Apple Starts Field Testing Next Generation iPhone (3,1)

[kdarling]

Now Verizon is just starting to enable wifi on the phones which AT&T allowed from some time.

Verizon has had WiFi smartphones since 2005, the same as AT&T and Sprint.

RIM's CDMA phones did not have WiFi, partly because of battery usage, partly because of company security policies back then, and partly because it just wasn't needed as much on Verizon's wider 3G network.

We're beginning to see the same kind of comment coming from ATT users who are lucky enough to be in good, fast, solid 3G areas: that the need for WiFi pretty much drops to zero when you have good 3G.

First Verizon attacks AT&T because of the map, AT&T + Apple counter attack with being able to use voice + data at same time, and now Verizon is going after Sprint, saying they have the slowest network.

All I have to say is, thank goodness that, with the new ads, we don't have to listen to that dorky looking guy ask "Can you hear me now?". The relief is priceless.

The kicker is Verizon is now charging $350 for early termination, they did this because too many people are abandoning ship to go elsewhere.

Already discussed to death. They raised the ETF on certain devices to stop people from getting heavily subsidized units, then dropping the contract and making a profit selling them. The ETF on regular phones did not go up.

 

[jimmyjoemccrow]

We're beginning to see the same kind of comment coming from ATT users who are lucky enough to be in good, fast, solid 3G areas: that the need for WiFi pretty much drops to zero when you have good 3G.

Is broadband so bad in the States that its comparable to 3G? Surely its better to use wifi when possible because its on a fixed monthly contract whereas 3G can be charged per MB and tends to have much lower useage limits? Having said that, bandwidth useage on phones is very low in most cases because nobody is likely to download Linx distros or run torrents. Still, wifi has the edge in speed even on a non-graphic heavy site.

 

[cmaier]

Is broadband so bad in the States that its comparable to 3G? Surely its better to use wifi when possible because its on a fixed monthly contract whereas 3G can be charged per MB and tends to have much lower useage limits? Having said that, bandwidth useage on phones is very low in most cases because nobody is likely to download Linx distros or run torrents. Still, wifi has the edge in speed even on a non-graphic heavy site.

AT&T 3G is unlimited usage.

 

[captain kaos]

I call BS. Sounds far-fetched.

What do you mean BS and far fetched? The details appeared on their logs, it happened!

 

[str1f3]

AT&T 3G is unlimited usage.

That is for promotional purposes. The unofficial cap is 5 or 6GB.

 

[powers74]

Hahaha

I have to say a resounding no for OLED. Sure, it has its advantages and whatnot, but the disadvantages are not worth it. OLED's have a very short life, and different colors die at different times and such. Just no. Lets just stick with LED backlit LCD's until something better comes.

Or until OLED is improved. People whine about Apple not shipping this or that - video cards, hard drives, screens - but I go on new egg and amazon and look at the reviews for some of these things, like seagate 1.5 TBs. I'm squarely convinced Apple wants to ship the absolute most reliable products they can. And OLED, right now, is not a proven reliable technology and therefore, they will not put it in a product they sell. That simple.

I know this is going to wake the Apple-hating trolls and cause them to throw flaming lumps of dung my way, but that's what I think.

 

[jonnysods]

What do you mean BS and far fetched? The details appeared on their logs, it happened!

I think that he was joking...

 

[junior86]

remember that in the world of technology, a product's life cycle is really short. Since Apple updates its iMac, Macbook and iPhone/iPod hardware almost every year, i don't see why this news is of any surprise. it's about time they start developing and testing the next iPhone! Who doesn't want to remain king?

 

[BTW]

I hope this is a new form factor. I really would appreciate a flip phone with multi-screens. I suppose the candy bar iPhone is it for Apple. It'll be interesting to see what Apple can possibly add to the next iPhone to distance themselves from their competition.

 

[scottness]

That is for promotional purposes. The unofficial cap is 5 or 6GB.

What happens at 5 or 6GB?

 

[pixpixpix]

Better antenna

How about a better working antenna so we can actually get working PHONE service from AT&T's pitiful coverage.

 

[str1f3]

What happens at 5 or 6GB?

Either AT&T gives you a warning or terminate your contract.

 

[pixpixpix]

and please:

universal TV/DVD/VCR/TIVO remote
wireless EKG, EEG, Blood sugar monitor
128 language simultrans
Hairdryer attachment
Microwave and toaster
Ambient temperature humidity, barometric pressure and wind-gauge
Altimeter
Electric handwarmer
Jedi holovid
Find-my-keys
Wildflower and bird identifier
Portable US currency printer

So, of course some of these are too far-fetched and some of them are imminent to happen, but some are very welcome updates that would make the iPhone a One-In-All device even better than it is now! And who knows, Apple might add all of those with some renovation from their part!
here's what I would love to see in the 4th Gen. iPhone:

Hardware:
- 64 GB Capacity..

 

[jnc]

and please:

universal TV/DVD/VCR/TIVO remote
wireless EKG, EEG, Blood sugar monitor
128 language simultrans
Hairdryer attachment
Microwave and toaster
Ambient temperature humidity, barometric pressure and wind-gauge
Altimeter
Electric handwarmer
Jedi holovid
Find-my-keys
Wildflower and bird identifier
Portable US currency printer

...Most of those DO have an app!

 

[VenusianSky]

All I really want is 64GB capacity. I would even pay more for it.

 

[cmaier]

All I really want is 64GB capacity. I would even pay more for it.

Very high likelihood of 64.

 

[SpaceKitty]

What happens at 5 or 6GB?

Nothing. There has never been a %GB or 6GB soft cap. I have been asking people to provide proof of this so called soft cap for a year and there is never any proof.

 

[SpaceKitty]

Either AT&T gives you a warning or terminate your contract.

Proof please.

The 5GB bandwidth cap that AT&T has is for phones with tethering plans only and broadband cards, not iPhones or other smart phones.

 

[carlgo]

How about a better working antenna so we can actually get working PHONE service from AT&T's pitiful coverage.

You know, reception costs money what with the need for millions of towers that aren't going to be built, ever. So much easier to advertise, get exclusive rights, sue, etc.

Front facing porn camera for iChat!!! 64 bit whatever? Great, now I can...uh, have more bits. New size and colors. Wow!! Can hardly wait!!!!

 

[RBR2]

My guess would be the same hardware in a smaller 2.8inch screen size. Dont really think they`ll upgrade the processor anytime soon.

I think it depends on when they finish fiddling with their version of the ARM processor. Their variant of the dual-core Snapdragon could improve power management (and battery life!) with sufficient processing power to run any number of things better than the present generation of iPhones and, potentially, run Flash (wake up Steve) without which you do NOT have access to "all of the web".

Without knowing exactly what Apple's design objectives are for the ARM chip one can only speculate as to when it should be available, but the actual ARM Snapdragon chips are becoming available now so Apple really should be getting theirs out next year. If Apple sticks to the sometime in the Summer release schedule I could see a completely new hardware architecture...and none too soon.

Lenovo have shown a Snapdragon powered smartbook as have others.

The new iPhone could move into the slightly larger than the present form factor which comprises the in between size Intel calls Mobile Internet Devices (MID).

 

[lilo777]

Just buy second iPhone

All I really want is 64GB capacity. I would even pay more for it.

No need to wait, just buy a second iPhone then

 

[eat me]

As long as Apple keeps the same "candybar" design <...> who would know the difference between the image of this model and a prior version?

Anyone who has eyes.

 

[Kaibelf]

This new iPhone thing better not be taking resources away from the Newton II

LOL

 

[str1f3]

Proof please.

The 5GB bandwidth cap that AT&T has is for phones with tethering plans only and broadband cards, not iPhones or other smart phones.

Proof?

Yesterday i went to AT&T and talked to a sales rep explaining that i had an app for my iPhone 3G that could tether with my computer. She told me that tethering plans were 60$ a month and to be careful about what i use NetShare for. She explained that the Unlimited Data plan used to be unlimited until people started to figure out how to tether and AT&T was spending way too much money because of it. So now you have a limit of 5 Gb! She said you could go over but they would probably start to monitor your usage more closely! Who else thinks this is really stupid!

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Unlimited-ATT-Wireless-Data-Plans-About-To-Be-Capped-90892

'Unlimited' AT&T Wireless Data Plans About To Be Capped?'
Rumblings among insiders about implementing 5GB quiet cap, like Verizon...

An anonymous AT&T insider yesterday hinted to us that the company's wireless division would soon be implementing a 5GB monthly usage cap on some unlimited data plans. We contacted AT&T for official comment and were told that there's no changes in store that they're aware of, but they'd nudge us if anything official came along. Today we're seeing some discussion over at Howard's forums that would seemingly confirm there's some changes coming:

I just heard that the pda plans will no longer be unlimited but will be capped at 5 gigs. Users will not be billed overages but people with constant overages will be contacted to try to reassess the users needs. The new plans are nationwide so I'm not going to disclose my market but they are getting rid of the media bundles and M2M messaging. Text and data is now separate. PDA plans will be lowered to 30 bucks to match blackberry personal and media net unlimited is lowered to $15 bucks.
------

I could show you more but just head over to the Howard Forums to see the constant threads about this.

 

[solipsism]

agree with you! they really need to and should release alternative screen size WITH the same resolution so that the apps will still function.

some people ridicule an iphone nano simply because they cant understand that some people has got smaller fingers than themselves. and there are some of us that dont need a texas size tablet to bang their forehead against but rather use our small sized fingers (sorry for being harsh)

Changing the screen size but keeping the same resolution doesn’t mean the apps will be just as usable. Apple can easily scale what is displayed but if the display is smaller the buttons will be smaller. Why people think using the same resolution but with a higher dot pitch will make every the same size is idiotic.

The only way you’re going to see an iPhone mini is if Apple has a new UI for it which will limit the number of icons on the display. But even that is unlikely as Apple likely doesn’t want to fragment the app store for two device platforms.