Apple Answers Questions About Low-end iPhone and Mac Netbooks

[MacRumors]

During Apple's financial results conference call today, the company responded to questions about both a low end iPhone as well as the possibility of an Apple "netbook". Both topics have been the subject of speculations and rumor over the past few months.

Apple dismissed the possibility of a "low-end" iPhone which has discussed extensively. In some reports, the low-end iPhone has been one-in-the-same as the rumored iPhone Nano. In response to a question about iPhone pricing, however, Tim Cook revealed that a low-end iPhone seems unlikely:

We're not going to play in the low-end voice phone business. That's not who we are, that's not why we're here. Goal is not to lead unit sales, but to build the world's best phone.

Cook also continued to downplay Apple's interest in the "netbook" market:

We're watching that space, but from our pov the products are based on hardware that's much less powerful, software technology that's not good, cramped displays. We don't think that people are going to be pleased with those type of products. It's a category we watch, we have some ideas here, but we think the products there now are inferior and won't provide the kind of experience people want.

This wait-and-see attitude mirrors comments by Steve Jobs from the last financial results conference call in October.



Article Link: Apple Answers Questions About Low-end iPhone and Mac Netbooks

[AidenShaw]

Apple Netbook next Tuesday, obviously. They have some ideas, you know.

[Peace]

Originally Posted by AidenShaw

Apple Netbook next Tuesday, obviously. They have some ideas, you know.

Yup.

[gkarris]

Yes, I tried those "netbooks" - won't even run Apple HD videos. I think maybe the next gen ones will with the new Intel 500 chipset, or if someone builds them with the nVidia Ion.

But, the screen is too small and the keys are cramped. You might as well just use an iPhone or iPod Touch - which is what Apple is pushing...

[iSimx]

I completely agree with apple. Apart from that, I would hate them to start making cheap netbooks as I feel they would lose the image of providing quality, well designed products.

[cherry su]

hp's aluminum mini-note and sony's P are probably the two most well built netbooks…so i'd imagine apple's netbook to be similar to both of those

[billandy]

Originally Posted by iSimx

I completely agree with apple. Apart from that, I would hate them to start making cheap netbooks as I feel they would lose the image of providing quality, well designed products.

agree. not out of discrimination but usually those who get netbooks only care about the price. they don't look into what is lacking in the product and why oh why is it this cheap compared to notebooks. if apple starts to make such a thingy, surely the initial sell is gonna be "huge" considering the amount of friends around me who actually have always wanted a mac just because they couldn't afford one.

then? when they come to realisation that a netbook≠notebook, those people will be the most likely kind to start bitching about and aspersing apple. just no no no please! apple is not dell and should never be dell. it's certainly a good thing to widen the customer base but nothing should compromise the product quality of apple's range.

surely the economy's bad at the moment, but we don't see ferrari start making compact cars to compete with nissan. as long as ferrari keeps making quality cars, no matter how bad the economy is outside, i believe there are still lots of people willing to spend for quality product. same theory applies onto apple. let's see how apple's next trade report looks like!

[Cassie]

C'mon Apple, gimme a low cost 12" notebook. It doesn't need to be a netbook...

[Diaresi]

Apple won't make a netbook since they wouldn't dare to compete with price.

Apple are a low selling/high profit company. Netbooks are by their nature aimed at people who are looking for something afforable. Either Apple cut their profits on it substantially or build a lower quality (compared to everything else Apple) product - neither of which Apple will ever do.

People who compare the iPhone to a netbook are deluded. The netbook is a full computer squishified...an iPhone is not.

[PlaceofDis]

Originally Posted by gkarris

Yes, I tried those "netbooks" - won't even run Apple HD videos. I think maybe the next gen ones will with the new Intel 500 chipset, or if someone builds them with the nVidia Ion.

But, the screen is too small and the keys are cramped. You might as well just use an iPhone or iPod Touch - which is what Apple is pushing...

they're not for everyone. but i've been on mine for 8 hours today and its perfect for my needs and many users needs. i don't need a high power laptop with me at all times. something small. super portable and lightweight is much better for my day to day on the go uses. which is what a netbook fulfills for a lot of people without a high price tag.

[Radam]

They say they want to build the best phone, then why not add MMS? that makes little to no sense to me.

[levitynyc]

or copy/paste

[svndmvn]

Originally Posted by Radam

They say they want to build the best phone, then why not add MMS? that makes little to no sense to me.

the best phone has nothing to do with putting together all the features you can think of, and I understand MMS is vital to some or even many.

[Turmoil]

Originally Posted by Radam

They say they want to build the best phone, then why not add MMS? that makes little to no sense to me.

Cause it's not needed. it's the best phone without MMS :-)

[nagromme]

A netbook can be a great machine--I wouldn't mind having the option. But to be worth selling it, there have to be enough people who WILL NOT accept a MacBook Air, a MacBook, a white MacBook, an iPod Touch, or an iPhone. The people who would prefer a netbook but will "settle" for one of those alternatives are not going to add sales, they'll cannibalize sales.

So I can see how the market might be too small right now. If that changes, it would be cool to see a Mini Air 8" screen, smaller keys, just as thin... sign me up!

Meanwhile, the iPod Touch is Apple's netbook! My need for an ultraportable has dropped hugely since I can do so much on my iPhone instead, and price-wise an iPod is very affordable.

If you need FULL computing (that neither a netbook nor an iPod provides), you have to pay more... but the Air is a great subnotebook.

[G4er?]

Originally Posted by nagromme

But to be worth selling it, there have to be enough people who WILL NOT accept a MacBook Air, a MacBook, a white MacBook, an iPod Touch, or an iPhone.

Someone like me.

[thejadedmonkey]

Originally Posted by gkarris

Yes, I tried those "netbooks" - won't even run Apple HD videos. I think maybe the next gen ones will with the new Intel 500 chipset, or if someone builds them with the nVidia Ion.

But, the screen is too small and the keys are cramped. You might as well just use an iPhone or iPod Touch - which is what Apple is pushing...

The Dell mini 12 would be the smallest that I could ever see a useful notebook going. Oh, wait. That's the 12" PowerBook. erm, what if Apple released a $500 12" NetBook powered with a G4

Hahahahaha

/end random ramblings

[AidenShaw]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13512_3-10...html?tag=mncol

The Netbook is dead. Long live the notebook!
Posted by Peter Glaskowsky

Much coverage of this year's Consumer Electronics Show is full of references to new Netbooks introduced at the show. But in fact, there were hardly any Netbooks at all, and those that did appear went almost unmentioned.

The truth is, the Netbook is dead, and good riddance. The concept of the Netbook was based on a tragic misunderstanding: ...

The point of the article is that the "new" netbooks are slightly larger (10"-11" screen) full function notebooks, not the limited devices like the early netbooks.

In other words, Netbooks running Windows 7 and other full systems are the future - netbooks are just smaller than ultra-portables, not a different kind of device.

As I said in another thread recently, I'd expect Apple's "netbook" to be an 11" MacBook Air, not an eeePC clone.

[dongmin]

Originally Posted by AidenShaw

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13512_3-10...html?tag=mncol



The point of the article is that the "new" netbooks are slightly larger (10"-11" screen) full function notebooks, not the limited devices like the early netbooks.

In other words, Netbooks running Windows 7 and other full systems are the future - netbooks are just smaller than ultra-portables, not a different kind of device.

As I said in another thread recently, I'd expect Apple's "netbook" to be an 11" MacBook Air, not an eeePC clone.

I think you're right. Apple will shrink down the Air and add Multitouch. But don't expect it to be cheap. Apple will push the portability and muti-touch angle, not the cost. I say it'll be the new $1000 portable in the line-up, once Apple phases out the plastic Macbooks.

[AidenShaw]

Originally Posted by AidenShaw

In other words, Netbooks running Windows 7 and other full systems are the future - netbooks are just smaller than ultra-portables, not a different kind of device.

By the way, the first thing I did after downloading the public Windows 7 Beta was to upgrade my eeePC901 from Win7 PDC (6801) to the public beta (7000).

Originally Posted by ryanrul

When Apple talks about 'netbooks' are they also talking about the slightly bigger iphone that many people having been hoping for? I have no interest in a miniature laptop with keyboard running OS X , but would would be very interested in an ipod touch with a pocket-book sized screen running iPhone OS.

Those are typically called MIDs - Mobile Internet Devices.

[mwpeters8182]

Originally Posted by AidenShaw

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13512_3-10...html?tag=mncol



The point of the article is that the "new" netbooks are slightly larger (10"-11" screen) full function notebooks, not the limited devices like the early netbooks.

In other words, Netbooks running Windows 7 and other full systems are the future - netbooks are just smaller than ultra-portables, not a different kind of device.

As I said in another thread recently, I'd expect Apple's "netbook" to be an 11" MacBook Air, not an eeePC clone.

I read this article as saying that the ARM-based and 7" original eeePC netbooks are dead, not the current crop. Note the quote: "They wouldn't run Windows XP with acceptable performance, never mind Windows Vista." My aspire one runs XP perfectly fine for my use, and probably day-to-day use.

[AidenShaw]

Originally Posted by gkarris

Yes, I tried those "netbooks" - won't even run Apple HD videos...

Is that because of the Netbook, or because Quicktime sucks?

I'll try some WMV-HD trailers on my eeePC when I get home....

[AidenShaw]

Originally Posted by AidenShaw

I'll try some WMV-HD trailers on my eeePC when I get home....

The 6 Mbps 720p trailers are fine - a couple of stutters at the start, then smooth.

The 9 Mbps 1080p trailers - not good at all.

This is on XP with the files on a CIFS share. The Windows 7 beta had quite a few stutters on the 720p, perhaps hardware decode isn't enabled in the beta.

WMV-HD trailers are at WMV HD Content Showcase.

(The first one - "Adrenaline Rush" - is truly superb...)

[tobyx]

Originally Posted by AidenShaw

The 6 Mbps 720p trailers are fine - a couple of stutters at the start, then smooth.

The 9 Mbps 1080p trailers - not good at all.

But the real question remains: Why would anyone want 1080p on a screen that isn't even 1920 pixels wide.... ??!?

[seedster2]

Originally Posted by gkarris

Yes, I tried those "netbooks" - won't even run Apple HD videos.

Spoken by someone who hasnt used the MBA Gen. 1

Even with "superior" specs, mine couldnt do video without stuttering.