3G iPhone???

[fraserdrew]

At D, did Stevie J just hint soo strongly at a 3G iPhone, or did i pick it up wrongly.
At this hint, Walt didn't ask ANY follow on questions, so it may well have been stage managed; and considering he is an Apple fan....

"The second reason is more profound: they have spent and are spending a fortune to build these 3G networks, and so far there ain't a lot to do with them."
"We are going to deliver that. We're going to take advantage of some of these investments in bandwidth."

So could it be... the perfect phone (IMO)... gets better?

 

[72930]

I think he's justifying not using 3G, because WiFi is so much better...

 

[Chaszmyr]

I believe it was during the MWSF Keynote when the iPhone was launched Steve said there were 3G iPhones coming later.

 

[fraserdrew]

I believe it was during the MWSF Keynote when the iPhone was launched Steve said there were 3G iPhones coming later.

Yep, i think he did. It just seems very, very weird to me that he is talking 3G up so much, yet the 1G product doesn't support it.
Also, the fact Walt didn't question it... makes it all a bit 'fishy' to me.

 

[CHROMEDOME]

I think he's justifying not using 3G, because WiFi is so much better...

WiFi sucks...3g is where its at.

 

[MRU]

Yep, i think he did. It just seems very, very weird to me that he is talking 3G up so much, yet the 1G product doesn't support it.
Also, the fact Walt didn't question it... makes it all a bit 'fishy' to me.

It's quite simple.

3G is not that big in America. Hence the USA model does not have 3G but supports 'EDGE' the most common data service over there.

3G iPhones will be released at the end of the year - begining of next, when it launches in Europe, where 3G network is bigger than edge over here.

 

[jdechko]

It's quite simple.

3G is not that big in America. Hence the USA model does not have 3G but supports 'EDGE' the most common data service over there.

3G iPhones will be released at the end of the year - begining of next, when it launches in Europe, where 3G network is bigger than edge over here.

Sure that makes sense. But why create 2 different versions of the phone? Is the savings of not including 3G that substantial that it's actually more cost effective to have 2 different production runs (which, by the way, seems very un-Apple-like)?

Is there backwards compatibility between 3G and 2G? Will an HSPA modem run on a 2G network, albeit at 2G speeds?

 

[janey]

3G is not that big in America. Hence the USA model does not have 3G but supports 'EDGE' the most common data service over there.

Cingular still has 3G coverage in a bunch of cities, growing every day. And just because EDGE is common doesn't mean Apple should just ditch HSDPA support for a later revision of the iPhone.

 

[PlaceofDis]

its been hinted that the specs of the shipping iPhone might be bumped, and this ceratinly leans towards that imo. i wouldn't be surprised if it ships with 3G. would make the most sense. and this way no one would be let down if they weren't able to get it in by the time of ship. but then again, its Apple so who knows.

 

[solice]

I seriously hope Mr Jobs & Apple will launch a 3G iPhone with HSDPA in 2008... I am currently in Hong Kong and yes Europe and Asia, 3G & HSDPA rules...

Previously I was living in Toronto, Canada... so I understand why Edge and WiFi is better than 3G in North America in general...

But IMO, 3G has became the standard for Asia and Europe... it would be a mistake to launch 2.5G iPhone in both region.... As much as I like iPhone, I would n't buy a 2.5G iPhone, I am holding out for a 3G iPhone....

It is like asking you to go from a Pentium 4 back to a Pentium 2 or 3....

 

[fraserdrew]

thinking....

Thinking about it, isn't 3G backwards compatible with 2.5G?? I'm pretty sure my w900i is...

 

[JNB]

WiFi sucks...3g is where its at.

Huh?!?

I think that given a choice, most folks would take WiFi in a New York minute over 3G.

While AT&T's 3G coverage may be larger, it's also substantially slower, expensive (as in most WiFi is FREE anymore, certainly doesn't require a "data plan"), and an industry-standard, non carrier-specific IEEE 802 protocol.

Plus...

As the iPhone gets enhanced/hacked, the ability to network with ANY IP device is an option with WiFi - like printers, NAS devices, etc., etc.

I'll grant you, I would've much rather had 3G over EDGE, but even 3G is being superceded as we speak; 4G/WiMax services are already rolling out in EU and some parts of the US,with more infrastructure daily.

I'm sure there was a very involved discussion in Apple PD over which wireless protocols to support. I'm gonna trust 'em on this one.

 

[cube]

3G iPhone == Mac minitower

But at least one knows the 3G iPhone WILL happen eventually!

 

[CHROMEDOME]

Huh?!?

I think that given a choice, most folks would take WiFi in a New York minute over 3G.

I would want 3g over WiFi because places that have WiFi I would probably have my macbook, or the WiFi is locked or costs money.

AT&T's 3G network is getting bigger and bigger, so I could use it when I'm in the car or out somewhere, like outside.

 

[/dev/toaster]

The main reason I will deal with the edge network is that I now live in San Francisco. Wifi is very easy to find just about anywhere. If I still lived in NJ, it would be rather painful. Finding wireless networks is a pain.

Now, I just hope it will automagicly try to connect to a wireless network when it finds it. I don't want to change the settings everytime I need to use wifi.

 

[sportsfanMAW]

My main question is will it keep bugging me every time i walk by a WEP protected wifi to enter the password. Because if i'm walking down the street and surfing the web i don't want the constant interuption of "enter password"

 

[/dev/toaster]

its been hinted that the specs of the shipping iPhone might be bumped, and this ceratinly leans towards that imo. i wouldn't be surprised if it ships with 3G. would make the most sense. and this way no one would be let down if they weren't able to get it in by the time of ship. but then again, its Apple so who knows.

iirc, if Apple was to include 3G ... they would need to put that in the application to get the FCC approval. I don't think its something they could "sneak in" at release.

Now, there is a chance that it did include it ... and its part of the confidential docs. Even then, its strange why Apple would hide this feature.

 

[needthephone]

He knew that millions would hang on his every word-the mention of 3G was not a mistake. The only reason that it is (or is it?? ) going to have EDGE is that the 3G network is not that big in the US. Apple has access like anyone to the best technology so don't panic if there is a 3G or 3.5G network in your country Apple will release a phone soonish to utilise it-I feel certain about this. It could be 3G even in the US from the outset.