Gizmodo did not have the new iPhone. (I hope)

[Penguissimo]

http://daringfireball.net/2010/04/gizmodo_prototype_iphone

This should really put to rest any remaining doubters. Yes, it's possible (even likely?) that the grooves on the edge will be removed from the final production run—those grooves probably help prototype testers who need frequent access to the innards. Maybe there will be different volume buttons.

But anyone who thinks the production phone will include any non-minor cosmetic changes is not really considering the demands of product testing and manufacture. Getting these guts into a case this size takes some serious engineering time and effort; there's no way Apple could make significant changes to the innards of this prototype by the time the new phone is rumored to be released.

The only way we'll be seeing something massively different from this prototype is if Apple has been concurrently testing more than one near-final design, or if Steve gets so mad over the leak that he orders a complete redesign just out of spite. The former is really difficult to imagine, since the money and resources required to fully design and build a "decoy" phone almost certainly outweigh any benefit Apple could theoretically get from doing so. And in the case of the latter, it's hard to imagine how we'd see a June release.

 

[AbSoluTc]

also, phillip screws - already on current 3g and 3gs phones, not a new design decision

Yeah, thank you.

I think everyone else missed that. 3G & 3GS have screws on the bottom. Lol

 

[Darth.Titan]

Seriously, I wish people would get over it. We've seen the next gen iPhone and that's all there is to it. I will allow that the slots on the side may be removed on the production model, but that's about it.

• There's only so many ways to squeeze the required hardware into a phone-sized enclosure, and it's way too late in the game for Apple to be making drastic changes.
• Let's remember that they've only got a bit over a month - maybe two - left to get it mass produced if their past iPhone release schedule is any indicator.
• Why would they be field testing a phone if the case design wasn't finalized? They wouldn't, because the field testing is to see how the phone works "in the wild" (i.e. on the network). Case design and materials are a big part of that.

I'm looking forward to hearing the responses of all the design experts around here who are saying "This is not Apple's design style at all..." It really reminds me of the 3rd gen iPod nano leak. So many people said the same sort of thing... and were wrong.

Flame away, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[kdarling]

I can see your point. But at a bar?? Something tells me if they really wanted to test this thing for coverage or even gps capabilities they would not allow it to be brought out to public places.

As mentioned elsewhere many times, that's what field testing is all about. Please read this:

iPhone secret testing

For the actual testing, technicians frequented all the places where consumers go: office buildings, subway platforms, stairwells, elevators, crowded bars, sprawling suburban malls and congested city streets. They also showed up incognito at Apple and AT&T stores.

Since this seems to astonish so many people, someone should make a stickie to go at the top of the forum with "Yes Apple lets test phones out in public".

 

[Carniphage]

I will allow that the slots on the side may be removed on the production model, but that's about it..

You might not like the seams now.... But you will be grateful for them when you drop your 4G iPhone on a hard surface and it does not explode the glass into a thousand parts.

C.

 

[JadedBen]

Yeah, thank you.

I think everyone else missed that. 3G & 3GS have screws on the bottom. Lol

Since this whole thing started, it really has made me laugh how many people are soo disgusted that there are visible screws on the bottom of this 'new' iPhone, and when (swiftly) pointed out that they already have visible screws on iPhones, they suddenly go quiet on the particular rant...


I think regardless of what design apple finally come out with, people will love it, others will hate it, but it'll still sell faster than the hottest hotcakes this side of hotcakeville...

 

[R1PPER]

I really like this new iphone...it's the future. Each future generation will get thinner and thinner and eventually it will be just a piece of glass. Industrial design is all about simplicity at the moment...and the new iphone is right on trend. Im not overly offended by the seems personally and i the fact that the glass is inset slightly is nicer than it running up to the aluminum edge as that would make it look too chunky. Its similar to alot of other phones but smacks of quality in comparison and apples uber design aesthetic shines through.

 

[McBeats]

yeah im pretty confident that the final released version is going to look almost identical to this one... I'm sure this is considered a prototype, but time is really creeping up here...

 

[VulchR]

It seems to me that the only thing we can say is that the dimensions of the new iPhone probably will not be less than this prototype. As for the case, we'll have to wait and see. It looks to me like the prototype was intended for testing out various configurations rather than optimizing the absolutely final design. By the way, I doubt very much that designing a plastic back for the innards of the prototype would take that long in these days of CAD, 3D printing etc. I wouldn't be surprised if the case design is finalized at the end of the design cycle. Does anybody who does this sort of thing for a living have any real words of wisdom they can contribute?

Given the cracks in the iPhone case that many have reported, I'd love to see the new iPhone have a back that is more durable and a front piece that offers some protection for the screen if the phone is dropped. Maybe some sort of shell that cannot be scratched with internal padding of d30....

 

[dannyjames8]

the guy who lost it didnt even have a passcode on it!

is it me or is that stupid?

to me the phone looks to cheap, too much plastic in it.

 

[Carniphage]

So Apple, design, for the first time in history, a handset that externally has zero plastic. Not one bit. Not the case, not the screen and not the back. Not the sides. I don't think anyone has done this before.

and then we see...

to me the phone looks to cheap, too much plastic in it.

Are you being sarcastic?

C.

 

[dannyjames8]

So Apple, design, for the first time in history, a handset that externally has zero plastic. Not one bit. Not the case, not the screen and not the back. Not the sides. I don't think anyone has done this before.

and then we see...



Are you being sarcastic?

C.

well it looks to plasticy to me

 

[Carniphage]

well it looks to plasticy to me

So, what you are saying is that you think that glass and metal look "plasticy"?

Do you have an example of something that is not plasticy?

C.

 

[Padraig]

So, what you are saying is that you think that glass and metal look "plasticy"?

Do you have an example of something that is not plasticy?

C.

Maybe in his bizarro world he thinks the back of the 3GS looks nice and metally.

 

[greygray]

O RLY? Then I suppose the letter sent by Apple was fake too.

 

[rdowns]

2) My biggest reason is Apple needs a radical change. The iPhone is losing its tread. Android is catching up, and catching up fast. The iPhones hardware is super outdated compared to phones like the Nexus One, Motorola Droid, HTC HD2, Sony Xperia x10, and more and more are coming. In order to get people back on the Apple wagon, I am expecting a huge difference in design. The "leaked" iPhone has the same boring dimensions and ratios as the first iPhone from 2007. I would expect AT LEAST a 3.7" screen on the new iPhone.

Some people need to get out into the real world. The opinions on this site generally do not mesh with those of the public at large. The fact is, the old, outdated crappy Apple sold more phones last quarter than in the xmas quarter.

 

[adamvk]

Some people need to get out into the real world. The opinions on this site generally do not mesh with those of the public at large. The fact is, the old, outdated crappy Apple sold more phones last quarter than in the xmas quarter.

I was merely stating a fact. You can't tell me that their hardware is still on the cutting edge compared to other phones.

I know Apple sold tons of iPhones last quarter. That's because the average consumer hasn't a clue, and many people will just buy something from Apple because it is from Apple.

 

[kdarling]

Maybe Powell's loss was a blessing in disguise. I can just hear the conversation between Steve and Jonathan:

"See? I told you that a manly, lay-flat case with no plastic wouldn't be popular. We need to go back to form over functionality. Curves and fingerprint magnets... that's what people really like!"

"And I told you that your fanbois really wouldn't buy a polished turd just because you laid it!"

"Ha ha. You got me. Okay, call Foxconn and tell them to implement Plan B."

"Yes sir!"

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

You might not like the seams now.... But you will be grateful for them when you drop your 4G iPhone on a hard surface and it does not explode the glass into a thousand parts.

C.

you mean like how iphones explode into a thousand parts now??....

They don't do that now and I don't see how adding a couple seams does anything. enlighten me

 

[thelatinist]

I was merely stating a fact. You can't tell me that their hardware is still on the cutting edge compared to other phones.

Since when has Apple trod the bleeding edge of technology? Apple is all about what works. You're making the same assumption that so many other companies are: that the iPhone's specs are what gathered its following. Apple is about ease-of-use, hardware-software integration, styling, and cachet -- not about winning the spec wars.

And whether you agree that the "4G" design revealed by Gizmodo is a worthy successor to the 3G or not, logic dictates that the final design cannot be far from the prototype we've seen. It's almost time to start mass-producing the thing if it's going to have a July launch, and a radical redesign could take months and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Not happening.

 

[RS232]

HD2 or iPhone 4GS... I know which I choose!

3) I don't think Apple would go "flat." The leaked iPhone is completely flat on the back, which doesn't look good. It doesn't seem like something Apple would do. My first reaction when I saw it was that it doesn't look nice. I am considering switching to iPhone when the new one comes out this summer, but if that is what the new iPhone will be, I will NOT be getting it. The HTC HD2 will be my new phone.

I prefer the 'flat' back on the 4G. I'm just hoping that the talk about using ceramic on the back would be true! The shiny 3G/3GS backs would not be missed as they were scratch magnets and according to many people were prone to cracking. The metal surround on the 4G would also prevent the plastic fatigue around the port and mute switch areas.

Go for the HD2 if you don't like the iPhone 4G in June. I've sold off my HD2 after my 'quick affair' with it (Sorry iPhone!). It's a nice large screen phone but it wasn't for me. Resetting the damn thing and missing the eco-system of iTunes was enough to return me back to the iPhone.

You will love the HD2, OP. The camera lens and the headphone area protrudes at the back - so no 'flat' back!

 

[angevil]

1) The new design is fantastic

2) screen size is great, nothing wrong with the current iPhone - it sells pretty good..and they did make the whole redesign. Now it looks more in style of other Apple products

3) you get whatever phone you want, that`s your decision. I think the new iPhone is amazing, I just hope that it stays the way it is (in the leaked pics) and that they don`t remove anything

4) Phillips screws? they are already there on current model..you obviously don`t know what you are talking about. LOL

 

[fishkorp]

you mean like how iphones explode into a thousand parts now??....

They don't do that now and I don't see how adding a couple seams does anything. enlighten me

The new iPhone has a glass/ceramic, not plastic like the current one. If it was all glass with no seams, it would be very easy to shatter, depending on construction.

 

[Blueline29]

you mean like how iphones explode into a thousand parts now??....

They don't do that now and I don't see how adding a couple seams does anything. enlighten me

I'm assuming that what the PP is referring to is the flat edge better dispersing the shock of impact in the event of a drop, thus (theoretically) lessening the risk of the glass shattering like it does now in certain drop scenarios. The seams would also allow for better shock absorption by allowing for the (very small) temporary expansion of the outer edge on impact.

 

[thelatinist]

The seams would also allow for better shock absorption by allowing for the (very small) temporary expansion of the outer edge on impact.

I think this must be what he was getting at. If the aluminum enclosure were solid, it would transfer almost all of the energy of impact into deforming its shape. I can easily see how this could shatter a glass screen/back which was screwed to that enclosure.

In fact, I'm kind of surprised nobody suggested that the slits were for shock absorption sooner.