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

People are saying not for $99, and I mostly agree. However, consider this "universal" "seemless" device–perhaps it is so highly anticipated within Apple and AT&T that they're willing to subsidize in order to offer the ultimate all in one solution for phone, internet, and TV.
 
bagelche said:
exactly on both. AT&T already offers a $99 Acer netbook with a $60/mo 2yr obligation. It wouldn't be a stretch to imagine they'd have something better by summer.

I too would be surprised if it's an apple product, though I wouldn't entirely discount the possibility. As others (ie peterqc) have noted there's already a steep subsidization on the iphone. With a double-that data plan cost, they could potentially slip an apple product in there.

would be nice, but I still see this as a mingling of rumors.
Click to expand...

Oooh, you're right.

I thought it was $40/month.

AT&T Data-Only plan is $60/month:

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plans/data-connect-plans.jsp

I can see an Apple 3G NetBook for $99 with a 3 year contract at $60/month...

$2,160 is your total Wireless Data cost over 3 years.

Maybe a $56/month charge for existing AT&T Wireless customers?

EDIT: NOTE - IT'S ONLY 5 Gig/Month... :eek:

FAN Discounted is $54/month...
 
$99 netbook from Apple? C'mon. This site is getting more ridiculous with each posting.

an announcement in mid June for the iPhone? I'm sorry, but that's when I expect it to be AVAILABLE, not announced.

Look, just give me iPHone OS 3.0, better camera, video recording and uploading, faster 3G, 32GB flash and I'm good. Instant sale for me as I'm still on generation 1 iPhone.
 
Razeus said:
$99 netbook from Apple? C'mon. This site is getting more ridiculous with each posting.

an announcement in mid June for the iPhone? I'm sorry, but that's when I expect it to be AVAILABLE, not announced.

Look, just give me iPHone OS 3.0, better camera, video recording and uploading, faster 3G, 32GB flash and I'm good. Instant sale for me as I'm still on generation 1 iPhone.
Click to expand...

And a $199 Apple phone isn't??? :rolleyes:
 
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.
 
I doubt the $99 'netbook' claim as it doesn't fit with Apple's pricing structure and market segmentation toward the higher end buyer.
 
lftrghtparadigm said:
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.
Click to expand...

It actually makes perfect sense - coming from Apple.

You want a NetBook? $99, oh and by the way, you'll be paying AT&T back (plus more) for them giving us $400 per unit sold... :eek:

You don't want an AT&T contract? Well then, buy a Windows/Linux based NetBook... AT&T is Apple's EXCLUSIVE Dealer for iPhones and Apple's NetBook...
 
i till dont understand why anyone wants a netbook. the iphone covers all my portable computing needs. a netbook sure as hell aint gonna handle graphic design or HD movies so it'd just be a too big for the pocket useless device to me:rolleyes:
 
bagelche said:
They do. Saw it in my local Radio Shack.
Click to expand...

My bad. That's actually the one I was referring to, and I thought it was $199, not $99. I heard about it on Leo Laporte's podcast, where he was talking about a women suing AT&T because apparently it's got a 5GB a month cap, and it's in the fine print, the lady didn't realize it, and boom: $5000 bill. :eek:
 
$99 netbook!?! NOt gonna happen unless the data plan is $200 a month and its a 5 year contract lol!
 
Rychiar said:
i till dont understand why anyone wants a netbook. the iphone covers all my portable computing needs. a netbook sure as hell aint gonna handle graphic design or HD movies so it'd just be a too big for the pocket useless device to me:rolleyes:
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Everyone's got different needs. It'd be better for watching movies, note-taking, eBook reading, web surfing due to the larger size, etc.

Different strokes for different folks. I have an iTouch and would still buy one, if it was available with 3G for a reasonable monthly price.
 
You can already get free netbooks with a £25 contract over here. Not that much of a stretch to think a iPhone level contract (£35/£45) with £99 price tag (yes I know £99!=$99 but that's the way Apple will play it).
 
zoezoezoe said:
I haven't read the entire thread, but the early posters doubting the 99 dollar netbook are missing some crucial things.

- First off, a netbook costs much less than iPhone to make.
- Second, there are already netbooks on the market for around 400-600. They do not include subsidies.
- The iPhone itself is being subsidized hundreds of dollars, why can't a $400-600 dollar netbook be similarly subsidized with a 2 year contract?
- Tata Motors of India just released the Nano, its a car, and it only costs 2,000. That is less than my macbook pro costs! When thinking about that, a $99 netbook doesn't seem all that strange.
- As alluded to before, when ATT can slap on a huge subsidy and force you into a lucratrive 2 year contract, 99 seems pretty reasonable an entry point.
- Lastly, the news of a 99 dollar netbook from Apple will create the largest media storm Apple has seen yet. It's a brilliant move on so many levels.

I think it true!
Click to expand...

Now I totally agree with you on this post.
99.99 subsidized via ATT. Full outright price 299-399 respectively.
It only makes sense if it has a 3G chip within the netbook. But where the tricky part comes in is if the netbook can actually connect wifi. Knowing a little bit on how Apple prides itself in making sure the end user has the newest hardware within a desktop , so that customers do not have to upgrade their machine every year (Unlike most computers that are outdated after a year). I know I might catch some flack , but I do agree with the thought of a subsidy of a netbook , just like the iphone 3G.
Another thought is that the chip within the device might be able to connect to different carriers or the carrier of the subscribers choice. As for now the only deal that is in concrete is the iphone exclusive deal.
That being said, Apple might open the flood gates for all carriers to be able to use the "netbook" on their network. With maybe only some sort of exclusive deal for just ATT to sell the netbook at a 99.99 price point and others to be able to only subsidize for 199.99
 
At $99 my first though is that the device would be some unix variant, but depending on the data plan you would be tied to I could see AT&T maybe making it possible. The data plan could easily run $70 a month given it would be running pretty close to an always connection almost fully functional computer.

As a counter to this, I don't know if Apple would be truely comfortable with a non phone device tied to a specific carrier. Also, even though the long term cost of ownership might end up being high ($99 to buy & maybe $50*24) would Apple really like something like this competing with the Macbooks and the like.

Although not necessarily highly desirable you could potentially go with the netbook and cancel your home internet service and maybe share internet with a fully functional computer at home. Of course, AT&T might just set some lowball data usage number which makes the whole thing pointless, and that isn't out of the question.
 
gkarris said:
It actually makes perfect sense - coming from Apple.

You want a NetBook? $99, oh and by the way, you'll be paying AT&T back (plus more) for them giving us $400 per unit sold... :eek:

You don't want an AT&T contract? Well then, buy a Windows/Linux based NetBook... AT&T is Apple's EXCLUSIVE Dealer for iPhones and Apple's NetBook...
Click to expand...

No it does not make perfect sense. Not even close.
There will not be a move by Apple that will dilute iPhone sales, or even has a chance to.

The iPhone is an expensive, monthly data charge device. There may be a market for such an expensive monthly netbook, but not while the iPhone is still growing will Apple offer such a thing.

And I don't mean the $99, issue. Entry price makes no difference. Lower the better. Apple would still get their full subsidy, and AT&T would rake in a minimum of $60/mon over two years. Possibly longer.

I don't see either product fairing well from such an attempt. Those that might want it already have/also want an iPhone. It's financially impossible for MOST iPhone users.

Understandably the market does not just include iPhone users but that's 10 million us they can count on NOT being a real market for it.
 
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