Apple Consolidating AV Cables ahead of iPhone HD launch

[Brien]

If there were ever to be a "cheaper" iPhone model, it'll be feature equivalent (or just flat out the same) to what exists now.

What I envision, if Apple does substantially bump the specs of the iPhone this revision, is that they'll likely discontinue the 8GB iPhone 3G and the white iPhone 3G.

The 16GB black 3G would drop to $199, and a new, 16GB iPhone HD would debut at $299, along with a 32GB iPhone HD at $399.

It's also a possibility of the capacities going 8/16/32 or 8/16/16, but I think it's very likely we'll see 3 pricing tiers this time around.

 

[Sol]

Won't happen. According to their latest earnings call, Apple TV sales grew more than 300% in Q1 '09 over Q1 '08. This is an emerging market for Apple.

If the Apple TV is going to stay limited to Video, Music, Picture and YouTube playback functionality then why not consolidate the software into an iPod connected to an IR capable dock? The iPod Touch and iPhone will be on par with the Apple TV hardware if they can play HD videos in the next revision and the user experience could be the same as it is now for Apple TV users.

 

[Luke1robb]

I love that people complain when MS has different versions of their OS, but when Apple does it it is an amazing idea.

I don't get it. MS makes different versions of its OS, Apple doesn't. Simple as that. Unless you're talking about OS X 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, etc., but I take that as good progress. MS, unfortunately has to release huge packages every 3-5 years because its bound to need large SPs, yet never really gains features. So what if Apple charges for upgrades, at least they come with new features.

 

[Luke1robb]

I agree, it would be a smart move on Apple's part if they had a "cheaper" iPhone for basic consumers and another for power users. Not everyone needs all of the same capabilities on their iPhone.

My only hope and concern is that if Apple comes out with a "cheaper" version, it needs to come with a cheaper data plan. The main reason I hear people saying they don't want an iPhone is the data and monthly plan, not the entry costs. An iPhone 3G with a $20 cheaper a month plan would sell like hot cakes. Maybe limit the data or something.

 

[cellocello]

My only hope and concern is that if Apple comes out with a "cheaper" version, it needs to come with a cheaper data plan. The main reason I hear people saying they don't want an iPhone is the data and monthly plan, not the entry costs. An iPhone 3G with a $20 cheaper a month plan would sell like hot cakes. Maybe limit the data or something.

This is completely up to the carrier.

Why do people keep thinking Apple controls the price of the monthly service? If you got a beef with your monthly bill, take it up with your carrier.

 

[cWeems]

What on earth does a phone power user look like?

13 year old girl texting her bff to lol and rofl?

 

[fleshman03]

No way. Who wants to miss phone calls or stop checking their e-mail on the sofa because they're watching a movie?

And heck, forgetting all that, the BEST way to use an Apple TV today is to control it with the 'Remote' app on the iPhone. If you plugged your iPhone into the TV, you'd lose out on the Apple TV's killer feature!

Now, what they COULD do is come up with an even smaller Apple TV that looks a lot like an iPhone without a screen on it. I can certainly see that happening. And yes, you're right that future iPhones will be capable of this and people using an iPhone as an Apple TV will be common...but not common enough that they'll stop making Apple TVs altogether.

Apple TV will never take off until it has a DVR. As it is today, a Mac Mini + EyetV. Sure it's more than $250, but it does a lot more.

I personally do not want to pay money to allow someone to sell me things. I just see the failed logic in that.

(Xbox 360 + USB Drive does everything the Apple TV does now + Games @ a lower price.)

Combining the two (iPhone + Apple TV) into a device would be very cool. You could even get on screen notifications as to incoming calls. Maybe when you choose to accept it, it will pause the Movie/Show.

Although this will likely be more like connecting an iPod to a TV. Still though, not a bad solution if it can work property. (Issues like Co-Axal/HDMI...)

 

[KingHuds]

I don't get it. MS makes different versions of its OS, Apple doesn't. Simple as that. Unless you're talking about OS X 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, etc., but I take that as good progress. MS, unfortunately has to release huge packages every 3-5 years because its bound to need large SPs, yet never really gains features. So what if Apple charges for upgrades, at least they come with new features.

Apple does the exact same thing with hardware, as someone posted earlier.

 

[Luke1robb]

This is completely up to the carrier.

Why do people keep thinking Apple controls the price of the monthly service? If you got a beef with your monthly bill, take it up with your carrier.

I wasn't complaining towards Apple, but looking at the logistics of 2 models. Would AT&T or (insert carrier) give a cheaper data plan? I know they do limited plans overseas, maybe we'll start seeing those here.

 

[redman042]

Contrary to a lot of people's opinions, I sure don't think we will see a higher resolution screen on the new iPhone. Think about it:

The existing screen is already pretty high resolution for a phone this size, and looks great.

The amount of stuff they can cram on the screen is limited by readability and the touch based interface. So higher rez will not enable a more "dense" UI.

A higher rez means compatibility issues with existing software.

A higher rez screen will cost more to produce, use more battery life, and put a much higher burden on the graphics processor.

Feeding video to that higher rez screen means eating up a lot more storage space for the video files.

A higher rez screen will really not sell more iPhones, at least not enough to matter. Ask 1000 people who do not own iPhones what would make them buy one, and I bet not one of them will say "the screen needs to be higher rez". I can think of a lot of other features they'd ask for, but not that.

Apple is all about maintaining high profit margins on their products. If they are going to increase the cost to manufacture the product, they will spend those bucks on features that matter most to customers, like megapixels on the camera, battery life, appearance, etc.

The only potential screen upgrade I see on the iPhone this summer is OLED, maybe. But I kind of doubt that too. Too new a technology, and the Samsung OLED phones I've seen are bright but grainy.

Now, it IS possible we'll see an Apple netbook based on the iPhone, and THAT would likely have a higher rez screen, but that's different.

 

[FearNo1]

Heh..true...good point

I love that people complain when MS has different versions of their OS, but when Apple does it it is an amazing idea.