iLounge- Possible new design specs

[wildcardd]

Take it for what it's worth. Enjoy:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/backstage/

[TexasAg]

The rumors are coming fast and furious these days. Hopefully that's a good sign release is imminent!

[happydude]

woah, man, so many rumors and it's only may [day] with release not expected until june - even end of june if to be released on the 1 yr anniversary . . . would be nice if at WWDC, the steve just releases it into the wild!!

[Tom B.]

This seems to fit in quite well with 9to5Mac's story below. I certainly hope it is true, and 9to5Mac have a good track record for accurate rumours.

Originally Posted by 9to5Mac

Apple's plans iPhone diversity for June
Apple’s iPhone plans continue to leak, or so it seems as the pre-June rumour mill continues to drive through the gears - now a new report claims we’re going to see not one, not two but three different models of the device.
These reports confirm our earlier “Apple plots iPhone diversity roadmap” story, which claimed Apple plans to diversify its iPhone product range in order to widen its reach in the mobile phone market.
The latest leak comes from the Taiwan Economic News, which claims three models of the iPhone may appear. The first will be a smaller, lighter handset with a plastic rather than aluminium magnesium case.
This device will weigh just 110-120g, less than the 135g weight of the current model. It will also offer a 2.8-inch screen, rather than the 3.5-inch screen currently offered on the iPhone.
The smaller model won’t offer 3G support. Instead, Apple intends selling a higher-specified iPhone equipped with such support. This handset will also offer GPS and will have a larger case, presumably more or less the same dimensions as the existing handset.
Finally, Apple plans to maintain its current generation iPhone as a third middle option.
“Components suppliers in Asia pointed out that Apple has asked them to ready materials for the new phones by the end of next month. They are asked to deliver components enough for 300,000 phones in the initial stage and components enough for three million phones in June,” reports the Taiwan Economic News.
Multiple rumours meanwhile suggest Apple will also mark June’s introduction of the new generation iPhones - and the next version of the software that runs all iPhones - with a widespread launch of the device to multiple companies, perhaps on a carrier-agnostic sales model.
Australia, South America, Canada, India, Russia, many European states, Korea and more all seem set to see the product launch, perhaps as part of an overweaning push to help Apple secure the level of sales it requires in order to meet its ten million sales target by the end of the financial year.

Link.

[michael180]

Originally Posted by Tom B.

This seems to fit in quite well with 9to5Mac's story below. I certainly hope it is true, and 9to5Mac have a good track record for accurate rumours.

Link.

The link doesn't work!

[Tom B.]

Originally Posted by michael180

The link doesn't work!

It works. It always has and it always will. The problem is yours and yours alone.

[stephenli]

nooo....no plastic please
My friend pre-ordered a PRADA phone, and finally upsad by its feeling of plastic (and changed to use iPhone lateron)
though plastic appearance may be close to metal, while touching it, you may feel the temperature, weight and surface texture are almost different.

[stagi]

cool, hoping for video chat!

[hondje]

.............but I guess this is why we call it macRUMORS!!! Keep it coming! I'll get my 3G iPhone soon! Can't wait!

Ddub

[Chaszmyr]

Black or white instead of metal? Meh. If they do that, it had better at least reduce the weight.

[johnnyjibbs]

I'm not sure about it looking more like a Blackberry... but I'll go with a sleeker look, which I'm sure Apple will deliver!

I'm hoping it's got a frontside camera - sounds like it may have. This would go well with 3G video calls but also opens possibilities for iChat video as they suggest!

Counting down the days...!

[DMann]

Originally Posted by Chaszmyr

Black or white instead of metal? Meh. If they do that, it had better at least reduce the weight.

The plastic will replace metal to allow for better reception and transmission,
especially since GPS will now be involved.

[farmboy]

Originally Posted by Chaszmyr

Black or white instead of metal? Meh. If they do that, it had better at least reduce the weight.

Changing from aluminum (aluminium for our Brits) to any sort of plastic will not change the perceived weight at all, as you're talking about a probable difference of a few decimal places to the right. I think aluminum is the superior choice for strength, rigidity, durability and appearance. In addition, because of the strength and the fact that it would be thinner than a plastic cover it allows more room for the components--half millimeters count in this product. It also may a better heat sink than plastic.

Aluminum is perceived to be the better choice for environmental reasons--although you'd really have to look at the impact from start to finish (and figure out what plastic it is) to determine that--mining and drilling, processing energy usage, transportation, recyclability, etc.

As far as radio reception/interference, don't know.

[geoffism]

boring. All this insider information is going to make the release anti-climatic. Seems like we know everything already. Shape, size, color, features. Can someone please develop a software so i can control my car James Bond style with it?

All joking aside, can't wait for WDDC. Bring on the goods Steve!

[Eduardo1971]

A (according to early rumours) red iPhone? That would look ugly (and possibly) 'tacky'.

[iam:Caine]

Originally Posted by Eduardo1971

A (according to early rumours) red iPhone? That would look ugly (and possibly) 'tacky'.

Actually, i'd buy that in a second!

[bruk201ib]

Originally Posted by iam:Caine

Actually, i'd buy that in a second!

It could be a PRODUCT(RED) version, I wouldn't mind. Those red iPod are very nice.

[Shasterball]

Bah. too much speculation. Does it matter if it has a possible 3rd sensor near the ear piece? Is that a deal breaker?

[gloss]

Originally Posted by Shasterball

Bah. too much speculation. Does it matter if it has a possible 3rd sensor near the ear piece? Is that a deal breaker?

Well, if the third sensor is a camera, as some have anticipated, then it might be something worth holding out for.

[rols]

Originally Posted by gloss

Well, if the third sensor is a camera, as some have anticipated, then it might be something worth holding out for.

if the phone is 3G then video calls are pretty much part of the deal so a camera on the front of the phone is a necessity. The one I have on my current 3G phone is about as good as you'd expect it to be for video calls, it makes everyone look like Mr Bean.

[bruk201ib]

As usual I promise myself not to read anymore rumors on the iPhone, but it's harder thank I thought. Everyday a new thing comes out... and there is still a month (or probably more) to go

[Shasterball]

Originally Posted by gloss

Well, if the third sensor is a camera, as some have anticipated, then it might be something worth holding out for.

Well, I admit that would be somewhat cool. BUT, with 3G, GPS, etc...wouldn't that be the least of the improvements? Have people just been holding out in getting an iphone for ichat? I mean, are you really going to ichat with people on your phone? Plus, how is going to work if you have a mediocre signal (too slow?) and are away from wifi? Who are you going to ichat with (90+% of people don't have the hardware).

[sanford]

Originally Posted by gloss

Well, if the third sensor is a camera, as some have anticipated, then it might be something worth holding out for.

Yeah, 'cause iPhone doesn't ALREADY HAVE A CAMERA. Good Lord. The camera in the iPhone will support video recording even if EDGE is not the best mobile medium for video chat. It's just the software doesn't (yet) support video.

I'm not sure what the point of video chat on iPhone might be. It's been built into laptops and iMacs for years and no one really uses it. People like their chat with the typing part.

[stomer]

When was the last time Apple chose plastic over aluminium? Rumors of an aluminium encased MacBook make a lot more sense than an iPhone with a plastic backing.

[TheSpecialist]

This is 100% bulls****, Apple will never replace the aluminum for plastic.

End of this rumor.