Analyst: Patent could mean iPhone nano
updated 06:25 pm EDT, Mon July 9, 2007
iPhone nano predicted
JP Morgan analyst Kevin Chang, based in Taiwan and perhaps gaining access to manufacturing channel sources, believes that a recently filed Apple patent indicates that Apple may be planning to build an iPod nano accessory that would allow owners to make phone calls, or build a new phone device around the iPod nano in essence creating an "iPhone nano." The patent, filed July 5th, details telephone and text entry interfaces for a cellular-capable device via a click-wheel. An accompanying patent discusses enabling users to "type" or dial phone numbers with a click-wheel interface and receive suggestions for completing words or phrases to speed typing efforts.
Chang claims Apple may plan to convert the Nano into a phone and price it at $300 or lower. "We believe that iPod Nano will be converted into a phone because it's probably the only way for Apple to launch a lower end phone without severely cannibalizing iPod Nano," he said. The analyst has lofty sales projections for such a device, projecting 2008 unit shipments of 30 million to 40 million -- far above Apple's goal of shipping 10 million iPhones in 2008.
Apple reportedly sold more than 700,000 iPhones its opening weekend, and apparently costs between $200 and $220 to build.
That would be SWEET!
07/09, 06:51pm reply
A iPod nano-sized phone! Think super thin and super small. Memory dialing uses the iPod interface and the crazy dialler patent would allow regular calls without a keypad.
Granted, no wi-fi, no cover-flow, but DAMN it would be small and thin which is what a phone should be!
Eriamjh
Addicted to MacNN
Joined: Oct 2001
pay for obvious
07/09, 06:53pm reply
How do I get a job that will pay me to state the obvious? Gee, a click wheel with numbers laid out like an old fashion dial phone...whatever might Apple use that for?
Sure, they might not actually build it, but I can pretty much guarantee if they do it won't be a nano add-on. Steve would never allow such a kludge! And for all we know, the only reason Apple applied for the patent is to prevent someone else from building a circular shaped touch pad with numbers around it's perimeter for input. It's pretty obvious really. I had this exact same though years ago when the iPhone rumors first started circulating.
Guess I should have patented it!
ender
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 1999
and what about....
07/09, 06:55pm reply
the smart 1 button that will have 10 digits mapped to it and adhere to the shuffle.
these iphones just get smaller by the minute!
Herod
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
Maybe just an iPod Wi-Fi?
07/10, 01:39am reply
iPhone Nano?? Maybe Apple is merely trying to make an iPod with Wireless downloading capabilities.
Skanoza
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
at&t exclusivity ?
07/10, 02:49am reply
I wonder what the AT&T exclusivity contract spells out. Any and all "iPhone" related products or just the current phone and any newer revs?
chadpengar
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2001
Forget Nano…
07/10, 08:54am reply
Let's talk iPhone Shuffle!
Because life's random.
manleycreative
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2005
Not rotary dial
07/10, 11:13am reply
This diagram doesn't show a layout like an old rotary dial - rotary dials had the numbers ascending in an anti-clockwise manner. This shows them ascending in a clockwise manner.
Clive
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2001
iphone shuffle...
07/11, 03:01pm reply
I like that_
Actually the little mic/controller on the wire for the headphones that come with the iPhone will ultimately hold bluetooth - 802.11n draft2 - cellular capabilities - phone - ipod [ulta micro edition] - remote functionality for an mac/ Apple TV/ Television/ or other wireless device - a can opener - and even starting you car engine on the fly_
This news has been circulating ever since the rumors started that Apple was releasing an iPhone to begin with_ Even the Patent [pending] specs have shown up in the past before now_
UberFu
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Joined: Oct 2002