07/Leopard, why not just release them closely, let them cross-promote each other. I say stay for June, hit your target, cross-promote iLife '07/Leopard, and have a really good WWDC.

[Shagrat]

Originally Posted by MacNtoss

If im lucky the iPhone will be mine before the end of my school year!

All your iPhones are belong to us!

[koobcamuk]

Originally Posted by Chaszmyr

If they get the iPhone out in April, I will be a very happy camper. It's not that I need one sooner than June, but April seems kinda soonish, whereas June feels like it is forever away.

I guess May sounds just perfect then?

[Philberttheduck]

That's an interesting tidbit at the end, saying that Apple rarely releases products before their forecasted dates.

Hmm, didn't Jobs brag at the beginning of the keynote abuot how "We expected to get all the intel components into our systems by ____ months. We did it in 9(?)." Never rule out early releases. Of course, I wouldn't mind to see Apple revise(/tighten up the screws) the crap out of it before getting it out into the open.

[Romanesq]

Originally Posted by Chaszmyr

If they get the iPhone out in April, I will be a very happy camper. It's not that I need one sooner than June, but April seems kinda soonish, whereas June feels like it is forever away.

My friend, I have word that it will be sooner and you are in the ballpark.

[MauiMac]

Originally Posted by Cassie

Do you think they will sell a "stripped" version?

Sure they will... It'll be called the "iPod Video"...