Apple trademarks "iPhone," two models coming?
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Oct 17th 2006 12:44AM
posted Oct 17th 2006 12:44AM
In a perfect world, we'd be at the point now where we could stop writing about the iPhone and start playing with it, but in the meantime, we're getting to the point where no week is truly complete without a smattering of iPhone rumors du jour. Actually, the first tidbit is less of a rumor and more of a fact: Apple's been taking the liberty of trademarking the word "iPhone" in a variety of countries across the world as of late. While that really comes as no surprise to anyone -- after all, as AppleInsider points out, iphone.org has redirected to apple.com for years -- it'll be interesting to see if Apple actually sticks with the name, seeing how it's become a bit... shall we say, overheated across the 'nets and it seems like it might be to Apple's advantage to take everyone by surprise with a creative new marque (iChat? iCall, perhaps? We know we're going out on a limb here). Next up is the (more interesting) news that the boys and girls in Cupertino appear to be working on not one, but two iPhones: a slim, music-oriented handset, and a full fledged smartphone with integrated keyboard and WiFi, both of which we'll probably have to wait until January's MacWorld Conference to get confirmed. Did someone say, "spiritual Newton successor?"[Thanks, Woody F. and Brian]
Read - AppleInsider
Read - Red Herring
There is already an iCall as well. A free phone service, I imagine that iCall would be thrilled to see some deep pocketed company enter the market place using their mark.
lol, the past.
I wish it would come sooner that January. Oh well.
I hope the smartphone version don't weight a ton like N91 does.
I do hope this happens!
Am I the only one that remembers/used iPhone back in 1995 made by Vocaltec? That program was fantastic. Talking to people around the world over your 14.4 connection was cool. (Well, the audio quality was like a POTS line back in the 70's, but hey, it rocked!...Well, it rocked until CuSeeMe came along.)
If Apple comes out with a smartphone that doesn't have a touchscreen, I'll forever disown them. Sorry, kids but the Q is no smartphone. It's more like a smartphone with its head cut off. Or maybe its... oh, never mind.
So please, Steve, give us a touchscreen smartphone with some OS X Mobile goodness!
LOL thanks for the artists rendering - best pic of an iPhone I have seen yet.
Does this mean that Apple will be suing people that use the word "phone" in their product names?!
Yup.
Not to defend apple for the sake of it, but you guys never owned a trademark before did you? If Apple isn't seen to proactively defend its Trademark,
then the Trademark Office would send then a sorry note.
lol @ an iPhone that's dubbed as a "smartphone." Last I checked, the iPod lacked features and was minimalistic which was part of the success. An iPhone with any advanced features and anything other than a pretty casing becomes too advanced and too hard to use for the typical iPod user (if that's the market they are aiming for.)
thats why they said two models.
I'm not so sure that they'd be aiming for the same demographic with the smartphone version. As a general rule, smartphones don't target the average user so it would likely still have higher end features, but with an emphasis placed on intuitive function.
iAnything would be incredibly lame. They'll probably give it a proper name like the Nano (even if it is a sub-brand).
This phone will be so out of date by the time it ships.
I bet it has been ready for ages, and has just had extras tacked on to make it almost competitive.
Perfectly suited to the US market I guess... but anywhere else it won't perform well compared to the latest from Nokia etc.
It will look better of course as all Apple stuff (fluff?) does.
Septimus, give Apple the benefit of doubt. From past rumors, it sounds more like Apple had planned a very ambitious design, but later scaled back when cost and market timing became unrealistic.
This phone will be so far behind it might have the old green screen. That would be soo cool and retro! yeah, appple is the best!
*Anything they put out will look somewhat sexy, but suck in complete functionality...
gimmie gimmie gimmie!
Just gimmie the darn phone already! enough with the teasing, its' been yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaars.
I hope iPhone will have WiFi and use Google WiFi network in (some of) the States. One would be able to Gtalk, chat, watch video, blog, use google speadsheets, etc... And have google ads on the screen...
Hopefully it's a clamshell design
The image accompanying this article is friggin priceless.
They should call it uRang.
Another Apple rumor? Today must be another day that ends in y.
Surprised there was no mention of this (of course I haven't read the whole blog yet today)
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=2146
Excerpt:
"Apple Computer plans to introduce two iPod-based cell phone models in the first quarter of 2007 that it will initially manufacture in limited quantities, says one analyst.
In a research note released to clients on Monday, Prudential Equity Group analyst Jesse Tortora said his checks indicate that one model will be a smart phone, including integrated keyboard, video and music capability, while the other model will be a slimmer phone with just music functionality. "
Why exactly is this so enticing to you all? Is the idea to just not have to carry arround multiple devices? I can't immagine tacking a number pad and all the cell phone buttons is going to leave room for the "click wheel", which seems to be the only reason to own an iPod in the first place.
Or is this just an apple-fanboy thing thinking their phone is going to be the best?
I mean.. I'd like to see it happen and I hope it's great.. but I wouldn't count on ANY company making the "best" phone their first time around.
They can have 50 models, there will definitely be more innovative and advanced products from other competitors available, but those won't look as "white."
If they can make it as slim as a slvr but with no 100 song cap and make it look dead sexy i will but one.
Here's the thing, most iPods break within a year or two. Whether it be the battery or the harddrive or just some strange malfunction. These phones probably won't be much different. I say stick with HTC based Smartphones or get a Samsung or Nokia Cellphone.
Well, Apple is actually filing for iPhone trademarks in a _large_ number of countries worldwide, including: the UK, the EU, the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Proof at http://10layers.com/2006/10/apple-filing-for-iphone-trademarks-worldwide/
:-)
It's gotta beat my Samsung i500 (Palm clamshell). I think stylii are stigmatii unfortunately for really selling the damn things. I prefer the touchscreen and a smaller size and the no frills Palm OS. It is hard to see today's Apple being competitive without the Treo/Blackberry keyboard and some eyecandy bloat.
Yet, I have not renewed my Sprint contract & I keep reading these damn iPhone rumors because I am a damn Apple codependent ANYHOW!!