11/29/2007, 9:30am, EST
Thursday, November 29th
AT&T confirms 3G iPhone due next year
A long-anticipated 3G version of the iPhone is guaranteed for 2008, AT&T's head has told a meeting of the Churchill Club in Santa Clara, California. "You'll have it next year," said CEO Randall Stephenson. The executive would not elaborate on how fast the new phone would be, but AT&T currently operates 3G through an HSPA network, theoretically capable of speeds up to 3.6Mbps. Stephenson is also refusing to comment on whether or not it will cost the same as the current $399 iPhone, except to say that Apple CEO Steve Jobs "will dictate what the price of the phone is."
Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris has refused to comment on the topic, but Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster argues that the early revelation of a new iPhone may be enough to deter some savvy shoppers from buying an iPhone in 2007. Munster adds, however, that the number of delayed purchases will likely not be enough to affect Apple's bottom line.
Steve Jobs has in the past told the press that 3G was highly sought-after, but that no iPhone would have it until battery life was not as severely affected. "So as you know, the handset battery life used to be 5-6 hours for GSM," Jobs explained at a London Q&A, "but when we got to 3G they got cut in half. Most 3G phones have battery lives of 2-3 hours [of talk time]." The company is shooting for a minimum of five hours of 3G before the iPhone makes the switch.
Filed under: iPhone, Apple
Other story tags: AT&T, 3G, Steve Jobs
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First, they will wait for Broadcom or Qualcomm (or someone else entirely) to release a 3G chip that does what is needed.
Second, they will cut power utilization of other components with minor updates. The screen, flash, touch interface, and processor are probably all candidates for efficiency improvements.
Third, they will save space with improvements to other components, to make room for a somewhat larger battery. If necessary, the form factor may change slightly to allow for further efficiencies based on the size/shape of various components.
The iPhone 3G will start out costing less than the original iPhone started at. Whether it will debut at $499, and then drop, or replace the iPhone at $399 probably depends on component costs that aren't known yet.
It may be that 3G is limited in the States but it is mature in Europe - I'm surprised Apple haven't pushed 3G through quicker for their European launch. Little wonder the response to iPhone has been lukewarm in Europe. Don't expect major uptake here until 3G support and multiple network availability/unlocking.
Could you even imagine the bitching we'd hear if Apple lowered the price so soon after launch to sell iPhones like hotcakes over the holiday season, and then turned around and announced a new, better version in January? People would be setting themselves on fire in front of Apple stores in protest. :-)
I've been one of those few who got caught by a "surprise" from them. Not 3 months from when I bought the best powerbook money could buy did they switch to intel procs, which would have been really helpful for running apps like AutoCAD instead of on my VERY slow PPC emulator. There's no complaining from me because their product is still great.
I don't see much justification for people who complain about a DROP in price. If you thought it was worth paying $xxx weeks prior, what does it matter to you if someone else got it for less? Do you get mad at people who wait to buy things when they're on sale?
When you're looking for the best tool available, it's always a moving target in the technology world, whether it be specs or price.
So just freakin enjoy what you've got!