The 3GS is an obsolete device. Apple wants to market a current low priced device. Not a passed discounted hand me down device like the 3GS. Just like the whole 'wait until the summer for iPhone 5' argument. People want what is current. The iPhone 3GS or a discounted iPhone 4 when iPhone 5 is released doesn't offer that. This makes perfect sense and I am surprised it didn't happen sooner. Apple is in the game to make money. Not just to please fanboys.
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Apple Planning Smaller iPhone Priced at $200 Without Contract
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The 3GS is an obsolete device. Apple wants to market a current low priced device. Not a passed discounted hand me down device like the 3GS. Just like the whole 'wait until the summer for iPhone 5' argument. People want what is current. The iPhone 3GS or a discounted iPhone 4 when iPhone 5 is released doesn't offer that. This makes perfect sense and I am surprised it didn't happen sooner. Apple is in the game to make money. Not just to please fanboys.
Exactly. It was the circular wheel on iPods that made iPods so great. Now look at 75% of the iPods out there. They are just touch screens with no wheels at all. Apple is going to do not only whatever it takes to keep up with competition and the market, but most importantly, to make money. They are a very smart company with a lot of very wealthy investors. They've done their research. If this is what they feel is going to increase profits, than this is what they're going to do. It make sense that it would happen this summer. iPhone 5 coming out this June wouldn't make much sense after launching it to 2 million new customers 4 months prior. They're better off releasing it in January of 2012 and gaining a better opportunity to yield more of those customers to purchasing a new device.
It's not obsolete until Apple stop selling it. Even then, they should honour it for 12 months, unlike what they did with the iPod Touch in September and ripping everyone off
If Apple was to make a smaller form factor iPhone to retail at $199, I think they would probably use something like the iPod Nano's OS, not iOS. That way it doesn't compete with the iPod Touch and makes the regular iPhone more appealing.
Just my 2¢
Just my 2¢
I wouldn't want one, but I can see many people wanting something cheaper, although those are the people that might not appreciate how much better an iPhone is over an Android device.
Nice try but they aren't putting a smaller iPhone out with the same processor as the traditional iPhone. People buy the 3GS. People like the 3GS. People buy out-of-date phones all the time. If you provide them an iPhone to buy they will buy it. This will make them money.
Of course it is going to make them money. But people are much more likely to purchase a current, new, latest device, than a discounted out of date device.
On the other hand, to play devils advocate, a concern would be how much something like this would take away from sales of a full blown iPhone 4 or iPhone 5. They could also end up losing money on something like this. In the end, they will do what they think is fiscally best, based on their research.
Not going to happen, the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS are both the top 5 selling phones of 2010.
http://www.mobile88.com/news/read.asp?file=/2011/1/6/20110105120616&phone=best_selling-phones-2010
http://www.mobile88.com/news/read.asp?file=/2011/1/6/20110105120616&phone=best_selling-phones-2010
My brother in law called me from across country last week with his 3GS. It worked fine.
Hardly obsolete.
It's not obsolete until Apple stop selling it. Even then, they should honour it for 12 months, unlike what they did with the iPod Touch in September and ripping everyone off
The 3GS is a great and up to date phone in my eyes. But many people are ignorant. Most consumers are ignorant. They think if it's not the latest device, it's not good enough. Same reason why many Verizon customers are waiting until June to purchase the speculated iPhone 5 and why AT&T people argue it's stupid to buy a Verizon iPhone 4--because a new one will be out in 4 months. We talk about it all day long on this forum. Most people want what is new and current, no matter how good past products are.
For example if Apple came out with a 3GS spec type phone tomorrow, brand new, called it iPhone 4 nano (again, exact same specs as the 3GS with a prettier housing) -- it would blow 3GS 2011 sales out of the water. I mean it wouldn't even be close. And for one reason: not because it's better or faster. Because it's new.
Precisely, those who think Apple aren't going to introduce cheaper smaller models have no understanding of the company.
I'd beg to differ...
...I think there is a market for a simpler and smaller Apple handset. There are quite a few people out there that just want a phone (i.e. none/very limited data, etc.) Just a handset that makes calls, SMS messaging, and emails - no App Store eco-system. I've spoken at length to various people about this - if Apple only made a simpler iPhone. It would certainly be ideal for older folks who don't really understand the iPhone in its current ilk, but would like a phone that's better than the one they have now. I have older relatives that still use Sanyo's Katana but are ready to step up to a more capable device without the steep learning curve. This is where an "iPhone Nano" or what-say-you would blend nicely. Hope this rumor is true.
...I think there is a market for a simpler and smaller Apple handset. There are quite a few people out there that just want a phone (i.e. none/very limited data, etc.) Just a handset that makes calls, SMS messaging, and emails - no App Store eco-system. I've spoken at length to various people about this - if Apple only made a simpler iPhone. It would certainly be ideal for older folks who don't really understand the iPhone in its current ilk, but would like a phone that's better than the one they have now. I have older relatives that still use Sanyo's Katana
but are ready to step up to a more capable device without the steep learning curve. This is where an "iPhone Nano" or what-say-you would blend nicely. Hope this rumor is true.
In spite of the nay-sayers, you may be right, looks like something AAPL would almost have to do to keep in the fight.
HP Veer
Maybe someone saw an HP Veer (2.4" multi-touch display) prototype and confused it with an Apple rumor?
Maybe someone saw an HP Veer (2.4" multi-touch display) prototype and confused it with an Apple rumor?
OK, but they could pare down iOS to run like Pico. I don't know. I myself, don't see a smaller/cheaper iPhone coming out, but I was saying that if they did do it, it would probably have a lot less functionality than the current iPhone. ie. no Maps, GPS, etc... A lot like the iPod Nano vs. the iPod Touch. And if there is no App Store on it, they can have whatever resolution they want for the display.
...I think there is a market for a simpler and smaller Apple handset. There are quite a few people out there that just want a phone (i.e. none/very limited data, etc.) Just a handset that makes calls, SMS messaging, and emails - no App Store eco-system. I've spoken at length to various people about this - if Apple only made a simpler iPhone. It would certainly be ideal for older folks who don't really understand the iPhone in its current ilk, but would like a phone that's better than the one they have now. I have older relatives that still use Sanyo's Katana
So a phone for old people? Doesn't really have the sex appeal Apple is known for.
this makes no sense, sorry man, i dont see apple developing a os for a simple phone withouit features just so they could compete with the fact android is whored out to every other phone, if apple does a different iphone its going to have ios for sure.
ipod/iphone nano connection?
Probably doesn't mean anything but based on the history of the iPod and nano (excluding the mini), take a look at the launch dates...
Original iPod launched: October 23, 2001
Original iPod nano launched: September 07, 2005
Original iPhone launched: June 29, 2007
**iPhone nano to launch: June/July 2011?
Probably doesn't mean anything but based on the history of the iPod and nano (excluding the mini), take a look at the launch dates...
Original iPod launched: October 23, 2001
Original iPod nano launched: September 07, 2005
Original iPhone launched: June 29, 2007
**iPhone nano to launch: June/July 2011?
would piss everyone off if the rumours of a summer release of the iphone 5 turns out to be a different cheaper simples device e.g. "iphone nano"
also, why not an iphone shuffle ? with only a dial button so it can dial randomly to anyone youve got on the contact list