Apple Phone In August?

[Darrin Bell]

Exactly. How could a non-player break open the market without the big companies support and infrastructure? It's not a computer that people want to carry around. It is an extremely simple to use, not bulky, communication device.

Using VoIP and 3G technology would be great but what service is ready to provide it in the U.S.?

Cingular. I just bought their new LG CU500, a 3G phone (still trying to get it to work as a modem with my Powerbook, but I have no clue how to do it -- I'll probably end up going into an Apple or Cingular store for help). Their high-speed network is fairly large in CA, and growing.

 

[lazyrighteye]

Not Flip

I can already see Phil sitting in the audience and then Job's cell phone rings..

Jobs: um..excuse me a sec..Seems I have a phone call..
Pulls out this cool looking cell phone,flips it open and says hello?
Phil: Say Steve,can we have a chat real fast ? then starts up iChat on his iPhone..
Jobs: starts up iChat on his cell phone..

The rest is history 😀

While I don't believe it will be a flip phone (more candy bar, something between an iPod and a Nano - speaking of, VZW recently announced their new Nanoish Chocolate: talk about a stupid name), everything else you speculate? Oh yeah. Dope.

Should a more integrated, Apple-branded phone hit the street, it is quite likely that I'll kick VZW to the curb. Real quick like. Penalty or not. There just seems SUCH an opportunity for someone to swoop in and redefine the cell phone market/experience.

APPL could be that someone...

 

[netdog]

but what I am trying to say is, that I disagree about reception of Verizon: it's very good, and especially so outside of the major business cities like NYC and Washington. My wife's T-Mobile often is out of range when we travel, and we have to use my Verizon phone.

That is only because CDMA had such a jump on GSM in the USA, and the GSM carriers in the USA are still smaller. Verizon also has a massive analog network that T-Mobile won't touch as their phones are GSM only.

Unfortunately, the free market approach adopted when installing networks in the USA has led to a number of problems, and while you might think Verizon service is good relative to the other US carriers, it cannot compare to the carriers in Europe who use a shared GSM network that was adopted after much deliberation. Like most of the world, we are GSM-only.

 

[iMacZealot]

That is only because CDMA had such a jump on GSM in the USA, and the GSM carriers in the USA are still smaller. Verizon also has a massive analog network that T-Mobile won't touch as their phones are GSM only.

Unfortunately, the free market approach adopted when installing networks in the USA has led to a number of problems, and while you might think Verizon service is good relative to the other US carriers, it cannot compare to the carriers in Europe who use a shared GSM network that was adopted after much deliberation. Like most of the world, we are GSM-only.

That's why I'm switching from VZW to T-Mobile!

 

[netdog]

The Killer iPhone App...

Wifi. Free iChat/Skype calls from any Wifi hotspot. They can't leave this one out. If it is good enough, I might throw away my landline phone.

Yeah. I'm gonna go ahead and be the party pooper: there is no iPhone people. Let's concentrate on the 'true video iPod' rumors instead. Or bring back the 'PowerBook G5 next Tuesday!!1' threads. But this, not happening

And for good measure, I hope I am wrong 😉

I thought Apple confirmed that it was working on a phone during their 3Q financial report.

 

[iFry]

Wifi. Free iChat/Skype calls from any Wifi hotspot.

would be hot

MY FIRST POST. Hey everybody 😀

 

[donlphi]

High Hopes

CHECK OUT THESE STRINGS I FOUND IN iPOD UPDATER!!!

strings "iPod Updater 2006-06-28.exe" | grep -i FEATURE
t_hw_feature_
t_hw_feature_
t_feature_
t_feature_app_A_CRAPPY_MACRUMOR
t_feature_app_THAT_HAS_BEEN_GOING
t_feature_app_ON_FOR_NEARLY_A_YEAR
t_feature_app_I_WILL_BELIEVE_IT
t_feature_app_WHEN_I_SEE_IT
t_feature_app_
t_feature_app_SCREW_THE_PHONE
t_feature_app_STICK_TO_COMPUTERS
t_feature_app_
t_feature_app_BRING BACK THE NEWTON_APP
t_feature_app_
t_feature_app_PLEASE_APP
t_feature_app_
t_feature_app_PREDICTING_AN_IPHONE
t_feature_app_IS_LIKE_PREDICTING_FASTER
t_feature_app_PROCESSORS_AND_MONITORS
t_feature_app_WITH_BETTER_RESOLUTION
t_feature_app_
t_feature_app_LOOKING_FORWARD_TO_AUGUST
t_feature_app_SO_YOU_ARE_ALL_DISAPPOINTED
t_feature_app_
t_feature_app_VIDEO_APP <---VIDEO CHAT WITH SKYPE???? WOOO HOO
t_feature_app_RADIO_APP
t_feature_app_RADIO_MOREREGIONS
t_feature_app_RADIO_SCANSUPPORT
t_feature_app_RADIO_DISPLAYFADED
t_feature_app_EAPPSHELL
t_feature_app_PHONE_APP <---------IT MUST MEAN AN iPHONE (HA HA HA)
t_feature_app_MESSENGER_APP
t_feature_app_CAL_APP
t_feature_app_TRAINER_APP
t_feature_app_SEARCH_APP
t_feature_SHUFFLESONGS
t_feature_READING_SPEED
t_feature_MULTIPLE_OTG
t_feature_PODCASTS
t_feature_LYRICS <----------KARAOKE FEATURE?
t_feature_CLOCK
t_feature_WORLD_CLOCK
t_feature_UNIT_TESTS
t_feature_FONT_MENU
t_feature_EXPANDED_FONT_CHOICES <-----MORE THAN ONE FONT???? WOW
t_feature_SHOWSETTINGVALUE
t_feature_ALBUM_ARTWORK
t_feature_EXTRAS_CACHE
t_feature_app_LOCK_APP
t_feature_ALARMS
t_feature_SPEAKERS
t_feature_CARDREADER_SUPPORTED
t_feature_iMA_TestImageFolder
t_feature_view_GRAPHICEQ
t_feature_view_INDICATOR
t_feature_view_OVERLAY
t_feature_view_APPLETALKBALLOON
t_feature_view_APPLEKEYBOARD
t_feature_graphics_COLOR
t_feature_APPEARANCE_CHOICES
t_feature_TIER3_LANGUAGES
t_feature_ALBUMART_BROWSE
t_feature_MENU_BACKGROUND
t_feature_STARTUP_PHOTO
t_feature_EXTRA_REMOTE_COMMANDS
t_feature_LOCK_ORIGINAL
t_feature_QUICKFIND
t_feature_CONTEXTUAL_MENUS
t_feature_BRIGHTNESS_CONTROL
t_feature_TIMEBOMB <---------CAREFUL WITH THIS ONE!!!!
__USE_ORIGINALLY_PLANNED_FEATURES___


I'm just as amazed as the rest of you!

See you on the 7th!

 

[canolapop]

couldn't they just release it as an UNLOCKED phone, sell it on their site and allow us to use it with who ever?

 

[iMacZealot]

CHECK OUT THESE STRINGS I FOUND IN iPOD UPDATER!!!

strings "iPod Updater 2006-06-28.exe" | grep -i FEATURE
t_hw_feature_
t_hw_feature_
t_feature_
t_feature_app_A_CRAPPY_MACRUMOR
t_feature_app_THAT_HAS_BEEN_GOING
t_feature_app_ON_FOR_NEARLY_A_YEAR
t_feature_app_I_WILL_BELIEVE_IT
t_feature_app_WHEN_I_SEE_IT
t_feature_app_
t_feature_app_SCREW_THE_PHONE
t_feature_app_STICK_TO_COMPUTERS
t_feature_app_
t_feature_app_BRING BACK THE NEWTON_APP
t_feature_app_
t_feature_app_PLEASE_APP
t_feature_app_
t_feature_app_PREDICTING_AN_IPHONE
t_feature_app_IS_LIKE_PREDICTING_FASTER
t_feature_app_PROCESSORS_AND_MONITORS
t_feature_app_WITH_BETTER_RESOLUTION
t_feature_app_
t_feature_app_LOOKING_FORWARD_TO_AUGUST
t_feature_app_SO_YOU_ARE_ALL_DISAPPOINTED
t_feature_app_
t_feature_app_VIDEO_APP <---VIDEO CHAT WITH SKYPE???? WOOO HOO
t_feature_app_RADIO_APP
t_feature_app_RADIO_MOREREGIONS
t_feature_app_RADIO_SCANSUPPORT
t_feature_app_RADIO_DISPLAYFADED
t_feature_app_EAPPSHELL
t_feature_app_PHONE_APP <---------IT MUST MEAN AN iPHONE (HA HA HA)
t_feature_app_MESSENGER_APP
t_feature_app_CAL_APP
t_feature_app_TRAINER_APP
t_feature_app_SEARCH_APP
t_feature_SHUFFLESONGS
t_feature_READING_SPEED
t_feature_MULTIPLE_OTG
t_feature_PODCASTS
t_feature_LYRICS <----------KARAOKE FEATURE?
t_feature_CLOCK
t_feature_WORLD_CLOCK
t_feature_UNIT_TESTS
t_feature_FONT_MENU
t_feature_EXPANDED_FONT_CHOICES <-----MORE THAN ONE FONT???? WOW
t_feature_SHOWSETTINGVALUE
t_feature_ALBUM_ARTWORK
t_feature_EXTRAS_CACHE
t_feature_app_LOCK_APP
t_feature_ALARMS
t_feature_SPEAKERS
t_feature_CARDREADER_SUPPORTED
t_feature_iMA_TestImageFolder
t_feature_view_GRAPHICEQ
t_feature_view_INDICATOR
t_feature_view_OVERLAY
t_feature_view_APPLETALKBALLOON
t_feature_view_APPLEKEYBOARD
t_feature_graphics_COLOR
t_feature_APPEARANCE_CHOICES
t_feature_TIER3_LANGUAGES
t_feature_ALBUMART_BROWSE
t_feature_MENU_BACKGROUND
t_feature_STARTUP_PHOTO
t_feature_EXTRA_REMOTE_COMMANDS
t_feature_LOCK_ORIGINAL
t_feature_QUICKFIND
t_feature_CONTEXTUAL_MENUS
t_feature_BRIGHTNESS_CONTROL
t_feature_TIMEBOMB <---------CAREFUL WITH THIS ONE!!!!
__USE_ORIGINALLY_PLANNED_FEATURES___


I'm just as amazed as the rest of you!

See you on the 7th!

Wow. That must've wasted a ton of your time.




I don't believe this rumour to be honest, but it's fun to spectulate.

 

[netdog]

Wow. That must've wasted a ton of your time.




I don't believe this rumour to be honest, but it's fun to spectulate.

For goodness sakes, the delivery date aside, Apple has already virtually confirmed that an Apple phone is on the way.

 

[iMacZealot]

For goodness sakes, the delivery date aside, Apple has already virtually confirmed that an Apple phone is on the way.

Let me rephrase that: I think we're all getting way too ahead of ourselves. The source of this all is some "tech-unsavvy photographer that Apple hires" according to another crappy tech website. I don't know if it's true or not, but we're all just way too ahead of ourselves with free phone calls through AirPort or whatever.

 

[theappleguy]

couldn't they just release it as an UNLOCKED phone, sell it on their site and allow us to use it with who ever?

I'm sure they would. If they did choose to only make it available to Verizon/T-Mobile etc then they would either have to sell unlocked versions in other countries where those networks don't operate or loose a large amount of sales.

 

[netdog]

Let me rephrase that: I think we're all getting way too ahead of ourselves. The source of this all is some "tech-unsavvy photographer that Apple hires" according to another crappy tech website. I don't know if it's true or not, but we're all just way too ahead of ourselves with free phone calls through AirPort or whatever.

I'll be VERY surprised if the Apple phone doesn't support Wifi.

I'll be very surprised if iChat doesn't start supporting phone calls.

I be somewhat surprised if the Apple phone doesn't support Skype, though they may develop an iChat to compete with Skype (a mistake in my opinion).

 

[TBR]

I would go for an Apple phone if they are as easy to use and featurepacked as a sony erriccson, but with that special apple-y goodness like a wifi voip mode or ichat voice and video hook up or something.

That really would be very very cool.

 

[infobhan]

I'll be VERY surprised if the Apple phone doesn't support Wifi.

A WiFi phone would be unlikely, in my mind. WiFi is not yet ubiquitous, so this would be of limited usefulness. Furthermore, WiFi is a notorious waster of battery life, and this device will have to be small to be successful.

 

[April Dancer]

couldn't they just release it as an UNLOCKED phone, sell it on their site and allow us to use it with who ever?

I really think that would be the best and most sensible option. Sell it sim-free, put it on the shelves in the AS next to the iPods and it'll fly away... the first one into my pocket! It might affect sales of the Nano (but it's all Apple sales so...) but it won't touch the high end iPod. I'm keeping my 5G and replacing it with the fabled all singing all dancing 6G if it ever materialises.

My contract is up next month and I was eyeballing the SE W850 but if there's going to be an Apple logo on any phone soon, I'm having it. Sad I know but hey!

Mind you, how long will it take to get to the UK? I'll probably be able to complete another year's contract before then!

 

[Jeevs bost]

Apple Phone

Sorry to be a killjoy but I know for a fact that if this photographer did do any work for Apple he would of had to of signed a non disclosure agreement and as such would of been 100% bound to it, (unless of course he never wanted to work again and get his ass sued off). I know because I am a digital illustrator ( http://www.anthony-robinson.com ) sorry couldn't resist! 😀 and if I ever do any ad work this is standard practice.
I'm not denying that Apple might be developing a phone but for sure, this guy knows nothing about it.

 

[mackiwi]

Apple DOES have a phone...

As other posters have said...they practically announced it during the last financial anaylyst conference call.

There will be a phone released. No question about that.

The questions are:

- when?
- features?
- will apple do it themselves or seek joint partners?

 

[Jeevs bost]

Yeah, agreed, but I'm just saying that there's no truth in the "photographer" crap. This is totally false.

 

[artifex]

I don't understand how this made it off Page 2.

 

[mackiwi]

true. the photographer thing is a bit whiffy.

I think its basically going to be similar to a nano, with a unique original keypad design and larger screen. maybe throw in an isight or 2 for good measure.

 

[needthephone]

I hope this is true. I have a nokia 6280 which I was given when I extended my 3 contract. At fisrt I thought who needs an ipod but as an MP3 player its an absolute dog. It keeps crashing, it has extremely basic playlist control and is best really as a random shuffle type player really.Not bad sound though.

As for the source of the rumour, just don't believe the photographer leak as everyone involved in product development signs NDA as everyone's pointed out.

If its true, I think Apple probably leaked it or authorised the leak to generate a buzz to counter the Zune buzz-it happens all the time. Record companies always protest when songs or albums are released on the net but I know a lot of these leaks are from the record companies themselves (or engineered by them). The publicity is gold dust.

I doubt we will see this phone in OZ for a while though even if it comes out in August (which I doubt somehow)

 

[ddrueckhammer]

A WiFi phone would be unlikely, in my mind. WiFi is not yet ubiquitous, so this would be of limited usefulness. Furthermore, WiFi is a notorious waster of battery life, and this device will have to be small to be successful.

People say this about bluetooth too but the thing is, you don't have to keep it on all the time (Bluetooth doesn't drain the battery on my phone because I turn it off when not in use). I would love to see some sort of wireless connectivity that can be turned on or off in order to sync wirelessly with a car stereo. This could replace CD players in cars if you could wirelessly play your music in any car you get into just by syncing your iPod with the network. Also, calls could be Wifi only when you are within the range of a Wifi network. It would be phenominal but I can see the carriers in the US trying to make it incompatible with their networks even if the phones are unlocked because it is inconsistent with their strategic goals. The US cell companies basically could care less about making a good product or their customers. They are ***holes...

 

[6914708]

great, and i just signed up for 2 years with t-mobile. thats usually my luck. I think it would be like 200$ to cancel.. not worth it

 

[peeInMyPantz]

I just don't see any advantage for candy bars....at least in the US. Would you care to elaborate?

no advantages.. it's just nice