Digg founder spills beans on Apple iPhone?

[AppleInsider]

In the latest episode of his weekly podcast, Digg founder Kevin Rose claims some knowledge of Apple Computer's initial iPhone product.

According to Rose, the extremely compact device will work with both CDMA and GSM networks, making it compatible with all of the most popular wireless carriers, such as Verizon, Sprint, Cingular and T-Mobile.

Apple is also doing "some unique things" with the device, he said, like building in two separate batteries -- one for the music player portion and the other for the actual phone.

Rose, who has provided accurate information on Apple products in the past, added that Apple is likely to introduce two models of the phone: a $249 4GB model and a $449 8GB model.

It should be noted that his past predictions on Apple products have come within hours, not months, of the formal introduction for those products.

Still, Rose appeared high in his convictions, even adding that a touch-screen may also be in the cards for the face of the device.

A copy of this week's Diggnation podcast is available here.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[nufase]

first comment!

My 60GB 4th gen photo just broke (the harddrive died I think, It keeps saying its corrupt, anyone else have this problem?). I'm going to wait until the 8GB iphone comes out to replace it.

EDIT---

I think the post above has a mistake

"Rose, who has provided accurate information on Apple products in the past, added that Apple is likely to introduce two models of the phone: a $249 4GB model and a $449 4GB model."

it's $449 for the 8GB model. (according to macrumors.com)

[ascii]

I really can't support Apple in this. The cellphone is just a rude, rude invention. No amount of Apple polish can overcome the crassness of carrying a telephone around in your pocket.

[backtomac]

Originally Posted by ascii

I really can't support Apple in this. The cellphone is just a rude, rude invention. No amount of Apple polish can overcome the crassness of carrying a telephone around in your pocket.

You're right, I'd much rather be tethered to a cord.

[Bear]

Originally Posted by ascii

I really can't support Apple in this. The cellphone is just a rude, rude invention. No amount of Apple polish can overcome the crassness of carrying a telephone around in your pocket.

The crassness is not carrying it. It's how many people use them that is the problem.

The real problems are:

• the loud obnoxious (and settable) ringers
• people who have to yell into them (whether or not it's necessary)
• the push-to-talk walkie talkie mode where eveyone has to hear both sides of the conversation
• people who don't turn off phones or forget to set them to vibrate only in theaters
• people answering calls in theaters and such instead of moving out into the lobby

I would say the prblem isn't the cell phoneitself. It more a lack of manners. Society has gotten more rude in a lot of ways, but that's a different rant.

[solipsism]

edit: I read as "not going to happen" instead of "shouldn't happen". My bad.


For $200 more I expect the 8GB model to be larger with a QWERTY keyboard.

[Rolo]

Yeah, all the beer guzzling gives me the confidence I need to bet my money on this rumor. Of course, there isn't anything new except for the dual battery thing. Whoop-de-doo! That's gotta be worth the extra bucks!

It's easy to guess that Apple will have a flash-based, nano-like phone that'll combine the best qualities of the iPod with the capabilities of a modern cell phone. How does Apple differentiate itself from other tune-playing phones? By offering choice of carrier and freedom to make use of all the modern technologies without restrictions imposed by carriers.

[benvon]

I don't know... this one has been a rumor so long that beer + rumor-mongering + too-good-to-be-true doesn't leave me with much confidence.

[ascii]

Originally Posted by Bear

I would say the prblem isn't the cell phoneitself. It more a lack of manners. Society has gotten more rude in a lot of ways, but that's a different rant.

Maybe the iPhone could come with a little card of cellphone etiquette?

[ZachPruckowski]

Originally Posted by Rolo

Yeah, all the beer guzzling gives me the confidence I need to bet my money on this rumor. Of course, there isn't anything new except for the dual battery thing. Whoop-de-doo! That's gotta be worth the extra bucks!

Actually, if the set-up is such that the phone can drain the player's battery, but not vice-versa, it kills the #1 complaint with media-phones, which is that listening to music for more than a few hours kills battery life.

[Bear]

Originally Posted by ascii

Maybe the iPhone could come with a little card of cellphone etiquette?

Actually all cell phones should include such a card. The sad thing is that it's needed.

[BuzDots]

Originally Posted by ascii

I really can't support Apple in this. The cellphone is just a rude, rude invention. No amount of Apple polish can overcome the crassness of carrying a telephone around in your pocket.

Ya know, I agree. And, people should value themselves more than to be tied to a universal, unseen umbilical cord.

And I know I'm gonna get fired on for this one but.. only a true lacky carries a cell phone - be honest with yourself!


...but, like dear 'ol Dad used to say "if they want blue, sell 'em blue" - Go Apple!

[pmjoe]

Originally Posted by ascii

I really can't support Apple in this. The cellphone is just a rude, rude invention. No amount of Apple polish can overcome the crassness of carrying a telephone around in your pocket.

I have to be honest, I'm much more offended by the rudeness of some people using iPods that what I usually see with mobile phones. People walking, running, biking, even driving with their earbuds in, blissfully ignorant of their surroundings, and sometimes with their music so loud that we get to hear it too. Quite rude of them to hand off their responsibilities of minding their own safety to more responsible people.

On a phone, you're at least likely to be doing something semi-productive, have a free ear to listen to your surroundings, and can easily stop talking if the situation warrants it.

Great news though, with the iPhone they'll be able to offend you and me both with one device.

[Rolo]

Originally Posted by ZachPruckowski

Actually, if the set-up is such that the phone can drain the player's battery, but not vice-versa, it kills the #1 complaint with media-phones, which is that listening to music for more than a few hours kills battery life.

I was being facetious but yeah, the dual battery idea is a good one. Use the iPod function all day with no worries about the cell part not working. If the thing is smaller than sh*t, maybe the two batteries are different sizes or it's one battery with two segments that can be individually discharged.

I'd really like to see Apple shake up the cell phone biz.

[archurban]

I actually stopped to listen this crappy podcast. I mean news what they provide is fine. but their manner to run show is not ready for public. why do they drink beers in the middle of show? then they are sober, drunken. they say word 'fukc, dude' many times. it's not word to say on show which many people listen. about 1 hour or less show, they talk about crap. IT news is maybe 20%. what a lame crappy show! I like kevin. but please, think before the show. you know, brain is not decoration.

[Johnny Mozzarella]

Kevin only has deets on the hardware...not that interesting other than the dual battery thing.
The real juicy stuff is going to be done in software.
Verizon, Cingular and Sprint aren't software companies thats why their phones are all mucked up.
Apple is a software company and this phone will have an amazing OS/user experience.

[backtomac]

Originally Posted by BuzDots

Ya know, I agree. And, people should value themselves more than to be tied to a universal, unseen umbilical cord.

And I know I'm gonna get fired on for this one but.. only a true lacky carries a cell phone - be honest with yourself!


...but, like dear 'ol Dad used to say "if they want blue, sell 'em blue" - Go Apple!

I guess if you're unemployed you don't need one.

[DeaPeaJay]

Originally Posted by solipsism

edit: I read as "not going to happen" instead of "shouldn't happen". My bad.


For $200 more I expect the 8GB model to be larger with a QWERTY keyboard.

Ugh, I don't want a keyboard on a pocket device. Whoever that of doing that on mobile devices was an idiot. Unless you absolutely need that functionality, I think it's a bad idea. keyboards should only go as small as the size of a tablet IMO.

[kcdstudios]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

Kevin only has deets on the hardware...not that interesting other than the dual battery thing.
The real juicy stuff is going to be done in software.
Verizon, Cingular and Sprint aren't software companies thats why their phones are all mucked up.
Apple is a software company and this phone will have an amazing OS/user experience.

AGREED. OSX mobile or stripped. A ferrari is a waste unless you know how to drive it

[mr O]

Apple doing a cellphone? I'd be surprised. Apple doing an internet phone? More likely! Hence the name i(nternet)Mac, i(nternet)Phone.

And it's gonna integrate with their cutting edge desktop applications (iLife, iChat and Address book).


The cellphone is dead! Long live the iPhone!!

[desarc]

everyone is rude nowadays. it has nothing to do with cellphones.
what really bothers me is that even IF apple came out with something as high tech as the N95 in a package as small as the nano with a full screen and slide out qwerty, people would STILL complain.

omfg, i can't believe it doesnt have 802.11 n... omfg, only 3 megapixels?... omfg, no terabyte hard drive? omfg, only 24 hours of talk time? omfg i can't run photoshop on in? omfg, it can't teleport me from work to home to avoid traffic? lame.

[Idle]

Originally Posted by BuzDots

Ya know, I agree. And, people should value themselves more than to be tied to a universal, unseen umbilical cord.

And I know I'm gonna get fired on for this one but.. only a true lacky carries a cell phone - be honest with yourself!

You're entitled to your opinion of course, but I think you have a pretty silly opinion
I carry a cell phone because it's a safety device. And having a phone does not mean that one is tied to an "umbilical cord," right? You don't have to answer it.

[mgkwho]

Originally Posted by desarc

omfg, it can't teleport me from work to home to avoid traffic? lame.

um helloooooooooo...it's only a rumor.

gosh.

-=|Mgkwho

[mgkwho]

Originally Posted by desarc

omfg, it can't teleport me from work to home to avoid traffic? lame.

um helloooooooooo...it's only a rumor.

gosh.

-=|Mgkwho

[mgkwho]

Originally Posted by desarc

omfg, it can't teleport me from work to home to avoid traffic? lame.

um helloooooooooo...it's only a rumor.

gosh.

-=|Mgkwho

[mgkwho]

erm...somehow i doubled posted...sorry...

like 5 times...

[kcdstudios]

Originally Posted by desarc

everyone is rude nowadays. it has nothing to do with cellphones.
what really bothers me is that even IF apple came out with something as high tech as the N95 in a package as small as the nano with a full screen and slide out qwerty, people would STILL complain.

omfg, i can't believe it doesnt have 802.11 n... omfg, only 3 megapixels?... omfg, no terabyte hard drive? omfg, only 24 hours of talk time? omfg i can't run photoshop on in? omfg, it can't teleport me from work to home to avoid traffic? lame.

well im sorry to disapoint you but the iphone will have a TWO terabyte hard drive via .mac, two imbedded-in-the-screen 3 mp cameras, a newly written 802.11 r standard, mind reading talk technology so unlimited talk time, a 3D projector to run photoshop with vista (rewritten by apple), and the ability to shift time space to create simultaneous alternate dimensions where you CAN be two places at once.</speculation>

but your right, they'll still complain about scratches.

or some goof will sue because he sits on it.

[SpamSandwich]

Kevin "The Stinking Drunk" Rose may be right, but he and his sophomoric buddy are still idiots. I'd rather listen to Leo Laporte talk about nearly anything over those soused losers.

[davey-nb]

Originally Posted by desarc

omfg, i can't believe it doesnt have 802.11 n... omfg, only 3 megapixels?... omfg, no terabyte hard drive? omfg, only 24 hours of talk time? omfg i can't run photoshop on in? omfg, it can't teleport me from work to home to avoid traffic? lame.

and omg what's with teh lameo integrated grafix card I'll never buy one till they have a better one...

[snoopy]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

It should be noted that his past predictions on Apple products have come within hours, not months, of the formal introduction for those products.

It will be announced tomorrow?

[wilco]

um helloooooooooo...it's only a rumor.

gosh.

-=|Mgkwho

[cherrypop]

Wonder how long it will be before we read stories about heads rolling at Apple related to the KR iPhone story. Surely someone's going to pay for the leak if Apple's history of punishing leakers is still a good indication of their present position.

[BuzDots]

Originally Posted by Idle

You're entitled to your opinion of course, but I think you have a pretty silly opinion
I carry a cell phone because it's a safety device. And having a phone does not mean that one is tied to an "umbilical cord," right? You don't have to answer it.

Well, there you have it! Idle, you are right, it does make a good safety device. I stand corrected.

Come on backtomac, I said be honest...

[BenRoethig]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

In the latest episode of his weekly podcast, Digg founder Kevin Rose claims some knowledge of Apple Computer's initial iPhone product.

According to Rose, the extremely compact device will work with both CDMA and GSM networks, making it compatible with all of the most popular wireless carriers, such as Verizon, Sprint, Cingular and T-Mobile.

Apple is also doing "some unique things" with the device, he said, like building in two separate batteries -- one for the music player portion and the other for the actual phone.

Rose, who has provided accurate information on Apple products in the past, added that Apple is likely to introduce two models of the phone: a $249 4GB model and a $449 8GB model.

It should be noted that his past predictions on Apple products have come within hours, not months, of the formal introduction for those products.

Still, Rose appeared high in his convictions, even adding that a touch-screen may also be in the cards for the face of the device.

A copy of this week's Diggnation podcast is available here.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

I hope this guys "hours" prediction is right. The Christmas season is the most active time for cell phones. MWSF would be more dramatic, it would cost many sales.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by cherrypop

Wonder how long it will be before we read stories about heads rolling at Apple related to the KR iPhone story. Surely someone's going to pay for the leak if Apple's history of punishing leakers is still a good indication of their present position.

Expect Steve to put out a contract on Kevin Rose, and Boba Fett, Dengar, Bossk, IG-88, 4-LOM, Zuckuss and Aurra Sing to answer the call.

[MoonShadow]

Apple would have to dump nearly as much money into advertising the iPhone as they did developing it to make it a success by Christmas. I mean, no one but us Mac Fans would have even heard of the thing, with little more than 3 weeks till Christmas!

I say.... aint ganna happen!

[SpamSandwich]

Agreed.

[bdkennedy1]

Take the weekend off?

[lfmorrison]

Originally Posted by backtomac

I guess if you're unemployed you don't need one.

I've never used my cellphone for anything employment-related. I have unemployed friends who use their cellphones much more often than I do. If I can possibly get away with it, I'd much prefer to use a land line.

The most frequently called number on my cellphone is the city's automated bus schedule system, to let me know how much time I have left to run to the nearest stop. Sometimes, I'll use it to call friends. Otherwise, its primary purpose is for emergencies.

And I usually don't give my cellphone number out specifically because I enjoy the freedom of being untethered from the office every now and then; if I gave out the number to business contacts, then I'd feel obligated to leave the phone turned on.

[filburt]

Regarding dual battery... perhaps it will be two virtual batteries (over 1 physical battery) instead of two physical batteries. I maybe naive about battery technology, but it seems rather inefficient to have two smaller batteries instead of one large one, and use software/technology to ration power to multimedia and phone functionalities. Double points if phone functionality can borrow battery from multimedia.

And regarding 4GB and 8GB's $200 price difference, perhaps 4GB will be carrier branded and locked and 8GB will be unbranded and unlocked?