Sorry to burst your bubble, champ, but I don't own an iPhone. Not planning to get one either, or any new iPod for that matter.
Anyone dreaming of a phoneless iPhone can just keep on dreaming for the time being.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
The Beat Goes On: Nano, Touch, Beatles, Wireless?
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
- Status
Sorry to burst your bubble, champ, but I don't own an iPhone. Not planning to get one either, or any new iPod for that matter.
Anyone dreaming of a phoneless iPhone can just keep on dreaming for the time being.
FCC Approval
Wouldn't wifi or bluetooth require FCC approval? So even if there was an announcement on Wednesday saying the new ipod will have wifi it will take another month or more for them to ship. As we all know it is hard to find ipods in stores now. Do you think Apple would risk loosing a sh*t load of money by not having ipods in stores for the month it will take to get FCC approval? The new wireless keyboard they came out with is still not out and it still says three to four weeks until shipping.
In my opinion this is the strongest evidence that the new Ipod won't have wifi, the only way around it is if Apple makes several versions of the Ipod and only the high end model will have wifi. This will atleast allow them to stock stores. But either way no wifi ipod for atleast a few months which will be hard to wait for if there are non-wifi wide touch screen ipods out.
I personally would love to see wifi on the ipod and if someone can prove my points above wrong please do so, In this case I would love to be proved wrong! Maybe a loop hole since the ipod is so much like the iphone? Not likely that the ipod is already in FCC approval because they even waited to get approval for the new keyboard until after it was announced.
Wouldn't wifi or bluetooth require FCC approval? So even if there was an announcement on Wednesday saying the new ipod will have wifi it will take another month or more for them to ship. As we all know it is hard to find ipods in stores now. Do you think Apple would risk loosing a sh*t load of money by not having ipods in stores for the month it will take to get FCC approval? The new wireless keyboard they came out with is still not out and it still says three to four weeks until shipping.
In my opinion this is the strongest evidence that the new Ipod won't have wifi, the only way around it is if Apple makes several versions of the Ipod and only the high end model will have wifi. This will atleast allow them to stock stores. But either way no wifi ipod for atleast a few months which will be hard to wait for if there are non-wifi wide touch screen ipods out.
I personally would love to see wifi on the ipod and if someone can prove my points above wrong please do so, In this case I would love to be proved wrong! Maybe a loop hole since the ipod is so much like the iphone? Not likely that the ipod is already in FCC approval because they even waited to get approval for the new keyboard until after it was announced.
Apple will have an iPod model that has Wi-Fi in it, and your resistance to accept that fact will make you look stupid on September 5th.
It's not the wifi itself (which as you say doesn't cost too much), its the extra complexity to support things like Safari. This would also affect the speed of the CPU, the amount of onboard RAM to run the OS and any apps, etc.
From a marketing standpoint, Apple can't price a phoneless iPhone too far below the iPod, as that WOULD have a financial impact on the company. But more important is simply the cost of production and profit margin.
It's not so much the wifi but the whole bill of goods. You can swap out 8GB flash for an 80GB HD at about the same cost. So a phoneless-iPhone with 80GB HD would probably cost around $600 or so. The GSM hardware is not that expensive either, but Apple loses some downstream revenue compared to iPhone (just to make things simple, let's keep the camera in the iPod.) If we called that a wash (since Apple makes good money either way), then that's your starting point on price- $600.
If you take the camera out, you save some more. But either way you're still looking at at least $500 for the unit.
How much would a 30GB model cost? Or a 120GB model at the really high end?
So even without the wifi, this is not a cheap unit to make IMO (compared to the old iPod.) That would lend some support to the idea of a new flash-based iPod that slots between the Nano and the touchscreen model. THAT model is the successor to the 5.5G, and the iPod Touch is a brand new line at the top.
Yet another way of then looking at it, is you can stretch out the entire Apple line from Shuffle, through the various iPods, to the rumored iPod Touch, then to the iPhone, and THEN to the MacBook, MBP, etc. The price goes up, but so does functionality. They're all mobile devices after all. For example, would Apple sell more Nano's if none of these other devices existed? Yes. But as a whole, the entire line will sell far more than just 1 iPod, or 1 iPhone. Apple didn't worry about iPhone cannibalizing iPod sales, did they? And I don't think they're going to worry about the converse. What is important is appropriately filling out and planning the product line from top to bottom, not protecting the sales of any 1 particular model.
So if this is going to be a relatively expensive unit NO MATTER WHAT, I think Apple may be better off including Wifi and pricing it accordingly. Otherwise people may be put off by the price and not fully buy in to this thing, since it will seem crippled next to the iPhone (yet still cost more than other players.)
^^
The touch screen iPod will cost mas $349 for the cheapest model. Apple have always been extremly price competitive with the big iPod. The G4, Photo and video were all cheaper than their competitors even though they were the most technical in the bunch. If Archos can sell a 4.3 inch touch screen device with WiFi and 30GB, then Apple can do even better since they are a bigger company.
Yeah. We will keep on dreaming until next week when Apple will unleash the new iPod with a 3.5 inch touch screen, possibly with WiFi allowing me to control itunes wirelessly.
The iPod is above the iPhone on the hierarchy so Apple don't care if the iPod leeches sales from the iPhone. The iPhone is only sold in one country at the moment while the iPod is sold world wide earning Apple Bugs Bunny money.
The touch screen iPod will cost mas $349 for the cheapest model. Apple have always been extremly price competitive with the big iPod. The G4, Photo and video were all cheaper than their competitors even though they were the most technical in the bunch. If Archos can sell a 4.3 inch touch screen device with WiFi and 30GB, then Apple can do even better since they are a bigger company.
Yeah. We will keep on dreaming until next week when Apple will unleash the new iPod with a 3.5 inch touch screen, possibly with WiFi allowing me to control itunes wirelessly.
The iPod is above the iPhone on the hierarchy so Apple don't care if the iPod leeches sales from the iPhone. The iPhone is only sold in one country at the moment while the iPod is sold world wide earning Apple Bugs Bunny money.
No iPod will ever have more funtions then iPhone, as it won't be a cell phone
Guess what, it can(and will be) incredible without having more funtions then iPhone
Really...
...why do we even bother getting excited about the new release of the these iPods and iPod products? Given the current climate in the market, everyone knows, after they go on sale for the first month, they will be recalled because someone found out they were made in China.... AND THEIR FULL OF LEAD!
If I was Jobs, I would make sure "Nothing" is linked to China's Lead problems right now.
...why do we even bother getting excited about the new release of the these iPods and iPod products?
Given the current climate in the market, everyone knows, after they go on sale for the first month, they will be recalled because someone found out they were made in China.... AND THEIR FULL OF LEAD! If I was Jobs, I would make sure "Nothing" is linked to China's Lead problems right now.
No One?
No one gonna take a crack at this? I really think this is the issue. Anway way around it?
No one gonna take a crack at this? I really think this is the issue. Anway way around it?
The other thought question here is, why should Apple eliminate wifi from new mobile products simply because their CELL PHONE has it? Should they also not put Coverflow into any other products as well, because the iPhone has it?
The primary function of a cell phone is, well, a cell phone. It's not called the iWifi, or the iSafari, or the iCoverflow.
And trying to funnel consumers toward 1 particular product will never work as well in the long run as introducing multiple products that address all (or the majority) of its customers' needs.
The primary function of a cell phone is, well, a cell phone. It's not called the iWifi, or the iSafari, or the iCoverflow.
And trying to funnel consumers toward 1 particular product will never work as well in the long run as introducing multiple products that address all (or the majority) of its customers' needs.
As others have stated, even current iPods need FCC approval. Look on the back, it's written in little print. Just about anything electronic ends up going through the FCC. I don't know why cell phones are the things that always end up getting leaked by them, though.
Good Point
Just looked at the back of my ipod, yes I always have it handy, and sure enough there it is FCC. Did zune get leaked by the FCC?
Just looked at the back of my ipod, yes I always have it handy, and sure enough there it is FCC. Did zune get leaked by the FCC?
I look at product launches like, for example, the new iMac. If it had to go through FCC approval, it wasn't leaked. Also, let's not forget when Apple started sticking 802.11n capable chips in their computers; users found that out by examining hardware specs. I don't think the FCC blew the cover on that one, either. So what is the requirement for an item to HAVE to pass through the FCC?
I'd guess IF the iPod used wifi, then it could bypass the FCC by saying it uses the same technology as the iPhone. But honestly, I don't know what does and doesn't require FCC approval.
If you have a full sized touch multi touch screen with OS X, you're already going to have the CPU power and RAM to run it all. I'd think adding Safari would just take up a bit more space but I think the hurdle would be cleared once OS X was on it.
If they release a multi-touch iPod with OS X running on it, I think it'll be a waste if they don't include something like Safari. IMHO, there isn't going to be much use for a multi-touch screen without an app like Safari except for maybe some more robust calendar or note functionality. I don't know how many people make use of those functions but I sure don't. All that being said, I'm sure everyone here can come up with a billion suggested uses for multi-touch.
Don't get me wrong, I'm most definitely enticed by the possibility of a multi-touch OS X based iPod but at the same time, that's just lust for shiny new technology. Unless the iPod gains some more functionality, all that technology is just going to be so much fluff. And considering that the multi-touch will be the most expensive part most likely, you might as well toss in the wifi and Safari.
The clickwheel isn't broken by any means. Multi-touch is just sexier.
Yes they did. Full specs and everything.
So the question becomes why didn't previous iPods get leaked by the FCC?
Even if the iPod does gain wi-fi in the next gen, how does that automatically lead to the assumption of a full-featured Internet device? It would be similarity of features, not comparability of price, that would cannibalize both iPhone sales and mindshare. Just don't see it happening this time, or even the next time.
The iPod has always been a dedicated media player first and foremost. One of its prime selling points has always been ease of use. Overcomplicating such a device would be a step in the wrong direction as far as I'm concerned.
I suppose you could have an iPod with limited communications capability, just as the iPhone is a communications device with limited media ability. Two separate products, very nearly two separate markets. As it should be at this point in the game.
I suspect the two will slowly converge as the relevant technology advances... but personally, if my iPod dies tomorrow I will want to replace it with something that will play my music, not necessarily something that will let me check my e-mail while I'm sitting in the drive-thru at Burger Hog.
The iPod has always been a dedicated media player first and foremost. One of its prime selling points has always been ease of use. Overcomplicating such a device would be a step in the wrong direction as far as I'm concerned.
I suppose you could have an iPod with limited communications capability, just as the iPhone is a communications device with limited media ability. Two separate products, very nearly two separate markets. As it should be at this point in the game.
I suspect the two will slowly converge as the relevant technology advances... but personally, if my iPod dies tomorrow I will want to replace it with something that will play my music, not necessarily something that will let me check my e-mail while I'm sitting in the drive-thru at Burger Hog.
I totally agree with you. The multitouch isn't cheap, so if there was no extra features to use it, then Apple may as well just use a single-touch system. But then what about things like the rotation sensor? All the costs start adding up.
Once you get multitouch and OSX on there, you may as well USE THAT POWER to add increased functionality to increase the appeal of the device.
There are people arguing that the next iPod will run OSX, have multitouch, and even include WIFI but no Safari. That really makes no sense, I think people are mistakenly assuming Apple can release such a device for $299. All the evidence seems to support that it will cost more, unless the hardware is much more limited.
Once you get multitouch and OSX on there, you may as well USE THAT POWER to add increased functionality to increase the appeal of the device.
There are people arguing that the next iPod will run OSX, have multitouch, and even include WIFI but no Safari. That really makes no sense, I think people are mistakenly assuming Apple can release such a device for $299. All the evidence seems to support that it will cost more, unless the hardware is much more limited.
1. It will cost too much to have all the hardware bells and whistles of the iPhone. Multitouch, wifi, widescreen, big hard drive...such a device will not cost $300. If they're going to have all the hardware bells and whistles, this is a $500+ device regardless of what software features you lock out.
They could do a drastically cut-down version for $300, and that is a very possible scenario. It will have full screen, but who knows how much else compared to the iPhone. And using it will seem a lot more like the 5.5G iPod than the iPhone.
It's a judgment call which way to go with. Which is exactly why I think Apple will do BOTH- the rumored 'fat nano' is actually the 5.5G with flash memory and 2.5" screen, and a higher-priced iPod Touch. There is then a nice continuum from the Shuffle all the way to the iPhone, with pricing that makes sense for Apple and the consumer.
2. Are people complaining they don't know how to play music on the iPhone, or make phone calls, or run Safari?
I have never bought anything from the itunes music store but if i could access it in any coffee shop or book store i would probably buy a few songs a month if someone was telling me about them right there. 5 dollars a month isn't much and it's a really cool feature...Although not having safari is disappointing it is not the end of the world...I'm not to good with these things but if it does have the ability to access the itunes store could they add safari through a software up date or is this a totally separate thing.
You nailed it! Exactly what I think. The iPod will be a better media device but the iPhone will be a better communication device.
Further more Safari isn't as useful unless you have EDGE or 3G. Very few people have the opportunity to surf over WiFi for free when they aren't home, neither can they do it when they are on the move sitting on a bus.
Therefor Safari on an iPod will be a feature which barely anyone will be able to take advantage off when they are on the move.
We all know that quality is more important than quantity for Apple when it comes to features. Although I don't mind buying my new iPod next week with Safari I can see why it won't be implemented in the iPod in the coming months.
Regardless of whether or not the new iPod has Wi-Fi, I can assure you guys that the price points of the widescreen models will be $499 and $599.
Apple WILL have iPods priced in the $249/$349 range, but the 80GB/120GB widescreen iPods will be $499 and $599.
Apple has always done this when releasing a brand new revolutionary product, like the iPod Photo. That iPod was the first one with a color screen, and this one is the first one with a widescreen.
Anyone who is expecting a widescreen multi-touch iPod for $349 is dreaming!
Apple WILL have iPods priced in the $249/$349 range, but the 80GB/120GB widescreen iPods will be $499 and $599.
Apple has always done this when releasing a brand new revolutionary product, like the iPod Photo. That iPod was the first one with a color screen, and this one is the first one with a widescreen.
Anyone who is expecting a widescreen multi-touch iPod for $349 is dreaming!
Exactly. The killer tech on the iPhone isn't mobile Safari or wifi, it's multi-touch. The combination of that with OS X is what makes the iPhone so exciting. If Apple were to hold back features, I'd say multi-touch is a strong candidate. It's pretty pricey and adds little functionality unless you add in the extras like wifi/Safari.
Just because most MacRumors readers want multi-touch doesn't mean Apple is going to give it to us. Lots of people are clamoring for a touch screen iMac or something. Personally, I don't see the use for it. And from the way Steve Jobs talks, he doesn't see it (in the near future), either.
And that brand new revolutionary product was the iPhone. Steve Jobs even described it as "the best iPod we've ever made!"
Not saying that means the cost will be lower, but this isn't brand new revolutionary technology still. It's on the market in an Apple product.
- Status