Two New Devices from Apple: Category Defining 'Media Pad' and 'iPhone Lite'?

[MacRumors]

Apple and Verizon partnership rumors seem to have taken on a life of their own with multiple reports that the companies are planning to work together as early as 2010. Businessweek provides the most intriguing report yet with claims that Apple could be working on releasing two different devices with Verizon: an iPhone Lite and a Media Pad.

One device is a smaller, less expensive calling device described by a person who has seen it as an "iPhone lite." The other is a media pad that would let users listen to music, view photos, and watch high-definition videos, the person says. It would place calls over a Wi-Fi connection. One of these devices may be introduced as early as this summer, one person says.

BusinessWeek was able to confirm with Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam that Verzion had been in talks with Apple but could not get any details from McAdam.

Instead, the magazine cites "two people familiar with the subject" as the source for these two possible Apple devices. The Apple media pad is said to be smaller than Amazon's Kindle ebook reader but its touchscreen is bigger than the Kindle's. The source predicts that this new product will be a category defining breakthrough device:

"The media pad category might go to Verizon," said the person who has seen the device. "We are talking about a device where people will say, 'Damn, why didn't we do this?' Apple is probably going to define the damn category."

Meanwhile, the iPhone Lite is said to be thinner, smaller, and cheaper than the current iPhone. Most of the cost savings are said to come from a new system-on-chip that has reduced costs.

Article Link: Two New Devices from Apple: Category Defining 'Media Pad' and 'iPhone Lite'?

[Peace]

Wow Karma rocks!!.. Verizon 4G Apple Pad? imagine the possibilities.

[robindahlia789]

could it be real?

[fleshman03]

Originally Posted by Peace

Wow Karma rocks!!.. Verizon 4G Apple Pad? imagine the possibilities.

Yeah - Another $40/month in addition to the iPhone data plan.

Also - if the Media Pad (Come up with a better name ... please?) works on WiFi, why is Verizon selling it? Wifi + optional 3g/4g data? Or are we going to be forced into it? I just want a wifi tablet that is cheap. Not a $2000 tablet over the course of 2 years...

[FJ218700]

doesn't bode well for $AMZN

[Michael CM1]

Originally Posted by FJ218700

doesn't bode well for $AMZN

Why? The tablet will likely cost more than the Kindle because it will do more than display eBooks (what a waste of $350 IMO) and Apple won't put any crap parts into it. If an unsubsidized iPhone costs $600, this thing will probably be more like $1,000.

You also forget about things like the Kindle app. If there's something like that for a tablet, where are you going to go to buy eBooks? Amazon is the best place for those.

[Stately]

Originally Posted by fleshman03

Yeah - Another $40/month in addition to the iPhone data plan.

Also - if the Media Pad (Come up with a better name ... please?) works on WiFi, why is Verizon selling it? Wifi + optional 3g/4g data? Or are we going to be forced into it? I just want a wifi tablet that is cheap. Not a $2000 tablet over the course of 2 years...

Yup, and I'm praying the tablet does a lot more than serve as a media device. I want my pro apps, battery life and heavy duty processors. (I know it can be done.)

[DaBrain]

Originally Posted by fleshman03

Yeah - Another $40/month in addition to the iPhone data plan.

Also - if the Media Pad (Come up with a better name ... please?) works on WiFi, why is Verizon selling it? Wifi + optional 3g/4g data? Or are we going to be forced into it? I just want a wifi tablet that is cheap. Not a $2000 tablet over the course of 2 years...

Dittos on that! Trying to suck people into service contracts seems to be a disturbing trend! Unless of course one loves paying out thousands of dollars over a multiple year contract!

I would love to know more on the capabilities of this, but with sys on a chip I have a cynical view that this device may be crippled. Kinda was hoping for a full OS iPad. Just gonna have to wait and see.

So when will the big revelation happen? Probably around WWDC.

[DELLsFan]

Originally Posted by fleshman03

... (Come up with a better name ... please?) ....

The Apple iPad?

[diamornte]

Originally Posted by DELLsFan

The Apple iPad?

It's the iProd which was mentioned in a previous rumor...


http://crave.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/0,39...9301634,00.htm

[iPaf]

Originally Posted by diamornte

It's the iProd which was mentioned in a previous rumor...

Sorry, the iProd is an extension for the current models (the 0,1 was refering to that)... It's supposed to be a "Wii fit" kind of extension for the iPhone and iPod but without the Balance Board (personnal trainer)...

Well my explanation is not that clear but just search "iProd patent" in Google, you'll see what it is!!

[nefster]

Originally Posted by DELLsFan

The Apple iPad?

Sounds like a Bostonian trying to say, "Apple iPod."

[farmboy]

Originally Posted by fleshman03

Yeah - Another $40/month in addition to the iPhone data plan.

Also - if the Media Pad (Come up with a better name ... please?) works on WiFi, why is Verizon selling it? Wifi + optional 3g/4g data? Or are we going to be forced into it? I just want a wifi tablet that is cheap. Not a $2000 tablet over the course of 2 years...

A better name? OK, how about larger tablet called the MaxiPad. Oh already taken. Never mind.

[Aron Peterson]

Originally Posted by Peace

Wow Karma rocks!!.. Verizon 4G Apple Pad? imagine the possibilities.

The iProd (codename) is a home/office based phone and media pad to replace the numerical handsets we traditionally use. It's a full screen wireless device that can make regular calls, send texts, be used to play media across a network and be used for video conferencing too. Also, two people having the same device can leave video messages for later playback and replying. The device is not an iPhone replacement (it won't have vibration or Bluetooth and can only be used at home or office) but it should be compatible with with the same SDK for some app development.

It will have a 10 inch multitouch screen, 802.11 a/b/g/n, excellent graphics acceleration for its category, 1xUSB, a 5 megapixel camera that can capture at 30 fps, and a dock stand with support for a regular telephone cable jack and broadband connection.

[AidenShaw]

Originally Posted by MacRumors

The Apple media pad is said to be smaller than Amazon's Kindle ebook reader but its touchscreen is bigger than the Kindle's. The source predicts that this new product will be a category defining breakthrough device:Meanwhile, the iPhone Lite is said to be thinner, smaller, and cheaper than the current iPhone. Most of the cost savings are said to come from a new system-on-chip that has reduced costs.

Like this:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/vzhub/overview.jsp

[illegallydead]

Originally Posted by AidenShaw

Like this:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/vzhub/overview.jsp

I'm pretty sure they are talking about something portable...

[Bubba Satori]

Originally Posted by illegallydead

I'm pretty sure they are talking about something portable...

[applekid]

Originally Posted by AidenShaw

Like this:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/vzhub/overview.jsp

That was my first thought for the Media Pad rumor. If Apple made a version of the Verizon Hub, you know it'd probably actually sell. But even with Apple creating the device, I think the Media Pad would end up being like the Apple TV, merely a hobby. Unless this turns out to be the tablet/netbook device...

iPhone Lite? I don't know how much smaller you can make iPhone without harming usability. There's plenty of apps on the App Store. How many would stay compatible? I guess the defining features of the iPhone are the iPod, internet communications device, and phone in one device. With a system-on-chip, that sounds like the limitation. It'd be closer in capabilities to the regular iPods with a copy of Safari and phone abilities.

[tubbymac]

Hell yes, bring on the new Apple Tablet/Pad or whatever it's called.

Revenge of the Newton - Coming this summer to an Apple store near you!

[gmanrique]

Lol

Originally Posted by AidenShaw

Like this:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/vzhub/overview.jsp

[=MuLti-CeLL=]

Can't wait to see what's coming this summer. Originally I plan to switch to AT&T from T-Mobile for a new iPhone, now THIS!

Verizon or AT&T, whichever has what I want will get my contract.

[alexbates]

I can just hope to see the Media Pad they are talking about this summer. That sounds like what I would want to buy.

[adamgalas]

The Iphone was a super cool web surfing Ipod. The touch was the Iphone sans the phone.

What the heck would a media player be?

The touch fits in your pocket, something with a 10" screen would not.

The Touch is reasonably priced.

A 10" pad would likely cost $500 for the base model.

I just don't see what a media pad would do that the touch didn't?

If it has a 3 G connection then its basically an oversized Iphone, if its wifi only then its an oversized Ipod touch.

What is the niche of this product?

I just can't see where the market for such a device would be.

Thus I am skeptical of such a device.

The only thing I expect to come out of Apple this summer is the 3rd gen Iphone.

[ks-man]

Originally Posted by adamgalas

The Iphone was a super cool web surfing Ipod. The touch was the Iphone sans the phone.

What the heck would a media player be?

The touch fits in your pocket, something with a 10" screen would not.

The Touch is reasonably priced.

A 10" pad would likely cost $500 for the base model.

I just don't see what a media pad would do that the touch didn't?

If it has a 3 G connection then its basically an oversized Iphone, if its wifi only then its an oversized Ipod touch.

What is the niche of this product?

I just can't see where the market for such a device would be.

Thus I am skeptical of such a device.

The only thing I expect to come out of Apple this summer is the 3rd gen Iphone.

Apple loves pushing the iTunes store and especially movie rentals and purchases now. A 10" screen is far better for watching TV shows and movies. This to me sounds like the replacement for the portable DVD player. It won't be as heavy as a laptop. With either 40 or 64GB of hard drive space and the same functionality of the iphone and ipodtouch I think Apple could market this. The success of the Kindle shows there is a market for this size product. Couple that with Apple's "coolness" factor and I think there will be buyers. Again, think of iTunes integration and viewing movies on a larger screen than the iPod.

[Shaun, UK]

Originally Posted by adamgalas

The Iphone was a super cool web surfing Ipod. The touch was the Iphone sans the phone.

What the heck would a media player be?

The touch fits in your pocket, something with a 10" screen would not.

The Touch is reasonably priced.

A 10" pad would likely cost $500 for the base model.

I just don't see what a media pad would do that the touch didn't?

If it has a 3 G connection then its basically an oversized Iphone, if its wifi only then its an oversized Ipod touch.

What is the niche of this product?

I just can't see where the market for such a device would be.

Thus I am skeptical of such a device.

The only thing I expect to come out of Apple this summer is the 3rd gen Iphone.

I can think of a few reasons it would sell:

1. Replacment for the portable DVD player - watch your iTunes movies on the move
2. Portable games machine - super PSP
3. eBook reader
4. Portable mini computer with email/internet access on the move

The current iPhone/iPod Touch can do all this but the screen it just too small to make it enjoyable. A larger screen model would simply broaden the appeal and add a new dimension.