Goldman Sachs says second-gen iPhone is in "final design phase," Apple TV to get LCD screen

We're not certain why anyone treats the inevitable arrival of a second-gen iPhone sometime next year as earth-shattering news, but Goldman Sachs released a note to clients yesterday saying that the rumored 3G version is in its "final design phase." The investment firm's David Bailey says he got the info from the usual assortment of moderately-reliable Asian component suppliers, and that he expects the new model to have "similar form factor" with a "different look." Rounding out his list of obvious predictions, Bailey also said the existing model will get a capacity bump sometime next year as well, which makes sense given the proliferation of 32GB flash devices we've seen pop up lately. Somewhat more interestingly, Bailey also said that Apple is planning on retooling the Apple TV next year, and that his sources the new version may pack an LCD screen. Sadly, Bailey didn't have much to say about that rumored subnotebook, only that he's heard of possible "design issues." That doesn't sound too promising -- but we're certain Steve will fill us in next month.

[rich @ Mar 7th 2008 11:25AM]

but why does it have to be gsm?? CDMA broadband and call quality is still superior to GSM any day of the week. damn you apple..... oh well stuck with windows mobile phone for now....

[dcny @ Dec 12th 2007 12:08PM]

I just want a 16 or 32GB iphone and i'll be happy

[icraze @ Dec 12th 2007 12:12PM]

the next new iPhone should come out during Christmas...sadly..next year...it should compete with the blackberry on par if it has 3G...iphone needs open apps for sure. It shouldnt be $600 bucks though...apple over-prices their stuff...ex. macbook pro: $2000!!!

[jus10 @ Dec 12th 2007 12:36PM]

I agree, but I'd just suggestion watching the refurbished section of the Apple store for a good time to strike.

Since apple products tend to have long windows where they are fairly static products, there are usually refurbs out of current products at a discount which reduces the price to normality. I got a refurbished Macbook for $850.

My dad bought himself an iPhone and has now been talking about getting a Mac. I have a Mac but no desire for an iPhone.

[Serge @ Dec 12th 2007 12:17PM]

I predict that sometime in the not too distant future apple will update its iphone. It will have more storage, and possibly a better screen. It will be thinner as well. I am a genius aren't I? How could I possibly know all this? Insider information? possibly...

I predict that apple will update some computer in its hardware lineup within 6-18 months. Its impossible for me to be wrong here people!!

[brad @ Dec 12th 2007 12:17PM]

BAN HIM

[will @ Dec 12th 2007 12:18PM]

htc kaiser or wait, decisions..

[OneAboveAll @ Dec 12th 2007 12:21PM]

HTC Kaiser?...WM6? Uh...wait.

[Lemmiwinks @ Dec 12th 2007 12:21PM]

"FIRST"

Wait there for a second while I go find a two-by-four...

[superfresh @ Dec 12th 2007 12:22PM]

I think by next Christmas the buzz will be Android-based phones.

[Kyle @ Dec 12th 2007 12:24PM]

But, will it have GPS!?

[macona @ Dec 12th 2007 5:14PM]

No. Not enough room for an additional antenna. GPS cant use the same antenna as GSM like they can with CDMA.

[Common Core 2 Duo!! @ Dec 12th 2007 12:29PM]

What's that icon on the iphone?? the 9th one?

[Aaron @ Dec 12th 2007 12:38PM]

Hmm... Zooming in it looks like it says "Exchange" ! FINALLY!!!!

[Allan @ Dec 12th 2007 12:46PM]

HA! Your right, there's an MS Office icon in there.

[James @ Dec 12th 2007 4:19PM]

iPhone could already send and receive emails to exchange servers... And it can already view MS Office documents and such. So its just someones bad photoshop joke I guess.

[tdisease @ Dec 12th 2007 12:29PM]

Yes, somebody please tell Apple to throw a GPS chip in there!

[Jaxim @ Dec 12th 2007 12:32PM]

The things stopping me from buying an iPhone:
1) for a video player, I would need at least 32 GB
2) to browse the web, I need flash player support
3) reasonably priced

I am a Windows Media Center fan, so I hope Microsoft comes out with a iPhone killer before Apple meets the above criteria so I'll have smooth Media Center integration with a Microsoft device.

HOWEVER, if Apple comes out with an iPhone that meets all of my criteria, then I will forgo the Media Center integration and buy my first Apple device.

[BoozeRob @ Dec 12th 2007 12:42PM]

I would love to see flash, thats a big one for me.

[Skeezle @ Dec 12th 2007 1:16PM]

Sort of like the iPod killer MS came out with?

[roole @ Dec 12th 2007 1:56PM]

Except, the iTunes icon is missing...... looks fake to me.

[roole @ Dec 12th 2007 1:57PM]

Oops.... this was meant to be a response to Common Core 2 Duo!!'s thread above

[Tim @ Dec 12th 2007 12:33PM]

My Prediction for iPhone '08
1. Announcement in January (to upset all those who just got a last-gen model for Xmas)
2. Ships in March
3. "Features" announced in September to push Holiday sales

[Mobius_1 @ Dec 12th 2007 10:09PM]

Then a price drop 2 months later to piss off the early adopters

[Tim @ Dec 12th 2007 12:34PM]

Flash lost likely being the "feature"

[paragraph @ Dec 12th 2007 12:41PM]

well gee, he's making financial speculations on something that is bound to happen...

there will be an iPhone 2, mark my words, it'll probably come out with a new firmware that supports stereo bluetooth and some other features everyone wants... it COULD be designed different, but that makes little sense to me, maybe a white version? GPS will probably be thrown in there for good measure, and if they have any sense, expandability with microSD or something like that, 32gb is a lot of room, but there is still a desire for removable storage.

As for the apple TV having an LCD screen... why? Makes little sense to me, so you can see what is currently playing? Why not just look at your TV?

I think the next big thing apple could/should do with the apple TV is pair it with one of those 30in Cinema Displays and add a TV tuner. Consolidation is neat.

Honestly though, all of this is obvious, everything has to have a sucessor. Period. EOD.

(ps: isn't this guy the asshat that said apple would come out with a 12in iBook?)

[Marek @ Dec 12th 2007 1:16PM]

Um, they did come out with a 12" iBook. Not particularly sure why that makes him an "asshat."
;^)

[Sam @ Dec 12th 2007 12:42PM]

so shall i take the current iPhone off my x-mas list?

[J3KA @ Dec 12th 2007 1:37PM]

What do you think?

[palehorse @ Dec 12th 2007 12:40PM]

I'm getting sick of waiting for a decent touch-phone, under $400, that works, unhindered, on Tmobile USA...

HTC... Apple... HTC.... Apple.... UHHGGG!

[Scott @ Dec 12th 2007 2:16PM]

My iPhone was $399 and I'm using it on T-Mobile USA right now. That meets all of your criteria, as long as you accept the "unhindered" as a DIY project.

[palehorse @ Dec 12th 2007 2:45PM]

I never mind the DIY methods for anything, but I can't risk buying a $400 brick if/when Apple decides to REALLY screw the unlockers...

1) have they released an unlock for 1.1.2 yet?

2) how/where did you find an iPhone for $399 with no contract involved?!

3) What normal features will not work on your unlocked iPhone? Any?

[badqat @ Dec 12th 2007 4:16PM]

I don't think you have to worry about a brick if you do everything right.

I'm currently utilizing 1.1.2, but that's because there isn't anything I consider a must have to downgrade to 1.1.1. Needless to say, when I was running the earlier versions, I hacked and added all sort of things...and no brick yet...

[palehorse @ Dec 12th 2007 4:32PM]

Did I miss something? When did 1.1.2 get unlocked? I knew they had a jailbreak for 1.1.2, but didnt realize they finally unlocked it too.

DOH! I need to keep up...

[drummerjoe @ Dec 12th 2007 12:48PM]

Why the hell do you need and LCD on the Apple TV? Give me HD episodes, iTunes store without using my computer, and movie or even tv show rentals, and ill be happy.

[Tim @ Dec 12th 2007 2:02PM]

Maybe that apple tv has an LCD to purchase without iTunes and replace a tv...?

[m @ Dec 13th 2007 1:37AM]

even if you hate steve jobs, you must admit that he and his crew have way more imagination than most of us do. they could do a lot with even a little screen. it could tell you what the thing is doing without you having to turn on the tv, or stop watching another program. even vcrs had that, for crying out loud. the rest of the time, it could run widgets to show you the weather or whatever. tell me people wouldn't get excited by that.

[Craig @ Dec 12th 2007 1:09PM]

I say release it in January and sell it for $199

[tamoghno @ Dec 12th 2007 1:14PM]

actually i was wishing of at least 80gig for a video playing device. it may add thickness but its ok if its even RAZR thin(+3mm).

& dont forget a uber battery apple !

[andy @ Dec 12th 2007 1:18PM]

Isn't anyone else wondering why Apple's latest stores are so big? They are huge and hardly warrant that much real estate for friggin ipods iphones and mac's. I expect TVs to hit the floor sooner or later. Maybe even some other home accessories like a retooled boombox / clock radio.

[Mat @ Dec 12th 2007 1:46PM]

I really think you nailed it there. I think Apple is most definitely going to get into the home entertainment market more, they are just waiting for technologies and trends to mature. They don't want to take any risk, and it's more attuned to Apple product philosophy. Keep it simple, no real choices, just "These work together". People pay for things that just WORK, and Apple products just WORK together.

[PEZ @ Dec 12th 2007 6:35PM]

Well, Stevey McJobblers DID announce the iPhone many months before its actual release, so, maybe he will do the same in Jan/Feb of 08.

It better have a friggin SirfIII in it.

[Jah @ Dec 13th 2007 5:54PM]

Which flavour of 3G? What about 3.5G? And can we please have a few moe BT profiles, like A2DP please!

[newgalactic @ Dec 12th 2007 2:23PM]

I just bought a current gen iPhone and I love it. It's absolutely a joy to use, better then anything I've ever seen from Verizon. The way it integrates to our Mac is also wonderful. No special connection cord needed to sync address book, music, or anything else for that matter. I'd like 3g a lot along with GPS, but I bet I'll get almost a year out of my current iphone before these items are available. So no, I'm not mad at all about missing out on what's to come. One concern for me right now however is the eventual price of the 3G data plan. Apple's current iphone has a VERY competitively priced data/voice plan when compared to equivalent plans from Verizon and stock AT&T. If the price for 3G speed is more then what I pay now, I will be even happier with my current iphone.

[Johan S @ Dec 12th 2007 3:01PM]

My wishlist for the next iPhone:

Must have:

1. WVGA display (that is, 800 px width or higher)
2. GPS
3. 3G

Nice to have:

1. Instant voicemail (be able to send a voicemail instantly)
2. Better canned sms response/UI
3. Flash and Java

[dignan17 @ Dec 12th 2007 3:02PM]

Seriously? An LCD on the AppleTV? Why on earth is that necessary? Even Tivo, which takes years to redesign their hardware, quickly removed the LCD from the Series 3. I have the original Series 3, and aside from occasionally squinting at the clock, the LCD is completely useless. Sure, it displays what's recording on both tuners, but the text is unreadable from the couch, so it's useless. With the AppleTV's form factor, you know the display is going to be less than half that size.

Personally, I think the AppleTV's hardware is just fine. I could probably benefit from a faster CPU, but other than that it only needs some software improvements (like the aforementioned HD video support - which might require the performance boosts I was talking about).

[paulwlee @ Dec 12th 2007 5:10PM]

Because it's nice not to have to turn on the TV to listen to music.

[dignan17 @ Dec 12th 2007 5:17PM]

But by the time you navigate through a menu structure that would display on an LCD of the size we're talking about, it would be easier to turn on the TV.

Besides, I forgot the main reason why this is a bad idea: cost. Apple DOES NOT need anything to increase the cost of the AppleTV. I think it's the first device of its kind to get things right (aside from the horrible codec support), but there are other options that are starting to look better and better.

[Boywithhair @ Dec 12th 2007 3:04PM]

And let the fucking over of all 1st gen users begin.

[biohazard1067 @ Dec 12th 2007 4:57PM]

Oh please, like there has never been in the history of man a second gen product...How is Apple "screwing over" first gen users? That's how technology works, and how it's always worked. Something newer and with more features is always released, there's no doubting that. People chose their iPhone because they like what it does, and if a new one comes out next year, oh well. Get over it, or just don't buy another piece of electronics ever again.