Posted by axxxr
Okay, let me say that I don't have any real information.But I'm convinced that Apple will get into the mobile phone business within the next 18 months.
Why? Well, there's some logic, and there's also some amateur psychology involved as well. First it just makes sense. Apple is making a ton of money off of the iPod. They've already made that first step into the consumer products category and have seen how successful it has been for them. The iPod mini is really close in form factor to a modern mobile phone, so the experience in designing and building a new device like that could be used as Apple wades into the mobile phone market. Those are the logical thoughts. They're already making the iPod, a phone isn't that much of a leap (sorta), so it just makes sense, right?
The psychology part is this: Steve Jobs has a mobile phone. I'm not sure which mobile phone it is, but he's definltely got one. And he hates it. He curses at it every day. He hates it like he hated the original IBM PC. He hates how hard it is to add contacts and make calls and he cringes at the web experience and the Java games, if he's even bothered to try them. He holds it in his hand during long trips and admires some things about it, but knows *he could do it better.* He knows that if Apple decided to make a mobile phone, it would be the most intuitive and elegant mobile phone in the world. And he wants that phone. And what Steve Jobs wants, Steve Jobs gets. Not much to argue here.
Okay, so the problems are many of course. Apple has no experience in the mobile business, and not only is the technology tricky to get right (we all know of popular phones that *suck* at sound quality and drop calls all the time, even from big manufacturers), but the business is cut throat as well. Getting your mobile phone out there means making deals with carriers and competing with giants like Nokia, Motorola, Samsung and Sony Ericsson.This is no easy trick.
Unless of course you partnered with one of those established players. Now this is the big question: Would Apple be willing to create a device which shares a logo from another company? Steve admires Sony quite a bit and any comparisions made between Apple and Sony seems to make him happy. However, I'm sure he sees them as a direct threat to his business, so I doubt he'll partner with them (even though Sony Ericsson phones have been the ones used in the iSync images for years now). I think the deal with Motorola to let them play iTunes music on new Moto phones is the key to this. Motorola is run by an Apple alum, is an American company known for its technology prowess, but doesn't have any competing products to Apple. It seems like a perfect fit. Apple iPhone, powered by Motorola technology. Can you see it?
On the other hand... If little PalmSource can create new phones on demand for its new Cobalt OS from Asian white-label electronics manufacturers, then why couldn't Apple? I'm sure they could buy the same integrated chipsets from Texas Instruments or Qualcomm as anyone else does, develop the same wireless networking stacks they need or buy them from Linux vendors like MontaVista, and port them to a small version of OSX. What Apple can't build, they buy. That's what they did with the iPod - the OS inside was created by a company called Pixo.
But here's another prediction: Apple's penchant for not going with the status quo (think PowerPC chips) makes me think they'll go with CDMA technologies first - ostensibly due to the superior call quality and data rates. Apple calls up Qualcomm, asks for the chipsets and the software stacks to get them going, makes a deal with Sprint and Verizon (who'd be insane to say no) to launch their phones and poof: instant iPhone.
Suddenly Symbian and Microsoft have a viable competitor to their platforms. That is if Apple decides a smart phone is the right way to go - they may reject it as unneeded complexity. But let's assume they realize the value in creating a powerful mobile platform. A phone that's as elegant and easy to use as an iPod, but with advanced services provided by perfect integrated synching with Mac.com and your PC. Add a little magic sauce like an integrated 4GB drive and iTunes integration, or something I can't even think of yet, and you have a massive hit. Over night, the high-end for mobile phones would evaporate. There'd be all the other guys fighting over the $99 or less freebies you get at your local phone shop, and then there'd be Apple lording over the premium mobile market. Much like they've done with the iPod over the past several years.
Do you see it? I bet a group at Apple is furiously working on this now, but running into a million headaches, so it'll be another year or more before it happens. Even experienced manufacturers like Nokia take 18 months to launch a new smart phone. Maybe it'll be announced during early 2006, ready for the market in Christmas at the end of that year. It would rock if it was sooner, but regardless, I'm convinced it's going to happen. Apple can't help but see the opportunities for a huge mobile phone hit, and Jobs isn't going to be willing to use a smart phone from any company besides his own.
Just my predictions... your thoughts?
Posted by BobaFett
There was an apple proto once.
Posted by Jools
Say hello to the exact same idea... even down to the words!!!
http://www.russellbeattie.com/notebook/1008182.html
Posted by axxxr
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Yep thats where i got it from!
Posted by Jools
I thought you were trying to pass it off as your own idea by not quoting your sources and editing it here and there!!!
Steve Jobs Says There'll Be No Apple PDA
By Ed Hardy | Editor-in-Chief
Jun 8, 2004
Apple's CEO Steve Jobs spoke at yesterday's D: All Things Digital conference where he said once again that his company isn't going to release a handheld or smartphone.
Apple's Newton line of handhelds were some of the first on the market, and the company's CEO John Sculley even coined the term "PDA." But the computer maker withdrew from the handheld market in 1998. However, at least once a year a rumor circulates that Apple is going to release a new line of handhelds to replace the Newton.
A new round of rumors started up in December, and in February a description of a supposed upcoming Apple handheld was published by Mac NET v2.
Yesterday, however, Mr. Jobs made it clear that Apple isn't planning to release a handheld. According to AppleInsider, he said that he is proud of both the products that his company has shipped, and is also proud of the ones it has decided not to ship, including an Apple PDA.
When someone in the audience asked for an Apple smartphone similar to the palmOne Treo 600, Mr. Jobs told the person he should just be happy with his Treo.
Not the First Denial
Yesterday's events are almost a mirror image of what happened a year ago. At last year's D: All Things Digital conference Mr. Jobs was asked about his company's plans for for portable devices, at which time he said Apple was going to concentrate on making on making the Macintosh OS be able to synchronize with portable devices through its iSync software, rather than making a device of its own.
While Apple won't be a making a handheld per se, its iPod line of MP3 players offers many of the features handhelds do, like the ability to store and display contacts, calendar, and to-do lists. In addition, the latest version comes with a text reader and three games. However, the iPod doesn't have a touch screen or keyboard so users can't enter data directly into it. This must be synchronized from a desktop or laptop.
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This message was posted from a Mac
[ This Message was edited by: JoolsG4 on 2004-12-02 14:27 ]
Posted by vivekjk
hey it sounds good. have always been a great fan of Apple MAC. and the way Apple works it tastes as sweet as it is.
Posted by axxxr
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My intention is never to pass off something as my own!..I edit some of the articles to make the discussion more understandable and relevant to the threads!I don't think its a big secret here that how i post my articles!..Suppose it is better that i should quote my sources and add a link to keep people like you happy!
Posted by blackspot
axxxr is doing us a favor here by delivering these interesting reports, so can we just drop that, please.
About the Apple mobile phone, I think it's a very logical thing to do. They can continue with the successful trend they started with iMac and iPod. Everybody knows they make quality products so there'll be no problem convincing people. Looks like my wish for a smartphone with mobile MacOS will come true soon.
I'll be waiting...
Posted by Krubach
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I always thought of you as someone who knew something about phones...
The only thing similar between an iPod mini and a phone is it's size...
Posted by axxxr
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By no means am i assuming that the ipod and a phone have any similarity!...We live in the age of convergance,so we could see a ipod with phone!Basically all im saying is that it would'nt be difficult or a big deal for that matter for Apple to produce a phone..And as boba said apple apparantly had a working prototype at some point!...But i am very confident in the fact that we will see a mobile from Apple at some point in the near future!...or maybe even sooner!
Posted by s40convert
Just by looking at the current product line of Apple hard- and software, I don't think there is any potential for an "iPhone". Their main focus has shifted from the graphic arts to movies and music since the intro of OS X.
OK, they own the domain www.iphone.org (for at least 4 years already...), but why would they go into a market where you have to introduce a new product every 3 months to keep uptodate with technology and the ESATO users happy
Posted by axxxr
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What makes you say that there is no potential for a i-phone?...Excuse me but that seems very narrow minded...I know for a fact and i think you do too...That if Apple were to announce the i-phone lets say tomorrow...millions would queue up at every apple store around the world just to get their hands on one...I know i for one would be first in that queue.
..The i-phone would create the same hysteria the i-pod did...having said that i Apple has to also get the product right because if its just a phone for the sake of being one then that might do so well...Maybe if they added i-tunes to its list of functions amongst other things...I can remember ppl a while back saying that there will never be a colour screen i-pod and there's no need for one ect ect...well apple has proved those doubters wrong!...As far keeping up to date with the market that is a natural progression for any company and as companys such as Apple grow bigger by the day so does their product portfolio.
Posted by *Jojo*
The IMAGE on the LEFT looks like a MINI-NOTEBOOK/LAPTOP
!
Posted by amnesia
i've always wanted an iPod styled phone. If it looks anything like that mockup/concept then I dont want it lol!
Posted by axxxr
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Ok i have something here for you which you might like!
Posted by s40convert
@axxxr
I didn't say there is no potential for a phone in terms of sales, it just won't fit into the product line. And again, the mobile phone market is to fast paced, I can't imagine that Apple is willing to keep up with it.
And when I look at your original post you can easily see that the design of this proto type is clearly from the 2nd generation G4 days = pretty old. Why didn't they release anything by now?
But I have to agree with you, queues at the Apple Store would be long, and I would be right behind you, since I buy basically everything that Apple makes
Posted by axxxr
Apparently word is that Apple has been showing a prototype “iPhone” to several maunfacturers, Motorola being one. I’ll keep my eye on this.
Posted by blackspot
If you come to think of it, nowadays computers, mobile phones and music are very much related. I think iPhone will fit nicely in Apple's product lineup!
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resistance is futile
[ This Message was edited by: blackspot on 2004-12-07 07:43 ]
Posted by Gooner Girl
Unfortunately I don't think that this is going to happen...........but I'd sooooooo love it if it did!
I was too young to get into the Newton but each day I utter a little prayer for an Apple PDA. Now I know that is never going to happen as iBooks get lighter and phones get more capability but it doesn't stop me wanting!
I can't see that it's a logical step for them but that second mock up with the OSX interface, beautiful!
Posted by govigov
Cool! I already know its name. Its called ifone
Posted by lesneo
To set the record straight, Apple has confirmed that they are indeed teaming up with Motorola to incorporate iTune within the "next generation mobile phone". This will not take place til next year, probably after 2nd half.
Check this out:
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2004/jul/26motorola.html
IMHO, Apple has already lost lots of time for a smartphone. Even her beautiful iPod design, which can be easily incorporated into a mobile phone, has been "stolen". Check out O2's latest XDA II Mini, it should be what Apple's smartphone design from her famous iPod, ought to be.
For the time being, P910 is still my favourite... though the Treo 600/650 is by far the friendliest in a Mac environment.
Posted by blackspot
Apple and motorola has been in alliance for a long time (Apple's processors are motorola since the early Apple computers) so this move is very logical for Apple. I just don't know how this will affect motorola's mobile phone market.
Posted by axxxr
Quote: Engagdet
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Not that this is really gonna convince anyone that Apple is really working on a cellphone, but Tony Ricciardi from TreoMac relates this story which jibes with what we’d heard from one of our sources told us last week, namely that Apple has been showing off a cellphone prototype to potential partners: |
Posted by *Jojo*
A bit off-topic, but still 'quite' related . . . IBM has just been SOLD to a Chinese firm (forgot the name here)
! They now HOLD the 'majority' of stocks at IBM . . .
Posted by namal
What? I thought ibm still got enough strength atleast in server market. As for apple, im waiting to see a lovely interface in their new phone. I hope they would keep the 20gb hdd of ipod mini in there new phone and solve the memory prob forever, and include a 16:9 touch screen. And i DONT hope them to make it only compatible with mac!
Posted by axxxr
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Now thats wishfull thinking!....But i seriously doubt it will be specified to that degree.
Posted by blackspot
yeah, it should be compatible to as much as possible any OS. Keeping the microdrive might be a bad idea for the mobile phone as it would make the battery drain a lot faster.
Posted by sapporobaby
I hope and pray that Apple will not take the plunge into the phone market. The market is too volitile and not a very friendly place. Second, Apple would have to invest large amounts of capital just to begin and more to keep up. They are turning a nice profit with the iPod and cross-over from people making the switch to Mac in-leu of the iPod. Telephones are not Apples core biz. Music players and very nice computers are. I know that there is sort of an FMC on the horizon but Apple would be better off supplying only the content and let SE, Motocrapola, Nokia and the others fight it out. Why waste the funds on something that is not garanteed?
Also, the issue of price will come into play. Apple products tend to be more expensive than the other products on the market and people complain constantly about this. Not to mention those that continue to whine about the price fo the s700. There is no way that this phone will sell for less than say $1200 to $1500. I can see the uprising already in the ranks, (no offense Indian guys, but you are the biggest price "mentioners" in the forum), from the faithful as well as those who want this new phone and Apple will not bend to price pressure.
[ This Message was edited by: sapporobaby on 2004-12-13 07:30 ]
Posted by Satsuma
Nokia are already planning music phones.
They've said so openly, they've talked about HDD in their phones next year and most will have seen the leaked prototype pix of a nokia with a iPod style wheel.
Who wants to carry around a music player and a phone if they can have both (at high quality) in one device?
Also consider that mnost operators have realised that music related downloads are going to be one of their best revenue earners for 3G.
So Apple will have an eye on the future, It will want its iTunes on mobile phones - hence the the announcement with Motorola (a company Apple are already close to).
Whether we see an Apple-branded handset or not - I don't know.
If we do, it will likely have Motorola innards.
I can imagine many people would buy such a phone purely because of the branding.
So if there's any Apple execs reading this - yes, go for it !!!
Posted by axxxr
Via: Forbes Article
Apple Computer and Motorola could soon show us the mobile phone they are developing to play music purchased from Apple's iTunes online music store.
"We've said we have something coming on this in the first half of 2005 and we're definitely on schedule for that. Hopefully you'll be able to see more about it soon," says Eddy Cue, vice president in charge of applications at Apple.
Posted by FutureDesign
Probably work on 5% of networks. Battery beta b gud. Cant w8 to c the icons (os) :nD but image if it wuz brandin by voda, even ipod been branded urgh the sight, prob culdnt play aac files. *voda* this mp3 jukebox only plays mp3. Se workin wit apple wadda u thinkin that
Posted by Yazan24
I wish the phone AXXXR posted would be realized, cause its amazing. T610 + Apple
Or Yazan24's K700 + Apple : -
+
T610
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