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Love the report, I'm now only holding off on a new iPhone because of the Maps issues, hope they are fixed by the time the next iPhone comes out. If they go to 128Gb at the top it should mean the other sizes should be cheaper.

I'm sure it will be called the 5s going on past naming.

How bad are the maps now? Can't they be fixed prior to an iphone upgrade?
 
I better get selling my 5 while its still hot. NOT. Apple need to rake in money so if this rumour is try it means they can't innovate enough so want the yearly upgrades to turn into monthly upgrades to continue to fill their money bucket.

I for one won't be rushing out to pick this up if true, The 5 is nice but after the novelty wears off its just a phone everyone has and not the the price I paid to apple for it. Thats my opinion.
 
Also, is there an alternative to maps for the iphone 5? How well does it work?

I find it hard to believe that users are stuck with maps and have no alternative.
 
I'm going to play analyst, and "predict" what Apple will NOT do next.

1. The screen size will not increase. Not only does Apple JUST switch sizes after 5 years, the iOS app ecosystem is a very important component to the iPhone, and forcing app makers to again adjust for screen size changes is just not going to happen.

2. Flash memory will NOT increase. I think this is dumb honestly, 32gb is pennies more than 16gb, but Apple probably recognizes that the average user isn't even getting that close to 16gb. Additionally, Apple wants the average user to just move to the cloud and become more reliant on their services. Giving users an additional 16gb for music from Amazon, no. Forcing users to use services like iCloud and iTunes Match because their phones only hold 16gb, yes.

3. NFC is not coming to the iPhone. It is an additional chipset that could draw power and battery life and Apple has shown no interest in supporting it. The same people predicting this probably predicted that the iMac would get a BluRay player.

4. 6-8 Colors seems highly unlikely. I could see an iPhone [RED], but they are already overloaded with SKUs on the phones given the carriers. They want their stores to be the best source for phones, and it will be nearly impossible to keep a decent stock of 6-8 colors, of 3 sizes of phone with 3 carriers. 72 different phone models? Keep at least 5 in stock of all sizes (with more of popular sizes)? You're talking about a stock of almost 1000 phones to meet minimum demand.
 
No, we are not taking CELL PHONE, we are talking PHABLET.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phablet

Apple is already 2 years behind here not competing.

I like my Galaxy Note. It fits the pockets of around 60% of my jeans, so size is not a big issue like most people claim.

All the features I'm missing after moving from a Nokia N8 are equally unavailable in iPhone: a decent compact camera, a decent offline navigation, a built-in FM transmitter.
 
...what?

I feel like Apple is taking cheap shots at its customers :( Being greedy has removed the sense of pride I usually have associated with Apple and their excellent products. If in fact the latest and greatest comes out every 6 months, I'm not certain how well customers will appreciate the "gesture". Especially with this latest rumor considering the iphone5 was just released a few months ago. Hopefully they give it at least a year but who knows. I guess time will tell. Still though, I would much rather have an Apple product then anything else. They just work. :apple:
 
With the different colors i believe Apple is trying to just make one phone and make it universal if possible. The ATT/Tmobile/Verizon/Sprint etc all frequencies on the same chip so there will be just one model but different colors.
 
Home button

I have always thought that the iPhone home button is very unapple like and ugly. The circular indentation with a rounded square symbol offends my delicate sensibilities. What's with the little symbol in it anyway, isn't the indentation engough? Like are you not going to see it otherwise? Are you going for forget what it's for... 'what's this little indentation again... oh yeah now I remember the little rounded rectangle means it's the 'home screen'....
 
I highly doubt they would jump to a 4.8" screen. They only have one flagship phone, that's the reason they are conservative even with 4". ask the typical consumer and they say 4" is the perfect size, anything bigger and you have to start using two hands. (I'm one of those, coming from the s3).

Also, personally, I can't afford to upgrade twice a year (I have been upgrading all my stuff when new versions come out, but with this ipad 4, I decided not to sell me 3 because of the constant loss of money I was getting)

I won't be upgrading until the iphone 6
 
I highly doubt they would jump to a 4.8" screen. They only have one flagship phone, that's the reason they are conservative even with 4".

But Apple makes 2 ipad screen sizes, 4 ipod sizes, 3 laptop sizes, 2 imac sizes.

Yes, they still make the old dated iphone 3.5" model, but it's on the way out.

One size fits all iphone strategy worked 4-5 year ago, but not now. People have different needs. For me the 4.8" is a sweet spot. My wife is getting the 5.5" Note 2.

5.5" Apple phablet would be a fabulous device.

I think if Apple need to limit variety, they can offer only 2 memory options: 16 (or 32GB) and 64 (or 128).
 
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Honestly, I hope that this isn't true. Yet another screen size change would add more fragmentation to the app store. The colors would be a nice addition, but like someone said previously, unless they're actually planning to have all colors at all different storage capacities, it'll just cause too much headache. I also find NFC to be genuinely useless. Sure you can tap your phone to pay for things, but I can just as easily pull up a passbook pass and hold it in front of a red scanner at starbucks and i'm done. Why do we need NFC which requires the merchant to have NFC readers instead of just a barcode scanner? NFC just seems pointless at this point in time. 128gb storage capacity would be a nice update, but it would be even nicer if they charged the 64gb price for the 128gb, the 32gb price for 64, and made the 16gb the budget model for the people who don't want to pay a ton for a new phone. The lack of a home button would be pretty cool, although they need to have a legitimate reason for taking it off or people will moan.

Honestly these rumors are probably 100% fake. Not to mention if they are real, then why are they even calling the next iPhone the 5S? These rumors have many more new features than the 5 had at its release...
 
I agree, just a typical "S" release.

I don't think Tim Cook wants another typical or more to the point, predictable "S" release. Internal improvements like the A7 and a better camera are definitely not enough, nor is another half-baked, seldom used beta feature like what the 4S got in Siri.

The next iPhone will have to look different. If that means new colors, redesign or something else, I don't know. Current iPhone 4S owners want to show iPhone 5 owners something new, not tell them that it's a little faster and has a slightly better camera. If we get colors or some other visual change, that's the reason. Maybe we'll get a iPhone with a larger display (4.8") in addition to a 4" iPhone.
 
One size fits all isn't working anymore.

Apple needs 3 sizes.

1. iPhone nano. Basic iPod and phone duties.

2. iPhone. Typical 4" display and features.

3. iPhone Pro/HD whatver. 4.8" screen 128gb, bigger battery. Quad core etc.

A lot of people really enjoy having a bigger screen. Apple is losing it's cool over it. Seriously. I know a HUGE amount of 20/30 year olds who used to be obsessed with iPhone who have switched to Android over this one issue. And they are very happy now with their big screen. None of them complain about their pockets or using it with one hand.

I know... let them get an Android. Guess what? They have. And it shows in Apple's tanking stock price.

Bigger screen? Apple will bounce back to cool again.
 
How bad are the maps now? Can't they be fixed prior to an iphone upgrade?

Maps are only bad depending on where you live. I live in Indiana and have yet to find any issues with the mapping service aside from a few streets not being labeled on my college campus (which is understandable because they were just built after tearing down old buildings and putting new ones in)

However, other places are apparently horrendous.

And to answer your other question, yes they can be fixed easily without upgrading the hardware.
 
Let's compare the iphone with the ipod.
Ipod classic= black n white= classy, standard = iphone
Ipod mini= colors= fun, youth= ipod touch

Amen
 
I think I am going to skip the next generation of iPhone and dabble in BB10 or WP8. Maybe even Galaxy S4 if it isn't gimped by a horrible screen like the GS3, or Qualcomm SOC's like the USA GS3 model.

I just don't see them, Apple, doing anything monumental in terms of hardware or user experience, but I would oh so love to be wrong.
 
Wow 6-8 colors for each capacity on each carrier? That's a metric s*** ton of SKUs.

6-8 colors? Steve would never allow it? but if they were to do that and increase the size so they would start at 32, then 64, then 128 this would be cool. I like the 32 but refuse to keep spending $300 for it, getting the 32 for $199 would be cool.
 
I don't personally want one, but I think Apple needs to make a 5.5 inch iPhone if they want to grab more of the high end market.

I'd love to see Apple make a phone like the Note 2, but it's the whole package that makes that phone great, not just the 5.5" screen - in fact, the 5.5" screen can be a negative if you realize it's only 1280x720, which you can get on a smaller screen.

It has a stylus and rather decent handwriting recognition, a wireless chip that supports virtually every gsm/cdma/lte band in the US, can take 64GB SDXC cards, has a large battery, fast processor, tons of RAM, a nice phone speaker, and a camera not unlike the iphone's (though I still prefer my P&S camera).

If Apple put all of that in a phone it'd be pretty cool, they could even call it the Phone Pro. ;)
 
I can't read this without wondering where the iPhone is headed, beyond just keeping up with incremental increases in speed/resolution/battery/connectivity trends.
 
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Jefferies analyst Peter Misek today released a new research report that is gaining attention for its claims regarding Apple's next generation of iOS devices. Based on supply chain checks, Misek believes that the iPhone 5S is likely to launch in June or July of next year, in line with several other reports citing a similar timeframe.

Misek makes a number of interesting claims regarding features of the iPhone 5S, classifying them into "likely" and "possible" but offering little expanded commentary on any of them.Going further, Misek discusses a number of different iPhone 6 prototypes he believes are currently circulating, referring to the device that would follow next year's iPhone 5S.Misek also revives talk of a low-cost iPhone at a $200-$250 price point on an unsubsidized basis, but claims that the project has not yet been given the go-ahead.

A mid-2013 launch for the iPhone 5S would make for an accelerated update cycle on the iPhone, but as was seen with the iPad this year Apple may be working to speed up the intervals between product updates in order to enhance its competitiveness. Asymco's Horace Dediu last week outlined several reasons why Apple may be making such a concerted effort, with one major reason being the strongly cyclical nature of Apple's sales that sees customers holding back on purchases for as much two quarters ahead of an expected product release. Accelerating product releases would make customers more likely to skip generations but smooth out Apple's sales numbers while keeping its products fresh and competitive.

Misek also believes that Apple will be launching the fifth-generation iPad around June of next year, with the device adopting an IGZO display to reduce thickness and weight. The iPad mini is reportedly also scheduled for an upgrade around the same time, potentially adopting multiple new colors and a Retina display.

Finally, Misek believes that Apple may launch its long-anticipated television set with gesture and voice control in September or October of 2013, with delays said to be stemming from issues with Sharp's financial stability and yields on IGZO panels. Apple is reportedly struggling with content negotiations for its rumored television set initiative, but fresh comments from CEO Tim Cook regarding television being an "area of intense interest" have continued to drive speculation about Apple's efforts.

In most cases, analyst reports should be taken with considerable skepticism, and Misek has had a mixed track record in the past. His closest hit was likely early claims of the iPhone 4S, while he has missed on other topics such as a thinner IGZO-based iPad for the third generation earlier this year and a Netflix competitor from Apple.

Article Link: Analyst Suggests iPhone 5S Could Launch in Mid-2013 with NFC, 128 GB Storage, 6-8 Colors


Why not just turn the iPad Mini into a Phablet, and then come out with 6-8 colors? I am sure someone would buy them, but we do not need a screen bigger then 4" it is perfect, had a Samsung GS3 which is 4.8" and too big to hold with one hand.
 
Well, I hope the color options on the iPhone happen on the 5S, that way when I'm ready to upgrade to the 6 I'd already have seen the colors in person and don't have to "guess" which one I'll like based on pre-order.

As for iPad, I've never considered ever owning one until recently. I'm just waiting for the full sized iPad to adopt the form / look of the iPad Mini & iPhone (edges on side are minimal).
 
I'll be able to upgrade after May. Can't wait for the 5S


Wait... What can you not, exactly, "wait" for? How are you excited about something that you know nothing about. "Man, I can't wait for food that is electronically placed into my stomach"

----------

I'd love to see Apple make a phone like the Note 2, but it's the whole package that makes that phone great, not just the 5.5" screen - in fact, the 5.5" screen can be a negative if you realize it's only 1280x720, which you can get on a smaller screen.

It has a stylus and rather decent handwriting recognition, a wireless chip that supports virtually every gsm/cdma/lte band in the US, can take 64GB SDXC cards, has a large battery, fast processor, tons of RAM, a nice phone speaker, and a camera not unlike the iphone's (though I still prefer my P&S camera).

If Apple put all of that in a phone it'd be pretty cool, they could even call it the Phone Pro. ;)

You're probably over 50
 
One size fits all isn't working anymore.

Apple needs 3 sizes.

1. iPhone nano. Basic iPod and phone duties.

2. iPhone. Typical 4" display and features.

3. iPhone Pro/HD whatver. 4.8" screen

3 sizes, I agree, but I would suggest:

4", 4.8" and 5.5" to compete in the phablet category
 
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