Adding to a small stack of rumors about a supposed
iPhone nano, case-maker Vaja today quietly added the category to its website (pictured after the break). Frankly, we're not sure what to think. There are a number of ways in which Apple could produce a cheaper phone or alter its subsidy deals, so the idea of an iPhone that's
simply smaller makes very little sense. Yet, here we are showing off the site of a reputable accessory manufacturer with a brand new phone listed -- ostensibly just a teensy version of the iPhone 3G. Of course, this is probably just rumor, speculation, lies, corruption, signs of an unquenchable thirst for power, and a glimpse at the machinations behind one of the greatest conspiracies mankind has ever known. So, we're posing the question to the biggest brains of all: the Engadget reader. Is Apple working on an iPhone nano?
posted Dec 29th 2008 8:04PM
when i look at the iphone i think "this would be much better if there was less room for my fingers"
Well played
So now when I play games my thumbs can cover nearly 80% of the entire screen...
I didn't think "I wish there was less room for my fingers" but "I wish it fit in pocket better"
I could see an iPhone nano that has a 4X4 icon home screen, but the big attractant would be the thinness; that seems to be the direction Apple's been going with things.
get a bag
seriously i know a bunch of you see carrying a bag as "gay" or whatever but it will make your life a million times easier
@Uncontrol
Agreed. I have a Samsonite shoulder bag with all my stuff in it. No need to fill up pockets. Sure I attract negative attention (Only girls bring a purse? Bulls***.) but the conveniences are awesome.
Just get a small laptop bag with a shoulder strap. You dont always have to have the laptop in it but you can have your other gadgets.
Small backpack works too - easier on the back coz its balanced.
but anyway... i think this iphone will be 1 skinny, 16:9, 3" display with no bezel. coz Jobs likes it skinny,ya know (look at the mackbook air). Nano will refer to the weight and thinkness. This isnt surprising, consider that the new nanaos are actually slightly larger in size.
There are also people who say the iPhone is a lot more expensive than those $50 junk-phones.
That's why Apple is releasing a cheaper iPhone, and that's why the full-sized iPhone is more expensive.
Yeah I hope they come out with this and lose a lot of money on it. Idiots.
Clearly the iPod "Nano" is not going to happen, what with $99 refurbs and all...
Apple will no doubt go with a device that will be "free with 2yr"
Gentlemen, I present to you the iPhone Shuffle!
Bluetooth headset required, and simply calls randomly from your contacts!
(Bluetooth headset required as there's no screen or speaker)
@ uncontrol
Get looser fitting pants, I have no problem carrying my iPhone with my keys cigarettes lighter wallet and change in my pockets, or you could wear a shirt with a front pocket, a nice polo perhaps...
@ Matthew C
"coz Jobs likes it skinny,ya know (look at the mackbook air)."
I thought you were gonna say, "coz Jobs likes it skinny, ya know (look at him)."
EVERYONE continues to assume that a Smaller iPhone would be sold for less money, when in Fact, smaller technology is typically demanding higher sale price.
I would not put it past Apple, now that the current top-of-the-line iPhone, sells for $299.00, to come out with a slick, very powerful ARM-based Nano, pulling in $499 and $599+ prices again.
Due to it's processing power, miniaturization and overall sleekness (all the standards included, 3G, GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.), the Nano is primarily driven by voice recognition instead of touch.
Would not surprise me one bit, in Apples ever increasing desire, to set the standard.
Reasons I believe in the iPhone Nano....
#1 Steve Jobs said "every single year you'll need to buy a new ipod". In 2 years, he's released 2 iphones.
#2 Apple has to do something to keep people interested in their product line - not that the current iphones don't - a new product always creates buzz
Lets just pray it has A2DP and that Apple makes a brand pair of wireless headphones. I dropped my iphone today cause of the goddamned wire when I was listening to AOL radio.
I wouldn't be suprised if it came in different colors either.
A bag? You mean a PURSE? Or a European carry all?
Please....
why would i wear looser pants when i can just carry a bag and still be sexy
i know you guys love sexy gadgets, put that passion into your clothes
heu... most guys where side bag... you know, not ugly stuff but ok looking... you know, like that kind of shape:
http://jkontherun.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/man_bag_front.jpg
sorry could not find a better one fast enough...
the "attractant"?
how about a gadget holder??
http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/18/e-volve-gadget-shoulder-holster-the-ultimate-man-purse/
want more, head over @ ask engadget:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/03/ask-engadget-forget-the-man-bag-how-about-a-gadget-purse/
Live in the now and get a bag.
Call it whatever you need to feel OK with yourself.
Stop shoving your pockets full of shit.
Current iPhone must be a Newman version. Slimmer model codenamed: Jerry
Where's the Kramer version ?
Kramer version was set to come out in October, but was deemed racially insensitive and will no longer be relevant.
Iphone Nano - enjoy talking to random people
The iPod Nano's main difference to the Classic apart from size is the flash memory. Considering that the iPhone already uses Flash, the only differences would be size and price - not very innovative.
Not very inovative, but by dropping the price signifigantly, say to $49.99 with contract, apple could appeal to a much greater audience with a worse phone under the apple brand. They have sucessfully introduced themselves as makers of a quality device. Now, introducing a lower end model could be quite sucessful, much more so that it would have been without the established reputation for quality and inovation (i am reffering to the origninal iphone here).
how bout an iphone with a slideout keyboard?
txting iphone!
How bout an iphone with a slide out iphone? iphone iphone!
How bout an iphone with a slide out iphone with a slide out ipone? iphone iphone iphone!
How about a C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER?
If the iPhone was any smaller, texting would be impossible.
That's the only obstacle. A smaller iPhone would definitely require a slide-out physical keyboard to be functional from an input perspective. Other than that an iPhone Nano makes sense to serve as the real killer that would take apple's market share to new heights. We all saw the miracles worked by the iPod Mini. I can see a non-internet-browser capable iPhone Nano sold unsubsidised for €/$299.
Or, They Will Add The Option Of A Horizontal Keyboard For SMS.
Or Maybe For MMS.
Along With The Ability To Copy And Paste.
There's no reason to make a smaller version of the iPhone itself.
That means it's not just a smaller version - it's a different form factor, to take over the market that's still left: flip phones.
We like flip phones cause we don't need protective cases, they're easy to text on, and a decent sized screen is possible, even a touch screen.
so I'm going to guess: Flip phone, touch screen inside with some type of display on the exterior, plus a full blackberry-style keyboard on the inside. Great for texters, great for "just want a phone" people, sells for $149, 4gb storage.
And Col. Mustard, with the candlestick, in the Library.
QWERTY texting would be pretty impossible, but if it's a low-end model they could just go with a QVGA screen and a T9 virtual keyboard.
Sorry Coffee, It was professor Plum.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/17/apple-patent-application-hints-at-iphone-flip-phone/
Considering how Google voice search works on the iPhone, I guess Apple could be working on improving voice recognition so that you can speak your SMS messages? It could also be used to input contacts, numbers, URLs in Safari etc.
I wouldn't want my iPhone smaller, one of the things I really like about it is the actual size of it. Using functions like the browser and email are actually usable. I always lol when someone shows off their small little phone doing email and browsing the web. I will say though, if Apple does release a nano version it will probably be pretty sweet for the people who do like small phones. Apple even though they are not my favorite company, will do a good job on the new phone or they won't release it.
There is no point to this other than a recession cash infusion into Apple's bank account from gullible fans who just want to have the latest logo stamped gear.
I mean, the iPhone is $199.00, and you really need a smaller one?
Only the first one's $199. With contract. No insurance. You lose it or get it stolen and the $199 version is $499. Certainly turned me off Apple and AT&T.
@Jason
Don't lose it.
To be fair to Apple and AT&T, look at every other phone offered in the United States, on any network.
I hate to use this example, but it's the closest...
BlackBerry Storm, on Verizon, costs $199 with a two-year contract.
Without a contract (which is what a replacement phone is) the Storm is $499.
Both networks have 450 minutes and unlimited data for $79.99 per month.
Apple's account is already $25Bn in credit.
Maybe they'll get a bank, with a car manufacturer for if they get hungry later.
@ Arkenklo
"I'm not really capable of judgud wether or not all this really is relevant"
It's not.
And that's a check in the minus column from me.
$499 is a pretty good price for a phone like that. Comparing subsidized prices is a bit like comparing down payments for cars - it doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
Inbred because of the phones we use? Get the fuck off this site with your hate. Most Americans are very nice people, I don't understand the hate towards the people themselves.
... Then I'm giving the Swede a check in the plus column.
American (and Canadian) mobile phone industry = absolutely rediculous.
44% of Americans talk less than 200 minutes on their cell phones, yet most of them are paying for twice as many minutes. When carrier subsidizes only knock about 150-200 dollars from their phones, how the hell does that make sense?
@Jon Nelson:
It's maybe not relevant to this specific post, but still, you low ranked me just because I called you inbred. Shure, not inbred, that's a little harsh, rather really, really easy to trick.
I trust to Mitch to carry my point further into the discussion. Goodnight.
The US mobile market is bad, and the Canadian market is disgraceful. Still, you'll be happy to learn that pretty much all carriers in all countries offer free phones paid for by additional charges on your bill. It's called a subsidy.
Fred, you are overlooking R&D time and cost. If Apple had an iPhone Nano ready now, they would have had to have developed it long before to economy went in the bin. You don't just whip up highly compact technology in a month or two.
@Arkenklo
You make me regret I was born in sweden. Shut up.
Jävla åsna.
Lets face it, Apple has to do SOMETHING. They already did 3G, and the form factor is getting boring. It IS time for something new, and perhaps small is the way to do it.
Apple has to do SOMETHING?
WHY? Why does Apple have to do anything? They already have the top-selling phone on the market, and last I checked were in the number two spot worldwide in smartphone sales, ahead of RIM! And they have to do SOMETHING? What are you smoking?!
P.S. The iPhone is overrated. Last thing I'm gonna say.
because not doing ANYTHING is what leads to stagnation and obsolescence?
this isn't rocket surgery here. no matter how much of a hit your product or product line is... if you do nothing with it... eventually you will have a dead product or product line that no one cares about.
examples :
RAZR
Palm OS
Windows Mobile (until recently... it sat on PDAs for *ages* without any meaningful updates.)
maybe there *are* people that would like an iPhone but can't justify it at the current price. but for $99 and no GPS / wifi-data-only / 4GB Flash? a lot *more* people would buy one of those that otherwise wouldn't consider the $199 + required data needed on the full-size iPhone. better to get those people to buy *your* $99 product than someone elses $99 product.
"because not doing ANYTHING is what leads to stagnation and obsolescence?"
Come back when everybody stops automatically comparing every new smartphone, MID or PMP that comes out, to the iPhone, and continuously complaining about the ways they don't measure up (while understating the ways they surpass it). THEN you can talk about stagnation and obsolescence.
Apple has it great right now. Deservedly or not, the iPhone is THE must-have gadget that every company is trying to beat, and the fanboyish enthusiasm for it shows no signs of fading. Why would they be in any rush to come out with another phone already? To avoid sinking into irrelevance?
Not going to happen..... bigger fish to fry iTV revamp.....
My guess:
Keep the same set of preinstalled apps as iPhone, occasionally update/add to these with OS upgrades
No app store (different resolution/display size)
May or may not have 3G (non-3G browsing is a hard sell in Europe)
No app store? Remove the biggest money making feature Apple has on the phone? Eh, don't think so really.
agreed. If there were an iPhone nano, the SDK (with simulator) would be released/phone announced at MacWorld. iPhone Nano apps could be letterboxed on a full iphone for testing. The interface builder would make it easy for compatible apps (depending on features -- i. e., no location apps if the nano has no gps) to be made into nano apps.
What if it only runs iPod SDK software (in other words, being based off the iPod Nano/Classic hardware instead of the iPhone hardware)?
I see no point in Apple making a "iPhone Nano". The only advantage would be that it would probably cost less. If they were to make a smaller iPhone than it would most likely run slower. That would mean that many apps that already push the iPhone a bit wouldn't run anywhere near well on the Nano. Mainly games. But another huge reason is that the current iPhone is small and thin. There are many other phones out there that are a lot larger than the but don't anything near what the iPhone can do. From the pictures that I've seen of the supposed iPhone Nano about an inch or a little less smaller than the current iPhone. What's the point of that?
If they make an iPhone that doesn't require a data plan, but can still sync with iTunes and act as your iPod, and it's $99 or less, it will sell like hotcakes. If "nanochromatic" color offerings are also made available, even more will sell.
There are wayyy more people out there who prefer dumbphones to smartphones. And almost ALL of them love Apple.
"I see no point in Apple making a "iPhone Nano". The only advantage would be that it would probably cost less. If they were to make a smaller iPhone than it would most likely run slower. That would mean that many apps that already push the iPhone a bit wouldn't run anywhere near well on the Nano. Mainly games. But another huge reason is that the current iPhone is small and thin. There are many other phones out there that are a lot larger than the but don't anything near what the iPhone can do. From the pictures that I've seen of the supposed iPhone Nano about an inch or a little less smaller than the current iPhone. What's the point of that?"
...........i just want to say, once and for all, that i now realize completely the waste of time it is to read engadget members' posts, and i shall forthwith do it never again. thanks.
Knowing Apple, they will not include the calender and calculator app to differentiate between the two.
nop, they will cripple the calendar app to difference it from full iPod
Hilarious...strange thing is, I could actually see them doing this.
I read Pete Rojas's comments on his Twitter feed saying that gadget manufacturers have shortened their product cycles. Leaving room for stupid rumours like this.
Just because we've gotten used to a new iPhone in January doesn't mean we'll see one come 2009.
I think they will introduce the iphone shuffle. Unfortunately you will not be able to choose which number you dial it will randomly dial people on your list. So be careful who you put on your list or you may be drunk dialing your grandma at 3 am.
roflmao
Current poll stats (44% for "annoying and stupid") show how stupid Engadget readers are. OK, you're not stupid, just closed minded. Any idea how many people would LOVE an iPhone nano? Believe it or not, kiddies, most people over 21 don't watch movies or play games on their cellphone so smaller IS better.
You're calling engadget readers close minded for saying that there isn't an iPhone nano?
"most people over 21 don't watch movies or play games on their cellphone so smaller IS better."
-I guess you would know. I trust that you have talked to every adult in the world and aren't just an apple fanboy.
On an unrelated note, this is probably going to be one of those posts where engadget disables comments due to the fact people seem to get upset about the way this speculation makes front page news instead of being posted on engadget mobile.
If we see a nano it will be the current iPhone with new features. The main iphone will get the same feature but with a physical keyboard and a Penis.
iPhone Shuffle here we come!
I chose the last option. I LIk3z H0rSEZz!!!1
I think the Nano would be for those who did not want the iPhone. Not like us. People who just want a phone and want something "cool" that has Apple on it.
I wouldn't want one, but what about the rest of the world that did not buy an iPhone? Steve wants to take over the world, right?
You would have to make a pretty awesome version of an iphone nano to even compete with anything else out there.
theres a slew of other phones out there, cheaper than the iphone that can be a better alternative than a watered down iphone. what the iphone has now is special and jobs knows it.
but i guess its just my opinion to believe that making a mini-successor of a watered-down iphone just will not happen.
then again, tahts what i said about the ipods :-X
personally, i think when it comes down to app store, and all the rest of that, i think a simple, easy workaround would be a smaller screen, but with a bigger resolution, one that matches that of the iphone right now. That way, everything would run as originally designed.
Maybe Apple is looking to enter the mainstream phone market? i can imagine an iPhone Nano with a smaller screen, no wi-fi, maybe not even 3g, 1-2gb storage, and selling for $99 dollars could sell fairly well, especially if they can get carriers to sell them with cheaper plans, or maybe even prepaid.
Is a poll with 5 options REALLY necessary here?
Soon to be followed by the iPhone Shuffle.
Randomly call your friends.... Wonderful...
I've never heard that one before
Watching TV show now the most annoying people of 2008.Had this mini section half way "The most annoying things voted in Britain for 2008".
3. The E-book
2.The wii fit.
1. The iPhone 3G
Thats exciting and totally relevant.
Thanks for that!
it's not small...it's just thin!
Yeah! Another stupid post about the iPhone! Does apple own Engadget? Can't you just create a secton like Mobile just for the iPhone and iPhone accessories? Or when news is slow you just put up some crap about the iPhone?
Hey, no need to be sore, just accept that some people have nothing better to do than obsess over the iPhone. Just be glad that they're not raving about something stupid/old news.
No.
apple posts is what lures people into engadget
I'm new here, what did appl... I mean Engadget post about before the iPhone?
I can see an iPod nano. There are a lot of people who have a phone and an ipod. Few use the music features included on their phones and there was little interest in being able to do so. When working for VZW I often heard "no I've got an iPod" when talking up music accessories. The iPhone has made people reconsider how they interact with media and phones. That said, one of the biggest hurdles of the iphone is its data plan, so perhaps an ipod nano sized phone with either a small physical keys or touch screen ala VZW Krave. But I would expect to see more limited internet capabilities. this could be aimed at the segment of the population that does not want to pay for data but would like a phone and ipod in one.
Those are my wooden nickels.
Steve does not like buttons. Will not happen.
Why is that iPhone trying to stalk and kill Seinfeld?
Didn't you know that Seinfeld works for Bill Gates? I think that he is his secret assassin or something.
Most certainly because of the Gates/Seinfeld commercial stint. ;)
Because of his microsoft ads
Let's make this easy folks. Yes there IS an iPhone Nano, and no it is NOT for you. It's for emerging markets and markets with regulatory constraints: (I.E. China, India, etc)
Make more sense now? Not everybody needs the width for a QWERTY keyboard, and not everybody is "allowed" to use Wifi, App Store, or things of that nature. So in order to address this market, why would Apple hammer a square peg into a round hole by using the same form factor? If you have to change at least change the radios (i.e. different flavor 3G, no Wifi, etc) you might as well just change everything. And thus they are.
iPhone Nano is real, and it's not for you. Therefore Apple isn't flipping out about these leaks.
No their making an iphone shuffle. It calls one randomly selected number from you phonebook.