apple news/media reports
07/09/2007, 6:25pm, EDT
Monday, July 9th
Analyst: Patent could mean iPhone nano
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.
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Granted, no wi-fi, no cover-flow, but DAMN it would be small and thin which is what a phone should be!
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!
these iphones just get smaller by the minute!
Because life's random.
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_