Here’s the situation. Despite only effectively offering one model of iPhone Apple’s already made it into the top three handset makers on a global basis, despite competition from multiple products from other manufacturers (there’s more than one BlackBerry, after all). So, what’s a company going to do to maximise its reach? Diversify its product line, that’s what - just as with the slow extension of its iPod family.
Here’s the news: Overnight reports are claiming the company is developing a smaller, CDMA-compatible device for Verizon (and other CDMA networks), a device it intends releasing in Q3, 2010.
This rumoured device would host a Qualcomm hybrid CDMA/WCDMA chip and have a smaller 2.8-inch screen.
It’s by no means the first time Apple’s been rumoured to hold plans for a smaller device. The Dally Mail made such claims last year, speculating (incorrectly) that this would ship then.
We ourselves saw signs of this way back in April 2008, when we reported claims Apple has a smaller device in development.
Despite wide resistance to these notions in 2008, 2010 will see Apple’s competitors intensify in their attempts to take on the iPhone, and diversification of the product line is just one potential response available to company management.
NB: Image used here is of an old edition iPod nano, and purely for illustrative purposes, it is not purported to be an image of this rumoured iPhone nano device.
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Comments
I think people are conflating
I think people are conflating 2 separate issues. The CDMA/WCDMA chip and the 2.8" screen.
I wouldn't be surprised if the chips are affordable that they go with the hybrid chips across all models, just for simplicity/portability.
I also wouldn't be surprised if they go with a second model, an iPhone nano, with the same resolution as the current phone, just higher pixel density. For younger folks with good vision and nimble fingers. The landscape keyboard ought still be quite usable on the smaller screen, as well as most other features.
Now, with competitive phones coming out with slightly larger, higher-res screens, I wonder if an iPhone HD might be in the works, and how that could deal with scaling of the existing apps.
Well, if this is true it will
Well, if this is true it will mean I'm going to get a Droid. The hell if I'm going to wait around another year for Verizon to get a minuter version of the iPhone.
relax buddy, im sure there'll
relax buddy, im sure there'll have both sizes
Well, if this is true it will
Well, if this is true it will mean I'm going to get a Droid. The hell if I'm going to wait around another year for Verizon to get a minuter version of the iPhone.
It seems to me Apple can make
It seems to me Apple can make a 2.8" model that is 480x320 and one that is slghtly larger than now (3.7" or even 4") with 960x640 resolution. All apps would be compatible with both devices because they're the same aspect ratio. There's no way Apple will create an iPhone with HD resolution. It wouldn't make any visual difference on such a small screen.
Nobody expects HD resolution
Nobody expects HD resolution on small device. 960x640 would be a huge leap in quality, and is no where near HD resolution.
Appearance is all that matters. "HD" and its rules and definitions are boring and elitist to tout. "High Quality" is all anyone should be concerned with. The true difference should be in comparing physical devices side by side. Not in "teh spex".
960x640 on a 3.7" screen would blow your mind.
didnt apple start supporting
didnt apple start supporting a video resolution like that, when those camcorders came out a month ago or so?
The Daily Mail speculating
The Daily Mail speculating incorrectly?! Who'd have thought it?!....... *sarcasm mode off*
Another Verizon inspired
Another Verizon inspired rumor to stop/slow the defections to AT&T.
Verizon just released the Droid
An announcement like this would only damage sales of the device. So they're the last ones that would leak this.
iPhone
iPhone 3G S 8GB coming. http://www.zjtechlive.com/rumor-iphone-3gs-8gb-coming/
I dunno....maybe
It sounds about right.
All except the 2.8 inch screen. While the hybrid Qualcomm chip sounds very credible, I don't think Apple would make a "nano" type of small screened iphone. Isn't the screen small enough? Geez!
What I would do is take the exact same screen size of the iphone as it is now and build a smaller unit around it with smaller bezels. There ya go....your iphone nano!
Small iPhone
How are you going to use a touch screen that small? Or read it? Half the apps will not work. No touch screen will require an an operating system rewrite. I don't think so.
I agree. If the keyboard were
I agree. If the keyboard were any smaller it would be unusable. Not only that, but I've been waiting years for verizon to get the iPhone, but I'm wholly uninterested in a smaller one. I had the original when i lived in Denver, and it was perfect. Bring on the tablet and a regular sized iPhone on Verizon, and I'll buy both.
if you look at the picture
if you look at the picture the screen doesnt seem very much narrower than the current one, which would be the significant factor for the keyboard. the smaller phone will probably be marketed to people who dont use much more than the basic functions and would want a smaller phone (ie females).
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