I really hope not, why would you need an iPhone Nano? They iphone as it is, is just slightly larger than your palm. Is it really needed to make it even smaller?
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iPhone Nano Rumors Revived in Otherwise Quiet Lead-in to Macworld
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While I partially agree, and would never rule out Apple or indeed any other company releasing a product that could potentially sell like hotcakes, it'd surely have to be filthy cheap to distinguish it from the iPhone. In which case, what's the point?
Like I say, I do kind of agree with you, a u-turn isn't exactly unprecedented but I'd still be surprised if this ever saw the light of day.
Not gonna happen.
Companies like Apple survive difficult times because of their loyal, long-term customers. An economic recession is not the time to introduce flashy new items of questionable appeal. It's bad business sense and it's certainly not Apple's style. MW in January will be a toned-down effort geared towards the customer's they already have and want to keep up-to-date. IMHO, I'm guessing the focus will be on SnowLeopard and software, talk of the App store's success and...one more thing...a 32gb iPhone, because a lot of folks with 4 or 8 gb's just can't justify the jump to a whoppin' 16 (I certainly can't). But a 32 gb will keep just enough phones moving to keep
in the positive until things pick up economically again.
The App store IS the money-maker for iPhone (for)and, I believe, another phone that does not utilize this feature, is simply not going to happen. For the moment, iPhone development is in the hands of App developers.
Companies like Apple survive difficult times because of their loyal, long-term customers. An economic recession is not the time to introduce flashy new items of questionable appeal. It's bad business sense and it's certainly not Apple's style. MW in January will be a toned-down effort geared towards the customer's they already have and want to keep up-to-date. IMHO, I'm guessing the focus will be on SnowLeopard and software, talk of the App store's success and...one more thing...a 32gb iPhone, because a lot of folks with 4 or 8 gb's just can't justify the jump to a whoppin' 16 (I certainly can't). But a 32 gb will keep just enough phones moving to keep
in the positive until things pick up economically again. The App store IS the money-maker for iPhone (for
)and, I believe, another phone that does not utilize this feature, is simply not going to happen. For the moment, iPhone development is in the hands of App developers.I feel that there's enough evidence gathered to at least give this rumor a shot at being true.
That said, Apple would definitely have to cut some features to avoid cannibalizing the iPhone's market. First off, keep the same processor and OS; the platform itself isn't where Jobs would be likely to make feature cuts.
1) No 3G. Restricting this model to EDGE data would not only help differentiate it from the iPhone but also allow the possibility of a lower monthly fee. Not to mention the fact that it would lessen the strain on AT&T.
2) No GPS. Obviously.
3) Possibly no WiFi. I don't feel as strongly about this one as I do about #1 & #2, but it would definitely cut costs. It would have the side effect of making the phone painful to browse the internet with in almost all circumstances, though.
4) Less memory. I'm not convinced that a 4GB model makes sense, seeing as Apple doesn't use 4GB chips in any current iPod. I think Apple would be more likely to bump the iPhone capacities up to 16GB/32GB and make the iPhone Nano (for lack of a better name) be an 8GB model.
I disagree with those who feel that lowering the resolution would be a developer nightmare. It would certainly be an inconvenience, but Apple would most likely build a simple way to update apps into Xcode. Granted, developers would have to rework their interfaces for a lower resolution, but we're still a far cry from what Palm OS developers have had to do every single time Palm's released a new device. For those not in the know, Palm had a habit of tweaking OS5 every time they released a device that would break compatibility with a good number of applications.
That said, I still don't see why keeping the same resolution would be out of the question, either. It's not as if a screen of that size and resolution has never been done before. Sure, the keyboard would be a little harder to use, but I can't imagine that stopping Apple.
I feel that the feature cuts I listed above would help differentiate the theoretical iPhone Nano from the current iPhone while still keeping the base level of functionality that Jobs values so highly. My guess at a price point? I don't know if the mythical $99 price point would be possible, but $150 doesn't seem out of the question, especially if it's paired with a slightly cheaper data plan. We'll see.
Man, thinking like Jobs is tough. I did my best.
That said, Apple would definitely have to cut some features to avoid cannibalizing the iPhone's market. First off, keep the same processor and OS; the platform itself isn't where Jobs would be likely to make feature cuts.
1) No 3G. Restricting this model to EDGE data would not only help differentiate it from the iPhone but also allow the possibility of a lower monthly fee. Not to mention the fact that it would lessen the strain on AT&T.
2) No GPS. Obviously.
3) Possibly no WiFi. I don't feel as strongly about this one as I do about #1 & #2, but it would definitely cut costs. It would have the side effect of making the phone painful to browse the internet with in almost all circumstances, though.
4) Less memory. I'm not convinced that a 4GB model makes sense, seeing as Apple doesn't use 4GB chips in any current iPod. I think Apple would be more likely to bump the iPhone capacities up to 16GB/32GB and make the iPhone Nano (for lack of a better name) be an 8GB model.
I disagree with those who feel that lowering the resolution would be a developer nightmare. It would certainly be an inconvenience, but Apple would most likely build a simple way to update apps into Xcode. Granted, developers would have to rework their interfaces for a lower resolution, but we're still a far cry from what Palm OS developers have had to do every single time Palm's released a new device. For those not in the know, Palm had a habit of tweaking OS5 every time they released a device that would break compatibility with a good number of applications.
That said, I still don't see why keeping the same resolution would be out of the question, either. It's not as if a screen of that size and resolution has never been done before. Sure, the keyboard would be a little harder to use, but I can't imagine that stopping Apple.
I feel that the feature cuts I listed above would help differentiate the theoretical iPhone Nano from the current iPhone while still keeping the base level of functionality that Jobs values so highly. My guess at a price point? I don't know if the mythical $99 price point would be possible, but $150 doesn't seem out of the question, especially if it's paired with a slightly cheaper data plan. We'll see.
Man, thinking like Jobs is tough. I did my best.
Why is everyone ass-u-ming this case is for an Apple product? It's probably for the craptacular new Zune Phone.
I can see an iphone nano with no data plan and app store capability being sold for $99. Atleast give it wifi. The profit margin may not be as much, but they will make up for it in volume.
Apple will sell millions and it won't be long before those who bought the nano realize what they're missing, all the features of the normal iphone. I think many will eventually upgrade to the normal iphone.
The iphone nano would satisfy the low cost market while also being used as a stepping stone to many for the more expensive iphone model.
Edit: Removed gps capability due to no data plan...would be useless.
Apple will sell millions and it won't be long before those who bought the nano realize what they're missing, all the features of the normal iphone. I think many will eventually upgrade to the normal iphone.
The iphone nano would satisfy the low cost market while also being used as a stepping stone to many for the more expensive iphone model.
Edit: Removed gps capability due to no data plan...would be useless.
Maybe you forgot that other carriers turned down the iPhone. At some point you've got to take the deal left on the table.
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This makes a lot of sense. There are a lot of look-alike devices made that will never see the light of day in the U.S. or E.U. due to trademark, copyright and maybe patent violations.
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For a touch screen device, they could only sell this to creatures with smaller fingers (some species of monkey?). Real people would hate a device that was always deleting stuff because the "OK" and "Cancel" buttons were way closer together than the size of their finger tip. Some iPhone apps already have this problem even at the current screen size and resolution.
Palm and Abacus tried making a watch-sized pen computer. You needed a pin point and a magnifier to operate lots of the apps. Never sold well at all.
.
It wasn't too long ago that tinier phones were considered more fashionable by some percentage of the market (the upper end usually), even at the expense of usability and battery life.
A tiny Nano-sized phone where one had to dial and SMS using just the scroll wheel might be interesting to people who like to carry their iTunes purchases, but don't want to carry two devices or pay for a monthly data plan.
Where would the earpiece speaker go?
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Yeah. And my name is Bob Marly.
This would be so unlike apple i think. They've just released a new ipod touch, why would they release another, and in that sort space of time too...
Plus all the apps are rendered for the current iphone and touches screen...
MEH!
-Sam
Agreed. Too soon to change the Nano.
Hey, am I the only person excited about the potential for a new Apple Store in Tacoma, WA!
Apple Store in Tacoma? We're checking...
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/business/2008/12/09/apple_store_in_tacoma_we_re_checking
Assuming this would be true, it would not be called "iPhone Nano" but "iPhone ugly dwarf".
[rant]
But nontheless, what scares me is that it may actually be possible that there will be some kind of iPhone news at Macworld ("We hit 10000 Apps in December, so we want to make the iPhone even more accessible/affordable/blablah to people and so we give you the iPhone IippeeIaIeah"). And this would mean that this will be the third boring not-very-mac-related Macworld in a row. MACworld. MAAAAC!
[/rant]
[rant]
But nontheless, what scares me is that it may actually be possible that there will be some kind of iPhone news at Macworld ("We hit 10000 Apps in December, so we want to make the iPhone even more accessible/affordable/blablah to people and so we give you the iPhone IippeeIaIeah"). And this would mean that this will be the third boring not-very-mac-related Macworld in a row. MACworld. MAAAAC!
[/rant]
iPod nano - has more dense pixel ratio.
This is inevitable - differentiation. I for one - can handle a iphone nano. small fingers on me
This is inevitable - differentiation. I for one - can handle a iphone nano. small fingers on me
not saying that either of this two are actually 'real' quote-un-quote 'iPhone Nano pieces that are floating around... but it's interesting to note when you line them both up together. Completely different. Match the Screens up the same... the physical body is totally different.
just kinda interesting. Take these 'images' with a grain of salt.
just kinda interesting. Take these 'images' with a grain of salt.
Attachments
Its funny because of how hyped up this feature got last wwdc. Remember all the threads and 'leaked photos' of the iphones with front facing cameras?
I, for one would absolutely love this feature! I'm not laughing at the fact that its impossible but I think its very possible and hope it happens!
A lot of short sighted people on this forum!
I have no idea if this specific rumor is true. It doesn't matter though because any reasonable person would realize that Apple can't play in the cell phone market with just one device.
Personally I'm in the market for a larger screen iPhone so I can look at the idea if Nano from the perspective of some one not in the market for it. Notably though there is a huge market for a larger device but even a larger market for a smaller iPhone. From Apples standpoint they need to offer as many products as is reasonable to serve their varied customer needs.
In any event IPhone Nano is very possible as explained below:
1.
Mobile chip technology has not stood still there have been a number of very recent chip introductions that could go to making the IPhone Nano (IN) a reality. Making a smaller iPhone is not a technical problem.
2.
Item 1 above covers commercial chips that aren't covered under NDA's. No one knows what Apple is up to with PA Semi but the likely hood is that a much high integration SoC has been implemented. I'm any event it is not unreasonable to expect that a IN might have more features than the current iPhone.
3.
Contrary to opinions expressed here smaller is cheaper. If Apple wants to continue to lower the price of iPhone it needs to shrink the device.
4.
I don't see Apple abandoning the app store with this phone no matter what it's size and screen resolution is. First; the SDK is designed such that many well written apps won't care. Second; who cares if XYZ app is tied to one screen size or iPhone. It is no different than a Mac Pro running apps the iMac can't.
5.
What is suitable screen size wise for one person might simply be too huge for another. As already noted I'd prefer a bigger device but I'm a large person. I have friends a good two feet shorter than myself that like much smaller devices. Ergonomics is a funny thing what is right for one can be really bad for another this we have things like adjustable chairs and monitors. A smaller IPhone is just rational marketing to bring in customers with different needs. It is not a one size fits all world.
6.
I'm not sure where all the mid information about GPS comes from but it's usefulness has nothing to do with having a data connection. That is pretty clear to see right now apps that are already on app store. I'm not willing to say if the new IN will have GPS as it is a feature of mixed value.
7.
Which brings us to data connections, IN will support data connections. 3G will be there and very likely we will still have WiFi. E-Mail is the big reason from Apples end as it is a significant part of Mobile Me and is a big sales driver. Many of us handle a good portion of our mail on iPhone already as it is a significant reason to get a smart phone in the first place. App store is also becoming more important two. The other reality is that many people might find iPhone useful that have no need or desire for a computer to go along with it. Smart phone and data go together like peanut butter and jelly.
So in a nut shell I don't see an IN as being impossible, in fact insuspect it is very likely. It is not the device I'm in the market for but that won't stop huge sales. I'd be more concerned if this rumored device was a replacement for the current iPhone but that could just mean a larger unit is also on the way.
In any event I'm still shocked that some here think that Apple will not come out with more IPhone products. It is a given, what is interesting isn't that new ones are coming but what features they will have.
Dave
I have no idea if this specific rumor is true. It doesn't matter though because any reasonable person would realize that Apple can't play in the cell phone market with just one device.
Personally I'm in the market for a larger screen iPhone so I can look at the idea if Nano from the perspective of some one not in the market for it. Notably though there is a huge market for a larger device but even a larger market for a smaller iPhone. From Apples standpoint they need to offer as many products as is reasonable to serve their varied customer needs.
In any event IPhone Nano is very possible as explained below:
1.
Mobile chip technology has not stood still there have been a number of very recent chip introductions that could go to making the IPhone Nano (IN) a reality. Making a smaller iPhone is not a technical problem.
2.
Item 1 above covers commercial chips that aren't covered under NDA's. No one knows what Apple is up to with PA Semi but the likely hood is that a much high integration SoC has been implemented. I'm any event it is not unreasonable to expect that a IN might have more features than the current iPhone.
3.
Contrary to opinions expressed here smaller is cheaper. If Apple wants to continue to lower the price of iPhone it needs to shrink the device.
4.
I don't see Apple abandoning the app store with this phone no matter what it's size and screen resolution is. First; the SDK is designed such that many well written apps won't care. Second; who cares if XYZ app is tied to one screen size or iPhone. It is no different than a Mac Pro running apps the iMac can't.
5.
What is suitable screen size wise for one person might simply be too huge for another. As already noted I'd prefer a bigger device but I'm a large person. I have friends a good two feet shorter than myself that like much smaller devices. Ergonomics is a funny thing what is right for one can be really bad for another this we have things like adjustable chairs and monitors. A smaller IPhone is just rational marketing to bring in customers with different needs. It is not a one size fits all world.
6.
I'm not sure where all the mid information about GPS comes from but it's usefulness has nothing to do with having a data connection. That is pretty clear to see right now apps that are already on app store. I'm not willing to say if the new IN will have GPS as it is a feature of mixed value.
7.
Which brings us to data connections, IN will support data connections. 3G will be there and very likely we will still have WiFi. E-Mail is the big reason from Apples end as it is a significant part of Mobile Me and is a big sales driver. Many of us handle a good portion of our mail on iPhone already as it is a significant reason to get a smart phone in the first place. App store is also becoming more important two. The other reality is that many people might find iPhone useful that have no need or desire for a computer to go along with it. Smart phone and data go together like peanut butter and jelly.
So in a nut shell I don't see an IN as being impossible, in fact insuspect it is very likely. It is not the device I'm in the market for but that won't stop huge sales. I'd be more concerned if this rumored device was a replacement for the current iPhone but that could just mean a larger unit is also on the way
. In any event I'm still shocked that some here think that Apple will not come out with more IPhone products. It is a given, what is interesting isn't that new ones are coming but what features they will have.
Dave
That's an interesting point about the screen size and resolution being different for applications. This problem is handled in the full scale version of OSX, I wonder why it would become an issue on the iPhone version of the same software. Possibly something solved with a software update?
Iphone is not a tablet Computer people!!!
Some of this stretches staying on topic, but with the arguments I have seen this morning about the iphone being a tablet, not a tablet, and the fact there was another mention about netbooks.......
I say enough with the talk of the ipod touch or iphone being a tablet computer. It is not! The closest thing that it is too is a netbook without a keyboard (even at that it is lacking ports, keyboard, and functionality of a netbook).
Until the iphone/ipod touch can function like a real computer and have ports (USB, DVI [oops make that mini-display since that is what Apple is moving too], etc) a capable hard drive, and a way for me to load my own OS X apps, without having to buy some stripped down app on the app store; all it will be good enough for is web-based applications or games. It does not have the same abilities as something small that you can stick a thumb drive into for transferring data, does not have the capability for external monitors or projectors, so far apps to do any real work on is lacking (office, iwork).
to me the iphone is just and will always be a smart phone with a little more capabilities and more applications/games than say a Palm, blackberry, etc. It is not a true computer (yet).
Also, someone posted on this thread about netbooks again. Here is an article from CNN's technology page. While apple does not see the need for this, appearantly the consumer and economy does. Like we said before, Apple needs to jump into this market. Netbooks are one of the gadgets for tech consumers to watch for 2009:
Spiraling netbooks
The computer industry now ships more portable computers such as laptops than desktops, and an increasingly important part of the mix will be mini-notebook computers, known as netbooks. Industry sources say computer makers will sell more than 11 million netbooks worldwide in 2008, up from just around a million in 2007, and netbook sales could easily double in the new year.
The appeal of these stripped-down portables (no DVD drive, a lot less processing power) clearly is their equally stripped-down price. Market leaders ASUS and Acer, both based in Taiwan, offer sub-$300 netbooks, and U.S. manufacturers Dell (DELL, Fortune 500) and HP (HPQ, Fortune 500) have netbook offerings of their own.
The affordability of netbooks makes them an ideal solution in emerging markets, but analysts think the minis will also appeal to cost-conscious consumers in the United States.
Netbooks "are something to watch in a downturn," said Phil Asmundson, national managing partner of Deloitte's technology, media and telecom practice. "A lot of functionality of a computer goes unused, and netbooks are a good alternative."
So see.. If Apple made one for about $500 to $600, it would sell like hotcakes and be a big huge market. So either they need to make the ipod touch and iphone like a true tablet computer/netbook or come out with a netbook.
I would love to own something similar like the below:
http://www.dynamism.com/#Product=gigabyte_m912
Some of this stretches staying on topic, but with the arguments I have seen this morning about the iphone being a tablet, not a tablet, and the fact there was another mention about netbooks.......
I say enough with the talk of the ipod touch or iphone being a tablet computer. It is not! The closest thing that it is too is a netbook without a keyboard (even at that it is lacking ports, keyboard, and functionality of a netbook).
Until the iphone/ipod touch can function like a real computer and have ports (USB, DVI [oops make that mini-display since that is what Apple is moving too], etc) a capable hard drive, and a way for me to load my own OS X apps, without having to buy some stripped down app on the app store; all it will be good enough for is web-based applications or games. It does not have the same abilities as something small that you can stick a thumb drive into for transferring data, does not have the capability for external monitors or projectors, so far apps to do any real work on is lacking (office, iwork).
to me the iphone is just and will always be a smart phone with a little more capabilities and more applications/games than say a Palm, blackberry, etc. It is not a true computer (yet).
Also, someone posted on this thread about netbooks again. Here is an article from CNN's technology page. While apple does not see the need for this, appearantly the consumer and economy does. Like we said before, Apple needs to jump into this market. Netbooks are one of the gadgets for tech consumers to watch for 2009:
Spiraling netbooks
The computer industry now ships more portable computers such as laptops than desktops, and an increasingly important part of the mix will be mini-notebook computers, known as netbooks. Industry sources say computer makers will sell more than 11 million netbooks worldwide in 2008, up from just around a million in 2007, and netbook sales could easily double in the new year.
The appeal of these stripped-down portables (no DVD drive, a lot less processing power) clearly is their equally stripped-down price. Market leaders ASUS and Acer, both based in Taiwan, offer sub-$300 netbooks, and U.S. manufacturers Dell (DELL, Fortune 500) and HP (HPQ, Fortune 500) have netbook offerings of their own.
The affordability of netbooks makes them an ideal solution in emerging markets, but analysts think the minis will also appeal to cost-conscious consumers in the United States.
Netbooks "are something to watch in a downturn," said Phil Asmundson, national managing partner of Deloitte's technology, media and telecom practice. "A lot of functionality of a computer goes unused, and netbooks are a good alternative."
So see.. If Apple made one for about $500 to $600, it would sell like hotcakes and be a big huge market. So either they need to make the ipod touch and iphone like a true tablet computer/netbook or come out with a netbook.
I would love to own something similar like the below:
http://www.dynamism.com/#Product=gigabyte_m912
...what Crass said, especially "I think the era of the standalone mp3 player is coming to an end.".
It's getting increasingly hard to justify the Nano and the appalling earphones that come with it in the face of some good Sony/Ericsson walkman phones these days, that cost less money.
It's getting increasingly hard to justify the Nano and the appalling earphones that come with it in the face of some good Sony/Ericsson walkman phones these days, that cost less money.
Alright, I still can't believe people are still buying this. It is clearly fake. For one thing, if you look closely the aspect ratio is 4x3, not 3x2. Next, the inevitably unusable portrait keyboard would force every single developer who made a keyboard driven app in portrait mode to rework it for landscape mode. And this isn't even touching on the fact that the already poor battery life in the current iphone would have to be worse, since it would be using the same basic components but in a far smaller package.
I don't know if this was a lazy photoshop or just someone's idea of a fun troll, but please stop embarrassing this site by buying into this crap.
I don't know if this was a lazy photoshop or just someone's idea of a fun troll, but please stop embarrassing this site by buying into this crap.
Because people (a) would like to have a cheaper iPhone and (b) think Apple needs a cheaper iPhone (or more generally multiple models) to stay successful in the phone market.
And what has this to do with a smaller iPhone? Most people apparently can think only of way to make the iPhone cheaper: make it smaller (and more generally, the only way to introduce multiple models is apparently to add a cheaper model).
But it might be better to think of how Apple could offer a cheaper iPhone and how it could add different models.
Hey, am I the only person excited about the potential for a new Apple Store in Tacoma, WA!
Apple Store in Tacoma? We're checking...
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/business/2008/12/09/apple_store_in_tacoma_we_re_checking
Don't get your hopes up. Since CompUSA closed, they were going to put an Apple Store in Greensboro, NC for us people that would normally have to drive an hour to Durham or 3 hrs to South Charlotte. Greensboro made sense for people living in Greensboro, Winston-Salem and surrounding Area. It has been 2+ years since the announcement, and still no store yet. I keep calling apple and they say they have no listing for the Greensboro store being opened.
Dang. I still say, just take over the old CompUsa building (at 4-seasons town center) and put a huge store there. It is in the mall complex, but separate from the mall, so parking is not an issue. the mall has its own exit off Business 85 / 40 westbound. More conveinant location than the Friendly Shopping center. and heck, it may just pull General Growth Properties (GCP) out of bankrupcy, they own the building and the property it sits on - but with it being vacant, they are losing out on the rent.
Oh and for those people who say GPC bankrupcy maybe an issue? GCP owns Streets at Southpoint in Durham, where there is an Apple Store. Why they have Apple Stores (3) in Raleigh, 1 in Durham; that are within a 15-20 minute drive of each other, yet none for us who are over an hour away beats me. CompUsa was Greensboro's apple store - but now they are gone. A lot of people complainted about the tiny "Authorized Apple reseller" signs and Apple being in the back of the store to which CompUsa Employees would try to stare you away from.