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32 gb first appeared on the 3s
64 gb first appeared in the 4s

My guess is that 128gb won't appear until the 5s
 
I think NFC and an associated fingerprint scanner will be the 5S's "must-have" features, just as a taller screen and unibody will be the 5's biggest feature. To be sure, the iPhone 5 will have a better processor, better camera, more sturdy home button, but Apple will probably spend a lot of time talking about how great the new screen is and how difficult it was to make and get into a phone etc.

I think the reason for NFC is probably not some conspiracy to hold back features, but rather the fact that not many stores have it in place yet. They'll release it next year when more stores have NFC readers implemented.

(Maybe 3GS for speed; 4S for Siri; 5S for NFC/fingerprint scan?)

Nevertheless, a fingerprint scanner to unlock would be nice to have in the iPhone 5.
 
They absolutely don't put all their eggs in one basket and there are many good examples of this. Was there any reason for the original iPad not to include a camera? Did that need to be fleshed out well enough for public consumption?

That statement assumes they have no more eggs being prepared for future models. Makes no sense.

I don't know the reason for the camera in the iPad, perhaps it was a cost issue. But to thnk people would buy another just for a crappy camera? Nope.
 
Nope, this is just conspiracy theory and I don't believe any of it.

Siri is proof otherwise. They rushed Siri to market.

Edit: and it's not putting all of your eggs in one basket. There are always projects incubating at different stages. They have schedules and planned release dates to coincide with certain models. There are probably projects in progress now that won't be ready until 2013 and others in 2014. Sometimes they slip. this is how it works at most companies. But if you think they hold them back just to sell them in the next model, you're just buying into a buch of conspiracy theory bunk.


I agree with you, but I think they,'rushed' Siri because they needed people to use it. The quickest way to improve Siri would have been to log all of its interactions to study what people were using it for, and how they phrased their questions. it was only a rush in the sense that it was a slight gamble as to how receptive people would be to it.

I guess that kind of goes along with your point. Every feature is at a different stage, even wrt to how users are required to improve the product and validate certain speculative features. I would have never put a camera on the first iPad without proof that people really really wanted to use it. But there they are... waving tablets around all awkward-like...
 
I feel like they've been holding out on this since the 4S....

That would mean you are unfamiliar with the cost do those 128 GB chips.

And if they don't release one this round, it's because they know they won't sell enough of them, not because they are holding back for a new model.

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Agree. Anyone who thinks otherwise has never been on a development project, wears a tinfoil hat or both.

Thank you, my exact thoughts. I realize most of the forum members haven't been a part of such a project, but I worked for a company where our primary business was developing hardware and selling it. There is usually a rush to get features prepared for a release, not hold them back. People lose jobs over features not being ready for launch. (rarely, but it happens)

From what we've all seen of the new phone and iOS6, I frankly am not that interested in what the iPhone 5S will have. Probably something that other phones will have had for 2 years at that point, just like always.

2 years? Really? Try a few months to a year.
 
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Great thread!

Can't believe the ignorance some people have though, thinking that their are no business tactics involving what will be released now and in the future.

It is blatant that companies are working on the next model even before the current model is released. Happens all the time ala Intel style. They were already working on Ivy bridge when they released Sandy bridge and had plans for Haswell.

Just the way things go...corporations are not your friend so why do you trust everything they are Selling you?

Sticking to topic:
-Better camera (sonys 12mp lens, genuinely hope its in the 5 but doubt it)
-slightly better processor
-IGZO screen
-maybe some software that has not been considered yet. Could even be finger print scaning (Feds would love this data lol).

-lastly perhaps better integration with OSX somehow...
 
What apple will hold back from the 5

- new 128GB option (4S introduced 64GB)
- quad core CPU
- 1GB RAM
- 12mp camera

Issues with the 5 ironed out

Basically, what should have been the 5 in the first place

You know, as much as I want a much better processor (for once I'd like not to get the one that gets a minimal increase) I expect they'll not give us much there but they better give us more RAM (my 4 needs it!). Not to mention that's something they usually do increase in the even generation cycle of the iphone. I'll be pissed if they don't increase the RAM this year (that means this will be the third year they are keeping it on the same RAM).

(I also wish they'd up the storage but I do think the 128GB will be something introduced next year. And I'll probably be wishing they had it this year when my 64 GB is full).
 
I don't think they ever hoLd back a feature unless it's simply not ready.

Putting a 1 megapixel camera on the back of the iPad2 in 2011, should, if anything, give you the answer to that.

How long ago did quality mobile phones have a 1 megapixel camera?

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(I also wish they'd up the storage but I do think the 128GB will be something introduced next year. And I'll probably be wishing they had it this year when my 64 GB is full).

I would of thought that introducing iCloud has given Apple even less a reason to increase onboard memory than ever before.

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I agree with you, but I think they,'rushed' Siri because they needed people to use it. The quickest way to improve Siri would have been to log all of its interactions to study what people were using it for, and how they phrased their questions. it was only a rush in the sense that it was a slight gamble as to how receptive people would be to it.

What I don't understand is why Siri performed better BEFORE Apple bought it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfWcVmKF_AM

http://mashable.com/2012/06/15/wozniak-on-siri/

Big business muscling in on tech?
 
Great thread!

Can't believe the ignorance some people have though, thinking that their are no business tactics involving what will be released now and in the future.

It is blatant that companies are working on the next model even before the current model is released. Happens all the time ala Intel style. They were already working on Ivy bridge when they released Sandy bridge and had plans for Haswell.

Just the way things go...corporations are not your friend so why do you trust everything they are Selling you?

But you see, that's the entire point. The roadmap sets your development timeline. Do you think the processes for Ivy Bridge were ready to be launched when the Sandy Bridge was launched? Do you think Intel "held back" the Ivy Bridge so they could sell the Sandy Bridge? No, they both were on different development cycles and some of the processes/technologies required to mass produce the Ivy Bridge weren't quite ready when Sandy Bridge was released. They aren't holding back for profit as people imply, it's all part of a product development timeline. Features make it in as technologies and product life cycles match up. LTE is a perfect example.
 
Putting a 1 megapixel camera on the back of the iPad2 in 2011, should, if anything, give you the answer to that.

How long ago did quality mobile phones have a 1 megapixel camera?

I don't know Apple's reason, but off the top of my head cost could be a reason. Perhaps they were trying to keep prices down and felt a camera on a tablet would be a low-demand feature. Could be several reasons. But if you thought Apple sold a lower res camera in one model thinking if they release another model with a higher res camera that everyone who bought the first would flock to the stores to buy another, you aren't living in the same reality I am.

This entire argument would rely on the assumption that people drop last years model to run out and buy the new model.....but that's a very small percentage of the population. And another point completely missed, Apple wants to lock in your business TODAY. Holding out features means a customer that is waiting on that feature may go to the competition, so leaving out features with thoughts of a future sale goes against basic business principles.

Features are held back, but never solely to spur sales of the next model. Usually because they weren't ready or to keep costs within targeted goals.
 
Doesn't matter since I'm sporting a galaxy s3 now and couldn't care less what apple does with the iPhone.
 
You're all wrong.

Apple hasn't built or designed anything new since 1987. Thankfully, they created an incredibly long and detailed road map of features to last them 30 years.

All of their computers, OSX, the iPod, iPhone, iOS, various programs, everything - all designed before 1987, but, instead of releasing it then and shocking the world, they've been following a plan of holding back just a little less each year in order to continue sales. Come 2017, we'll finally see everything.



That's about how stupid this thread sounds.
 
Do you think the processes for Ivy Bridge were ready to be launched when the Sandy Bridge was launched? Do you think Intel "held back" the Ivy Bridge so they could sell the Sandy Bridge?They aren't holding back for profit as people imply

Yes, I do think they gradually release technology for profit maximising strategies. I forgot what the term is called, water drop or something?

I do also believe Haswell is ready for launch but we'll have to wait until the end of life cycle for Ivy bridge, again for money reasons.

There are plenty examples in many products that the same strategy is applied. Don't you think that once they created 8gb they could of create 64 as well? Or do you genuinely believe they needed to further test it for 4 years or so before released?


When was the xperia arc released? couldn't they have used that camera lens back then? Why did they wait for the 4s to use it...why don't they use 1gb Ram? If its not in need for now it will be soon...why not future proof technology?

Same applies for everything, wake up! Use your common sense...what do you actually think? They wouldn't try mark-up their profit margins?
 
same strategy is applied. Don't you think that once they created 8gb they could of create 64 as well? Or do you genuinely believe they needed to further test it for 4 years or so before released?


When was the xperia arc released? couldn't they have used that camera lens back then? Why did they wait for the 4s to use it...why don't they use 1gb Ram? If its not in need for now it will be soon...why not future proof technology?

Same applies for everything, wake up! Use your common sense...what do you actually think? They wouldn't try mark-up their profit margins?

Sure, they could have used 64GB back then, but the price of said chips prevented them. The same goes with the camera, RAM, and pretty much everything else you mentioned.

They had to wait for the price on the components to drop to a reasonable level to where they could continue their current profit margins without increasing the prices of the phone.

Feel free to use your own common sense.
 
Trust me they do. I don't blame Apple for doing it but it just makes sense. They are smart and they know that if they release it all now then it will be hard for them to live up next year.

In that case I don't trust you. If there is a feature X that Apple could put into the iPhone 5 but doesn't, and that feature is so compelling that a significant number of iPhone 5 users would buy an iPhone 5+ with that feature, then not using that feature now would put Apple at an incredible disadvantage to its competitors.


Nevertheless, a fingerprint scanner to unlock would be nice to have in the iPhone 5.

Are you sure fingerprint scanning is ready for prime time? In the PC laptop world, it seems that a significant number of laptops can be unlocked by fingerprint scans of people other than the owner. (Not claiming Apple would be doing it better; maybe that's why Apple laptops don't have these scanners, because Apple refuses to use unsafe security technology).
 
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Yes, I do think they gradually release technology for profit maximising strategies. I forgot what the term is called, water drop or something?

I do also believe Haswell is ready for launch but we'll have to wait until the end of life cycle for Ivy bridge, again for money reasons.

There are plenty examples in many products that the same strategy is applied. Don't you think that once they created 8gb they could of create 64 as well? Or do you genuinely believe they needed to further test it for 4 years or so before released?


When was the xperia arc released? couldn't they have used that camera lens back then? Why did they wait for the 4s to use it...why don't they use 1gb Ram? If its not in need for now it will be soon...why not future proof technology?

Same applies for everything, wake up! Use your common sense...what do you actually think? They wouldn't try mark-up their profit margins?

Two words: Price points. Since iPhone 3G, for maximum appeal, they have to find a way to sell these phones for $200 (8GB model). If that means they have to put in a less expensive camera, RAM, or other component (based on cost/benefit analysis), then they will. Same goes with the iPad.

Also, a few years ago there was an extreme shortage of flash storage. Apple was buying all they could, and could barely keep up with production of 8GB and 16GB models. There simply wasn't enough to go around for 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB models.
 
They had to wait for the price on the components to drop to a reasonable level to where they could continue their current profit margins without increasing the prices of the phone.

Feel free to use your own common sense.

Two words: Price points

Ok fair enough.

Why not release a premium edition?

Add the extra cost and sell the phone anyway?....there is demand for it.

Why not release a phone with the best camera, 128gb memory, 1gb ram etc. etc. for another $400 on top - or whatever the extra cost is to maintain that profit margin?

Is it not to have you on a leash and rail you in again with the next model? Sell you two models instead of 1?
 
Ok fair enough.

Why not release a premium edition?

Add the extra cost and sell the phone anyway?....there is demand for it.

Why not release a phone with the best camera, 128gb memory, 1gb ram etc. etc. for another $400 on top - or whatever the extra cost is to maintain that profit margin?

Is it not to have you on a leash and rail you in again with the next model? Sell you two models instead of 1?

Why put in the time, R&D, and added expenses of not only creating a 'deluxe' model, but dedicating a production line to it (when there are already shortages) when only a (very) limited few will buy it?

It makes much more sense to simply realize that the price point wouldn't be feasible for the masses and wait for technology to drop in price and then work on it.
 
Ok fair enough.

Why not release a premium edition?

Add the extra cost and sell the phone anyway?....there is demand for it.

Why not release a phone with the best camera, 128gb memory, 1gb ram etc. etc. for another $400 on top - or whatever the extra cost is to maintain that profit margin?

Is it not to have you on a leash and rail you in again with the next model? Sell you two models instead of 1?


I would guess they don't see the value in developing a completely separate iPhone model. More R&D, more manufacturing overhead, more software fragmentation... There's a reason Apple makes the most money of any smartphone manufacturer despite only releasing one new phone per year.
 
Not going to wade far into the murky business decisions for withholding some features for the # but I will say that many features Apple would like to use are simply not ready - be it software implementations or chip energy consumption.

Examples:
Copy and paste on an iPhone is no trivial thing. The finger position, magnification loop, and highlighting features all had to be ready and "amazing".
Dual core processor. Cost vs energy consumption not to mention software integration.
Storage is expensive. 128 on a phone is nuts. I have that on my 2010 MBA. Delete or save your ugly photos. Profit margins would be way to small to make it worth it until prices come way down.

New features that would excite me when implemented would include:
Liquid metal band and a sinking of the screen permitting us to drop our phones when not in a case.
More RAM for faster app switching.
Always a more amazing camera. More pixels is less important than smaller f stops.
Longer battery life.
 
What apple will hold back from the 5

- new 128GB option (4S introduced 64GB)
- quad core CPU
- 1GB RAM
- 12mp camera

Issues with the 5 ironed out

Basically, what should have been the 5 in the first place

128GB is just fricking crazy for a phone...

The iPad is going to get a 128GB first (assuming it happens).
 
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