Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Everyone is talking about 2nd gen iphone but...
- Thread starter brinycbri
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I think most people assume that Apple will put out a 2nd gen / 3G phone by the end of the year, but personally, I find this hard to believe.
For 600 bucks, Apple better not say "Hey guys, we know we hyped the 1st gen iPhone, but this 2nd gen model is WAYYYY better and hey, look, it's even cheaper!"
They're getting a lot of people to invest a lot of money into getting this phone. Customers who aren't lucky enough to be on AT&T have to cancel their existing contracts (which means spending money to spend even MORE money), get rid of their existing phones, sign up for a 2 year contract, slap down more than 500 bucks on top of that all for the phone...
I think we'll see, maybe, a 3G phone, but that'll be the only new feature. I have to believe, since this thing runs OSX, that any updates to the phone will be available to EVERYONE who has one... because the most I've ever spent for a phone was 100 bucks.
But who knows... Apple will do what they wish!
The whole 3g argument is so stupid. AT&T has the iPhone for 3-5 years... and while their buildout of 3g is paramount to them, it's still slow and expensive.
This is a list of the cities they have it in: http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/popUp_3g.html
Seems like a long list, but it's really not very much of the country compared to their EDGE coverage. So 3G is FAR away.
iPhone v2 may just be a software upgrade. It's more likely that they'd release a new hardware version as "iPhone 3G" in a couple of years once AT&T's network is more developed. To do it in 6-12 months would be a total waste of time. And no network that's already mostly 3G is going to have the iPhone for 3-5 years, again.
This is a list of the cities they have it in: http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/popUp_3g.html
Seems like a long list, but it's really not very much of the country compared to their EDGE coverage. So 3G is FAR away.
iPhone v2 may just be a software upgrade. It's more likely that they'd release a new hardware version as "iPhone 3G" in a couple of years once AT&T's network is more developed. To do it in 6-12 months would be a total waste of time. And no network that's already mostly 3G is going to have the iPhone for 3-5 years, again.
I have looked for an answer and find nothing but speculationa and conjecture. People who say iPhone 2.0 is immediately around the corner appear to be relying on nothing substantive. Nothing. Also, Apple's time periods for new versions of Mac Pros, notebooks, iPods, etc. is growing and growing. I personally think the days of quick hardware updates, like those with the iPod, are gone.
Everyone is talking about 2nd gen iphone but... what about 3rd gen iPhone? Or 5th gen for that matter? I mean 5th gen iPod is teh best one... that is if you don't count the iPhone as a 6th gen iPod... which would make a 5th gen iPhone a 10th gen iPod and, and, and.... og shucks I just went cross eyed.
Even if it's a software upgrade for 2nd gen phones, I think the 1st gen users will be able to get their hands on the update, too. Just like buying the new OSX.
Beta Testing for 600+ bucks?
Apple had better hope they get the phone right... the first time, or they're going to have a lot of angry people on their hands.
Hard to believe. Really? This is exactly what Apple does. They update products long before their sales arc has been fully exhausted; often before it has even reached its apex.
I think they will up the capacity very soon, as this is relatively simple. Plus, once Leopard is off and running, I think you'll see software improvements that fix some of the items that have confused people on the initial unit: cut and paste, Java and Flash, to name but three.
Lastly, there have been plenty of stories in the press about Apple inviting bids for manufacture of the next generation iPhone. v2 is coming, and coming soon.
Given the history of iPod, not necessarily.
It seems unlikely there would be a true 2G iPhone in the immediate future. That said, one could imagine some upgrades (e.g., more memory) in a Rev. B version. And of course software updates. But if apple doesn't make those available for a while, they're really going to piss people off.
I have to agree I think there will be a newer version probably by Feb of 2008.......It so amazing that when asking Steve in an interview he stated we dont talk about newer advances....Well he is keeping something under his jacket....There not going to say anything for sure but its coming dont be fooled...Just plan on upgrading
I'm saying, unlike the iPod, which every generation has been better than the last, the only way to actually upgrade it was to BUY a new one...
With the iPhone, I'm hoping and wishing that if they upgrade it with new features and programs, that they can just download it into the phone.
Sure, a 2nd gen iPhone will probably be sleeker and thiner and have more hard drive space and a faster processor, but in terms of software, all the phones across the board SHOULD stay the same (if you choose to download the updates, just like your Macbook or iMac).
It's also different to ask customers to put down 250 dollars for a new iPod once every year or so, but 600 dollars is a LOT. A LOT.
The fact that it runs OSX should make the iPhone's lifespan (unlike the photo iPod or any of it's brothers before) last longer.
I'd guess that the 2G iPhone will have some features not available on the 1G, but also feature a lot that is downloadable and free to the 1G user. They aren't going to screw their 1G users anytime soon, but the pace at which mobiles develop is pretty rapid and Apple will assuredly stay ahead of the pack...at least so we hope! 
Good luck to everybody with their 1Gs. I am sure they are going to be a great experience!
Good luck to everybody with their 1Gs. I am sure they are going to be a great experience!
Apple is accounting for iPhone sales over the course of the two-year contract. I expect Apple will continuously improve the phone software over that time, plus offer revision bumps in storage and minor tweaks. Since Apple doesn't need you do buy something new to maintain sales I think the product cycle of the iPhone will be much longer. This will be way less financial pressure to come out with something new every quarter or two.
With that said, I would expect to see multiple versions of the iPhone. Something smaller, less expensive will probably come out. I also don't expect to see price cuts down the road. Maybe $100 or so, but that's it. Don't be expecting to see a Razr trend of $500 intro to free. Apple is keeping ATT on a short leech, so I don't see rebates or anything. Apple is in charge of the hardware, ATT gets the service.
Think of it in Apple terms -- they maintain prices by adding value, and bring out alternatives in a tiers. They spotlight the top product, and for those who can't afford/justify the cost, they have tiers w/ intended compromises. This iPhone is the Mac Pro/Video iPod, probably next winter we'll see the iMac/Nano version.
With that said, I would expect to see multiple versions of the iPhone. Something smaller, less expensive will probably come out. I also don't expect to see price cuts down the road. Maybe $100 or so, but that's it. Don't be expecting to see a Razr trend of $500 intro to free. Apple is keeping ATT on a short leech, so I don't see rebates or anything. Apple is in charge of the hardware, ATT gets the service.
Think of it in Apple terms -- they maintain prices by adding value, and bring out alternatives in a tiers. They spotlight the top product, and for those who can't afford/justify the cost, they have tiers w/ intended compromises. This iPhone is the Mac Pro/Video iPod, probably next winter we'll see the iMac/Nano version.
Anyone expecting a 2nd gen iPhone anytime soon is in for serious disappointment. Understanding a few facts about the phone and its release will point out the truth to you:
#1. "You can't run out and add a button to these things, they're already shipped." -Steve Jobs on all "smart" phones during iPhone introduction.
The iPhone is uniquely simple piece of hardware. The entire device is dependent on software and absolutely every and any function they want to add can and will be done through iTunes/software update. They can give us new stuff for free, and they will, from time to time. You can bank on it. This keeps the list of stuff to add down, as they develop the requests and desires for the phone and literally give them to us.
#2 The roll out process across the world for this product is going to take some time, as it appears they want it handled in a specific way. They want to make sure everyone in the U.S. is taking care of, happy and satisfied, before they open the European can of worms. Same situation there, before moving on to tackle Asia, a larger community than the previous 2 combined. Plus, they have even published the time table for this process as taking them through 2008.
Conclusion: 4 or 8 gb is more than enough to hold everyone over til late 08 early 09 when we may see the 2nd gen iPhone. It won't be before this time period, it simply would not make any sense and is against their own current course of action.
Think.
#1. "You can't run out and add a button to these things, they're already shipped." -Steve Jobs on all "smart" phones during iPhone introduction.
The iPhone is uniquely simple piece of hardware. The entire device is dependent on software and absolutely every and any function they want to add can and will be done through iTunes/software update. They can give us new stuff for free, and they will, from time to time. You can bank on it. This keeps the list of stuff to add down, as they develop the requests and desires for the phone and literally give them to us.
#2 The roll out process across the world for this product is going to take some time, as it appears they want it handled in a specific way. They want to make sure everyone in the U.S. is taking care of, happy and satisfied, before they open the European can of worms. Same situation there, before moving on to tackle Asia, a larger community than the previous 2 combined. Plus, they have even published the time table for this process as taking them through 2008.
Conclusion: 4 or 8 gb is more than enough to hold everyone over til late 08 early 09 when we may see the 2nd gen iPhone. It won't be before this time period, it simply would not make any sense and is against their own current course of action.
Think.
+1Conclusion: 4 or 8 gb is more than enough to hold everyone over til late 08 early 09 when we may see the 2nd gen iPhone. It won't be before this time period, it simply would not make any sense and is against their own current course of action.
Think.
I don't think anyone will be feeling they're shooting themselves in the foot in terms of upgrades. I wouldn't expect to see an outright replacement to this phone for at least a year. That doesn't mean in a year it will have the same specs, but the differences will be minor.
3G could be in the cards sooner, but I really doubt it. Apple will want to save this as a major feature and plus give ATT time to build out the network to the top 100 markets. The only possible reason I could see 3G is if the backlash of it missing is overwhelming and I don't see that happening. People seem perfectly happy to make due w/ EDGE and WiFi as a backup.
I know there are rumors of another phone in the works, and like I said, I think this is the iPhone "Mini" that will appeal to everyone who find the iPhone's phone part attractive, but can't justify the cost for a "cell phone."
+1
Early adopter pricing and component pricing will most likely go down, but I don't think it will be drastic, nor anytime soon.
No way. Every iPhone will have a 2-year contract for at least the 5 year agreement. As long as ATT doesn't screw things up, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple sticks with them as sole provider for well beyond then. Just looking at the visual voice mail and activation process, if this integration continues (which it surely will) the product and service will be vertically integrated. Heck, if the iPhone is bigger than the iPod, Apple probably will buy ATT's cell business.
Don't be surprised if Americans can buy a 3G version of the iPhone this Christmas or Jan '08.
They need to make one for Europe anyway...
Agreed. New models yes. (that do less) but the current 3 in one iphone will get new features for the same price point IMO.
GPS
More Memory.
3G.
etc.
I disagree. Apple will update the phone (as in new not just online upgrades) within the next 2 years if they plan on surviving in the market. I see it happening, most likely a very minor update for the European release (3g) and for the Asian market if they even venture there with their current demands on providers.
If Apple doesn't update their phone significantly for the next 2 years, it will not be able to sell in the next 2 years unless they do drop the price significantly. No matter how great it is now, in 2 years, it the competition will have caught up and likely surpassed, no question. They are already trying their best to catch up in R&D b/c the iPhone seriously threatens their US market share. If Apple does nothing then they are sure to lose, and that doesn't sound like Apple. But in the mean time, I'm sure that their online updates will keep users very happy, this is what I'm expecting.
Besides that, I am completely sure that the iPhone revisions will come out as a SURPRISE like we've never seen, otherwise they will be UNABLE to liquidate the rest of their stock b/c of people waiting to buy/switch. This is true b/c the phone is locked and needs a contract, there's no way someone will buy it if they know an update is imminent and Apple can only destroy the phones if no one buys them, or just probably offer them up severely discounted. This could be a different case once Apple reaches their 10 million goal though, b/c most likely many of those 10 million will upgrade.
Now, I don't think anyone is shooting themselves in the foot by buying now. It's a great phone, awesome technology to have now. If people aren't satisfied with their purchase now, I doubt they ever will be completely satisfied as they look at the horizon for new updates.
This should be expected, if Apple plans on making money in foreign markets something needs to happen.
If Apple doesn't update their phone significantly for the next 2 years, it will not be able to sell in the next 2 years unless they do drop the price significantly. No matter how great it is now, in 2 years, it the competition will have caught up and likely surpassed, no question. They are already trying their best to catch up in R&D b/c the iPhone seriously threatens their US market share. If Apple does nothing then they are sure to lose, and that doesn't sound like Apple. But in the mean time, I'm sure that their online updates will keep users very happy, this is what I'm expecting.
Besides that, I am completely sure that the iPhone revisions will come out as a SURPRISE like we've never seen, otherwise they will be UNABLE to liquidate the rest of their stock b/c of people waiting to buy/switch. This is true b/c the phone is locked and needs a contract, there's no way someone will buy it if they know an update is imminent and Apple can only destroy the phones if no one buys them, or just probably offer them up severely discounted. This could be a different case once Apple reaches their 10 million goal though, b/c most likely many of those 10 million will upgrade.
Now, I don't think anyone is shooting themselves in the foot by buying now. It's a great phone, awesome technology to have now. If people aren't satisfied with their purchase now, I doubt they ever will be completely satisfied as they look at the horizon for new updates.
This should be expected, if Apple plans on making money in foreign markets something needs to happen.
Apple will update the iPhone continuously through software. I think the iPhone hardware will hold up well against competition for at least a year. I suspect people who think there will be a big update soon are trying to talk themselves into waiting. Granted, the opposite could be true, but the former firmly fits Apple MO.
Is the U.S. 3G service compatible with Europe?
Is the U.S. 3G service compatible with Europe?