Jobs is more likely to backtrack on styluses for an iTablet design, than add a keyboard - the original brief for the iPhone was more along the lines of a phone with internet capabilities to be used on the go, not a mobile long letter writing device.
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Clearing Inventory for 'radically different' 3G iPhone?
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Jobs is more likely to backtrack on styluses for an iTablet design, than add a keyboard - the original brief for the iPhone was more along the lines of a phone with internet capabilities to be used on the go, not a mobile long letter writing device.
So we can add the Times Online to the list of rumor sources no one should ever believe.
Right there with macosrumors.
Right there with macosrumors.
Jobs couldn't care less about eating crow unless he's really, truly, fundamentally wrong and it causes Apple to lose pace with others (including DVD drives in iMacs instead of CD-ROM burners, for example -- and even then he'll do it if it's the right thing to do). He cares about making his current products and strategies the most desirable NOW while making competitors seem less desireable or misguided and will reverse anything he's said in the past when it becomes technologically/strategically feasible or will make Apple more money.
It could always be something like this concept: http://www.unwiredview.com/2008/03/17/iphone-20-iphone-30-or-iphone-nano-a-clamshellflip-phone/ , since Apple has a patent on this. The flip part would be transparent and could be used to type when opened. And it could be closed with the same touch ability when it is closed. So it's the same form factor with a new type of flip component.
They could have the bottom of the phone "bend" to allow for easier phone operation-yet be flat for application uses, perhaps a few buttons on that part to allow for extra functions (or space for a larger battery).
| <--- Speakers
| <--- Touch Screen
| <--- Touch Screen
| <--- Touch Screen
.\ <--- Mic Here for talking
. \ <--- Battery space
That Would be neat.
| <--- Speakers
| <--- Touch Screen
| <--- Touch Screen
| <--- Touch Screen
.\ <--- Mic Here for talking
. \ <--- Battery space
That Would be neat.
I think this is a simple case of Times online getting one of those fake misleading information Apple deliberately puts out. Apple have made it clear why the phone is a touch screen, they want the interface to be adaptable to each Application i.e. when you need a keyboard let it show up and when you dont let it disappear. Why would they do a complete 360 now?
The next iPhone will likely be the same basic form as the current one. If they had the ability to make it thinner, they may instead use that space for a larger battery, other features, etc.
I don't forsee a built-in plastic keyboard. It doesn't fit with the operating system or product line, and it would be far from elegant. And because "you can't go around adding a button to these things ... they've already shipped!"
Best,
D
I don't forsee a built-in plastic keyboard. It doesn't fit with the operating system or product line, and it would be far from elegant. And because "you can't go around adding a button to these things ... they've already shipped!"
Best,
D
They could always make it out of carbon fiber. I am not sure if it would interfere with the antenna. So that would likely be black, but elegant, and not cheapo plastic at all.
I have it on good authority that the next iPhone design will indeed be radically different. iPhone 2 will have an all-new clamshell design, and even sport a fixed keyboard and optical drive. Connectivity with peripherals has been improved tremendously: iPhone 2 will sport USB, ethernet, and Firewire ports. This redesigned phone will boast a screen much larger than the current model's, but the new screen will lack any MultiTouch support whatsoever. To compensate, a small input area insiders are calling a "Track Pad" will sit below the new keyboard. This new pad-tracking functionality is believed to be the replacement for Apple's failed MultiTouch technology.
The new phone's final design is a closely guarded secret at this time. Sources suggest iPhone 2 will be significantly larger than the current iPhone, roughly the size of a MacBook or MacBook pro, and offer no cellular phone functions of any kind. Experts agree that this move will allow Apple to sidestep the controversial issue of service provider lock-in entirely.
Stay tuned for even more information about this exciting, developing story.
The new phone's final design is a closely guarded secret at this time. Sources suggest iPhone 2 will be significantly larger than the current iPhone, roughly the size of a MacBook or MacBook pro, and offer no cellular phone functions of any kind. Experts agree that this move will allow Apple to sidestep the controversial issue of service provider lock-in entirely.
Stay tuned for even more information about this exciting, developing story.
Maybe an extendable tempered glass keyboard or flip portion that would encompass touch capabilities, essentially doubling the screen space when opened (if the flip portion handled the keyboard/phone dial keys).
Don't forget the pull-out OLED screen if you choose to watch those iTunes-downloaded rentals on a larger screen, to be manufactured by Sony (see screen concept here: http://gizmodo.com/380374/sony-shows-off-03mm+thick-oled-display-doesnt-get-much-thinner-than-that ).
J
jmadlena
Guest
I don't think that Apple would release an iPhone that addresses one of the biggest complaints in the US about the current iPhone (lack of 3G) and then not release it in the US. The US is Apple's bread and butter; this is where they make most of their money.
The iPhone will definitely be a bigger announcement than a "silent" one online. This is the iPhone, Apple's favorite new toy. They are going to make it big.
MacRumors doesn't make the rumors. They aren't publishing these as endorsements of truth; it's more so we can all get on this forum and complain about Apple possibly changing the iPhone. I would rather hear about the bigger rumors (however unsubstantiated) than no rumors at all.
why doesn't apple just freakin go to these forums, do they not realize that the people posting here for the most part or more intelligent and more creative than these analysists and reporters?
i really can't stand it when all these great ideas are being thrown out there and clearly apple ince. has access to the internet, so why not see what people want!! and if they can't give us what we want atleast explain why
i really can't stand it when all these great ideas are being thrown out there and clearly apple ince. has access to the internet, so why not see what people want!! and if they can't give us what we want atleast explain why
if anything, the new form factor will be that of an "iPhone nano":
the nano as is today with a slider keyboard (or maybe even keypad).
done.
the nano as is today with a slider keyboard (or maybe even keypad).
done.
I really don't see what there is to change about the iPhone. In fact, I hope they keep it basically the same as it is, maybe with another color option or two.
And Steve has lambasted other ideas that eventually made it into products. Before the release of the iMac G4, he basically said that the idea of a vertical optical drive was ludicrous, and he was saying stuff like performance hits, etc, so they made the iMac G4 with the horizontal drive. Then out comes the iMac G5, with, gasp, a vertical optical drive!
It's the same thing with the 5th gen iPod, before it came out he was saying that nobody wanted to watch video on a screen that small and explaining why he wasn't gonna do it.
I'm not saying I want the iPhone to be a flip or slider, just pointing out that it's not entirely impossible.
And Steve has lambasted other ideas that eventually made it into products. Before the release of the iMac G4, he basically said that the idea of a vertical optical drive was ludicrous, and he was saying stuff like performance hits, etc, so they made the iMac G4 with the horizontal drive. Then out comes the iMac G5, with, gasp, a vertical optical drive!
It's the same thing with the 5th gen iPod, before it came out he was saying that nobody wanted to watch video on a screen that small and explaining why he wasn't gonna do it.
I'm not saying I want the iPhone to be a flip or slider, just pointing out that it's not entirely impossible.
I too like the current iphone just the way it is!
I like the software upgrades that are coming though.
Ok maybe put some rubber on the iphones sides so it's a little easier to hang onto when it's out of it's case.
I like the software upgrades that are coming though.
Ok maybe put some rubber on the iphones sides so it's a little easier to hang onto when it's out of it's case.
It seems to me that they're already using a CPU that comes pretty close to the best performance-per-watt and functionality-per-square-inch ratios available on the market today.
My guess:
- iPod touch thickness
- Screen resolution will not change
- Minor design changes outside the screen area
- New features to show off 3G - video
I think its a safe guess
- iPod touch thickness
- Screen resolution will not change
- Minor design changes outside the screen area
- New features to show off 3G - video
I think its a safe guess
Sorry, just quickly popping in with what has certainly been covered already.
No WAY there will be a physical keyboard. They've not invested in all of this touch tech to now include a keyboard. No ***** way.
And no way it will be flip nor slide.
If any physical changes occur, I'd like to see them remove that scratch-prone chrome ring and maybe a backside that is less slick than the current powder-coat.
I call this rumor 100% bogus.
No WAY there will be a physical keyboard. They've not invested in all of this touch tech to now include a keyboard. No ***** way.
And no way it will be flip nor slide.
If any physical changes occur, I'd like to see them remove that scratch-prone chrome ring and maybe a backside that is less slick than the current powder-coat.
I call this rumor 100% bogus.