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iPhone nano rumors piling up

by Robert Palmer Jan 13th 2009 at 1:00PM

Rumor sites are abuzz this morning with news from the Far East noting that two Taiwanese chip manufacturers will likely receive orders for a new "iPhone nano."

Taiwan's Economic Daily News ran a story suggesting that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and United Microelectronics Corporation will win contracts for iPhone nano components.

MacRumors suggests that the device might not be headed for the United States, either: this device could be released first in China. American Technology Research analyst Brian Marshall says that the device is not being tested by AT&T. In September, rumors suggested that China Mobile asked Apple for a limited version of the iPhone, omitting Wi-Fi and 3G networking.

This comes on the heels of a screenshot sent in by tipster John, which shows a device labeled "iPhone nano" appearing in the iTunes Connect service used by App Store developers. Earlier, drawings of protective cases surfaced inside China's manufacturing community.

Shaking the magic eight-ball, all signs point to yes. While clearly not ready for Macworld last week, the same Economic Daily News report notes that a new iPhone device might be slated for a June release at the earliest.



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Rumor sites are abuzz this morning with news from the Far East noting that two Taiwanese chip manufacturers will likely receive orders for...
 

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Alisanta

Apart from selling iPhone Nano to China Market, rumour said that Apple will sell iPhone in Indonesia in next February 09.

(post in Indonesian Languange)
http://www.teknolagi.com/2009/01/13/iphone-3g-siap-hadir-di-indonesia-bulan-februari-09/

Will Apple sell iPhone 3G or cheaper iPhone Nano considering low buying power in Indonesia.

January 13 2009 at 10:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Maldaen

I never use Wi-Fi, too much battery drain. It all depends on how the device is positioned, might not be meant to appeal to us.

January 13 2009 at 10:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
EBone

Makes sense the Chinese market would get an iPhone Nano - it would most likely have no web browsing functions, since the government monitors or blocks everything you look at (or try to look at) there.

January 13 2009 at 4:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Johnny

Ok, here is what I think based on how other rumors have sometimes worked out in the past:

The iPhone Nano could simply be the next revision of the iPhone, not a second product with a smaller screen. They could be working on something like I've thought would be the evolution of the physical aspect of the iPhone and making it barely larger than the screen and thinner. Based on the dimensions that the case makers alleged, it would be perfect. They could use this new tech they've been looking into, where they want to put the camera in the screen, for the proximity and ambient light sensors or keep it on (the much smaller) bevel. This idea sounds like Apple's way of thinking to me.

What good would an iPhone with a smaller screen do unless it was nothing like the iPhone itself and more like an old school iPod with a phone, which is a horrible idea.

January 13 2009 at 2:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Johnny's comment
MattH

thanks - your comment actually made sense to me for once.. I've been scratching my head for weeks trying to figure out what good a tiny iPhone would be good for.


January 13 2009 at 4:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ramen

okay i see what you did there. nevermind my post above :P

January 13 2009 at 2:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Aaron

A little more research and I found this...

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/662/iphone4gmm6.jpg

January 13 2009 at 2:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Aaron's comment
ramen

I found this too: http://www.apple-style.com/laboratory/img/pict07_mactablet0702a.jpg

January 13 2009 at 2:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
now4real954

that pic is so FAKE...because the 4G isnt even the same type size as the 2 that is in the line above it


January 13 2009 at 11:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ed

Seems hightly likely we won't see anything before June. Apple like to be unpredictable, but I think they do seem to stick to yearly updates for most products...

I'm really not sure how an iPhone Nano would be different to an iPhone...

January 13 2009 at 2:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ramen

I seriously doubt there will be a smaller iPhone.

A iPod Touch Nano sounds more realistic and would make more sense. Offer a smaller touchscreen media player that does the basic media playing but include the phonebook, calendar etc with no AppStore support so not to cut into the iPod Touch/iPhone sales. I predict the current iPod nano out now will be Apple's last before the transition to all-touch screen versions and i feel a smaller Touch would be the successor.

January 13 2009 at 2:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Matt

Yes, this is why the rumors are "piling up." This is the first time we've seen this screenshot.

Idiots.

January 13 2009 at 1:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
murdaFSM

really.... do you have any new stuff to write about. Latest 2 iPhone posts : FAIL!!!! old old news ! seen them already all over the place :(


http://www.funkyspacemonkey.com - Personalize your iPhone one post at the time

January 13 2009 at 1:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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