Some truth behind persistent iPhone "nano" rumors?

These rumors just keep popping up from all over the interwebs, and with Apple, persistent rumors often lead to real product. As we've mentioned time and time and time again, all signs point to a new iPhone revision later this year, either in the US, Europe, or both. To add fuel to the fire, AppleInsider has posted that an extremely reputable source reports that the Apple roadmap for 2007 does indeed show two distinct handsets. Touted as a scaled back version of the iPod, the "nano" would focus on music and offer basic cellular features -- so you can likely kiss web surfing and mail goodbye. All this makes sense if you look back on the iPod's original launch: the 5 and 10 GB models were out within 4 months of each other, with a hardware refresh 4 months after that. If they stick to a comparable timeline, perhaps the 3G -- if there will be a 3G -- will land in early '08. We're hoping that the nano name doesn't stick, though; how about the Apple iBashful?

[PEZ @ Jul 19th 2007 3:45PM]

I dont see the point with an iphone nano. Just make the first one better.

[runWilly @ Jul 19th 2007 8:28PM]

There's a point for me. I currently carry two smartphones (my corporate Blackberry and my personal e62) and a nano. When the iPhone nano comes out, I'll replace my e62 and nano with this one device.

[wmw @ Jul 19th 2007 3:47PM]

Given the number of iPods out there I would have thought it would make more sense (or as much sense) to make an iPhone without the iPod part (or at least without the capacious hard drive). If I do get one I doubt it'll get much use as a music/media player as I already have devices that perform those functions brilliantly (a 5.5G iPod and a Cowon A2). What I want is all the neat phone and web stuff the iPhone has for less money.

[Mike @ Jul 21st 2007 6:02PM]

The iPhone doesn't have a capacious hard drive, only 8GB of flash, theres not much to trim off bar the multi-touch.

[scott @ Jul 19th 2007 3:47PM]

*yawn* If this is true, they're going in the wrong direction. I want an iPod with wifi but no cell.

[sean @ Jul 19th 2007 5:21PM]

i'll second that

[Mike @ Jul 19th 2007 5:15PM]

i heard a rumor about this microsoft mp3 player that had wifi,

[Constable Odo @ Jul 19th 2007 10:47PM]

I third it....but I don't think it's gonna happen....unless.....Apple offers a base model, say 80 GB model for $300 without WiFi and also offers a 120 GB model for say $450 with WiFi. I pop for the $400 model in an instant. Fingers crossed.

[BatteryAcid @ Jul 19th 2007 10:58PM]

I want a video oriented (like the Clix 2) Ipod with wifi+voip and cellular service (like t-mobile hot spot idea - http://hotspot.t-mobile.com) that is not locked to one provider. Finaly I want it to be customizable without hacking and ply nice with Ubuntu and other Linux distros.

[cosmicrob010 @ Jul 19th 2007 3:52PM]

it's so secret not even the FCC knows about it.

[Timothy Sottek @ Jul 19th 2007 3:55PM]

This is the most exciting thing since this mornings bowel movement.

[gibber9583 @ Jul 19th 2007 3:56PM]

How about forgetting the iphone nano entirely...and just making a touch screen ipod with similar interface of the iphone? hmm..please?

[roc ingersol @ Jul 19th 2007 4:21PM]

the problem with these rumors is that everyone knows there's a slightly different hardware revision in the pipe for Europe.

So any wild rumor can't really be substantiated by 'we know -something- is due soon'.

[Ryan Huber @ Jul 19th 2007 4:25PM]

I heard 3G will be out in February. At least that's what I was told from someone at AT&T.

[Homeboy @ Jul 19th 2007 4:34PM]

Somehow I'm not very thrilled when I read the name iPhone "nano". With all the functional limitations imposed on the iPhone only God and Steve jobs know how restricted a less expensive iPhone will be.

[rolling on 30's @ Jul 19th 2007 4:37PM]

THIS IS ALL MY FAULT!!!!

I am sorry guys, Apple sent me a survey about what customers want in thier new iphone, and I thought it would be funny, "ha, ha, ha" to write

-less features
-overpriced
-something that will be outdated in 6 months
-and gimicky

so , i guess, my bad!
sorry

[Bobo @ Jul 19th 2007 4:44PM]

Now that's the one I want.
If it has the Nike connector, I'm in..

[Ireland @ Jul 19th 2007 4:55PM]

"Touted as a scaled back version of the iPod"

I'm sure the AI report said it was; "conceived as a scaled back, lower cost alternative to today's iPhone", and not the iPod. I'm sure it was just a typo on your part though.

[pcfanboy @ Jul 19th 2007 5:04PM]

This makes sense to me and I think it would be good for Apple. A cheaper phone opens up a new market. No web capabilities mean cheaper hardware AND cheaper phone plans. You could get a $249 with a $29 or 34.99 plan or even PAYG. I don't see a mention of video capabilities, seems like that would be easy.

[Jerome @ Jul 19th 2007 5:04PM]

I read that it will be a normal ipod nano with cell phone in it. No touch screen, nothing, just a cell phone.

Why the hell would you have a iphone nano? Sony and other compagny have awesome phone with 4go in it!

What's the point? Apple does not have any phone, that's the point! More money, more money!

word

J-

[Brandon @ Jul 19th 2007 6:48PM]

Are you kidding me? If they could somehow cram cell functions into an iPod nano, I would pick it up in a second, if only for the size.

[Jerome @ Jul 20th 2007 12:28AM]

LOLL that is true!

But look at the razor, remove the keypad, camera, big screen, etc and they could make something small...

Time will tell! :P

[Matt @ Jul 19th 2007 7:58PM]

well that is unfortunate, because I am actually looking for something the opposite. the iPhone sans the iPod capabilities. I already have an iPod, that holds more. What I would like is the web, email and phone features.

[Seth @ Jul 19th 2007 9:10PM]

Funny, no web or mail functionality, but the image has both mail and web buttons. Images never lie!

[Ian @ Jul 19th 2007 9:55PM]

what i want is more space on the iphone... i mean if i want it to replace my ipod i need at LEST 15 gigs to store my music. cuz 3-8 gigs isnt enough for me. i dont want to choose what music i want to listen to i just want all of mine. i really want an iphone but its not going to replace my ipod until then. of coruse by the time that happens ill need more space cuz ill have more music. sad in a way

[amby @ Jul 20th 2007 3:04AM]

Sincerely, shouldn't the title say: "Apple might be preparing Neonode N2 clone"? :-)