iPhone (Nano?), Smaller Shuffle and Cheaper MacBook in 2009?

[MacRumors]

Craig Berger, an analyst with Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co, reported today that Apple is getting ready to introduce a "lower-cost version" of the iPhone.

"Some call this device the iPhone nano," Berger wrote in a research note. " Whatever one calls it, we believe this device is on its way."

Berger does not expect the product to be ready for a Macworld introduction. The basis for the information is based on "checks" with Apple suppliers. This report adds to a growing number of hints that Apple is preparing what many have labeled an iPhone "Nano" -- a smaller, cheaper version of the current iPhone.

Meanwhile, the analyst also believes that the iPod Shuffle may get even smaller and a cheaper version of the MacBook could also be introduced, possibly in the middle of the 1st quarter of 2009. He does not believe the cheaper MacBook would qualify as a "netbook" -- a market Apple has specifically said they are not interested in pursuing at this time.

Article Link: iPhone (Nano?), Smaller Shuffle and Cheaper MacBook in 2009?

[FCP.guru.guy]

Not as skeptical about the Netbook and iPhone Nano.

[kastenbrust]

with all the hype surround the fake iphones we've seen and the case manurfacturers perhaps apple is rushing one to the market to cash in, i highly doubt it though, but only time will tell

the cheaper macbooks, there is a market for them, but it would break out of apples high cost high quality medium volume consumer model so i guess not.

[alphaod]

When did Apple ever release cheaper things because of market demand. If you think the iPod price drops were from demand, they're from Apple wanting even more market share.

[Small White Car]

I can believe a cheaper Macbook. (Just a price drop.) I can believe a cheaper iPhone (just a price drop).

In other words, I can believe Apple will give up some profit in order to grab more market-share in 2009.

I do NOT believe in an iPhone Nano or Netbook any time in the near future.

[cwalex18]

How much smaller can they make the iPod Shuffle? If it gets too small, there won't be space for the keys.

[~Shard~]

Originally Posted by cwalex18

How much smaller can they make the iPod Shuffle?

The iPod Shuffle will simply be integrated into the headphones themselves. Music will be loaded wirelessly via bluetooth and you'll have to tap your earbuds to control the unit.

[pysl]

Originally Posted by cwalex18

How much smaller can they make the iPod Shuffle? If it gets too small, there won't be space for the keys.

maybe there are no keys! Just shake the Shuffle in different directions for next, previous, stop, vol.

[jdl8422]

How much smaller can a shuffle get? Do they just want you to loose it so you will keep buying more? you still need to be able to press some buttons on the thing.

[acfusion29]

Originally Posted by jdl8422

How much smaller can a shuffle get? Do they just want you to loose it so you will keep buying more? you still need to be able to press some buttons on the thing.

You'll have the shuffle installed somewhere by a doctor and put music on it via bluetooth!

But on a serious note... looks like the 2.1 MacBook will be discontinued.

[oldwatery]

Originally Posted by jdl8422

How much smaller can a shuffle get? Do they just want you to loose it so you will keep buying more? you still need to be able to press some buttons on the thing.

I so agree...kinda makes the rest of the article a little dubious.

This whole iPhone Nano thing is puzzling too. I cant see how they can make it smaller without major changes to the interface/software etc.

[tom5304]

Originally Posted by jdl8422

How much smaller can a shuffle get? Do they just want you to loose it so you will keep buying more? you still need to be able to press some buttons on the thing.

+1,000

[CWallace]

Not sure what a smaller "Nano" would bring to the iPhone market. Making the screen smaller just makes it more difficult to use and it might require software developers to create multiple versions (unless the iPhone's OS already has - or will have with the Nano's release - complete resolution independence for all graphic items, and not just text).

And with AT&T now selling 8GB 3G refurbs for $99, how much cheaper does the iPhone need to be before the pundits will consider it a "success"? I mean the thing is closing on how many millions of sales in six months? Sales, mind you, not just "shipments" to retailers where it sits in a back room collecting dust.

And as for a cheaper notebook, I suppose if MacBook sales crater, they can reduce the price of the basic model.

[shaunymac]

Originally Posted by CWallace

And with AT&T now selling 8GB 3G refurbs for $99, how much cheaper does the iPhone need to be before the pundits will consider it a "success"? I mean the thing is closing on how many millions of sales in six months? Sales, mind you, not just "shipments" to retailers where it sits in a back room collecting dust.

Exactly...how much cheaper must apple get? I dont think that we will see prices hit rock bottom from apple. There customer base has soared with the iPhone and if they dont keep gaining them a steady pace I believe it might be a good thing. Maybe focus will shift back toward the MAC.

[mattwolfmatt]

The shuffle is an amazingly small and wonderful ipod already...I'm sure it CAN get smaller, I'm just not sure why it would need to be smaller. You need to have room for the headphone jack for sure. Other buttons can be made smaller for sure (see the new Apple in-ear head phones with remote and mic).

For most who just want to "play and go" this type of button would be ok.

[Yr Blues]

I will buy a cheaper plan iPhone. I will buy a 12" PowerBook style notebook.

The 12" PowerBook was the height of Apple design.

Carriers charging premium rates and scamming on the SMS is ridiculous. Apple knows that they could make more money on Apps rather than skimming from AT&T. Get the iPhone into more hands.

[kastenbrust]

Originally Posted by CWallace

Not sure what a smaller "Nano" would bring to the iPhone market. Making the screen smaller just makes it more difficult to use and it might require software developers to create multiple versions (unless the iPhone's OS already has - or will have with the Nano's release - complete resolution independence for all graphic items, and not just text).

And with AT&T now selling 8GB 3G refurbs for $99, how much cheaper does the iPhone need to be before the pundits will consider it a "success"? I mean the thing is closing on how many millions of sales in six months? Sales, mind you, not just "shipments" to retailers where it sits in a back room collecting dust.

And as for a cheaper notebook, I suppose if MacBook sales crater, they can reduce the price of the basic model.

firstly a nano would probably be more expensive

secondly if theres no market place for it then why are the fake ones selling well in Thailand

[firewood]

Originally Posted by CWallace

Not sure what a smaller "Nano" would bring to the iPhone market. Making the screen smaller just makes it more difficult to use and it might require software developers to create multiple versions...

Easy. The iPhone Nano won't run apps. Rather than being a cut down iPhone, it will be a souped-up iPod Nano. Scroll wheel instead of a touch screen. Add a cell phone radio, microphone, speaker, larger battery, a ringer switch, and not much more. Dial with the scroll wheel, or sync with iTunes/MobileMe to upload ones music and phone book. They could even do SMS using a scroll wheel.

The iPod Nano sells very well. Add a cell phone option to the Nano that doesn't require a data plan, and lots of people who can't afford a regular iPhone will snap one up. Apple's cell phone market share will balloon.


.

[acxz]

Originally Posted by CWallace

And with AT&T now selling 8GB 3G refurbs for $99, how much cheaper does the iPhone need to be before the pundits will consider it a "success"? I mean the thing is closing on how many millions of sales in six months? Sales, mind you, not just "shipments" to retailers where it sits in a back room collecting dust.

So one provider in the world is offering cheap second-hand phones. So what? Until the price dramatically drops around the world people will still call the iPhone too expensive.

[Yvan256]

Originally Posted by alphaod

When did Apple ever release cheaper things because of market demand.

Mac mini, iPod shuffle?

[BTW]

Originally Posted by FCP.guru.guy

Not as skeptical about the Netbook and iPhone Nano.

I'd prefer a Tablet Mac instead of a Mac Netbook and an iPhone Flip with two screens instead of the proposed iPhone Nano.

A Mac Mini with a trackpad on it like a Macbook would be nice too.

[xDYLANx]

Originally Posted by BTW

I'd prefer a Tablet Mac instead of a Mac Netbook and an iPhone Flip with two screens instead of the proposed iPhone Nano.

A Mac Mini with a trackpad on it like a Macbook would be nice too.

why would you put a trackpad on a desktop...do you want another TAM?

[nick9191]

No offence to all you guys and gals, but for the majority of you, you could not design a decent product to save your life. You don't think ideas through at all, you don't think realistically, and you have no idea on ergonomics, product design, or usability. Thats why Apple create products and you don't.

An iPhone Nano would have a smaller screen. This would mean all iPhone apps needing a new GUI, a decrease in functionality and usability.

The netbook market is full of bargain bin OEM's trying to make an easy buck. They make a negligible profit on each machine and the competition is extremely fierce. Apple does not want to be in this market.

The only way the Macbook will become cheaper is if they discount the clearance white model even further. Apple are not about making cheap products, they are about making good products with high profit margins.

[twoodcc]

interesting. i was thinking for sure that the iphone nano was coming next week. i would love to see a cheaper macbook in the 1st quarter also

[Gunga Din]

Originally Posted by twoodcc

interesting. i was thinking for sure that the iphone nano was coming next week. i would love to see a cheaper macbook in the 1st quarter also

the iphone nano will be released next week.

(1) they are trying to unload the refurbished iphone 3Gs (via walmart etc)
(2) the smaller form factor will appeal to people. I know the current iphone is not huge, but a nano version seems logical to me.