this is a bold prediction 9to5. I hope it comes true :)

 It is a rumor, though, from that website itself contributed by a reader called 'Greg', so don't bet the farm on it, we warn

i think that the idea of 3 different types of iPhone sounds like a Microsoft move. i mean, its not an operating system, its a phone, and I'm sure that if they'll start now- itll get out of control.

If you ask me it not a micro$oft move at all, it makes sense to have more than one model, all you have to do is look at any of the other cell phone providers out there they have lots of different models to choose from ranging from cheap & cheerful to top of the line.

I can't say i'm to far gone on that mock up though I hope any officall model will have a little more thought put into it

THis prediction is ridiculous. There is no way that apple sells a iphone that won't play video.

So now we're thinking that there are going to be three iPhone models to choose from?

iPhone Nano
iPhone
iPhone Macro, 2.0, ???

They say they are going to keep selling the current 2.5G, an updated iphone 2, and an entry level version. I'd like to see all three mock ups. That little iPhone Nano looks amazing. If the Macro is as sweet as the Nano I'd have a tough time not buying both, one for my wife of course.

AT&T already stated that all of their phones will be 3G in the next few months. Combined with the fact that Apple received a lot of negative feedback for not having 3G, it is very doubtful Apple will introduce any future phone without 3G.

I would also question whether Apple would release a click wheel phone. Seems somewhat counter intuitive given their investment in touch technology for the iPhone. Also, wouldn't such a phone require programmers to write separate apps for the click wheel and touch phones?

So the iPhone nano doesn't support video playback and yet it has a youtube shortcut...

Would be awesome if they roll out the iphone nano on edge and costs only $10/mth to access the web while keeping the iphone at 20/mth for data while on 3G.

If Apple can do that..then I think it is definitely a winner!

However, the rest of the world is on 3G and I don't see how they will release a non 3G unit just for the U.S. market. Wouldn't they want to maximize the revenue for all their phone offerings around the world??

I think it makes sense seeing how the stand alone ipod market is pretty near saturation, and most people I know are trading in their ipods for an iphone, not another updated ipod. Apple would want to diversify their iphone lineup and offer people more choice.

I think Apple will stick with it's one model phone the "3G". Multiple phones probably will come down the line but I think Apple would first want to see it's target goal of iPhones it set is matched, the iPhone introduction in new markets around the world, concentrating on the App store and finally refining the Firmware 2.0 to 3.0 (future FW to address FW 2.0's gaps).

Then Apple can concentrate on multiple models as newer technology comes along and allows Apple to "Wow" the world again and again. But I think they will be as methodical as they were to the success of the iPod/iTunes/ITMS venture.

Just my .02!

So... the Mac Store online is chock full of iPods, all sizes, shapes and colors. I personally think there're too many iPods to choose from. I think the fact that they've had shuffles for less than the cost of a mouse for god knows how long shows that the MP3 player market really is kinda thick. But the iPods, and iTunes is the money-maker for Apple, and Apple will NOT just leave this baby behind. I think for Apple to succeed here, it needs to really integrate it's Touch technology into its iPods across the board, not only so that it can streamline production, but also to maybe turn some of those young iPod buyers into iPhone users much easier.

And don't get me wrong, I own a shuffle, and I love it. I've had it for two years, and the thing is works flawlessly and still looks great. But I do think there has to be some streamlining of things.

I think that there will always be room for a range of products, including a shuffle-type budget product, a small, music-focused product with limited video capabilities (nano), and then a full-size player (a-la Touch). I think if they up the storage and bring down the price on the Touch, it can replace the Classic format iPod completely. And perhaps those pictures online of a Touch-like Nano wouldn't be so far off then. They wouldn't have WiFi, and wouldn't even have OS X, just a simple emulated interface that grabbed the look of the iPhone/Touch.

Then you take away all the jabillion color options, and TADA! Simple product line of awesome products! 4 products, 1 color each. I don't even think they should have multiple memory configurations. If they did, I'd offer it only in the Nano. The people who are shelling out for the iPhone will shell out a little more for more mem. It should be as follows: 2GB shuffle. 8/16 GB Nano. 32 GB Touch. 32 GB iPhone. That's $35, $129, $199, $279, $459.

And I understand that people like to personalize their products, but these days, with all the case/cover/protection options, it's not like you even see the color of your stuff anyway.

The second comment on the image of the iphone Nano or so it is called, has a good point. Where's the home button? the applications wouldn't work without a home button to return to the black screen.

Also, it looks eerily similar to a nano with the iphone screen shrunk and overlayed... or maybe just an iphone with the middle removed to scale to the siz of a nano...

would be cool though...

the pic doesn't even have a button relating to music. An iPhone without music. I don't think so.

Well I believe that multiple models would be a good idea. However, I highly doubt it will be the models suggested in this article. They will not cripple the 3G iphone by making people pay a premium for 3G.
Plus, they will not make a "shuffle" or "nano" type phone that has the same screen size as the original but for some reason can not have video playback. THAT IS JUST RETARDED!!
If they come out with a unit with no video playback then the screen size would definitely be smaller.
But I think Any new unit would be able to take advantage of all the apps that would be developed with the iphone SDK.

i doubt they will release several models, and if so, they will be the same screen size. it doesnt make sense to manufacture new parts when they can use the same ones they already use. i say same screen, same resolution.

i fancy a 32GB iPhone, regardless of 3G -- they don't have 3G in India atm anyways ... haven't even distributed the cellular licenses and permissions yet.

-_-