Analyst: 2nd gen iPhone, Apple TV in '08
updated 03:20 pm EST, Wed December 12, 2007
2nd gen iPhone
Goldman Sachs published a new note for its clients indicating that, based on its checks with industry contacts, Apple will be delivering a second-generation iPhone and a second-generation Apple TV in 2008. Saying that the second-generation iPhone is in the "final design phase," analyst David Bailey claims that the new device will have a similar form-factor to the current model, but may sport different aesthetics and might include 3G capabilities. In addition to the significant new iteration, Bailey thinks that Apple might release a minor revision earlier in 2008 with expanded memory.
Bailey also believes that Apple will revise the Apple TV in 2008, potentially adding an LCD display to the unit.
According to AppleInsider, Bailey also sees a full refresh of the Mac line in 2008, though details on a subnotebook are sketchy. "Apple will refresh its entire Mac line-up throughout 2008, but information about the potential launch of a subnotebook was scarce, with one supplier saying that the product may be pushed out, citing possible design issues," said Bailey.
Goldman Sachs is predicting strong holiday sales for Apple's iPods and Macs, and remains confident about the Cupertino-based company's forthcoming products in 2008.
A 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."
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.
Hey Apple
12/12, 03:46pm reply
Hey Apple, why not give us interchangeable batteries on the iPhone? Many users want to have the option of interchangeable batteries and that would help alleviate battery issues for road warriors.
bsnoel
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2006
re: hey apple
12/12, 04:27pm reply
They could, but it would impact on the design and size of the device. Face it, the iPhone is a hit partly because of the design.
If you really need extra power, there are external battery packs, car chargers, ac adapters, etc.
hayesk
Professional Poster
Joined: Sep 1999
good design is also...
12/12, 05:28pm reply
... the ability to exist in the real world, not a hermetically sealed universe. Apple's been guilty of that as well as fantastic ergonomics. A real world where people can swap out batteries on the fly.
Loren
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2001
Let's have a brick-
12/12, 05:48pm reply
sized iPhone, shall we. We add 3G and a half-inch to the thickness to get five hour battery life.
Sealed devices has basically been the Apple credo since the first Mac128. They like slim for some reason and that's the way it will continue. As long as their stock price continues to go up, I'll have no complaints whatsoever.
Constable Odo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
going out on a limb
12/12, 06:20pm reply
"Apple will refresh its entire Mac line-up throughout 2008"
Boy, now there's a prognostication for you! Maybe I should go into the "analyst" business because I could've have predicted that.
TheBum
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2001
best friend
12/12, 09:20pm reply
of course, Bailey is SJ's best friend, but now SJ will have to fire him for pre-releasing info on a yet-to-be-announced product . . .
oh well!
JEB
Junior Member
Joined: May 2001
Apple TV
12/13, 04:57am reply
Apple TV needs content, not LCD screen. Without content (as we have it now) there's no need releasing 2nd gen Apple TV.
ViktorCode
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2006
it really needs...
12/13, 12:10pm reply
AppleTV needs content (#1)!! It does not need an LCD screen. What good would that do? I have no use for an LCD screen on the device.
iTMS needs to have a movie rental service and HD content (720p) to make the AppleTV useful. And Apple needs to learn how to cooperate with others to get all the TV show content back.
As for hardware changes, output needs to scale to 1080p regardless of source material. A composite output needs to be added. Streaming DVD playback from a computer to the AppleTV is a feature that needs to be added.
Do these things, and I'll buy one.
mytdave
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2000