Purely hypothetical iPhone thread

[Harald]

Say Apple were going to rebadge the efforts of someone like (ohidon'tknow umm) Sony Ericsson for example, and produce an iPhone.

Do you think they'd base their phone on something like the T68 or the P800?

One would be cheap and small (and sexy).

One would be expensive and powerful (and sexy).

One would be a phone with small-screen calendar.

One would also be a PDA -- without Steve having perjured.

Do you think you could legitimately say you were "running Aqua" on a T68, or would you need a P800 sort of dealie?

Do you think Apple would bother releasing "just" a phone or would they plump for something category breaking?

More umm inspiration as it comes to me.

[Hassan i Sabbah]

Harald I'm sure I don't know.

What do you think?

[Hassan i Sabbah]

Well, I know this.

This hypothetical iPhone would be digital hub-friendly and would be built to exploit iApps.

It would seem likely that it'd have a camera built in and that the thing would sync with iCal.

If it was properly 'running Aqua' it would need all that lovely P800 real estate; it wouldn't just have Aqua-like icons instead of those SE phone management icons.

It would be a 'lifestyle' thingie.

It would be like the P800.

[ 02-25-2003: Message edited by: Hassan i Sabbah ]</p>

[Outsider]

They should throw all conventional wisdom out the door and go for something unconventional, but extremely useful. What i'm basically thinking is a small 2 piece system, one base gadget with a 2" color screen, thin, and have a new way of inputing info, and a second piece that is just a wireless headset, like a jabra or something similar.

the base would double as a PDA and maybe have a computer cradle (or sync via BT). input could be either voice recognition or some manual form of input.

[othello]

Harald you tease...

<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />

[Escher]

[quote]Originally posted by Harald:
<strong>One would be cheap and small (and sexy).
One would be expensive and powerful (and sexy).</strong><hr></blockquote>

It's interesting that you mention two phones, Harald. I don't think Apple would further increase its risk by introducing two groundbreaking, but risky, new devices. But who knows?

With the release of <a href="http://www.versiontracker.com/moreinfo.fcgi?id=18500&db=mac" target="_blank">Sony Ericsson Clicker</a> two days ago, I've come to appreciate the T68(i) even more. In my opinion, Apple is more likely to introduce a compact, T68-sized device, but drastically improve usefulness and useability by boosting integration with iApps. SE Clicker shows how much functionality you can add with a simple software application. My hunch is that Apple will leverage its User Interface and Open Standard know-how to keep the device small and pocketable.

One additional thought: Even though entering information via a mobile phone keypad is less than efficient, I think it still makes more sense on the go. That's why we've seen PDAs with small keyboards gain in popularity. The other day, I saw my first P800 "in the wild." A kid on the metro was playing Tetris with the stylus. An analog/button-based interface, like on the iPod, can be significantly more efficient than a stylus-based one, especially for information-retrieval. Finally, you need two hands to use a device with stylus. With a keypad and scroll-wheel, you can do it all with one hand. If you need to enter more data, use the nearest Mac and connect via Bluetooth.

PS: Has anybody tried out the "proximity" funtion in SE Clicker. It basically lets you run an AppleScript when you get within range of your Mac. That's way cool! Imagine you Mac telling you that you have new mail and need to complete items on your to-do list only when you are near it.

As with PowerBooks, I say: Make it small and light!

Escher

[ 02-25-2003: Message edited by: Escher ]</p>

[Harald]

[quote]Originally posted by Escher:
<strong>

It's interesting that you mention two phones, Harald. I don't think Apple would further increase its risk by introducing two groundbreaking, but risky, new devices. But who knows?</strong><hr></blockquote>

I don't think they'd introduce two phones ... I was just doing a bit of analysis.

At first I thought, "Yeh, P800! Fran will be happy, AND he gets a phone."

But now I think you're right.

[Hassan i Sabbah]

Harald, when do you think that this hypothetical Apple telephone would come to the market?

[Not Unlike Myself]

My guess would be this fall... (after Iraq war)

[Harald]

[quote]Originally posted by Not Unlike Myself:
<strong>My guess would be this fall... (after Iraq war)</strong><hr></blockquote>

Well now that is a point. Assuming World War III gets kicked off on schedule it could put everyone's release schedule off.

I'd guess early summer.

Hypothetically.

[Harald]

[quote]Originally posted by Escher:
<strong>Has anybody tried out the "proximity" funtion in SE Clicker. It basically lets you run an AppleScript when you get within range of your Mac. That's way cool! Imagine you Mac telling you that you have new mail and need to complete items on your to-do list only when you are near it.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Oh my God that's cool. And very mac-like; come back to the office ... get close to the machine (which under OS X is only asleep not turned off) and have it wake up, check the mail, say "Hi" and open forums.appleinsider.com ... and obviously hit the sync button.

That rules.

[Escher]

[quote]Originally posted by Harald:
<strong>Oh my God that's cool.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Harald: Try it and report back to us. ;)

Regarding phone-style (e.g. T68i) versus PDA-style (e.g. P800), have a look at the <a href="http://forums.appleinsider.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=000614" target="_blank">z1010 thread</a> in Digital Lifestyle. I really like the flip-phone form factor (provided there is an external display for caller ID). IMO, opening up your flip-phone to make or take a call is a better user interface than pushing a button. Of course, a flip-phone might not do as well as the T68i when it is on TV/Mac remote duty. :)

The following dilemma is bothering me right now. I want to get two mobile phones, one for me and one for my wife in the next two weeks. We can get the T68i free from Amazon.com with T-mobile service. But I'm concerned about GSM coverage in rural US areas and I would hate to be locked into a particular service plan if Apple introduces an iPhone this summer. What am I to do?

Escher

[ 02-25-2003: Message edited by: Escher ]</p>

[New]

with all that's happening right now, you definitely don't want to go out getting a T68i...

[ 02-25-2003: Message edited by: New ]</p>

[DaveGee]

[quote]Originally posted by New:
<strong>with all that's happening right now, you definitely don't want to go out getting a T68i...

[ 02-25-2003: Message edited by: New ]</strong><hr></blockquote>


Well if you can get it for free then I'm not sure I see any down side to it... Given what we know it would seem Apple is going to go with Cingular (that is the cell provider right?) so why not just grab the free T68i deal for now and then upgrade to a new iPhone (if and when it makes its debut)...

Murphys law:

If you buy a T68i now the iPhone will be available on or before MWNY...

If you wait to buy then the iPhone wont be available 'sometime this fall'.

:D

Dave

[Slotracer152]

I would hope its nothing like the T68...I still say that phone sucks

[New]

[quote]Originally posted by Escher:
<strong>With the release of <a href="http://www.versiontracker.com/moreinfo.fcgi?id=18500&db=mac" target="_blank">Sony Ericsson Clicker</a> two days ago, I've come to appreciate the T68(i) even more. In my opinion, Apple is more likely to introduce a compact, T68-sized device, but drastically improve usefulness and useability by boosting integration with iApps. SE Clicker shows how much functionality you can add with a simple software application. (...)
PS: Has anybody tried out the "proximity" funtion in SE Clicker. It basically lets you run an AppleScript when you get within range of your Mac. That's way cool!</strong><hr></blockquote>
WOW! I just tested this app. and it's fantastic!!! You can basically run any script on your mac from your phone... how cool will it look runnig powerpoi... err... keynote presentations from my phone!
This opens new dimensions for the "digital hub" strategy...

[RodUK]

Is it known that the iPhone is actually a physical device (assuming it exists)? Couldn't it be some form of video-conferencing software? You 'phone' someone, perhaps using an existing phone blue tooth connected to your Mac, and the phone number is translated into some form of web/IP address to enable a connection to be established over the internet. You then chat to each other verbally using the Mac's inbuilt mic (rather than iChat style typed text) and see each other using a Webcam, via the iPhone application running on your Mac.

Purely hypothetically of course.

[ 02-26-2003: Message edited by: RodUK ]</p>

[Hassan i Sabbah]

[ 02-27-2003: Message edited by: Hassan i Sabbah ]</p>

[Hassan i Sabbah]

It's not software. Hypothetically speaking.

[Harald]

[quote]Originally posted by RodUK:
<strong>Is it known that the iPhone is actually a physical device (assuming it exists)? Couldn't it be some form of video-conferencing software?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Everything you've written sounds like an utterly fantastic idea. I wouldn't be surprised (but have absolutely no idea) if Apple were to extend the usefulness of their hypothetical future hardware product using the Bluetooth capabilities of their device ... in ways we've not thought of.

[othello]

[quote]Originally posted by RodUK:
<strong>Is it known that the iPhone is actually a physical device (assuming it exists)? Couldn't it be some form of video-conferencing software? You 'phone' someone, perhaps using an existing phone blue tooth connected to your Mac, and the phone number is translated into some form of web/IP address to enable a connection to be established over the internet. You then chat to each other verbally using the Mac's inbuilt mic (rather than iChat style typed text) and see each other using a Webcam, via the iPhone application running on your Mac.

Purely hypothetically of course.

[ 02-26-2003: Message edited by: RodUK ]</strong><hr></blockquote>

that would be great!

i love the way that with bluetooth when my phone rings it pulls up address book, and tells me who is calling and if i want to refuse/sms/answer.

*but* if i want to answer i still have to go and grab my phone from my bag to actually speak to them...

[Escher]

[quote]Originally posted by Harald:
<strong>... get close to the machine (which under OS X is only asleep not turned off) and have it wake up, check the mail, say "Hi" and open forums.appleinsider.com ... and obviously hit the sync button.</strong><hr></blockquote>

[quote]Originally posted by New:
<strong>WOW! I just tested this app. and it's fantastic!!!</strong><hr></blockquote>

Harald and New: Salling Shareware just released the final 1.0 version of <a href="http://homepage.mac.com/jonassalling/Shareware/Clicker/index.html" target="_blank">Sony Ericsson Clicker</a>. There's an introductory price of $10 for the $13 shareware. Well worth the money if you have a compatible SE Bluetooth phone.

Escher

[ 02-28-2003: Message edited by: Escher ]</p>

[New]

got it already... very nice...

so is this:

http://www.mobil.se/bilder/bildbank/bildbank_3298.jpg

[Escher]

[quote]Originally posted by New:
<strong>very nice... so is this:</strong><hr></blockquote>

Saw the T610 in your <a href="http://forums.appleinsider.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=000644" target="_blank">T610 thread</a> in Digital Hub. It's a bit square if you ask me. Does the T610 at least have Bluetooth to work with SE Clicker? I much prefer the looks of the just-announced <a href="http://forums.appleinsider.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=000614" target="_blank">Z1010</a>.

Escher

[ 02-28-2003: Message edited by: Escher ]</p>

[israces]

This very well may be the wrong thread for this, and I apologize if it is, but since we're all here talking about phones and since the T68 has been banded about a little bit already, bottom line from those who actually have used the T68i: Does it really suck, is it just the crappy GSM service in the US that makes it suck, or does it just not live up to heightened expectations since it has been linked (somewhat) to Apple and everyone expects Apple endorsed stuff to be up to Apple standards?

[Cake]

I've had a T68i for months and I can't wait to dump it for a Nokia bluetooth phone.
I bought it mainly for the bluetooth integration with Address Book - and that's wonderful.
Gripes:
- Menu navigation sucks.
- Sluggish navigation. I understand that a firmware update fixes this a bit, but I don't havve the necessary cable.
- Even with the keylock on, it'll turn off in your pocket. Very annoying!
- If someone leaves you a voicemail (which puts a little icon on the display telling you that you have voicemail waiting), it also sends you a SMS telling you that you have voicemail. Completely redundant and a pain in the a** because then you have to go to another menu, then sub-menu just to delete that usless SMS.

There are a few other things, but those are the main problems for me. Reception isn't as good as my old Nokia, but it's not bad.
Great bluetooth implementation, but the interface needs lots of work.

[Anders the White]

[quote]Originally posted by Cake:
<strong>
- If someone leaves you a voicemail (which puts a little icon on the display telling you that you have voicemail waiting), it also sends you a SMS telling you that you have voicemail. Completely redundant and a pain in the a** because then you have to go to another menu, then sub-menu just to delete that usless SMS.</strong><hr></blockquote>

This must be a problem on the service providers side. Have you tried the SIM in another phone to see if it acts the same way there?

[Hassan i Sabbah]

Here it is!

http://dln.uvm.edu/~rmaurizi/matrixPhone.jpg

It's BEAUTIFUL.

Oh wait: it's the ugliest communication device on the planet.

Sorry.

[gsfmark]

that exists???!?!?! link! i want to recoil in horror!

[Frank777]

Can someone please forward that image to Jobs as a perfect example of why we need Apple to enter this space? <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" />

[Mr. Macintosh]

[quote]Originally posted by Frank777:
<strong>Can someone please forward that image to Jobs as a perfect example of why we need Apple to enter this space? <img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />

[Escher]

Could the "communicating device" vaguely described on MacRumors (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/04/20030421115609.shtml) be the purely hypothetical iPhone? I think yes!

Escher

[vinney57]

Its not often that a piece of equipment actually makes you roll around the floor in tears....I want that Samsung!

So...er, hypothetical Harald, spill the beans, hypothetically.