WWDC to launch a 3G iPhone and Atom-based MID device? [updated]

Honestly, we're exhausted by the sheer magnitude of 3G iPhone chatter swamping the rumor channels (and our inbox). Nevertheless, it would be a disservice to you, dear reader, if we let this one slide without comment. The perennial Apple touchscreen tablet rumor was given a fresh polish yesterday by Intel's chief German Burgermeister. Hannes Schwaderer stated unequivocally that Apple would be using the new Intel Atom processor in a "future iPhone" which is slightly larger than the existing model due to a larger display. Of course, this isn't the first time that Intel has openly discussed Apple's plans to develop products based on Intel's Centrino Atom, Mobile Internet Device (MID) platform. And as MacRumors and AppleInsider point out, an older rumor calls for a new multi-touch Apple tablet to launch mid-year with a 720 x 480 display on a device said to be about 1.5x the size of the current iPhone. With Intel officially launching Atom in June and Jobs' next keynote scheduled for June 9th... well, it wouldn't surprise us to see Otellini riding a chocolate pony on stage with a multi-touch Newton in hand. Actually, that would be surprising.

P.S. That's a pic of Intel's concept MID from Mr. Blurry Cam.

Update: Er, ZDNET.de has printed a disclaimer from Intel saying that ZDNET got the whole thing wrong. Intel claims that Schwaderer's comments were generic and not based on specific knowledge about future iPhone models. Where's the damning video evidence when you need it?

[Via MacRumors and AppleInsider]

[Hosain @ May 15th 2008 4:50AM]

Larger form factor + costsmore $$$= lost the plot

No thanks

[marty.com.au @ May 15th 2008 5:27AM]

Look at the size of the thing in that picture.... you cant put that crap in your pocket...

Girl: Is that an iphone in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?

Boy: YES! its my iphone baby

Girl: oh, you are a nerd... phuk off then...

[LordFarkward @ May 15th 2008 5:50AM]

both = fail

[Blaine Oliver @ May 15th 2008 7:17AM]

The day leaked photos are actually distinguishable is the day i believe rumours.

[Steffen Jobbs @ May 15th 2008 10:29AM]

Apple isn't targeting the poor, so they won't need cheapsters to make their new devices successful. They're looking for the upwardly mobile elite who can afford cutting edge devices. Most likely the Apple MID will cost twice as much as the Asus EeePC. Those devices are still good, but were looking toward 2009 and not 2006. Those Asus devices will be superceded and only used by those that can't seem to let go of the past.

The Apple MID will probably cost twice as much as an Asus EeePC and be useful for browsing and social networking. iChat everywhere. I wouldn't like the lack of a keyboard, but it's either move forward or be a loser and get left behind.

[Break point @ May 15th 2008 4:51AM]

MID device = Mobile Internet Device Device

[xnifex @ May 15th 2008 8:58AM]

With the recent surge in Apple news lately, I'm surprised that Engadget didn't report about AT&T selling refurb iPhones yesterday for $349/$249 again.
I know that everyone is waiting for 3G, but it was still a great deal for those of us that don't care about the 3G iPhone (like TMobile users).
They were sold out by 12 PST last night when I checked again, so you're out of luck if you wanted one or didn't jump on this the first time around.

[Taylor @ May 15th 2008 4:52AM]

'kay

[Dias @ May 15th 2008 4:52AM]

June 9 WTF, can't wait anymore.

[fontendet24 @ May 15th 2008 7:10AM]

WOW!!!

Bring the Half Life 2 & Team Fortress on the new powerful iPhone!!!!!

My dream comes true at last.

[L @ May 15th 2008 4:53AM]

Here we go again...3G iPhone rumor number 1 of 17 for May 15th 2008.

[roole @ May 15th 2008 5:21PM]

@L, why are you torturing yourself by keeping count of something you don't like? Masochistic behavior.......

[Wonderkid @ May 15th 2008 4:59AM]

Time to put my (just purchased) black 4G EEE PC and 1st generation MacBook Black on eBay. A do it all tablet with full OSX functionality + multitouch and various OPTIONAL mechanical keyboards and of course, video out so it can act as my 'desktop' machine when I'm home or officing. This rumor may explain the mysterious numeric keypadless Bluetooth keyboard Apple launched not to long ago with their other larger aluminium keyboard. It would be an ideal keyboard to check in the backpack along with the tablet Mac? No? Perhaps the tablet was/is late to market and the keyboard was launched at the right time or early as a tease? Soon we'll know!

[OziD @ May 15th 2008 5:09AM]

doubt this was in mind when designing the 10-key-less BT keyboard.

i think that was just for minimalistic effect. could be nice w/ that keyboard if they did it right though.

i actually wanted that keyboard until i found it it didn't have the number pad. i can't stand not using it for math. I had to get the wired :(

[w00t @ May 15th 2008 6:14AM]

I would have also purchased that had it come with a numpad and proper arrow buttons, both of which I use all the time.

Also, what's with the volume keys and eject button in the wrong place?

Good thing there was plenty of the last generation full size Apple Wireless keyboards on eBay for a good price :)

[OziD @ May 15th 2008 7:48AM]

w00t: they changed the location on the MBP's to the same as the keyboard with the Penryn update. I got an MBP after I got my Mini and the volume keys were where the Expose and Dashboard keys were on the keyboard (and vise versa) a few days later the Penryns came out so I exchanged and they were swapped like my Mini's keyboard.

[OziD @ May 15th 2008 5:06AM]

two things nobody wants:

- a huge iphone
- a computer with crap specs running leopard and a touch screen

"Think Different"

I love Apples... but if they recreated the UMPC market and made those devices worthwhile, it would be good for everyone. Just like they are doing with the Phone market... I'll probably never own an iphone as long as I am getting this great deal from sprint, but i am going to have better phones available to me. Make it happen Steve.

[Richard Lai @ May 15th 2008 5:28AM]

So a computer with crap specs running XP and a touch screen is fine? (hint: 901)

:p

[Saad Rabia @ May 15th 2008 5:09AM]

I have a feeling that it is going to be a low-cost, low-energy consuming e-book reader. Apple hasn't touch this area yet and all things lead to what seems to be an e-book reader.

1. Low cost.
2. Slightly bigger than the iPhone.
3. All touch.

It makes sense, I think.

[Richard Lai @ May 15th 2008 5:26AM]

Argh, you're always ahead of me... I've been thinking of some sort of small Apple tablet too. A little while back Asus did apparently say they were contracted by Apple to design a tablet for them: http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/06/apple-tablet-confirmed-by-asus/

[Daniel @ May 15th 2008 9:03AM]

Ok, you clearly do not understand how Apple thinks; they will never make what you're talking about. If you havn't notice they like to keep a minimal product line and not have "on the fence devices" in between. The only thing they are missing is potentially a super thin (even thinner than the air? :D ) tablet that you could use as an ebook reader if you wanted.

Btw the iPhone can act as an ebook reaader if you didn't notice...

gg

[Homeboy @ May 15th 2008 5:35AM]

Apple and Intel are best buds so it would make sense for Apple to jump on the Atom wagon before anyone else. I suspect the screen size of this mysterious device to be 5-6 inches.

I think this is will be Apple's way of competing with the Eee and Wind by offering something slightly different. The main main use of the Eee is internet access while on the move and the ability to type or edit short documents. And that's exactly that a MID offers. The device would naturally be held horizontally using the thumbs to type on the on screen keyboard, making it useful while standing up. IMO that's great specially if you consider that the Eee is almost impossible to type on.

Although I'm not to thrilled about the idea of a tablet I could seriously see this device working out to be something truly awesome. Let's hope it won't be crippled.

[thesb @ May 15th 2008 5:40AM]

This thing should come with a thick gold chain so I can hang it around my neck.

Seriously though, it looks like the faceplate of a car stereo.

[gad get @ May 15th 2008 5:43AM]

Does it actually say somewhere that that's the device?

[Ian Fleming @ May 15th 2008 5:44AM]

Dear Engadget,
Please keep making more rumors about the 3G iPhone, I can't get enough of it, seriously, I am sat at my computer hitting the refresh to see if there is any more speculation on the 3G iPhone, although Steve Jobs has confirmed that a 3G iPhone will be coming, I am still sat here eager as a beaver.

Yours Truly,
Ian Fleming

[Ryan Trevisol @ May 15th 2008 8:01AM]

I'm actually enjoying it. They need to make a new post telling people how to bypass all the apple stuff.

Honestly, I couldn't be more excited. I sold my iPhone and I'm just reveling in the speculation of what my $2-500 is going to buy me. :)

[AJ @ May 15th 2008 10:13AM]

You're in love with your name, aren't you Ian?

[Ian Fleming @ May 15th 2008 10:22AM]

I am in Love with the iPhone speculation, More I say MORE!

Yours Truly,
Ian Fleming

[joeshmoe @ May 15th 2008 5:48AM]

does no one remember this???

http://doubledt.com/tech/intel%e2%80%99s-iphone-like-next-generation-mobile-internet-device.html

[Denneval @ May 15th 2008 5:50AM]

Ummmm that's not an Apple product in the picture.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/08/hands-on-with-intels-silverthorne-based-mid-prototype/

[gad get @ May 15th 2008 6:03AM]

Yeah, that picture seems to be causing quite a bit of confusion! Get rid of it I say!

[boredtoday @ May 15th 2008 5:59AM]

Oh hello there Mr. Blur! We missed you! (((hugzzzz)))

[PEZ @ May 15th 2008 7:12AM]

phags... that is a concept device intel showed (that didnt even work) last year.

I guess you all forgot. Stupd pigs.

[Rich @ May 15th 2008 7:28AM]

ZDNet has posted an update that Intel is now denying this and claiming it to be an example of what could be done with the platform.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&langpair=de%7Cen&u=http://www.zdnet.de/news/hardware/0,39023109,39190850,00.htm%3F080514180812

[Rich @ May 15th 2008 7:32AM]

Sorry, wrong link: http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=de%7Cen&u=http://www.zdnet.de/news/hardware/0,39023109,39190870,00.htm%3Fh

[ThePremierAssassin @ May 15th 2008 9:31AM]

I'm loving all the hysteria regarding the 3G iPhone to be honest!

Hopefully it lives up to all the expectations cuz I REALLY need a new phone. This old Samsung flip phone is dying out on me day by day and Sprint's service is not getting any better where I'm at so I'm willing to try AT&T or Verizon.

I'm curious about how the Instinct will turn out. Of course theres the HTC Touch Diamond and Raphael.

Decisions decisions....

[guest @ May 15th 2008 9:56AM]

intel atom = updated apple tv.

[Brett Patrick @ May 15th 2008 11:17AM]

Why is Wil Wheaton putting out a 3G phone?

[niron @ May 15th 2008 11:35AM]

Pascal Cagni, VP Apple EMEA is visiting Israel these days. Today, when he's been asked about iPhone 3G he answered: "There will be some important news regarding ipod & iphone in Apple's conference on June 9th" (not exact quote).

[boarder4021 @ May 15th 2008 1:04PM]

Did absolutely no one realize that Intel's chief is named German Burgermeister?

When did the Hamburgler and the gang get hired by Intel?

[fontendet24 @ May 15th 2008 3:19PM]

Hm...
I think someone will be fired soon (for telling the huge Apple's secret before announcement).
Atom will be inside iPhone, or it won't play all new fancy applications. It even can't power them in standby mode.

[James @ May 15th 2008 8:47PM]

DAMN YOU Mr. BLURRY CAM!