Another day, another analyst claiming to have obtained über-exclusive details on the much-rumored iPhone. This time around it's Prudential Equities, and they claim Apple has not one, but two iPhones planned for an early 2007 release (gee, when could that be). One will be a smart phone with keyboard, video and (duh) music capabilities, while the other will be a straight-up iTunes phone. Oh, and 'one' will have Wi-Fi - though PE leaves us hanging in suspense as to which model could sport such a sought-after mobile phone feature.I call foul here, primarily because I'm willing to bet information about the iPhone is under lock and key, and leaks are punishable most likely by being drawn & quartered (not to mention that any two-bit analyst can claim anything they want these days - hooray for the Dvorak method). However, one good point I can agree with from this IBS article is that Apple is being very cautious with this product, because mobile phones aren't iPods or personal computers, and there are a lot of new factors and features Apple needs to learn how to juggle in a device like this (let's not forget the most battery-hungry of them all: Wi-Fi). That being the case, I don't think Apple is going to offer multiple models - this is too new a market for them, and these devices are complicated enough without them trying to take on the very heated smart phone industry - for now.
Ultimately, we'll see whether Prudential Equities is bluffing soon enough - January 8th is fast approaching.
[via digg]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-17-2006 @ 1:05PM
tim said...
i just got the sony ericsson w810i, it has full integration with ical, address book and the works, it just doesnt send over the address book images. i think its great for working with the mac....but id drop it in a heartbeat if these came out. ive NEVER cared about phones other than to make calls....but i NEED this phone from apple
Reply
10-17-2006 @ 1:42PM
jbelkin said...
I'm more inclined to believe rumors about the iphone since as it gets closer, Apple does have to work with other companies and only Apple seems to be able to contain leaks - every other company on this planet, where not only is the info leaked but the memo that says - don't leak this gets leaked with the info ... so while Apple's info is held just as tight - the new partners are sieves.
Reply
10-17-2006 @ 1:48PM
Michael said...
I call b/s. If this was true, Apple would be in trouble because ther iPhone needs to be alot more creative than that. They described the generic smartphone that constitutes 99% of the market.
What apple makes is simple. I can't possibly see flipping keyboards on an Apple phone.
What i would like to see is something that extends osx to your phone. I can see huge integration with iLife apps, a dock to load or change programs, and a clickwheel for navigation. I don't think there is a necessity for wi-fi if there is a strong Bluetooth implementation. I'm sure Bluetooth will b used to sync the device with your computer (instantly), and wirless data will be used to access .mac, push email, and do web browsing/ ITMS-ing.
If Apple was smart, they would create something similar to Sherlock for the iPhone. Something that lets you get 100% of the content and info you look for typically online without having to go through the torture of mobile browsing and shrinking website etc.
Reply
10-17-2006 @ 2:14PM
Shalin Jain said...
I use a Sony k750i and it goes pretty well with my mac. I am tempted to upgrade to k790i but this rumour does not let me!
Reply
10-17-2006 @ 2:18PM
Marshall said...
IF (notice the huge if) apple really does release a phone product, expect the same level of re-invention that they have brought to all of their product categories. Expect a simple interface. There will be no full keyboards, wifi, browsers, etc. The only way I can see them releasing a phone is to somehow use it as a tool to help revive .Mac.
Now watch me hold my breath hhhuuuup...........pphewwww...That didn't last long.
Reply
10-17-2006 @ 2:27PM
Brian P. said...
Two models make sense to me. One low end that incorporates ipod like features and phone. The other high end that is a newton/ipod. It might actually reduce the risk for Apple in that they get to see which one the market accepts more...
Reply
10-17-2006 @ 3:41PM
Andy said...
I could see 2 models. One is white or black and is the consumer model, one is Al. and has more pro features. I mean, how many iPod models do we have? Granted they started with one.
Reply
10-17-2006 @ 6:38PM
Michael Tyznik said...
I really hope if one is a smart phone they take the good elements of the Newton UI. I just saw a video of one in action for the first time and I wish current PDAs had that level of personality. (Little UI animations, among other things.)
Reply
10-17-2006 @ 7:25PM
10layers said...
Well, we did a bit of research and it appears that Apple has actually filed for iPhone trademarks not in a few, but in a large number of countries worldwide, including: the US, the UK, the EU, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and others.
Check out our details
Reply
10-20-2006 @ 11:31AM
Patrick said...
I hope that Apple will not even think of producing an iPhone that is not a smartphone - yes its more complicated but (a) text messaging with a QWERTY keyboard is a must have (my voicecalls have gone from 100% of my cellphone usage to 5% in the last 3 years); (b) it is the luxury of the effortless synch that is at the core of mac-user interest in the cellphone; (c) if I have to endure another year without the ability to add to my iCal without being at home then that's it, I will permanently (I have temporarily) switch to Google.
Reply