iPhone (Nano?), Smaller Shuffle and Cheaper MacBook in 2009?

[bananas]

Happy 2009

there's lots of new stuff coming from Apple. There has to be, because Steve is going to retire. Phil Schiller will introduce the new Mac Mini and quad core iMacs and iPhone nano, maybe some new displays too, this is needed to draw away attention from Steve's retirement.

and yes, white Macbook has to go.

 

[LiveForever]

Now I think it will happen.

Too much "chatter" to ignore.

I know many people who think the current iphone is too big and want something as big as a normal run of the mill flip phone.

They also need to make a pink one- not being sexist but my wife and all her girl freinds LOVE their pink phones. None have phone jackets as they are just used as tools which fend for themselves amongst the contents of the hand bag.

I bet if you asked 100 girls/women to show you their phones (non iphone users) 80 to 90 of them would be pink

Apple, give people what they want which for girls/women is a small pink phone.

 

[DavoMrMac]

You will not see a smaller iPhone, this is too far away from the current product line-up and too soon.

What you are likely to see is a price drop on the current iPhone, including much cheaper PAYG or Prepaid units. Maybe as little as £99 in the UK.

You may also see a cheaper MacBook, but maybe a surprise with touch screen iMac's.

 

[ghalimacman]

No iPhone Nano, potentially a new shuffle, no smaller and cheaper MacBook

I don't think Apple will release an iPhone Nano because that just doesn't look like Apple. Apple isn't like any other company, looking to cut costs at any price. Creating a cheaper iPhone would reduce customer service and lower the user experience, which Apple probably doesn't want. A smaller shuffle is probable because the shuffle hasn't been redesigned in ages. But even if there was no redesign to happen, the shuffle is ok as it is. Cheaper MacBook is a definite no, because, as I said for the iPhone Nano, reducing the price would lower customer service which is something has done very well before.

 

[weckart]

I fiddled with a Windbook a while back.

That was before the wireless was fixed, not sure if audio has been fixed yet, but it worked great!

I'm content with my Aspire One for now though. I like OS X, I don't like OS X prices, and I have nothing against Windows. Perhaps in a couple of years I'll invest in the current most hackable netbook that can run OS X.

Audio has been fixed and a fix for the microphone input has been announced. They are currently working on a permanent fix for the non-standard graphics resolution so that kexts do not have to be reinstalled every time Apple releases an update. Once they combine the three a new install disk will be assembled making the Wind 100% compatible, trackpad functionality notwithstanding.

It makes me less interested in Apple's entering the netbook market since Apple is unlikely to undercut the Wind on price and, judging from the latest Apple notebooks, would only produce something a lot fuglier than the Wind, anyway.

 

[puffnstuff]

this sounds stupid, who would by this really, and the screen well be so small it's unusable, like really what can you do on a small touch screen.

See what song you are listening to and your playlist

edit: oh I do not know about having the shuffle as a full on touch device. I think it would be best to have the buttons on the top maybe.

 

[sphoenix]

I don't see why the iPod shuffle needs an update. I see plenty of people wearing them and I'm sure they're not thinking "Damn, why can't it be smaller?"

Cheaper Macbooks = Thumbs up from me.
I just hope the specs stay relatively the same.

iPhone nano almost sounds like a joke. The only reason I see why Apple would introduce this product is so it could benefit the younger generations. After all, most of my friends complain that the size is their greatest dislike.

 

[lftrghtparadigm]

If the graphics on the iPhone (including App store) can be easily scaled up or scaled down with NO, (and i mean, NO) quality loss, then I don't care what they put out. More handhelds to ping the app store. Great stuff.

Smaller Shuffle? Any smaller would be tough to use, not interested. Keep the shuffle as is, it sells nicely.

Cheaper MacBook? Hopefully this means the White MacBook will go down to $799 for the last year of its life. Also hopefully it means the aluminum will likewise come down. A 100 or 150 dollar reduction to the shelf price would be nice.

This is where we are gonna see Apple get aggressive with prices. The Christmas shopping deals were a bust, but they were supposed to be. Nobody wants to offer such great deals during Christmas because people are going to buy things anyway. Might as well make some money from it.

After Christmas however, people are more or less broke and for them to continue contributing to the economy takes quite a bit of incentive. I'm hoping Apple will deliver, price wise, and make q1'09a more profitable quarter than it will be otherwise.

 

[lftrghtparadigm]

iPhone nano almost sounds like a joke. The only reason I see why Apple would introduce this product is so it could benefit the younger generations. After all, most of my friends complain that the size is their greatest dislike.

I just can't see the "Size" as being the reason anyone would opt out of the iPhone, even if that's what they say. The leading factor in whether or not to buy the iPhone (right behind 'actually wanting one' ), is price, whether someone admits that or not. Not the cost of the device, but the contract and monthly bill.

True that Kids don't care how much the phone costs every month (they aren't paying for it), all they know is this is the phone they want.

Even if the predicted size of the iPhone Nano is accurate, and its a 4 gig model that costs $99, I cannot see that making any difference in sales. Unless they do something about the fact that the MINIMUM monthly charge is $75, and average monthly charge is $100 or more, there won't be highschoolers running out after recess to pick up their new iPhone Nano.

I mean, economically, its an insulting joke to release an "EVEN CHEAPER" iPhone, that still costs you $1200 per year! Makes no difference if the thing is $500 or FREE. The only people who are gonna buy, are those that can afford to keep.

 

[acxz]

And with AT&T now selling 8GB 3G refurbs for $99, how much cheaper does the iPhone need to be before the pundits will consider it a "success"? I mean the thing is closing on how many millions of sales in six months? Sales, mind you, not just "shipments" to retailers where it sits in a back room collecting dust.

So one provider in the world is offering cheap second-hand phones. So what? Until the price dramatically drops around the world people will still call the iPhone too expensive.

 

[Gunga Din]

interesting. i was thinking for sure that the iphone nano was coming next week. i would love to see a cheaper macbook in the 1st quarter also

the iphone nano will be released next week.

(1) they are trying to unload the refurbished iphone 3Gs (via walmart etc)
(2) the smaller form factor will appeal to people. I know the current iphone is not huge, but a nano version seems logical to me.

 

[xDYLANx]

I'd prefer a Tablet Mac instead of a Mac Netbook and an iPhone Flip with two screens instead of the proposed iPhone Nano.

A Mac Mini with a trackpad on it like a Macbook would be nice too.

why would you put a trackpad on a desktop...do you want another TAM?

 

[bruinsrme]

I just can't see the "Size" as being the reason anyone would opt out of the iPhone, even if that's what they say. The leading factor in whether or not to buy the iPhone (right behind 'actually wanting one' ), is price, whether someone admits that or not. Not the cost of the device, but the contract and monthly bill.

True that Kids don't care how much the phone costs every month (they aren't paying for it), all they know is this is the phone they want.

Even if the predicted size of the iPhone Nano is accurate, and its a 4 gig model that costs $99, I cannot see that making any difference in sales. Unless they do something about the fact that the MINIMUM monthly charge is $75, and average monthly charge is $100 or more, there won't be highschoolers running out after recess to pick up their new iPhone Nano.

I mean, economically, its an insulting joke to release an "EVEN CHEAPER" iPhone, that still costs you $1200 per year! Makes no difference if the thing is $500 or FREE. The only people who are gonna buy, are those that can afford to keep.

Insulting to release an even cheaper iPhone?
The nano will draw the attention of a new audience if the price is right and the monthly plan can b reduced. My wfe has the shine and she thinks the iPhone is too big eventhough its thinner. Making a smaller foot print iPhone, I feel, will invite a wider audience to take a second look.

If you haven't been to a high school as of late, these kids are not walking around with 4 year old phones or 4 year old laptops.
I know my son gets a new phone at least every 18 months and a new computer every 2 years. Now that he is in college he will be getting a new computer every year.
Introduce the nano across multiple providers with the pay as you go internet I think apple will draw a great deal of interest and new customers.

Apple can't top the PC numbers yet but they have the ability of becoming the giant in the phone and music industry with the intro of new products.

First step is capture a larger audience through their phones/touches then start slipping out mac only features in itunes and so on.
Instant ixxx computer growth.

Whether the nano is a joke, insulting, stupid or whatever else negative its a platform to draw more people to apple products and to grow their audience and customer base.

Oh yeah, didn't the ATT service subscriptions dramatically increase when the lower price 3G phone come out? They got me and 5 others I know.
A

 

[bruinsrme]

the iphone nano will be released next week.

(1) they are trying to unload the refurbished iphone 3Gs (via walmart etc)
(2) the smaller form factor will appeal to people. I know the current iphone is not huge, but a nano version seems logical to me.

I didn't see any refurbs at the walmarts I visited. Is wally world selling refurbs?

 

[nixfu]

How could they make a cheaper version of the iPhone?

Simple:

1) No touch screen, just a small keypad/keyboard
2) Smaller screen
3) Maybe even flip
4) But still run the SAME OS and able to use the AppStore.


It might look something like this:

 

[bananas]

It might look something like this:

iPhone nano will look just like iPhone 3G, just smaller.
I'm sure it's going to be a touch screen device. It will lack some of iPhones features like: 3g, GPS, camera and bluetooth. And of cource it will have less storage.

 

[Poll Smoker]

The iPod Shuffle will simply be integrated into the headphones themselves. Music will be loaded wirelessly via bluetooth and you'll have to tap your earbuds to control the unit.

It was kind of funny the first fifteen times people posted the same thing.

 

[akbc]

Cheaper MacBook = Great!

Cheaper iPhone (plans) = Nice!

SMALLER MacBook = No smaller than 11.1", otherwise, nonono.

SMALLER iPhone = Why...? iPhone is small for its spec's already... iPhone Nano probably won't have GPS, 3G/WiFi, they might even take out the camera, etc etc... Useless!

Are they trying to make MotoAppleFone F3??!!

http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_motofone_f3-1794.php

That phone is less than 2 years old Doesn't have a colour screen, no nothing.

 

[skinnylegs]

The iPhone Nano is a natural. We may not see it in January but it seems rather inevitable. There is a *huge* market share that Apple will never reach with the current price/fee structure of the 3G iPhone and this market can be tapped with something like the Nano. Will it be a scaled down 3G or lack a few features found within the 3G? Eh....that's up for debate.

I don't see Apple releasing a true netbook this year. I do, however, see the release of a larger sized Touch which I suppose can be considered a netbook of sorts. I mean, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck.....

I think it's important to remember that it's all about the App Store. The more App Store complimentary devices Apple gets into people's hands, the more money they will make. We've only seen the tip of the App Store. iceberg. I can honestly see the App Store evolving to the point where Apple could *almost* give these devices away and still turn a huge profit strictly from App Store revenue.

I realize this thread is not a wish list but here goes.....

I've pretty well gotten over my MMS envy and despite what I thought, I can live without it. That said, I would *love* to see the ability to email more than a single picture at time. Oh yeah, how about releasing an adapter so I can use my 6 month old MBP with one of those pretty new monitors!

Whatever happens, these are exciting times we live in and I have no doubt Apple will meet or beat any of our expectations. Happy New Year everyone.

 

[skinnylegs]

Oh yeah......how about a few different themes for the iPhone? Charge $4.99 a piece or whatever.

 

[charlituna]

Huh? Isn't that iPhone already activated?????
The 3G's are not like the originals.

if it is a 3g there is an activated account on it. so all you have to do is plug it until itunes to turn it on.

as for the whole 30 day thing. if you cancel your contract and return the phone, there's no ETF from ATT and if it was apple purchase no restock even though it was opened (in the store). the online from ATT, I don't know the rules for

I didn't see any refurbs at the walmarts I visited. Is wally world selling refurbs?

the refurbs are online at ATT only. and apparently only for new ATT customers. reports are they won't allow upgrades.

which on a practical side makes a little sense. before they send out the phone they will activate the line account. if it was an upgrade, then your existing phone will go dead for a day or more while the new phone is being shipped. so you are without a phone for those days. not even voicemail cause you have to have the phone in hand to reset your mailbox.

 

[nick9191]

No offence to all you guys and gals, but for the majority of you, you could not design a decent product to save your life. You don't think ideas through at all, you don't think realistically, and you have no idea on ergonomics, product design, or usability. Thats why Apple create products and you don't.

An iPhone Nano would have a smaller screen. This would mean all iPhone apps needing a new GUI, a decrease in functionality and usability.

The netbook market is full of bargain bin OEM's trying to make an easy buck. They make a negligible profit on each machine and the competition is extremely fierce. Apple does not want to be in this market.

The only way the Macbook will become cheaper is if they discount the clearance white model even further. Apple are not about making cheap products, they are about making good products with high profit margins.

 

[Demosthenes X]

SMALLER iPhone = Why...? iPhone is small for its spec's already... iPhone Nano probably won't have GPS, 3G/WiFi, they might even take out the camera, etc etc... Useless!

Useless? Sorry, I thought people bought phones to, well, use as phones. The kind of users the iPhone nano would appeal to do not need or want GPS, WiFi, etc... this is a dumbphone competitor, not another smartphone (although I think it will wind up being one of the smarter dumbphones on the market).

No offence to all you guys and gals, but for the majority of you, you could not design a decent product to save your life. You don't think ideas through at all, you don't think realistically, and you have no idea on ergonomics, product design, or usability. Thats why Apple create products and you don't.

An iPhone Nano would have a smaller screen. This would mean all iPhone apps needing a new GUI, a decrease in functionality and usability.

I am sick and tired of this supposed argument. No one here has pretended to be an Apple engineer. How Apple would handle an iPhone nano remains to be seen. But we're talking about the company that revolutionized how we interface with our devices: Apple gave us the mouse, the click wheel, and multi-touch.

Do you honestly believe that they would throw their hands in the air and say "it's too hard!" when making an iPhone nano? Of course not. The usability "problem" is a non-issue. If Apple wants to make a smaller iPhone, they'll find a way to make it work.

 

[nick9191]

I am sick and tired of this supposed argument. No one here has pretended to be an Apple engineer. How Apple would handle an iPhone nano remains to be seen. But we're talking about the company that revolutionized how we interface with our devices: Apple gave us the mouse, the click wheel, and multi-touch.

Do you honestly believe that they would throw their hands in the air and say "it's too hard!" when making an iPhone nano? Of course not. The usability "problem" is a non-issue. If Apple wants to make a smaller iPhone, they'll find a way to make it work.

Apple cannot change science. When you try to create smaller products they become harder to use. The only reason the iPod Nano is a success is because it only plays music, and screen size is not an issue for this product (although the scroll wheel is more fiddly than the classic).

If Apple were to create an iPhone Nano they would make it thinner and lighter like the Macbook Air, and possibly make the bezel smaller. They would not reduce the screen size. Not to mention less battery life and fewer features. If you just want to make calls then buy a cheap phone.

 

[iMacmatician]

Apple cannot change science. When you try to create smaller products they become harder to use. The only reason the iPod Nano is a success is because it only plays music, and screen size not an issue for this product (although the scroll wheel is more fiddly than the classic).

The scroll wheel doesn't have to be that big either. And Apple increased the display size with the third-generation iPod nano because they realized that video playing on a 1.5" display wouldn't be that good an experience.

If Apple were to create an iPhone Nano they would make it thinner and lighter like the Macbook Air, and possibly make the bezel smaller. They would not reduce the screen size. Not to mention less battery life and fewer features. If you just want to make calls then buy a cheap phone.

You took the words right out of my mouth. They might make the display a bit smaller (3.2") but not 2.x". There is a reason why the MacBook Air has a "full-size" display and a full-size keyboard. The same reason applies to the iPhone.

Anyway... maybe no iPhone nano? (No wonder iPhone nano rumors from rumor sites have been sparse if not nonexistant.)

January 1, 2009 LATEST
We Just got word that a major company stopped production on all iPhone Nano accessories. They believe the information they got is not real and want to cut their loses. This is the first negative information we got that might mean that there will be no iPhone Nano. If so a number of accessory and clone companies will lose a lot of money.