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AT&T Mobility CEO: 3G iPhone Coming in 'Months'
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My take
A lot of people are wondering if there will be a "cheaper" Edge iPhone when the 3G model is released.
I think Apple will simply drop Edge.
If they were to release a less expensive model along with the 3G upgrade, I'd expect that to be something resembling the iPod Nano: Small, slim, and sexy, plays music, works as a phone, wheel probably replaced with a smaller touchscreen, no Internet, selling between $150-250.
Branding: "iPhone Nano"?
Mark my words!
A lot of people are wondering if there will be a "cheaper" Edge iPhone when the 3G model is released.
I think Apple will simply drop Edge.
If they were to release a less expensive model along with the 3G upgrade, I'd expect that to be something resembling the iPod Nano: Small, slim, and sexy, plays music, works as a phone, wheel probably replaced with a smaller touchscreen, no Internet, selling between $150-250.
Branding: "iPhone Nano"?
Mark my words!
It would be very easy to see which Patent Attourney's put the apple patents together and hence incriminate the firm (AND THEREFORE HIS DEAR RELATIVE!) so there is no way this company at this level and dealing with for all companies apple, THE most secretive on the planet would divulge this kind of info to a relative, not even a close one. I have dealt with big US Patent firms and its like stepping into a US Lawyer series, all sharp suits, beautiful office suites in central CBD Tower blocks and total total professionalism. They wouldn't even discuss cases with their wives so yes that guy is telling porkies. Patents are all about prior art, disclosure and basically keeping ideas secret. It would be like a doctor knowingly prescribing the wrong and possibly harmful drug. No way.
My guess is October...always believed it to be October (well, November, but I'll take October
I mean, they already let the 16 GB out...now they're gonna release a 3G version only four months after that? It's not like it's a simple memory upgrade...Some people are gonna be
im going to be
if its going to come out early. .ill be
if its going to come out later on like say Q3 - Q4?
With the exclusive AT&T deal, and as CDMA (with a few exceptions) is an American phenomenon, there will not be a CDMA iPhone at least until the AT&T contract runs out, and probably not then either.
Before iPhone came out, people were posting weblog entries to show the device was being used to visit web pages. Has similar activity been viewed for prototype iPhone 2 devices and software yet?
Rocketman
Rocketman
Two models
I would imagine that if the cost of the new device is higher, and hence the selling price is also higher they will leave a 2.5G option on the market for the many people who don't care about 3G - because they have no 3G availability.
However if the cost is the same, then one reason to keep both would be to run the 3G at a higher uplift over cost to differentiate the product for a few months before the older one is run down.
Of course if the manufacturing cost of the 3G is actually lower than the 2.5G then their margins are going to take a jump.
But then having said all of that, they may decide to lower prices in exchange for higher sales and market share.
There must be a really intersting pricing spreadsheet somewhere on Steve's computer.
I would imagine that if the cost of the new device is higher, and hence the selling price is also higher they will leave a 2.5G option on the market for the many people who don't care about 3G - because they have no 3G availability.
However if the cost is the same, then one reason to keep both would be to run the 3G at a higher uplift over cost to differentiate the product for a few months before the older one is run down.
Of course if the manufacturing cost of the 3G is actually lower than the 2.5G then their margins are going to take a jump.
But then having said all of that, they may decide to lower prices in exchange for higher sales and market share.
There must be a really intersting pricing spreadsheet somewhere on Steve's computer.
I would think that Apple would just make the new phones user agent show up the same as the old phone. Or at least that is what I would do to escape that kind of detection.
YAWN!!!! anybody else around here that has the sister-in-law's brother's cousin's friend's mother who works for the cleaners in cupertino and removing the trash saw a folder with a big TOP-SECRET on it and when she opened it there was a picture of an iPhone 2.0 with written on it the launch date?
Please if you're out there sign up in this site and express your thoughts.
OK. So we've completely ruled out October for launch due to common sense, logistics, and a b*llsh@t rating off the charts.
And while I, along with many, thought existing iPhone would continue to be available alongside new 3G, if it is easier/cheaper to just make 3G, which will default to EDGE, is it possible to lockout 3G? AT&T must have both 3G and EDGE in many markets, since existing iPhones will be supported. Manufacture one phone (after old inventory cleared), differentiated by GB and EDGE or 3G plan selected (such as (8GB EDGE for $329 while available, 16GB EDGE for $399, 16GB 3G $499, 32GB 3G $599). What is technologically possible?
Also, higher plan costs for 3G where both available, since many don't care about 3G.
And while I, along with many, thought existing iPhone would continue to be available alongside new 3G, if it is easier/cheaper to just make 3G, which will default to EDGE, is it possible to lockout 3G? AT&T must have both 3G and EDGE in many markets, since existing iPhones will be supported. Manufacture one phone (after old inventory cleared), differentiated by GB and EDGE or 3G plan selected (such as (8GB EDGE for $329 while available, 16GB EDGE for $399, 16GB 3G $499, 32GB 3G $599). What is technologically possible?
Also, higher plan costs for 3G where both available, since many don't care about 3G.
Another thing that might be forcing Apple's early hand in all this is the release of this:
http://wikee.iphwn.org/s5l8900:pwnage
It's possible they might be able to plug this kind of hole with a new hardware implementation.
http://wikee.iphwn.org/s5l8900:pwnage
It's possible they might be able to plug this kind of hole with a new hardware implementation.
I said this in my other posts, but, just to say again
A 3G iPhone won't cost a dime more then a EDGE phone. So instead of getting another price drop, it'll stay at $399 & $499. The EDGE phone will stop production all together and will be offered for $299 until they run out.
The 3G phone will have backwards EDGE support. This is a no-brainer.
Many people, including myself, are waiting for a 3G iphone & 3rd party support (Slingbox anyone?) before making "the jump"...and I'm sure apple knows this. So I expect a large number of 3rd party apps to be announced right along with iPhone2 in the next coming months.
If this all happens, apple will be looking good this year.
Heck, if apple REALLY wanted this to take off...drop the price to like $249 for a 8 gig 3G iphone. That's right kids...sell them for a loss! It's what every Video System Does afterall.
Why?
Apple is going to make A LOT of money on:
- Itunes sales over a 3G network
- App sales over a 3G network
- AT&T sales (their cut on it)
So the more people they get to buy one, the better long term profit!
A 3G iPhone won't cost a dime more then a EDGE phone. So instead of getting another price drop, it'll stay at $399 & $499. The EDGE phone will stop production all together and will be offered for $299 until they run out.
The 3G phone will have backwards EDGE support. This is a no-brainer.
Many people, including myself, are waiting for a 3G iphone & 3rd party support (Slingbox anyone?) before making "the jump"...and I'm sure apple knows this. So I expect a large number of 3rd party apps to be announced right along with iPhone2 in the next coming months.
If this all happens, apple will be looking good this year.
Heck, if apple REALLY wanted this to take off...drop the price to like $249 for a 8 gig 3G iphone. That's right kids...sell them for a loss! It's what every Video System Does afterall.
Why?
Apple is going to make A LOT of money on:
- Itunes sales over a 3G network
- App sales over a 3G network
- AT&T sales (their cut on it)
So the more people they get to buy one, the better long term profit!
I said this in my other posts, but, just to say again
A 3G iPhone won't cost a dime more then a EDGE phone. So instead of getting another price drop, it'll stay at $399 & $499. The EDGE phone will stop production all together and will be offered for $299 until they run out.
Many people, including myself, are waiting for a 3G iphone & 3rd party support (Slingbox anyone?) before making "the jump"...and I'm sure apple knows this. So I expect a large number of 3rd party apps to be announced right along with iPhone2 in the next coming months.
If this all happens, apple will be looking good this year.
Heck, if apple REALLY wanted this to take off...drop the price to like $249 for a 8 gig 3G iphone. That's right kids...sell them for a loss! It's what every Video System Does afterall.
Why?
Apple is going to make A LOT of money on:
- Itunes sales over a 3G network
- App sales over a 3G network
- AT&T sales (their cut on it)
So the more people they get to buy one, the better long term profit!
All of your points are great! If Apple does what you think they should, then it'll be a great year for us all!
I said this in my other posts, but, just to say again
A 3G iPhone won't cost a dime more then a EDGE phone. So instead of getting another price drop, it'll stay at $399 & $499. The EDGE phone will stop production all together and will be offered for $299 until they run out.
The 3G phone will have backwards EDGE support. This is a no-brainer.
Many people, including myself, are waiting for a 3G iphone & 3rd party support (Slingbox anyone?) before making "the jump"...and I'm sure apple knows this. So I expect a large number of 3rd party apps to be announced right along with iPhone2 in the next coming months.
If this all happens, apple will be looking good this year.
Heck, if apple REALLY wanted this to take off...drop the price to like $249 for a 8 gig 3G iphone. That's right kids...sell them for a loss! It's what every Video System Does afterall.
Why?
Apple is going to make A LOT of money on:
- Itunes sales over a 3G network
- App sales over a 3G network
- AT&T sales (their cut on it)
So the more people they get to buy one, the better long term profit!
If just bump to 3G, price would stay the same. But a 16GB 3G for $399, is a price drop plus a mem bump. Usually not done at same time because pisses off recent buyer. I can't see any reason for continuing with 8GB 3G--just limits what you can buy and store on phone. 8GB will phase out.
Obviously 3G phones will have backward EDGE support. And EDGE iPhones must have full support on entire T network for minimum of 2 years after last EDGE phone sold. The big question is if a 3G plan will cost the same or more. The safest course is probably to keep prices the same, and no increase. (If $ bumped for 3G, probably would have to offer an EDGE alternative for new iPhone buyers, or would create market for older EDGE equipment unless other advantages to newer iPhones. And if bumped data plan for both, older EDGE phone users clearly would feel screwed for subsidizing 3G users).
As far as $$$ on iTunes sales, I didn't think aapl really made much money there--more break even to stimulate hardware.
4G isn't even available in America, their primary market. How are we going to use a phone if the network isn't there to support it?
And I don't understand those who are saying Apple will keep the EDGE iPhone for those who don't have 3G available in their area. 3G is backwards compatible, it doesn't matter if 3G is available because the phone can still use EDGE if need be.
Dear
Generally, when someone has to ask you a question requiring clarification regarding a statement you've made, it usually means that no, you haven't been clear enough.
It's been made quite evident that despite your best efforts, U.S. iPhone users are NOT entirely captive to your network, and T-Mobile is launching 3G as we speak. Frankly, wedon't like to be kept dangling with ambiguous statements. Do keep this in mind when the 3G iPhone comes out... whenever that is. And next time, if you can't be specific and must resort to vague and veiled statements that lack true substance, please, just keep your mouth shut.
Thank you.
What I find interesting about this announcement is that if all smartphones will support 3G and the current 16GB iPhone remains in the lineup, then it will somehow support 3G - either with enabling firmware or a new SIM card. Could there be some latent support for 3G lurking within the latest iPhone? The other option is that Apple will replace all versions of the current iPhone (8GB+16GB). Recent subsidies in Germany and discounted refurbished offerings seem to be targeting the demise of the 8GB only.
O.K., 3G is good news, about 2 years after it became available to mobile phone users.
But what about GPS? I've been itching to trade my HTC Trinity for an iPhone, but without GPS, it just ain't cutting it.
Even though I have GPS in both my cars, I still find it very useful when I travel, and wouldn't want to be without it.
If Apple wants to woo business consumers, 3G is a must, but so is GPS. There are enough combo chips to chose from out there.
If Apple doesn't do GPS, by next year half the "free" phones will have it, and Apple will have a hard time competing, particularly in Europe and Asia.
But what about GPS? I've been itching to trade my HTC Trinity for an iPhone, but without GPS, it just ain't cutting it.
Even though I have GPS in both my cars, I still find it very useful when I travel, and wouldn't want to be without it.
If Apple wants to woo business consumers, 3G is a must, but so is GPS. There are enough combo chips to chose from out there.
If Apple doesn't do GPS, by next year half the "free" phones will have it, and Apple will have a hard time competing, particularly in Europe and Asia.