Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

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

It will be a cold day in hell before Apple sells a netbook for $99. That is, unless it is heavily, heavily subsidized to the tune of a $60-$70 per month contract for 2 years and even then the carrier would risk a loss in order to get more subscribers in the long run. Even with carrier subsidies I still can't imagine this price point, however. $199 maybe. $99 no.

If Apple does make an honest to goodness real netbook (sans a cell contract) it will be priced somewhere in the $599 to $999 range. personally, I think it should be called the "MacBook mini" and should have two price points of $599 and $799 depending on the options. I'd be in for the $599 one in a heartbeat.
 
B2k1977 said:
No one sees how this is all coming together? Forget about an apple 3g/netbook whatever thing.

1. We already know new iphone software is on the way.

2. We know it has the ability to do data tethering via usb or bluetooth.

WE KNOW apple bought a bunch of 10 inch touchscreens from the same maker of the iphone touch screens

I just don't think a "netbook" fits into Apple's business model. I think, this means you will see some kind of internet tablet/e-book reader kindle type device (maybe they're bringing the Newton back) where iphone users can access the internet on this device via 3G tethering with their brand spankin' new iphone they're going to buy this summer. Maybe we'll have a choice, no iphone? purchase 3G for the "mystery device" already have an iphone? great then just tether it.

And before anyone whines about price, from what I've seen, people seem to ignore price when it comes to Apple products. I bought an iphone 3g 8gb for $400 because I wasn't able to upgrade, and when the next one comes out, guess what? that's right I'll be buying one. Apple's products sell, period. I'm not rich, I don't have money to burn, but I love technology and I'm willing to pay.

Hmm, can't wait to see how badly I get flamed for this one. Oh well. :apple:
Click to expand...

Oh you're gonna get flamed - don't worry - but not by me. I agree with every word you said and I think the crowd looking for the Apple netbook is in for a big disappoint. The 10" tablet idea--(Newton II) - far more feasible in my opinion. My only question: does it run a full OSX or something stripped down like on the iPhone?
 
j5045096 said:
Oh you're gonna get flamed - don't worry - but not by me. I agree with every word you said and I think the crowd looking for the Apple netbook is in for a big disappoint. The 10" tablet idea--(Newton II) - far more feasible in my opinion. My only question: does it run a full OSX or something stripped down like on the iPhone?
Click to expand...
I also agree.

About the 10" tablet, I'd say iPhone OS, although at that display size (previous rumors said 5.5" and ≈8") the possibility of Mac OS X being used enters the picture.
 
WannaGoMac said:
It better be some damn great hardware and new software features. Cause based on what I have seen, the Palm Pre is 10x better than the iPhone.

Pre fixed everything I hated about the iphone...


(yes, I know its not out yet, neither is the new iphone OS or iphone)
Click to expand...
Pray Palm is still around when its released.
 
Release Date?

Appleinsider is reporting that AT&T execs have said that the device will have a Mid-June Release date. I hope apple is smart with it's marketing this year and announces that it will be released "Today" during the keynote instead of postponing it for 3 measily weeks and then having a ton of childish looking people lining up making the device look like a childish product and of course having major network and server outages like last years release. Personally, I'll prolly be there anyway, unless of course i have to pay 200 more for a breakage fee which I probably will anyway, but still, I think the annual iPhone line and craziness really turns nonmacrumor forum members off as childish, overbearing, and stupid and leads to some of the backlash that non-iPhone owners have. Also, I think Apple should go back to calling the device just iPhone, instead of giving it a tag. That way they can avoid the stereotype of, "always coming out with something newer and better and ripping people off."
Just my two cents
 
This is what troubles me:

the addition of an iPhone application to control AT&T's U-verse suite of Internet-based products and services
Click to expand...

and

AT&T is said to be working with Apple to create a unified product with an unparalleled experience across all their products and services.
Click to expand...

That sounds like Apple is now letting AT&T determine what goes on the iPhone, at least some of it. And if that's true, there goes the last vestige of what made the iPhone so different from the rest of the industry: Apple controlled it, not the cell providers. It sounds like Apple is now caving in and following the traditional US cell carrier model, rather than revolutionizing it as they did with the first iPhone.
 
iMacoo7 said:
You might be wrong on number 3.
I was a 1st Gen iPhone owner and upgraded to the 3G iPhone.
Called ATT to see when I was eligible for an upgrade and as of the ending of February 2009 I am eligible for an upgrade/update. That being said I think the actual upgrade/update might depend on when someone actually stood in line for the 3G version or when a person updated to the new version(3G iPhone). Even if this was your first iphone, you should still be able to upgrade/update to the new version considering Apple's time frame of the release (Announced in June and released in July. Hopefully earlier this year!)
Click to expand...

Sorry, not wrong according to ATT's upgrade policy. http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why/upgrade-advantage.jsp To get a subsidized phone you have to be in at least in the 18th month of your contract, which would be impossible for 3G owners. How you qualified early I can't say.
 
iSimx said:
I'm still wondering what would happen to the current iphone users on contract. Does that mean we can't upgrade until the end of the contract (or pay the rest now to upgrade, which you would be mad to do so). Apple won't sell as many iphones as a lot of people will be still pay for the last contract...

As for the netbook I definately can't see apple selling it for $99. Absolutely no way lol.
Click to expand...

With this new iPhone, apple is looking to capture 1st Generation iPhone users, New Customers and Techies willing to pay full because they bought the 3G Iphone. This is all falling into place now. 1st Generation iphoners contracts will be up in late June.
 
dual64bit said:
A $99 netboot, that's a lot of components for that price!
Click to expand...

Yep but it will be tied to a very expensive multiple year contract! How else could anyone offer a 99$ 3G netbook, let alone it be apple that does this?

Of course that's IF this rumor is true! :D
 
The comments sound like they came from a Marketing "higher-up" at ATT.

"Seamless experience" [sarcasm] OMG?@! [/sarcasm]

No quad core kids. Not even a dual core.
 
MACingIS4Me said:
With this new iPhone, apple is looking to capture 1st Generation iPhone users, New Customers and Techies willing to pay full because they bought the 3G Iphone. This is all falling into place now. 1st Generation iphoners contracts will be up in late June.
Click to expand...

Forgive me forgetting, but I bought the 1st generation iPhone for $599 (ugh, do not remind me for paying "first time luxury tax"), then the 3G iPhone. I believe I paid $399 for the 3G model, however as it is not listed online I do not recall the exact price. It is listed on AT&T for $199/8 GB and $299/16 GB with a two year contract. I believe I paid full price at the time, thus I did not renew my 2 year contract with AT&T. If that is the case I should be up for a renewal, right?

wonderbread57 said:
The comments sound like they came from a Marketing "higher-up" at ATT.

"Seamless experience" [sarcasm] OMG?@! [/sarcasm]

No quad core kids. Not even a dual core.
Click to expand...

More likely it's a PowerBook G5 that Apple has taking up space in a warehouse.
 
Sure, you can get a $99 3G netbook -- if you sign up for a 2-year 3G contract at $60/month. The fact that it "won't run Windows" is merely a teaser because many netbooks run Linux.

As far as the next iPhone, a lot of this crap could be posted with just some common sense speculation. I mean I have no sources at all and I could post anywhere that a 32GB iPhone is coming out this summer. I could also throw in video recording will be available. Neither of those is a leap of faith, nor anything that shouldn't be expected.

If these sites want to pretend like they actually "know" something, maybe they should find something a little more fine-tuned. Otherwise, they really don't have any sources worth a poot.
 
Carriers

Does that second last bullet mean iPhone might go to verizon, etc.? I'm sorry, I'm confused on their wording
 
The AT&T U-Verse App sounds good but it sounds like it will only support certain PVRs...Like others, if the software is poor (like most carrier apps), I hope we can delete it.
 
The purest hype

The Boy Genius post is pure unredeemed hype. Straight from the AT&T PR department.

Notice how it has basically no details. There's the pretty minor WiFi thing and this netbook, clearly Linux and unrelated to Apple. If it was Apple gear they wouldn't be talking about it; they just described it as "non-windows" to get Apple sites talking about it to build hype.

Come on: "prep for an exciting time this summer." WTF? Not news, Boy Genius. Free AT&T advertising.
 
So here's my take...

iMacmatician said:
I also agree.

About the 10" tablet, I'd say iPhone OS, although at that display size (previous rumors said 5.5" and ≈8") the possibility of Mac OS X being used enters the picture.
Click to expand...

iPhone OS 3.0 maybe modified a bit or maybe a 3.0 "tablet edition" or something like that, god that sounds really "microsoft" doesn't it? (sorry)

I think if you try to cram macos x on something like that the performance of the device will suffer. Applications can be created for the tablet to run on iphone os and it's another revenue stream for apple's app store.

Then on this device you can allow things like background tasks for true push notifications. Then of course more storage, ram and processing power.

Come on, there is only so much you can cram in an iphone and still make it the sleekest and sexiest phone of it's class. If you want more you'll need a different device.

I predict some type of compainion device for the iphone. Maybe that will come in time for christmas.

iphone this summer, tablet at christmas. That's what I think.
 
new revenue stream

Its 99$ a month, and your get a free NETBOOK too!!!
2 year contract = $2400.00

thats how they can give out the netbook for free!
I would say thats not really "Free".
You cant get a Netbook with out there 99$ monthly fee.


This is the future for the apple Laptops as well, Free computers but you stuck with the monthly fees. You can never really own the thing without the contract. This is the new revenue stream..!!!
 
¿

salvatorereda said:
Its 99$ a month, and your get a free NETBOOK too!!!
2 year contract = $2400.00

thats how they can give out the netbook for free!
I would say thats not really "Free".
You cant get a Netbook with out there 99$ monthly fee.


This is the future for the apple Laptops as well, Free computers but you stuck with the monthly fees. You can never really own the thing without the contract. This is the new revenue stream..!!!
Click to expand...

That's the dumbest thing I've ever read. I want that 26 seconds of my life back please.
 
a rebuttal...

WannaGoMac said:
It better be some damn great hardware and new software features. Cause based on what I have seen, the Palm Pre is 10x better than the iPhone.

Pre fixed everything I hated about the iphone...


(yes, I know its not out yet, neither is the new iphone OS or iphone)
Click to expand...

You're not really basing that on anything other than looks. The two things that I would give palm on is intergration and the neat little touchstone. The WebOS is mostly based on widgets. The reason that they can run background apps is because they are essentially web apps. They will run as fast as what you're connection may be and have the lack of depth that a native apps have.

You may say that the OS 3.0 hasn't been released yet and that is true. But Apple is not introducing a whole new OS. Nobody knows exactly how the Pre will perform. With the exception of the PNS, you have a pretty good idea of how the iPhone OS will run. Most of the things that apple is adding do not affect battery life or performance. Even the most basic things are left in doubt with the Pre.

Another thing you have to worry agoutis even if the Pre is a pretty sucessful, they may still go bankrupt. At this point, Palm has about $200 million in the bank. Add manufacturing costs and advertising for the Pre and the company is in the red.

You can argue that Apple has done something far more interesting having the dock connector accessibility. Besides glucose monitors and the like, you'll also be able to hook up gamepads, keyboards and even dumb cameras(for high quality pictures/HD video) which could handle the quality while the iPhone app handles the storage and processing.

You can very reasonably make the argument that the iPhone jumped ahead of the Pre in technological terms and you haven't even seen the new hardware for the iPhone yet.
 
MACingIS4Me said:
With this new iPhone, apple is looking to capture 1st Generation iPhone users, New Customers and Techies willing to pay full because they bought the 3G Iphone. This is all falling into place now. 1st Generation iphoners contracts will be up in late June.
Click to expand...

Except there wasn't a contract on the 1st gen. iPhone.
 
Damn... was looking so good until I read that last part. I'm not totally putting it out of the picture. It could possibly be the larger 10' iPod touch/tablet that there have been rumors about. Subsidize it with AT&T and it could be possible. It's a stretch, but maybe.

Other than that, I have been waiting on a u-Verse app! Really don't need a whole new iPhone for this, but please let that one be true.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back