Apple Working on Cheaper, Smaller iPhone and MobileMe Overhaul

[AaronEdwards]

Party like it's 1995...

Thouas who complain about this and talk about how Apple is making so much money just from selling iPhones and think that's the future.

I hope you'll again enjoy how it was back when Apple sold way less computers than the block of computers with some Microsoft OS on...

Replace Microsoft with Google and it will be like nothing has changed.

 

[JadedRaverLA]

Having worked for AT&T, here's my impression:

First, Apple doesn't sell "last year's model" at a huge discount. The full price of the phone's (currently) is:

$599 for iPhone 4 16GB
$699 for iPhone 4 32GB
$449 for iPhone 3GS 8GB

All those prices obviously fall $400 with a 2-year contract including a mandatory data package.

Where I think this rumor makes perfect sense is that if Apple could create a smaller iPhone cheaply that could retail for $250ish, without any subsidy or contract, all kinds of options could open up.

Aside from smartphones (which currently REQUIRE a data plan on AT&T) the next biggest rising market is for "messaging phones" or pseudo-smartphones. Many of these phones are poorly made and designed to hit pricepoints, but if Apple could get their new phone out in this price range -- and convince carriers to not mandate a dataplan -- this could be a huge seller for teens, tweens, and others who don't want to pay for data. Assuming they keep the WiFi ability, I can see MANY customers who otherwise wouldn't buy a smartphone making the leap -- trading constant data availability for more money in their pocket each month. And -- as long as you have unlimited texting (either individually or as part of your family plan) -- AT&T would still offer a smaller subsidy for new contracts dropping the out-of-pocket cost to $49 or so. And for those who abhor contracts or have poor credit -- $249ish out-of-pocket for the best pay-as-you-go phone ever would be a huge seller.

I would think this iPhone mini (or whatever it ends up being called) would be the phone sold by nearly every carrier possible, helping expand the iOS installed base dramatically, while the iPhone 4 and its upcoming replacement serve as the premium "dream" device within the ecosystem.

Anyway, that's what I hope they're going for -- if the thing ends up requiring a smartphone data plan (a la Microsoft's Kin), then I don't think there's much of a market. If not -- the thing could be huge.

 

[pancakedrawer]

Geography class

As was mentioned up-thread, taking last year's hardware and deeply discounting it gets the price down (for the hardware). What I think Apple should be looking at, if they are, is building a smaller iPhone to run on less-expensive networks. If you want iPhone 5 (or, I guess 4), you're on AT&T or Verizon (in the US). Send iPhone Nano to Sprint and its MVNOs.

I'm an Apple purist, but if I was platform-agnostic, I'd be looking at the LG Optimus V on Virgin Mobile. $150 hardware and $25 per month for unlimited data and texts. And 300 minutes of talk-time. That's the market Apple should be shooting for. And maybe this is there way of doing that.

You're simply quoting the fact that a few telcos give you a better deal for an android phone.
If you check your globe you'll realise there are more countries other then the USA. In Australia we can get an iPhone from Apple stores contract free for use on any network and every telco has different price plans for iPhones with various talk and data options.
Whilst Australia is too small a market to aim a single product at, India and China would be HUGE markets for a cheaper iPhone due to their relatively weaker currencies.

 

[Bonsai1214]

a mobileme overhaul would be amazing. especially if it does go free like some rumors are saying.

 

[3goldens]

Extra extra read all about it!

Apple is currently working on a microscopic cellular device that will be implanted surgically in the brain. Once activated by the cellular carrier and the user a virtual display will appear on command in the minds eyes ready for virtual commands and ones incoming and outgoing transmissions.

Said to be powered by a nuclear battery that will last the lifetime of the host, once implanted the device will enable people to send and receive all communications with out the need of any external device what so ever.

In order to receive incoming messages one would activate the device by pulling down on the right earlobe which will immediately engage and initiate an opening to the neural pathway where the device will be located and allow the transmission to be received by the host.

Once received the transmission is sent to the virtual message center in the brain, which is created once the device is implanted surgically and connected to the hosts central nervous system.

Consequently to send a messages one would simply pull on ones left earlobe to open the pathway to the virtual message center for outgoing transmissions.

One only hopes ATT is not in the running for this device as dripped calls pose significant health risks for the user which can result in severe memory loss and in some cases, death.

Next on the planning table for Apple is adding iPod and iTunes capabilities to the miniature device!

Adding these features will totally complete the user experience and eliminate any need for external hardware, and this includes headsets with all the messy cables!

 

[Thunderhawks]

MobileMe should be free with purchase of a qualifying Apple product. Simple!

Right now I don't even use my MobileMe email because Gmail is free and I don't want to get tied down with Me.com address just in case I don't feel like renewing.

Same here. Didn't renew.

MobilMe does not offer what they charge for it.

Plenty of free alternatives.

Alos, I don't like the me.com name

 

[SeaFox]

To me, having '@me.com' send the wrong message professionally. It implies that you think of yourself first...at the cost of the team effort. It was one of the stupidest things Apple Consumer Electronics has done in the last five years. It is disgraceful.

Which is why I simply ignored the name change and kept using @mac.com for my email address. Same with the mail aliases I had set up. Heck, I still go to "webmail.mac.com" to check email when I'm not at home.

 

[Kieranic]

I'm more interested in the MobileMe upgrade actually. If it'll let us upload files like it said it would for free, count me already signed up!

 

[cloakedpegasus]

MobileMe needs more than just an overhaul. It needs starting from scratch. Even if it was 100% free, the only thing most people would use is find my iphone/pad. Everyones already got an email account, and most people (I'm talking about the majority, and not those that live in the Apple Advert fantasy world) will never use photo galleries or calendars on a regular basis.

As it currently stands, MobileMe is mediocre junk with a fancy UI. To top it off, its crap if you're outside the US. Upload/Download speeds are appallingly slow. until they get geocentric locations they will continue to fail on this front.

You haven't even used Mobileme. I can tell.

 

[shartypants]

When you think about how thing will be in the future, you can bet Apple is working towards that (but they usually wait until it is technologically viable). With storage and bandwidth the way it has become, I can see us at the point of being able to download assets we've purchased when we need them (but using local storage to cache them).

 

[cmaier]

You haven't even used Mobileme. I can tell.

I use it, and he's right.

 

[newdeal]

...

I would want a 4.5-5" iphone not a smaller one. As long as its small enough to fit in my pocket I want the biggest screen I can get

 

[Mr. Savage]

So, according to Mr. Jobs, a 7 inch tablet is too small, but a smaller iPhone in some way makes sense?

The only way a smaller iPhone makes sense is if it is just a phone/iPod but no internet capability and hence no big monthly bill. A phone for the kids in other words.

 

[blackpond]

You've failed to state why it should be free. Gmail is not free - gmail costs your data and contacts being used to advertise to you. Apple does not do this. But if you're ok with that, then use GMail and stop caring about Mobile Me.

Sure, we'd all like free stuff from Apple, but come on - why would a business give you value-added service for free?

I've been using gmail through Google Apps with my own domain name for POP3 and IMAP access for a couple of years now. Free. No advertising anywhere...

I enjoy it, but frankly, I don't know why Google is doing it... and don't really care until something changes.

 

[zenio]

So, according to Mr. Jobs, a 7 inch tablet is too small, but a smaller iPhone in some way makes sense?

The only way a smaller iPhone makes sense is if it is just a phone/iPod but no internet capability and hence no big monthly bill. A phone for the kids in other words.

Steve Jobs singular focus is on profits first & public attention & recognition second. The devices he sells to fill his personal needs, are simply the means to the end.

 

[ArchaicRevival]

I am about to switch to Virgin Mobile's $25/a month and the best phone there is the LG Optimus V. Which is fine. However, if the smaller iPhone goes on prepaid plans, especially Virgin Mobile that would be awesome. I don't use more than 300 minutes a month, and unlimited texting and web? I couldn't ask for more. Screw $30 unlimited data, plus another $30 for minutes and texting.. That's just BS.

 

[shahr04360]

It's finally but still rumors...

 

[GorgonPhone]

I wana bigger iPhone option

 

[GorgonPhone]

So, according to Mr. Jobs, a 7 inch tablet is too small, but a smaller iPhone in some way makes sense?

The only way a smaller iPhone makes sense is if it is just a phone/iPod but no internet capability and hence no big monthly bill. A phone for the kids in other words.

Yes cause women want smaller and if you economics youbknow that women are the most valuable consumers so its a no brained to make a smaller "cuter" iPhone to getvmore womens approval which is why the original iPhone is soo damn small too

 

[SicMX]

I wouldn't mind having an iPhone that is as thin as the iPod Touch 4G

The downsides on the iPhone Nano (compared to the iPhone 5):

- worse camera
- worse battery life
- no LTE
- worse speaker
- no physical buttons except sleep and maybe volume
- single core CPU
- less RAM
- less flash (4-16gb?)

What should be the same:

- same resolution
- same screen size
- facetime cam
- NFC chip

I think the iPhone Nano would be a great move, especially for women because the current iPhone design doesn't really appeal to women.

 

[hleewell]

If Apple is seriously considering an iPhone Mini, what's stopping them for releasing an iPad Mini? For those 7" tablet fans, there is hope yet.

 

[sk58781111]

No one asked for the new iPod Nano either, but here we are. A device so damn small, you can barely use it (if you haven't lost it already).

true. ipod nano is a joke and it epitomizes apple's new design philosphy of "fashion over function". ive and jobs are getting a little too cute with their designs.

 

[sk58781111]

Yes cause women want smaller and if you economics youbknow that women are the most valuable consumers so its a no brained to make a smaller "cuter" iPhone to getvmore womens approval which is why the original iPhone is soo damn small too

dumbest thing i've ever heard!!! you act as if you work in market reseach and know for sure what women want. second, if apple minimized the ginormous bezels and home button on the current iphone, a 4.3" screen would only be slightly wider.

 

[AaronEdwards]

So, according to Mr. Jobs, a 7 inch tablet is too small, but a smaller iPhone in some way makes sense?

The only way a smaller iPhone makes sense is if it is just a phone/iPod but no internet capability and hence no big monthly bill. A phone for the kids in other words.

A not necessarily smaller, but cheaper iPhone makes sense if Apple doesn't want Android to totally dominate the cheaper segment of smart phones and thus also app sales.

A phone/iPod for kids without internet capability doesn't make any sense at all. Apple makes money from smart phones in two ways:
1. profit from selling the smart phone
2. a percentage on the app sales

Apple releasing a dumb phone is... just dumb. They won't make any money from it.

 

[kalsta]

Free MobileMe? Uh, no :|
Not after I paid it for three years. Like a previous commenter said, it's insulting to paying customers when suddenly everyone can go and get a free MM.

Oh get over yourself. So you paid for something for three years. No one held a gun to your head. You paid for it, you enjoyed its use. If it becomes free, you will benefit just as much as everyone else from that point forward.

I paid for it for one year. Personally I thought it wasn't worth the money. But I miss the ability to sync all my Macs and iOS devices easily, and am amazed that Apple still makes people pay a premium for this. Free MobileMe represents a great opportunity for Apple to add value to its range of products. I think they already know this, and we will see it (or at least part of it) become free before too long. (Although I've been saying this for a little while now!)