In the last few weeks, we’ve heard several rumors claiming that Apple is working on a smaller and cheaper iPhone model.
In fact, Wall Street Journal who has a good track record when it comes to Apple related news had also confirmed that Apple is indeed working on a smaller and cheaper iPhone nano that could come with an edge to edge screen, which may be released as early as this summer.
However, New York Times reports that although Apple is exploring ways to reduce the price of the iPhone to make it affordable to a wider audience by changing internal components of the device, it is not working on a smaller iPhone.
But contrary to published reports, Apple is not currently developing a smaller iPhone, according to people briefed on Apple’s plans who requested anonymity because the plans are confidential. [..]
[..]Apple is also considering changing internal components of the device to bring costs down. “Although the innards of the phone, including memory size or camera quality, could change to offer a less expensive model, the size of the device would not vary,” said the person, who has worked on multiple versions of the device.
NYT claim that according to their source, Apple doesn’t want to force developers to re-write their apps for a smaller screen, a concern we had raised as well. Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs had previously praised iPhone’s uniformity:
“We think Android is very, very fragmented and getting more fragmented by the day. We think this is a huge strength of our approach compared to Google’s.”
This also makes the possibility of iPhone 5 with a 4-inch screen doubtful, which is a pity as many readers have told us that they would be more inclined to buy or upgrade to the next generation iPhone, if it came with a 4-inch screen.
NYT also reports that Apple is working on making it easier to use the iPhone with voice commands, which is currently very limited.
As part of its effort to find new customers for the iPhone, Apple plans to make it easier to operate the device through voice commands, removing an obstacle for people who do not like using a virtual keyboard, said another person with knowledge of Apple’s plans.
NYT has also provided details about the new version of MobileMe service:
The new version of MobileMe is expected to be free and would allow users to synch their files without using a cable. “The goal is that your photos and other media content will eventually just sync across all your Apple devices without people having to do anything,” the person said. If more iPhone users stored files online, Apple could make cheaper devices with less storage. Flash storage is one of the iPhone’s most expensive components.
Are you disappointed that Apple is not planning to launch an iPhone nano? What will convince you to migrate to the new MobileMe service? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
[via NYT]
Wow, moving to more voice commands? Sounds like their taking notes from comex’s cydia voice app. It’s funny how cydia has jailbroken iphones doing things WAY before Apple gets into it. (ie copy-paste, video, tethering etc etc) good article though
I think that it’s great to have the option to look at what people are doing to your product that they’re not supposed to ie jailbreaking and cydia etc. It shows that there is a demand for certain options and it shows that apple is working hard to do what it can to avoid people jailbreaking.
First…and i would love a nano iphone.
Dumb FUCK! your not first!
Dumb FUCK! It’s you’re, not your.
:L wayyyyyyyyy
the above comments by different usrs = dumbfucks.
Can’t see how the iPhone 5 will be any better to want to upgrade to.
To be honest, iphone now is in the best display from the point of size and quality. They could change or improve hardware and os, that’s all they have to do
Well my iPhone 4 cannot tell the different between me saying “home” or “mobile” so they are gonna need to really improve their voice recognition 10 fold to make it actually work!
first.. last,
What a clast of minds,
In these times,
Dumb fucks, idiots and more..
So don’t be a bore
In these times.
peter your are a fag.
I think there will be no iPhone nano, and also iPhone 5 wont be released this year.. perhaps iPhone 4GS will be released with a better camera.. faster processor and more ram.. same memory.. it would make sense this way because thats how apple works.. they are slow and want to make maximum profit with least cost ! cant blame them thou because people still buy the iPhone coz iPhone rules and shits on any phone out there (jailbroken that is)
Of course nobody knows, but only to speculated that Apple may roll out the LTE model. And possible the integration with CDMA/GSM, this way Apple can just release both the CDMA/GSM, on the same date.
This all sounds like made up rubbish to me! All Apple need to do is reduce the dot pitch, not chop the resolution and you have a smaller phone without breaking existing software.
Seems to me a much smaller iPhone would make loads of sense. I don’t see where it’d need to run anymore than 10% of the apps available to the current iPhone, if that. This would be a phone, not really a smart phone. I can perfectly see a nano size iPhone that I could have just to make calls, text, email, take some sorta decent enough pics 2-3 megapixels are plenty, arguably a Opera mini type browser, I meant Safari mini of course . It would be tiny enough to actually keep in a pocket. A lot of people like dealing with an iPad and a decent, simple and small cell phone. Plenty of reasons to have a iPhone “Nano” here in the US, billions more out there: The greatest majority of people out there can’t afford the current iPhone and/or the cell and data service it requires. A Nano iPhone would let a huge swath of the world’s population in on at least some of the fun.
How many “upgrades” is one person gonna jump on? I’ve owned every single one of the iPhones, with the 4 I feel I’m plateauing. What would I get another iPhone for? Abigger screen? This one is already borderline too big. A better camera? The one in the 4 is plenty to just snap shots here’n there. I don’t think there is anywhere else for Apple to go. Apple is looking at another opportunity to bring excellence to a segment that is in dire need of it, and they again stand to make insane amounts of money doing it. The smart phone alone is not enough to sustain itself, it’s still only one option in the cell phone world and the largest majority of people don’t yet go for it. Certainly not in that part of the world that is not the US of A.
Called it bull from Day 1.. any who..i think the following
1)there will be an upgrade to the 4 later this year.dunno about the name but it will be an upgrade to the 4…and that will help them introduce the white iphone…
2) a bulkier iphone would mean an uglier iphone so no screen change…
3) no ipad3 this summer just an ipad 2 at the end of Q1..
Well I told u so, no ways Apple is going to downgrade.
I would have loved a smaller iphone, currently i can´t afford an iphone so the smaller one would have been great
I would have liked to buy a smaller iPhone, because the current one hurts every time apple $$##s me by tricking me into updating my software! I could click the cancel button, but where is the fun in that. You would think that they would offer a smaller phone so they can trick me into buying some other product from the mighty Apple!
Anyways what ever they release I will buy it, because I enjoy getting…..
If you comment is stupider than mine please don’t avoid posting. I really have no life so I just sit hear dreaming about a new iphone.
The smart phone alone is not enough to sustain itself, it’s still only one option in the cell phone world and the largest majority of people don’t yet go for it.
I agree with you,but please
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