iPhone - Apple Phone

[arn]

The New York Times (free registration required) discusses Apple's future plans for an Apple-branded Phone (aka iPhone):

But analysts and people close to the company say that the plan is under way and that the evidence is manifest in the features and elements of the new version of the Macintosh operating system.

In a recent interview, Steve Jobs was downplayed the possibility of an Apple PDA - but did discuss the future of next generation cellular phones.

NYT also points to Apple's interest in other handheld technology, with an attempt to purchase Palm for $1 billion soon after Steve Jobs returned to Apple.

iPhone.org has been registered by Apple for years along with many others domains.

[vniow]

I could see that. It'd go along nicely with iSync, Rendevous, and Bluetooth, provided it's on a future 3G wireless network.

[slaboda]

That's probably why iCal isn't available now. An inexperienced programmer could write an app like that in about 2 weeks. We're waiting for the iPhone that goes with the iCal.

[kishba]

Originally posted by slaboda
That's probably why iCal isn't available now. An inexperienced programmer could write an app like that in about 2 weeks. We're waiting for the iPhone that goes with the iCal.

um ical?

i hope you mean isync... i personally think that if an inexperienced programmer (read: me) could make a program like ical they (read: me) would have done so already

i'm personally more excited about ical than isync, if not jaguar

[scem0]

They have all the technologies to make either a phone or a PDA - and that would be tight if one came out at MW paris. I could see it working with iCal, Randesvous, iSync, and maybe even iTunes (a small HD for '500 songs in your pocket'). It could be a phone, organizer, calender, mp3 player, and half a million other things. It would be a wonderful device, too bad apple will probably make it inaffordable to a 15 year old...

[Macette]

i hope apple aren't diversifying too much, at the expense of their loyal powermac following... it would be a bit disappointing to see their high-end computer stuff stagnate while they concentrate on other gear. i mean, they're a pretty small company for such a broad product base.

[CountZero]

scem01, there is already such device. Check out the SonyEricsson P800. It is coming to the US in December, apparently...

[jadam]

OR OR OR OR OR bluetooth phone that uses a bluetooth headset that can work with both a bluetooth/adapted ipod and iphone :P

[zim]

i don't see how this would work. as of right now cellular phone makers are forced to make specific phones for specific providers... or is it just a programming configuration? could this just have something to do with sony ericsson? they did give a talk at the last mac world about how their phones and how they would work with the new technology. also, steve was using a phone on stage and i doubt that they would promote something that would conflict with what they have planned.

[ConradG4]

I'd buy one.... but i'm still waiting for ipods that will plug into eachother through firewire so you can play pong with a friend and transfer files.

-Conrad

[flanders]

it would work; they'd just create a gsm version of the phone first. A tri-band GSM phone would be able to be used almost everywhere in the world--even North America (GSM1900/900) and would just require the usual SIM to be inserted into the phone from any of the providers. I don't think you'd see any CDMA/TDMA phones especially early on.

[tjwett]

i'd buy one. i've been waiting to get a cell phone for a long time because of all the scetchy plans and billing issues. as long as it doesn't come with outragous Apple-esque pricing.

[elgruga]

This sounds right. I would buy one.
Sell my P280 on eBay and get an iPhone.

But its got to sync and work with PC's and its got to be universally appealing, NOT just to Mac users.

[G4scott]

This sounds nice, but I'm not sure about whether or not it will actually happen. Apple seemed to be buddy-buddy with Sony-Ericsson, and I don't think that Apple would enter a market where they already have friends. The iPod came because basically all of the mp3 players out there sucked, and Apple saw a chance to innovate. I just don't see much room for innovation in the cell phone market. Apple would take a big loss if they tried to enter the market. Of course, I may be wrong (as much as I would like to be )

[theaz]

I believe that Sony Ericsson must play into this somewhere. On their main web page (US) there is a link to apple related connectivity information. Also check out

http://www.sonyericsson.com/spg.jsp?...apple%26B%3Die

One section says...

“There is great synergy between Sony Ericsson and Apple in terms of how we see new services developing for the consumer and in our commitment to make applications easy to use," said Katsumi Ihara, president of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications. "Apple’s approach to working with mobile technology will scale well into the next generation phones that take on imaging, music and entertainment functions, and we see many more ways that our products can complement each other in the future."

Apple is laying foundation stones in close collaboration with Sony Ericsson. Maybe they are working together on hardware issues. It may also be as simple as an information transfer between the companies, where Apple can build on ideas from SE, and vice versa. Both companies build on one anothers experties thus reducing R&D. Meanwhile, no one really needs to step on anyones toes: the market is already very broad. In the mean time, their collaboration would produce a generation of devices that are heads and shoulders above their competitors.

[funkywhat2]

maybe apple is buddying up with sony/erriccson because they are helping to build the phones - they supply the hardware, apple does the software and packaging. that way, both sides win. for example, i think that toshiba (correct me if i'm wrong) makes the hds for the iPod, but they also make mp3 players themselves, but if apple uses them as a supplier, but they do the software, design part, both sides are happy b/c both sides get $. just my $.02

[JakeWalker]

Lots of face time for both Sony/Erricson and Cingular Wireless at MacWorld NY this year. An all-in-one device would be a "killer app" for sure, so don't be surprised to see the product designed by Apple, made by Sony/Erricson, and supported by Cingular. Another theory would have Apple doing a virtual-rebranding of Cingular's network, just as Virgin Mobile has done in the UK with One2One and in the US with Sprint PCS. (Virgin Mobile negotiates bulk rates with a carrier who already has a network in place, then markets phones on the 'Virgin Network', which is run by Sprint, but features lots of Virgin-only extras...)

[G4scott]

How about this... Apple and Sony-Ericsson collaborate on the design of the phone, one of them actually makes the phones, and Apple makes an OS for the phone.

You could send a picture or movie, or just a message through iChat to a phone number, and it the phone is compatible with the service, then it works. That would be awesome... I don't know if there's anything like it already, but it would make people truly connected...

[AudiA4]

You know, when you step back and take a look at the big picture, ALL of the evidence points toward a portable PDA/communication device. Where there is smoke, there is fire. Here is a compilation of the smoke:

Inkwell (the most obvious)
iCal
iSync
iChat
Addressbook (totally revamped)
Mail (totally revamped)
Rendevous
Sherlock (totally revised - sort of a "mini-browser")

Of course this stuff COULD work with hundreds of other devices, but Steve Jobs wants to sell you HIS device!

It's coming.

[DavidFDM]

Some of the technologies listed above would work wonderfully with a TabletPC. I love the concept of a tablet. I have 4 computers a G4 867 Quicksilver, a Ruby iMac, a white iBook and a Palm III. Each one has their benefits but none really works well for a lounging artist. Take the Wacom Cintiq (sp. ?). (In case you don't know, it is a flat panel monitor which you can write upon.) It would be perfect to work with if it wasn't shackled to the computer. Also, a tablet lends itself for doing inventory work, surveys or a variety of other tasks where a laptop is too awkward to hold.

Just my 2¢.

[nero007]

Originally posted by ConradG4
I'd buy one.... but i'm still waiting for ipods that will plug into eachother through firewire so you can play pong with a friend and transfer files.

-Conrad

The recording industry would not let this happen. Don't down count on Apple putting out anything like this soon.

[Wry Cooter]

Originally posted by AudiA4

Of course this stuff COULD work with hundreds of other devices, but Steve Jobs wants to sell you HIS device!

It's coming.

As long as the carrier agreement is in place. Almost no one gets a phone then goes to their cell carrier asking for access, usually, they are told by their carrier which phones they support. There is more than techonological reasons behind this- there is a lot of marketing cooperation and exclusivity deals- deals that may make ONE particular brand of phone perhaps not available in your area at all.

This doesn't even get into the different flavors of 3rd Gen coverage, which furthers breaks down what can be used where. This is an extremely competitive market.

An Apple phone would have to be-
-branded, manufactured and sold by a major player in cellular
-carried, supported and marketed by at least one major carrier
- a totally useable phone/PDA outside higher bandwidth footprints, perhaps even reverting to analog coverage.
- Great form factor and long battery life

Would it have to be able to sync to Windows, as the iPod, in order to succeed in the market?

I wanted a Palm VII. Never went for it, due to coverage, and of course, it wasn't a phone.
I have been wanting a Palm OS phone since they were first announced. First announced was by Qualcomm. Never saw it beyond pictures.
I see the Handspring Treos, and the Samsung Palm OS phones, but I don't like the carriers, and neither phone has blue tooth.

We can assume the Apple Phone will probably have a camera (This appeals to people who don't give a damn about Apple, or PDA abilities in cell phones, most people just want a phone that is small), and will probably have Blue Tooth. (Ear based receivers will be the big sell for BlueTooth, more so than syncing to a computer. Or similar communicating with CAR audio via Bluetooth) But that its a very tough marketplace out there bears repeating.

And it is still very likely you will not see anything beyond what SonyEriccson is offering.

But I'll get an Apple phone. If its priced reasonably and available via my chosen carrier.

[Phaedrus]

Originally posted by AudiA4
You know, when you step back and take a look at the big picture, ALL of the evidence points toward a portable PDA/communication device. Where there is smoke, there is fire. Here is a compilation of the smoke:

Inkwell (the most obvious)
iCal
iSync
iChat
Addressbook (totally revamped)
Mail (totally revamped)
Rendevous
Sherlock (totally revised - sort of a "mini-browser")

Of course this stuff COULD work with hundreds of other devices, but Steve Jobs wants to sell you HIS device!

It's coming.

To me, this post is right on. I would guess we'll see the fire around MWSF.

[dongmin]

Interesting to see the New York Times getting into Apple rumors or "Silicon Valley's favorite guessing game" as he called it.

There was a surprising amount of meat in the article:

"Among the evidence, they say, is recent behind-the-scenes wrangling between Palm and Apple over linking Palm's own devices to Apple's new operating system — apparently with little cooperation on Apple's part."

If I remember correctly, in Jobs' MWNY presentation, there was a diagram of all the devices that syncs with your Mac, and one of them was a Palm. So it's not completely out of the picture.

"Analysts also cite Apple's deal with Pixo, the tiny company that designed the software for Apple's popular iPod MP3 music player; that deal includes a license for Apple to use Pixo's software with a second product."

I don't think anyone's really pointed this out yet. It's very interesting. This prooves that Apple is definitely planning a second iPod-like device. Hopefully, it's coming out soon.

[sparkleytone]

one of the primary logistical problems of an apple branded phone would be its pc compatibility.

this is not a market where a company can play around in connectivity and potential productivity. if/when apple hits the market with an "iPhone" there will need to be both Mac and PC software that work as flawlessly as first generation software can. In this market, they cannot afford to be coy or attempt to lure people into buying a Mac.

It was a clever and successful game to play with the iPod, but would be devastating in the highly contested phone market.