More Hints of an 'iPhone Nano' from Case Manufacturers

[MacRumors]

iPhone case manufacturer XSKN has labeled a section on their site for the "iPhone Nano". This description suggests that long running rumors of a miniaturized iPhone could be true.

XSKN gained some notoriety earlier this year when it began selling cases for the then-unreleased iPhone 3G. The company again received headlines in September with case images of unreleased 4th Generation iPod Nano designs. Both times, some readers had questioned if these were simply publicity stunts, though both sets of images later turned out to be accurate.

This time, XSKN has not published images of the purported "iPhone Nano", but iDealsChina did so earlier this month. While we don't believe XSKN or any case manufacturers have official knowledge of Apple's future plans, there is enormous financial incentive for these companies to obtain early information about Apple's next product.

To add more uncertainty into the mix, we've heard that some of Apple's initial plans for Macworld may have been delayed. So, even if an iPhone Nano was originally in the works, we're not sure when we'll actually see one.






Article Link: More Hints of an 'iPhone Nano' from Case Manufacturers

[Doodledoo]

My only question: how will they manage the screen size?

[yorkshire]

Now this I am interested in!

[SydneyDev]

The iPhone is just taking off as a development platform. They really don't want to split development in to two models at this stage. But at the same time they need to keep the product momentum going. It all depends on how they do it -- the iPhone and iPhone nano need to run all the same programs.

[yorkshire]

Originally Posted by SydneyDev

The iPhone is just taking off as a development platform. They really don't want to split development in to two models at this stage. But at the same time they need to keep the product momentum going. It all depends on how they do it -- the iPhone and iPhone nano need to run all the same programs.

Definatly. Maybe an iPhone nano could have a higher resolution screen, so apps can be used on both. But then we'd all need fingers like pencils...

Wonder what Apple will do here, if it's true that is.

[WhySoSerious]

i miss the days when things used to be a surprise to the consumer. now, every new concept/idea gets spoiled before it's actually released.

[foofan]

iphone nano is coming out but it will not have safari or mail. it will have ipod feature and embrace app store.

If you want to surf the net then the iphone nano will not be for you

[MasterNile]

Originally Posted by WhySoSerious

i miss the days when things used to be a surprise to the consumer. now, every new concept/idea gets spoiled before it's actually released.

If you want to be suprised on Christmas stop looking for your presents early, like wise, if you want to be suprised on new releases stop reading rumor sites

[bigjnyc]

Originally Posted by WhySoSerious

i miss the days when things used to be a surprise to the consumer. now, every new concept/idea gets spoiled before it's actually released.

Those days still exist for those who dont browse rumor sites online.

[olternaut]

Originally Posted by WhySoSerious

i miss the days when things used to be a surprise to the consumer. now, every new concept/idea gets spoiled before it's actually released.

Its the friggin chinese case manufacturers! Can't Apple punish these companies for being so careless? No wait, the problem is that these companies do not care PERIOD about Apple secrecy. It would be nice if Jobs could find a way to deal with this.

[dam0dred]

Originally Posted by WhySoSerious

i miss the days when things used to be a surprise to the consumer. now, every new concept/idea gets spoiled before it's actually released.

If you want to be surprised, don't read rumor sites.

[7egend]

I see nothing wrong with having more choices in iPhone models, I really would like to see the iPhone Nano and iPhone sitting side by side in stores, some people like full size devices, and others like smaller devices. It would be like using a thin iPod Classic with a full touch Screen as a Phone, and would probably come in 4GB and 8GB models.

Not to mention with the reduction in materials and size of Flash memory the iPhone Nano could be offered at that $99 everyone seems so "gung-ho" about wanting. This would also keep Apple from cutting it's balls off by having to reduce the iPhone 3G's price down which would cut into their profits and plus would probably give them a great market share in the mobile phone sector by offering two models.

I, myself though wouldn't buy one of these devices, but for a teenager that wants an iPhone and a Parent that is worried about dropping $200 on a phone that will be lost, cracked, stolen or otherwised dissmembered is a perfect selling point.

/me shrugs

Choice is always good though.

[Small White Car]

Originally Posted by 7egend

Not to mention with the reduction in materials and size of Flash memory the iPhone Nano could be offered at that $99 everyone seems so "gung-ho" about wanting.

Not a chance.

Macbook - $999
Mackbook Air- $1,799

Smaller and less capable, but costs more. It will be the same thing with an iPhone Nano. Well, maybe not 'more' in the case of the phone, but I'm certain any Nano phone would cost the SAME as the current iPhones.

There are a ton of reasons, but I can shorten it down to this: They're the exact same reasons the Air costs more than the Macbook. And that's reality. What more do I need to say?

[lilstewart]

Originally Posted by Small White Car

Not a chance.

Macbook - $999
Mackbook Air- $1,799

Smaller and less capable, but costs more. It will be the same thing with an iPhone Nano. Well, maybe not 'more' in the case of the phone, but I'm certain any Nano phone would cost the SAME as the current iPhones.

There are a ton of reasons, but I can shorten it down to this: They're the exact same reasons the Air costs more than the Macbook. And that's reality. What more do I need to say?

Incorrect. Comparing the MacBook Air to the MacBook is like comparing Apples to Oranges. They're different, they are designed to do different things.

While yes, the iPhone nano could be looked at as to be designed differently and to do different things, the iPhone nano is better compared to the iPod nano and the iPod Classic.

[Yr Blues]

Originally Posted by lilstewart

Incorrect. Comparing the MacBook Air to the MacBook is like comparing Apples to Oranges. They're different, they are designed to do different things.

While yes, the iPhone nano could be looked at as to be designed differently and to do different things, the iPhone nano is better compared to the iPod nano and the iPod Classic.

Yeah, the Air is a classic Apple misstep like the Cube. I think they'll have to reintroduce the Air as an economic sub-notebook.

[lord patton]

Originally Posted by 7egend

I, myself though wouldn't buy one of these devices, but for a teenager that wants an iPhone and a Parent that is worried about dropping $200 on a phone that will be lost, cracked, stolen or otherwised dissmembered is a perfect selling point.

ok, I'm only a few posts into this thread, so I'm sure what I'm about to say is redundant, but anyway...

The $200 price point isn't an issue. Parents have shown no qualms about buying $200, 300, and 400 iPods over the last half decade. It's the $35 a month data fees that cause pause.

If Apple really wants a product that will expand marketshare, they need one that carries very low data fees. The problem is, without ubiquitous data, what is an iPhone? I don't have the answer to that, but if Apple does, they could expand their marketshare dramatically.

[retrac]

Originally Posted by lord patton

ok, I'm only a few posts into this thread, so I'm sure what I'm about to say is redundant, but anyway...

The $200 price point isn't an issue. Parents have shown no qualms about buying $200, 300, and 400 iPods over the last half decade. It's the $35 a month data fees that cause pause.

If Apple really wants a product that will expand marketshare, they need one that carries very low data fees. The problem is, without ubiquitous data, what is an iPhone? I don't have the answer to that, but if Apple does, they could expand their marketshare dramatically.

Exactly! Thats my main reason for me not having an iPhone...the data fees are WAAAY too high! $200 for a do-it-all phone aint that bad...

But on the other hand, a lower price point would still make it more attractive and also it would ease some of the pain of the high data costs.

[mrgreen4242]

Originally Posted by lord patton

ok, I'm only a few posts into this thread, so I'm sure what I'm about to say is redundant, but anyway...

The $200 price point isn't an issue. Parents have shown no qualms about buying $200, 300, and 400 iPods over the last half decade. It's the $35 a month data fees that cause pause.

If Apple really wants a product that will expand marketshare, they need one that carries very low data fees. The problem is, without ubiquitous data, what is an iPhone? I don't have the answer to that, but if Apple does, they could expand their marketshare dramatically.

While redundant, it's absolutely right on. The monthly fees for the iPhone (and most of ATTs products) are outrageous. I may $30 per month for the same (actually slightly better) service plan as would run $90 per month on the iPhone.

There's no phone in the universe that would ever get me to pay an extra $720 per year for it. If Apple made an unlocked PHONE, but kept their SMARTPHONE locked into that insane price plan I'd look twice.

I want a good phone (in terms of reception, sound quality, usability), a decent camera, the standard iPod media player software, BT for headsets, SMS/MMS messaging, wifi*, and an option for a cheap data plan that includes OTA email, calendar syncing, and access to the iTMS store for music and podcasts. An upgraded data plan to add WAP browsing and/or tethering as an option would be nice as well.

*wifi assuming there's an integrated email, calendar, and WAP browser that works "free" on wifi and has the option to add limited data plans for it to work over the cell network.

[MattInOz]

Originally Posted by lord patton

ok, I'm only a few posts into this thread, so I'm sure what I'm about to say is redundant, but anyway...

The $200 price point isn't an issue. Parents have shown no qualms about buying $200, 300, and 400 iPods over the last half decade. It's the $35 a month data fees that cause pause.

If Apple really wants a product that will expand marketshare, they need one that carries very low data fees. The problem is, without ubiquitous data, what is an iPhone? I don't have the answer to that, but if Apple does, they could expand their marketshare dramatically.

In australia we don't have this ubiquitous data you speak of, it freaking expensive data mostly, i know i have 500Mb each month use my phone for everything except youtube, never turn on wifi, yet still have only managed to crack 100Mb one month. No one else at work has either, although there is a lot of stream of traffic cameras.

There is plenty of room for a small data plan on a small iPhone.

[DaBrain]

Originally Posted by 7egend

I see nothing wrong with having more choices in iPhone models, I really would like to see the iPhone Nano and iPhone sitting side by side in stores, some people like full size devices, and others like smaller devices. It would be like using a thin iPod Classic with a full touch Screen as a Phone, and would probably come in 4GB and 8GB models.

Not to mention with the reduction in materials and size of Flash memory the iPhone Nano could be offered at that $99 everyone seems so "gung-ho" about wanting. This would also keep Apple from cutting it's balls off by having to reduce the iPhone 3G's price down which would cut into their profits and plus would probably give them a great market share in the mobile phone sector by offering two models.

I, myself though wouldn't buy one of these devices, but for a teenager that wants an iPhone and a Parent that is worried about dropping $200 on a phone that will be lost, cracked, stolen or otherwised dissmembered is a perfect selling point.

/me shrugs

Choice is always good though.

I'd be more concerned about the Plan and the exclusive Carrier than the price of the iPhone Nano.

[johnmcboston]

Originally Posted by Doodledoo

My only question: how will they manage the screen size?

Tell me about it. I have a touch, and some things are a challenge on the screen as it is. Lord knows how you would see or point to anything on an iphone nano...

[themoonisdown09]

Originally Posted by Doodledoo

My only question: how will they manage the screen size?

I agree.

I don't know how you'll be able to type on a screen that is significantly smaller than the current iPhone. I really hope this rumor is not true.

[marcol]

Originally Posted by themoonisdown09

I don't know how you'll be able to type on a screen that is significantly smaller than the current iPhone. I really hope this rumor is not true.

Landscape keyboard?

I think an iPhone with a 2.7-inch, 320 x 480 screen could work with minimal changes to the UI (universal landscape keyboard would definitely be one change required though).

[BTW]

Originally Posted by Doodledoo

My only question: how will they manage the screen size?

I hope it is a flip phone with two screens that allows the two screens to work as one in vertical or horizontal mode.

[jdwingnut]

Originally Posted by Doodledoo

My only question: how will they manage the screen size?

I can see how this might be done.

Remove the top and bottom headers from the current iPhone and shrink the size down to make the face ALL screen, by moving the home button off to one of the sides and put the speaker on the top or under the glass like on the iPod Touch.

This sounds like something Apple could do quite easily. Just my 2 cents.