3G iPhone Arriving in 2nd Quarter 2008?

[sdp]

3g coverage question

I understand that 3g is a more recent iteration of phone/web connection, but one thing i don't get:

If you have say a 3g iphone and you're in an area that does not have 3g coverage, but has edge, can you still connect up to the web?

Just wondering if it's an either/or situation. If it means you can ONLY connect via 3g and ATT coverage is spotty, then what's the rush for a 3g phone?

thanks guys
sdp

 

[billmister]

my 2 cents are:

In one way it's great that apple will be moving to the 3G Netowrk making it faster. Also with that release maybe new designe, apps, etc...

As for the onces who shed out 400 for the 8gig... then went ahead and upgraded to $500 with 16gig, and now withing a couple of months apart, and NEW phone.. not even chip, or update, or firmware... a new hardware just seems a bit dissapointing.

I am well aware of the paste the computer indestry works. You will most likely never have the best out there because in days, weeks, or months, something else will come out and, well doodoo on yours.

By bringing up that comment, i feel sometimes apple comes out with to much in to short of a time.. It's like you buy your new MacBook PRo and your happy because you have a powerful laptop, then next week, the new multitouch MBP comes out.. THEN rumors of new designe 3 months ahead... ????? I feel this can become a bad thing because it will get to a point where consumers will double thing purchasing something because apple will upgrade in 2 months all the time.

I own a 16gig iphone. Edge or no Edge I am happy with my purchase. It does more than i need in a iPhone. I first purchased a 8gig and then the 16gig came out 2 days later, so i payed the difference. With the new SDK capabilities, I feel i'm ready to take on the apps. with 16gigs of space, i only take up a total of 3.5gig, that includes pics i want to have in there, 2 movies, and all my music library.

I really don't have a complain for Edge. It's like using 56K modem lol. I remember when that speed used to be demanded by the people, now with dsl, cable, FIOS... everyone wants their info FAST!. I don't mind waiting for the pages to load, most of the time i have wifi and it's fast. It does get a little annoying though when your on Edge and it takes longer than usual.

All in all, that's good direction where apple is going, i think they should slow their horses. Comming out with new hardware every 3-4 months can make a lot of consumers mad, returns and exchange.

BTW i'm waiting for my MBP that was shipped today!!! 2 days left.

 

[drb6]

"Whenever you think that you are facing a contradiction, check your premises."

Maybe the abysmal wireless technology in the US isn't that bad for most people?

Maybe, but that doesn't change the fact that we are way behind technologically speaking when compared to other major countries. We do enjoy life inside the bubble I suppose

 

[rcownley]

This is great, i was planning to get an iphone in april anyway, i'll just wait for the new 3g one then! Cant wait.

 

[chickenninja]

3g is good-n-all but a tv and radio tuner would be cooler. i bet alien planets have that stuff on their mobile devices, i gues the future will only yield such marvels of technology.

 

[cameronjpu]

Maybe, but that doesn't change the fact that we are way behind technologically speaking when compared to other major countries. We do enjoy life inside the bubble I suppose

It's just not a fair comparison. Wireless technology covers a certain amount of physical area, and the USA is VERY spread out. So the investment required to cover 75% of the population is just so much higher here - so many towers that would be serving 1-2 families only. People love to complain about it, but there's nothing that can be done - I'm sure if you leave population centers in China the situation is FAR worse than it is in the US.


If you really must have the latest and greatest in the US, then move to NYC or LA or DC - I live in the DC area and that's one reason why the posts complaining about the USA's cell service never ring true for me. But if you expect ATT to be able to financially justify planting towers on every square mile in the US, it's just never going to happen.

 

[akira2501]

3g 32 gig for me

I will buy it the scond it comes out. Not sweaty stay out all night the store style, but cool slide in the store style ohh yeahhhh

 

[daneoni]

Anyone seen this (under Data Access)

Sounds like AT&T is pretty sure of the 3G iPhone coming soon

 

[peterbaby]

If you have say a 3g iphone and you're in an area that does not have 3g coverage, but has edge, can you still connect up to the web?

Yes sure, although 3G is a different technology than 2G, all phones coming out are capable of using both networks: your 3G phone automatically (and seamlessly) connects or switches to a GPRS/EDGE connection when 3G is out of reach.

Just wondering if it's an either/or situation. If it means you can ONLY connect via 3g and ATT coverage is spotty, then what's the rush for a 3g phone?

I don't know how fast ATT can afford to cover main US population clusters, the rush for Apple is actually Europe, where 3G phones (actually, "3G+" i.e. HSDPA or HSUPA, even faster than original 3G) are a standard.

Since Apple does not differentiate its product from a continent to another, it may launch a 3G iPhone worldwide knowing the main target won't be the US.

Market penetration in France/Germany/UK and soon other countries is just poor because most 30€/$40 subsidised phone allows to connect at higher speeds, watch live TV and make video calls.
I would be curious to know how many people refrain from buying an iPhone because of that, but there are many. Remember in Europe, technical specs have become the main argument for choosing a phone...and even with a great interface and an (over-evaluated) hype factor, the iPhone doesn't keep up with the comparison.

 

[peterbaby]

It's just not a fair comparison. Wireless technology covers a certain amount of physical area, and the USA is VERY spread out. So the investment required to cover 75% of the population is just so much higher here - so many towers that would be serving 1-2 families only. People love to complain about it, but there's nothing that can be done - I'm sure if you leave population centers in China the situation is FAR worse than it is in the US.

This is actually true, it's just a logical consequence. Although as most Europeans, I am mad at you, nasty Americans, for being technologically backwards and having sent us an outdated iPhone

First, indeed the US is much more spread out, with less companies than in Europe (remember each country there has at least 3 operators in competition on territories that can be smaller than half a US state).

And the second reason is actually that the US had been way too much...advanced in the past: while analog mobile networks were already launched in the US, Europe was still at the testing phase. Result: when digital networks (GSM, CDMA) came out, Europe was ready to invest heavily, but the US had to payout the analog networks first.

Hence the 3-4 years that separate us.

And to complete this peace message, don't forget we just all look ridiculous when comparing with Japan

 

[twoodcc]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A102 Safari/419.3)

I see it coming in June

 

[Cromulent]

This seems to be backed up by an article on CNN money.

CNN Money.

 

[ZorPrime]

I understand that 3g is a more recent iteration of phone/web connection, but one thing i don't get:

If you have say a 3g iphone and you're in an area that does not have 3g coverage, but has edge, can you still connect up to the web?

Just wondering if it's an either/or situation. If it means you can ONLY connect via 3g and ATT coverage is spotty, then what's the rush for a 3g phone?

thanks guys
sdp

I was wondering the same thing. I wonder if the 3G iPhone will also have the EDGE chipset. I think that would be the smart thing, just to keep its bases covered. Either way, when the 3G iPhone comes out, I'm on it like white on rice.

 

[diamond.g]

I was wondering the same thing. I wonder if the 3G iPhone will also have the EDGE chipset. I think that would be the smart thing, just to keep its bases covered. Either way, when the 3G iPhone comes out, I'm on it like white on rice.

Pretty sure this has been answered. AT&T 3G is backwards compatible with EDGE. So no separate chip is needed for the 3G iPhone to work everywhere.

 

[Morky]

iPhone 2.0 Update at end of June

Since the iPhone software update the end of June will be dubbed "2.0" (straight from the lips of Jobs), that would fall in line quite nicely with the hardware "iPhone 2", wouldn't it? It would make sense that the software naming convention fall in line with the current hardware iteration of the phone: iPhone 1 - 1.0.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.2, etc., iPhone 2 -2.0.0, 2.0.1, you get the idea.

 

[ZorPrime]

Pretty sure this has been answered. AT&T 3G is backwards compatible with EDGE. So no separate chip is needed for the 3G iPhone to work everywhere.

i hadn't thought of that, it makes perfect sense but i wonder, are EDGE chips forward compatible? When AT&T outmodes EDGE to 3G, I assume non 3G handsets will be bricked or would there be grace period, like the analog to digital shift?

 

[zephead]

i hadn't thought of that, it makes perfect sense but i wonder, are EDGE chips forward compatible? When AT&T outmodes EDGE to 3G, I assume non 3G handsets will be bricked or would there be grace period, like the analog to digital shift?

I'm pretty sure that won't happen for quite a while, but I imagine when it does happen, it'll be like the analog to digital shift, e.g. if you have an analog TV and and EDGE phone then you're pretty much SOL.

 

[PopinFRESH]

Since the iPhone software update the end of June will be dubbed "2.0" (straight from the lips of Jobs), that would fall in line quite nicely with the hardware "iPhone 2", wouldn't it? It would make sense that the software naming convention fall in line with the current hardware iteration of the phone: iPhone 1 - 1.0.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.2, etc., iPhone 2 -2.0.0, 2.0.1, you get the idea.

So,.. by your logic there will be a new Mac OS with every new piece of Mac computers, and a new computer with every major release of Mac OS? I don't buy it. I'd rather say that the announcement of the iPhone 2.0 Software would indicate that there will not be any update to the iPhone hardware any time soon.

and btw, the "You're Wrong" comment talking to "ED" who was completely right... I'd just like to say, maybe a little backup to a comment like "You're Wrong" would serve you well.. maybe "You're wrong Because..." just for future refrence.

Also I'm a little shocked that with all this 3G drool that no one has mentioned WiMAX, and only a couple people mentioned 4G as a joke. I doubt Apple will do anything as far as hardware with the iPhone untill they switch it to intel. one post mentioned Silverthorn which I doubt they will use. Silverthorn is still to power-hungry to work for the iPhone. however intel plans on releasing moorestown SOC (System on Chip) in Q1 or Q2 of '09 allong with their shrink to 32nm. intel is one of the major proponents of WiMAX and have already stated that moorestown will have a robust network controller hub that supports 802.11n WiFi, WiMAX, and can have support for current modem logic intergrated. So Apple switching the iPhone to moorestown would result in several things, A single ultra-low power chip can power the entire phone. This frees up space to put more flash memory, allows for smaller thinner designs, all while increasing battery life. Lastly moorestown SOC is estimated to be aproxmatly the power of an orignal Centrino based notebook. this means that Apple can do what they do best and make better software UI for the device. Such as bringing carbon, Core Image, Core Video, and the ability of the Aqua frameworks to iPhone. Can you say an actual "Dock" on the iPhone?

My guess... iPhone hardware will remain the same other than increases in capacity due to discounts and improvments in flash memory until intel gives them a massive bulk order for moorestown before anyone else for a launch of 2nd Gen iPhone hardware ~June 2009. I also think this will allow them to unify ALL their iPod devices (including iPhone) onto a single platform to drive down costs across all the devices. using the same chip at a lower clock speed and much lower voltage for the iPod nano's, and the iPod clasic's would give those devices even longer battery life with a smoother interface. I think by the end of 2009 you will see the last hard drive based iPod sold and the iPod clasic will be switched to nand memory @ a 64GB and 128GB models using the same SoC as in the iPhone/iPod Touch. Just my take on everything. As far as this "Mac Rumor"... I think their "inside" source is going to keep guessing.

"Chandrasekher provided a sneak peek at Moorestown that consists of a system on chip (SOC) design combining the CPU, graphics, video and memory controller onto a single chip. A Moorestown-based MID will have idle power that will be 10x lower than the 2008 Menlow design, enabling longer battery life in smaller form factors." -Intel senior vice president
SEPT 9th 2007

http://www.intel.com/personal/our-technology/wimax/?iid=search

I'll be perfectly happy with my current iPhone until June '09 for an 32GB iPhone with a "subwatt" TDP moorestown based "Atom" processor that has better graphics, WiMAX, WiFi, Edge and maybe even 4G. All with a longer battery life.

Pretty sure this has been answered. AT&T 3G is backwards compatible with EDGE. So no separate chip is needed for the 3G iPhone to work everywhere.

3G and EDGE are completely diffrent no matter what carrier is using them so "AT&T's 3G" is not "backwards" compatible. please refer to Mr. JimpEd's post below and the linked wiki for more details.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Mobile_Telecommunications_System
GSM (2G)

* GPRS
* EDGE (EGPRS)

o EDGE Evolution
​

* CSD

o HSCSD​

UMTS (3G)

* HSPA

o HSDPA
o HSUPA
o HSPA+
​

* UMTS-TDD

o TD-CDMA
o TD-SCDMA
​

* FOMA​

One thing to keep in mind also is that 802.16 WiMAX while being completely diffrent than 802.11 "WiFi" it can use the same antennas, and with intel's "Echo Peak" technology being intergrated to or available for the moorestown based "Atom" platform it can also switch between the two to using a single chip and conserve battery life.

Hooorayy SuperMonkey Ball on iPhone!

 

[Compile 'em all]

So,.. by your logic there will be a new Mac OS with every new piece of Mac computers, and a new computer with every major release of Mac OS? I don't buy it. I'd rather say that the announcement of the iPhone 2.0 Software would indicate that there will not be any update to the iPhone hardware any time soon.

Actually his logic is pretty solid and is likely to materialize. If you have read "any" news regarding the 3G iPhone by now you would know that it is expected to be released in Q2 2008.

 

[gothamm]

this just in:

nintendo has announced a revolutionary device which utilizes 8-bit technology. They are dubbing this device as a "gaming console", called the Nintendo Entertainment System. More details to follow, but we will keep you up to date with any new announcements.

 

[diamond.g]

3G and EDGE are completely diffrent no matter what carrier is using them so "AT&T's 3G" is not "backwards" compatible. please refer to Mr. JimpEd's post below and the linked wiki for more details.

One thing to keep in mind also is that 802.16 WiMAX while being completely diffrent than 802.11 "WiFi" it can use the same antennas, and with intel's "Echo Peak" technology being intergrated to or available for the moorestown based "Atom" platform it can also switch between the two to using a single chip and conserve battery life.

Hooorayy SuperMonkey Ball on iPhone!

I was just generally speaking. Yes I know the technologies are different. But as a norm your 3G hardware falls back to 2G (EDGE) when there is no 3G signal present. For most people that is the same thing as being backwards compatible. Unless there is a handset that doesn't have 2G (EDGE) support.

 

[Breckenridge]

Too much power consumed or ATT just does not have the ability to support 3G nationwide. I just wished that the iPhone would work with other providers, ATT is not the greatest company today and never was in the past. Although I use ATT on my iPhone, my wife still uses her blackbery supporting higher data speeds, longer battery live and she has the ability to use her blackbery as a modem for her notebook while on the road.

ATT and Apple have to do something exceptional for me to buy another iPhone. Love the browsing though.

 

[gothamm]

3G=over rated. Heck, Even wifi on the iphone is slow.

 

[PopinFRESH]

Actually his logic is pretty solid and is likely to materialize. If you have read "any" news regarding the 3G iPhone by now you would know that it is expected to be released in Q2 2008.

Thats funny, I haven't seen "any" "News" regarding "the" 3G iPhone. If by "news" you mean the huge rumor mill surrounding the iPhone and it's fate then you "know" nothing more than I do, which is specluation. It wouldn't supprise me at all to see 3G skipped for a rollout of 4G or WiMAX as both of these are much longer range at the same speed of 3G. This would mean a much lower cost to deploy and a much faster rollout than we have seen with 3G. Apple has no reason to launch a new iPhone now. Their sales are still going strong, the SDK is available and they will be opening the App store in june, Apples focus will be getting the App store off the ground. The only indication that I would say they would release a 3G iPhone is Japan.
Even if they do add 3G, that alone will not drive them to release a 2nd Gen iPhone.

 

[asdavis10]

Thats funny, I haven't seen "any" "News" regarding "the" 3G iPhone. If by "news" you mean the huge rumor mill surrounding the iPhone and it's fate then you "know" nothing more than I do, which is specluation. It wouldn't supprise me at all to see 3G skipped for a rollout of 4G or WiMAX as both of these are much longer range at the same speed of 3G. This would mean a much lower cost to deploy and a much faster rollout than we have seen with 3G. Apple has no reason to launch a new iPhone now. Their sales are still going strong, the SDK is available and they will be opening the App store in june, Apples focus will be getting the App store off the ground. The only indication that I would say they would release a 3G iPhone is Japan.
Even if they do add 3G, that alone will not drive them to release a 2nd Gen iPhone.

3G skipped?! When AT&T is expanding their 3G coverage in more cities. Yeah ok buddy.