Rumor roundup: All about the new iPhone
With two weeks to go before Apple's (AAPL) World Wide Developers Conference — the venue at which Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone 3G last year — rumors about the next-generation iPhone are reaching critical mass.
Many signs — including the spot shortages of current-generation iPhones that appeared this week — point to June 8 as the day of the unveiling and mid-July as the launch window, although nothing about the timing is certain. (More on that below.)
But that hasn't stopped Apple watchers from papering the Web with speculation about the new device's features, specs and price points. The latest tidbit, which broke Friday afternoon, is that the new iPhone will allow users to purchase movies and TV shows from the iTunes store, perhaps using the faster 802.11n Wi-Fi protocol.
The new iPhone rumors started in 2008 and began gathering steam after the March 17 release of the iPhone 3.0 software developers kit (SDK), which contained, among other things, configuration files suggesting that the device would have voice controls, a digital compass, an autofocus camera and would be capable of making, editing and sharing video clips.
The next wave hit in mid-April, when Chinese language newspapers 1) reported that Apple had placed orders for 4 million next-generation iPhones and 2) listed purported suppliers for the phone's chips and key components — including a 3.2 megapixel camera.
A third wave of landed in early May, when someone on a Chinese forum posted what appeared to be an iPhone screen shot with more detailed specs, including:
- 32 GB of storage (up from a max of 16 GB)
- a 3.2 megapixel autofocus (as opposed to fixed focus) camera
- a 600 MHz CPU (up from 400 MHz)
- 256 MB of RAM (up from 128MB)
- a digital compass and FM receiver.
Last week saw the publication of the kind of reports that immediately precede a major Apple release: two sets of detailed specs presented as if they were fact.
The first set was leaked to a relatively new site — AppleiPhoneapps.com — by an unnamed source whose credibility the author could not vouch for. The second came from Daring Fireball's John Gruber — a veteran Apple watcher with one of the best track records in the Valley.
Both take as a given — or nearly given — the Chinese specs published in May.
Gruber writes that if he were a betting man, he would "wager heavily" on a June 8 announcement and July release of an iPhone with roughly double the CPU horsepower, an improved video-capable camera, and 16 and 32 GB storage capacities.
He would wager "a small amount" on 256 MB RAM and new price points of $199 and $299 for 16 and 32 GB, respectively.
And he would wager "a sandwich" on improved battery life for the new iPhone, despite the beefier CPU.
Gruber pointedly did not endorse several items offered by AppleiPhoneapps.com (and reposted on Wired.com):
- OLED screen
- Discontinuation of the metal band surrounding the edge of the device
- 1.5X The battery life
- Apple logo on the back to light up
- Rubber-tread backing
- Sleeker design
- Revolutionary combination of the camera, GPS, compass, and Google maps to identify photo and inform about photo locations.
- July 17th, 2009 release date
"OLED" refers to a technology known as organic light-emitting diode — very cutting edge, very low power, very expensive. It's easy to see how an OLED screen could extend the phone's battery life, harder to see how Apple could switch from LCD to OLED and still maintain its prices.
The timing of all this is tricky. July 17 has the virtue of falling on a Friday — which is the day of the week Apple released its first and second generation iPhones. And it gives Apple plenty of time after the June 8 WWDC keynote address to organize a nationwide — or worldwide — launch.
But at least one well-connected analyst — Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster — doesn't think Apple will introduce new hardware at WWDC at all. He expects marketing VP Phil Schiller's keynote speech to concentrate, as Apple's press release said it would, on previously announced software releases: iPhone 3.0 and OS X Snow Leopard.
Munster expects Apple to unveil a new family of iPhones at a separate special event, in late June or July, coinciding with the end of Steve Jobs' six month medical leave and timed to allow Jobs himself to unveil the new device.
See also:
Yeah, BUT…
When was the last time Apple came to a WWDC Keynote without a "nuke"?
Snow Leopard and iPhone 3.0 are both yesterday's news. Even the new, tiny, voice guide-enhanced iPod Shuffle has been out long enough to take the "wow" out of a Keynote unveiling.
I don't know -I think I feel John from Ewing on this one. It could be time to let some other Apple talent spread their wings, and give the market a warm fuzzy about their ability to woo consumers without Jobs. I mean, seriously, the guy ain't gonna be around FOREVER.
"I could believe WWDC being only about only 3.0 and Snow Leopard. The reason being that they want to let Jobs do it when he comes back. I think at some point, one way or another by Aug 1 there will be a new iPhone.
Posted By Zack : May 24, 2009 12:04 pm"
Aaron from Concord,
about your "vision":
-Runs on Verizon Network (read my previous post underneath)
-Move the Home Button to the side of the Iphone, and perhaps add a hold button (the Home button to the side of the phone?? do you realize how thin the phone is?? this is insane. if this happens i'll fly to your house and shake your hand)
-Larger OLED HD screen (i like this. good job. but, not if it makes the phone any larger)
-4-5 Megapixel autofocus camera (as long as it doesn't make the phone thicker- besides you can get 10MP off a cheap digital camera)
-FM radio reciever built in (there's apps for this)
-Standard video editing, photo editing, and office apps (this is good. good job. They're working on this, this will come)
-Apple logo on back lights up (what for? are you one of those people that tries to look cool with your iphone? or do you want this because it will help you find your phone?? personally i don't want anything taking up more battery life)
-increased RAM (perhaps- although i don't see a problem with mine as far as running slow)
-expandable memory (no- the phone already has one unattractive slot- the SIM card slot. Apple doesn't want excessive slots, switches, or anything like that on any of their products. Streamline is key in design. If they upgrade the phone's memory to 32GB i'm sure that's enough to please everyone.)
-higher powered CPU (for what?? to make high powered phone calls?? it runs games great already)
-GPS, camera, and vibrate capabilities on IPod Touch as well (why the hell do you want the iPod Touch to vibrate??)
-4g network (no need. right now only Sprint has this and Sprint is CDMA- an old technology Apple will not support. Sprint is rolling out the first 4G network but i guarantee you it will be quite a long time before Concord, NH sees it. They're gonna start rolling it out in major metropolitan areas/cities buddy)
-video recording capabilities (yes)
-voice recording capabilites (there are apps for this)
-shorter startup time (i guess i don't turn my phone off so i never saw any problem with this. oh wait, i just did and it started up in 11 seconds. that's fast enough)
-longer battery life (not with that Apple logo on the back of the phone you want to light up so bad. but yes, we all want more juice)
-gyro as well as accellerometer (wait for 3.0)
-Cut and Paste abilities (again, wait for 3.0)
-photo messaging, and the ability to forward messages. (AGAIN wait for 3.0)
-more default apps like mail, and notes available in landscape orientation (oh man. read the press release on iPhone OS 3.0- all of that is on there)
-improved speakers (you're right, for all those crazy house parties in Concord!)
-perhaps a little tune plays when you start it up and the ability to silence it if you want (umm… no. just hum, man.)
Why does everyone have this fantasy dream about the iPhone coming to Verizon?? They had their chance.
Do you not remember Steve Jobs in January 2007 saying that Apple first went to Verizon with the idea of the iPhone and Verizon turned it down claiming it wouldn't be successful and didn't want any part of it?? Yes, Verizon turned down Apple's offer!
The iPhone not being available on Verizon is strictly Verizon's fault and now it's biting them in the astronaut because they have been scrambling to put out a comparable product to no avail. Verizon can't even give away blackberrys fast enough. Apple went and sold the idea to AT&T and the rest is history. Now every carrier in the country wants their hands on it and won't be able to even make their case for it until AT&T's contract runs out (2012?).
Now Apple (and recently re-iterated by Tim Cook) is convinced to keep the iPhone as a true world phone… meaning Verizon (and Sprint) has no chance as long as they remain on their ancient CDMA network. Almost no one else in the world uses CDMA. Apple would not waste their time with such old, non-evolving technology. GSM is an evolutionary network that is now the world standard. No country in their right mind today that is planning to build a cell network would use CDMA, only GSM.
So all you people that claim that Apple is too ignorant in not allowing Verizon a chance to see the iPhone know that Verizon had their chance, and with the iPhone now being sold and used all over the world over the same network Verizon lost it's only opportunity 3 yrs ago.
That's what the get for doubting the success of an Apple product.
The only legitimate possible candidate for another carrier to sell the iPhone would be (as much as I hate to admit it) TMobile. They are the other major GSM network in the country and their parent company in Germany has strong presence in Europe and could help with a successful launch. Tmobile is the only company that has the network and the money to make a considerable offer to Apple… that is if TMobile stops paying Catherine Zeta Jones and that whole bunch of NBA players so much money to appear in ads.
and one more thing… this sales comparison thing about RIM selling more handsets that Apple. Although it may be true, you still have to realize that there are like 10 different blackberry models being sold throughout at least 3 carriers. Apple has one iPhone sold on one carrier and that makes their sales numbers even more impressive. Not only that, Apple is selling these things for $199 or $299. I can't even count how many blackberrys I see being given away for free at Verizon, so RIMMs numbers are also including the phones that customers are getting for free.
My vision of the perfect IPhone:
-Runs on Verizon Network
-Move the Home Button to the side of the Iphone, and perhaps add a hold button
-Larger OLED HD screen
-4-5 Megapixel autofocus camera
-FM radio reciever built in
-Standard video editing, photo editing, and office apps
-Apple logo on back lights up
-increased RAM
-expandable memory
-higher powered CPU
-GPS, camera, and vibrate capabilities on IPod Touch as well
-4g network
-video recording capabilities
-voice recording capabilites
-shorter startup time
-longer battery life
-gyro as well as accellerometer
-Cut and Paste abilities
-photo messaging, and the ability to forward messages.
-more default apps like mail, and notes available in landscape orientation
-improved speakers
-perhaps a little tune plays when you start it up (and the ability to silence it if you want)
Contest: where? and who? said the phrase that appears on the video to earn 1 code to download "Join the Dots": http://tinyurl.com/ovkzu9
Now I am actually planning to buy one of these things but please some perspective.
OLED screens are not new. My old phone (Nokia 6300) which I bought over 2 years ago has an OLED screen. Fine over 3" is new but the tech is not and certainly not innovative.
That being said I still intend to buy one as the user interface is still the best around (though I will be interested to hear the reviews on the Palm Pre, though figure that will be aimed at buisness and out of my meagre reach)
A lot of people seem to think a new iPhone would be held off for Jobs to introduce it, but wouldn't it be better NOT to have Jobs intro it?
To have Jobs intro a new iPhone, and then appear to be "the magic" of Apple, would be to have UNDONE all the good of his "retreat".
Best case scenario:
-Jobs is healthy, and back at Apple
-Apple gets to show off all it's OTHER talent, like introducing a new iPhone. Jobs showed off the original, like a proud father. Nothing will top that. He made his case, and threw down the gauntlet. No one has been able to answer that.
The landscape keyboard is coming in 3.0 if you are keeping up with it, and I plan on selling my 3g unlocked on ebay and buying the new model when it comes out.
I could believe WWDC being only about only 3.0 and Snow Leopard. The reason being that they want to let Jobs do it when he comes back. I think at some point, one way or another by Aug 1 there will be a new iPhone.
> harder to see how Apple could
> switch from LED to OLED and still
> maintain its prices
It's not going to "maintain" its prices… the actual price will DROP by $100. And with all the new goodies… it is actually "dropping" far more than $100 off what the new prices really should have been.
I paid $250 for my original monochrome palm-pilot PDA.
These features should have been incorporated in the current Iphone NOT after the fact.
I plan on buying this one and will pay $700 for an unlocked 32GB model when it comes out.
Glad I didn't join the sheeple to stand on line for 15 hours the day before it came out
i dont have an iphone yet and still using my 80gb classic ipod but i do love to have iphone and them improving its specs is good to hear.
I thought most articles were mentioning an FM transmitter for broadcasting to a car radio.
I was certainly hoping for the 1.5X battery life. It might have been possible with an OLED screen.
I want VOICE NAVIGATION.