AT&T chief confirms 3G iPhone on the way

[AppleInsider]

Apple Inc. will introduce a version of the iPhone next year that can download from the Internet at a rate much faster than the existing version, AT&T Inc. chief executive Randall Stephenson confirmed Wednesday.

The device will operate on third-generation (3G) wireless networks, Stephenson said while speaking at a meeting of the Churchill Club in Santa Clara, California.

"You'll have it next year," he said, explaining that he was unaware of how much more the new version will cost than the existing $399 model because Apple chief executive Steve Jobs "will dictate what the price of the phone is.''

A 3G iPhone has long been believed to be part of Jobs' strategy to meet his company's self-imposed goal of selling 10 million during the 2008 calendar year. However, he noted in September that battery life on current 3G devices was too poor to commission a release in the immediate future.

"We've got to see the battery lives for 3G get back up into the five-plus-hour range,'' he said at the time. "Hopefully we'll see that late next year.''

In speaking to Bloomberg, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said the prospect of a more capable iPhone may make some shoppers put off buying an iPhone this year, but said the number of shoppers who delay a purchase won't be "enough to make a difference."

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[digitalclips]

I bet it is the same price and the present one will be discontinued.

[aplnub]

Originally Posted by digitalclips

I bet it is the same price and the present one will be discontinued.

Do you think they will let existing iPhone owners buy the updated 3G without a contract extension?

[rhowarth]

That's good news, but not really unexpected. There will always be bigger, better and faster devices coming along. Meanwhile I'm still very, very happy with my current iPhone (on O2).

[aplnub]

Also, how spotty will the 3G coverage be in the US?

[red_kola]

Coverage doesn't really matter. 3G phones can step down to 2G/2.5G when there is no faster network available.

[aplnub]

Originally Posted by red_kola

Coverage doesn't really matter. 3G phones can step down to 2G/2.5G when there is no faster network available.

But I am asking about AT&T and 3G service. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

[NOFEER]

Originally Posted by red_kola

Coverage doesn't really matter. 3G phones can step down to 2G/2.5G when there is no faster network available.

my issue with 3g is that i want to buy a phone that will last the contract time. 3g is inevitable, i don't want to buy now and have to pull an ebay. i like to pay once for things. now if my contract was 1 year, different story. but still i would have to deal with the $$$$ for the phone.
also 08 is a long time i'm hoping for jan announcement for march release or feb release. SJ says he will be agressive.....well SJ get moving

[essential]

As long as it has 3G and a true GPS, i'm on board for one. The lack of those two features are why I didn't buy the previous iPhone.

Hopefully there will be a 16GB and an 8GB for $399 and $299, but it's more likely they will keep the 8GB at $399 and introduce a higher price point for the 16GB.

Apple/AT&T should introduce some kind of language stating that if you buy an iPhone and sign a new 2-year contract, if you upgrade your phone, you won't be required to sign a new 2-year contract as long as you are upgrading to another iPhone. I would have purchased a 2G iPhone after the price drop if I was assured that I wouldn't have to sign a new two year contract if I wanted to upgrade to a 3G when they come out.

Does anyone think the new iPhone will have a slide out keyboard? All the companies that put out “iPhone like” phones with touchsceens etc all have slide out keyboards. Think Apple will cave to this, or stay true to the current form and just upgrade the insides?

[Larry767]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Apple Inc. will introduce a version of the iPhone next year that can download from the Internet at a rate much faster than the existing version, AT&T Inc. chief executive Randall Stephenson confirmed Wednesday.

Odd that this sort of announcement would come from outside Apple Inc. don't you think? Will Mr. Stephenson feel the wrath of Steve over this announcement?

[kemcqueen]

Originally Posted by essential

Does anyone think the new iPhone will have a slide out keyboard? All the companies that put out “iPhone like” phones with touchsceens etc all have slide out keyboards. Think Apple will cave to this, or stay true to the current form and just upgrade the insides?

I think you're right. They're going to get rid of the technically advanced soft keyboard and provide a new, stylish, slide-out keyboard with advanced clickiness. I also heard that they are replacing the Google Maps application with a Rand-McNally Road Atlas. This way you can view your maps anytime, anywhere, with or without network coverage.

[GregoryNP]

Decisions, decisions. I Lust after an iPhone. Love Verizon, Hate Cingular/ATT. BUT I am gong to by the current iPhone, sell it on eBay when the 3G comes out. How much can the diff cost anyway????

[ahmlco]

The reported power problems with 3G chipsets have only been half the problem.

In order to have 3G support one also needs a 3G network, and AT&T has been struggling to roll it out nationwide. Only 38 states have 3G access, and even there it's limited to a handful of cities.

See: http://www.isights.org/2007/11/3g-iphones-defi.html

[digitalclips]

Originally Posted by aplnub

Do you think they will let existing iPhone owners buy the updated 3G without a contract extension?

I sure hope so, even better how about a return and update hardware on current iPhones at a modest price and very fast turn around time. Perhaps even a system where they swap out them so immediately returned with new hardware, I don't care if it is a different physical phone so long as in good condition.

[teckstud]

If iPhone sales weren't flat on black Friday they sure will be for the rest of the holiday season. What bad timing to make that announcement! That just shows how AT&T was a bad choice for a carrier. Who would buy an iPhone at this time now? And I agreee it will be for the same price and with 16G.

[Markus1982]

Originally Posted by ahmlco

In order to have 3G support one also needs a 3G network, and AT&T has been struggling to roll it out nation wide. Only 38 states have 3G access, and even there it's limited to a handful of cities.

I think our US-located friends are seeing things a little too US-centric here.

It's not a question of 3G-coverage in the US, it's about the rest of the world, especially Asia and Europe with much more advanced 3G networks.

Please understand, the iPhones lack of 3G got criticised most in countries, were 3G is practically standard and using EDGE means going back to the stone ages. Over here, virtually any other phone except the iPhone has 3G capabilities.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by aplnub

Do you think they will let existing iPhone owners buy the updated 3G without a contract extension?

Dream on! And you'll only have to pay for the difference on the 2 models when you trade in the older version!

[Ireland]

I don't regret ordering the present 8GB model (€270). I'm going to let that tied me over until there's a 32GB HSDPA version in 2009.

[markb]

If iPhone sales weren't flat on black Friday they sure will be for the rest of the holiday season. What bad timing to make that announcement!

First: Why do you think this small comment is getting press? They know anything with Apple will get clicks/coverage and negative articles are 2x as good cause Apple haters are looking for any foible, and Apple fans want the product.

Second: Current iPhone is awesome, hard to believe people would wait another 8 months (more likely 10) for product that is more or less the same (1.5x effective network speed and GPS in case you have no clue where you are in the world). The next one will be better but...I already cant believe how well the current one works and its associated software is and it will be getting better as time goes on as (unlike virtually every other phone out there) its a software driven device and can be substantially upgraded through updates. Waiting more than 3-4months for a product makes little sense imo unless its a major upgrade.

[BlackSummerNight]

I can tell that the chart is old. AT&T has been dumping money into upgrading their network across the country. We got 3G a day after Thanksgiving, and boy what a difference it makes.

Originally Posted by ahmlco

The reported power problems with 3G chipsets have only been half the problem.

In order to have 3G support one also needs a 3G network, and AT&T has been struggling to roll it out nationwide. Only 38 states have 3G access, and even there it's limited to a handful of cities.

See: http://www.isights.org/2007/11/3g-iphones-defi.html

But with that being said, Dec 31, 2009 is next year, so who knows how early. We are just getting those 3Ghz chips Steve promised us in 2004.

[xtrmtrk]

Originally Posted by markb

I already cant believe how well the current one works and its associated software is and it will be getting better as time goes on as (unlike virtually every other phone out there) its a software driven device and can be substantially upgraded through updates.

I've been an Apple owner/fan since 1981 and have owned dozens if not hundreds of Apple products. But I'm very disappointed by the lack of "substantial upgrades" to the iPhone. I'm beginning to think all of the talk about great new features and upgrades was a bunch of marketing BS. Cripes, they can't even seem to get e-mail into landscape mode, a very simple improvement. The only noticeable software addition has been a way for Apple to make even more money off me.

It's a great phone, but after having one since the intro day, I can honestly say it's got a lot of holes in the usability of the software.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by teckstud

If iPhone sales weren't flat on black Friday they sure will be for the rest of the holiday season. What bad timing to make that announcement! That just shows how AT&T was a bad choice for a carrier. Who would buy an iPhone at this time now? And I agreee it will be for the same price and with 16G.

I agree. This was a stupid move. WHy announce what you are obviously going to have. Now idiots are going to have a reason to wait and then get pissed when it's not released in January.

Originally Posted by Ireland

I don't regret ordering the present 8GB model (€270). I'm going to let that tied me over until there's a 32GB HSDPA version in 2009.

I don't regret my 8GB iPhone, but I'm going to let that tied me over until there's a 64GB WiMAX version in 2011.

[CREB]

I bet users can expect a different rate plan with 3G = higher.

[BlackSummerNight]

Why would they be idiots for wanting to wait for a 3G phone?

Originally Posted by solipsism

I agree. This was a stupid move. WHy announce what you are obviously going to have. Now idiots are going to have a reason to wait and then get pissed when it's not released in January.


I don't regret my 8GB iPhone, but I'm going to let that tied me over until there's a 64GB WiMAX version in 2011.

[BlackSummerNight]

My rate didn't change, when my phone went from Edge to 3G .

Originally Posted by CREB

I bet users can expect a different rate plan with 3G = higher.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight

Why would they be idiots for wanting to wait for a 3G phone?

Idiots = People that were going tomake a purchase but are now not going to make a purchase based on this information and then get pissed at Apple when a 3G model isn't a available in early 2008.

[shamino]

Originally Posted by Markus1982

I think our US-located friends are seeing things a little too US-centric here.

It's not a question of 3G-coverage in the US, it's about the rest of the world, especially Asia and Europe with much more advanced 3G networks.

If the reason for this was to satisfy Europe, then why would the announcement come from AT&T?

I'm also very skeptical of any iPhone announcement that doesn't come from Apple. AT&T says "coming real soon" and Apple says "when we can get chipsets that fit our power requirements, hopefully by the end of next year". I think AT&T is announcing their own wishful thinking here.

[BlackSummerNight]

Gotcha, taking rumor as truth.

Originally Posted by solipsism

Idiots = People that were going tomake a purchase but are now not going to make a purchase based on this information and then get pissed at Apple when a 3G model isn't a available in early 2008.

[rols]

Originally Posted by markb

Second: Current iPhone is awesome, hard to believe people would wait another 8 months (more likely 10) for product that is more or less the same (1.5x effective network speed and GPS in case you have no clue where you are in the world). The next one will be better but...I already cant believe how well the current one works and its associated software is and it will be getting better as time goes on as (unlike virtually every other phone out there) its a software driven device and can be substantially upgraded through updates. Waiting more than 3-4months for a product makes little sense imo unless its a major upgrade.

well it depends where you're living. In most parts of Asia 3G is totally standard, the 2G people are running off the ends of their contracts and being given free phones to sign up for 3G at the same rates. A non 3G phone here won't even work in Japan, lots of people in Asia travel to Japan for work, a lot of people here (Singapore) went 3G as quickly as possible just because their phones were then truly universal. They're 900/1800/1900 for the US and the rest of the world GSM and 3G for japan.

A 2G phone here is a total dinosaur. I love apple but I'll wait 8 months or 10 months or 20 months if necessary until they release a 3G version. I have a 3G phone, I have a number of iPods, I have it covered at this point, until the iPhone has ALL the features I need, 3G phone, 16G or more iPod, I'm downgrading if I take it and that's pointless.

3G isn't software, it's hardware, memory capacity too. I agree everything else can be fixed later, but I for one think that 3G is a major upgrade.

[S10]

Originally Posted by Markus1982

Please understand, the iPhones lack of 3G got criticised most in countries, were 3G is practically standard and using EDGE means going back to the stone ages. Over here, virtually any other phone except the iPhone has 3G capabilities.

3G is highly overrated. People buy 3G phones because they think it is so much better and then complain about the ridiculous costs and the terrible battery life of their phones...

I would love to see some figures on how many people who have a 3G phone actually use anything on the phone that require 3G.. from what I hear from my Euro friends, once they had their 3G phones for 2 or 3 weeks, or whenever they received their first bill, their opinion on 3G changed drastically.

[rjharary]

Steve Jobs doesn't see the battery life for 3g being sufficient till "Late next year" thats November or December. So start saving up for xmas 08.

[freelander51]

Originally Posted by rjharary

Steve Jobs doesn't see the battery life for 3g being sufficient till "Late next year" thats November or December. So start saving up for xmas 08.

Nahh - if there is one thing for sure with technology - prices wont go up. ou just get more bang for your buck (or Euro)

I guess my E50 just got a 12 month stay of execution. Somehow it ain't half bad anymore

[wizard69]

Originally Posted by essential

Does anyone think the new iPhone will have a slide out keyboard? All the companies that put out “iPhone like” phones with touchsceens etc all have slide out keyboards. Think Apple will cave to this, or stay true to the current form and just upgrade the insides?

Not a chance in hell. The whole point of the MultiTouch software is to rely on virtual devices, why would they go back to physical devices. Second; Slide out keyboards introduce a reliability issue.

Dave

[BlackSummerNight]

3G is not overrated. Skype and Vtap are the two main programs I use with 3G. Web surfing is very fast. Video streaming from Cingular video actually works with out the beach ball of death. Google Maps works much better with 3G. I could continue, but I'll just say 3G is not overrated. Battery life isn't terrible. It all depends on how often you like to charge your battery.

Originally Posted by S10

3G is highly overrated. People buy 3G phones because they think it is so much better and then complain about the ridiculous costs and the terrible battery life of their phones...

I would love to see some figures on how many people who have a 3G phone actually use anything on the phone that require 3G.. from what I hear from my Euro friends, once they had their 3G phones for 2 or 3 weeks, or whenever they received their first bill, their opinion on 3G changed drastically.

[mxsweb]

This might be another reason why the iPhone is delayed in Canada. Rogers started to roll out new 3G services across the country this fall.

CBC French interviewed back in August 07 Sylvie Charette, Rogers,

"This technology (3G) that faster will grant us access to different services and faster data rates for Internet and of course, it will carry a new tarification to bring the accessibility even bigger."


Link:
http://www.radio-canada.ca/audio-vid...ROGERS07_m.asx

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by wizard69

Not a chance in hell. The whole point of the MultiTouch software is to rely on virtual devices, why would they go back to physical devices. Second; Slide out keyboards introduce a reliability issue.

I agree. If Apple did that then they'd also have to release different physical keyboards for different countries/regions. Not very Apple-like.

[Hunnicutt]

ATT's craptastic photo messaging server blows. It never works. That's the one signficant thing I miss from my Treo, being able to send/receive photos within a text message.

[Rot'nApple]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Apple Inc. will introduce a version of the iPhone next year that can download from the Internet at a rate much faster than the existing version, AT&T Inc. chief executive Randall Stephenson confirmed Wednesday.

"You'll have it next year," he said...

SJ - "We've got to see the battery lives for 3G get back up into the five-plus-hour range,'' he said at the time. "Hopefully we'll see that late next year.'"

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

Next Year or some time within the next 365 days.

Anyone out there want to conjure up a time frame they think Apple will produce this 3G iPhone and AT&T will provide more 3G coverage and when all this will roll out and be intorduce to the public for sale?

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by Rot'nApple

Anyone out there want to conjure up a time frame they think Apple will produce this 3G iPhone and AT&T will provide more 3G coverage and when all this will roll out and be intorduce to the public for sale?

I'm going with September of 2008.

[TenoBell]

If iPhone sales weren't flat on black Friday they sure will be for the rest of the holiday season. What bad timing to make that announcement! That just shows how AT&T was a bad choice for a carrier. Who would buy an iPhone at this time now? And I agreee it will be for the same price and with 16G.

There is nothing new about this. Jobs said the iPhone would eventually get 3G when he first announced it at MW07. At the UK launch he reiterated to expect the iPhone to have 3G by late 2008.

Steve Jobs doesn't see the battery life for 3g being sufficient till "Late next year" thats November or December.

From what I understand that is the point there will be sufficient supply of 3G chips that allow the iPhone to have its current battery life.

Do you think they will let existing iPhone owners buy the updated 3G without a contract extension?

If you loose or break your iPhone and you are within a contract it is already possible to activate a new iPhone without a contract extension.