More Details on Next-Generation iPhone? 3G Netbook Due This Summer?

[Evangelion]

While I can see AT&T/Apple subsidizing a netbook, I don't see it being under $99 new in the US. You mean you can get a computer w/ more features than the iPhone for less than have the cost (not including monthly subscription costs)?

You fail to understand one thing: iPhone is not an alternative to a netbook and vice versa. Netbook is not a phone. iPhone is not a computer. Netbook is bigger than a phone. People are NOT going to start thinking "why should I get an iPhone when I can get a netbook instead?".

And besides, you shouldn't stare at the initial price. the real cost is in the service-fee. Apple made a big deal how the iPhone 3G is cheaper than the original iPhone, but fact is that it's more expensive.

And as far as netbook is concerned, the monthly plan would probably be cheaper than the iPhone plan is, since it doesn't need SMS, MMS or voice-features.

I agree with those that say Apple sells "Premium" products, or at least premium priced products.

iPhone is a premium product, and I can get one for 1e.... Just becauise it can be had for 1e does not mean that people think that it's an el-cheapo phone.

If these rumors are true, the netbook would most likely be available without subsidies, but then it would probably cost over 500 bucks.

 

[cswiger1]

What you are missing is...............most people do not have that many Macs at their disposal

I know right?? (regardless whether apple makes one or not) netbooks are not for people who already own a notebook. It's not a netbook because its ultra portable like a MBA of sorts; It's a netbook cuz it's "thrifty." (once again, not talking about the so called "apple netbook" specificly when i use the word "thrifty." Just the term netbook in general)

I highly doubt we'll ever see a netbook w/ a full OS X on it for $99. but I can think of some cool things they can do for that kind of retail price (plus a data plan).

Then again, it probably won't even be an apple product. It is after all AT&Ts rumored netbook

 

[Evangelion]

When would I use it?

When I travel to work I have my iPhone so I can use the phone, surf the net, listen to music, watch films and play games.

Like I said: iPhone is not an alternative to a netbook. While iPhone is a great device, a proper computer with proper apps is still more powerful than iPhone is. I could easily see myself spend my commute typing text for example, and iPhone is not suitable for that.

Why do you have an iMac and MBP if you have "iPhone and all the apps"? because the iPhone is not an alternative to computer? Then what makes you think that it's an alternative to netbook?

 

[cswiger1]

Compare Apple's overpriced laptops with their competitor's specification/price, and then you have the dictionary definition.

It's sad that Apple's branding has blinkered some people's reality.

Yeah, they have a lot of the same insides; but you’re paying for the whole computer, not just the hardware. And that's what a lot of people love: A good looking computer, with an operating system specifically made for the hardware it is on. Not to mention the OS itself. I'm a pretty cheap guy, but I have no problem with apples prices. Sure, I would always love a better deal, but I agreed to pay the price for the product i wanted. If I find something better for cheaper, I'd get that instead.

...and then you get those who do pay for the brand. But they do it for the same reasons: It serves the purpose they bought it for; which is a fashion accessory

 

[coolchris101]

A $99 netboot, that's a lot of components for that price!

DUH! thats because where they really make your money is when your paying them $60 a month and you sign a two year contract!

 

[bagelche]

I wish there was a way to sort posts in this thread.

one pile for posts that say it costs more than $99 to make the iProd or whatever this is...
one pile for posts that say duh it's subsidized.
one pile for posts that say apple wouldn't sell at that price even subsidized.
one pile for posts that say what do I need an iProd for, I have an iPhone already.
one pile for posts that say what do I need an iProd for, I have 1-17 macs already.
one pile for posts that say yeah but the iProd isn't an iPhone or a mac.
one pile for posts that say OMGPonies, Unicorns and Rainbows.
one pile for posts that say your dreams are stupid and stop talking about rumors on MacRumors.
one pile for posts that say I don't care about iPhones and that's why I've read all 10 pages of this thread.

 

[lukecro]

one pile for posts that say OMGPonies, Unicorns and Rainbows.

I think you mean iPonies, iUnicorns and iRainbows.

one pile for posts that say your dreams are stupid and stop talking about rumors on MacRumors.

 

[anubis]

This is weird. I opened macrumors this morning and there were no new front page iPhone-related posts. A sign of the apocalypse?

EDIT: Spoke too soon

 

[iMacmatician]

I wish there was a way to sort posts in this thread.

one pile for posts that say it costs more than $99 to make the iProd or whatever this is...
one pile for posts that say duh it's subsidized.
one pile for posts that say apple wouldn't sell at that price even subsidized.
one pile for posts that say what do I need an iProd for, I have an iPhone already.
one pile for posts that say what do I need an iProd for, I have 1-17 macs already.
one pile for posts that say yeah but the iProd isn't an iPhone or a mac.
one pile for posts that say OMGPonies, Unicorns and Rainbows.
one pile for posts that say your dreams are stupid and stop talking about rumors on MacRumors.
one pile for posts that say I don't care about iPhones and that's why I've read all 10 pages of this thread.

Excellent thread summary!

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I wish there was a way to sort posts in this thread.

one pile for posts that say it costs more than $99 to make the iProd or whatever this is...
one pile for posts that say duh it's subsidized.
one pile for posts that say apple wouldn't sell at that price even subsidized.
one pile for posts that say what do I need an iProd for, I have an iPhone already.
one pile for posts that say what do I need an iProd for, I have 1-17 macs already.
one pile for posts that say yeah but the iProd isn't an iPhone or a mac.
one pile for posts that say OMGPonies, Unicorns and Rainbows.
one pile for posts that say your dreams are stupid and stop talking about rumors on MacRumors.
one pile for posts that say I don't care about iPhones and that's why I've read all 10 pages of this thread.

So which topic are you specifically interested in reading more about?

 

[rstansby]

When would I use it?
...
Am I missing something?

Just because you wouldn't use a product doesn't mean that there isn't a market for it. For example I don't have any use for a tampon, a bulldozer or a mongolian-to-english dictionary, but that doesn't mean that I think these products have no use. I imagine that folks who don't have a computer, or who only have a desktop would really like a cheap always connected laptop for web browsing, word processing, research etc. In fact I would say that the writing is on the wall that netbooks will become ubiquitous in the next decade.

 

[dambrosir]

A 3G card maybe?

The ultra- simple business guideline of "don't compete with yourself" is why there will be no Apple netbook subsidized by AT&T. Period.

You don't release two competing products at once.

This makes about as much sense as offering a data plan for the iPod touch.

agreed, however, this could be a card, instead of a netbook, and aimed at non iphone users. That would allow AT &T to expand there customer base.

 

[Unspeaked]

What's funny is TheStreet just has an article about Apple's possible entry into the netbook market mentioning $599 as a reasonable price point for them.

Marshall estimates that Apple could generate gross margins in the 35% to 40% range with a $599 netbook, compared to the roughly 30% margins achieved by other netbook makers.

 

[ctdonath]

You fail to understand one thing: iPhone is not an alternative to a netbook and vice versa. Netbook is not a phone. iPhone is not a computer. Netbook is bigger than a phone. People are NOT going to start thinking "why should I get an iPhone when I can get a netbook instead?".

<raises hand>

I've been obsessing over the idea of getting an iPhone. My iPod Touch has practically replaced my home computer for most applications; merging my cell phone with that - i.e.: an iPhone - would be fantastic.

But with the looming possibility of a 10" iPod Touch (aka "netbook") which would make even more applications feasable on the Touch paradigm, I'd find that more useful than merging Touch and phone. Given the choice between netbook (assuming that means a 10" iPod Touch tablet) and an iPhone, my question indeed becomes "why should I get an iPhone when I can get a netbook instead?" I can do a lot more with a netbook and a cheap phone than I can with an iPhone.

 

[inteljoe]

This is what I think everyone should expect!!!

*iPhone/iTouch OS 3.0 Released

*Release of a NEW iPhone in june, with a better proccessor, maybe multicore (I'd say 2 cores at most, to save on battery life). Definately a 16gb/32gb option, no more 8gb.

*Release of a NEW iTouch with 2 or more multicore processor, think gaming platform and a logical replcaement for other clunky devices, especially now with OS 3.0.

*Better battery performance (I hope at least). Think of the new 17" MB Pro's with the internal battery design applied to iphone

*Snow Leopard, been in development for some time, nearing completion.

*Display of new products that take advantage of OS 3.0

*Probably a few other features to snow leopard, OS 3.0 that we haven't heard about yet. I'd also say a new hardware addition, in terms of an apple netbook, i'd say no, but note sure really what yet.

 

[Tedeks]

What's funny is TheStreet just has an article about Apple's possible entry into the netbook market mentioning $599 as a reasonable price point for them.

$599 wouldn't be so bad, but still higher then some pretty good netbooks out there.

 

[50548]

A $99* Netbook is so 2008.

* with new, qualifying 2-year AT&T contract

Gosh, that thing is fuuuuuuuuugly...and come on, why on Earth would I buy a netbook with a carrier contract? WAKE UP, ZOIDS!

It's definitely time for SJ to return at Apple's helm...the BS levels are increasing rapidly.

 

[Bubba Satori]

$599 wouldn't be so bad, but still higher then some pretty good netbooks out there.

That's around the price I expect to come in at. $599-$799 depending on configuration. I'm thinking it's going to be a 10" convertible tablet with a fold away keyboard.

 

[Bubba Satori]

Gosh, that thing is fuuuuuuuuugly...and come on, why on Earth would I buy a netbook with a carrier contract? WAKE UP, ZOIDS!

It's definitely time for SJ to return at Apple's helm...the BS levels are increasing rapidly.

Why is it fugly ? Because it doesn't look like something from Apple ?

Wake up to the fact that different customers have different needs.

 

[50548]

Why is it fugly ? Because it doesn't look like something from Apple ?

Wake up to the fact that different customers have different needs.

Exactly. It is fugly because it doesn't come from Apple...just look at every notebook out there and their build quality...the Apple design is unmatched.

 

[cswiger1]

Just because you wouldn't use a product doesn't mean that there isn't a market for it. For example I don't have any use for a tampon, a bulldozer or a mongolian-to-english dictionary, but that doesn't mean that I think these products have no use....

Haha excellent examples

 

[AidenShaw]

...the Apple design is unmatched.

Thank goodness for that!

why on Earth would I buy a netbook with a carrier contract?

Well, if you assume that one would want a 3G netbook - getting one with a subsidy would make a lot of sense.

And, I *would* assume that you'd want a 3G netbook. WiFi is a big pain - my own home is about the only place I can be sure of getting a free, reliable WiFi connection without some strange proxy login stuff.

 

[JAQ]

You fail to understand one thing: iPhone is not an alternative to a netbook and vice versa.

You fail to understand one thing: for many people, an iPhone is an alternative to a netbook. I've always bought the smallest, lightest laptops I could get. I darn near bought an actual Netbook(TM) from Psion. But now that I have an iPhone, most of the things I used to use a laptop for (web, mail, calendar, logging expenses, games for when I'm bored)... I use the phone. And the things it can't do (serious writing)... I find other ways to do them, because it isn't worth carrying even an MBAir or EEE around just for those few things.

 

[50548]

Thank goodness for that!

Yep, these were great...you just fail to remember how many appliances and PCs were released right after the iMac and the iBook in the market, in the same color schemes...

Well, if you assume that one would want a 3G netbook - getting one with a subsidy would make a lot of sense.

And, I *would* assume that you'd want a 3G netbook. WiFi is a big pain - my own home is about the only place I can be sure of getting a free, reliable WiFi connection without some strange proxy login stuff.

That's the problem...a 3G netbook doesn't make sense if you're gonna use it as a small laptop (just as pretty much everyone else buying crappy netbooks)...a netbook is NOT a phone, and definitely not worth having a contract with a carrier...unless, of course, you define a netbook as an iPhone Plus...

 

[diamond.g]

Yep, these were great...you just fail to remember how many appliances and PCs were released right after the iMac and the iBook in the market, in the same color schemes...



That's the problem...a 3G netbook doesn't make sense if you're gonna use it as a small laptop (just as pretty much everyone else buying crappy netbooks)...a netbook is NOT a phone, and definitely not worth having a contract with a carrier...unless, of course, you define a netbook as an iPhone Plus...

If you want wireless access (UTMS) you will (at least in the US) have to sign up for a contract. When that is the case it is best to try to get the device for a cheaper price. Just ask all those people whom complained about the unsubsidized price of the iPhone....