10/16/2006, 3:15pm, EDT
Monday, October 16th
Apple files for "iPhone" trademark
Two different iPhone models are likely to appear, according to AppleInsider. Prudential Equity Group analyst Jesse Tortora refers to anonymous sources claiming that the new phone will be available in two distinct versions: a slim, basic version that will play only music, and a deluxe variant which will offer Wi-Fi, video support, and a dedicated keyboard for messaging. No specific timeframe was given for when the phone will appear, though analysts such as Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster have speculated that MacWorld 2007 is a likely venue for the introduction.
A Taiwanese phone maker in late March claimed that Apple executives were talking to various phone makers in an effort to ink a manufacturing deal for an iPod-like phone. Reports followed in mid-May that the iPod-maker had in fact partnered with Softbank -- a Japanese firm -- and that the companies would release the phone in Japan some time this year. A later report claimed that Apple CEO Steve Jobs was discussing the iPhone aloud at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, and that the executive had approved the release of prototype cell phones to at least two potential OEM manufacturing partners.
A patent soon surfaced depicting a "Multi-functional hand-held device" which described a cellular phone capable of functioning in multiple modes. Shortly after the patent came into view, industry analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray predicted up to 12 million iPhone sales for Apple if it debuts at Macworld 2007 in January of 2007, and that the device could raise the company's earnings-per-share in its calendar year 2007 by 6-10 percent.
A recent survey revealed that European customers are also interested in Apple's cellular handset, with 74 percent of respondents saying they would likely purchase a music phone if the price were $285. In a separate report, the analyst points to expanding music phone sales in the U.S. as a sign that Apple will likely debut its new phone within 3-6 months, for fear of missing early adopters.
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I predict that five years from now, Microsoft will come out with a ZunePhone...
I hope that we will see 2 distinct types of cellphone devices from Apple...
1. Something like the shuffle, very small, with the clip, Shuffle button controls. Fully voice activated, built-in bluetooth for hands free use. 1GB memory for music.
Voice training/setting up the voice dialing would be in AddressBook for MacOS X 10.5 users, in a custom app for XP/Vista.
2. iCrackberry phone from Apple. This is the one I want... Screw Music playback, give me an iCrackberry (PDA?Mobil email)that would also work with Salling Clicker and Front Row/Keynote as a Buetooth Remote. Scroll-wheel input/navigation would be ideal, IMHO. Perhaps partner w/ RIM on the device/service.
Both of these should be unlocked GSM quad-band devices God willing. Would love to see RF as good as or better than my Moto V635.. I want to walk into an Apple Sore, buy my iCrackberry, pop my SIM card in, and GO. Maybe make a RED sprint or version version 6mo later ;-).
Just my $0.02US.
jwd
I sure hope a kind of clickwheel is used, but I also hope they break the mold on the form factor, like someone else said, and use a more elegant set of buttons.
However, from what I remember... at a recent trade show, they already have phones like I described as tech demos, (not intending to ship) and the people showing them were calling them their Star Trek communicators (not TOS, TNG).. So, perhaps a few cm larger in each direction than the Shuffle, but doable? I mean, a year ago, would you believe the Shuffle was possible?
I'll keep looking.. this is going to drive me crazy..
jwd